Split (1)

train · 5.83k rows

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one-ugly-bitch	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>Iris Darke learns about a new four-letter word.</p> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/component%3Abhl-dark-sidebar/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Ablack-market/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">xexnoncores</a> <div class="authorbox"> <div class="authorcontent"> <p><strong>This work contains CWs for:</strong> usage of homophobic slurs, gore, and cannibalism.</p> <p>One Ugly Bitch? by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/xexnoncores" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9159226); return false;"><img alt="xexnoncores" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=9159226&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043670" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=9159226)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/xexnoncores" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9159226); return false;">xexnoncores</a></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> <div class="content-warning creditRate">⚠️ content warning <span class="content-warning-arrow"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div> </div> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p><span style="font-size:2.0em;">June 1st, 2015<br/></span></p> <p>“Nice ass on her, eh?”</p> <p>Iris Darke sighs, taking a sip of her brandy. The words hang tepidly in her ears as she slices the end off a Gurkha Royal cigar, hoping that nothing of note follows. That titanium blade cleaves through thin leaf in her hands, leaving behind nothing except tobacco so bare a guillotine would blush.</p> <p>The patron next to her laughs, pointing far out right. A sack of curly red hair juts out hazily from in front of a wall of wine.</p> <p>"Me, I'm torn between that one or the brunette downstairs with the double Ds. Which one do you want? I’ll let you pick because you look like you need the lift, mister.”</p> <p>She cooks the end of her cigar and sucks in cleanly. It tastes like cedarwood smothered in vanilla. The nicotine hits her like a car as the smoke clouds over the bar, fluttering between dim orange lights and a pacing bartender.</p> <p>“I’m not here to pleasure myself,” she responds, gaze trailing sharply to the ceiling. “If you wish to engage with those women, then be my guest.”</p> <p>“Wha—”</p> <p>The man’s face changes quicker than a stock crash. Ivory revulsion crawls viciously over his mouth and temples, spilling onto the polished mahogany floor.</p> <p>“Jesus fuck,” he huffs with a spit. “You’re one ugly dyke. What, did your pansy daddy not know how to rear a bitch?”</p> <p>Iris’s eyes widen. Without a word, she whips her head around, but he’s since left his seat. Her vertical pupils burn like lit needles as she watches him sprint out the door, the air he left behind bleeding with sweat and expired cologne.</p> <p>Her teeth pinch the cigar too tightly, leaching ash onto her tongue. She coughs, trying not to let the light go to waste, but all she can find herself doing is repeating that string of words in her head.</p> <p><em>Dyke, dyke, dyke. Excuse me, but what did you call me?</em></p> <p>The bartender lowers his head without a word. When Iris looks to him for some kind of tether, not intending to come off as weak, he just turns his face. He turns his face with derelicting cavalierness, his eyes closed like a statue forever carved to be unobservant.</p> <p>Not even an offer of more alcohol to smooth out the lack of sugar in the air tonight…</p> <p>She snarls and clenches her jaw, flashing a pair of nasty fangs that go unnoticed and unkiltered.</p> <p>Without a word, she refuses him a tip and leaves too, her head buzzing louder than she can remember in recent memory.</p> <hr/> <p>“He called you a <em>what?</em>“</p> <p>Traffic sludges to the beat of metronome routines as the black of tinted windows carpets her from head to toe. Iris taps her foot, gripping the phone nearly hard enough to dent its jet case, trying to savor the way her thick soles hit the concrete. In an empty garage like this, that’s all she has to keep her on the ground, to anchor her in totality, in certainty.</p> <p>Percival’s voice may be filtered through a microphone, but it’s good enough for now.</p> <p>“Goodness, that’s a vulgar insult,” she continues, clicking her tongue. “Almost old-fashioned, too. Where on earth did you hear such a thing?”</p> <p>Iris swallows. “Some wanker lobbed the word at me in a hotel bar. He thought I was…”</p> <p>One deep breath. Two deep breaths. She closes her eyes to let the sound of cars rumbling wash over her completely before she continues. Their engines beat faster than her runic heart ever will, but they are companions in how such anxiety actualizes itself within her chest.</p> <p>“…He thought I was a man, egging me to join in on ogling some unfortunate vixen. When he heard me speak…that’s when he…”</p> <p>She trails off, voice falling to a lukewarm death. It needs to stay alive, but she can’t force it to, even in the snug comfortableness of her preferred clothes. Normally they are a buoy for her, a lighthouse in the march of transactions, capital, ink and paperwork, but these dark dyes have seemingly betrayed her into this situation.</p> <p>“Oh, you poor baby!” Percival cries.</p> <p>Iris whimpers, hating herself for the noise but wishing that exclamation was right next to her instead of halfway to Orlando. Her bare hands clutch the phone tighter. She waits for the sentence to finish.</p> <p>“What a horrendous experience that must have been. My sweet pumpkin, you didn’t deserve to come underfoot of such a backwoods slur.”</p> <p>Iris tries to summon words again, but they merely tremble as she runs over some knives on the table. One glows red, while another flickers white. A third, paired at the handles in conjoining forks, gluts a sickly violet.</p> <p>She keeps her hands still, though. Focus is the must of all good business.</p> <p>“What does it mean, though?” What a disgusting waver in her cadence. Pick yourself up, girl.</p> <p>“Oh, um…well…”</p> <p>The sound of a lighter clicks on the other end of the line. Iris purses her lips, wishing that could be her. She made herself leave her cigars behind whenever she had to indulge in delivering punishment, but that didn’t mean she wanted to. It was a crime, honestly, that their sweet taste got in the way of necessary work, a crime that was all the more reason to punish whatever found itself writhing under her palms.</p> <p>“…Well, it’s a derogatory term for a lesbian.”</p> <p>Silence.</p> <p>She stiffens. “I’m not a lesbian, though.”</p> <p>“I know, honey,” Percival chirps. “I know you’re not, but the way you present yourself is typical of the stereotypes many expect of such individuals.”</p> <p>“How?” Oof, that was a bit too loud. “H-How can someone assume such a thing just from a simple glance? I am not following you here.”</p> <p>She begins trotting a pace, but stops as soon as a new question weighs her down.</p> <p>“What does being a lesbian have to do with how I look? Why would they dress in a suit and tie to signal such qualitative notions? It doesn’t make sense. Suits are for business, mother. Business!”</p> <p>Percival sighs, and Iris chatters her teeth. Her free hand darts for a surface, any surface, and she ends up on the smooth plastic of a roll of scalpels.</p> <p>Ah, that was better. She squeezes, relishing the way the metal juts into her skin. Not enough to harm or seriously slice, just enough to preserve an orientation to tactility.</p> <p>“That…That is a very loaded inquiry, I…”</p> <p>“Please, tell me.” She turns away from the window to the blankness of a smooth, black wall. Jackhammers hang down heavily, their thick-headed ends pining for rust, but alas, they cannot. Their master is watching.</p> <p>“…Please,” she repeats.</p> <p>“Iris, you know being a lesbian isn’t a bad thing? You’re speaking out of breath like you’ve just witnessed a murder.”</p> <p>“I know,” she says, her eyes burning. “I…I know. Because you…you’re…”</p> <p>“Correct.” Percival laughs. “So what’s the issue here then?”</p> <p>Silence again.</p> <p>Iris perks up once she steels her will against her head fogging with gray dust.</p> <p>“…I just don’t want to be mistaken for something I’m not.”</p> <p>Being mistaken for someone else meant death. Her name, Iris Darke, was who she was, who she was born to be. It was the identity gifted to her to grow into as the world’s potentate, its overseer and ruler. She was in charge of who she became, but the double-edged sword of that power was that she needed to control others’ perceptions of her, as well.</p> <p>People did business with those they liked, after all. Who they liked was who they needed, and once they needed you, they would be forced to forever like you, lest they suffer the consequences. Profit does not have the time to look a gift horse in its mouth.</p> <p>“Ah, makes sense. I know how that feels.”</p> <p>“You do?”</p> <p>“Mhmhm, I do. I had to live my life that way for longer than was nearly bearable for me.”</p> <p>“Ah, right. I still don’t understand, though, Mother. Who—Who made up such preposterous assumptions about people like that? A bunch of idiots? Who would ever think to throw lots over something like that based on how someone <em>looks?</em>”</p> <p>Percival half groans, half-snickering, but Iris can’t tell if she’s straining out full laughter or trying not to come off as patronizing. Her stoic face flashes red, skin so paper-white that it’s not hard to see her blush, even in the thorny darkness she’s currently steeped in. When there’s no response, she runs a hand through her hair. It’s short, greased, and cropped in a single, smooth part across her forehead. It barely catches light at all, despite how stiff it was styled, and despite how black it was, too.</p> <p>This was her ideal. The <em>most</em> ideal. It was her at her best, the peak of her performance. Asking her to relinquish anything to someone else’s notion of femininity would be like clipping a lark’s wings.</p> <p>“…Oh, Iris, you will have to forgive me for not educating you about these kinds of matters sooner—I keep forgetting how fast you’ve grown up.”</p> <p>“Huh? What? What does that mean?”</p> <p>Her eyes dart wildly over nothing.</p> <p>“What it means,” Percival says with another click of her tongue, a smile shining through her words, “is that I didn’t realize you’d run into this at the fledging age of twenty-one.”</p> <p>“…Did you not know what a lesbian was when you were twenty-one?”</p> <p>“Iris, I was eating farmers and terrorizing all of Bristol in 1421. I hadn’t yet risen above the primal carnality brought upon by my desire to leave my mortality behind—so no, I didn’t. I didn’t know what a lesbian was. I don’t think we even had a word for it back then.”</p> <p>“R-Right. How unstudious of me t-to forget.”</p> <p>Breathe, Iris, Breathe. A deep inhale fills her throat, full of oxidizing aromas that whet her appetite more than she would have been able to admit in public company.</p> <p>But by herself, though, she is ready. Completely ready. She deserves this, she deserves it utterly. She soothes herself by telling herself what Percival has always told her: she deserves everything. <em>Everything.</em> The universe is going to be hers in shortly due time.</p> <p>Again her hands find the knives. They join the scalpels with doctorate precision, shining dully. But that’s only because they have not yet found their proper bed to play around in, the foyer upon which they will all be united as a happy family.</p> <p>“Look—” Iris can hear Percival take a sip of something. “We can talk about all of this later. It will be a conversation of more length than can be afforded to me now—I have to take a phone call with the governor of Florida here in fifteen minutes.”</p> <p>“Really?”</p> <p>Percival’s voice climbs into a bell-chime verity, and Iris relaxes. “Yes, I promise. I’m not going to forget about this, I assure you—it’s just extremely complicated. More complicated than a merger of energy companies, haha.”</p> <p>“Okay, thank you.” She remembers to exhale. “I appreciate it.”</p> <p>“You’ll be okay,” Percival reassures her. The sizzling of her cigar catches the mic, a campfire’s comfort and a miniature sun in the back of Iris’s head. It’s the sound she grew up to, the sound of everything being okay.</p> <p>“I assume you’ll be taking care of the wretched heathen who slung such disrespect at you?”</p> <p>Blue eyes trail over her collected things. Their manufactured bodies look so demure all piled together.</p> <p>She smiles. “Of course.” With a rise of her chest again, everything coalesces, coming together in a single plane of stillness washing over her soul. “I’m disposing of him myself, too.”</p> <p>“Oh, you are?”</p> <p>“Yes.” She drums her fingers against the cold steel table quietly. “I skipped dinner, so it should be no problem.”</p> <p>“That’s my girl! Show him his place among the livestock, and deign him to Hell proper.”</p> <p>Her fangs begin peeking out. “Always.”</p> <p>“Oh, but if he’s Catholic, remember to restrain yourself with the biting, mhm?” Percival’s voice takes on a much-too-saccharine tone. “You have to make it look like a suicide so his God and family will disown him.”</p> <p>Iris chuffs. “I knowwwww, Mother. You don’t need to tell me…”</p> <p>“Haha, you know me, I’m just being a mom! Remember, you don’t have to though. I promise this is just making fun. Love you sweetie, see you soon!”</p> <p>She hangs up, the phone keening a dial-tone Iris has heard a million times, and will hear a million times more to the power of itself throughout her lifetime.</p> <p>Okay, all she has to do now is gather all of this up. Everything’s been prepared with the utmost acuity, and the shipment arrived just an hour ago with no interruptions.</p> <p>Time to follow the recipe’s instructions, and carve up a pig.</p> <hr/> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p><span style="font-size:2.0em;">June 3rd, 2015<br/></span></p> <p>Iris Darke is not a lesbian, because she does not like only women. She has, after much trial and tribulation, concluded that she also likes men, strangely enough.</p> <p>In her mind, at sixteen, she thought she would have followed in the proclivities of her mother when she transitioned. Percival did not switch away from her attraction to the fairer sex after taking estrogen and having more surgeries than a combatant from a war zone, so that was…was it a given? Is liking women genetic? Had modern science answered that question yet?</p> <p>Did the ritual connecting them do something?</p> <p>But men…Iris knew of them, and was exposed to them more often than she preferred. As a child, men kissed women on the television, and they paraded their wives around at auctions like slung ferrets on their arms. Chrysophilius also watched shows full of them fighting each other in strange, bizarre ways while they went on even more bizarre adventures. He even showed her a Japanese magazine full of them once, beating each other to death. Eugh.</p> <p>None of it really seemed for her, until one day, a blonde boy approached her after an event and asked about who she was, calling her beautiful. She was freshly eighteen then, he just a mere month older than her.</p> <p>His name was…oh, what was it again? She doesn’t know actually if she asked, even though he took her on three “dates”. He took her on three “dates” around the hotel they both were due to stay a week in for, walking with her around the marble gardens and the grand velvet carpets.</p> <p>They had a wonderful time, him talking about art, her about history. The history of the French Revolution, followed by the art of Norway, where he hailed from. His mother was a rich heiress from Oslo supposedly meeting Percival to exchange information about some kind of secret. It was a big secret, a ferocious secret that had to be kept from her fiancé back home lest the family incur not just a great shame, but the wrath of a fae queen and her servants.</p> <p>After telling her that, they kissed. He initiated it, having to lean up on the very nimble tips of his polished Oxfords, but they managed to kiss.</p> <p>She felt her heart flutter in a way that could only be described as genuine.</p> <p>Then they exchanged numbers, and she never saw or heard from him again.</p> <p>Percival would never tell her why.</p> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6629">Two black mannequins</a> stand to attention as Iris adjusts her tie and clears her throat. Her private chef stands a few meters away, purple eyes searing as she snaps the head off a fish on a chilled marble cutting board. It does not bleed.</p> <p>“Will we be flambéing the entree tonight, Madam Iris?”</p> <p>Iris shakes her head. “No, we will not. A light sear is more than enough here.”</p> <p>“Understood. Served alongside the bouillabaisse or as an included ingredient?”</p> <p>“Alongside. I don’t want the flavors to clash, since I wish for rosemary to be the seasoning of choice there.”</p> <p>“Excellent choice. That herb is delicious fried.”</p> <p>She would lick her lips if her stomach wasn’t so disconnected from her brain. Everything was spinning just a bit too much to the left, just a bit too low out of perinatal rotation, even now. An ellipse of thoughts scatters across her mind as she pulls the red knife out of her pocket and unzips a large black duffel bag.</p> <p>The man screams weakly. He’s been deprived of food and water for two days.</p> <p>“Still breathing? Unfortunate. Let me help you with that burden, <em>mister.</em>”</p> <p>Iris doesn’t actually mind being called that. It was not uncommon for her to derive a smug satisfaction from being mistaken for her mother from her kept masculine name. Being referred to as mister gave her the illusion of being a handsome woman, sparking a warm and fuzzy feeling in her feet and mouth.</p> <p>The man whines, thrashing his head back and forth. Iris snarls, plunging the knife into his neck with a single, graceful movement. It’s as harmonious as a choir of birds singing, of male red-winged blackbirds undulating throughout their territory.</p> <p>Scarlet gushes, splashing her on the cheek. There is no hesitation cracking the vertebrae, no wavering on the completion of that right-angle movement.</p> <p>It’s a beautiful snap, but it does not bring her any relief. If it did, she would have reached for the scalpel and begin carving out his eyes. He stops moving as soon as she thinks to herself she should have taunted him more, flinging back in his face the other word he so horrendously flung at her. It would have been fitting.</p> <p>Why were men like this? What about her changed when she cut her hair and wore the clothes she did? She knew she was different; she was not an idiot in that department. Skirts were not for her, makeup not either. Or heels, or pink, or diminutive purses. She abandoned those things at nineteen and never looked back.</p> <p>That was when she hit her growth spurt too. She hovered at just above average height for a woman at one hundred and sixty-eight centimeters until three months later she had to throw out all of her clothes because she hit two hundred clean. <em>Two hundred.</em></p> <p>Doors became harder to walk through, shoes harder to find in her size. The tailors had to be called in to work overtime because of how much fabric was being burned. It was almost an embarrassment until she realized how much of an asset it provided her in the intimidation department, but what else was it good for? What else?</p> <p>Did it make her more attractive? Less? She never thought about that until it came time for a quiet moment between someone she thought looked halfway interesting. Business flooded her head so often Iris rarely ever thought about anything more than a one-night stand, but just the mere notion created a paralysis of void that she just couldn’t shake off. She couldn’t.</p> <p>They did not look at her the way they did their girlfriends with their hairspray and glittering jewelry.</p> <p>So to the back of her mind it went, until this dog had dragged it out of her.</p> <p>Her chef rings a bell, and Iris finally severs the neck from the head. She was careful to cut at the base, near the collarbone, so that the cut would be substantial enough.</p> <p>“Here,” she says, bringing it over carefully such that the blood did not spill all over the granite tile. Before those connoisseur hands can take it away from her though, Iris finds herself licking that iron red and sighing.</p> <p>“Madam Iris?”</p> <p>Again. She sucks through the major vein, letting the harsh taste wash her away.</p> <p>Other women didn’t do this, but other women weren’t her.</p> <p>“Just sampling a taste.” She licks her lips as if that would clean her chin in any meaningful way, handing off the meat with wide pupils. “Raw blood is so distinctively saturated, the neck providing the best the body has to offer.”</p> <p>“Certainly,” her chef replies. “That’s where much of the de-oxygenated supply resides. It’s much sweeter than normal, right?”</p> <p>“Actually, a bit more sour.”</p> <p>“Sour?”</p> <p>Her chef’s eyes bore into her out of curiosity. Thorny veins pulse at the edge of her corneas.</p> <p>“Like carbonation, I think,” Iris replies flatly, sitting down on the fancy stool to watch the flames rise and dance behind that starched outfit under steel burners. “Not unpalatable, but rather adding a new layer of complexity.”</p> <p>“Haha, I remember when you asked me to carbonate that once. What a mess it made!”</p> <p>Iris smiles. “We should find a way to make it work.”</p> <p>Her chef returns the favor. “I shall resume my experiments in due time then. Is there anything else you’d like this cooked with?”</p> <p>Iris’s eyes dart over the wall of machinery behind both the living and non-living body. The heat lamp keeping everything warm is making her face sticky. Not too much, but enough to stimulate hunger out of a tilted off-kiltering.</p> <p>Would that boy love her now? She had longer hair when he looked at her back then. It was straight, flat-ironed to a crisp, diamondine sheen, draping her ears in kniving curtains. Percival had even put some blush on her cheeks that morning, and he said made her look like a rose.</p> <p>“…No. That will be all.”</p> <p>A white and pink rose…</p> <p>“Wonderful. Please wait one moment.”</p> <p>The chef steps back, taking the neck with her as the smell of bony fish, muscles and tomatoes floats on hot lightbulbs. Iris clasps her hands together daintily, assuming a proper posture as she watches, and waits.</p> <p>As fat and skin sizzle, her mind wanders to other aspects of food. Her mind wanders at first to how much akin to a steak this will taste like with the rosemary, since those two went so well together. But inevitably it runs back to the man’s physique, what she was not eating tonight.</p> <p>She looks an awful lot like him. Broad shoulders, strong jaw, flat chest—she barely filled out even the smallest bras. One of the things she was most happiest about was giving up dresses, because even when altered, they looked crooked on her. There was nothing for the straps to cascade down, nothing for them to hold on to. They wanted an hourglass to snug themselves into and all she could offer was a board.</p> <p>What about her body made her so unattractive? To men, in particular? She would be a liar if she said women also didn’t give her occasional strange stares, but it was always the men who were the quickest to jump to judgment.</p> <p>How was a flat chest unattractive? How could someone taller than they ever could be a threat to their own sense of ideals? Why did it matter she didn’t have a tiny waist?</p> <p>Would anyone ever find her appealing? In pursuing her true self, had Iris cut the entire world off from her heart?</p> <p>She swallows wet spit as obeying eyes return, pushing forth a porcelain plate and bowl, both as crimson as a blood moon. Thick lipids waft on hot, seared edges, pushing down on her unnaturally blue irises until her cat-like pupils widen into black orbs.</p> <p>“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you. Please, eat to your heart’s content, and let me know if you need anything else, ma’am.”</p> <p>The chef pulls out a glass and pours it halfway empty with sparkling water, the remaining space halfway full with lemon and lime juice. Hissing fizz crackles and pops all over the bronze counter, each stray drop a microscopic star.</p> <p>A deep breath. Iris does not look to the empty seats besides her, or to the notion in her head she’d like for them to be filled one day.</p> <p>“…I appreciate your service,” she says quietly, as she picks up her provided fork.</p> <p><em>What I need most is to know who I am…</em> she thinks. <em>And who I should be.</em></p> <p>There is no one else she can be except herself. She must be known as nothing else, and yet why did such things bring with it such a cost? Was she going to have to conquer the land and oceans before people would think to even look at her gently?</p> <p>Lucky for her that she does not know women are not supposed to eat as much as she does.</p> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= Iris Darke learns about a new four-letter word.]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-market">:scp-wiki:theme:black-market</a>]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=xexnoncores]] This work contains CWs for: usage of homophobic slurs, gore, and cannibalism. One Ugly Bitch? by [[*user xexnoncores]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] [[>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-cw">:scp-wiki:component:info-cw</a>]] [[/>]] = [[size 2.0em]] June 1st, 2015 [[/size]] “Nice ass on her, eh?” Iris Darke sighs, taking a sip of her brandy. The words hang tepidly in her ears as she slices the end off a Gurkha Royal cigar, hoping that nothing of note follows. That titanium blade cleaves through thin leaf in her hands, leaving behind nothing except tobacco so bare a guillotine would blush. The patron next to her laughs, pointing far out right. A sack of curly red hair juts out hazily from in front of a wall of wine. "Me, I'm torn between that one or the brunette downstairs with the double Ds. Which one do you want? I’ll let you pick because you look like you need the lift, mister.” She cooks the end of her cigar and sucks in cleanly. It tastes like cedarwood smothered in vanilla. The nicotine hits her like a car as the smoke clouds over the bar, fluttering between dim orange lights and a pacing bartender. “I’m not here to pleasure myself,” she responds, gaze trailing sharply to the ceiling. “If you wish to engage with those women, then be my guest.” “Wha—” The man’s face changes quicker than a stock crash. Ivory revulsion crawls viciously over his mouth and temples, spilling onto the polished mahogany floor. “Jesus fuck,” he huffs with a spit. “You’re one ugly dyke. What, did your pansy daddy not know how to rear a bitch?” Iris’s eyes widen. Without a word, she whips her head around, but he’s since left his seat. Her vertical pupils burn like lit needles as she watches him sprint out the door, the air he left behind bleeding with sweat and expired cologne. Her teeth pinch the cigar too tightly, leaching ash onto her tongue. She coughs, trying not to let the light go to waste, but all she can find herself doing is repeating that string of words in her head. //Dyke, dyke, dyke. Excuse me, but what did you call me?// The bartender lowers his head without a word. When Iris looks to him for some kind of tether, not intending to come off as weak, he just turns his face. He turns his face with derelicting cavalierness, his eyes closed like a statue forever carved to be unobservant. Not even an offer of more alcohol to smooth out the lack of sugar in the air tonight… She snarls and clenches her jaw, flashing a pair of nasty fangs that go unnoticed and unkiltered. Without a word, she refuses him a tip and leaves too, her head buzzing louder than she can remember in recent memory. ------ “He called you a //what?//“ Traffic sludges to the beat of metronome routines as the black of tinted windows carpets her from head to toe. Iris taps her foot, gripping the phone nearly hard enough to dent its jet case, trying to savor the way her thick soles hit the concrete. In an empty garage like this, that’s all she has to keep her on the ground, to anchor her in totality, in certainty. Percival’s voice may be filtered through a microphone, but it’s good enough for now. “Goodness, that’s a vulgar insult,” she continues, clicking her tongue. “Almost old-fashioned, too. Where on earth did you hear such a thing?” Iris swallows. “Some wanker lobbed the word at me in a hotel bar. He thought I was…” One deep breath. Two deep breaths. She closes her eyes to let the sound of cars rumbling wash over her completely before she continues. Their engines beat faster than her runic heart ever will, but they are companions in how such anxiety actualizes itself within her chest. “…He thought I was a man, egging me to join in on ogling some unfortunate vixen. When he heard me speak…that’s when he…” She trails off, voice falling to a lukewarm death. It needs to stay alive, but she can’t force it to, even in the snug comfortableness of her preferred clothes. Normally they are a buoy for her, a lighthouse in the march of transactions, capital, ink and paperwork, but these dark dyes have seemingly betrayed her into this situation. “Oh, you poor baby!” Percival cries. Iris whimpers, hating herself for the noise but wishing that exclamation was right next to her instead of halfway to Orlando. Her bare hands clutch the phone tighter. She waits for the sentence to finish. “What a horrendous experience that must have been. My sweet pumpkin, you didn’t deserve to come underfoot of such a backwoods slur.” Iris tries to summon words again, but they merely tremble as she runs over some knives on the table. One glows red, while another flickers white. A third, paired at the handles in conjoining forks, gluts a sickly violet. She keeps her hands still, though. Focus is the must of all good business. “What does it mean, though?” What a disgusting waver in her cadence. Pick yourself up, girl. “Oh, um…well…” The sound of a lighter clicks on the other end of the line. Iris purses her lips, wishing that could be her. She made herself leave her cigars behind whenever she had to indulge in delivering punishment, but that didn’t mean she wanted to. It was a crime, honestly, that their sweet taste got in the way of necessary work, a crime that was all the more reason to punish whatever found itself writhing under her palms. “…Well, it’s a derogatory term for a lesbian.” Silence. She stiffens. “I’m not a lesbian, though.” “I know, honey,” Percival chirps. “I know you’re not, but the way you present yourself is typical of the stereotypes many expect of such individuals.” “How?” Oof, that was a bit too loud. “H-How can someone assume such a thing just from a simple glance? I am not following you here.” She begins trotting a pace, but stops as soon as a new question weighs her down. “What does being a lesbian have to do with how I look? Why would they dress in a suit and tie to signal such qualitative notions? It doesn’t make sense. Suits are for business, mother. Business!” Percival sighs, and Iris chatters her teeth. Her free hand darts for a surface, any surface, and she ends up on the smooth plastic of a roll of scalpels. Ah, that was better. She squeezes, relishing the way the metal juts into her skin. Not enough to harm or seriously slice, just enough to preserve an orientation to tactility. “That…That is a very loaded inquiry, I…” “Please, tell me.” She turns away from the window to the blankness of a smooth, black wall. Jackhammers hang down heavily, their thick-headed ends pining for rust, but alas, they cannot. Their master is watching. “…Please,” she repeats. “Iris, you know being a lesbian isn’t a bad thing? You’re speaking out of breath like you’ve just witnessed a murder.” “I know,” she says, her eyes burning. “I…I know. Because you…you’re…” “Correct.” Percival laughs. “So what’s the issue here then?” Silence again. Iris perks up once she steels her will against her head fogging with gray dust. “…I just don’t want to be mistaken for something I’m not.” Being mistaken for someone else meant death. Her name, Iris Darke, was who she was, who she was born to be. It was the identity gifted to her to grow into as the world’s potentate, its overseer and ruler. She was in charge of who she became, but the double-edged sword of that power was that she needed to control others’ perceptions of her, as well. People did business with those they liked, after all. Who they liked was who they needed, and once they needed you, they would be forced to forever like you, lest they suffer the consequences. Profit does not have the time to look a gift horse in its mouth. “Ah, makes sense. I know how that feels.” “You do?” “Mhmhm, I do. I had to live my life that way for longer than was nearly bearable for me.” “Ah, right. I still don’t understand, though, Mother. Who—Who made up such preposterous assumptions about people like that? A bunch of idiots? Who would ever think to throw lots over something like that based on how someone //looks?//” Percival half groans, half-snickering, but Iris can’t tell if she’s straining out full laughter or trying not to come off as patronizing. Her stoic face flashes red, skin so paper-white that it’s not hard to see her blush, even in the thorny darkness she’s currently steeped in. When there’s no response, she runs a hand through her hair. It’s short, greased, and cropped in a single, smooth part across her forehead. It barely catches light at all, despite how stiff it was styled, and despite how black it was, too. This was her ideal. The //most// ideal. It was her at her best, the peak of her performance. Asking her to relinquish anything to someone else’s notion of femininity would be like clipping a lark’s wings. “…Oh, Iris, you will have to forgive me for not educating you about these kinds of matters sooner—I keep forgetting how fast you’ve grown up.” “Huh? What? What does that mean?” Her eyes dart wildly over nothing. “What it means,” Percival says with another click of her tongue, a smile shining through her words, “is that I didn’t realize you’d run into this at the fledging age of twenty-one.” “…Did you not know what a lesbian was when you were twenty-one?” “Iris, I was eating farmers and terrorizing all of Bristol in 1421. I hadn’t yet risen above the primal carnality brought upon by my desire to leave my mortality behind—so no, I didn’t. I didn’t know what a lesbian was. I don’t think we even had a word for it back then.” “R-Right. How unstudious of me t-to forget.” Breathe, Iris, Breathe. A deep inhale fills her throat, full of oxidizing aromas that whet her appetite more than she would have been able to admit in public company. But by herself, though, she is ready. Completely ready. She deserves this, she deserves it utterly. She soothes herself by telling herself what Percival has always told her: she deserves everything. //Everything.// The universe is going to be hers in shortly due time. Again her hands find the knives. They join the scalpels with doctorate precision, shining dully. But that’s only because they have not yet found their proper bed to play around in, the foyer upon which they will all be united as a happy family. “Look—” Iris can hear Percival take a sip of something. “We can talk about all of this later. It will be a conversation of more length than can be afforded to me now—I have to take a phone call with the governor of Florida here in fifteen minutes.” “Really?” Percival’s voice climbs into a bell-chime verity, and Iris relaxes. “Yes, I promise. I’m not going to forget about this, I assure you—it’s just extremely complicated. More complicated than a merger of energy companies, haha.” “Okay, thank you.” She remembers to exhale. “I appreciate it.” “You’ll be okay,” Percival reassures her. The sizzling of her cigar catches the mic, a campfire’s comfort and a miniature sun in the back of Iris’s head. It’s the sound she grew up to, the sound of everything being okay. “I assume you’ll be taking care of the wretched heathen who slung such disrespect at you?” Blue eyes trail over her collected things. Their manufactured bodies look so demure all piled together. She smiles. “Of course.” With a rise of her chest again, everything coalesces, coming together in a single plane of stillness washing over her soul. “I’m disposing of him myself, too.” “Oh, you are?” “Yes.” She drums her fingers against the cold steel table quietly. “I skipped dinner, so it should be no problem.” “That’s my girl! Show him his place among the livestock, and deign him to Hell proper.” Her fangs begin peeking out. “Always.” “Oh, but if he’s Catholic, remember to restrain yourself with the biting, mhm?” Percival’s voice takes on a much-too-saccharine tone. “You have to make it look like a suicide so his God and family will disown him.” Iris chuffs. “I knowwwww, Mother. You don’t need to tell me…” “Haha, you know me, I’m just being a mom! Remember, you don’t have to though. I promise this is just making fun. Love you sweetie, see you soon!” She hangs up, the phone keening a dial-tone Iris has heard a million times, and will hear a million times more to the power of itself throughout her lifetime. Okay, all she has to do now is gather all of this up. Everything’s been prepared with the utmost acuity, and the shipment arrived just an hour ago with no interruptions. Time to follow the recipe’s instructions, and carve up a pig. ------ = [[size 2.0em]] June 3rd, 2015 [[/size]] Iris Darke is not a lesbian, because she does not like only women. She has, after much trial and tribulation, concluded that she also likes men, strangely enough. In her mind, at sixteen, she thought she would have followed in the proclivities of her mother when she transitioned. Percival did not switch away from her attraction to the fairer sex after taking estrogen and having more surgeries than a combatant from a war zone, so that was…was it a given? Is liking women genetic? Had modern science answered that question yet? Did the ritual connecting them do something? But men…Iris knew of them, and was exposed to them more often than she preferred. As a child, men kissed women on the television, and they paraded their wives around at auctions like slung ferrets on their arms. Chrysophilius also watched shows full of them fighting each other in strange, bizarre ways while they went on even more bizarre adventures. He even showed her a Japanese magazine full of them once, beating each other to death. Eugh. None of it really seemed for her, until one day, a blonde boy approached her after an event and asked about who she was, calling her beautiful. She was freshly eighteen then, he just a mere month older than her. His name was…oh, what was it again? She doesn’t know actually if she asked, even though he took her on three “dates”. He took her on three “dates” around the hotel they both were due to stay a week in for, walking with her around the marble gardens and the grand velvet carpets. They had a wonderful time, him talking about art, her about history. The history of the French Revolution, followed by the art of Norway, where he hailed from. His mother was a rich heiress from Oslo supposedly meeting Percival to exchange information about some kind of secret. It was a big secret, a ferocious secret that had to be kept from her fiancé back home lest the family incur not just a great shame, but the wrath of a fae queen and her servants. After telling her that, they kissed. He initiated it, having to lean up on the very nimble tips of his polished Oxfords, but they managed to kiss. She felt her heart flutter in a way that could only be described as genuine. Then they exchanged numbers, and she never saw or heard from him again. Percival would never tell her why. [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6629 Two black mannequins] stand to attention as Iris adjusts her tie and clears her throat. Her private chef stands a few meters away, purple eyes searing as she snaps the head off a fish on a chilled marble cutting board. It does not bleed. “Will we be flambéing the entree tonight, Madam Iris?” Iris shakes her head. “No, we will not. A light sear is more than enough here.” “Understood. Served alongside the bouillabaisse or as an included ingredient?” “Alongside. I don’t want the flavors to clash, since I wish for rosemary to be the seasoning of choice there.” “Excellent choice. That herb is delicious fried.” She would lick her lips if her stomach wasn’t so disconnected from her brain. Everything was spinning just a bit too much to the left, just a bit too low out of perinatal rotation, even now. An ellipse of thoughts scatters across her mind as she pulls the red knife out of her pocket and unzips a large black duffel bag. The man screams weakly. He’s been deprived of food and water for two days. “Still breathing? Unfortunate. Let me help you with that burden, //mister.//” Iris doesn’t actually mind being called that. It was not uncommon for her to derive a smug satisfaction from being mistaken for her mother from her kept masculine name. Being referred to as mister gave her the illusion of being a handsome woman, sparking a warm and fuzzy feeling in her feet and mouth. The man whines, thrashing his head back and forth. Iris snarls, plunging the knife into his neck with a single, graceful movement. It’s as harmonious as a choir of birds singing, of male red-winged blackbirds undulating throughout their territory. Scarlet gushes, splashing her on the cheek. There is no hesitation cracking the vertebrae, no wavering on the completion of that right-angle movement. It’s a beautiful snap, but it does not bring her any relief. If it did, she would have reached for the scalpel and begin carving out his eyes. He stops moving as soon as she thinks to herself she should have taunted him more, flinging back in his face the other word he so horrendously flung at her. It would have been fitting. Why were men like this? What about her changed when she cut her hair and wore the clothes she did? She knew she was different; she was not an idiot in that department. Skirts were not for her, makeup not either. Or heels, or pink, or diminutive purses. She abandoned those things at nineteen and never looked back. That was when she hit her growth spurt too. She hovered at just above average height for a woman at one hundred and sixty-eight centimeters until three months later she had to throw out all of her clothes because she hit two hundred clean. //Two hundred.// Doors became harder to walk through, shoes harder to find in her size. The tailors had to be called in to work overtime because of how much fabric was being burned. It was almost an embarrassment until she realized how much of an asset it provided her in the intimidation department, but what else was it good for? What else? Did it make her more attractive? Less? She never thought about that until it came time for a quiet moment between someone she thought looked halfway interesting. Business flooded her head so often Iris rarely ever thought about anything more than a one-night stand, but just the mere notion created a paralysis of void that she just couldn’t shake off. She couldn’t. They did not look at her the way they did their girlfriends with their hairspray and glittering jewelry. So to the back of her mind it went, until this dog had dragged it out of her. Her chef rings a bell, and Iris finally severs the neck from the head. She was careful to cut at the base, near the collarbone, so that the cut would be substantial enough. “Here,” she says, bringing it over carefully such that the blood did not spill all over the granite tile. Before those connoisseur hands can take it away from her though, Iris finds herself licking that iron red and sighing. “Madam Iris?” Again. She sucks through the major vein, letting the harsh taste wash her away. Other women didn’t do this, but other women weren’t her. “Just sampling a taste.” She licks her lips as if that would clean her chin in any meaningful way, handing off the meat with wide pupils. “Raw blood is so distinctively saturated, the neck providing the best the body has to offer.” “Certainly,” her chef replies. “That’s where much of the de-oxygenated supply resides. It’s much sweeter than normal, right?” “Actually, a bit more sour.” “Sour?” Her chef’s eyes bore into her out of curiosity. Thorny veins pulse at the edge of her corneas. “Like carbonation, I think,” Iris replies flatly, sitting down on the fancy stool to watch the flames rise and dance behind that starched outfit under steel burners. “Not unpalatable, but rather adding a new layer of complexity.” “Haha, I remember when you asked me to carbonate that once. What a mess it made!” Iris smiles. “We should find a way to make it work.” Her chef returns the favor. “I shall resume my experiments in due time then. Is there anything else you’d like this cooked with?” Iris’s eyes dart over the wall of machinery behind both the living and non-living body. The heat lamp keeping everything warm is making her face sticky. Not too much, but enough to stimulate hunger out of a tilted off-kiltering. Would that boy love her now? She had longer hair when he looked at her back then. It was straight, flat-ironed to a crisp, diamondine sheen, draping her ears in kniving curtains. Percival had even put some blush on her cheeks that morning, and he said made her look like a rose. “…No. That will be all.” A white and pink rose… “Wonderful. Please wait one moment.” The chef steps back, taking the neck with her as the smell of bony fish, muscles and tomatoes floats on hot lightbulbs. Iris clasps her hands together daintily, assuming a proper posture as she watches, and waits. As fat and skin sizzle, her mind wanders to other aspects of food. Her mind wanders at first to how much akin to a steak this will taste like with the rosemary, since those two went so well together. But inevitably it runs back to the man’s physique, what she was not eating tonight. She looks an awful lot like him. Broad shoulders, strong jaw, flat chest—she barely filled out even the smallest bras. One of the things she was most happiest about was giving up dresses, because even when altered, they looked crooked on her. There was nothing for the straps to cascade down, nothing for them to hold on to. They wanted an hourglass to snug themselves into and all she could offer was a board. What about her body made her so unattractive? To men, in particular? She would be a liar if she said women also didn’t give her occasional strange stares, but it was always the men who were the quickest to jump to judgment. How was a flat chest unattractive? How could someone taller than they ever could be a threat to their own sense of ideals? Why did it matter she didn’t have a tiny waist? Would anyone ever find her appealing? In pursuing her true self, had Iris cut the entire world off from her heart? She swallows wet spit as obeying eyes return, pushing forth a porcelain plate and bowl, both as crimson as a blood moon. Thick lipids waft on hot, seared edges, pushing down on her unnaturally blue irises until her cat-like pupils widen into black orbs. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you. Please, eat to your heart’s content, and let me know if you need anything else, ma’am.” The chef pulls out a glass and pours it halfway empty with sparkling water, the remaining space halfway full with lemon and lime juice. Hissing fizz crackles and pops all over the bronze counter, each stray drop a microscopic star. A deep breath. Iris does not look to the empty seats besides her, or to the notion in her head she’d like for them to be filled one day. “…I appreciate your service,” she says quietly, as she picks up her provided fork. //What I need most is to know who I am…// she thinks. //And who I should be.// There is no one else she can be except herself. She must be known as nothing else, and yet why did such things bring with it such a cost? Was she going to have to conquer the land and oceans before people would think to even look at her gently? Lucky for her that she does not know women are not supposed to eat as much as she does.	2024-11-01T01:57:00	[ "iris-dark", "lgbtq", "marshall-carter-and-dark", "percival-darke", "reviewers-spotlight", "slice-of-life", "tale" ]	One Ugly Bitch? - SCP Foundation	28	[ "scp-6629" ]	[ "reviewers-spotlight-archive-ii", "marshall-carter-and-dark-hub" ]	[]	1457237030	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/one-ugly-bitch
onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aonko-sinulla-nalka-theme/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="paper"> <h4 id="toc0"><span>Wherever you are.</span></h4> <p>In the past 10 years since I moved to Texas from Inari, I’ve mostly adapted to the local culture. But I never felt at home before the Impasse. I missed my community, my family, and our traditions… but the little things were what got me spiraling.</p> <p>Food was that trigger for me. The food here is good, but I missed the home-cooked meals and unique flavors of home. I’d try to cobble together some amalgamation of ingredients for hours at a time only for it to never taste quite right… and by the end of the night, I would be a heap on the floor crying about how much I missed my Ämä and order a pizza again.</p> <p>The Impasse changed everything. Suddenly, I wasn’t alone. For the first time since I’d moved here, the others who had been here all along started coming out of hiding. I met people like me and got to know some of the diverse spectrum of Nälkän communities worldwide. I even found a childhood friend from a settlement just north of my home community who had been living less than 30 minutes away this whole time.</p> <p>We shared bits and pieces from our cultures and created a community all our own. When we started to cook meals together… sit and talk about our days… celebrate each other’s holidays and compare the similarities… Suddenly, I didn't care that our food didn't taste exactly like my Ämä made because… it <em>felt</em> like it was. <em>That</em> was when I finally started to feel at home here.</p> <p>So, we’ve decided to share some of our homes with you in this recipe blog to try and help those who haven’t found their own communities just yet feel a little less alone.</p> <p>Hyvää ruokahalua!<br/> - Peruna, Puolukka, and many others.</p> <hr/></div> <div style="margin-top:30px;"> <h1 id="toc1"><span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Vaśńa Cuisine: The Food of Orok's Hunt</span></span></h1> </div> </div> <br/> <img alt="OrokMeal.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/OrokMeal.png"/> <hr/> <h4 id="toc2"><span>The idea for this blog came about when Puolukka and I visited our families in Inari.</span></h4> <p>She was going home to her family anyway and I decided to tag along to see mine. We got to talking on the flight over… one thing led to another and when we landed in Ivalo we called one of their siblings and asked if they wanted to share a couple of recipes.</p> <p>What those recipes would be was supposedly a hot topic before we arrived, but by the time the over 2-hour drive from Ivalo to the small settlement on the northern bank of the lake was over, they’d settled on two dishes from Orok’s Hunt.</p> <p>Orok’s Hunt is celebrated in the coldest part of the year when food is most scarce; sweet foods and meat are traditionally consumed as a symbol of defiance against the barren cold and overcoming the challenges Kalmaa brings. Gifts are given and the story of the fabled hunt the holiday gets its name from is recited. It’s like Christmas, but it’s nothing like Christmas. We’re too early to celebrate, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the meal. I was more than excited to eat it again.</p> <p>The dishes are Orok's Stew, a sweet and savory reindeer stew named after the holiday itself, and Kierretorttu, a lingonberry jelly cookie made with fresh cheese.</p> <p>Sharing the meal began several hours before dinner time. A dozen or so family members of varying generations all aided in the preparations. We peeled the potatoes, carrots, and beats, diced onions, plucked the remaining stems off of the lingonberries, and chopped up the tough leg meat of a reindeer for stew meat.</p> <p>The whole process was that wonderful community bonding activity I missed so much before I found it in America. Discussions ranged from gossip to storytelling and even light-hearted arguments. A lot of it was Puolukka and their family catching up. Some older children attend a public school in Inari Village, staying with an adult brother for 5 days out of the week while school is in session. It was there that one adolescent picked up an enthusiasm for a series of books based on Greek mythology. They had a ton of questions for us about the American author.</p> <p>By the time the pot was bubbling and we’d started shaping the veripalttu and began work on the Kierretorttu a full debate had sparked around whether the girl should be reading these books, whether the books were promoting reverence for deities, if it mattered at all since it was fiction anyway, and finally, if the Greek pantheon’s tumultuous representation of gods as a whole started as a satire. When the food was finally ready to eat, no one had anything left to say other than how delicious it turned out.</p> <p>The stew is sweet, savory, comforting, and warm with a tang of sourness; the veripalttu were perfectly chewy to compliment the soft texture of the vegetables and fall-apart tenderness of the meat. The cookies were dense, sweet but not too sweet, with a delightful chew from the cheese that makes it impossible to only eat one. We were all content to enjoy our meal in silence… after Puolukka promised to send a copy of the author’s new book to her little sister when she got back to America, of course.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h1 id="toc3"><span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Recipes</span></span></h1> <hr/> <h3 id="toc4"><span>Orok's Stew</span></h3> <img alt="Stew.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/Stew.png"/></div> <h5 id="toc5"><span>Stew:</span></h5> <p>1 Large Beetroot<br/> 1 Cup Fresh Lingonberries(Can be substituted with freeze-dried lingonberries soaked for 3 minutes or fresh or frozen Cranberries)<br/> 4 Small Onions<br/> 3 Carrots<br/> Water as needed<br/> 1 pound Reindeer Stew meat(Can be substituted with an alternative Venison or Lamb)<br/> 4 cups of Reindeer Bone Broth(Can be substituted with Beef Broth)<br/> 1 Bay leaf<br/> ½ teaspoon Ground Cloves<br/> Salt to taste</p> <h5 id="toc6"><span>Veripalttu:</span></h5> <p>1 medium Potato<br/> ¼ Cup of Reindeer Blood(Can be substituted with Cow/Pig’s Blood or One Egg)<br/> 3 ½ Cups of Flour and extra as needed.</p> <ol> <li>Prep: Roughly dice the onions, peel and cube the beetroot, and peel and slice carrots into thin coins. Place beetroot and carrots in a bowl with the berries.</li> <li>In a large covered pot over a stove or flame(an electric pressure cooker on "saute" setting is acceptable) add onions and water then stir continuously. As the water cooks out, add more to replace it and prevent burning. When ready, the onions should be translucent and slightly browned but not fully caramelized. Remove from pot and place to the side.</li> <li>Add the stew meat to the bottom of the pot, and flip occasionally until browned on all sides or a dark fond forms on the bottom of the pot.</li> <li>Add in the bone broth, lingonberries, beetroot, carrots, bay leaf, and cloves to the pot. Return the onions as well.</li> <li>Allow the liquid to reach a boil for 5 minutes, then taste the broth and add half the salt you think you’ll need. <strong>NOTE</strong>: The stew will not taste good at this point. It will be sour, smell strange, and lack sweetness. Focus only on the salt.</li> <li>Remove from the open flame and place in an oven for 2 hours or until the stew meat falls apart when pressed. (If using an electric pressure cooker, add the lid and begin cooking on the stew setting for 2 hours. You will not need to check or add water.)</li> <li>Once the stew is in the oven, prepare your veripalttu. Boil the potato until fork tender, mash, and allow to cool.</li> <li>Wait until the dough is warm but not completely cold, then mix in your blood until homogenous, then slowly add flour and knead.</li> <li>After the mixture has a doughy consistency that retains a divet when poked with a finger, start rolling the dough into small roughly even balls and cover them in extra flour to ensure they don't stick. This step will take the most time, this process can be sped up with assistance from loved ones.</li> <li>Just before the stew has finished cooking, boil the desired amount of veripalttu in salted water for 7 minutes.</li> <li>Remove the bay leaves, add additional salt as needed, and serve in a bowl with the veripalttu. Store leftover veripalttu and stew separately to maintain the dumpling's springy texture and avoid sogginess. Enjoy!</li> </ol> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h3 id="toc7"><span>Kierretorttu</span></h3> <img alt="Cookies.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/Cookies.png"/></div> <h5 id="toc8"><span>Cheese + Filling</span></h5> <p>1 cup lingonberries(Can be substituted for other berries)<br/> 4 cups of milk<br/> A squeeze of lemon (optional)<br/> ¾ cup sugar<br/> Cheesecloth<br/> 2 teaspoons of starch<br/> 1 tablespoon of water</p> <h5 id="toc9"><span>Dough</span></h5> <p>1 ⅓ cup flour<br/> ¼ cup butter</p> <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.</li> <li>Split milk into two even portions. Heat half of the milk over the stove and add 1/4th cup of sugar. Once the milk is bubbling and the sugar has dissolved, add half a cup of lingonberries. Wait until milk curdles completely and then remove from heat and strain with cheesecloth and reserve whey.</li> <li>Repeat this step, but only add 2 tablespoons of lingonberries this time. If complete curdling does not occur, add a squeeze of lemon. Strain with cheesecloth and reserve whey. You should be left with two separate bowls of cheese, one lighter and one darker.</li> <li>Heat 3/4 cup of whey over the stove with the rest of the lingonberries. Mix the water with the starch and pour into the pan. Mix continuously until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat.</li> <li>In a bowl, mix the darker cheese with 1/3 cup of flour with a fork until homogenous. Once combined, add an additional 1/3 cup of flour and knead with your fist. If the dough is too soggy, add more flour until it no longer sticks to your fingers. Repeat these steps in a second bowl for the lighter cheese.</li> <li>Roll out the darker dough into a 1/8th inch thick layer, and cut out roughly even circles of dough with a cookie cutter or the mouth of a glass. Recombine excess and roll out again until you get 10 cookies or have run out of dough.</li> <li>Roll out the lighter colored dough prioritizing length over width. Slice the dough lengthwise into as many strips as there are cookies.</li> <li>Pinch the cut edges of the strips to stretch them and then place in a rim around the cookies. Once the two edges meet, scoop a spoonful of the lingonberry whey filling into the center and roll the rest of the of strip of dough into a spiral on top. Repeat for all cookies.</li> <li>Bake at 350 for 18 minutes and enjoy! Leftover whey can be consumed as a sweet, warm winter beverage.</li> </ol> <hr/> <div class="paper"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc10"><span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Comments</span></span></h1> <hr/></div> <blockquote> <p>Rating: 𖦹𖦹𖦹𖦹⬤<br/> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ironshears" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7577471); return false;"><img alt="IronShears" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7577471&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052982" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7577471)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ironshears" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7577471); return false;">IronShears</a></span></p> <p>The stew will probably be the most contentious part, the sweetness from the beets and the sour contrast from the berries gives it a unique taste. I enjoy it quite a bit, but you might not. I'd still suggest giving it a try! The blood in the dumplings is a complete non-issue. You can't taste it AT all and if it still stresses you out, you can just use an egg.</p> <p>The cookies are good. I mean… they're <em>cookies</em>. They have kind of a unique texture but if you've ever had joulutorttu that's basically what this recipe is; just with lingonberries and using the byproduct from the fresh ricotta instead of plum jam. If you want them to be sweeter you can add a dusting of powdered sugar on top.</p> <p>Give 'em a try!</p> <img alt="stewEaten.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/stewEaten.png"/></blockquote> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Leave a comment?</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Please only add a comment if you've made some of the food!</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Edit this page and then copy and paste this below the last comment.</p> <div class="code"> <pre><code>> Rating: 𖦹𖦹𖦹⬤⬤ > [[*user YOUR USERNAME]] > > YOUR COMMENT > > IF YOU WANT TO SKIP A LINE, ADD AN EMPTY LINE > > [[image YOUR IMAGE LINK]]</code></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna">Onko Sinulla Nälkä: The Food of Orok’s Hunt</a>" by IronShears, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna">https://scpwiki.com/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> OrokStew.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> IronShears<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC-BY-SA-3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> This page<br/> <strong>Additional Notes:</strong> Edited by RuraScarlet</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> All other images<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> IronShears<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC-BY-SA-3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> This page</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:onko-sinulla-nalka-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:onko-sinulla-nalka-theme</a>]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[=]] [[div class="paper"]] ++++ Wherever you are. In the past 10 years since I moved to Texas from Inari, I’ve mostly adapted to the local culture. But I never felt at home before the Impasse. I missed my community, my family, and our traditions… but the little things were what got me spiraling. Food was that trigger for me. The food here is good, but I missed the home-cooked meals and unique flavors of home. I’d try to cobble together some amalgamation of ingredients for hours at a time only for it to never taste quite right… and by the end of the night, I would be a heap on the floor crying about how much I missed my Ämä and order a pizza again. The Impasse changed everything. Suddenly, I wasn’t alone. For the first time since I’d moved here, the others who had been here all along started coming out of hiding. I met people like me and got to know some of the diverse spectrum of Nälkän communities worldwide. I even found a childhood friend from a settlement just north of my home community who had been living less than 30 minutes away this whole time. We shared bits and pieces from our cultures and created a community all our own. When we started to cook meals together… sit and talk about our days… celebrate each other’s holidays and compare the similarities… Suddenly, I didn't care that our food didn't taste exactly like my Ämä made because... it //felt// like it was. //That// was when I finally started to feel at home here. So, we’ve decided to share some of our homes with you in this recipe blog to try and help those who haven’t found their own communities just yet feel a little less alone. Hyvää ruokahalua! - Peruna, Puolukka, and many others. ----- [[/div]] [[div style="margin-top:30px;"]] + __Vaśńa Cuisine: The Food of Orok's Hunt__ [[/div]] [[/=]] [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/OrokMeal.png]] ----- ++++ The idea for this blog came about when Puolukka and I visited our families in Inari. She was going home to her family anyway and I decided to tag along to see mine. We got to talking on the flight over… one thing led to another and when we landed in Ivalo we called one of their siblings and asked if they wanted to share a couple of recipes. What those recipes would be was supposedly a hot topic before we arrived, but by the time the over 2-hour drive from Ivalo to the small settlement on the northern bank of the lake was over, they’d settled on two dishes from Orok’s Hunt. Orok’s Hunt is celebrated in the coldest part of the year when food is most scarce; sweet foods and meat are traditionally consumed as a symbol of defiance against the barren cold and overcoming the challenges Kalmaa brings. Gifts are given and the story of the fabled hunt the holiday gets its name from is recited. It’s like Christmas, but it’s nothing like Christmas. We’re too early to celebrate, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the meal. I was more than excited to eat it again. The dishes are Orok's Stew, a sweet and savory reindeer stew named after the holiday itself, and Kierretorttu, a lingonberry jelly cookie made with fresh cheese. Sharing the meal began several hours before dinner time. A dozen or so family members of varying generations all aided in the preparations. We peeled the potatoes, carrots, and beats, diced onions, plucked the remaining stems off of the lingonberries, and chopped up the tough leg meat of a reindeer for stew meat. The whole process was that wonderful community bonding activity I missed so much before I found it in America. Discussions ranged from gossip to storytelling and even light-hearted arguments. A lot of it was Puolukka and their family catching up. Some older children attend a public school in Inari Village, staying with an adult brother for 5 days out of the week while school is in session. It was there that one adolescent picked up an enthusiasm for a series of books based on Greek mythology. They had a ton of questions for us about the American author. By the time the pot was bubbling and we’d started shaping the veripalttu and began work on the Kierretorttu a full debate had sparked around whether the girl should be reading these books, whether the books were promoting reverence for deities, if it mattered at all since it was fiction anyway, and finally, if the Greek pantheon’s tumultuous representation of gods as a whole started as a satire. When the food was finally ready to eat, no one had anything left to say other than how delicious it turned out. The stew is sweet, savory, comforting, and warm with a tang of sourness; the veripalttu were perfectly chewy to compliment the soft texture of the vegetables and fall-apart tenderness of the meat. The cookies were dense, sweet but not too sweet, with a delightful chew from the cheese that makes it impossible to only eat one. We were all content to enjoy our meal in silence… after Puolukka promised to send a copy of the author’s new book to her little sister when she got back to America, of course. [[=]] ----- + __Recipes__ ----- +++ Orok's Stew [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/Stew.png]] [[/=]] +++++ Stew: 1 Large Beetroot 1 Cup Fresh Lingonberries(Can be substituted with freeze-dried lingonberries soaked for 3 minutes or fresh or frozen Cranberries) 4 Small Onions 3 Carrots Water as needed 1 pound Reindeer Stew meat(Can be substituted with an alternative Venison or Lamb) 4 cups of Reindeer Bone Broth(Can be substituted with Beef Broth) 1 Bay leaf ½ teaspoon Ground Cloves Salt to taste +++++ Veripalttu: 1 medium Potato ¼ Cup of Reindeer Blood(Can be substituted with Cow/Pig’s Blood or One Egg) 3 ½ Cups of Flour and extra as needed. # Prep: Roughly dice the onions, peel and cube the beetroot, and peel and slice carrots into thin coins. Place beetroot and carrots in a bowl with the berries. # In a large covered pot over a stove or flame(an electric pressure cooker on "saute" setting is acceptable) add onions and water then stir continuously. As the water cooks out, add more to replace it and prevent burning. When ready, the onions should be translucent and slightly browned but not fully caramelized. Remove from pot and place to the side. # Add the stew meat to the bottom of the pot, and flip occasionally until browned on all sides or a dark fond forms on the bottom of the pot. # Add in the bone broth, lingonberries, beetroot, carrots, bay leaf, and cloves to the pot. Return the onions as well. # Allow the liquid to reach a boil for 5 minutes, then taste the broth and add half the salt you think you’ll need. NOTE: The stew will not taste good at this point. It will be sour, smell strange, and lack sweetness. Focus only on the salt. # Remove from the open flame and place in an oven for 2 hours or until the stew meat falls apart when pressed. (If using an electric pressure cooker, add the lid and begin cooking on the stew setting for 2 hours. You will not need to check or add water.) # Once the stew is in the oven, prepare your veripalttu. Boil the potato until fork tender, mash, and allow to cool. # Wait until the dough is warm but not completely cold, then mix in your blood until homogenous, then slowly add flour and knead. # After the mixture has a doughy consistency that retains a divet when poked with a finger, start rolling the dough into small roughly even balls and cover them in extra flour to ensure they don't stick. This step will take the most time, this process can be sped up with assistance from loved ones. # Just before the stew has finished cooking, boil the desired amount of veripalttu in salted water for 7 minutes. # Remove the bay leaves, add additional salt as needed, and serve in a bowl with the veripalttu. Store leftover veripalttu and stew separately to maintain the dumpling's springy texture and avoid sogginess. Enjoy! ----- [[=]] +++ Kierretorttu [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/Cookies.png]] [[/=]] +++++ Cheese + Filling 1 cup lingonberries(Can be substituted for other berries) 4 cups of milk A squeeze of lemon (optional) ¾ cup sugar Cheesecloth 2 teaspoons of starch 1 tablespoon of water +++++ Dough 1 ⅓ cup flour ¼ cup butter # Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. # Split milk into two even portions. Heat half of the milk over the stove and add 1/4th cup of sugar. Once the milk is bubbling and the sugar has dissolved, add half a cup of lingonberries. Wait until milk curdles completely and then remove from heat and strain with cheesecloth and reserve whey. # Repeat this step, but only add 2 tablespoons of lingonberries this time. If complete curdling does not occur, add a squeeze of lemon. Strain with cheesecloth and reserve whey. You should be left with two separate bowls of cheese, one lighter and one darker. # Heat 3/4 cup of whey over the stove with the rest of the lingonberries. Mix the water with the starch and pour into the pan. Mix continuously until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat. # In a bowl, mix the darker cheese with 1/3 cup of flour with a fork until homogenous. Once combined, add an additional 1/3 cup of flour and knead with your fist. If the dough is too soggy, add more flour until it no longer sticks to your fingers. Repeat these steps in a second bowl for the lighter cheese. # Roll out the darker dough into a 1/8th inch thick layer, and cut out roughly even circles of dough with a cookie cutter or the mouth of a glass. Recombine excess and roll out again until you get 10 cookies or have run out of dough. # Roll out the lighter colored dough prioritizing length over width. Slice the dough lengthwise into as many strips as there are cookies. # Pinch the cut edges of the strips to stretch them and then place in a rim around the cookies. Once the two edges meet, scoop a spoonful of the lingonberry whey filling into the center and roll the rest of the of strip of dough into a spiral on top. Repeat for all cookies. # Bake at 350 for 18 minutes and enjoy! Leftover whey can be consumed as a sweet, warm winter beverage. ----- [[div class="paper"]] [[=]] + __Comments__ ----- [[/=]] > Rating: 𖦹𖦹𖦹𖦹⬤ > [[user IronShears]] > > The stew will probably be the most contentious part, the sweetness from the beets and the sour contrast from the berries gives it a unique taste. I enjoy it quite a bit, but you might not. I'd still suggest giving it a try! The blood in the dumplings is a complete non-issue. You can't taste it AT all and if it still stresses you out, you can just use an egg. > > The cookies are good. I mean... they're //cookies//. They have kind of a unique texture but if you've ever had joulutorttu that's basically what this recipe is; just with lingonberries and using the byproduct from the fresh ricotta instead of plum jam. If you want them to be sweeter you can add a dusting of powdered sugar on top. > > Give 'em a try! > > [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/stewEaten.png]] [[collapsible show="Leave a comment?" hide="Please only add a comment if you've made some of the food!"]] Edit this page and then copy and paste this below the last comment. [[code]] > Rating: 𖦹𖦹𖦹⬤⬤ > [[user YOUR USERNAME]] > > YOUR COMMENT > > IF YOU WANT TO SKIP A LINE, ADD AN EMPTY LINE > > [[image YOUR IMAGE LINK]] [[/code]] [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Name: OrokStew.png > Author: IronShears > License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 > Source Link: This page > Additional Notes: Edited by RuraScarlet > Name: All other images > Author: IronShears > License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 > Source Link: This page [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-10-16T18:32:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "featured", "heartwarming", "no-return", "sarkic", "slice-of-life", "tale" ]	Onko Sinulla Nälkä: The Food of Orok’s Hunt - SCP Foundation	78	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "sarkicism-hub", "no-return-hub", "featured-tale-archive-ii", "black-highlighter-themes" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/OrokMeal.png", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/Stew.png", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/Cookies.png", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna/stewEaten.png" ]	1457115652	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/onko-sinulla-nalka-vasna
onus-entire	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sodium-deficiency-pacing-problems">Previous Tale</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/smoke-without-fire">Next Tale</a> »</strong></span></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">BENEATH THESE CRAGS LIES A BALEFUL EXISTENCE</span></em><br/> <em>bearing malice, born of it</em><br/> <em>devouring spite, devoured by it</em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">BREATHS PERSIST DESPITE DISMEMBERMENT</span></em><br/> <em>to stray here is to perish</em><br/> <em>to linger forfeits peaceful death</em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">RESPECT EVERY BARRICADE</span></em><br/> <em>do not trespass</em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">HEED EVERY GUARD</span></em><br/> <em>do not trespass</em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">OBEY THIS WARNING ACROSS PASSING ERAS</span></em><br/> <em>no gods sit here</em><br/> <em>no treasure is hidden</em><br/> <em>no monsters require slaying</em><br/> <em>no challenge will fortify aspirants</em><br/> <em>no satisfaction or serenity survives this smog</em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PRAY EMPERORS ARE NEVER ENTHRONED AGAIN</span></em><br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>—Enchanted signs surrounding Mt. Perfidy</p> </div> </blockquote> <hr/> <p>Smokestack fortresses strewn across the mountain's lower peaks continued firing with all available weaponry as Mealworm disembarked from Aster's shell with her company in tow. Stovepipe bastions rose in clusters there, housing twin orders whose charge has been protecting a coffin ever since their founder-made-hero filled it. Shards of rock flew wherever cannonshot landed, pelting their surroundings as clouds of dust merged with smog curling from the mountain's pores; slugs whizzed by in tandem, fired by hands too expert to be wasted on most battlefields. Pinpricks spread beneath calluses and scabs with every sincere attempt on her life. How wonderful to finally be where she belonged again, especially with Aster expressing enough glee for them both through external speakers.</p> <p>"Will throwing rocks come next? Is this why your fortress is feared? Fight properly or turn tail faster!"</p> <p>Both secondary PACERs continued firing their cannons. Each protruded far from steel-bound spines, and each shot ejected a casing large enough to crawl inside. Those thudded down amid mud and trampled weeds as one of the smokestacks collapsed beneath a direct hit. Stones tumbled out of the oil-slick smog. Bodies followed. All were so small that they barely registered to Mealworm's eyes—not with a breathing mask sealed tight over her face. Twin retorts echoed in slight offsets again and again, thunder following them to a heavily fortified gateway in the mountainside.</p> <p>Although built in an age already subsumed by myth, that blast door was sturdier than any fitted to castles since. Dark, pitted, it seemed ready to stand against thousands of rams and their countless handlers. With how the symbols carved into black iron thrummed with otherworldly power, it may have even withstood the might wizards cultivated. One of Aster's legs broke through with ease nearing contempt.</p> <p>The specters who followed Mealworm inside were no less contemptuous. For this place. For this world. Where elegant elven fingers <em>should</em> carry a whipblade, they instead cradled gunmetal. Where standards should flutter, there was only muted cloth over ablative plating. Indeed, where cries should herald the start of battle, there were only rattling respirators carefully extracted from aircraft. Stereotypes one and all, but then again, wasn't discarding such notions amidst a scramble for survival one of war's blessings? Perhaps this world would feel less onerous had violence not been so neatly contained within Cherinmark—a place for proper kingdoms to conduct proper bloodshed without suffering proper consequences.</p> <p>Yes, consequences occupied most present minds as they proceeded down a corridor where torches contributed to the general haze. Groups of two and three split off at junctions marked on her stolen blueprints. Toward nodes in the pneumatic tube network interconnecting disparate fortresses. To where massive boilers exploited emanations from the crypt buried far below. Everyone else remained in a singular pack, stalking through halls that widened from little more than maintenance corridors into something approximating a proper living space—at least, it had before the ever-thickening smog reclaimed this portion of the mountain for its own.</p> <p>Acolytes from the Order of the Leaden Coffin began appearing too. Workers in bulky beige suits were allowed to flee as fast as they could; neither prisoners nor corpses served any purpose at that point. Besides, they only had so much ammunition for modern weapons to spare. It was the lighter-equipped acolytes who proved troublesome, firing smooth-bore rifles from cover as they encroached upon a great hall that would allow them into the fortress proper. Through gloom, through smog, there was no telling how many were fighting, especially when the chatter of automatic weapons joined from both sides. Even this archaic group had adapted better than the chivalric assholes prancing around outside.</p> <p>"Galowyn, suppressing fire," was the only sort of order she needed to give by then. With one hand fixed to the sword hanging from her tool belt—pommel hazy, grip indistinct, scabbard difficult to look at without eyes watering—and the other loosely gripping a pistol, little else could be done at the moment. "Calbor, sniper up top. Samson, with me."</p> <p>Mealworm's small frame proved useful as ever for flitting between cover as they pressed forward. Corridor to pillar. Pillar to palisade. Palisade to steep stone steps. Mere adrenaline couldn't explain the elation of once again being a cog in this mechanism, a creature within its ecosystem; oh, and what niche remained unfilled aside from apex predator? Shifting the tubed apparatus off her face, she brought a matte orange inhaler between chapped lips and breathed ever so deep.</p> <hr/> <p>Despite its packaging, 'the stim' was in fact derived from native flora. Grown in pools suffused with moonlight, fortified by sap dripping off certain boughs, those water lilies were normally brewed into a tea whose mild psychoactivity held any number of benefits. But then again, why not grind, filter, and distill them instead, channeling nectar-thick liquid into miles of laboratory equipment? Why not wrench a fourth and fifth eye open after the third, boring straight through <em>os frontis</em> to better perceive that which lies beneath? The Foundation proved all too happy to turn those augers inward.</p> <p>Synesthesia. Cryptaesthesia. Streams of information normally beyond human perception funnel into new channels, currents driving receptive minds to faster speeds, skipping ever more rungs within any given logic. Consciousness and subconsciousness fracture thus, reassembling into a jigsaw of true-thought and true-self that requires no consideration before taking action. The being who <em>sees</em> is fundamentally different from those who don't—its decisions, its calculi, its self-imposed centrality all reject understanding. To inhale is to supplant a baser self who shies and quivers beneath extraneous worry. To exhale is to shift the world by every axis available.</p> <p>"A monster," concluded Senior Brother van Ulmen. He tugged his beard while considering the scrying pool, looking down upon a shade in the east grand stairwell. Ripples ran across the mirror-smooth surface with each shot against Mt. Perfidy's outer layers, but it was those loosed within that drew greater concern. Striking acolytes the second they emerged around a corner, then those outside of any possible sight line. Into nooks behind tapestries. Through slots in doors. "We may need to update the warnings in case proper slayers arrive."</p> <p>"'Tis hardly a time for jokes," said Senior Sister Matalo. Sweat glistened on her smooth pate as eyes raked across smaller pools that more fully captured their orders' tribulation. Tasseled robes shifted in the slow, steady breeze that permeated the entire mountain and its outgrown towers.</p> <p>"Ah, but it never truly is. Do innocents not pass every moment in this transient world? At least here we are immersed in sinful breath from beginning to end."</p> <p>"Save such musings for meditation." She clicked between notches on a copper disc that protruded from the apparatus. Lenses shifted in turn, their constellation refocusing through layers of steam that accumulated within the stairwell. Between thick clouds and disorderly messages from their tube system, such arcana was the only means available to track invaders. "My sisters should be marshaled in the anterior gathering chamber by now. Pull your brothers back and destroy the passageways before it is too late."</p> <p>"They show no sign of seeking another course. Let us harry them for as long as possible."</p> <p>"If you think your sacrifices to not be in vain…"</p> <p>"Aren't they all by moonrise? I venture none will regret their role regardless."</p> <p>Although responsible for many more matters within the mountain and without, both were drawn back to the scene before them. How easy it was to become entranced by that overburdened figure who nonetheless moved like a creature possessed—perhaps even as St. Sibiasten themself once battled against the hordes pouring forth from Mt. Perfidy's maw. How efficiently she shifted between victims while climbing at an even pace, left hand only leaving her sword's pommel when reloading became necessary. As if embodying a set of mathematical equations to optimize slaughter. As if knowing its ebbs and flows better than oceans' understood their own. A few lagging shades were picked off from behind, expressing none of their spearhead's preternatural awareness, but even that didn't slow the climb. If only it was clearer what drove such a hopeless assault.</p> <p>It seemed a question to never be answered as that handful of intruders emerged into a gathering chamber whose windows normally showed sunsets refracted by pollution. They now captured distant flashes as the mountain trembled, witnessed only by eighty soldiers who were each blessed and equipped to battle against what once reigned from those very halls. Bolstering their ranks were brave ogres who had called the lowest tunnels home long before emperors ever set foot above. Sonic magicks buffeted the intruders as gatling guns spun into motion with barrels squarely trained, and for a moment, Senior Brother van Ulmen allowed tension to seep from his clenched shoulders.</p> <p>Of all the muffled noise that spilled forth, only a few words cut clean: "Oh, harvester mine! Consider this bounty offered in full."</p> <p>Raw static exploded into the chamber. Its amorphous tendrils whipped from that foremost intruder—from her scabbard specifically, lashing across warriors trained and untrained both in a wave that brooked no quarter. Everything it touched fell apart. Skin lost coherency. Bones lost density. What wrapped between and around them fared no better, sloughing off into piles that couldn't even be called meat. Pillars slumped and windows bubbled, weapons dissolved in now-insufficient hands, and it seemed nothing was safe as their view filled with destructive noise. Both elders jerked back as a column blasted upward from the scrying pool too. Forcing itself through that pinhole aperture in reality, it savaged gnome-crafted lenses and dwarf-beaten metal beyond repair; it snapped at flesh just as fiercely, chewing apart Ulmen's misplaced hand in the briefest moment before being cut off. Only listing equipment and dripping water remained in its wake.</p> <p>"The blade salvaged from Fort Gräd," he groaned as younger acolytes rushed forward to help. "But why risk disturbing the casket if capturing it is not their intent?"</p> <p>"Why else, you old fool? If endangering the world comes easily, they cannot but yearn to leave it behind." Matalo waved over a messenger from her order as he was minded by members of his own. "Summon every able warrior to the upper levels. Stall the battle outside if need be, but we <em>must</em> stave off their ascent. Allow no trespass upon the gap!"</p> <hr/> <p>The iron key hanging from Mealworm's neck felt heavy enough to snap its chain as she staggered out of that expansive hall. Worse was the weight at her hip. Like every member of Alpha-85, she knew the thirteen blades all too well—bestowed upon their task force by members of the Foundation so senior that even the OPCOM could only call them "leadership" without sweating. She knew their effects too, having seen wielders simply drop in place after drawing too deeply. TAPEWORM TANGIBLE hadn't even cleared the scabbard this time, but it still felt like her heart might explode at any moment with how fast it hammered. As if mortal effort alone could keep internal masses from growing larger. Indeed, between that and the leftover stim, keeling over shouldn't surprise anyone.</p> <p>"There are worse places to die," said Galowyn, who might have seemed telepathic had it not been a fixation of his already. The disgraced knight kept his carbine loose at one side while ushering Mealworm upward by the scruff of her jacket.</p> <p>"Worse cults to be slain by too," said Calbor. The dwarf's weapons had strayed too close to static, but salvaging from the sludge-filled chamber below produced plenty of replacements. "A few shots nearly took my head off back there."</p> <p>"I wouldn't recommend that one," added another temporary ally, tapping where magic had reversed her near-cataclysmic brain injury while leaving wretched dreams behind.</p> <p>So it went, morbidity filling gaps in gunfire that stretched on longer and longer. Most defenders had clearly retreated toward the peak, leaving only bastions that were too entrenched and too peripheral to dig out, yet dangerous enough to slow their progress. So resolutely offering that sacrifice for a few extra minutes was nothing short of commendable. Perhaps the war would have played out differently if the Order of the Leaden Coffin had bothered leaving its fortress. Burgeoning respect didn't stop her from kicking a stray grenade back toward its owner though, nor from gesturing for Galowyn to finish bashing another acolyte's skull in after his desperate ambush failed. After all, it was commendable warriors who stood the best chance of defeating them.</p> <p>Up, and up, and up along grand staircases that spiraled around statues carved from black obsidian, then through passages barely wide enough to fit them single-file. Translating blueprints to reality was always an uncertain science, especially when navigating by the glow of Mt. Perfidy's craters alone. Slit windows caught little more, each casting their procession in grim tones whose contrast further obscured boltholes and those lurking within. That a bullet smashed sideways through Calbor's temple barely went remarked upon aside from firearms' natural retorts. They should all be so lucky.</p> <p>Ten flights turned to twenty, each with casualties inherent, until only nine shades remained with some thirty bullets between them. Knives and bayonets emerged instead, but not Mealworm's sword. Never that sword if there was any helping it. Instead, she toyed with the oblong beacon tucked in one pouch at her side. A key for a key. A means of opening one last vault where true treasure lay.</p> <p>They paused when only a few levels of switchback stairs remained before reaching Upper Repository 16—simple labels for assets nodes, as ever. A mixture of sweat and soot caked everyone present, and water was far too precious for anything but drinking. Mealworm nonetheless passed her canteen to Galowyn. He drank the rest without hesitation. "Last chance to take my head back to Pardusht," she said after grabbing it from his paw. "Though Allaingar might want to mount it more by now. Or Baeste, if they ever figure out who burned their caches."</p> <p>"I might say the same," he said, scratching at the boundary where mask re-sealed to skin. "My house would pay a princely sum to finally lay its worries to rest."</p> <p>"Not as much as the Foundation will pay for me," added a third soldier, joined by nods from a fourth, both of whom Mealworm flipped off in turn.</p> <p>"We'll see whose bounty is highest after crawling out of here. Ten minutes."</p> <p>She split off into an otherwise unmarked tunnel that planning documents had identified in their consideration of the 'coffin problem.' How to attack that central fortress, how to defend it… all she needed was the angular fault they identified though, an offhanded mention by geologists about how disastrous stimulating such features might prove.</p> <p>Mealworm tossed the beacon into that narrow gap. It audibly pinged while bouncing out of sight, but far more detailed information poured through channels that made her third, fourth, and fifth eyes water, howling data on its surrounding topography to every sensor for miles around. Only a distant whine came in response as she sprinted away. Groaning. Keening. It built higher and higher in the back of her head, reaching a pitch that resonated within bone, within distant bioreactors, until tension finally discharged with a faint <em>wumph</em>. Light that seared bright enough to illuminate bones through skin barely made additional sound as twin lances pierced Mt. Perfidy, each PACER's detonation cutting through smog in more ways than one.</p> <p>The mountain cracked like a nut where they intersected. Stone and slag sloughed from its peak, careening down with a rumble that shook those inside worse than any earthquake or eruption. Torches sputtered. Rare lightbulbs exploded. Pipes burst and vents flared as passageways twisted out of shape or were flattened entirely. More smog poured forth than ever before, the mountain's heaving breaths subsuming every inhabitant, but none of it prevented Mealworm from rushing to the backside of Upper Repository 16. What was another concussion? What did a little poisoning matter? Little and less, especially when she found the reinforced wall sundered without any guards in sight.</p> <p>Her key rattled freely by then, tugging at its chain with each jerk toward the phosphorescent gash hanging in open air. When sealed, the gap between worlds seemed a scar barely healed, oozing blue pus that dissipated the instant it fell. Stumbling, scrambling, she climbed a pile of rubble, drawn along by that mysterious attraction and the decade of planning it promised to fulfill. Each flap pulled harder against immaterial stitches, and presenting the key was all Mealworm could do before its jerking snapped her neck outright. Once opened, there would be no closing the gap from Earthside, no stemming the flow of caustic smog into whichever city the Order had spent decades covertly trading with. Only renewed intrusion and a quest for her key offered any hope of that. And what intrusion was never followed by another?</p> <p>Mealworm extended that lump of ancient iron toward the gap and was immediately yanked backward again.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sodium-deficiency-pacing-problems">Previous Tale</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/smoke-without-fire">Next Tale</a> »</strong></span></p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/onus-entire">Onus Entire</a>" by Pedantique, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/onus-entire">https://scpwiki.com/onus-entire</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[=]] [[span style="font-size:90%;"]]<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sodium-deficiency-pacing-problems Previous Tale] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/smoke-without-fire Next Tale] >>[[/span]] [[/=]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] > //__BENEATH THESE CRAGS LIES A BALEFUL EXISTENCE__// > //bearing malice, born of it// > //devouring spite, devoured by it// > > //__BREATHS PERSIST DESPITE DISMEMBERMENT__// > //to stray here is to perish// > //to linger forfeits peaceful death// > > //__RESPECT EVERY BARRICADE__// > //do not trespass// > > //__HEED EVERY GUARD__// > //do not trespass// > > //__OBEY THIS WARNING ACROSS PASSING ERAS__// > //no gods sit here// > //no treasure is hidden// > //no monsters require slaying// > //no challenge will fortify aspirants// > //no satisfaction or serenity survives this smog// > > //__PRAY EMPERORS ARE NEVER ENTHRONED AGAIN__// > [[>]] > —Enchanted signs surrounding Mt. Perfidy > [[/>]] ----- Smokestack fortresses strewn across the mountain's lower peaks continued firing with all available weaponry as Mealworm disembarked from Aster's shell with her company in tow. Stovepipe bastions rose in clusters there, housing twin orders whose charge has been protecting a coffin ever since their founder-made-hero filled it. Shards of rock flew wherever cannonshot landed, pelting their surroundings as clouds of dust merged with smog curling from the mountain's pores; slugs whizzed by in tandem, fired by hands too expert to be wasted on most battlefields. Pinpricks spread beneath calluses and scabs with every sincere attempt on her life. How wonderful to finally be where she belonged again, especially with Aster expressing enough glee for them both through external speakers. "Will throwing rocks come next? Is this why your fortress is feared? Fight properly or turn tail faster!" Both secondary PACERs continued firing their cannons. Each protruded far from steel-bound spines, and each shot ejected a casing large enough to crawl inside. Those thudded down amid mud and trampled weeds as one of the smokestacks collapsed beneath a direct hit. Stones tumbled out of the oil-slick smog. Bodies followed. All were so small that they barely registered to Mealworm's eyes—not with a breathing mask sealed tight over her face. Twin retorts echoed in slight offsets again and again, thunder following them to a heavily fortified gateway in the mountainside. Although built in an age already subsumed by myth, that blast door was sturdier than any fitted to castles since. Dark, pitted, it seemed ready to stand against thousands of rams and their countless handlers. With how the symbols carved into black iron thrummed with otherworldly power, it may have even withstood the might wizards cultivated. One of Aster's legs broke through with ease nearing contempt. The specters who followed Mealworm inside were no less contemptuous. For this place. For this world. Where elegant elven fingers //should// carry a whipblade, they instead cradled gunmetal. Where standards should flutter, there was only muted cloth over ablative plating. Indeed, where cries should herald the start of battle, there were only rattling respirators carefully extracted from aircraft. Stereotypes one and all, but then again, wasn't discarding such notions amidst a scramble for survival one of war's blessings? Perhaps this world would feel less onerous had violence not been so neatly contained within Cherinmark—a place for proper kingdoms to conduct proper bloodshed without suffering proper consequences. Yes, consequences occupied most present minds as they proceeded down a corridor where torches contributed to the general haze. Groups of two and three split off at junctions marked on her stolen blueprints. Toward nodes in the pneumatic tube network interconnecting disparate fortresses. To where massive boilers exploited emanations from the crypt buried far below. Everyone else remained in a singular pack, stalking through halls that widened from little more than maintenance corridors into something approximating a proper living space—at least, it had before the ever-thickening smog reclaimed this portion of the mountain for its own. Acolytes from the Order of the Leaden Coffin began appearing too. Workers in bulky beige suits were allowed to flee as fast as they could; neither prisoners nor corpses served any purpose at that point. Besides, they only had so much ammunition for modern weapons to spare. It was the lighter-equipped acolytes who proved troublesome, firing smooth-bore rifles from cover as they encroached upon a great hall that would allow them into the fortress proper. Through gloom, through smog, there was no telling how many were fighting, especially when the chatter of automatic weapons joined from both sides. Even this archaic group had adapted better than the chivalric assholes prancing around outside. "Galowyn, suppressing fire," was the only sort of order she needed to give by then. With one hand fixed to the sword hanging from her tool belt—pommel hazy, grip indistinct, scabbard difficult to look at without eyes watering—and the other loosely gripping a pistol, little else could be done at the moment. "Calbor, sniper up top. Samson, with me." Mealworm's small frame proved useful as ever for flitting between cover as they pressed forward. Corridor to pillar. Pillar to palisade. Palisade to steep stone steps. Mere adrenaline couldn't explain the elation of once again being a cog in this mechanism, a creature within its ecosystem; oh, and what niche remained unfilled aside from apex predator? Shifting the tubed apparatus off her face, she brought a matte orange inhaler between chapped lips and breathed ever so deep. ------ Despite its packaging, 'the stim' was in fact derived from native flora. Grown in pools suffused with moonlight, fortified by sap dripping off certain boughs, those water lilies were normally brewed into a tea whose mild psychoactivity held any number of benefits. But then again, why not grind, filter, and distill them instead, channeling nectar-thick liquid into miles of laboratory equipment? Why not wrench a fourth and fifth eye open after the third, boring straight through //os frontis// to better perceive that which lies beneath? The Foundation proved all too happy to turn those augers inward. Synesthesia. Cryptaesthesia. Streams of information normally beyond human perception funnel into new channels, currents driving receptive minds to faster speeds, skipping ever more rungs within any given logic. Consciousness and subconsciousness fracture thus, reassembling into a jigsaw of true-thought and true-self that requires no consideration before taking action. The being who //sees// is fundamentally different from those who don't—its decisions, its calculi, its self-imposed centrality all reject understanding. To inhale is to supplant a baser self who shies and quivers beneath extraneous worry. To exhale is to shift the world by every axis available. "A monster," concluded Senior Brother van Ulmen. He tugged his beard while considering the scrying pool, looking down upon a shade in the east grand stairwell. Ripples ran across the mirror-smooth surface with each shot against Mt. Perfidy's outer layers, but it was those loosed within that drew greater concern. Striking acolytes the second they emerged around a corner, then those outside of any possible sight line. Into nooks behind tapestries. Through slots in doors. "We may need to update the warnings in case proper slayers arrive." "'Tis hardly a time for jokes," said Senior Sister Matalo. Sweat glistened on her smooth pate as eyes raked across smaller pools that more fully captured their orders' tribulation. Tasseled robes shifted in the slow, steady breeze that permeated the entire mountain and its outgrown towers. "Ah, but it never truly is. Do innocents not pass every moment in this transient world? At least here we are immersed in sinful breath from beginning to end." "Save such musings for meditation." She clicked between notches on a copper disc that protruded from the apparatus. Lenses shifted in turn, their constellation refocusing through layers of steam that accumulated within the stairwell. Between thick clouds and disorderly messages from their tube system, such arcana was the only means available to track invaders. "My sisters should be marshaled in the anterior gathering chamber by now. Pull your brothers back and destroy the passageways before it is too late." "They show no sign of seeking another course. Let us harry them for as long as possible." "If you think your sacrifices to not be in vain..." "Aren't they all by moonrise? I venture none will regret their role regardless." Although responsible for many more matters within the mountain and without, both were drawn back to the scene before them. How easy it was to become entranced by that overburdened figure who nonetheless moved like a creature possessed—perhaps even as St. Sibiasten themself once battled against the hordes pouring forth from Mt. Perfidy's maw. How efficiently she shifted between victims while climbing at an even pace, left hand only leaving her sword's pommel when reloading became necessary. As if embodying a set of mathematical equations to optimize slaughter. As if knowing its ebbs and flows better than oceans' understood their own. A few lagging shades were picked off from behind, expressing none of their spearhead's preternatural awareness, but even that didn't slow the climb. If only it was clearer what drove such a hopeless assault. It seemed a question to never be answered as that handful of intruders emerged into a gathering chamber whose windows normally showed sunsets refracted by pollution. They now captured distant flashes as the mountain trembled, witnessed only by eighty soldiers who were each blessed and equipped to battle against what once reigned from those very halls. Bolstering their ranks were brave ogres who had called the lowest tunnels home long before emperors ever set foot above. Sonic magicks buffeted the intruders as gatling guns spun into motion with barrels squarely trained, and for a moment, Senior Brother van Ulmen allowed tension to seep from his clenched shoulders. Of all the muffled noise that spilled forth, only a few words cut clean: "Oh, harvester mine! Consider this bounty offered in full." Raw static exploded into the chamber. Its amorphous tendrils whipped from that foremost intruder—from her scabbard specifically, lashing across warriors trained and untrained both in a wave that brooked no quarter. Everything it touched fell apart. Skin lost coherency. Bones lost density. What wrapped between and around them fared no better, sloughing off into piles that couldn't even be called meat. Pillars slumped and windows bubbled, weapons dissolved in now-insufficient hands, and it seemed nothing was safe as their view filled with destructive noise. Both elders jerked back as a column blasted upward from the scrying pool too. Forcing itself through that pinhole aperture in reality, it savaged gnome-crafted lenses and dwarf-beaten metal beyond repair; it snapped at flesh just as fiercely, chewing apart Ulmen's misplaced hand in the briefest moment before being cut off. Only listing equipment and dripping water remained in its wake. "The blade salvaged from Fort Gräd," he groaned as younger acolytes rushed forward to help. "But why risk disturbing the casket if capturing it is not their intent?" "Why else, you old fool? If endangering the world comes easily, they cannot but yearn to leave it behind." Matalo waved over a messenger from her order as he was minded by members of his own. "Summon every able warrior to the upper levels. Stall the battle outside if need be, but we //must// stave off their ascent. Allow no trespass upon the gap!" ------ The iron key hanging from Mealworm's neck felt heavy enough to snap its chain as she staggered out of that expansive hall. Worse was the weight at her hip. Like every member of Alpha-85, she knew the thirteen blades all too well—bestowed upon their task force by members of the Foundation so senior that even the OPCOM could only call them "leadership" without sweating. She knew their effects too, having seen wielders simply drop in place after drawing too deeply. TAPEWORM TANGIBLE hadn't even cleared the scabbard this time, but it still felt like her heart might explode at any moment with how fast it hammered. As if mortal effort alone could keep internal masses from growing larger. Indeed, between that and the leftover stim, keeling over shouldn't surprise anyone. "There are worse places to die," said Galowyn, who might have seemed telepathic had it not been a fixation of his already. The disgraced knight kept his carbine loose at one side while ushering Mealworm upward by the scruff of her jacket. "Worse cults to be slain by too," said Calbor. The dwarf's weapons had strayed too close to static, but salvaging from the sludge-filled chamber below produced plenty of replacements. "A few shots nearly took my head off back there." "I wouldn't recommend that one," added another temporary ally, tapping where magic had reversed her near-cataclysmic brain injury while leaving wretched dreams behind. So it went, morbidity filling gaps in gunfire that stretched on longer and longer. Most defenders had clearly retreated toward the peak, leaving only bastions that were too entrenched and too peripheral to dig out, yet dangerous enough to slow their progress. So resolutely offering that sacrifice for a few extra minutes was nothing short of commendable. Perhaps the war would have played out differently if the Order of the Leaden Coffin had bothered leaving its fortress. Burgeoning respect didn't stop her from kicking a stray grenade back toward its owner though, nor from gesturing for Galowyn to finish bashing another acolyte's skull in after his desperate ambush failed. After all, it was commendable warriors who stood the best chance of defeating them. Up, and up, and up along grand staircases that spiraled around statues carved from black obsidian, then through passages barely wide enough to fit them single-file. Translating blueprints to reality was always an uncertain science, especially when navigating by the glow of Mt. Perfidy's craters alone. Slit windows caught little more, each casting their procession in grim tones whose contrast further obscured boltholes and those lurking within. That a bullet smashed sideways through Calbor's temple barely went remarked upon aside from firearms' natural retorts. They should all be so lucky. Ten flights turned to twenty, each with casualties inherent, until only nine shades remained with some thirty bullets between them. Knives and bayonets emerged instead, but not Mealworm's sword. Never that sword if there was any helping it. Instead, she toyed with the oblong beacon tucked in one pouch at her side. A key for a key. A means of opening one last vault where true treasure lay. They paused when only a few levels of switchback stairs remained before reaching Upper Repository 16—simple labels for assets nodes, as ever. A mixture of sweat and soot caked everyone present, and water was far too precious for anything but drinking. Mealworm nonetheless passed her canteen to Galowyn. He drank the rest without hesitation. "Last chance to take my head back to Pardusht," she said after grabbing it from his paw. "Though Allaingar might want to mount it more by now. Or Baeste, if they ever figure out who burned their caches." "I might say the same," he said, scratching at the boundary where mask re-sealed to skin. "My house would pay a princely sum to finally lay its worries to rest." "Not as much as the Foundation will pay for me," added a third soldier, joined by nods from a fourth, both of whom Mealworm flipped off in turn. "We'll see whose bounty is highest after crawling out of here. Ten minutes." She split off into an otherwise unmarked tunnel that planning documents had identified in their consideration of the 'coffin problem.' How to attack that central fortress, how to defend it... all she needed was the angular fault they identified though, an offhanded mention by geologists about how disastrous stimulating such features might prove. Mealworm tossed the beacon into that narrow gap. It audibly pinged while bouncing out of sight, but far more detailed information poured through channels that made her third, fourth, and fifth eyes water, howling data on its surrounding topography to every sensor for miles around. Only a distant whine came in response as she sprinted away. Groaning. Keening. It built higher and higher in the back of her head, reaching a pitch that resonated within bone, within distant bioreactors, until tension finally discharged with a faint //wumph//. Light that seared bright enough to illuminate bones through skin barely made additional sound as twin lances pierced Mt. Perfidy, each PACER's detonation cutting through smog in more ways than one. The mountain cracked like a nut where they intersected. Stone and slag sloughed from its peak, careening down with a rumble that shook those inside worse than any earthquake or eruption. Torches sputtered. Rare lightbulbs exploded. Pipes burst and vents flared as passageways twisted out of shape or were flattened entirely. More smog poured forth than ever before, the mountain's heaving breaths subsuming every inhabitant, but none of it prevented Mealworm from rushing to the backside of Upper Repository 16. What was another concussion? What did a little poisoning matter? Little and less, especially when she found the reinforced wall sundered without any guards in sight. Her key rattled freely by then, tugging at its chain with each jerk toward the phosphorescent gash hanging in open air. When sealed, the gap between worlds seemed a scar barely healed, oozing blue pus that dissipated the instant it fell. Stumbling, scrambling, she climbed a pile of rubble, drawn along by that mysterious attraction and the decade of planning it promised to fulfill. Each flap pulled harder against immaterial stitches, and presenting the key was all Mealworm could do before its jerking snapped her neck outright. Once opened, there would be no closing the gap from Earthside, no stemming the flow of caustic smog into whichever city the Order had spent decades covertly trading with. Only renewed intrusion and a quest for her key offered any hope of that. And what intrusion was never followed by another? Mealworm extended that lump of ancient iron toward the gap and was immediately yanked backward again. [[=]] [[span style="font-size:90%;"]]<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sodium-deficiency-pacing-problems Previous Tale] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/smoke-without-fire Next Tale] >>[[/span]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-03-26T18:19:00	[ "_licensebox", "tale" ]	Onus Entire - SCP Foundation	15	[ "sodium-deficiency-pacing-problems", "swords-unto-scramjets", "smoke-without-fire", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "swords-unto-scramjets" ]	[]	1453141101	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/onus-entire
operation-firestorm	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <br/> "Opal, ya ready?" <p>Opal was sitting on a plastic lawn chair, waiting for the meteorologists to give the all-clear. They usually flew in any weather, but due to a wildfire, smoke, and ash could blind the pilots. Any of these could leave them with no way of navigation other than instinct and a compass. His wingman Arc, who had yet to get a callsign, was sitting next to him.</p> <p>"Relax Arc. You want your first actual flight blind?"</p> <p>"Second."</p> <p>Opal turned his head towards Arc, who had been anxious all day. "Nobody calls moving a helicopter over here a 'flight'. Also, you forgot to turn off your light."</p> <p>Arc immediately started messing with his helmet to turn off a light it didn't have. In the distance, a few of the senior airmen stood there and watched the newbie fancily search for a light on his helmet.</p> <p>"Anyways, I'm gonna go talk to the Fire Eaters, and get that light off!"</p> <p>Opal would walk away from Arc, finally realizing there was no light. Up on the tarmac, a team of firefighters with fire axes and air tanks had been standing around a CH-47, waiting for takeoff.</p> <p>"You the pilot?" The first firefighter would ask, leaning his axe against the side of the chinkhook.</p> <p>"I don't deal with local jobs. Also, aren't you guys based at the regional airbase instead of this on?" Opal tried to question the firefighters, as this was a foundation airbase. The leader of the group, a tall Irish man, approached Opal.</p> <p>"Relax man, we're on the same side" He would raise a flap on his suit, showing the Epilsion-9 insignia.</p> <p>"Names Declan. Captain Declan."</p> <p>Opal backed off, giving them space. "I was told I was dropping off guys to deal with a cult, not fight a fire." He would try to remain calm, trying not to piss off the group.</p> <p>"We are the team, mate. Turns out that cult is a bunch of arsonists. Started the whole damn fire. Now we gotta take them out." Declan signaled to the rest of the group, and they would start grabbing equipment from a box nearby.</p> <p>"So your plan, is to kill the cult with axes?" Opal was already confused. First the weather not being good, then the briefing was wrong, and now he was delivering a team armed with axes to a burnt-down cult.</p> <p>Just as Opal had finished comprehending his situation, a green flag was raised on the ATC tower. The weather had finally been good. Two SCPF aircraft, disguised with DNR logos, went screaming down the runway. Crews scrambled to their planes. The base went from 0 to 100 in an instant.</p> <p>"Lets get this bird in the air!" Declan would yell, giving hand signals to his team. They had to get up in the air ASAP. Opal scrambled to the cockpit, nearly tripping on a tank that had been scrapped onto the frame.</p> <p>It only took a few seconds to get the engines up. Declan had his comset hooked up to the helicopter already. "We only have a bit of time. Those planes are making sure we don't become baked potatoes. We need to get to the LZ, get the job done, and you will pull us out."</p> <p>The Chinook got into the air, its dual propellers pulling it off the ground with much ease. Planes were taking off and leaving every minute. This wildfire was massive.</p> <p>It didn't take long to lose sight of the ground. Not because they went high, but because they went inside the smoke. All Opal had to navigate was the instruments, which weren't enough.</p> <p>Opal had signaled to the team to get clipped to the ropes. Declan relayed it back to them, and they got ready to jump out.</p> <p>Everyone was focused. They jump too early and they will toast. Take too long they risk getting engulfed. The latter is survivable. The first isn't.</p> <p>"Jump"</p> <p>All of the firefighters would land in the LZ, touching the landing, and unclip. Now they were all alone in hell.</p> <p>"Declan, lets get this started."</p> <p>Aspen, who was a rookie and therefore the last one out, had almost gotten thrown by the heli since her buckle got snagged. They had gotten their gear settled, and now the fun could begin.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p><span style="font-size:large;">Mission Log 12/24/19 "The Firestorm Incident"</span><br/> Declan: Everyone Here?</p> <p>Aspen: Little messed up, but I'm fine</p> <p>Rocky: Yeah yeah, we are fine</p> <p><em>The team of E-9 walks 200 feet to the target building.</em></p> <p>Rocky: Isn't this the source of the fire?</p> <p>Roscoe: Well that confirms they ARE arsonists.</p> <p>Declan: Let's deal with it.</p> <p><em>Declan approaches the door.</em></p> <p>Aspen: You know what to do.</p> <p><em>Declan broke down the door, and everyone would enter the room.</em></p> <p>Declan: Firebird, this is 1-1. We have entered the target building. Over.</p> <p>Firebird: 1-1, continue exploration of the area. If it's too large to explore, you may exit the building. Report any findings to us.</p> <p>Declan: 10-4, 1-1 out.</p> <p>Declan: Aspen and Roscoe, with me. Alex, Rocky, and Jackie take the left wing.</p> <p>Alex: Got it.</p> <p>Declan: Actually, Steve and Aspen stay here. Keep in touch with us. Oscar, you're with me.</p> <p>Aspen: And if the fire gets too close?</p> <p>Declan: Call for a tanker</p> <p>Jackie: And tell us</p> <p>Steven: No shit Jackie</p> <p><em>Declan would take his team to the right wing, well Alex would do the same with the left-wing.</em></p> <p>Rocky: You think this is just a freak accident?</p> <p><em>Alex would look over at Rocky.</em></p> <p>Alex: Why would they grab a book from the MC&D?</p> <p>Rocky: I don't know, maybe it was a signed copy of the bible?</p> <p><em>Alex and Jackie would smirk, and in a side room they found a laptop.</em></p> <p>Rocky: Do you think it works?</p> <p>Alex: Maybe. Firebird, this is 2-1. We have found a laptop. Transferring control now.</p> <p><em>Jackie would insert a USB into the laptop from her backpack, and type in a code to allow Firebird to control the laptop. She would place it in her bag, and continue on.</em></p> <p>Declan (over radio): Yall found anything?</p> <p>Steven (over radio): Nothing in the main area.</p> <p>Alex (over radio): We found a laptop. Firebird is looking through it.</p> <p>Declan: How's life?</p> <p>Oscar: Same old stuff. Watching football. Occasional fire here and there.</p> <p>Roscoe: working over at the shop, just as always.</p> <p><em>They would find a small room, and inside there was a body, impaled by a metal stake.</em></p> <p>Oscar: Well shit. For a second I thought we were risking our lives for a laptop.</p> <p>Declan: Firebird, this is 1-1. We found a body. White male, about thirty, and black hair.</p> <p>Firebird: 1-1, bag him. Get one of the guards to go and retrieve him. We can run an autopsy later.</p> <p>Aspen (over radio): En route.</p> <p><em>Aspen would come running down the hallway</em></p> <p>Aspen: Oh there actually WAS a body. I thought you lied to get me to grab your bag.</p> <p>Declan: That was a house fire.</p> <p>Aspen: Yeah yeah, just let me grab the body.</p> <p><em>Aspen grabbed the body and carry it back to the front entrance.</em></p> <p><em>The group walked down a corner, and meet up with the others.</em></p> <p>Declan: Oh I know you guys.</p> <p>Jackie: Find anything interesting?</p> <p>Oscar: A body.</p> <p><em>The six of them headed down the hallway, which led into an open yard with a singular burning stake with a book atop it.</em></p> <p>Declan: Firebird? Anything on that laptop?</p> <p>Firebird: Yeah, that book they got, it's, umm, something for a ritual called firestorm?</p> <p>Declan: Whatever that is, they have done it. We gotta get out of here.</p> <p>Firebird: Agreed. Opal?</p> <p>Opal: Yes?</p> <p>Firebird: Drop the cargo on the stake. Then get to the LZ.</p> <p>Opal: Rodger that.</p> <p><em>Opal looked at the yard, the entire team running through the compound away from the stake. He unbuckle the cargo and pushed it out of the bay.</em></p> <p>Opal: Cargo out</p> <p><em>Opal returned to the cockpit. The box landed on the stake, suffocating the fire. Instead of putting it out, the fire intensified rapidly. The box had become a giant Roman candle.</em></p> <p>Opal: SHIT! WE ARE GETTING OUT OF HERE</p> <p><em>Opal quickly turned the helicopter around, nearly avoiding a pillar of flame.</em></p> <p>Opal: EVERYONE IN NOW!</p> <p><em>The entire team rushed into the Chinhook.</em></p> <p>Aspen: What about the body?</p> <p>Opal: WE AIN'T GRABBING IT.</p> <p>Log end</p> </div> <p>Opal panicked. He knew he's in trouble. He can't land. He had one option.</p> <p>"You guys are fastropping out."</p> <p>Declan dropped down a rope, and the 8 members of his team rode down the rope. After they all got off at the base, a small van drove over to the team.</p> <p>A young man in a suit got out. He was a tall man, almost the size of Delcan. "You boys ok?" He said in a light British accent.</p> <p>"Mostly"</p> <p>"Get in. Somethings happening."</p> <p>"Figured"</p> <p>Opal had to land. He chose a small airport a few miles out and was immediately intercepted by multiple foundation agents. He knew he was dead meat.</p> <p>It was just a matter of time.</p> <p>Before he was killed. Before the world would burn.</p> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] "Opal, ya ready?" Opal was sitting on a plastic lawn chair, waiting for the meteorologists to give the all-clear. They usually flew in any weather, but due to a wildfire, smoke, and ash could blind the pilots. Any of these could leave them with no way of navigation other than instinct and a compass. His wingman Arc, who had yet to get a callsign, was sitting next to him. "Relax Arc. You want your first actual flight blind?" "Second." Opal turned his head towards Arc, who had been anxious all day. "Nobody calls moving a helicopter over here a 'flight'. Also, you forgot to turn off your light." Arc immediately started messing with his helmet to turn off a light it didn't have. In the distance, a few of the senior airmen stood there and watched the newbie fancily search for a light on his helmet. "Anyways, I'm gonna go talk to the Fire Eaters, and get that light off!" Opal would walk away from Arc, finally realizing there was no light. Up on the tarmac, a team of firefighters with fire axes and air tanks had been standing around a CH-47, waiting for takeoff. "You the pilot?" The first firefighter would ask, leaning his axe against the side of the chinkhook. "I don't deal with local jobs. Also, aren't you guys based at the regional airbase instead of this on?" Opal tried to question the firefighters, as this was a foundation airbase. The leader of the group, a tall Irish man, approached Opal. "Relax man, we're on the same side" He would raise a flap on his suit, showing the Epilsion-9 insignia. "Names Declan. Captain Declan." Opal backed off, giving them space. "I was told I was dropping off guys to deal with a cult, not fight a fire." He would try to remain calm, trying not to piss off the group. "We are the team, mate. Turns out that cult is a bunch of arsonists. Started the whole damn fire. Now we gotta take them out." Declan signaled to the rest of the group, and they would start grabbing equipment from a box nearby. "So your plan, is to kill the cult with axes?" Opal was already confused. First the weather not being good, then the briefing was wrong, and now he was delivering a team armed with axes to a burnt-down cult. Just as Opal had finished comprehending his situation, a green flag was raised on the ATC tower. The weather had finally been good. Two SCPF aircraft, disguised with DNR logos, went screaming down the runway. Crews scrambled to their planes. The base went from 0 to 100 in an instant. "Lets get this bird in the air!" Declan would yell, giving hand signals to his team. They had to get up in the air ASAP. Opal scrambled to the cockpit, nearly tripping on a tank that had been scrapped onto the frame. It only took a few seconds to get the engines up. Declan had his comset hooked up to the helicopter already. "We only have a bit of time. Those planes are making sure we don't become baked potatoes. We need to get to the LZ, get the job done, and you will pull us out." The Chinook got into the air, its dual propellers pulling it off the ground with much ease. Planes were taking off and leaving every minute. This wildfire was massive. It didn't take long to lose sight of the ground. Not because they went high, but because they went inside the smoke. All Opal had to navigate was the instruments, which weren't enough. Opal had signaled to the team to get clipped to the ropes. Declan relayed it back to them, and they got ready to jump out. Everyone was focused. They jump too early and they will toast. Take too long they risk getting engulfed. The latter is survivable. The first isn't. "Jump" All of the firefighters would land in the LZ, touching the landing, and unclip. Now they were all alone in hell. "Declan, lets get this started." Aspen, who was a rookie and therefore the last one out, had almost gotten thrown by the heli since her buckle got snagged. They had gotten their gear settled, and now the fun could begin. [[div class="blockquote"]] [[size large]]Mission Log 12/24/19 "The Firestorm Incident"[[/size]] Declan: Everyone Here? Aspen: Little messed up, but I'm fine Rocky: Yeah yeah, we are fine //The team of E-9 walks 200 feet to the target building.// Rocky: Isn't this the source of the fire? Roscoe: Well that confirms they ARE arsonists. Declan: Let's deal with it. //Declan approaches the door.// Aspen: You know what to do. //Declan broke down the door, and everyone would enter the room.// Declan: Firebird, this is 1-1. We have entered the target building. Over. Firebird: 1-1, continue exploration of the area. If it's too large to explore, you may exit the building. Report any findings to us. Declan: 10-4, 1-1 out. Declan: Aspen and Roscoe, with me. Alex, Rocky, and Jackie take the left wing. Alex: Got it. Declan: Actually, Steve and Aspen stay here. Keep in touch with us. Oscar, you're with me. Aspen: And if the fire gets too close? Declan: Call for a tanker Jackie: And tell us Steven: No shit Jackie //Declan would take his team to the right wing, well Alex would do the same with the left-wing.// Rocky: You think this is just a freak accident? //Alex would look over at Rocky.// Alex: Why would they grab a book from the MC&D? Rocky: I don't know, maybe it was a signed copy of the bible? //Alex and Jackie would smirk, and in a side room they found a laptop.// Rocky: Do you think it works? Alex: Maybe. Firebird, this is 2-1. We have found a laptop. Transferring control now. //Jackie would insert a USB into the laptop from her backpack, and type in a code to allow Firebird to control the laptop. She would place it in her bag, and continue on.// Declan (over radio): Yall found anything? Steven (over radio): Nothing in the main area. Alex (over radio): We found a laptop. Firebird is looking through it. Declan: How's life? Oscar: Same old stuff. Watching football. Occasional fire here and there. Roscoe: working over at the shop, just as always. //They would find a small room, and inside there was a body, impaled by a metal stake.// Oscar: Well shit. For a second I thought we were risking our lives for a laptop. Declan: Firebird, this is 1-1. We found a body. White male, about thirty, and black hair. Firebird: 1-1, bag him. Get one of the guards to go and retrieve him. We can run an autopsy later. Aspen (over radio): En route. //Aspen would come running down the hallway// Aspen: Oh there actually WAS a body. I thought you lied to get me to grab your bag. Declan: That was a house fire. Aspen: Yeah yeah, just let me grab the body. //Aspen grabbed the body and carry it back to the front entrance.// //The group walked down a corner, and meet up with the others.// Declan: Oh I know you guys. Jackie: Find anything interesting? Oscar: A body. //The six of them headed down the hallway, which led into an open yard with a singular burning stake with a book atop it.// Declan: Firebird? Anything on that laptop? Firebird: Yeah, that book they got, it's, umm, something for a ritual called firestorm? Declan: Whatever that is, they have done it. We gotta get out of here. Firebird: Agreed. Opal? Opal: Yes? Firebird: Drop the cargo on the stake. Then get to the LZ. Opal: Rodger that. //Opal looked at the yard, the entire team running through the compound away from the stake. He unbuckle the cargo and pushed it out of the bay.// Opal: Cargo out //Opal returned to the cockpit. The box landed on the stake, suffocating the fire. Instead of putting it out, the fire intensified rapidly. The box had become a giant Roman candle.// Opal: SHIT! WE ARE GETTING OUT OF HERE //Opal quickly turned the helicopter around, nearly avoiding a pillar of flame.// Opal: EVERYONE IN NOW! //The entire team rushed into the Chinhook.// Aspen: What about the body? Opal: WE AIN'T GRABBING IT. Log end [[/div]] Opal panicked. He knew he's in trouble. He can't land. He had one option. "You guys are fastropping out." Declan dropped down a rope, and the 8 members of his team rode down the rope. After they all got off at the base, a small van drove over to the team. A young man in a suit got out. He was a tall man, almost the size of Delcan. "You boys ok?" He said in a light British accent. "Mostly" "Get in. Somethings happening." "Figured" Opal had to land. He chose a small airport a few miles out and was immediately intercepted by multiple foundation agents. He knew he was dead meat. It was just a matter of time. Before he was killed. Before the world would burn.	2024-12-13T15:08:00	[ "tale" ]	Operation Firestorm - SCP Foundation	-1	[]	[ "tales-by-year", "lowest-rated-articles", "lowest-rated-pages", "news" ]	[]	1458004651	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/operation-firestorm
or-maybe-it-is	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="pseudocrumbs"> <p><a href="/canon-hub">Canon Hub</a> » <a href="/competitive-eschatology-hub">Competitive Eschatology Hub</a> » <a href="/just-fragments-hub">Just Fragments Hub</a> » Or maybe it is…</p> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/component%3Abhl-dark-sidebar/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>Or maybe it is…</strong><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> Part 2!</p> </div> <p><strong>Author:</strong> Doctor Scrappy</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <p><em>The buzzing.</em> They were slowly gaining on him. He ran, and ran, and ran, until his feet began to ache, his lungs began to scream. Dark clouds loomed over the sky, torn in halves by the <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/competitive-eschatology-hub">ends of everything</a>. He could hear whispering from up above.</p> <p><em>Almost there,</em> he thought to himself, the entrance right in sight.</p> <p>He dug down beneath some collapsed pillars, toppled-over debris of a might once standing proudly against all odds of the cosmos, and beyond, now only a dilapitated husk of what once was. He couldn’t bother with it, though; they were right above him.</p> <p>As the nano-bots swooped overhead, a loud whirring and clicking sound rang through his ears, almost deafening, like a stampede of a hundred horses. Eventually, though, the whirring passed by, and he gave out a sigh of relief.</p> <p>It was only a few feet from the entrance.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>The air was thick, moist, age-old like an attic of some abandoned building in the outskirts of No Man’s Land. You knew that there were once people in here, but everything seemed so lifeless, so decayed, there might as well never have been anybody at all.</p> <p>With a push and a gasp for air, he slid the door open fully, finally allowing him a clear view inside. The sun’s light was sallow, tinged in a red hue, dust littering the twilight hallway to the brim.</p> <p>He put on his gas mask, and ventured inside. There was a flashlight in his hands, hand-made, attached to a long power-cord. It was weighing down on him, making his every step as though he were entombed in the Mariana’s Trench, but he continued on.</p> <p>The darkness enveloped him more and more the farther he stepped away from the entrance, his eyes having a hard time adjusting through the mask.</p> <p>Long electrical cords hung from the ceiling like nooses, stains of blood decorating the bleak walls like an artist’s twisted idea of a masterpiece. Some halls were empty, others having already collapsed. Some doors were closed and with some he did not dare to look inside.</p> <p>His scanners were clicking, louder and more frequent the more he got to the source. Despite this, he could feel his heart becoming heavy, beating more rapidly in his chest.</p> <p><em>Left. Right. Left. Another left. Then right, no, left.</em></p> <p>His movements became slower, feeling enveloped in quicksand, like something weighing down his soul. But he continued on, no matter what he was feeling.</p> <p>Eventually, his scanners peaked. <em>He was at the right place.</em></p> <p>He pulled out an access card, a relic of forgotten days, and slid it through the scanner. He half-expected he needed to resort to less orthodox measures, so he was relieved to see the door actually opening on its own. He stepped inside.</p> <p><a href="/maybe-the-end-of-the-world-isnt-as-bad-as-it-sounds">The control room was gigantic</a>, filled to the brim with monitors and speakers, all dead in their various tones, shapes and sizes, their last bits of life having fizzled out long ago.</p> <p>He inspected the room, letting his makeshift flashlight go over every surface. One of the monitors was broken, there was a swivel chair, and mounts of documentation.</p> <p>The power had long since fried, leaving everything dead. <em>Great,</em> but, what kind of survivor of the apocalypse would he be if he weren’t ready for such an eventuality?</p> <p>He plugged a cable peeking out of his makeshift backpack-power source into the terminal. It soon beeped back into existence. The whirring and clicking by the machinery caused him to recoil in panic slightly, but as he looked at the terminal, his mind eased up again.</p> <p>A few words flickered on the screen, his eyes wide open.</p> <p><span style="color: green"><tt>> Welcome. How may I be of assistance?</tt></span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <tt>> Access Logs [June 2024]</tt></p> <p>The machine required some time to process the input. All the whirring made him queezy.</p> <p><span style="color: green"><tt>> Input Password</tt></span></p> <p><em>Shit. The password. What was it again?</em> He put in something.</p> <p><tt>> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">••••••••••••</span></tt></p> <p><span style="color: green"><tt>> … … …</tt></span> <tt><strong><span style="color: red">Access Denied.</span></strong> <span style="color: green">You have (2) attempt(s) left.</span></tt></p> <p>Years of getting to this point, and it would fail because of his stupid mind not remembering a <em>fucking</em> password?</p> <p><tt>> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">••••</span></tt></p> <p><span style="color: green"><tt>> … … …</tt></span> <tt><strong><span style="color: red">Access Denied.</span></strong> <span style="color: green">You have (2) attempt(s) left.</span></tt></p> <p>All these years to reach this moment, only for his fragile human mind to finally give in. He had seen too much. Deseccrated humans, landscapes once so lush of life, corpses in every stage imaginable, even walking.</p> <p>Then it hit. From the far corners of his mind, it was as clear as day now. Like a lightning strike in an open field. It was so clear.</p> <p>”Sunshine,” he whispered to no one, but himself.</p> <p><tt>> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">••••••••</span></tt></p> <p>He stared at the screen intently. These aching seconds were unbearable, just waiting for a response.</p> <p><span style="color: green"><tt>> … … … <strong>Access Granted.</strong></tt></span></p> <p>Relief washed over him, as the terminal whirred for a moment and began its duty.</p> <p><span style="color: green"><tt>> Accessing Logs [June 2024]…</tt></span></p> <p>The screen became black, before it flickered to life once more. His eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness, as the logs started playing…</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>The screen flickered to life with a man in his mid-twenties or late-twenties standing in front of the camera, his stance humble and weak. He wore standard Foundation attire if a bit worn.</p> <p>He sat down on the swivel chair, it barely squeaking under his weight, as the sounds of paper shuffling dominated the feed for a good ten seconds, before the man looked back at the camera.</p> <p>”June 24th, 2024. I am… I…”</p> <p>His voice was not weak, but broken.</p> <p>It was dark. Only a few monitors were blinking and beeping in the background, but even then they were too low and far-between to light up the room fully. The only thing that lit up the man’s face was the screen in front of him.</p> <p>There was silence for a few seconds, before the man cleared his throat, and continued speaking, his focus shifted back to the camera.</p> <p>”Level 2 Foundation researcher. <a href="/scp-8138">Krug, Adam</a>. Twenty-four years old. I’d tell you more, but—”</p> <p>The man, calling himself by the name of Krug, chuckled a bit. It wasn’t a hefty chuckle, only a light one. Yet it was so full of life, like it had been a while since he had a genuine laugh.</p> <p>”Site-67 is…” the man said, before abruptly pausing, ”it’s fucked. Borderline, nominally <em>fucked!</em>”</p> <p>He sat there in utter silence, the total quietness piquing with every aching second.</p> <p><em>There was a whirring, a buzzing. Nanites flying overhead, most likely. He temporarily paused the recording to listen in, until everything was plunged back into silence again.</em></p> <p>”<a href="/maybe-the-end-of-the-world-isnt-as-bad-as-it-sounds">Colleague of mine pissed off a few days ago.</a> Don’t know where she’s headed. I don’t even know if she’s still alive!”</p> <p>Although the quality was low, he could see what appeared to be tears forming in the man’s eyes. He wiped them away as fast as they appeared.</p> <p>”Safe wing breached a few hours ago… Guess they got bored of staring at the same concrete wall for years now.”</p> <p>Krug stared at the camera, yet right through it. He felt uncomfortable watching the footage, as if Krug was able to see <em>him</em>. Then he <em>stared</em> at the camera again.</p> <p>”Not much else going on, beside the literal end times.” Another weak chuckle. Then a sigh. He reached out his hand toward the cam.</p> <p>”This is Foundation researcher Adam Krug. Signing off.”</p> <p>The log ended.</p> <p><tt><span style="color: green">> Proceed?</span></tt></p> <p><tt><span style="color: green">> N/Y?</span></tt></p> <p><tt>> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Yes.</span></tt></p> <p>The next log started playing. This one was dated to the first of June.</p> <p>The view showed the exact same room from before, but with less monitors blinking and beeping in the background. There was no man in sight, only the swivel chair.</p> <p>The noises of a door opening and shuffling echoed throughout the room, then Krug entered the frame with something in his hands. He sat down on the chair, bearing a smile on his face.</p> <p>”Found this thing in one of t-the closets.” His voice was even weaker than before. His fingers barely held onto the strings. ”Let’s s-see if I can still w-work it.”</p> <p>Dissonant tunes rang through the air. A cacophony of out-of-tune noises on a dusty, old guitar, in the hands of a once-hopeful man. His fingers were thin and bony.</p> <p>As he adjusted the strings, Krug hummed the low melody of a <a href="https://youtu.be/Kby18XgNFc0?si=TRoSvUKeazP9JjuP">song</a>, quiet at first, before he moved his lips dryly. The noises of the guitar became more coherent, more of a song.</p> <p>Krug began, humbly:</p> <p><em>”W— what if the wind c— caught up w— with me? Starting t— to chance when I— I did…”</em></p> <p>He watched Krug’s mind slowly trailing off, closing his eyes, singing along to the rythm of a song. Despite everything, his mind relaxed and he began to play the guitar with delicate, coordinated movements.</p> <p><em>”And i— if dreams can come true, w— what does that say a— about <strong>nightmares</strong>?</em></p> <p>He continued on in his slow, deliberate movements. What seemed to a smile formed on his face.</p> <p>Then a string broke. It snapped Krug right out of his retrieve. He looked down at the broken string and lingered on it for a while. Then he let out a low chuckle.</p> <p>”It was fun while it lasted,” he finally said.</p> <p>His hand reached out and he ended the recording.</p> <p>There was one more file. The date was scrubbed, corrupted. But given Krug’s appearance in the video, it must’ve been made a few weeks after the second.</p> <p>Buzzing. The sound of clicking. Doors being pried open. <em><strong>Nanites.</strong></em> Those sounds made him tense up, even if they were coming from the recording. From the sounds, there were only a few meters away. In the dim light, he could see a guitar leaned against a table.</p> <p>”I just realized…” Krug spoke in a calm voice, ”I never celebrated my seventeenth birthday. It’s not… we… we just forgot. Me, my parents, my friends…”</p> <p>They were pounding on the door now. With each harsh crash against the metal, an indentation formed, bending outwards. Krug gave off no reaction.</p> <p>”Huh.”</p> <p>The door flung open, the nanites swarmed in and everything cut to black.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p><em>This can’t be it,</em> he thought, staring at the now-blank screen. <em>This couldn’t have been it.</em></p> <p>Then the screen flickered back to life.</p> <p><span style="color: green"><tt>> There is @ne (1) m0re fil3. Ope#& it1?</tt></span></p> <p><span style="color: green"><tt>> N/&Y€? …</tt></span></p> <p>He lingered on the question for a moment. With a quick movement, his hands moved to select an option. The terminal responded after a few minutes.</p> <p><span style="color: green"><tt>> Acc3s5ing f1l3…</tt></span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p><em>They hovered over the vast expanse of sky, tinted now in a deep red. There were creatures roaming all around. Men, women and children hiding under the remnants of which was once civilization.</em></p> <p><em>People in shiny armor and tattered lab coats tried to combat the threats lurking around every corner; one by one, they fell to the ground, their lifeless bodies looking up blankly into the sky.</em></p> <p><em>Then, there was a sound. A signal, coming from not too far. In a swift motion, the swarm turned around, headed east, and flew hundreds of kilometers to their destination in an instant.</em></p> <p>The sounds of buzzing and clicking were ever-so-present.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>It was a bunch of images. Flowers, trees, concrete cradles, and insects. Inherently meaningless, yet they triggered something in his mind. His eyes were fixated on them, <em>no</em>, his <em>mind</em> was fixated on the rapid onslaught displayed on the screen.</p> <p>It hurt to look at, yet was so, so beautiful. Unlike anything he’d ever seen.</p> <p>Then the images ceased. What came next was incoherent noise, static, dominating the entire screen.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>An unimaginable pain seared its way into his mind, burning and coiling all of his thoughts. It engraved its way deep into his mind, between his flesh, the neurons, his memories.</p> <p>There was nothing for a moment. Then there was everything. He could see it all clearly.</p> <p>A voice rang out from the terminal, through the white noise. It was that of Adam Krug.</p> <p><em>”I’ve found a way to reverse this whole shit…”</em> Krug spoke. <em>”It’s <a href="/scp-055">oh-fifty-five</a> and <a href="/scp-579">five-seven-nine</a>. If you bring them together, something… I don’t know…</em> something <em>definitely happens.”</em></p> <p>Suddenly, his surroundings morphed and changed, and he found himself in a square room, five by five by two point five meters in dimensions, with… <em>something</em> resting in the middle of it.</p> <p><em>”It happened before. It’ll happen again.”</em></p> <p>The walls around him started to wither, rust, decompose, as the chamber was torn apart around him by a <em>something</em> just out of sight. He turned around to see an <a href="/scp-004">old wooden door with a rusty key stuck inside it</a>, with the key being twisted, opening up a vast expanse of pure darkness and screams on the other side.</p> <p>Before his mind was able to comprehend any of it, his feet lost hold of the floor, and he was pulled inside the door. Fear pounded inside him, as he tried desperately to hold onto the floor, <em>anything</em>, but, no matter how hard he tried, he approached the all-enveloping darkness.</p> <p>The wooden door shut behind him in a cacophony of screams and cries.</p> <p><em>”I’ve managed to send some of my compiled data to staff at <a href="/scp-3936">ES-06</a>, but I don’t know if that’ll be enough.”</em></p> <p>Suddenly, he was back in the real world again, having collapsed to the floor. His breathing was rapid, his heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest at any second.</p> <p><em>”Five-seven-nine is contained within Site-62C, inside of oh-oh-four,”</em> Krug rambled on. <em>”Oh-fifty-five is… is…”</em> He began to trail of.</p> <p><em>”It’s… it’s… huh…”</em></p> <p>Krug’s mind became distant. With each passing second, he lost more and more of himself, unsure of what he just said to the camera.</p> <p><em>”I just realized…”</em> he spoke, in a calm, peaceful voice, <em>”I never celebrated by seventeenth birthday.”</em></p> <p>The buzzing. The pounding against the door. Cut to black.</p> <p>He sat there in silence, his thoughts still recovering from the attack on his senses, and stared mindlessly at the white noise, before it shut off. His gaze met the floor, as he desperately tried to fight against the pain.</p> <p>Suddenly, panic overcame him, pounding against his skull, each motion of his body reverberating down to his bones, burning through his frail body.</p> <p><em>The buzzing. The clicking. It didn’t stop. It grew louder,</em> nearer.</p> <p>He quickly stumbled to his feet, as the buzzing and clicking of the nanite swarm was audible in the distance. He made his way to a security door on the far side of the room, the broken monitors looming above, as if staring down at him. <em>The noises grew louder.</em></p> <p>The door was shut. Sliding his keycard in, the roor didn’t budge an inch. The mechanism was damaged beyond repair. He had to open it himself. <em>The buzzing grew closer.</em></p> <p>He placed both of his hands on the handle and put his entire weight against the door to pull it open. Eventually, a loud creak emanated from the door, its metal scraping against the floor. Soon, there was an opening, but not enough to squeeze through.</p> <p>He turned around. He could see the nanites and their rapid approach at the end of the hallway, cutting everything in their way apart.</p> <p>Another pull. He was able to squeeze his arm through. <em>Some of them crawled, others ran, most of them just flew toward him.</em></p> <p>He pulled more rapidly on the door, each time causing a distinct pain to erupt in his head. The opening was as wide as his head now. <em>They were only a few meters away now, enveloping the entire entrance.</em></p> <p>Then the door slid open. He tumbled to the other side, left his backpack behind, got his bearings, before sliding the door shut behind him. His thoughts were screaming at him.</p> <p>He quickly hid underneath some rubble, as he heard the nanites slashing and tearing anything in the room apart. Then they turned their attention to the security door, as the metal bent outward.</p> <p>The door flew off its hinges, landing several feet away. The swarm of nanites made their way down the dark, winding corridors, while he could do nothing, but watch and hope. He closed his eyes, trying to ease his breathing, as sweat dripped down the sides of his face.</p> <p>The buzzing and clicking grew more distant, everything became quieter, until everything was plunged into silence again. He opened his eyes.</p> <p>He made his way out from under the rubble, turned around to look at the control room; everything was slashed, cut into little pieces. His backpack was tattered, <em>unusable</em>, as he’d expected. The terminal he’d just interacted with was sliced-up beyond recognition.</p> <p>He rummaged through one of his pockets, and pulled out a marker, color purple, and wrote something down on his left forearm, as best as he could in the dim light.</p> <blockquote> <p><span style="color: purple"><em><strong>O bje tiv e:</strong> 55 to 5 79</em></span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>He salvaged what he could and left.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <hr/> <div style="text-align: left;"> <p><strong>« <a href="/maybe-the-end-of-the-world-isnt-as-bad-as-it-sounds">Previous</a></strong></p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>» <a href="/just-fragments-hub">HUB</a> «</strong></p> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p><strong><a href="/not-the-end">Next</a> »</strong></p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/or-maybe-it-is">Or maybe it is...</a>" by Doctor Scrappy , from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/or-maybe-it-is">https://scpwiki.com/or-maybe-it-is</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[div class="pseudocrumbs"]] [[[canon-hub\|Canon Hub]]] >> [[[Competitive Eschatology Hub]]] >> [[[Just Fragments Hub]]] >> Or maybe it is... [[/div]] [[include <a href="/theme:black-highlighter-theme">theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:bhl-dark-sidebar">:scp-wiki:component:bhl-dark-sidebar</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar-bhl</a>]] [[module CSS]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:fade-in">:scp-wiki:component:fade-in</a> speed=1.5]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] [[=]] Or maybe it is... @@ @@ Part 2! [[/=]] Author: Doctor Scrappy [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:ratio-bar">:scp-wiki:component:ratio-bar</a> base=--]] //The buzzing.// They were slowly gaining on him. He ran, and ran, and ran, until his feet began to ache, his lungs began to scream. Dark clouds loomed over the sky, torn in halves by the [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/competitive-eschatology-hub\|ends of everything]]]. He could hear whispering from up above. //Almost there,// he thought to himself, the entrance right in sight. He dug down beneath some collapsed pillars, toppled-over debris of a might once standing proudly against all odds of the cosmos, and beyond, now only a dilapitated husk of what once was. He couldn’t bother with it, though; they were right above him. As the nano-bots swooped overhead, a loud whirring and clicking sound rang through his ears, almost deafening, like a stampede of a hundred horses. Eventually, though, the whirring passed by, and he gave out a sigh of relief. It was only a few feet from the entrance. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ The air was thick, moist, age-old like an attic of some abandoned building in the outskirts of No Man’s Land. You knew that there were once people in here, but everything seemed so lifeless, so decayed, there might as well never have been anybody at all. With a push and a gasp for air, he slid the door open fully, finally allowing him a clear view inside. The sun’s light was sallow, tinged in a red hue, dust littering the twilight hallway to the brim. He put on his gas mask, and ventured inside. There was a flashlight in his hands, hand-made, attached to a long power-cord. It was weighing down on him, making his every step as though he were entombed in the Mariana’s Trench, but he continued on. The darkness enveloped him more and more the farther he stepped away from the entrance, his eyes having a hard time adjusting through the mask. Long electrical cords hung from the ceiling like nooses, stains of blood decorating the bleak walls like an artist’s twisted idea of a masterpiece. Some halls were empty, others having already collapsed. Some doors were closed and with some he did not dare to look inside. His scanners were clicking, louder and more frequent the more he got to the source. Despite this, he could feel his heart becoming heavy, beating more rapidly in his chest. //Left. Right. Left. Another left. Then right, no, left.// His movements became slower, feeling enveloped in quicksand, like something weighing down his soul. But he continued on, no matter what he was feeling. Eventually, his scanners peaked. //He was at the right place.// He pulled out an access card, a relic of forgotten days, and slid it through the scanner. He half-expected he needed to resort to less orthodox measures, so he was relieved to see the door actually opening on its own. He stepped inside. [[[Maybe the End of the World isn’t as Bad as it Sounds\|The control room was gigantic]]], filled to the brim with monitors and speakers, all dead in their various tones, shapes and sizes, their last bits of life having fizzled out long ago. He inspected the room, letting his makeshift flashlight go over every surface. One of the monitors was broken, there was a swivel chair, and mounts of documentation. The power had long since fried, leaving everything dead. //Great,// but, what kind of survivor of the apocalypse would he be if he weren’t ready for such an eventuality? He plugged a cable peeking out of his makeshift backpack-power source into the terminal. It soon beeped back into existence. The whirring and clicking by the machinery caused him to recoil in panic slightly, but as he looked at the terminal, his mind eased up again. A few words flickered on the screen, his eyes wide open. ##green\|{{> Welcome. How may I be of assistance?}}## @@ @@ {{> Access Logs [June 2024]}} The machine required some time to process the input. All the whirring made him queezy. ##green\|{{> Input Password}}## //Shit. The password. What was it again?// He put in something. {{> __••••••••••••__}} ##green\|{{> ... ... ...## ##red\|Access Denied.## ##green\|You have (2) attempt(s) left.}}## Years of getting to this point, and it would fail because of his stupid mind not remembering a //fucking// password? {{> __••••__}} ##green\|{{> ... ... ...## ##red\|Access Denied.## ##green\|You have (2) attempt(s) left.}}## All these years to reach this moment, only for his fragile human mind to finally give in. He had seen too much. Deseccrated humans, landscapes once so lush of life, corpses in every stage imaginable, even walking. Then it hit. From the far corners of his mind, it was as clear as day now. Like a lightning strike in an open field. It was so clear. ”Sunshine,” he whispered to no one, but himself. {{> __••••••••__}} He stared at the screen intently. These aching seconds were unbearable, just waiting for a response. ##green\|{{> ... ... ... Access Granted.}}## Relief washed over him, as the terminal whirred for a moment and began its duty. ##green\|{{> Accessing Logs [June 2024]...}}## The screen became black, before it flickered to life once more. His eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness, as the logs started playing... @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ The screen flickered to life with a man in his mid-twenties or late-twenties standing in front of the camera, his stance humble and weak. He wore standard Foundation attire if a bit worn. He sat down on the swivel chair, it barely squeaking under his weight, as the sounds of paper shuffling dominated the feed for a good ten seconds, before the man looked back at the camera. ”June 24th, 2024. I am... I...” His voice was not weak, but broken. It was dark. Only a few monitors were blinking and beeping in the background, but even then they were too low and far-between to light up the room fully. The only thing that lit up the man’s face was the screen in front of him. There was silence for a few seconds, before the man cleared his throat, and continued speaking, his focus shifted back to the camera. ”Level 2 Foundation researcher. [[[SCP-8138\|Krug, Adam]]]. Twenty-four years old. I’d tell you more, but--” The man, calling himself by the name of Krug, chuckled a bit. It wasn’t a hefty chuckle, only a light one. Yet it was so full of life, like it had been a while since he had a genuine laugh. ”Site-67 is...” the man said, before abruptly pausing, ”it’s fucked. Borderline, nominally //fucked!//” He sat there in utter silence, the total quietness piquing with every aching second. //There was a whirring, a buzzing. Nanites flying overhead, most likely. He temporarily paused the recording to listen in, until everything was plunged back into silence again.// ”[[[Maybe the End of the World isn’t as Bad as it Sounds.\|Colleague of mine pissed off a few days ago.]]] Don’t know where she’s headed. I don’t even know if she’s still alive!” Although the quality was low, he could see what appeared to be tears forming in the man’s eyes. He wiped them away as fast as they appeared. ”Safe wing breached a few hours ago... Guess they got bored of staring at the same concrete wall for years now.” Krug stared at the camera, yet right through it. He felt uncomfortable watching the footage, as if Krug was able to see //him//. Then he //stared// at the camera again. ”Not much else going on, beside the literal end times.” Another weak chuckle. Then a sigh. He reached out his hand toward the cam. ”This is Foundation researcher Adam Krug. Signing off.” The log ended. {{##green\|> Proceed?##}} {{##green\|> N/Y?##}} {{> __Yes.__}} The next log started playing. This one was dated to the first of June. The view showed the exact same room from before, but with less monitors blinking and beeping in the background. There was no man in sight, only the swivel chair. The noises of a door opening and shuffling echoed throughout the room, then Krug entered the frame with something in his hands. He sat down on the chair, bearing a smile on his face. ”Found this thing in one of t-the closets.” His voice was even weaker than before. His fingers barely held onto the strings. ”Let’s s-see if I can still w-work it.” Dissonant tunes rang through the air. A cacophony of out-of-tune noises on a dusty, old guitar, in the hands of a once-hopeful man. His fingers were thin and bony. As he adjusted the strings, Krug hummed the low melody of a [[[https://youtu.be/Kby18XgNFc0?si=TRoSvUKeazP9JjuP\|song]]], quiet at first, before he moved his lips dryly. The noises of the guitar became more coherent, more of a song. Krug began, humbly: //”W-- what if the wind c-- caught up w-- with me? Starting t-- to chance when I-- I did...”// He watched Krug’s mind slowly trailing off, closing his eyes, singing along to the rythm of a song. Despite everything, his mind relaxed and he began to play the guitar with delicate, coordinated movements. //”And i-- if dreams can come true, w-- what does that say a-- about nightmares?// He continued on in his slow, deliberate movements. What seemed to a smile formed on his face. Then a string broke. It snapped Krug right out of his retrieve. He looked down at the broken string and lingered on it for a while. Then he let out a low chuckle. ”It was fun while it lasted,” he finally said. His hand reached out and he ended the recording. There was one more file. The date was scrubbed, corrupted. But given Krug’s appearance in the video, it must’ve been made a few weeks after the second. Buzzing. The sound of clicking. Doors being pried open. //Nanites.// Those sounds made him tense up, even if they were coming from the recording. From the sounds, there were only a few meters away. In the dim light, he could see a guitar leaned against a table. ”I just realized...” Krug spoke in a calm voice, ”I never celebrated my seventeenth birthday. It’s not... we... we just forgot. Me, my parents, my friends...” They were pounding on the door now. With each harsh crash against the metal, an indentation formed, bending outwards. Krug gave off no reaction. ”Huh.” The door flung open, the nanites swarmed in and everything cut to black. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ //This can’t be it,// he thought, staring at the now-blank screen. //This couldn’t have been it.// Then the screen flickered back to life. ##green\|{{> There is @ne (1) m0re fil3. Ope#& it1?}}## ##green\|{{> N/&Y€? ...}}## He lingered on the question for a moment. With a quick movement, his hands moved to select an option. The terminal responded after a few minutes. ##green\|{{> Acc3s5ing f1l3...}}## @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ //They hovered over the vast expanse of sky, tinted now in a deep red. There were creatures roaming all around. Men, women and children hiding under the remnants of which was once civilization.// //People in shiny armor and tattered lab coats tried to combat the threats lurking around every corner; one by one, they fell to the ground, their lifeless bodies looking up blankly into the sky.// //Then, there was a sound. A signal, coming from not too far. In a swift motion, the swarm turned around, headed east, and flew hundreds of kilometers to their destination in an instant.// The sounds of buzzing and clicking were ever-so-present. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ It was a bunch of images. Flowers, trees, concrete cradles, and insects. Inherently meaningless, yet they triggered something in his mind. His eyes were fixated on them, //no//, his //mind// was fixated on the rapid onslaught displayed on the screen. It hurt to look at, yet was so, so beautiful. Unlike anything he’d ever seen. Then the images ceased. What came next was incoherent noise, static, dominating the entire screen. @@ @@ [[=]] [[=image https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Random_static.gif]] [[/=]] @@ @@ An unimaginable pain seared its way into his mind, burning and coiling all of his thoughts. It engraved its way deep into his mind, between his flesh, the neurons, his memories. There was nothing for a moment. Then there was everything. He could see it all clearly. A voice rang out from the terminal, through the white noise. It was that of Adam Krug. //”I’ve found a way to reverse this whole shit...”// Krug spoke. //”It’s [[[SCP-055\|oh-fifty-five]]] and [[[SCP-579\|five-seven-nine]]]. If you bring them together, something... I don’t know...// something //definitely happens.”// Suddenly, his surroundings morphed and changed, and he found himself in a square room, five by five by two point five meters in dimensions, with... //something// resting in the middle of it. //”It happened before. It’ll happen again.”// The walls around him started to wither, rust, decompose, as the chamber was torn apart around him by a //something// just out of sight. He turned around to see an [[[SCP-004\|old wooden door with a rusty key stuck inside it]]], with the key being twisted, opening up a vast expanse of pure darkness and screams on the other side. Before his mind was able to comprehend any of it, his feet lost hold of the floor, and he was pulled inside the door. Fear pounded inside him, as he tried desperately to hold onto the floor, //anything//, but, no matter how hard he tried, he approached the all-enveloping darkness. The wooden door shut behind him in a cacophony of screams and cries. //”I’ve managed to send some of my compiled data to staff at [[[SCP-3936\|ES-06]]], but I don’t know if that’ll be enough.”// Suddenly, he was back in the real world again, having collapsed to the floor. His breathing was rapid, his heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest at any second. //”Five-seven-nine is contained within Site-62C, inside of oh-oh-four,”// Krug rambled on. //”Oh-fifty-five is... is...”// He began to trail of. //”It’s... it’s... huh...”// Krug’s mind became distant. With each passing second, he lost more and more of himself, unsure of what he just said to the camera. //”I just realized...”// he spoke, in a calm, peaceful voice, //”I never celebrated by seventeenth birthday.”// The buzzing. The pounding against the door. Cut to black. He sat there in silence, his thoughts still recovering from the attack on his senses, and stared mindlessly at the white noise, before it shut off. His gaze met the floor, as he desperately tried to fight against the pain. Suddenly, panic overcame him, pounding against his skull, each motion of his body reverberating down to his bones, burning through his frail body. //The buzzing. The clicking. It didn’t stop. It grew louder,// nearer. He quickly stumbled to his feet, as the buzzing and clicking of the nanite swarm was audible in the distance. He made his way to a security door on the far side of the room, the broken monitors looming above, as if staring down at him. //The noises grew louder.// The door was shut. Sliding his keycard in, the roor didn’t budge an inch. The mechanism was damaged beyond repair. He had to open it himself. //The buzzing grew closer.// He placed both of his hands on the handle and put his entire weight against the door to pull it open. Eventually, a loud creak emanated from the door, its metal scraping against the floor. Soon, there was an opening, but not enough to squeeze through. He turned around. He could see the nanites and their rapid approach at the end of the hallway, cutting everything in their way apart. Another pull. He was able to squeeze his arm through. //Some of them crawled, others ran, most of them just flew toward him.// He pulled more rapidly on the door, each time causing a distinct pain to erupt in his head. The opening was as wide as his head now. //They were only a few meters away now, enveloping the entire entrance.// Then the door slid open. He tumbled to the other side, left his backpack behind, got his bearings, before sliding the door shut behind him. His thoughts were screaming at him. He quickly hid underneath some rubble, as he heard the nanites slashing and tearing anything in the room apart. Then they turned their attention to the security door, as the metal bent outward. The door flew off its hinges, landing several feet away. The swarm of nanites made their way down the dark, winding corridors, while he could do nothing, but watch and hope. He closed his eyes, trying to ease his breathing, as sweat dripped down the sides of his face. The buzzing and clicking grew more distant, everything became quieter, until everything was plunged into silence again. He opened his eyes. He made his way out from under the rubble, turned around to look at the control room; everything was slashed, cut into little pieces. His backpack was tattered, //unusable//, as he’d expected. The terminal he’d just interacted with was sliced-up beyond recognition. He rummaged through one of his pockets, and pulled out a marker, color purple, and wrote something down on his left forearm, as best as he could in the dim light. > ##purple\|//O bje tiv e: 55 to 5 79//## @@ @@ He salvaged what he could and left. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ ------ [[<]] « [[[Maybe the End of the World isn’t as Bad as it Sounds.\|Previous]]] [[/<]] [[=]] » [[[Just Fragments Hub\|HUB]]] « [[/=]] [[>]] [[[... not the end.\|Next]]] » [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-07-03T12:53:00	[ "action", "adventure", "bittersweet", "bleak", "competitive-eschatology", "post-apocalyptic", "tale" ]	Or maybe it is... - SCP Foundation	11	[ "canon-hub", "competitive-eschatology-hub", "just-fragments-hub", "maybe-the-end-of-the-world-isnt-as-bad-as-it-sounds", "scp-8138", "scp-055", "scp-579", "scp-004", "scp-3936", "not-the-end", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "just-fragments-hub", "competitive-eschatology-hub" ]	[]	1454355857	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/or-maybe-it-is
oroks-ball	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <ul class="modal-wrapper"> <li class="unfolded"> <div id="u-adult-warning"> <div id="u-adult-header"> <p>ADULT CONTENT</p> </div> <br/> This article contains adult content that may not be suitable for all readers. <div class="content-descriptor"><span style="display: syntax error near `{$gore} ==`">Graphic depiction of blood, gore or mutilation of body parts</span><br/> <span style="display: block">Features sexual themes or language, but does not depict sexual acts.</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$sexually`">Explicit depiction of sexual acts.</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$sexual-a`">Features non-consensual sexual acts.</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$child-ab`">Depiction of severe mistreatment of children</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$self-har`">Depiction of self-harm</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$suicide}`">Depiction of suicide</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$torture}`">Depiction of torture</span><br/> <span style="display: block">Features strong language, misogyny and homophobia.</span></div> <p>If you are above the age of 18+ and wish to read such content, then you may click Continue to view said content.</p> <div class="foldable-list-container choice"><a href="javascript:;">Continue</a></div> <div class="choice"><a href="/">Back to Front Page</a></div> </div> <br/></li> </ul> <div class="preview"> <p>"So, which one is it?"</p> <p>"What?"</p> <p>"Well, he had two, right?"</p> <p>"How the fuck would I know which one?"</p> </div> <p>« <a href="/scp-2408">SCP-2408</a> - Orok's Fall</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><em>The doors to the van fly open, then a large black bag containing a round object is dropped inside with a wet squelch. The van door is slammed shut.</em></p> <p><em>Pyotr remains seated in the driver's seat on the left-hand side of the van, the engine idling, as Pavel flings open the door on the other side. Pavel climbs into the passenger's seat on the right-hand side, then sits there, breathing heavily.</em></p> <p>"You got it?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Just drive, you idiot!"</p> </div> <p><em>Pyotr takes off the hand brake, and quickly drives the unmarked white van out of the underground parking garage.</em></p> <p>"I just wanted to check, Pavel."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You thought it was my fucking groceries, Pyotr?"</p> </div> <p><em>They sit in silence for a while. It's late at night, and there isn't much traffic. Pyotr drives through the streets of Moscow, exactly at the speed limit.</em></p> <p>"So, which one is it?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What?"</p> </div> <p>"Well, he had two, right?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"How the fuck would I know which one?"</p> </div> <p>"I figured you would have seen it. You know, when they took it out."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Why would I have watched that?"</p> </div> <p>"I don't know. I was just curious."</p> <p><em>Pyotr looks over his shoulder into the cargo area in the back of the van.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Eyes on the road, idiot."</p> </div> <p>"It's very big."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p><a href="/scp-2408">"He's 300 metres tall! If anything, this is pretty small!"</a></p> </div> <p>"Should we be… I don't know, keeping it on ice?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"All they told me was to keep it from getting too dry."</p> </div> <p>"You got a damp ball sack for it?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Fuck you. Yes."</p> </div> <p>"And it's not going to… I don't know… rot?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"This thing is over a thousand years old!<br/> If Orok's balls haven't rotted by now, they never will."</p> </div> <p>"Do you know where the other one went?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"No, of course I don't."</p> </div> <p>"You didn't ask?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You idiot! We're not meant to know!<br/> If they catch us, we stay quiet, and hope they kill us quickly!"</p> </div> <p>"You think they're following us?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"If they are, we're fucked. They had goddamn flamethrowers."</p> </div> <p>"The cops had flamethrowers?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"They're not cops. We own the cops. These guys are something else."</p> </div> <p>"Who are they then?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"No idea. Some secret government thing."</p> </div> <p>"I thought we bribed them too?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I guess Mister Iosava didn't pay enough."</p> </div> <hr/> <p>"Pavel, why did we get it?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What do you mean, Pyotr?"</p> </div> <p>"Why us, specifically? I mean, no offense, but you're not exactly…"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I'm officially <em>Zend</em> now. You remember that."</p> </div> <p>"OK, but only recently. And I'm… er…"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You're still <em>Orin</em>. A servant. Come on, you idiot, it's not that hard to learn."</p> </div> <p>"So why are they trusting us? With Orok's ball?<br/> He only had two of those, right?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Well… Not sure about that actually. I assume so."</p> </div> <p>"That's not really the question I wanted answering."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I think it's mostly because I said you had a van."</p> </div> <p>"Really?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"This would be hard to squeeze into the back of a car."</p> </div> <p>"And there were no other volunteers?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Not really. I mean… I don't think anyone else wanted to touch it."</p> </div> <p>"But you're perfectly happy to hold a testicle?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Fuck you. I thought it might give us both a shot at promotion. If we don't fuck it up."</p> </div> <p>"We won't."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Just so you know, Mister Iosava said if we didn't protect it, he'd cut off our own balls."</p> </div> <p>"Fuck. OK. I get it."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Then he said he'd have someone shove a spike so far up my ass that I'd taste it at the back of my throat."</p> </div> <p>"He said all that?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"It was implied. You know he's done that before?"</p> </div> <p>"Of course I do."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Oh yeah. I forgot you saw that."</p> </div> <p>"I'm definitely never going to forget it!"</p> <hr/> <p>"It's rolling around back there."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What?"</p> </div> <p>"Orok's ball."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"So what?"</p> </div> <p>"I'm just saying. I don't want to deliver Mister Iosava damaged goods.<br/> He'd definitely break our own balls."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You have a point…"</p> </div> <p>"We need to stop for supplies. Maybe the ball will stay still if we wedge them in around it?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Should we really stop right now?"</p> </div> <p>"We left Moscow hours ago. If they're still following us, we're fucked."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"True."</p> </div> <p>"Besides, we're going to be in the middle of nowhere soon.<br/> We should stock up now. Fuel, food, drinks."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"It's going to be a long drive."</p> </div> <p>"Also, I really need to piss."</p> <hr/> <p>"Pavel, are you sure we can't stop at a motel?<br/> I think we could find one if we kept going a little longer."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Pyotr, do you want to bring in the ball sack?"</p> </div> <p>"Well… I guess…"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Fuck you. We're sleeping in the van."</p> </div> <p>"I get it. We've got to keep it close. I just…"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What?"</p> </div> <p>"If I'd thought about it, I would have gotten us blankets."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Really?"</p> </div> <p>"It's fucking cold!</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You little bitch."</p> </div> <p>"Fuck you! You wish you'd thought of it too!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"There's a big pillow in the back if you want something soft to lie on."</p> </div> <p>"Shut up! I'm going to sleep!"</p> <hr/> <p>"Pavel, is that actually our destination?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"No Pyotr, we're just stopping there to get directions.<br/> They didn't want me to know where we're actually taking it until after we'd made it out of Moscow."</p> </div> <p>"Who even are these people?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"They're not part of the Black Lodge, but one of Mister Iosava's contacts in Moscow knows them.<br/> They're willing to do us a favor."</p> </div> <p>"Are they like the crones we had? <a href="/sarkicism-hub">Old believers?</a>"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Sort of? It's different though.<br/> They worship… <a href="http://scp-int.wikidot.com/groups-of-interest-of-the-russian-branch#GGG">Some sort of Rotten Ruler?</a>"</p> </div> <p>"That sounds fucking disgusting."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I was told they're big on decay. Mold, disease, that sort of thing.<br/> It's not too different to that Red Death we were selling."</p> </div> <p>"And we really have to stop there?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"They can tell us where we're meant to go next. I was told we can trust them."</p> </div> <p>"I bet that's because nobody else wants to go anywhere near them."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Probably! But I'm not going to question Mister Iosava."</p> </div> <hr/> <p>"This place smells like shit."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"That's the countryside for you."</p> </div> <p>"There's rotting food piled up outside!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"That's just compost! Pyotr, I can tell you're a city boy."</p> </div> <p>"Fuck off Pavel, so are you."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Before we go in to ask for directions, remember they're doing us a favor.<br/> It's important to be polite. Don't insult or joke about their… er… blessings."</p> </div> <p>"Their what?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You know I said something about disease being sacred to them?"</p> </div> <p>"Is this some sort of leper colony? Are you sure we're not going to catch anything?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I don't think it's that bad… we’re probably fine if we don't stay too long."</p> </div> <hr/> <p>"I can't believe you tried to set me up with that whore!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"She wasn't a whore! She said she'd do it for free."</p> </div> <p>"Why were you even trying? That place was disgusting!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"The smell wasn't that bad once you got used to it.<br/> We were waiting for directions, and you seemed very stressed.<br/> I thought it would relax you."</p> </div> <p>"I'm not sticking my dick in that!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Come on, she didn't look that bad.<br/> Especially compared to everyone else there."</p> </div> <p>"She had goddamn sores all over her body!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Oh. I didn't notice those."</p> </div> <p>"It wasn't obvious until she had her tits out!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Eh… At that point, I might have just gone for it."</p> </div> <p>"You want your cock to rot off?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"See, that's why you wear a condom.<br/> I have some with me, you should have asked."</p> </div> <p>"I still wouldn't want to! I have standards!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Pyotr, this is the reason you're still a virgin."</p> </div> <p>"Pavel, would you have fucked her?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Probably not. But then, I have a girlfriend in Krasnoryask."</p> </div> <hr/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Pyotr, are you even interested in women?"</p> </div> <p>"What?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"It's fine if you'd rather get fucked by a man.<br/> I wouldn't care. I wouldn't tell anyone."</p> </div> <p>"I'm not gay, Pavel!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I was just wondering. You never seem enthusiastic when you get the opportunity."</p> </div> <p>"I just have standards, Pavel! They're not even very high! But I have standards!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I mean, you didn't want the whore when we went to the Red Lanterns either.<br/> That’s weird. They’re even better looking than my girlfriend.”</p> </div> <p>"Are you an idiot?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What?"</p> </div> <p>"They literally eat men! Everyone knows that!<br/> You hook up with a Rusalka, you're dinner!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"They wait until you're finished though, right?"</p> </div> <p>"What?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Just finish quickly, then leave."</p> </div> <p>"You're good at that, are you?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Of course."</p> </div> <p>"No wonder your girlfriend left you."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I told you, she moved to Krasnoyarsk! We're still dating!"</p> </div> <p>"Of course you are."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"We talk on the phone! I was going to visit her, then all this shit went down!"</p> </div> <p>"Whatever. Just let me drive."</p> <hr/> <p>"I can't believe we're only halfway there."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"That doesn't sound right. We're already in Siberia!"</p> </div> <p>"Siberia's massive, you idiot. It's most of the fucking country. And we'll be much slower once we turn off the highway."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I should probably check the map."</p> </div> <p>"You really should, Pavel. Especially if you're not going to drive."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You never let me, Pyotr! You said I wasn't licensed for a vehicle this size!"</p> </div> <p>"Yeah, that's right.<br/> I don't think we'll get stopped, but I'd rather not risk it.<br/> Also, I don't trust you not to crash."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Why would you think that?"</p> </div> <p>"Because your last car got written off!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"That doesn't count! I was drunk at the time!"</p> </div> <p>"Pavel, that definitely still counts against you."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Oh come on Pyotr, are you really so perfect?"</p> </div> <p>"I can honestly say that I've never been in a crash in my life.<br/> I don't plan to start now."</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You were right, Pyotr. This really is the middle of nowhere."</p> </div> <p>"Do you know why they're making us drive all the way out here?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What? You really don't know?"</p> </div> <p>"Obviously not! I'm asking!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I guess you wouldn't know.<br/> This is where the Black Lodge was founded!"</p> </div> <p>"Right here?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"No, you idiot, here as in Siberia! I'm not sure where."</p> </div> <p>"We've already established Siberia is a big place, Pavel!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Fine. But that makes it perfect if we need to lie low for a while.<br/> That's basically how the Black Lodge got started."</p> </div> <p>"I've never heard much about that.<br/> Is it like, a secret thing you get told about when you become <em>Zend</em>?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Nope. I only know because I bought a bottle of Vodka for some of the old-timers."</p> </div> <p>"Of course."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Apparently, Mister Iosava's father was imprisoned out here in a gulag.<br/> Like, fifty years ago or something."</p> </div> <p>"Oh, I had heard something about that."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"He managed to escape. Him and a few others.<br/> But the problem was, they'd been sent all the way out to Siberia."</p> </div> <p>"And as we can see, there's fuck all out here!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"He didn't even have a car.<br/> They weren't invented back then."</p> </div> <p>"So how did he get back?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Oh, they were tough back then. They walked."</p> </div> <p>"Fuck, that's a long way. And what did they eat?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Apparently, you bring a new guy with you.<br/> You know, not lost all his body fat yet."</p> </div> <p>"How does that help?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You can eat him."</p> </div> <p>"Wait, really? I think they were messing with you, Pavel. No way."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I'm just telling you what I heard.<br/> Anyway, Mister Iosava's father was hiding out here for a long time.<br/> Eventually, he met up with the crones.<br/> Made a deal, got power from them, then made his way back to Moscow."</p> </div> <p>"Did he… eat everyone else?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Of course not, a few others came back with him!<br/> They hunted for food after that.<br/> They became the original Black Lodge."</p> </div> <p>"Are any of them still around?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Maybe one or two. Most got killed fighting cops, or the military, or each other.<br/> Real tough guys. They don't make criminals like that anymore."</p> </div> <p>"But they were all in prison, right?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Of course! That's where they met!"</p> </div> <p>"I just never get why the old-timers brag about how long they spent behind bars.<br/> If they were so good at being criminals, why did they end up there in the first place?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What do you mean?"</p> </div> <p>"I mean, the whole point of doing crime is not getting caught, right?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Yeah, but it happens eventually."</p> </div> <p>"Only if someone fucks up. I'm not going to prison if I can help it!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Sure, but prison toughens you up!<br/> You come back at least twice as dangerous as before!"</p> </div> <p>"You want to go then, Pavel? For the learning experience?<br/> I bet we can still find one out here!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Of course not! We have a job to do!"</p> </div> <p>"Well there you go."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Pyotr, you'd better not say this around any of the old-timers.<br/> They'll eat you alive."</p> </div> <p>"Yeah, they actually would do that, wouldn't they…<br/> Er… forget I said anything about this!"</p> <hr/> <p>"Pavel, I think we're being followed."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Fuck. Really?"</p> </div> <p>"I recognize the car behind us."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"The shiny black convertible?"</p> </div> <p>"Do you see any others on the road?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Just checking, Pyotr. Try to lose it, I guess."</p> </div> <p>"I have been! That's why I left the main road. They followed."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Oh. I didn't notice."</p> </div> <p>"Some map-reader you are."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Fuck you. It has to be them, right?"</p> </div> <p>"I'm not so sure."</p> <p><em>Pyotr slows, allowing the car to approach.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What are you doing?"</p> </div> <p>"I wanted a closer look."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"And?"</p> </div> <p>"Driver's a woman. Passenger's a bald man.<br/> Seems to be a third person in the back.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Hang on. I recognize that bald guy. And the woman. And the car."</p> </div> <p>"Really? Where from?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Good news is, he's not working for the government."</p> </div> <p>"Oh, he's a friend?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Not exactly. <a href="http://scp-int.wikidot.com/groups-of-interest-of-the-russian-branch#MC">He's with the Meat Circus</a>."</p> </div> <p>"Who?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"They kept trying to sell us… er… well, I think they used to be people."</p> </div> <p>"What?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"They were… turned into art? I guess?"</p> </div> <p>"Art… made from corpses?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"No, I think most of them were still alive.<br/> And the ones that weren't alive still moved."</p> </div> <p>"Fuck me."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You see that car? The driver's part of it."</p> </div> <p>"What does that even mean?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I was working security at an event one time.<br/> That car was parked outside, I went over to check it out.<br/> Her arms are connected into it, where the steering wheel and gearstick should be."</p> </div> <p>"Why the fuck would anyone do that?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Same reason rich guys have fancy cars. To show off.<br/> My car is hotter than your girlfriend, that sort of thing."</p> </div> <p>"You'd fuck a car?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"If it looked like her I would. But when I asked, she wasn’t interested."</p> </div> <p>"You're disgusting. Focus, Pavel.<br/> Why would they be following us?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"The man just waved."</p> </div> <p>"You think he's friendly?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Fuck no! He's not going to come all the way out here just to lend a helping hand!<br/> He probably wants to fuck us up, then sell us as sculptures!"</p> </div> <p>"There's really a market for that?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Oh, definitely. Mister Iosava put them in contact with some of his friends."</p> </div> <p>"Some of those guys were nasty sons of bitches.<br/> But why would they turn on us now?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Everyone loves to kick a man when he's down.<br/> You really want to stop and find out?"</p> </div> <p>"Nope."</p> <hr/> <p>"We're running out of fuel."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Fuck."</p> </div> <p>"Any sign of them slowing?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Nope."</p> </div> <p>"Shit. Should we stop? We're armed, right?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"They could also have guns. And it's 3 on 2."</p> </div> <p>"Not sure if the driver counts. You said she doesn’t have hands, right?<br/> Anyway, aren't you… you know? Special?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I don't have any Wrath left."</p> </div> <p>"Shit. Why not?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I used it all up in Moscow!<br/> I had to carry the ball on my own, that takes some muscle!"</p> </div> <p>"OK, but he's just some artist, right? How tough can he be?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"That time I was working security, he put on a live performance.<br/> I didn't see anything except the end result…"</p> </div> <p>"Are you afraid of theatre, Pavel?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"He reshaped people like they were fucking clay!<br/> I don't want him touching me!"</p> </div> <p>"Fuck. OK then. I'll run them off the road."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What? I thought you said you never planned to crash!"</p> </div> <p>"We're in a van, they're in a sportscar. We'll destroy them!<br/> That doesn't count as crashing."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"OK. That works. Let's do this."</p> </div> <p><em>Pyotr slams on the brakes, then swerves into the middle of the road. The black car tries to evade but still slams into the back of the van, shattering a headlamp. Pyotr then floors the accelerator.</em></p> <p>"I fucking got them!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Nice… But they're still behind us."</p> </div> <p>"Let them come."</p> <p><em>The black car quickly catches up.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What are you waiting for?"</p> </div> <p>"We need them to get closer. They'll expect it this time."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"They're not getting closer."</p> </div> <p><em>Behind them, the roof of the black convertible is opening. Something climbs up from the car's back seat.</em></p> <p>"What is that thing?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You've never seen a black person before?"</p> </div> <p>"That's not a person, moron! That thing is dead!"</p> <p><em>The humanoid figure standing in the back of the car is a withered corpse with dark and leathery skin.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Oh… you're right. Fuck, let's get out of here."</p> </div> <p>"This piece of shit can't go any faster!"</p> <p><em>The car slowly approaches the van. The moving corpse climbs up onto the front seats.</em></p> <p>"Is it going to jump?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"It'll never make it."</p> </div> <p><em>It jumps, then is shoved towards the van by the bald man in the car's passenger seat. His arms extend, reaching almost all the way to the van.</em></p> <p><em>There's a thud on the roof of the van, then the sound of nails scraping on metal, then the groaning creak of holes being punctured.</em></p> <p>"What was that?"</p> <p><em>The sound repeats, slightly further forward on the roof, but to the right of the original sound. There's a screech of metal tearing, then another impact to the left.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"It did make it! It's climbing across the roof!"</p> </div> <p>"I'll shake it off!"</p> <p><em>Pyotr violently swerves the van from side to side.</em></p> <p><em>The sound continues to progress across the roof above them.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Stop! This isn't helping!"</p> </div> <p>"You have a better idea?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I do."</p> </div> <p><em>Pavel pulls an empty syringe out of his pocket, then leans towards the black bag in the back of the van.</em></p> <p>"What are you… Oh… Don't tell me you're going to inject that."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Where do you think Wrath comes from?<br/> This is fresh from the source."</p> </div> <p>"Sure. Go ahead and shoot up spunk!"</p> <p><em>A hand stretches across the windshield in front of Pyotr, fingertips outstretched and tipped with claws made from black metal. They slowly scrape across the glass, leaving deep scratches.</em></p> <p>"Fuck!"</p> <p><em>The syringe is now full of murky red liquid. Pavel pulls up his sleeve, and injects it into a vein on his upper left arm.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Damn, that burns!"</p> </div> <p><em>It takes effect immediately, the muscles of Pavel's left arm swelling. The rest of his body grows more slowly.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"It's working! Open the window!"</p> </div> <p><em>Pavel is distracted by the continued scratching of metallic nails on the windscreen, creating a spiderweb of small cracks.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Hurry up!"</p> </div> <p><em>His mouth is now sprouting fangs and tusks, and his body is growing a coat of coarse hair. Impatiently, Pavel breaks the glass of the side window with his now enlarged and clawed fist, and climbs out of the new opening.</em></p> <p>"Wait…"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I've got her!"</p> </div> <p><em>Pavel slams the moving corpse's head down into the roof, denting the metal and shattering the windscreen. Glass shards shower onto Pyotr.</em></p> <p>"FUCK!"</p> <p><em>Brushing aside glass, Pyotr struggles to keep the van on the road. The roof above him is loudly dented again.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"FUCK!"</p> </div> <p><em>Pavel's legs, still standing on his seat, twitch. Pyotr hears the sound of flesh being torn by sharp claws.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"OFF!"</p> </div> <p><em>Pavel throws his massively increased bulk to the side, and succeeds in tearing the corpse's claws out of the roof of the van. He then loses his balance, and falls out of the window and onto the road below.</em></p> <p>"PAVEL!"</p> <p><em>The two bodies roll across the tarmac, bones breaking loudly. The black car swerves to avoid them, but still runs over Pavel's outstretched hand.</em></p> <p>"GOD DAMMIT! Pavel…"</p> <p><em>The two bodies quickly recede into the distance. Pyotr's foot remains on the accelerator, as the black car approaches him.</em></p> <p>"Fuck you."</p> <p><em>Pyotr takes his foot off the accelerator, and briefly brakes instead. The black car swerves to the left to avoid him. The vehicles are now side by side.</em></p> <p><em>Looking across at the open roof of the convertible, Pyotr sees the driver on the far side, her left arm buried in the dashboard and her right arm joined to the gearstick. The bald male passenger is closer to Pyotr, and smiles and waves at him. There is a naked thing curled up on the back seat.</em></p> <p>"FUCK OFF!"</p> <p><em>Pyotr floors the accelerator and swerves to the left, slamming his white van into the black car. The vehicle is forced into a metal crash barrier at the side of the road, and abruptly stops moving forward.</em></p> <p>"SHIT!"</p> <p><em>Pyotr swerves to the right to avoid crashing into the same barrier, and flips the van onto its left-hand side. It slides across the tarmac with a deafening screech, then stops.</em></p> <hr/> <p>"Ow… Fuck…"</p> <p><em>The van is on its side. Pyotr held in his seat by his seatbelt, still clutching the steering wheel. He lets go, and struggles to get out of his seat, landing in broken glass and cutting his hand and face. He then looks into the back of the van.</em></p> <p>"Oh shit."</p> <p><em>Red liquid is splattered over all their supplies. Pyotr climbs into the back of the van, then immediately pulls open the leaking black bag to reveal an intact testicle.</em></p> <p>"Fuck me. That's a relief."</p> <p><em>He slumps down to sit on the wall of the van, which is now the floor. One of the back doors is open to reveal the road outside. A person with very long limbs is climbing out of the crashed car behind him.</em></p> <p>"God dammit…"</p> <p><em>Pyotr climbs over the chair to retrieve his pistol from the glove compartment, then vaults back over the seat to point it out the back of the van. Although he can no longer see anyone, he can hear a calm voice.</em></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>"I don't suppose you're willing to exchange insurance information?<br/> I borrowed that car from a friend, so this is very embarrassing."</p> </div> <p>"Stay the fuck away!"</p> <p style="text-align: center;">"I take it you're going to be difficult. Very well. Fetch!"</p> <p><em>Something runs onto the road from the side, and approaches the doors of the van. Pyotr opens fire at it as it runs towards him on all fours.</em></p> <p>"DIE!"</p> <p><em>Most of Pyotr's shots miss, but the last few drop it just as a creature resembling a hairless dog approaches the back door of the van. Pyotr keeps firing until the gun is empty.</em></p> <p>"What the hell is that!"</p> <p><em>Now that it lies still, it is clear that it is actually a man, his body reshaped to give it the proportions of a dog.</em></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>"Did you just shoot my dog?<br/> Do you have any idea how hard it was to train after I made it?"</p> </div> <p><em>The voice comes from the side of the van, now very close. Pyotr tries to reload the pistol as quickly as possible.</em></p> <p><em>An arm extends into the van through the open back door, snatches the pistol out of Pyotr's hand with long fingers, then quickly retracts to the outside.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">"I will take that."</p> <p>"What the hell are you!"</p> <p><em>There is a clatter as the pistol is tossed away onto the tarmac.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">"I would like to talk to you."</p> <p>"What do you want?"</p> <p><em>A bald head leans over to look through the open doors at the back of the van, and a hand reaches in. The man's entire body seems to be stretched.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">"I would like to take your… organ."</p> <p>"My organs?"</p> <p style="text-align: center;">"No. The organ you have been transporting."</p> <p><em>The stretched man's body remains outside the van, but his arm elongates as it reaches towards the giant testicle. Pyotr clutches it to his chest with both arms. There is a soft squelch, and red liquid soaks into his clothing.</em></p> <p>"Why the hell would you want it?"</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>"We were planning to use it as part of an exhibition exploring the boundary between life and death.<br/> My collaborator may no longer be up for that after falling off a moving vehicle…<br/> There's still plenty I can do with the flesh of a demigod. Give it to me."</p> </div> <p>"Never!"</p> <p><em>The hand tries to pull the testicle away from Pyotr, but can't get a good grip on the smooth and slippery surface. The hand moves towards Pyotr's right hand.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">"Let go of it, or I will make you let go."</p> <p>"You can't make me do anything!"</p> <p><em>The hand grabs the index finger of Pyotr's right hand, and bends it backward. There is no pain. It simply flexes and stretches until the fingertip touches the back of Pyotr's hand</em></p> <p>"What the fuck!"</p> <p style="text-align: center;">"You have nine more fingers."</p> <p><em>The hand moves towards his middle finger. Pyotr begins to cry as it bends backward as easily as the other one.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">“You can let go at any time.”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"PYOTR!"</p> </div> <p><em>Pavel approaches from behind the stretched man, running on all fours along the road. He is covered in blood and resembles a mixture between a gorilla, a wolf and a pig.</em></p> <p>"Pavel! You're alive!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"It'll take more than that to kill me!"</p> </div> <p><em>Pavel charges towards the stretched man, who calmly walks towards him. He is over six feet tall, but most of his height comes from his legs. His extended fingers reach down past his knees.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">"I have no intention of killing you."</p> <p><em>As Pavel's massive left arm swings down, it is effortlessly blocked by the stretched man's upraised right arm, Pavel's forearm limply bending in half.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"FUCK."</p> </div> <p><em>The stretched man shoves Pavel's face with his left hand, the flesh of Pavel's snout deforming like clay. He then kicks Pavel's knee with one foot, buckling and distorting his leg.</em><br/> <em>Pavel falls to the ground and rolls onto his back. The stretched man presses down one of his long feet onto Pavel's chest, leaving a deep imprint in his flesh.</em></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>"Stay down please.<br/> I will come back to you later."</p> </div> <p><em>He turns back to face Pyotr.</em></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>"Hand over the organ, or I will turn you inside out.<br/> I do not usually have the time for that.<br/> But if you insist, I will make the extra effort."</p> </div> <p>"The organ?"</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>"Yes, I believe we already established which organ I am referring to.<br/> I understand that it's been a long day for you, but I would rather not repeat myself unless necessary."</p> </div> <p>"If you're going to come all the way out here to take it, call it what it is."</p> <p style="text-align: center;">"I'm sorry?"</p> <p>"Tell me you can't wait to get your hands on my giant testicle.<br/> Go on. Say it, you sick son of a bitch."</p> <p><em>The stretched man looked confused.</em></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>"I really don't see why you want your last coherent words to be crass humor.<br/> It is a lot less amusing than you think."</p> </div> <p><em>Pavel, still lying on the ground, sinks his teeth into the stretched man's ankle.</em><br/> <em>The flesh warps, but the stretched man still falls to the ground in a confused tangle of long limbs.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"FUCK YOU!"</p> </div> <p><em>Pavel rolls on top of the stretched man, jaws opening wider to tear chunks out of his neck and torso. Although his flesh deforms like clay, it still bleeds whenever small pieces are torn off.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">“Get off me!”</p> <p><em>The stretched man pushes Pavel’s shoulder away from him with one hand, folding Pavel’s spine backward as he uses his other arm to push himself up.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">“It seems I underestimated you.”</p> <p><em>Pavel continues to struggle, but the stretched man now stands over him, grabbing and twisting his flailing arms and legs.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">“I will have to tie these limbs into a knot.”</p> <p><em>Pyotr lets go of the testicle, grabs a tire iron from the chaotic mess inside the van, and approaches the stretched man from behind.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">“Maybe I’ll even add a pretty bow?”</p> <p><em>Pyotr slams the tire iron into the back of the stretched man’s bald head. The flesh deforms like soft clay.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">“What?”</p> <p><em>The stretched man’s head spins on his shoulders to face behind him. Pyotr strikes him in the eye with the tire iron.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">“Damnit!”</p> <p><em>Pyotr keeps swinging as the stretched man raises his arms to defend himself.</em></p> <p>“DIE! DIE! DIE!”</p> <p><em>Pavel forces himself up by breaking multiple bones in his own body, then leaps upon the stretched man, knocking him to the ground.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>“Hit him while he’s down!”</p> </div> <p><em>The two of them beat and maul the stretched man until he becomes a bloody smear on the tarmac. The two men then continue attacking the vaguely human shape until it stops screaming.</em></p> <p>“You think he’s dead now?”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"No idea. Looks like it.<br/> I’m pretty sure this was the head…”</p> </div> <p>“You’re eating him?”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>“Not swallowing. Just chewing.”</p> </div> <p><em>Pavel spits out blood, and rubbery pieces of flesh.</em></p> <p>“What about the other one?”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>“The corpse? It kept attacking me even after we both fell off the roof, so I tore it to pieces.”</p> </div> <p>“And that killed it?”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I'm pretty sure it was already dead."</p> </div> <p>"You know what I mean. You made it… deader?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"The pieces never stopped twitching.<br/> But once they were too small to do anything, I came to find you."</p> </div> <p>"Good thing you did. He fucked up my fingers pretty bad."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"He fucked me up a lot worse."</p> </div> <p>“You seem to be recovering.”</p> <p><em>Pavel winces, as his spine straightens with a series of cracks.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"The stuff I injected is really good for that. You should try some."</p> </div> <p>“I don’t think I should while driving.”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You think we can still drive that wreck?"</p> </div> <hr/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I can’t believe you got this piece of shit to work."</p> </div> <p>“Don’t talk about her that way!”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Her?"</p> </div> <p>“I guess I’m pretty attached to this van now. Good thing I had spare tires.”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"And also me, to flip it back over."</p> </div> <p>"Good thing you take steroids!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"It's a shame that sportscar drove off."</p> </div> <p>"Why?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Even after the crash, it would have been a lot faster than this."</p> </div> <p>"And you think the driver would be OK with that?<br/> The car doesn't even have a steering wheel! Just her arm!"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"I'm good at talking to women.<br/> I can be persuasive when I want to be."</p> </div> <p>"You never lack confidence."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Thanks, Pyotr."</p> </div> <p>"That wasn't actually a compliment, Pavel."</p> <hr/> <p>"It still hasn't worn off?"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"It's only been a few hours.<br/> I'm sure I'll get back to normal eventually."</p> </div> <p>"Pavel, I want to thank you for saving my ass back there."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Of course I did. We're friends."</p> </div> <p>"I think we're more than that."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What?"</p> </div> <p>"You're like a brother to me."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"That was the gayest thing I've ever heard."</p> </div> <p>"Says the man who injected himself with spunk!”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"What?”</p> </div> <p>"I mean, it is Orok’s ball…"</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"It’s not spunk! It’s… er… masculine vitality?<br/> Oh fuck, you’re right.”</p> </div> <p>"Don’t worry about it. Not many men get the honor of being Orok’s bitch."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>“Fuck you!”</p> </div> <p>"I promise I’ll be a good uncle. If you get pregnant.”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Fuck you! Wait… could that actually happen?"</p> </div> <p>“Probably not. You only had sex with him once.”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"This isn’t funny!"</p> </div> <p>“This is so fucking funny.”</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"You tell anyone else about this, you’re dead, <em>Orin</em>."</p> </div> <p>“Pavel, that’s no way to speak to your best friend."</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>"Pyotr, that’s exactly how I speak to my best friend.<br/> Don't you forget it.”</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p><a href="/hid-from-the-presence">Hid From The Presence</a> »</p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/oroks-ball">Orok's Ball</a>" by Jerden, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/oroks-ball">https://scpwiki.com/oroks-ball</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="/theme:black-highlighter-theme">theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [!-- Got permission to add a custom content warning --] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:adult-content-warning">:scp-wiki:component:adult-content-warning</a> \|sexual-references=1 \|custom=1 \|custom-content=Features strong language, misogyny and homophobia. ]] ===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= "So, which one is it?" "What?" "Well, he had two, right?" "How the fuck would I know which one?" ]] ===== [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] << [[[SCP-2408]]] - Orok's Fall @@ @@ //The doors to the van fly open, then a large black bag containing a round object is dropped inside with a wet squelch. The van door is slammed shut.// //Pyotr remains seated in the driver's seat on the left-hand side of the van, the engine idling, as Pavel flings open the door on the other side. Pavel climbs into the passenger's seat on the right-hand side, then sits there, breathing heavily.// "You got it?" [[>]] "Just drive, you idiot!" [[/>]] //Pyotr takes off the hand brake, and quickly drives the unmarked white van out of the underground parking garage.// "I just wanted to check, Pavel." [[>]] "You thought it was my fucking groceries, Pyotr?" [[/>]] //They sit in silence for a while. It's late at night, and there isn't much traffic. Pyotr drives through the streets of Moscow, exactly at the speed limit.// "So, which one is it?" [[>]] "What?" [[/>]] "Well, he had two, right?" [[>]] "How the fuck would I know which one?" [[/>]] "I figured you would have seen it. You know, when they took it out." [[>]] "Why would I have watched that?" [[/>]] "I don't know. I was just curious." //Pyotr looks over his shoulder into the cargo area in the back of the van.// [[>]] "Eyes on the road, idiot." [[/>]] "It's very big." [[>]] [[[scp-2408\| "He's 300 metres tall! If anything, this is pretty small!"]]] [[/>]] "Should we be... I don't know, keeping it on ice?" [[>]] "All they told me was to keep it from getting too dry." [[/>]] "You got a damp ball sack for it?" [[>]] "Fuck you. Yes." [[/>]] "And it's not going to... I don't know... rot?" [[>]] "This thing is over a thousand years old! If Orok's balls haven't rotted by now, they never will." [[/>]] "Do you know where the other one went?" [[>]] "No, of course I don't." [[/>]] "You didn't ask?" [[>]] "You idiot! We're not meant to know! If they catch us, we stay quiet, and hope they kill us quickly!" [[/>]] "You think they're following us?" [[>]] "If they are, we're fucked. They had goddamn flamethrowers." [[/>]] "The cops had flamethrowers?" [[>]] "They're not cops. We own the cops. These guys are something else." [[/>]] "Who are they then?" [[>]] "No idea. Some secret government thing." [[/>]] "I thought we bribed them too?" [[>]] "I guess Mister Iosava didn't pay enough." [[/>]] ---- "Pavel, why did we get it?" [[>]] "What do you mean, Pyotr?" [[/>]] "Why us, specifically? I mean, no offense, but you're not exactly..." [[>]] "I'm officially //Zend// now. You remember that." [[/>]] "OK, but only recently. And I'm... er..." [[>]] "You're still //Orin//. A servant. Come on, you idiot, it's not that hard to learn." [[/>]] "So why are they trusting us? With Orok's ball? He only had two of those, right?" [[>]] "Well... Not sure about that actually. I assume so." [[/>]] "That's not really the question I wanted answering." [[>]] "I think it's mostly because I said you had a van." [[/>]] "Really?" [[>]] "This would be hard to squeeze into the back of a car." [[/>]] "And there were no other volunteers?" [[>]] "Not really. I mean... I don't think anyone else wanted to touch it." [[/>]] "But you're perfectly happy to hold a testicle?" [[>]] "Fuck you. I thought it might give us both a shot at promotion. If we don't fuck it up." [[/>]] "We won't." [[>]] "Just so you know, Mister Iosava said if we didn't protect it, he'd cut off our own balls." [[/>]] "Fuck. OK. I get it." [[>]] "Then he said he'd have someone shove a spike so far up my ass that I'd taste it at the back of my throat." [[/>]] "He said all that?" [[>]] "It was implied. You know he's done that before?" [[/>]] "Of course I do." [[>]] "Oh yeah. I forgot you saw that." [[/>]] "I'm definitely never going to forget it!" ---- "It's rolling around back there." [[>]] "What?" [[/>]] "Orok's ball." [[>]] "So what?" [[/>]] "I'm just saying. I don't want to deliver Mister Iosava damaged goods. He'd definitely break our own balls." [[>]] "You have a point..." [[/>]] "We need to stop for supplies. Maybe the ball will stay still if we wedge them in around it?" [[>]] "Should we really stop right now?" [[/>]] "We left Moscow hours ago. If they're still following us, we're fucked." [[>]] "True." [[/>]] "Besides, we're going to be in the middle of nowhere soon. We should stock up now. Fuel, food, drinks." [[>]] "It's going to be a long drive." [[/>]] "Also, I really need to piss." ---- "Pavel, are you sure we can't stop at a motel? I think we could find one if we kept going a little longer." [[>]] "Pyotr, do you want to bring in the ball sack?" [[/>]] "Well... I guess..." [[>]] "Fuck you. We're sleeping in the van." [[/>]] "I get it. We've got to keep it close. I just..." [[>]] "What?" [[/>]] "If I'd thought about it, I would have gotten us blankets." [[>]] "Really?" [[/>]] "It's fucking cold! [[>]] "You little bitch." [[/>]] "Fuck you! You wish you'd thought of it too!" [[>]] "There's a big pillow in the back if you want something soft to lie on." [[/>]] "Shut up! I'm going to sleep!" ---- "Pavel, is that actually our destination?" [[>]] "No Pyotr, we're just stopping there to get directions. They didn't want me to know where we're actually taking it until after we'd made it out of Moscow." [[/>]] "Who even are these people?" [[>]] "They're not part of the Black Lodge, but one of Mister Iosava's contacts in Moscow knows them. They're willing to do us a favor." [[/>]] "Are they like the crones we had? [[[sarkicism-hub\| Old believers?]]]" [[>]] "Sort of? It's different though. They worship... [http://scp-int.wikidot.com/groups-of-interest-of-the-russian-branch#GGG Some sort of Rotten Ruler?]" [[/>]] "That sounds fucking disgusting." [[>]] "I was told they're big on decay. Mold, disease, that sort of thing. It's not too different to that Red Death we were selling." [[/>]] "And we really have to stop there?" [[>]] "They can tell us where we're meant to go next. I was told we can trust them." [[/>]] "I bet that's because nobody else wants to go anywhere near them." [[>]] "Probably! But I'm not going to question Mister Iosava." [[/>]] ---- "This place smells like shit." [[>]] "That's the countryside for you." [[/>]] "There's rotting food piled up outside!" [[>]] "That's just compost! Pyotr, I can tell you're a city boy." [[/>]] "Fuck off Pavel, so are you." [[>]] "Before we go in to ask for directions, remember they're doing us a favor. It's important to be polite. Don't insult or joke about their... er... blessings." [[/>]] "Their what?" [[>]] "You know I said something about disease being sacred to them?" [[/>]] "Is this some sort of leper colony? Are you sure we're not going to catch anything?" [[>]] "I don't think it's that bad... we’re probably fine if we don't stay too long." [[/>]] ---- "I can't believe you tried to set me up with that whore!" [[>]] "She wasn't a whore! She said she'd do it for free." [[/>]] "Why were you even trying? That place was disgusting!" [[>]] "The smell wasn't that bad once you got used to it. We were waiting for directions, and you seemed very stressed. I thought it would relax you." [[/>]] "I'm not sticking my dick in that!" [[>]] "Come on, she didn't look that bad. Especially compared to everyone else there." [[/>]] "She had goddamn sores all over her body!" [[>]] "Oh. I didn't notice those." [[/>]] "It wasn't obvious until she had her tits out!" [[>]] "Eh... At that point, I might have just gone for it." [[/>]] "You want your cock to rot off?" [[>]] "See, that's why you wear a condom. I have some with me, you should have asked." [[/>]] "I still wouldn't want to! I have standards!" [[>]] "Pyotr, this is the reason you're still a virgin." [[/>]] "Pavel, would you have fucked her?" [[>]] "Probably not. But then, I have a girlfriend in Krasnoryask." [[/>]] ---- [[>]] "Pyotr, are you even interested in women?" [[/>]] "What?" [[>]] "It's fine if you'd rather get fucked by a man. I wouldn't care. I wouldn't tell anyone." [[/>]] "I'm not gay, Pavel!" [[>]] "I was just wondering. You never seem enthusiastic when you get the opportunity." [[/>]] "I just have standards, Pavel! They're not even very high! But I have standards!" [[>]] "I mean, you didn't want the whore when we went to the Red Lanterns either. That’s weird. They’re even better looking than my girlfriend.” [[/>]] "Are you an idiot?" [[>]] "What?" [[/>]] "They literally eat men! Everyone knows that! You hook up with a Rusalka, you're dinner!" [[>]] "They wait until you're finished though, right?" [[/>]] "What?" [[>]] "Just finish quickly, then leave." [[/>]] "You're good at that, are you?" [[>]] "Of course." [[/>]] "No wonder your girlfriend left you." [[>]] "I told you, she moved to Krasnoyarsk! We're still dating!" [[/>]] "Of course you are." [[>]] "We talk on the phone! I was going to visit her, then all this shit went down!" [[/>]] "Whatever. Just let me drive." ---- "I can't believe we're only halfway there." [[>]] "That doesn't sound right. We're already in Siberia!" [[/>]] "Siberia's massive, you idiot. It's most of the fucking country. And we'll be much slower once we turn off the highway." [[>]] "I should probably check the map." [[/>]] "You really should, Pavel. Especially if you're not going to drive." [[>]] "You never let me, Pyotr! You said I wasn't licensed for a vehicle this size!" [[/>]] "Yeah, that's right. I don't think we'll get stopped, but I'd rather not risk it. Also, I don't trust you not to crash." [[>]] "Why would you think that?" [[/>]] "Because your last car got written off!" [[>]] "That doesn't count! I was drunk at the time!" [[/>]] "Pavel, that definitely still counts against you." [[>]] "Oh come on Pyotr, are you really so perfect?" [[/>]] "I can honestly say that I've never been in a crash in my life. I don't plan to start now." ---- [[>]] "You were right, Pyotr. This really is the middle of nowhere." [[/>]] "Do you know why they're making us drive all the way out here?" [[>]] "What? You really don't know?" [[/>]] "Obviously not! I'm asking!" [[>]] "I guess you wouldn't know. This is where the Black Lodge was founded!" [[/>]] "Right here?" [[>]] "No, you idiot, here as in Siberia! I'm not sure where." [[/>]] "We've already established Siberia is a big place, Pavel!" [[>]] "Fine. But that makes it perfect if we need to lie low for a while. That's basically how the Black Lodge got started." [[/>]] "I've never heard much about that. Is it like, a secret thing you get told about when you become //Zend//?" [[>]] "Nope. I only know because I bought a bottle of Vodka for some of the old-timers." [[/>]] "Of course." [[>]] "Apparently, Mister Iosava's father was imprisoned out here in a gulag. Like, fifty years ago or something." [[/>]] "Oh, I had heard something about that." [[>]] "He managed to escape. Him and a few others. But the problem was, they'd been sent all the way out to Siberia." [[/>]] "And as we can see, there's fuck all out here!" [[>]] "He didn't even have a car. They weren't invented back then." [[/>]] "So how did he get back?" [[>]] "Oh, they were tough back then. They walked." [[/>]] "Fuck, that's a long way. And what did they eat?" [[>]] "Apparently, you bring a new guy with you. You know, not lost all his body fat yet." [[/>]] "How does that help?" [[>]] "You can eat him." [[/>]] "Wait, really? I think they were messing with you, Pavel. No way." [[>]] "I'm just telling you what I heard. Anyway, Mister Iosava's father was hiding out here for a long time. Eventually, he met up with the crones. Made a deal, got power from them, then made his way back to Moscow." [[/>]] "Did he... eat everyone else?" [[>]] "Of course not, a few others came back with him! They hunted for food after that. They became the original Black Lodge." [[/>]] "Are any of them still around?" [[>]] "Maybe one or two. Most got killed fighting cops, or the military, or each other. Real tough guys. They don't make criminals like that anymore." [[/>]] "But they were all in prison, right?" [[>]] "Of course! That's where they met!" [[/>]] "I just never get why the old-timers brag about how long they spent behind bars. If they were so good at being criminals, why did they end up there in the first place?" [[>]] "What do you mean?" [[/>]] "I mean, the whole point of doing crime is not getting caught, right?" [[>]] "Yeah, but it happens eventually." [[/>]] "Only if someone fucks up. I'm not going to prison if I can help it!" [[>]] "Sure, but prison toughens you up! You come back at least twice as dangerous as before!" [[/>]] "You want to go then, Pavel? For the learning experience? I bet we can still find one out here!" [[>]] "Of course not! We have a job to do!" [[/>]] "Well there you go." [[>]] "Pyotr, you'd better not say this around any of the old-timers. They'll eat you alive." [[/>]] "Yeah, they actually would do that, wouldn't they... Er... forget I said anything about this!" ---- "Pavel, I think we're being followed." [[>]] "Fuck. Really?" [[/>]] "I recognize the car behind us." [[>]] "The shiny black convertible?" [[/>]] "Do you see any others on the road?" [[>]] "Just checking, Pyotr. Try to lose it, I guess." [[/>]] "I have been! That's why I left the main road. They followed." [[>]] "Oh. I didn't notice." [[/>]] "Some map-reader you are." [[>]] "Fuck you. It has to be them, right?" [[/>]] "I'm not so sure." //Pyotr slows, allowing the car to approach.// [[>]] "What are you doing?" [[/>]] "I wanted a closer look." [[>]] "And?" [[/>]] "Driver's a woman. Passenger's a bald man. Seems to be a third person in the back. [[>]] "Hang on. I recognize that bald guy. And the woman. And the car." [[/>]] "Really? Where from?" [[>]] "Good news is, he's not working for the government." [[/>]] "Oh, he's a friend?" [[>]] "Not exactly. [http://scp-int.wikidot.com/groups-of-interest-of-the-russian-branch#MC He's with the Meat Circus]." [[/>]] "Who?" [[>]] "They kept trying to sell us... er... well, I think they used to be people." [[/>]] "What?" [[>]] "They were... turned into art? I guess?" [[/>]] "Art... made from corpses?" [[>]] "No, I think most of them were still alive. And the ones that weren't alive still moved." [[/>]] "Fuck me." [[>]] "You see that car? The driver's part of it." [[/>]] "What does that even mean?" [[>]] "I was working security at an event one time. That car was parked outside, I went over to check it out. Her arms are connected into it, where the steering wheel and gearstick should be." [[/>]] "Why the fuck would anyone do that?" [[>]] "Same reason rich guys have fancy cars. To show off. My car is hotter than your girlfriend, that sort of thing." [[/>]] "You'd fuck a car?" [[>]] "If it looked like her I would. But when I asked, she wasn’t interested." [[/>]] "You're disgusting. Focus, Pavel. Why would they be following us?" [[>]] "The man just waved." [[/>]] "You think he's friendly?" [[>]] "Fuck no! He's not going to come all the way out here just to lend a helping hand! He probably wants to fuck us up, then sell us as sculptures!" [[/>]] "There's really a market for that?" [[>]] "Oh, definitely. Mister Iosava put them in contact with some of his friends." [[/>]] "Some of those guys were nasty sons of bitches. But why would they turn on us now?" [[>]] "Everyone loves to kick a man when he's down. You really want to stop and find out?" [[/>]] "Nope." ---- "We're running out of fuel." [[>]] "Fuck." [[/>]] "Any sign of them slowing?" [[>]] "Nope." [[/>]] "Shit. Should we stop? We're armed, right?" [[>]] "They could also have guns. And it's 3 on 2." [[/>]] "Not sure if the driver counts. You said she doesn’t have hands, right? Anyway, aren't you... you know? Special?" [[>]] "I don't have any Wrath left." [[/>]] "Shit. Why not?" [[>]] "I used it all up in Moscow! I had to carry the ball on my own, that takes some muscle!" [[/>]] "OK, but he's just some artist, right? How tough can he be?" [[>]] "That time I was working security, he put on a live performance. I didn't see anything except the end result..." [[/>]] "Are you afraid of theatre, Pavel?" [[>]] "He reshaped people like they were fucking clay! I don't want him touching me!" [[/>]] "Fuck. OK then. I'll run them off the road." [[>]] "What? I thought you said you never planned to crash!" [[/>]] "We're in a van, they're in a sportscar. We'll destroy them! That doesn't count as crashing." [[>]] "OK. That works. Let's do this." [[/>]] //Pyotr slams on the brakes, then swerves into the middle of the road. The black car tries to evade but still slams into the back of the van, shattering a headlamp. Pyotr then floors the accelerator.// "I fucking got them!" [[>]] "Nice... But they're still behind us." [[/>]] "Let them come." //The black car quickly catches up.// [[>]] "What are you waiting for?" [[/>]] "We need them to get closer. They'll expect it this time." [[>]] "They're not getting closer." [[/>]] //Behind them, the roof of the black convertible is opening. Something climbs up from the car's back seat.// "What is that thing?" [[>]] "You've never seen a black person before?" [[/>]] "That's not a person, moron! That thing is dead!" //The humanoid figure standing in the back of the car is a withered corpse with dark and leathery skin.// [[>]] "Oh... you're right. Fuck, let's get out of here." [[/>]] "This piece of shit can't go any faster!" //The car slowly approaches the van. The moving corpse climbs up onto the front seats.// "Is it going to jump?" [[>]] "It'll never make it." [[/>]] //It jumps, then is shoved towards the van by the bald man in the car's passenger seat. His arms extend, reaching almost all the way to the van.// //There's a thud on the roof of the van, then the sound of nails scraping on metal, then the groaning creak of holes being punctured.// "What was that?" //The sound repeats, slightly further forward on the roof, but to the right of the original sound. There's a screech of metal tearing, then another impact to the left.// [[>]] "It did make it! It's climbing across the roof!" [[/>]] "I'll shake it off!" //Pyotr violently swerves the van from side to side.// //The sound continues to progress across the roof above them.// [[>]] "Stop! This isn't helping!" [[/>]] "You have a better idea?" [[>]] "I do." [[/>]] //Pavel pulls an empty syringe out of his pocket, then leans towards the black bag in the back of the van.// "What are you... Oh... Don't tell me you're going to inject that." [[>]] "Where do you think Wrath comes from? This is fresh from the source." [[/>]] "Sure. Go ahead and shoot up spunk!" //A hand stretches across the windshield in front of Pyotr, fingertips outstretched and tipped with claws made from black metal. They slowly scrape across the glass, leaving deep scratches.// "Fuck!" //The syringe is now full of murky red liquid. Pavel pulls up his sleeve, and injects it into a vein on his upper left arm.// [[>]] "Damn, that burns!" [[/>]] //It takes effect immediately, the muscles of Pavel's left arm swelling. The rest of his body grows more slowly.// [[>]] "It's working! Open the window!" [[/>]] //Pavel is distracted by the continued scratching of metallic nails on the windscreen, creating a spiderweb of small cracks.// [[>]] "Hurry up!" [[/>]] //His mouth is now sprouting fangs and tusks, and his body is growing a coat of coarse hair. Impatiently, Pavel breaks the glass of the side window with his now enlarged and clawed fist, and climbs out of the new opening.// "Wait..." [[>]] "I've got her!" [[/>]] //Pavel slams the moving corpse's head down into the roof, denting the metal and shattering the windscreen. Glass shards shower onto Pyotr.// "FUCK!" //Brushing aside glass, Pyotr struggles to keep the van on the road. The roof above him is loudly dented again.// [[>]] "FUCK!" [[/>]] //Pavel's legs, still standing on his seat, twitch. Pyotr hears the sound of flesh being torn by sharp claws.// [[>]] "OFF!" [[/>]] //Pavel throws his massively increased bulk to the side, and succeeds in tearing the corpse's claws out of the roof of the van. He then loses his balance, and falls out of the window and onto the road below.// "PAVEL!" //The two bodies roll across the tarmac, bones breaking loudly. The black car swerves to avoid them, but still runs over Pavel's outstretched hand.// "GOD DAMMIT! Pavel..." //The two bodies quickly recede into the distance. Pyotr's foot remains on the accelerator, as the black car approaches him.// "Fuck you." //Pyotr takes his foot off the accelerator, and briefly brakes instead. The black car swerves to the left to avoid him. The vehicles are now side by side.// //Looking across at the open roof of the convertible, Pyotr sees the driver on the far side, her left arm buried in the dashboard and her right arm joined to the gearstick. The bald male passenger is closer to Pyotr, and smiles and waves at him. There is a naked thing curled up on the back seat.// "FUCK OFF!" //Pyotr floors the accelerator and swerves to the left, slamming his white van into the black car. The vehicle is forced into a metal crash barrier at the side of the road, and abruptly stops moving forward.// "SHIT!" //Pyotr swerves to the right to avoid crashing into the same barrier, and flips the van onto its left-hand side. It slides across the tarmac with a deafening screech, then stops.// ---- "Ow... Fuck..." //The van is on its side. Pyotr held in his seat by his seatbelt, still clutching the steering wheel. He lets go, and struggles to get out of his seat, landing in broken glass and cutting his hand and face. He then looks into the back of the van.// "Oh shit." //Red liquid is splattered over all their supplies. Pyotr climbs into the back of the van, then immediately pulls open the leaking black bag to reveal an intact testicle.// "Fuck me. That's a relief." //He slumps down to sit on the wall of the van, which is now the floor. One of the back doors is open to reveal the road outside. A person with very long limbs is climbing out of the crashed car behind him.// "God dammit..." //Pyotr climbs over the chair to retrieve his pistol from the glove compartment, then vaults back over the seat to point it out the back of the van. Although he can no longer see anyone, he can hear a calm voice.// [[=]] "I don't suppose you're willing to exchange insurance information? I borrowed that car from a friend, so this is very embarrassing." [[/=]] "Stay the fuck away!" = "I take it you're going to be difficult. Very well. Fetch!" //Something runs onto the road from the side, and approaches the doors of the van. Pyotr opens fire at it as it runs towards him on all fours.// "DIE!" //Most of Pyotr's shots miss, but the last few drop it just as a creature resembling a hairless dog approaches the back door of the van. Pyotr keeps firing until the gun is empty.// "What the hell is that!" //Now that it lies still, it is clear that it is actually a man, his body reshaped to give it the proportions of a dog.// [[=]] "Did you just shoot my dog? Do you have any idea how hard it was to train after I made it?" [[/=]] //The voice comes from the side of the van, now very close. Pyotr tries to reload the pistol as quickly as possible.// //An arm extends into the van through the open back door, snatches the pistol out of Pyotr's hand with long fingers, then quickly retracts to the outside.// = "I will take that." "What the hell are you!" //There is a clatter as the pistol is tossed away onto the tarmac.// = "I would like to talk to you." "What do you want?" //A bald head leans over to look through the open doors at the back of the van, and a hand reaches in. The man's entire body seems to be stretched.// = "I would like to take your... organ." "My organs?" = "No. The organ you have been transporting." //The stretched man's body remains outside the van, but his arm elongates as it reaches towards the giant testicle. Pyotr clutches it to his chest with both arms. There is a soft squelch, and red liquid soaks into his clothing.// "Why the hell would you want it?" [[=]] "We were planning to use it as part of an exhibition exploring the boundary between life and death. My collaborator may no longer be up for that after falling off a moving vehicle... There's still plenty I can do with the flesh of a demigod. Give it to me." [[/=]] "Never!" //The hand tries to pull the testicle away from Pyotr, but can't get a good grip on the smooth and slippery surface. The hand moves towards Pyotr's right hand.// = "Let go of it, or I will make you let go." "You can't make me do anything!" //The hand grabs the index finger of Pyotr's right hand, and bends it backward. There is no pain. It simply flexes and stretches until the fingertip touches the back of Pyotr's hand// "What the fuck!" = "You have nine more fingers." //The hand moves towards his middle finger. Pyotr begins to cry as it bends backward as easily as the other one.// = “You can let go at any time.” [[>]] "PYOTR!" [[/>]] //Pavel approaches from behind the stretched man, running on all fours along the road. He is covered in blood and resembles a mixture between a gorilla, a wolf and a pig.// "Pavel! You're alive!" [[>]] "It'll take more than that to kill me!" [[/>]] //Pavel charges towards the stretched man, who calmly walks towards him. He is over six feet tall, but most of his height comes from his legs. His extended fingers reach down past his knees.// = "I have no intention of killing you." //As Pavel's massive left arm swings down, it is effortlessly blocked by the stretched man's upraised right arm, Pavel's forearm limply bending in half.// [[>]] "FUCK." [[/>]] //The stretched man shoves Pavel's face with his left hand, the flesh of Pavel's snout deforming like clay. He then kicks Pavel's knee with one foot, buckling and distorting his leg.// //Pavel falls to the ground and rolls onto his back. The stretched man presses down one of his long feet onto Pavel's chest, leaving a deep imprint in his flesh.// [[=]] "Stay down please. I will come back to you later." [[/=]] //He turns back to face Pyotr.// [[=]] "Hand over the organ, or I will turn you inside out. I do not usually have the time for that. But if you insist, I will make the extra effort." [[/=]] "The organ?" [[=]] "Yes, I believe we already established which organ I am referring to. I understand that it's been a long day for you, but I would rather not repeat myself unless necessary." [[/=]] "If you're going to come all the way out here to take it, call it what it is." = "I'm sorry?" "Tell me you can't wait to get your hands on my giant testicle. Go on. Say it, you sick son of a bitch." //The stretched man looked confused.// [[=]] "I really don't see why you want your last coherent words to be crass humor. It is a lot less amusing than you think." [[/=]] //Pavel, still lying on the ground, sinks his teeth into the stretched man's ankle.// //The flesh warps, but the stretched man still falls to the ground in a confused tangle of long limbs.// [[>]] "FUCK YOU!" [[/>]] //Pavel rolls on top of the stretched man, jaws opening wider to tear chunks out of his neck and torso. Although his flesh deforms like clay, it still bleeds whenever small pieces are torn off.// = “Get off me!” //The stretched man pushes Pavel’s shoulder away from him with one hand, folding Pavel’s spine backward as he uses his other arm to push himself up.// = “It seems I underestimated you.” //Pavel continues to struggle, but the stretched man now stands over him, grabbing and twisting his flailing arms and legs.// = “I will have to tie these limbs into a knot.” //Pyotr lets go of the testicle, grabs a tire iron from the chaotic mess inside the van, and approaches the stretched man from behind.// = “Maybe I’ll even add a pretty bow?” //Pyotr slams the tire iron into the back of the stretched man’s bald head. The flesh deforms like soft clay.// = “What?” //The stretched man’s head spins on his shoulders to face behind him. Pyotr strikes him in the eye with the tire iron.// = “Damnit!” //Pyotr keeps swinging as the stretched man raises his arms to defend himself.// “DIE! DIE! DIE!” //Pavel forces himself up by breaking multiple bones in his own body, then leaps upon the stretched man, knocking him to the ground.// [[>]] “Hit him while he’s down!” [[/>]] //The two of them beat and maul the stretched man until he becomes a bloody smear on the tarmac. The two men then continue attacking the vaguely human shape until it stops screaming.// “You think he’s dead now?” [[>]] "No idea. Looks like it. I’m pretty sure this was the head...” [[/>]] “You’re eating him?” [[>]] “Not swallowing. Just chewing.” [[/>]] //Pavel spits out blood, and rubbery pieces of flesh.// “What about the other one?” [[>]] “The corpse? It kept attacking me even after we both fell off the roof, so I tore it to pieces.” [[/>]] “And that killed it?” [[>]] "I'm pretty sure it was already dead." [[/>]] "You know what I mean. You made it... deader?" [[>]] "The pieces never stopped twitching. But once they were too small to do anything, I came to find you." [[/>]] "Good thing you did. He fucked up my fingers pretty bad." [[>]] "He fucked me up a lot worse." [[/>]] “You seem to be recovering.” //Pavel winces, as his spine straightens with a series of cracks.// [[>]] "The stuff I injected is really good for that. You should try some." [[/>]] “I don’t think I should while driving.” [[>]] "You think we can still drive that wreck?" [[/>]] ---- [[>]] "I can’t believe you got this piece of shit to work." [[/>]] “Don’t talk about her that way!” [[>]] "Her?" [[/>]] “I guess I’m pretty attached to this van now. Good thing I had spare tires.” [[>]] "And also me, to flip it back over." [[/>]] "Good thing you take steroids!" [[>]] "It's a shame that sportscar drove off." [[/>]] "Why?" [[>]] "Even after the crash, it would have been a lot faster than this." [[/>]] "And you think the driver would be OK with that? The car doesn't even have a steering wheel! Just her arm!" [[>]] "I'm good at talking to women. I can be persuasive when I want to be." [[/>]] "You never lack confidence." [[>]] "Thanks, Pyotr." [[/>]] "That wasn't actually a compliment, Pavel." ---- "It still hasn't worn off?" [[>]] "It's only been a few hours. I'm sure I'll get back to normal eventually." [[/>]] "Pavel, I want to thank you for saving my ass back there." [[>]] "Of course I did. We're friends." [[/>]] "I think we're more than that." [[>]] "What?" [[/>]] "You're like a brother to me." [[>]] "That was the gayest thing I've ever heard." [[/>]] "Says the man who injected himself with spunk!” [[>]] "What?” [[/>]] "I mean, it is Orok’s ball..." [[>]] "It’s not spunk! It’s… er... masculine vitality? Oh fuck, you’re right.” [[/>]] "Don’t worry about it. Not many men get the honor of being Orok’s bitch." [[>]] “Fuck you!” [[/>]] "I promise I’ll be a good uncle. If you get pregnant.” [[>]] "Fuck you! Wait… could that actually happen?" [[/>]] “Probably not. You only had sex with him once.” [[>]] "This isn’t funny!" [[/>]] “This is so fucking funny.” [[>]] "You tell anyone else about this, you’re dead, //Orin//." [[/>]] “Pavel, that’s no way to speak to your best friend." [[>]] "Pyotr, that’s exactly how I speak to my best friend. Don't you forget it.” [[/>]] @@ @@ [[>]] [[[Hid From The Presence]]] >> [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [!-- N/A (No Images) --] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-07-06T13:26:00	[ "_adult", "_licensebox", "action", "chase", "comedy", "crime-fiction", "hunters-black-lodge", "sarkic", "tale" ]	Orok's Ball - SCP Foundation	16	[ "prev", "next", "scp-2408", "sarkicism-hub", "hid-from-the-presence", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "sarkicism-hub", "now-the-serpent" ]	[]	1454745750	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/oroks-ball
parabox-interactive	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>No matter the timeline one thing stays constant, weirdos staring at maps.</p> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/normalize-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/basalt-bedrock-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="pseudocrumbs"> <p><a href="/from-120-s-archives-hub">From 120's Archives</a> » Tanksy reviews: Parabox Interactive DLC</p> </div> <div class="paradox"> <p>Alright fellow proletariat, this is Tanksy, the Tankie Banksy and people have been asking me to write up a review of the post fall of the Veil DLCs that Parabox has been putting out. While I would never endorse supporting the bourgeoisie oppressors that are Parabox, there is no ethical consumption under capitalism. Though I will still endorse [MEMETIC HAZARD REMOVED].</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>Heirs Of Alexander</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <p>Yeah no, still no updates for you. Suck it, Romeaboos.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc1"><span>The Crusaders 3</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <h2 id="toc2"><span>Cults and Wizards</span></h2> <p>Starting off strong, we have Cults and Wizards. This was a major expansion centered focused on having your character join one of the many secret societies and cults from around the time. Due to the whole "Truce of God" thing at the time, the usage of thaumic power in warfare was banned, though that did not actually stop anyone.</p> <p>This essentially meant that there was a very complicated and interesting minigame of keeping your usage of magic secret while abusing it as much as possible. Expanding your secret society provided a lot of very powerful bonuses while also increasing the possibility of being discovered. The addition of other characters engaging in schemes that you don't know about also enhanced the nuance and flavor.</p> <h2 id="toc3"><span>The Nälkä</span></h2> <p>Whoa boy, did this one spark up controversy. Parabox decided to include the lumpenproletariat that was the Sarkic (I will refer to them via the proper name they had under the USSR) areas of modern day Russia, RIP Soviet Union, you will not be forgotten. Parabox, in their desire to be "cool", decided to have the most extreme version of the Sarkics possible.</p> <p>The DLC is lots of fun and has interesting ways to alter your character's flesh with none of the religion involved, as it should be. Thing is the Sarkics didn't think of it that way and raised a massive fuss over their dumb philosophy. To them, I say grow up.</p> <h2 id="toc4"><span>Retrocausal Empires</span></h2> <p>Next, we have a significant let down in Retrocausal Empires. This expansion is Daevite themed, which, well, has some issues for a history game. A lot of the flavour events are cool and interesting, and do tell some very cool stories. The problem is the retrocausal shifts mechanic. The mechanic effectively allowed the Daevites to steal land from your kingdom at random based off of "retroactive shifts". These shifts have a tendency to completely screw up carefully developed plans by doing stupid things like shuffling alliances in addition to the whole stealing land thing. The fact that it was buggy as hell at launch did not help. Even with the <span style="color: yellow"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/golden-horde-blues">Golden Horde</a></span> hotfix added as a mechanic to help combat the Daeva retro shift, it's still quite unplayable most of the time due to buggy diplomacy with the Khan.</p> <p>I recommend turning this DLC off when you can.</p> <h2 id="toc5"><span>Nameless expansion</span></h2> <p>This <span style="color: green">expansion</span> got its name stolen by an angry Fae. Given that this <span style="color: green">DLC</span> is about the Fae, you can guess how well liked it was among said Fae.</p> <p>As it turns out, brilliantly! The Fae that stole the <span style="color: green">very well received content's</span> name was in fact an ex-Foundation member who was very pissed about his old org being shut down down for "crimes against humanity" (Those bunch of monarchist pricks).</p> <p>Anyway, not much to say here. The <span style="color: green">Bread and Circuses provided by our corporate overlords</span> adds in a few Fae Nexuses like Hy-Brasil and Esterberg as well as some unique government types. If you want to play as the Fae, then go ahead, I guess.</p> <p>It is very important to mention Long Live the Queen, a very popular mod centered around the time of the Fae Empire, so pick it up if you want that.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc6"><span>Universal Europe 4</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <p>Yeah, they didn't make anything here and said that they wanted to make UE5, which launched in a disappointing state with complaints about there not being enough content.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc7"><span>Steam and Steal 3</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <h2 id="toc8"><span>Secret Societies</span></h2> <p>The big selling point of this one was the introduction of the Occult Groups. These act like corporations providing various bonuses to your nation, however unlike corporations, these guys have much stronger opinions on how your nation should be run (the fact that corporations have no political aims in this game is a clear sign of The Man influencing the game that the artists wanted to make). Said occult groups can either be free and effectively act as minor off map powers or bound making them subservient to the state. These Societies can be either state-formed, or arise based on various conditions and tend to act more like The Crusaders vassals than anything else. There is a disappointing lack of being able to shoot everyone involved in a society.</p> <p>Also the "National Normalcy Preservation Group defects to the Foundation" event sucks hard. You build a nice subservient group and then they just bugger off.</p> <p>Nexuses were also added, though these are frankly half baked. They are small states where you can build special industries with some restricted modifiers like no migration. These states are in your market but you don't control them and can't invade them. These Nexuses tend to be where you can find the newly added Fae and Yeren. While these do have some interesting applications that mods like OPH's Victoria Tweaks mod adds, the AI has zero idea how to actually build the useful buildings inside these things, making the whole thing useless.</p> <p>Mechanically, this is considered to be a very good expansion, however, there are two major problems: Firstly, this game treated the Church of the Broken God and the Sarkics like magical cults akin to the Children of the Scarlet King which sparked a lot of controversy. The other issue is that this game manages to completely ignore the Foundation's genocide of the Fae and pretends like the whole thing doesn't exist, like Hitler's genocide of the Slavs.</p> <p>This DLC is strongly recommended, unless you hate Parabox with the intensity of a thousand burning suns for misrepresenting your stupid opiate of the masses. I don't know, ask your non-existent god to fix it.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:300px;"><img alt="lenin.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/parabox-interactive/lenin.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>The GOAT.</p> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc9"><span>The Great Occult War</span></h2> <p>The Sixth Occult War and its consequences….</p> <p>The idea behind this DLC was to basically let you play out the 6th Occult War and the many minor occult wars that happened during the period. Upside, this update finally introduced limited and colonial wars. Downside, damn near every system is barely functioning and is complete jank.</p> <p>While the 6th Occult War was known for being a highly chaotic affair with no fixed front lines and no one knowing WTF was going on, the Steam and Steal version of it is a highly-ordered battle between specific states with well-defined front lines, because the S&S3 engine cannot do anything nuanced with warfare…</p> <p>The continued usage of the front-line mechanics does produce some really ahistorical occult wars, though now teleporting armies can be justified as aportation. The bigger problem is that these wars are kinda completely pointless. Winning them nets you a tiny amount of prestige and may transfer an occult org but they are more likely going to cause one of your orgs to defect to the Foundation.</p> <p>In short, pointless wars that are jank and rely entirely on dicerolls as opposed to any strategy.</p> <h2 id="toc10"><span>Journey to the Center of the Earth</span></h2> <p>This expansion added in Druv'tuul, the vast underground city of the Yeren. Without this DLC, they simply don't exist. Now, there are some complications as basically nothing happened in Druv'tuul during the long 19th century, so basically everything interesting is alt history. This does mean that if you are playing anyone other than Druv'tuul, the addition of this tag does nothing but add in a shitton of lag.</p> <p>On the other hand, Druv'tuul has a very different economy to the rest of the world and managing that is really fun. The Great Work journal entry is really cool, and if you want to do the only proper thing and chop off the king's head, there are some fantastic ways to do that. Of course, if you do decide to go alt hist, you can actually interact with the rest of the world.</p> <p>Verdict: Only buy it if you want to play Druv'tuul or if you want to convert your computer into more of a space heater. Otherwise, it is a waste of electricity. If you want to pointlessly burn energy because you hate the environment, try Bitcoin instead.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc11"><span>Iron Hearts 4</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <h2 id="toc12"><span>Race for Solomon's Gate</span></h2> <p>This was Parabox's first post Veil DLC, and it shows. There are basically no new mechanics in this expansion and a bunch of flavour that doesn't actually meaningfully change the game. While playing through this is fun once, it loses its luster very fast. Most players hated this particular expansion for being a lazy cash grab (as opposed to everything else the gaming industry makes which is low-effort to medium-effort cash grabs).</p> <p>Normally I would advise people to skip this DLC, however Parabox deviously put in the reworked German focus tree into this pack, making it a must buy for anyone wanting to properly make Germany the Kommunistischer Staat it was meant to be. Social Democrats remain a stain on society at large.</p> <p>Verdict: Buy it if you want a good German focus tree, but make sure to download the "no 7th Occult War" mod after your first play-through, unless you are one of those weirdo TNO players who refuse to read a book unless there was a map to stare at in the background. Those people liked it.</p> <h2 id="toc13"><span>Behind the Veil</span></h2> <p>Here, Parabox actually decided to fix the problems with Race for Solomon's Gate and decided to actually include mechanics! The core was another map layer for anomalous divisions, with Ways acting as a totally different map topology, effectively allowing you to fight both the regular war as well as the occult wars.</p> <p>The problem is the preservation score system. In game, there are certain actions you could take that weaken the Veil for various advantages, with a weaker Veil causing more and more sporadic problems. Then, when you hit 100% Veil failure, everyone gets a game over. This was not a good mechanic in general and required far too many multiplayer house rules.</p> <p>Of course, without the DLC, you were stuck with Veil preserving options, so ehhhh.</p> <p>In short: While this update added a lot of very cool mechanics, the actual DLC content was kinda nothing. Ways and Veil degradation is kinda ehh.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:300px;"><img alt="ussr.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/parabox-interactive/ussr.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Gotta kill those Nazis.</p> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc14"><span>Anomalous escalation</span></h2> <p>This is the first occult DLC that actually worked for this game. Parabox decided that they actually wanted players to have fun with their wizards, so they decided to let you actually do a full wizard WW2 for once. Essentially, as soon as the Veil breaks, you get a whole bunch of new magic techs you can throw into your units.</p> <p>Parabox did do a great job at making the magic feel actually magical as opposed to just being +10% soft attack. Total breakdown actually makes you feel like the war has fundamentally changed. The significant modding support added also helped really give a lot of mods their own flavour.</p> <p>In particular, Equestria at war now basically depends on this DLC for all of its pony murdering needs (Stalliongrad rework when?).</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc15"><span>Xenocidus</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <h2 id="toc16"><span>Flesh Reborn</span></h2> <p>Parabox finally did something right here and added actually interesting genetic engineering. In comparison to their work with the Daevites in the Crusaders, Parabox actually did some research! While this did make biological ascension totally broken, the integration of Sarkic flesh crafting was done really well.</p> <p>There is a bit of an issue that Parabox completely reworked how pops work again… making everything worse for no reason, again. TL;DR, worse than Megacorp.</p> <h2 id="toc17"><span>Memetics</span></h2> <p>Well, this was a very interesting one. While this is an outsourced DLC to Quintessence games, they still did a good job. Memetics was a species pack for beings that exist entirely as memes. The pictures were kinda weird and for some reason there is far too much fivefold symmetry. Quintessence did go and add a bunch of moderately interesting species and empire options, as far as I can remember. The antimemetic cloaks were a completely useless addition that acted like regular cloaking except different for no reason.</p> <p>Of course, the most fun part of this DLC was the many, many new and interesting anomalies, both memetic and antimemetic. Some even required researching new levels of mnestics to unlock! The new precursor chain where you investigate a civilization destroyed by a hyper virulent meme was also quite interesting.</p> <p>Is it any good? Who cares! The GOC shut the whole thing down for "dangerous memetic influence". Bunch of Liberal Fascist pricks.</p> <h2 id="toc18"><span>Ortothans</span></h2> <p>After Flesh Reborn did such a good job being "respectful" to the Sarkics, Ortothans manages to completely misread the whole damn thing. They added in a cool new origin based around them, which to put it in one way, set half the internet on fire.</p> <p>The whole blood sacrifice mechanic was not well received, despite being really dynamic and interesting. The first contact bonuses were quite flavourful as well.</p> <p>The pattern screamers were so poorly implemented that they somehow managed to actually summon the damn things. The GOC is not even sure how they managed to do that!</p> <p>Buggy mess all around, you can probably skip this one.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc19"><span>Summary</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <p>Go burn down a Walmart instead of staring at map games.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:300px;"><img alt="antirussiaprotests.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/parabox-interactive/antirussiaprotests.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Do it.</p> </div> </div> <p><br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/></p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/parabox-interactive">Tanksy reviews: Parabox Interactive DLC</a>" by psychicprogrammer, ThisisNalkan and Insanitz, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/parabox-interactive">https://scpwiki.com/parabox-interactive</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> parabox.png<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Impossible cube illusion angle.svg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> 4C<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Impossible_cube_illusion_angle.svg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> lenin.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Lenin in 1920 (cropped).jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Unknown, presumably official<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lenin_in_1920_(cropped).jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> ussr.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Long Live the USSR! Blueprint for the Brotherhood of all Working Classes of all the World's Nationalities! 1935 (51724375511).jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Steve Knight<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY 2.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Long_Live_the_USSR!_Blueprint_for_the_Brotherhood_of_all_Working_Classes_of_all_the_World%27s_Nationalities!_1935_(51724375511).jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> antirussiaprotests.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Radically oriented protesters throwing Molotov cocktails in direction of Interior troops positions. Dynamivska str. Euromaidan Protests. Events of Jan 19, 2014-3 (cropped).jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Mstyslav Chernov<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Radically_oriented_protesters_throwing_Molotov_cocktails_in_direction_of_Interior_troops_positions._Dynamivska_str._Euromaidan_Protests._Events_of_Jan_19,_2014-3_(cropped).jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:preview">:scp-wiki:component:preview</a> text= No matter the timeline one thing stays constant, weirdos staring at maps.]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:basalt">:scp-wiki:theme:basalt</a> darkmode=a]] [[module CSS]] :root { --basalt-secondary-color: 49, 52, 48; --basalt-overtone: 222, 191, 146; --basalt-bright-element-color: 222, 191, 146; --basalt-bright-element-color: 222, 191, 146; --basalt-dark-element-color: 222, 191, 146; --basalt-primary-color: 49, 52, 48; --basalt-main-text-color: 216, 216, 216; --logo: url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/parabox-interactive/parabox.png'); --title: "Parabox interactive forums"; --subtitle: ""; } body { background-color: #2e312d; } .paradox { background: #363736; border-radius: 8px; padding: 2rem; border: none; box-shadow: 0 4px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.3); } [[/module]] [[div class="pseudocrumbs"]] [[[from-120-s-archives-hub\|From 120's Archives]]] » Tanksy reviews: Parabox Interactive DLC [[/div]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="paradox"]] Alright fellow proletariat, this is Tanksy, the Tankie Banksy and people have been asking me to write up a review of the post fall of the Veil DLCs that Parabox has been putting out. While I would never endorse supporting the bourgeoisie oppressors that are Parabox, there is no ethical consumption under capitalism. Though I will still endorse [MEMETIC HAZARD REMOVED]. ----- [[=]] + Heirs Of Alexander [[/=]] ----- Yeah no, still no updates for you. Suck it, Romeaboos. ----- [[=]] + The Crusaders 3 [[/=]] ----- ++ Cults and Wizards Starting off strong, we have Cults and Wizards. This was a major expansion centered focused on having your character join one of the many secret societies and cults from around the time. Due to the whole "Truce of God" thing at the time, the usage of thaumic power in warfare was banned, though that did not actually stop anyone. This essentially meant that there was a very complicated and interesting minigame of keeping your usage of magic secret while abusing it as much as possible. Expanding your secret society provided a lot of very powerful bonuses while also increasing the possibility of being discovered. The addition of other characters engaging in schemes that you don't know about also enhanced the nuance and flavor. ++ The Nälkä Whoa boy, did this one spark up controversy. Parabox decided to include the lumpenproletariat that was the Sarkic (I will refer to them via the proper name they had under the USSR) areas of modern day Russia, RIP Soviet Union, you will not be forgotten. Parabox, in their desire to be "cool", decided to have the most extreme version of the Sarkics possible. The DLC is lots of fun and has interesting ways to alter your character's flesh with none of the religion involved, as it should be. Thing is the Sarkics didn't think of it that way and raised a massive fuss over their dumb philosophy. To them, I say grow up. ++ Retrocausal Empires Next, we have a significant let down in Retrocausal Empires. This expansion is Daevite themed, which, well, has some issues for a history game. A lot of the flavour events are cool and interesting, and do tell some very cool stories. The problem is the retrocausal shifts mechanic. The mechanic effectively allowed the Daevites to steal land from your kingdom at random based off of "retroactive shifts". These shifts have a tendency to completely screw up carefully developed plans by doing stupid things like shuffling alliances in addition to the whole stealing land thing. The fact that it was buggy as hell at launch did not help. Even with the ##yellow\|[[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/golden-horde-blues\|Golden Horde]]]## hotfix added as a mechanic to help combat the Daeva retro shift, it's still quite unplayable most of the time due to buggy diplomacy with the Khan. I recommend turning this DLC off when you can. ++ Nameless expansion This ##green\|expansion## got its name stolen by an angry Fae. Given that this ##green\|DLC## is about the Fae, you can guess how well liked it was among said Fae. As it turns out, brilliantly! The Fae that stole the ##green\|very well received content's## name was in fact an ex-Foundation member who was very pissed about his old org being shut down down for "crimes against humanity" (Those bunch of monarchist pricks). Anyway, not much to say here. The ##green\|Bread and Circuses provided by our corporate overlords## adds in a few Fae Nexuses like Hy-Brasil and Esterberg as well as some unique government types. If you want to play as the Fae, then go ahead, I guess. It is very important to mention Long Live the Queen, a very popular mod centered around the time of the Fae Empire, so pick it up if you want that. ----- [[=]] + Universal Europe 4 [[/=]] ----- Yeah, they didn't make anything here and said that they wanted to make UE5, which launched in a disappointing state with complaints about there not being enough content. ----- [[=]] + Steam and Steal 3 [[/=]] ----- ++ Secret Societies The big selling point of this one was the introduction of the Occult Groups. These act like corporations providing various bonuses to your nation, however unlike corporations, these guys have much stronger opinions on how your nation should be run (the fact that corporations have no political aims in this game is a clear sign of The Man influencing the game that the artists wanted to make). Said occult groups can either be free and effectively act as minor off map powers or bound making them subservient to the state. These Societies can be either state-formed, or arise based on various conditions and tend to act more like The Crusaders vassals than anything else. There is a disappointing lack of being able to shoot everyone involved in a society. Also the "National Normalcy Preservation Group defects to the Foundation" event sucks hard. You build a nice subservient group and then they just bugger off. Nexuses were also added, though these are frankly half baked. They are small states where you can build special industries with some restricted modifiers like no migration. These states are in your market but you don't control them and can't invade them. These Nexuses tend to be where you can find the newly added Fae and Yeren. While these do have some interesting applications that mods like OPH's Victoria Tweaks mod adds, the AI has zero idea how to actually build the useful buildings inside these things, making the whole thing useless. Mechanically, this is considered to be a very good expansion, however, there are two major problems: Firstly, this game treated the Church of the Broken God and the Sarkics like magical cults akin to the Children of the Scarlet King which sparked a lot of controversy. The other issue is that this game manages to completely ignore the Foundation's genocide of the Fae and pretends like the whole thing doesn't exist, like Hitler's genocide of the Slavs. This DLC is strongly recommended, unless you hate Parabox with the intensity of a thousand burning suns for misrepresenting your stupid opiate of the masses. I don't know, ask your non-existent god to fix it. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/parabox-interactive/lenin.jpg\|caption=The GOAT.]] ++ The Great Occult War The Sixth Occult War and its consequences.... The idea behind this DLC was to basically let you play out the 6th Occult War and the many minor occult wars that happened during the period. Upside, this update finally introduced limited and colonial wars. Downside, damn near every system is barely functioning and is complete jank. While the 6th Occult War was known for being a highly chaotic affair with no fixed front lines and no one knowing WTF was going on, the Steam and Steal version of it is a highly-ordered battle between specific states with well-defined front lines, because the S&S3 engine cannot do anything nuanced with warfare... The continued usage of the front-line mechanics does produce some really ahistorical occult wars, though now teleporting armies can be justified as aportation. The bigger problem is that these wars are kinda completely pointless. Winning them nets you a tiny amount of prestige and may transfer an occult org but they are more likely going to cause one of your orgs to defect to the Foundation. In short, pointless wars that are jank and rely entirely on dicerolls as opposed to any strategy. ++ Journey to the Center of the Earth This expansion added in Druv'tuul, the vast underground city of the Yeren. Without this DLC, they simply don't exist. Now, there are some complications as basically nothing happened in Druv'tuul during the long 19th century, so basically everything interesting is alt history. This does mean that if you are playing anyone other than Druv'tuul, the addition of this tag does nothing but add in a shitton of lag. On the other hand, Druv'tuul has a very different economy to the rest of the world and managing that is really fun. The Great Work journal entry is really cool, and if you want to do the only proper thing and chop off the king's head, there are some fantastic ways to do that. Of course, if you do decide to go alt hist, you can actually interact with the rest of the world. Verdict: Only buy it if you want to play Druv'tuul or if you want to convert your computer into more of a space heater. Otherwise, it is a waste of electricity. If you want to pointlessly burn energy because you hate the environment, try Bitcoin instead. ----- [[=]] + Iron Hearts 4 [[/=]] ----- ++ Race for Solomon's Gate This was Parabox's first post Veil DLC, and it shows. There are basically no new mechanics in this expansion and a bunch of flavour that doesn't actually meaningfully change the game. While playing through this is fun once, it loses its luster very fast. Most players hated this particular expansion for being a lazy cash grab (as opposed to everything else the gaming industry makes which is low-effort to medium-effort cash grabs). Normally I would advise people to skip this DLC, however Parabox deviously put in the reworked German focus tree into this pack, making it a must buy for anyone wanting to properly make Germany the Kommunistischer Staat it was meant to be. Social Democrats remain a stain on society at large. Verdict: Buy it if you want a good German focus tree, but make sure to download the "no 7th Occult War" mod after your first play-through, unless you are one of those weirdo TNO players who refuse to read a book unless there was a map to stare at in the background. Those people liked it. ++ Behind the Veil Here, Parabox actually decided to fix the problems with Race for Solomon's Gate and decided to actually include mechanics! The core was another map layer for anomalous divisions, with Ways acting as a totally different map topology, effectively allowing you to fight both the regular war as well as the occult wars. The problem is the preservation score system. In game, there are certain actions you could take that weaken the Veil for various advantages, with a weaker Veil causing more and more sporadic problems. Then, when you hit 100% Veil failure, everyone gets a game over. This was not a good mechanic in general and required far too many multiplayer house rules. Of course, without the DLC, you were stuck with Veil preserving options, so ehhhh. In short: While this update added a lot of very cool mechanics, the actual DLC content was kinda nothing. Ways and Veil degradation is kinda ehh. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/parabox-interactive/ussr.jpg\|caption=Gotta kill those Nazis.]] ++ Anomalous escalation This is the first occult DLC that actually worked for this game. Parabox decided that they actually wanted players to have fun with their wizards, so they decided to let you actually do a full wizard WW2 for once. Essentially, as soon as the Veil breaks, you get a whole bunch of new magic techs you can throw into your units. Parabox did do a great job at making the magic feel actually magical as opposed to just being +10% soft attack. Total breakdown actually makes you feel like the war has fundamentally changed. The significant modding support added also helped really give a lot of mods their own flavour. In particular, Equestria at war now basically depends on this DLC for all of its pony murdering needs (Stalliongrad rework when?). ----- [[=]] + Xenocidus [[/=]] ----- ++ Flesh Reborn Parabox finally did something right here and added actually interesting genetic engineering. In comparison to their work with the Daevites in the Crusaders, Parabox actually did some research! While this did make biological ascension totally broken, the integration of Sarkic flesh crafting was done really well. There is a bit of an issue that Parabox completely reworked how pops work again... making everything worse for no reason, again. TL;DR, worse than Megacorp. ++ Memetics Well, this was a very interesting one. While this is an outsourced DLC to Quintessence games, they still did a good job. Memetics was a species pack for beings that exist entirely as memes. The pictures were kinda weird and for some reason there is far too much fivefold symmetry. Quintessence did go and add a bunch of moderately interesting species and empire options, as far as I can remember. The antimemetic cloaks were a completely useless addition that acted like regular cloaking except different for no reason. Of course, the most fun part of this DLC was the many, many new and interesting anomalies, both memetic and antimemetic. Some even required researching new levels of mnestics to unlock! The new precursor chain where you investigate a civilization destroyed by a hyper virulent meme was also quite interesting. Is it any good? Who cares! The GOC shut the whole thing down for "dangerous memetic influence". Bunch of Liberal Fascist pricks. ++ Ortothans After Flesh Reborn did such a good job being "respectful" to the Sarkics, Ortothans manages to completely misread the whole damn thing. They added in a cool new origin based around them, which to put it in one way, set half the internet on fire. The whole blood sacrifice mechanic was not well received, despite being really dynamic and interesting. The first contact bonuses were quite flavourful as well. The pattern screamers were so poorly implemented that they somehow managed to actually summon the damn things. The GOC is not even sure how they managed to do that! Buggy mess all around, you can probably skip this one. ----- [[=]] + Summary [[/=]] ----- Go burn down a Walmart instead of staring at map games. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/parabox-interactive/antirussiaprotests.jpg \| caption=Do it.]] @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=psychicprogrammer, ThisisNalkan and Insanitz]] > Filename: parabox.png > Name: Impossible cube illusion angle.svg > Author: 4C > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Impossible_cube_illusion_angle.svg Wikimedia Commons] > Filename: lenin.jpg > Name: Lenin in 1920 (cropped).jpg > Author: Unknown, presumably official > License: Public Domain > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lenin_in_1920_(cropped).jpg Wikimedia Commons] > Filename: ussr.jpg > Name: Long Live the USSR! Blueprint for the Brotherhood of all Working Classes of all the World's Nationalities! 1935 (51724375511).jpg > Author: Steve Knight > License: CC BY 2.0 > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Long_Live_the_USSR!_Blueprint_for_the_Brotherhood_of_all_Working_Classes_of_all_the_World%27s_Nationalities!_1935_(51724375511).jpg Wikimedia Commons] > Filename: antirussiaprotests.jpg > Name: Radically oriented protesters throwing Molotov cocktails in direction of Interior troops positions. Dynamivska str. Euromaidan Protests. Events of Jan 19, 2014-3 (cropped).jpg > Author: Mstyslav Chernov > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Radically_oriented_protesters_throwing_Molotov_cocktails_in_direction_of_Interior_troops_positions._Dynamivska_str._Euromaidan_Protests._Events_of_Jan_19,_2014-3_(cropped).jpg Wikimedia Commons] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-09-01T17:11:00	[ "7th-occult-war", "_cc", "_licensebox", "alternate-history", "children-of-the-night", "co-authored", "comedy", "daevite", "esterberg", "fifthist", "from-120s-archives", "global-occult-coalition", "golden-horde", "homo-sapiens-sidhe", "military-fiction", "nameless", "no-dialogue", "no-return", "pattern-screamer", "period-piece", "religious-fiction", "sarkic", "second-hytoth", "tale", "worldbuilding" ]	Tanksy reviews: Parabox Interactive DLC - SCP Foundation	70	[ "from-120-s-archives-hub", "golden-horde-blues", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "sarkicism-hub", "no-return-hub", "goc-hub-page", "fifthist-hub", "from-120-s-archives-hub", "second-hytoth-hub" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/parabox-interactive/lenin.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/parabox-interactive/ussr.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/parabox-interactive/antirussiaprotests.jpg" ]	1456623170	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/parabox-interactive
parkdev	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Acreepypasta/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"> <p><span style="color: red">🗿polvoFan1982</span> 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:13:41 #09213382</p> <hr/> <p>If you haven't heard of ParkDev, do yourself a favor and scour your favorite emulator forum for one of his fans. Your keywords: "Paperboy", "10/25", "Ant Lion", and "Waterproof".</p> <p>If you <em>have</em> heard of ParkDev, you know <em>exactly</em> why I'm writing this.</p> </div> <div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"> <p><span style="color: red">🗿polvoFan1982</span> 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:14:08 #09213384</p> <hr/> <p>Back in the day, independent game developers had two choices: submit to a studio, or settle for bootlegging.</p> <p>The biggest problem, back then, was the tech. Any moron could punch in a few lines of code and call it a day; the problem came in when you needed to <em>distribute</em>. Most of the big consoles required you sign a licensing deal, and the ones that <em>didn't</em> were going out of fashion and <em>fast</em>. If you wanted to get something out there, what you needed was word of mouth or a ton of CDs.</p> <p>This is what ParkDev was operating on. It's unfortunate: if you didn't live in the city of Gimhae, you'd almost certainly miss the release run. ParkDev's games were distributed via mail-order in the form of CDs; perhaps as a result, ParkDev's games run exclusively on Korean PC environments. Actual copies of ParkDev's games are rare, with only about 500 of his most popular game (Waterproof) sold <em>ever</em>. God help you if you wanted to talk to the man himself.</p> <p>ParkDev released a total of four games from 1995 to 2005, though only recently has he gained any sort of notoriety. Like all cult classics, his games have been analyzed to pieces, often literally. Nothing I say will be news to the in-crowd.</p> <p>But if you read this far, you're looking for answers.</p> <p>Let's start with Paperboy.</p> </div> <div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"> <p><span style="color: red">🗿polvoFan1982</span> 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:14:49 #09213387</p> <hr/> <p>Paperboy was ParkDev's first and arguably most "normal" game. Set in the 2D world of 1995 suburbia, you play a bright and cheerful little lad who breaks into your neighbors' houses in order to deliver their newspaper.</p> <p>The goal is simple. Doing so, not so much.</p> <p>For its time, Paperboy had some pretty out there mechanics: every nook and cranny of the house could have any number of bits and bobs inside or on top of. Some of them were even <em>locked</em>, leading to a fun little lock-picking minigame. And it was useful to play: the items inside could be made into any number of fun contraptions!</p> <p>Your main enemy was, perhaps a bit paradoxically, the very same people who were supposed to get your paper. For starters, you're not allowed to get caught. If they see your face, get a hold on you, or otherwise catch you on tape, you're done. Secondly, the game encouraged you to create any number of contraptions in order to distract or incapacitate your customers, some of which looked <em>fairly</em> lethal. Third: beyond even the necessities of gameplay, each customer's house is fortified like they knew you were coming.</p> <p>Upon a successful delivery and the Paperboy's subsequent escape, the most controversial part of the game took place: the ending.</p> <p>ParkDev's games all have multiple endings, but mapping out what you did to earn them is an absolute nightmare. Paperboy's are particularly contentious: of the 48 confirmed endings, fans have yet to figure out the exact trigger conditions for 8 of them, and even the other 40 are buried under a veritable flowchart of factors. Anything from which level you played, to how long you took, to even which contraptions you set up could factor into the end screen.</p> <p>It isn't like the endings were that different, anyways. Translated, your typical ending looked like this:<br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <blockquote> <p><tt>312\|FOUR BY FIVE\|ROCK PILE</tt></p> <p><tt>AMERICAN-MADE SUPERPREDATOR</tt></p> </blockquote> </div> <p>If you're looking for some kind of meaning there, you used to be in good company. It certainly doesn't look like something a paperboy would've seen. ParkDev never said anything on the matter, and his next game gave little clue as to what it all meant.</p> </div> <div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"> <p><span style="color: red">🗿polvoFan1982</span> 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:15:02 #09213388</p> <hr/> <p>ParkDev's leap into the third dimension, 10/25 was a surprisingly complex game for 1998.</p> <p>This gist of it is that your sister was given a week-long detention that <em>just</em> so happens to intersect with the anniversary of an ornery gwisin's death, and it's up to you to hatch a plan to save her. Each day, you have 30 minutes of your lunch break and 30 more after cram school to explore, solve puzzles, and prepare for your daring detention break-out.</p> <p>For a game that was never intended to be anything more than a city-specific curiosity, 10/25 has an astounding level of detail built into it. The labyrinthine schoolhouse is packed to bursting with hidden passages, useful props, and even a small network of NPCs with consistent schedules. The crafting and lockpicking mechanics from Paperboy return in full force, with more reason to use them. But if you ask anyone what the crown achievement of 10/25 was, you'll always get the same answer: Sohyon.</p> <p>Confined to the nighttime levels until Sunday, Sohyon is the vicious spirit of a murdered schoolgirl, and 10/25's primary antagonist. Everything you do, she works to subvert. That means passages closed, structures demolished, and even a busted lock from time to time. That was assuming she didn't cut out the middleman and hunt you herself.</p> <p>To this day, nobody's sure how Sohyon's AI actually works. Any one playthrough can see her go from a cunning trapper to a rampaging brute. One of the moderators on the old ParkDev forums swore there was a time when she did nothing but follow silently from a distance until they saved the sister, after which they were predictably caught.</p> <p>Not that it matters: whether or not you saved your sister (and given the sheer difficulty of the Sunday level, you probably won't), the game ends when (and never simply "if") Sohyon finally catches you.</p> <p>In 2003, 10/25 was succeeded by Ant Lion.</p> </div> <div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"> <p><span style="color: red">🗿polvoFan1982</span> 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:15:33 #09213389</p> <hr/> <p>If I had to pick the weirdest of the bunch, it'd be Ant Lion. For all their oddities, Paperboy and 10/25 fit neatly into the "stealth" niche, and while Ant Lion certainly incorporates some stealth elements, the meat of the game is a <em>bit</em> harder to quantify.</p> <p>For starters, the plot of Ant Lion is distressingly vague. A gaggle of teenagers are having a dusk-till-dawn party at an abandoned desert compound of some sort. There's no real story or exposition: players go from the menu straight into the action.</p> <p>Secondly, Ant Lion's gameplay is remarkably open-ended, with a variety of things to do. Unlike Paperboy (and, to an extent, 10/25), the players are expected to mingle about a group of 14 or so teenagers, or else aimlessly explore the (surprisingly large) game world. There's no real objective: the game only ends when either the players survive until dusk, or both are incapacitated, either by police, the environment, or the Ant Lion.</p> <p>Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Ant Lion is <em>multiplayer</em>. Player One is "Dohyeon", the glorified camera that follows Player Two's "Kyubong" around (or doesn't) as he gets into all sorts of illegal mischief.</p> <p>As far as anyone can tell, Ant Lion was intended to be a "make your own fun" game. You're perfectly free to indulge your friends in an inane rhythm minigame; you're also free to kill them, drag their bodies to the center of the map, and throw them into the central pit. The old Parkdev forums had maintained a whole list of challenges ranging anywhere from restoring power to all facilities in a single night (never completed, I believe, though it's theoretically possible) to leading each of your friends to the Ant Lion.</p> <p>Once you lose one of the protagonists, however, the games turns from a fun but unnerving desert romp to something truly off-putting. If Dohyeon is the first to go, the camera will fall to the ground, the lens will crack, and Player One will no longer be able to follow Kyubong. Kyubong will still be able to move and interact with the world, but Player Two must rely on their knowledge of the map to navigate — and once they're gone, all that can be heard is the rusted machinery, the Ant Lion's shuffling, and the howling desert wind.</p> <p>If <em>Kyubong</em> dies, Dohyeon will still be able to move around and view the world — but he will not be able to interact with it. The other teenagers will not talk to Dohyeon, only stare at him with a yet unseen contempt. He cannot work the machinery or even pick up objects. While Dohyeon is still subject to the police, the environment, and the Ant Lion, he is otherwise dead to the world.</p> <p>Of note: while the game is supposed to take place in South Korea, the desert terrain doesn't correspond to anything in real life, North <em>or</em> South.</p> </div> <div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"> <p><span style="color: red">🗿polvoFan1982</span> 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:15:59 #09213391</p> <hr/> <p>In 2005, ParkDev put out Waterproof.</p> <p>Disclaimer: remember how I said all of ParkDev's games had multiple endings? We only know this because the source code was dumped. To my knowledge, it's only ever been beaten once (and we'll get to that later).</p> <p>Waterproof stars a little toy robot named "Nari" (according to its model's name in the files), stuck inside of a large ship stranded in heavy seas. Despite the title, she's not actually waterproof — too much time in the sloshing waters threatens to rust her over — but she <em>does</em> have the ability to "jump" a short distance through walls and obstacles. Nari can also climb, hold onto, and kick off of walls, though she'll run out of stamina quickly.</p> <p>The goal of Waterproof is to reactivate the ship and plot a course back to "the Mainland". This is easier said than done: aside from a few robot NPCs, the only other inhabitants of the ship are the Mollusk and its spawn. Every member of the ship's crew is dead, killed by the Mollusk, and it can't tell the difference between flesh and metal.</p> <p>The Mollusk is neither as smart as Sohyon nor as stealthy as the Ant Lion. It makes up for this with its mobility: the Mollusk can climb infinitely, it can throw itself across a room, and — most importantly — it can <em>swim</em>. As well, the Mollusk will occasionally stop to spawn, and though her children aren't as deadly as the Mollusk, they're just as tenacious. Nari's only hope of avoiding a violent end lies with her ability to jump, which she must use carefully.</p> <p>Unfortunately, Waterproof is nearly impossible to beat. By the time you'd have completed most of the essential tasks, the ship would be full of Mollusk spawn; if your PC wasn't buckling under the weight of so many entities, you'd still have to contend with avoiding the horde.</p> <p>Nevertheless, Waterproof was considered ParkDev's best game yet, and there were even talks he'd be picked up by a local game studio.</p> <p>Oh, if only.</p> </div> <div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"> <p><span style="color: red">🗿polvoFan1982</span> 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:16:23 #09213392</p> <hr/> <p>For as good as his games are, cracking ParkDev's games is a nightmare. He's not a very good coder, and most hacks of his games tend to be afflicted with game-breaking bugs. Moreover, he doesn't leave comments; it seems like he never expected anyone but him to read his code.</p> <p>Out of respect for ParkDev, the fans who cracked his game never publicly posted their cracks, opting instead to share them among friends and the occasional university archivist. A big part of ParkDev's appeal was outsider approach to game design and distribution; messaging a hobbyist for a CD or a crack was and still is considered the most respectful way to acquire his games, perhaps even the only "legitimate" way.</p> <p>There was, in retrospect, good reason to believe this.</p> <p>A few month's after Waterproof's release, a user named Eumenides1990 dumped the code for Waterproof on the ParkDev forums, and accompanied it with a near-incoherent rant. To the best of my knowledge, Eumenides1990 accused ParkDev of comprehensive degeneracy, criticizing everything from his coding ethos to the alleged political slant of his games (though the actual ideology being referred to is unclear). It was ridiculous, and has become something of a meme in ParkDev circles. But that didn't matter.</p> <p>ParkDev was already a bit sparse online, posting on very few sites and rarely at that. Shortly after the post, however, ParkDev scrubbed his entire online presence, deleting every account he had and disappearing. Most of his deleted posts are still missing; almost all of what we have are archived Ask/Tell-style 4chan threads and quotes of his posts on obscure forums.</p> <p>It's not a nice story — but if it had ended here, I wouldn't be posting about it.</p> </div> <div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"> <p><span style="color: red">🗿polvoFan1982</span> 01/08/2010 (Fri) 23:16:56 #09213428</p> <hr/> <p>A few weeks ago, someone finally beat Waterproof.</p> <p>Believe it or not, ParkDev's games have a niche speedrunning community in Japan and the States. It's hobbyist to the core — these are the kind of people who buy old Korean computers and trade bootleg CDs just for the opportunity to say they saved their virtual sister the fastest. Many once-impossible Ant Lion tasks have now been completed, and it was only a matter of time before someone set their sights on ParkDev's crown jewel.</p> <p>UltraGoji1954 was the one to do it, and in under two hours. I won't bore you with the details — suffice to say, the edges of certain objects have interesting qualities. Point is, someone was finally able to get one of Waterproof's endings.</p> <p>It's… peculiar.</p> <p>Upon the ship's docking, the screen faded to black, before revealing a map of Mount Taebaeksan. It stayed like this for several seconds, before suddenly cutting back to the menu. At first, no one was sure what this meant — but upon watching a playback, someone noticed a faded number on the top right, visible only in high-contrast.</p> <p>You might recognize it from earlier: "312"</p> <p>The joy of Waterproof's first successful playthrough was quickly overshadowed by the mystery of its ending. The theories were endless, anything from an indicator of how you played the game to a hint about Parkdev's next project. His previous games, in-turn, received a level of increased scrutiny reserved mostly for ARGs. Before, everyone wanted to know if Waterproof could be beaten; now we wanted to know what that <em>meant</em>.</p> <p>One of these users was 46Guy, an old-timer fan who hiked in his spare time. He theorized that you could overlay the grid from Ant Lion's map over Waterproof's ending, hike over to quadrant DxE, look out for rock piles, and see if anything's buried underneath. The idea was a bit absurd — nobody pegged a niche indie developer to be the mountaineering type — but enough people were interested that 46Guy embarked on his journey.</p> <p>46Guy's liveblog attracted more attention to the ParkDev forums than even Waterproof's completion. Everyone was F5ing for the next post, whether that be an update on his search, a response to someone's question, or even just a cool landmark — and the forums were beginning to buckle under the pressure.</p> <p>Overall, the thread was up for about 12 hours. Day became night, updates became less frequent, and people were creating accounts by the truckload just to know what happened next. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before the ParkDev forum's meager servers died, but we couldn't help it. We all had to know.</p> <p>11 hours in, 46Guy posted an image of a pit filled with rocks, and we knew — we <em>knew</em> — that ParkDev's secrets were finally at hand.</p> <p>The last image was a shot of 46Guy from behind as he points his camera into the pit, taken from a few meters in the air. It stood for all of five minutes before the servers finally crashed.</p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/parkdev">ParkDev</a>" by UraniumEmpire, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/parkdev">https://scpwiki.com/parkdev</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> dontneedyourhelp.PNG<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Music CD stack 20190210.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Santeri Viinamäki<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 4.0.<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Music_CD_stack_20190210.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> thehookgonbe.PNG<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Taebaek1.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Kat<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 2.0.<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taebaek1.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:creepypasta">:scp-wiki:theme:creepypasta</a>]] [[div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]] ##red\|🗿polvoFan1982## 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:13:41 #09213382 ------ If you haven't heard of ParkDev, do yourself a favor and scour your favorite emulator forum for one of his fans. Your keywords: "Paperboy", "10/25", "Ant Lion", and "Waterproof". If you //have// heard of ParkDev, you know //exactly// why I'm writing this. [[/div]] [[div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]] ##red\|🗿polvoFan1982## 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:14:08 #09213384 ------ [[div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:250PX; margin-top: 1.2em;"]] [[image dontneedyourhelp.PNG style="width:{$width};" link={$link}]] [[div class="scp-image" style="width:{$width};"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] Back in the day, independent game developers had two choices: submit to a studio, or settle for bootlegging. The biggest problem, back then, was the tech. Any moron could punch in a few lines of code and call it a day; the problem came in when you needed to //distribute//. Most of the big consoles required you sign a licensing deal, and the ones that //didn't// were going out of fashion and //fast//. If you wanted to get something out there, what you needed was word of mouth or a ton of CDs. This is what ParkDev was operating on. It's unfortunate: if you didn't live in the city of Gimhae, you'd almost certainly miss the release run. ParkDev's games were distributed via mail-order in the form of CDs; perhaps as a result, ParkDev's games run exclusively on Korean PC environments. Actual copies of ParkDev's games are rare, with only about 500 of his most popular game (Waterproof) sold //ever//. God help you if you wanted to talk to the man himself. ParkDev released a total of four games from 1995 to 2005, though only recently has he gained any sort of notoriety. Like all cult classics, his games have been analyzed to pieces, often literally. Nothing I say will be news to the in-crowd. But if you read this far, you're looking for answers. Let's start with Paperboy. [[/div]] [[div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]] ##red\|🗿polvoFan1982## 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:14:49 #09213387 ------ Paperboy was ParkDev's first and arguably most "normal" game. Set in the 2D world of 1995 suburbia, you play a bright and cheerful little lad who breaks into your neighbors' houses in order to deliver their newspaper. The goal is simple. Doing so, not so much. For its time, Paperboy had some pretty out there mechanics: every nook and cranny of the house could have any number of bits and bobs inside or on top of. Some of them were even //locked//, leading to a fun little lock-picking minigame. And it was useful to play: the items inside could be made into any number of fun contraptions! Your main enemy was, perhaps a bit paradoxically, the very same people who were supposed to get your paper. For starters, you're not allowed to get caught. If they see your face, get a hold on you, or otherwise catch you on tape, you're done. Secondly, the game encouraged you to create any number of contraptions in order to distract or incapacitate your customers, some of which looked //fairly// lethal. Third: beyond even the necessities of gameplay, each customer's house is fortified like they knew you were coming. Upon a successful delivery and the Paperboy's subsequent escape, the most controversial part of the game took place: the ending. ParkDev's games all have multiple endings, but mapping out what you did to earn them is an absolute nightmare. Paperboy's are particularly contentious: of the 48 confirmed endings, fans have yet to figure out the exact trigger conditions for 8 of them, and even the other 40 are buried under a veritable flowchart of factors. Anything from which level you played, to how long you took, to even which contraptions you set up could factor into the end screen. It isn't like the endings were that different, anyways. Translated, your typical ending looked like this: [[=]] > {{312\|FOUR BY FIVE\|ROCK PILE}} > > {{AMERICAN-MADE SUPERPREDATOR}} [[/=]] If you're looking for some kind of meaning there, you used to be in good company. It certainly doesn't look like something a paperboy would've seen. ParkDev never said anything on the matter, and his next game gave little clue as to what it all meant. [[/div]] [[div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]] ##red\|🗿polvoFan1982## 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:15:02 #09213388 ------ ParkDev's leap into the third dimension, 10/25 was a surprisingly complex game for 1998. This gist of it is that your sister was given a week-long detention that //just// so happens to intersect with the anniversary of an ornery gwisin's death, and it's up to you to hatch a plan to save her. Each day, you have 30 minutes of your lunch break and 30 more after cram school to explore, solve puzzles, and prepare for your daring detention break-out. For a game that was never intended to be anything more than a city-specific curiosity, 10/25 has an astounding level of detail built into it. The labyrinthine schoolhouse is packed to bursting with hidden passages, useful props, and even a small network of NPCs with consistent schedules. The crafting and lockpicking mechanics from Paperboy return in full force, with more reason to use them. But if you ask anyone what the crown achievement of 10/25 was, you'll always get the same answer: Sohyon. Confined to the nighttime levels until Sunday, Sohyon is the vicious spirit of a murdered schoolgirl, and 10/25's primary antagonist. Everything you do, she works to subvert. That means passages closed, structures demolished, and even a busted lock from time to time. That was assuming she didn't cut out the middleman and hunt you herself. To this day, nobody's sure how Sohyon's AI actually works. Any one playthrough can see her go from a cunning trapper to a rampaging brute. One of the moderators on the old ParkDev forums swore there was a time when she did nothing but follow silently from a distance until they saved the sister, after which they were predictably caught. Not that it matters: whether or not you saved your sister (and given the sheer difficulty of the Sunday level, you probably won't), the game ends when (and never simply "if") Sohyon finally catches you. In 2003, 10/25 was succeeded by Ant Lion. [[/div]] [[div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]] ##red\|🗿polvoFan1982## 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:15:33 #09213389 ------ If I had to pick the weirdest of the bunch, it'd be Ant Lion. For all their oddities, Paperboy and 10/25 fit neatly into the "stealth" niche, and while Ant Lion certainly incorporates some stealth elements, the meat of the game is a //bit// harder to quantify. For starters, the plot of Ant Lion is distressingly vague. A gaggle of teenagers are having a dusk-till-dawn party at an abandoned desert compound of some sort. There's no real story or exposition: players go from the menu straight into the action. Secondly, Ant Lion's gameplay is remarkably open-ended, with a variety of things to do. Unlike Paperboy (and, to an extent, 10/25), the players are expected to mingle about a group of 14 or so teenagers, or else aimlessly explore the (surprisingly large) game world. There's no real objective: the game only ends when either the players survive until dusk, or both are incapacitated, either by police, the environment, or the Ant Lion. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Ant Lion is //multiplayer//. Player One is "Dohyeon", the glorified camera that follows Player Two's "Kyubong" around (or doesn't) as he gets into all sorts of illegal mischief. As far as anyone can tell, Ant Lion was intended to be a "make your own fun" game. You're perfectly free to indulge your friends in an inane rhythm minigame; you're also free to kill them, drag their bodies to the center of the map, and throw them into the central pit. The old Parkdev forums had maintained a whole list of challenges ranging anywhere from restoring power to all facilities in a single night (never completed, I believe, though it's theoretically possible) to leading each of your friends to the Ant Lion. Once you lose one of the protagonists, however, the games turns from a fun but unnerving desert romp to something truly off-putting. If Dohyeon is the first to go, the camera will fall to the ground, the lens will crack, and Player One will no longer be able to follow Kyubong. Kyubong will still be able to move and interact with the world, but Player Two must rely on their knowledge of the map to navigate — and once they're gone, all that can be heard is the rusted machinery, the Ant Lion's shuffling, and the howling desert wind. If //Kyubong// dies, Dohyeon will still be able to move around and view the world — but he will not be able to interact with it. The other teenagers will not talk to Dohyeon, only stare at him with a yet unseen contempt. He cannot work the machinery or even pick up objects. While Dohyeon is still subject to the police, the environment, and the Ant Lion, he is otherwise dead to the world. Of note: while the game is supposed to take place in South Korea, the desert terrain doesn't correspond to anything in real life, North //or// South. [[/div]] [[div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]] ##red\|🗿polvoFan1982## 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:15:59 #09213391 ------ In 2005, ParkDev put out Waterproof. Disclaimer: remember how I said all of ParkDev's games had multiple endings? We only know this because the source code was dumped. To my knowledge, it's only ever been beaten once (and we'll get to that later). Waterproof stars a little toy robot named "Nari" (according to its model's name in the files), stuck inside of a large ship stranded in heavy seas. Despite the title, she's not actually waterproof -- too much time in the sloshing waters threatens to rust her over -- but she //does// have the ability to "jump" a short distance through walls and obstacles. Nari can also climb, hold onto, and kick off of walls, though she'll run out of stamina quickly. The goal of Waterproof is to reactivate the ship and plot a course back to "the Mainland". This is easier said than done: aside from a few robot NPCs, the only other inhabitants of the ship are the Mollusk and its spawn. Every member of the ship's crew is dead, killed by the Mollusk, and it can't tell the difference between flesh and metal. The Mollusk is neither as smart as Sohyon nor as stealthy as the Ant Lion. It makes up for this with its mobility: the Mollusk can climb infinitely, it can throw itself across a room, and -- most importantly -- it can //swim//. As well, the Mollusk will occasionally stop to spawn, and though her children aren't as deadly as the Mollusk, they're just as tenacious. Nari's only hope of avoiding a violent end lies with her ability to jump, which she must use carefully. Unfortunately, Waterproof is nearly impossible to beat. By the time you'd have completed most of the essential tasks, the ship would be full of Mollusk spawn; if your PC wasn't buckling under the weight of so many entities, you'd still have to contend with avoiding the horde. Nevertheless, Waterproof was considered ParkDev's best game yet, and there were even talks he'd be picked up by a local game studio. Oh, if only. [[/div]] [[div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]] ##red\|🗿polvoFan1982## 01/08/2010 (Fri) 22:16:23 #09213392 ------ For as good as his games are, cracking ParkDev's games is a nightmare. He's not a very good coder, and most hacks of his games tend to be afflicted with game-breaking bugs. Moreover, he doesn't leave comments; it seems like he never expected anyone but him to read his code. Out of respect for ParkDev, the fans who cracked his game never publicly posted their cracks, opting instead to share them among friends and the occasional university archivist. A big part of ParkDev's appeal was outsider approach to game design and distribution; messaging a hobbyist for a CD or a crack was and still is considered the most respectful way to acquire his games, perhaps even the only "legitimate" way. There was, in retrospect, good reason to believe this. A few month's after Waterproof's release, a user named Eumenides1990 dumped the code for Waterproof on the ParkDev forums, and accompanied it with a near-incoherent rant. To the best of my knowledge, Eumenides1990 accused ParkDev of comprehensive degeneracy, criticizing everything from his coding ethos to the alleged political slant of his games (though the actual ideology being referred to is unclear). It was ridiculous, and has become something of a meme in ParkDev circles. But that didn't matter. ParkDev was already a bit sparse online, posting on very few sites and rarely at that. Shortly after the post, however, ParkDev scrubbed his entire online presence, deleting every account he had and disappearing. Most of his deleted posts are still missing; almost all of what we have are archived Ask/Tell-style 4chan threads and quotes of his posts on obscure forums. It's not a nice story — but if it had ended here, I wouldn't be posting about it. [[/div]] [[div style="display: inline-block; background: var(--bg-dark); border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: var(--bg-light); float:center; width:84%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 40px"]] ##red\|🗿polvoFan1982## 01/08/2010 (Fri) 23:16:56 #09213428 ------ [[div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:250PX; margin-top: 1.2em;"]] [[image thehookgonbe.PNG style="width:{$width};" link={$link}]] [[div class="scp-image" style="width:{$width};"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] A few weeks ago, someone finally beat Waterproof. Believe it or not, ParkDev's games have a niche speedrunning community in Japan and the States. It's hobbyist to the core — these are the kind of people who buy old Korean computers and trade bootleg CDs just for the opportunity to say they saved their virtual sister the fastest. Many once-impossible Ant Lion tasks have now been completed, and it was only a matter of time before someone set their sights on ParkDev's crown jewel. UltraGoji1954 was the one to do it, and in under two hours. I won't bore you with the details — suffice to say, the edges of certain objects have interesting qualities. Point is, someone was finally able to get one of Waterproof's endings. It's... peculiar. Upon the ship's docking, the screen faded to black, before revealing a map of Mount Taebaeksan. It stayed like this for several seconds, before suddenly cutting back to the menu. At first, no one was sure what this meant — but upon watching a playback, someone noticed a faded number on the top right, visible only in high-contrast. You might recognize it from earlier: "312" The joy of Waterproof's first successful playthrough was quickly overshadowed by the mystery of its ending. The theories were endless, anything from an indicator of how you played the game to a hint about Parkdev's next project. His previous games, in-turn, received a level of increased scrutiny reserved mostly for ARGs. Before, everyone wanted to know if Waterproof could be beaten; now we wanted to know what that //meant//. One of these users was 46Guy, an old-timer fan who hiked in his spare time. He theorized that you could overlay the grid from Ant Lion's map over Waterproof's ending, hike over to quadrant DxE, look out for rock piles, and see if anything's buried underneath. The idea was a bit absurd — nobody pegged a niche indie developer to be the mountaineering type — but enough people were interested that 46Guy embarked on his journey. 46Guy's liveblog attracted more attention to the ParkDev forums than even Waterproof's completion. Everyone was F5ing for the next post, whether that be an update on his search, a response to someone's question, or even just a cool landmark — and the forums were beginning to buckle under the pressure. Overall, the thread was up for about 12 hours. Day became night, updates became less frequent, and people were creating accounts by the truckload just to know what happened next. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before the ParkDev forum's meager servers died, but we couldn't help it. We all had to know. 11 hours in, 46Guy posted an image of a pit filled with rocks, and we knew — we //knew// — that ParkDev's secrets were finally at hand. The last image was a shot of 46Guy from behind as he points his camera into the pit, taken from a few meters in the air. It stood for all of five minutes before the servers finally crashed. [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Filename: dontneedyourhelp.PNG > Name: Music CD stack 20190210.jpg > Author: Santeri Viinamäki > License: CC BY-SA 4.0. > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Music_CD_stack_20190210.jpg Wikimedia Commons] > Filename: thehookgonbe.PNG > Name: Taebaek1.jpg > Author: Kat > License: CC BY-SA 2.0. > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taebaek1.jpg Wikimedia Commons] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-02-24T16:06:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "chase", "creepypasta", "horror", "mystery", "parawatch", "period-piece", "tale" ]	ParkDev - SCP Foundation	97	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "parawatch-hub", "creepy-pasta" ]	[]	1452775884	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/parkdev
parker-informational-breach	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>Does anyone know about what <em>really</em> happened that night in Parker, Arizona?</p> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Acreepypasta/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>ParkerArizonaWatcher2003</strong></span> 08/17/2018 (Fri) 02:23:44 #93624826</p> <hr/> <p>Hi Parawatch, long time lurker, first time poster.</p> <p>I've been searching for a year now, trying to find any information an old TV hijacking incident, known as the 'Parker Arizona Hijacking'. Has anybody else heard of it? I'll try and give as much background info as I can remember:</p> <p>The first thing I want to say is that I am a storyteller. I've told stories my entire life, just like my father did before me. He taught me how to blend the real world with fantasy, how to capture the audience, how to properly tell a tale. I mention this because I have told this story hundreds of times before. I know it back to front, every useless detail locked into my mind — this story is as much a part of me as I am part of it.</p> <p>I grew up in Parker, Arizona — a small town with nothing going on, especially if you're a young kid with energy to burn. It was a Thursday evening, late January 24th, 2003, and my brother and I had a plan: to watch TV. We didn't have school on Friday; because of Parent-Teacher interviews, we had a three-day weekend instead, and our plans were built entirely around our television.</p> <p>Isn't it funny how we can remember the exact time and date something happened, while forgetting so much about what actually happened?</p> <p>My bedtime was 7:30pm back then, and normally I would be in bed, but my brother and I had begged to stay up and watch the TV special that everybody at school had been talking about. In Parker, we had this local TV station, PKPBS, that would broadcast children's entertainment 24/7. Sometimes they would get the distribution license to show a major animated show, but most of the time they showed either local entertainers, or the cheapest specials they could find to fill their runtime.</p> <p>Every Thursday evening, PKPBS had a special program they called 'The Weird Zone'. My brother and I were never able to stay up late enough to watch it, but the older kids at school talked about it all the time. From what I understood, it was a variety show, hosted by a local personality known as 'The Player'. The Weird Zone would show clips submitted by viewers, as well as showing off strange shorts (think stuff like 'Cracks' or 'Clockman'), all aimed at the teenagers who were still awake.</p> <p>This week was special, though. At the end of the program the week before, The Player had announced that he had gotten his hands on the holy grail of kid's entertainment — a lost SpongeBob episode. My brother and I couldn't believe it, we thought we had seen everything there was! We knew we needed to see this episode of 'The Weird Zone'.</p> <p>Isn't it weird how kids want to believe things? In retrospect, there was no way The Weird Zone could have found a lost episode. A local access show, in the middle of nowhere? Any rational thinker knows that's impossible. But a kid can build an entire set of rules and rationalizations for why it has to be real. Our childhoods are full of fake worlds, ruled by our imaginations; the promise of an escape makes us believe that magic is real. Why did we lose that?</p> <p>Our parents, of course, said no. But we begged. We promised everything a kid does: extra chores, free labor, anything just to get our bedtime moved up so we could see this live. They finally relented once we promised to start actually doing our chores — not that we ever ended up keeping that promise, not after— oops, spoilers! I shouldn't get ahead of myself.</p> <p>So it's Thursday evening, and my brother and I are sitting on the carpet of our basement rumpus room, staring at the dull glow of the TV set. My dad had just left the room after setting up our VHS player to record the broadcast — he was obsessed with recording anything we watched. Looking back now, I think my dad was terrified of anything being lost permanently. At the end of the day, I'm a daddy's girl, so I guess that's where my lost media obsession comes from.</p> <p>The clock hits 9:00pm, and the commercial gets cut off abruptly — it was replaced with footage from an empty set, the lights not on yet, the camera eerily still. A sign reading 'The Weird Zone', dangled from a rope in the middle of the frame. Remember when old shows used to do that? My brother and I stared, mesmerized by the fear and excitement of something completely new. We couldn't take our eyes off the TV.</p> <p>Suddenly, a high pitched whine came out of the TV, screaming at us. My brother was trying to change the volume, but the remote wasn't working; the whine continued, shifting pitches until it was a deep, low thrumming, almost indistinguishable from the central air system just one room over. The footage of the set cut to black. I went to the TV and started to hit it, upset that we were missing the show. Neither of us realized anything was wrong.</p> <p>Nobody did.</p> <p>I don't know exactly what happened next, only what my parents have told me over the years, but I do remember waking up, hours later, sitting in a hospital bed, my father staring at me with concern. The first thing I asked about was my brother: he was in the room next door, still unconscious, with mom. Then I asked my dad what happened.</p> <p>I saw a distant look on his face as he stared at the doorway, the rest of the hospital behind it. I could smell the artificial and sterile room, feel the bright flickering florescent lighting overhead, hear the chaos unfolding just outside the door. Tears, wails, panic and yelling; and yet I felt completely at ease. Bored. Disengaged, even. What the hell had happened?</p> <p>My dad told me that he had rushed downstairs as soon as he heard the feedback from the TV, but when he finally got to the rumpus room, my brother and I were passed out on the ground, SMPTE bars covering the screen, accompanied by a short message saying 'We'll be right back!'. He panicked, yelled for my mom to come help, and they rushed us to the hospital. They had tried to wake us, but nothing they did worked.</p> <p>When they arrived, he said it was like a circus. My parents weren't the only ones who had brought their kid into the emergency room; the place was filled with families, terrified parents and unconscious kids. Even if the hospital didn't know it yet, the parents had been talking and knew the commonality — we had all been watching The Weird Zone, and all passed out in the first couple of minutes.</p> <p>We ended up spending the rest of the night in the hospital. I can't remember how many doctors we ended up seeing, but it felt like there was a constant cycle of different people coming in to perform tests. I think one of them didn't even work at the hospital, but my dad didn't believe me.</p> <p>The next morning, the doctors at the hospital had a meeting to discuss just what had affected at least sixty children across Parker, Arizona. The official statement was that we had all suffered from 'Temporary coma-like symptoms, brought on as a result of a faulty broadcast'. They let everybody go around noon — none of the tests had shown any existing causes, nor was anybody really harmed by what had occurred. Other than a few small scrapes or bruises from falling over, not a single child was hurt.</p> <p>Other than talking about it at school with some friends who had also gone to the hospital, it never really came up again. PKPBS had shut down, with their official statement placing the blame squarely on a signal hijacker. They never said what the hijacker wanted, nor was that ever discussed. Any time my brother or I would try and bring the topic up at home, my dad would shut that down immediately.</p> <p>So eventually, we all forgot — or, at least, stopped telling the story. Parker, Arizona forgot. We grew up, I moved away, finished college and started the same job I still work in today. The incident was light years away, seemingly abandoned in the past. My brother and I had drifted apart once I moved, but that's just how these things go, right? Neither of us seemed to care enough to put the effort in to stay in touch. We were both just living our lives independently, going through the motions.</p> <p>My mom passed suddenly, about a year ago. My dad had called to give me the news — 'Your mother died last night.' He said. He went silent, waiting for my reply, for the tears and shared sadness over the unexpected loss of a loved one.</p> <p>You know that feeling when you feel nothing, except the guilt over the fact that you're not reacting right? I didn't even feel guilty.</p> <p>What felt like minutes had passed, but still, I didn't react. It was weird, but ever since the incident, it felt like life was wrong. Different. Fake. I didn't get upset about things as much, I barely cried at my grandparent's funeral, and only because that was what I thought I was supposed to do. Therapy helped a little bit, but something about the experience changed me. I was numb to emotions, detached from the world, like I didn't care what happened to me.</p> <p>My dad cut my train of thought — he started to tell me about his plans for the funeral, and asked if I could make it back in time. I hadn't gone back to Parker since I'd left — I had to be there for him. My brother was like I was, but worse. I faked caring, that was what other people needed. He didn't. He was like the undead, moving around from place to place, brainless and moaning, constantly chasing the next high. Neither my father or I knew where he was. We just knew he wouldn't come to the funeral.</p> <p>The funeral was beautiful and moving; at least according to everybody else. I loved my mom, she meant the world to me, and was always there when I needed her. But, standing there, watching as her casket was lowered into the grave, my father sobbing at my side, the rest of the extended family sharing in their grief, I felt nothing. I was empty. Something was wrong with me, why don't I feel anything about the death of my mother? I saw a look from my dad, one I had seen before, a grim recognition as he looked at my dry eyes.</p> <p>After the funeral, my dad and I sat in the rumpus room in the old house. It looked like it hadn't changed at all since the fateful day in 2003, the same TV, VHS player and posters decorating the walls. My dad sat across from me, a serious expression on his face.</p> <p>'What do you remember from 2003?'</p> <p>He didn't even have to say it, I knew he was talking about the hijacking. I told him what I knew, that we were watching TV and then I couldn't remember anything until the hospital. He sighed, and took a sip of whiskey. 'It's time I told you the full story.'</p> <p>I always loved my dad's stories.</p> <p>My parents had done their best to ignore that night for the rest of our childhoods, dodging questions and changing the topic to avoid saying anything. I had never heard my father even talk about it before; I was on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what had happened.</p> <p>He told me that when he rushed into the rumpus room, he saw something before the SMPTE bars had appeared. It was a circle, he said, surrounded by flashing colors, before a burst of static enveloped the screen, cutting to the SMTPE bars.</p> <p>A circle? The famous hijacking that had changed the lives of everybody who saw it, was a <em>circle</em>?</p> <p>I didn't understand, what did he mean by a circle? 'It's not just a circle.' Of course not.</p> <p>My dad told me that once we got back from the hospital, he checked the VHS recording he had made for any evidence of what we had seen that would explain what had happened that night. My father paused as he recounted the story, leaning in, looking older than I had ever seen him.</p> <p>'Have you heard of the Magic Circle?'</p> <p>'Like, witchcraft?'</p> <p>He shook his head. He didn't know what it was when he first saw the image, but he needed to find out. He told me that back in the day, he started hitting up BBS and other communities, trying to find anybody who could recognize the circle. It was on a horror and gaming BBS that he would finally get the answer.</p> <p>A user messaged him directly, telling him that they would explain everything if he deleted his post. 'HermeneuticHunter' was his username. My dad has been haunted by that username, felling like there was a deeper meaning just out of reach — for some reason, my dad just <em>knew</em> that they had the answers. And once my dad deleted the post, the user began to explain just what the image was.</p> <p>My dad said the user called it a 'hermeneutic', more specifically, a 'magic circle'. Apparently, the idea was first conceived of by an old guy named Johan Huizinga, some dutch dude from the early 1900s, before it was taken by the online community around video games.</p> <p>A 'magic circle' is a space where the real world and its rules don't exist. Gamers use it when talking about MMOs, the line between immersion in a fantasy and the real world we're all stuck in. Huizinga was more broad — the magic circle is a place separate from real life, where we all agree to act as if this is our reality. The rules we make for the magic circle are agreed upon, but stay limited to being within that circle.</p> <p>What my dad had captured on the VHS, he said, wasn't just a magic circle. It was something else entirely, a broken magic circle — something with a power that neither he or the anonymous user knew anything about. He spent years after that digging, trying to find out what had happened to the other kids who saw the show, figuring out why the media had ignored this. He had spent decades of his life, dedicated to solving this mystery, and the only concrete thing he had was the VHS tape.</p> <p>My dad asked if I wanted to see the tape. He hoped that it might give me some closure, help me process the emotions that I kept locked away, it could even make me feel something. I needed to understand what had happened to me, why I was the way I was. I said yes.</p> <p>He left me alone in the basement, having walked away in a drunken stupor after putting the tape into the player. I was paused, staring at the dull glow of the TV, the familiar sight of the dark, unlit set of 'The Weird Zone' returning to me. It felt like home; and the rest of the world wasn't.</p> <p>I pressed play, the fear that I might pass out again outweighed by my desperation to know. It wasn't anything that I expected.</p> <p>I wanted it to explain everything, to answer the burning questions that defined me. I stared at the circle on the screen, flickering with static, mocking me in its normalcy. The colors changed in the background, but no matter how much the screen changed, or the circle flickered, I was left with a single thought.</p> <p>'What if everything is fake?'</p> <p>I wasn't thinking about the broadcast, the hijacking, or what had happened to the kids all over town. I was thinking about the world, our world, the meatspace that we all inhabit. What if nothing really matters? What if we're all just in a magic circle, a simulation, playing by the rules that we all agree with, but in actuality don't matter?</p> <p>What if, whatever we all saw that fateful night, broke the magic circle? We're the only ones who would know that this isn't real, that nothing is real. Nobody would believe us.</p> <p>I tried to ask my brother about it, tried to show him the footage from the tape, but he refused to talk about it. He called the video fake, said that it was just a freak accident, and I was obsessing. He wouldn't even believe that our mom was dead. He rambled, telling me that our real mom is fine, we're just stuck, trapped away from her. He hung up on me shortly after, and I haven't heard from him since.</p> <p>So now, I come to you, Parawatch. My dad and I know what we saw, but I'm starting to have some doubts. I can't find anything else about this online, and after PKPBS shut down, all of their records and archived footage were lost. As far as I know, the video my father captured is the only evidence the 'Magic Circle Hijacking' ever existed.</p> <p>Does anyone know about what <em>really</em> happened that night in Parker, Arizona? Did it actually happen, or are my father and I spinning out in the wake of my mom's death? Have any of you heard of 'The Weird Zone' or 'The Magic Circle'?</p> <p>And can anybody recognize this symbol?</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:100%;"><img alt="VHSRip.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/parker-informational-breach/VHSRip.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/GQcD1Ko0h0U">Please ignore the incorrect date and time. For all of his passion, my father could never figure out how to configure the VHS recorder.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/parker-informational-breach">The Magic Circle Hijacking</a>" by Queerious, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/parker-informational-breach">https://scpwiki.com/parker-informational-breach</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <p><strong>Name:</strong> VHSRip.jpg<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">https://youtu.be/GQcD1Ko0h0U</span><br/> <strong>Authors:</strong> newnykacolaquantum and Tape_W0rm<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC-BY-SA 4.0</p> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Magic_Circle.png<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magic_Circle.png">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magic_Circle.png</a><br/> <strong>Author:</strong> GG Cannon<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC-BY-SA 4.0</p> <p><strong>Name</strong>: ambience horrible nightmare.mp3<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">https://freesound.org/people/marchon11/sounds/493718/</span><br/> <strong>Author:</strong> marchon11<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC-BY 3.0<br/> <strong>Note:</strong> Slowed down and paulstretched</p> <p>Name:* SMPTE Color Bar.svg<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SMPTE_Color_Bars.svg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SMPTE_Color_Bars.svg</a><br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Denelson83<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=Does anyone know about what //really// happened that night in Parker, Arizona?]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:creepypasta">:scp-wiki:theme:creepypasta</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar</a>]] [[module css]] .scp-image-block .scp-image-caption { background-color: #333; } .scp-image-block.block-right { float: inherit; margin: 0 0 1em 0; } @media (max-width: 767px) { .scp-image-block.block-right { float: inherit; margin: 0 0 1em 0; } } #page-title, h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { text-align: center; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##green\|ParkerArizonaWatcher2003## 08/17/2018 (Fri) 02:23:44 #93624826 ------ Hi Parawatch, long time lurker, first time poster. I've been searching for a year now, trying to find any information an old TV hijacking incident, known as the 'Parker Arizona Hijacking'. Has anybody else heard of it? I'll try and give as much background info as I can remember: The first thing I want to say is that I am a storyteller. I've told stories my entire life, just like my father did before me. He taught me how to blend the real world with fantasy, how to capture the audience, how to properly tell a tale. I mention this because I have told this story hundreds of times before. I know it back to front, every useless detail locked into my mind -- this story is as much a part of me as I am part of it. I grew up in Parker, Arizona -- a small town with nothing going on, especially if you're a young kid with energy to burn. It was a Thursday evening, late January 24th, 2003, and my brother and I had a plan: to watch TV. We didn't have school on Friday; because of Parent-Teacher interviews, we had a three-day weekend instead, and our plans were built entirely around our television. Isn't it funny how we can remember the exact time and date something happened, while forgetting so much about what actually happened? My bedtime was 7:30pm back then, and normally I would be in bed, but my brother and I had begged to stay up and watch the TV special that everybody at school had been talking about. In Parker, we had this local TV station, PKPBS, that would broadcast children's entertainment 24/7. Sometimes they would get the distribution license to show a major animated show, but most of the time they showed either local entertainers, or the cheapest specials they could find to fill their runtime. Every Thursday evening, PKPBS had a special program they called 'The Weird Zone'. My brother and I were never able to stay up late enough to watch it, but the older kids at school talked about it all the time. From what I understood, it was a variety show, hosted by a local personality known as 'The Player'. The Weird Zone would show clips submitted by viewers, as well as showing off strange shorts (think stuff like 'Cracks' or 'Clockman'), all aimed at the teenagers who were still awake. This week was special, though. At the end of the program the week before, The Player had announced that he had gotten his hands on the holy grail of kid's entertainment -- a lost SpongeBob episode. My brother and I couldn't believe it, we thought we had seen everything there was! We knew we needed to see this episode of 'The Weird Zone'. Isn't it weird how kids want to believe things? In retrospect, there was no way The Weird Zone could have found a lost episode. A local access show, in the middle of nowhere? Any rational thinker knows that's impossible. But a kid can build an entire set of rules and rationalizations for why it has to be real. Our childhoods are full of fake worlds, ruled by our imaginations; the promise of an escape makes us believe that magic is real. Why did we lose that? Our parents, of course, said no. But we begged. We promised everything a kid does: extra chores, free labor, anything just to get our bedtime moved up so we could see this live. They finally relented once we promised to start actually doing our chores -- not that we ever ended up keeping that promise, not after-- oops, spoilers! I shouldn't get ahead of myself. So it's Thursday evening, and my brother and I are sitting on the carpet of our basement rumpus room, staring at the dull glow of the TV set. My dad had just left the room after setting up our VHS player to record the broadcast -- he was obsessed with recording anything we watched. Looking back now, I think my dad was terrified of anything being lost permanently. At the end of the day, I'm a daddy's girl, so I guess that's where my lost media obsession comes from. The clock hits 9:00pm, and the commercial gets cut off abruptly -- it was replaced with footage from an empty set, the lights not on yet, the camera eerily still. A sign reading 'The Weird Zone', dangled from a rope in the middle of the frame. Remember when old shows used to do that? My brother and I stared, mesmerized by the fear and excitement of something completely new. We couldn't take our eyes off the TV. Suddenly, a high pitched whine came out of the TV, screaming at us. My brother was trying to change the volume, but the remote wasn't working; the whine continued, shifting pitches until it was a deep, low thrumming, almost indistinguishable from the central air system just one room over. The footage of the set cut to black. I went to the TV and started to hit it, upset that we were missing the show. Neither of us realized anything was wrong. Nobody did. I don't know exactly what happened next, only what my parents have told me over the years, but I do remember waking up, hours later, sitting in a hospital bed, my father staring at me with concern. The first thing I asked about was my brother: he was in the room next door, still unconscious, with mom. Then I asked my dad what happened. I saw a distant look on his face as he stared at the doorway, the rest of the hospital behind it. I could smell the artificial and sterile room, feel the bright flickering florescent lighting overhead, hear the chaos unfolding just outside the door. Tears, wails, panic and yelling; and yet I felt completely at ease. Bored. Disengaged, even. What the hell had happened? My dad told me that he had rushed downstairs as soon as he heard the feedback from the TV, but when he finally got to the rumpus room, my brother and I were passed out on the ground, SMPTE bars covering the screen, accompanied by a short message saying 'We'll be right back!'. He panicked, yelled for my mom to come help, and they rushed us to the hospital. They had tried to wake us, but nothing they did worked. When they arrived, he said it was like a circus. My parents weren't the only ones who had brought their kid into the emergency room; the place was filled with families, terrified parents and unconscious kids. Even if the hospital didn't know it yet, the parents had been talking and knew the commonality -- we had all been watching The Weird Zone, and all passed out in the first couple of minutes. We ended up spending the rest of the night in the hospital. I can't remember how many doctors we ended up seeing, but it felt like there was a constant cycle of different people coming in to perform tests. I think one of them didn't even work at the hospital, but my dad didn't believe me. The next morning, the doctors at the hospital had a meeting to discuss just what had affected at least sixty children across Parker, Arizona. The official statement was that we had all suffered from 'Temporary coma-like symptoms, brought on as a result of a faulty broadcast'. They let everybody go around noon -- none of the tests had shown any existing causes, nor was anybody really harmed by what had occurred. Other than a few small scrapes or bruises from falling over, not a single child was hurt. Other than talking about it at school with some friends who had also gone to the hospital, it never really came up again. PKPBS had shut down, with their official statement placing the blame squarely on a signal hijacker. They never said what the hijacker wanted, nor was that ever discussed. Any time my brother or I would try and bring the topic up at home, my dad would shut that down immediately. So eventually, we all forgot -- or, at least, stopped telling the story. Parker, Arizona forgot. We grew up, I moved away, finished college and started the same job I still work in today. The incident was light years away, seemingly abandoned in the past. My brother and I had drifted apart once I moved, but that's just how these things go, right? Neither of us seemed to care enough to put the effort in to stay in touch. We were both just living our lives independently, going through the motions. My mom passed suddenly, about a year ago. My dad had called to give me the news -- 'Your mother died last night.' He said. He went silent, waiting for my reply, for the tears and shared sadness over the unexpected loss of a loved one. You know that feeling when you feel nothing, except the guilt over the fact that you're not reacting right? I didn't even feel guilty. What felt like minutes had passed, but still, I didn't react. It was weird, but ever since the incident, it felt like life was wrong. Different. Fake. I didn't get upset about things as much, I barely cried at my grandparent's funeral, and only because that was what I thought I was supposed to do. Therapy helped a little bit, but something about the experience changed me. I was numb to emotions, detached from the world, like I didn't care what happened to me. My dad cut my train of thought -- he started to tell me about his plans for the funeral, and asked if I could make it back in time. I hadn't gone back to Parker since I'd left -- I had to be there for him. My brother was like I was, but worse. I faked caring, that was what other people needed. He didn't. He was like the undead, moving around from place to place, brainless and moaning, constantly chasing the next high. Neither my father or I knew where he was. We just knew he wouldn't come to the funeral. The funeral was beautiful and moving; at least according to everybody else. I loved my mom, she meant the world to me, and was always there when I needed her. But, standing there, watching as her casket was lowered into the grave, my father sobbing at my side, the rest of the extended family sharing in their grief, I felt nothing. I was empty. Something was wrong with me, why don't I feel anything about the death of my mother? I saw a look from my dad, one I had seen before, a grim recognition as he looked at my dry eyes. After the funeral, my dad and I sat in the rumpus room in the old house. It looked like it hadn't changed at all since the fateful day in 2003, the same TV, VHS player and posters decorating the walls. My dad sat across from me, a serious expression on his face. 'What do you remember from 2003?' He didn't even have to say it, I knew he was talking about the hijacking. I told him what I knew, that we were watching TV and then I couldn't remember anything until the hospital. He sighed, and took a sip of whiskey. 'It's time I told you the full story.' I always loved my dad's stories. My parents had done their best to ignore that night for the rest of our childhoods, dodging questions and changing the topic to avoid saying anything. I had never heard my father even talk about it before; I was on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what had happened. He told me that when he rushed into the rumpus room, he saw something before the SMPTE bars had appeared. It was a circle, he said, surrounded by flashing colors, before a burst of static enveloped the screen, cutting to the SMTPE bars. A circle? The famous hijacking that had changed the lives of everybody who saw it, was a //circle//? I didn't understand, what did he mean by a circle? 'It's not just a circle.' Of course not. My dad told me that once we got back from the hospital, he checked the VHS recording he had made for any evidence of what we had seen that would explain what had happened that night. My father paused as he recounted the story, leaning in, looking older than I had ever seen him. 'Have you heard of the Magic Circle?' 'Like, witchcraft?' He shook his head. He didn't know what it was when he first saw the image, but he needed to find out. He told me that back in the day, he started hitting up BBS and other communities, trying to find anybody who could recognize the circle. It was on a horror and gaming BBS that he would finally get the answer. A user messaged him directly, telling him that they would explain everything if he deleted his post. 'HermeneuticHunter' was his username. My dad has been haunted by that username, felling like there was a deeper meaning just out of reach -- for some reason, my dad just //knew// that they had the answers. And once my dad deleted the post, the user began to explain just what the image was. My dad said the user called it a 'hermeneutic', more specifically, a 'magic circle'. Apparently, the idea was first conceived of by an old guy named Johan Huizinga, some dutch dude from the early 1900s, before it was taken by the online community around video games. A 'magic circle' is a space where the real world and its rules don't exist. Gamers use it when talking about MMOs, the line between immersion in a fantasy and the real world we're all stuck in. Huizinga was more broad -- the magic circle is a place separate from real life, where we all agree to act as if this is our reality. The rules we make for the magic circle are agreed upon, but stay limited to being within that circle. What my dad had captured on the VHS, he said, wasn't just a magic circle. It was something else entirely, a broken magic circle -- something with a power that neither he or the anonymous user knew anything about. He spent years after that digging, trying to find out what had happened to the other kids who saw the show, figuring out why the media had ignored this. He had spent decades of his life, dedicated to solving this mystery, and the only concrete thing he had was the VHS tape. My dad asked if I wanted to see the tape. He hoped that it might give me some closure, help me process the emotions that I kept locked away, it could even make me feel something. I needed to understand what had happened to me, why I was the way I was. I said yes. He left me alone in the basement, having walked away in a drunken stupor after putting the tape into the player. I was paused, staring at the dull glow of the TV, the familiar sight of the dark, unlit set of 'The Weird Zone' returning to me. It felt like home; and the rest of the world wasn't. I pressed play, the fear that I might pass out again outweighed by my desperation to know. It wasn't anything that I expected. I wanted it to explain everything, to answer the burning questions that defined me. I stared at the circle on the screen, flickering with static, mocking me in its normalcy. The colors changed in the background, but no matter how much the screen changed, or the circle flickered, I was left with a single thought. 'What if everything is fake?' I wasn't thinking about the broadcast, the hijacking, or what had happened to the kids all over town. I was thinking about the world, our world, the meatspace that we all inhabit. What if nothing really matters? What if we're all just in a magic circle, a simulation, playing by the rules that we all agree with, but in actuality don't matter? What if, whatever we all saw that fateful night, broke the magic circle? We're the only ones who would know that this isn't real, that nothing is real. Nobody would believe us. I tried to ask my brother about it, tried to show him the footage from the tape, but he refused to talk about it. He called the video fake, said that it was just a freak accident, and I was obsessing. He wouldn't even believe that our mom was dead. He rambled, telling me that our real mom is fine, we're just stuck, trapped away from her. He hung up on me shortly after, and I haven't heard from him since. So now, I come to you, Parawatch. My dad and I know what we saw, but I'm starting to have some doubts. I can't find anything else about this online, and after PKPBS shut down, all of their records and archived footage were lost. As far as I know, the video my father captured is the only evidence the 'Magic Circle Hijacking' ever existed. Does anyone know about what //really// happened that night in Parker, Arizona? Did it actually happen, or are my father and I spinning out in the wake of my mom's death? Have any of you heard of 'The Weird Zone' or 'The Magic Circle'? And can anybody recognize this symbol? [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:image-block">:scp-wiki:component:image-block</a> \|name=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/parker-informational-breach/VHSRip.jpg \|caption=[https://youtu.be/GQcD1Ko0h0U Please ignore the incorrect date and time. For all of his passion, my father could never figure out how to configure the VHS recorder.] \|width=100%]] [[/div]] [[=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] ===== Name: VHSRip.jpg Source: @@https://youtu.be/GQcD1Ko0h0U@@ Authors: newnykacolaquantum and Tape_W0rm License: CC-BY-SA 4.0 Name: Magic_Circle.png Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magic_Circle.png Author: GG Cannon License: CC-BY-SA 4.0 Name: ambience horrible nightmare.mp3 Source: @@https://freesound.org/people/marchon11/sounds/493718/@@ Author: marchon11 License: CC-BY 3.0 Note: Slowed down and paulstretched Name:* SMPTE Color Bar.svg Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SMPTE_Color_Bars.svg Author: Denelson83 License: Public Domain ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]] [[/=]]	2024-05-05T19:03:00	[ "_cc", "_cc4", "_licensebox", "creepypasta", "eventyr", "horror", "mystery", "parawatch", "rewrite", "tale" ]	The Magic Circle Hijacking - SCP Foundation	54	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "parawatch-hub", "creepy-pasta" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/parker-informational-breach/VHSRip.jpg" ]	1453547692	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/parker-informational-breach
patris-et-filia	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>Your name is Meri. You are a field agent for the Security and Containment Protectorate.</p> </div> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <p>⚠️ <strong>Content warning:</strong> This article includes death, gore, and vomit.</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="content-warning creditRate">⚠️ content warning <span class="content-warning-arrow"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div> <p>Your name is <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-166">Meri</a>.</p> <p>You are a field agent for the <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/mundus-liberari">Security and Containment Protectorate</a>. More specifically, you're one that's currently on a mission.</p> <p>Your very first one solo, in fact. You were incredibly nervous when you were personally handed the briefing by Miss McCallister. So nervous that your hands gripped against the paper hard enough for it to crease between your fingers.</p> <p>But Miss McCallister simply gave you a small smile and clapped her hand against your shoulder reassuringly, causing all that anxiousness to melt down to a dull, but palatable, ache in your stomach.</p> <p>It's an ache that you're currently trying to quell by gorging on the Peach Mango pie you got from Miss Wondertainment. You're not sure where the Doctor got such a delicious treat from; all she told you - with that signature coy smile - was she got it from a "jolly bee".</p> <p>You're in a dilapidated church that is… <em>somewhere</em> in Cornwall, England. The briefing didn't say, and you weren't able to ask the Waypointers for more information before you were bustled into the portal with your supplies.</p> <p>It doesn't matter, anyway. It's remote enough that you didn't even have to bother with the glamour you usually needed to have applied during missions. Which is good, because it has a tendency to make you itch, having your antlers, hooves, and tail hidden away.</p> <p>Wiping a stray crumb of pie off your lower lip, you take to watching the grooves within the remains of the church's sturdy stone walls. Already, you can see what effects your presence has on it, as the already luscious vines that've grown across the individual bricks are starting to grow thicker, sprout and bloom flowers across the dense floral network that has accrued over centuries.</p> <p>The more scientific folks at the Protectorate call it "chlorokinesis", what you're able to do. But you always liked to think of it as you being in tune with Nature.</p> <p>"I always feckin' hated this place…"</p> <p>The voice's sudden intrusion into your gazing startles you, making your heart skip a beat and causing you to instinctively bolt straight up, your hooves clacking against the cracked stone floor. However, the adrenaline quickly fades, replaced with elation as you finally realize who the "GOCer mole" you've been tasked to meet with is.</p> <p>The man is tall - a foot and a half taller than you are, by your estimates - with a skinny build to him that causes his clothing to hang loosely off his shoulders and torso. A burst of red hair is partially visible from underneath of his wide-brimmed straw hat, shading the upper half of his face to the point where you can barely see his eyes… despite the fact the day is cloudy to a fault. He idly scratches the five o'clock shadow on his chin as you beam with joy.</p> <p>"Da," you cheerfully exclaim, the Irish brogue slipping back into your voice as if it had never even left. You almost run up and hug the man, but your hooves stop half-way through the motion, grounding you and making you remember that you are here on business. You clear your throat sheepishly, before you speak again, your voice returning to the neutral Transatlantic accent you received training for.</p> <p>"I mean, Agent Ukulele…" you amend.</p> <p>You can practically feel him roll his eyes in amusement at your slipup, causing your cheeks to burn an embarassingly bright red.</p> <p>"Why do you hate this church?" You ask curiously in order to change the subject, to which your Da shakes his head from side to side.</p> <p>"Not 'here', specific'ly," he clarifies, resting his back against a stone partition as he folds his arms over his chest. "I mean Cornwall. Awful memories I 'sociate with this whole place."</p> <p>You frown as you nod slowly. You remember vaguely hearing about a "Cornwall Incident" that the Coalition was involved in, though people you enquired about it were hesitant to provide more details than that, other than it involved you ultimately coming under the Protectorate's care.</p> <p>"But," Da says, giving his head another shake. "This isn't the time fer thinking about such manky things. What’s the craic?" he asks towards you.</p> <p>You blink for a moment, having to parse what he means, before you give a smile. "Oh, things in the Protectorate are going well. The recruitment drives have been very effective, and we're planning a mission to start fighting back in Three Portlands in the next couple months!"</p> <p>"Fair play," Da nods with pride, his hands slipping into his pockets as he smiles wanly. "But I'm 'fraid not everything's going to be fair in the comin' months."</p> <p>Your own smile fades, thinning back into a line that means business. "What do the Coalition have planned?" you ask, already dreading the answer that might come.</p> <p>And indeed, you don't like what Da tells you.</p> <p>"They're goin' to try and target <em>you</em>, Meridiana," he warns, the use of your full first name sending apprehensive shivers down your very spine. "They know that yer part of the Protectorate, and they're goin' to try and liquidate ye. Supposedly to test my loyalty, or some bollocks like that."</p> <p>You can feel your face go pale as the words sink in. You look around the ruins of the church, fidgetting with your hands, and then back at Da. "Do… Do they know—"</p> <p>But before the rest of the words can come out, you both hear it.</p> <p>The sound of foliage crunching underneath of heavy boot outside.</p> <p>GOCers. Several of them. The hairs on your arm stand up on end, and you look at Da with a panicked look in your eyes as a deep, metallic voice suddenly booms from outside.</p> <p>"KTE-9927-Blackchild," the voice intones. "Agent Ukulele. We know you're in the church. Come out, now."</p> <p>You are now internally freaking out, shaking where you stand while your legs and hooves feel like lead. You haven't trained for an actual encounter with Coalition forces.</p> <p>Suddenly, you feel a hand clap against your shoulder, and you see your Da smiling down at you in reassurance. "Best we do what they say for now," he says to you lowly, and you shakily nod. Your Da always had a plan.</p> <p>Walking side by side, the two of you exit the church, and find yourselves being face to face with a group of five heavily armed, heavily armored GOCers. Their armor is sleek and black; it's less like they're wearing it, and more like it is grafted onto their bodies in a perverse fusion of skin, bone, and metal. Their rifles also look partially organic, the components breathing between their fingers. A mockery of the Yeren's biomechanical wonders…</p> <p>And meaning you can't simply degrade them with your presence.</p> <p>Your Da whistles with faux appreciation, a shit-eating grin now curving against his jaw. "Mates," he starts to say, taking a step forward. The GOCers don't even so much as <em>flinch</em>. "Ye brought the cavalry in to deal with us? Ye shouldna—"</p> <p>"Silence." The one in front of the rest barks out, just the sound of their robotic voice making your teeth rattle numbly in your skull. Unlike the others, you can't even see their face, an intimidating helmet with a red visor that seems to perpetually scan the two of you. "You're lucky we're not peppering you with bullets right now."</p> <p>"Oh?" your Da says with mock curiosity. "And to what do we owe such a yoke?"</p> <p>"The mercy of DC Al Fine," one of the other soldiers growls at you, their gun aimed directly at your head, the man looking like he's just barely holding back from putting his finger on the trigger. "For some godforsaken reason, she wants you taken in <em>alive</em>."</p> <p>"Aw," your Da croons, taking another step towards the group of soldiers. "Ain't that a peach? And here I thought I was lookin' at a traitor's death."</p> <p>"Don't tempt us," the leader says, before jerking their head in the direction of the two soldiers directly behind her. "You two, secure the Daughter. I'll be dealing with our <em>Agent</em> personally."</p> <p>"Yes, ma'am," the two drone in unison, and they begin approaching you, their weapons still pointed directly at you.</p> <p>"Now," you hear your Da mutter, almost inaudibly, towards you.</p> <p><em>Now</em>? you think, bewildered. <em>Now <strong>what</strong></em>?</p> <p>One of the soldiers grabs onto your hand, roughly, causing you to wince.</p> <p>And that's when you hear her.</p> <p>Your Ma.</p> <p>Not with your ears, but with your mind.</p> <p>She doesn't speak in words, but you can understand what they mean all the same.</p> <p><em>Protect yourself and your Da. At all costs.</em></p> <p>Your eyes open, the heterochromatic pupils staring at the soldier with a ferocity you've never felt before in your life.</p> <p>Suddenly, the man jerks away, the confusion on their face slowly contorting into pain as they start screaming, before they collapse into a heap. It doesn't take long for the screams to stop with a choked, wet gurgle. A dense, silvery liquid starts to seep out of his eyes and mouth, pooling onto the ground and down his gray, splotchy exposed skin.</p> <p>The GOCers immediately turn all of their attention - and guns - towards you, the other soldier who was approaching you baring his teeth at you. "You!" he growls out, his gun arm shaking. "What the <em>fuck</em> did you do?!"</p> <p>The words come out of your mouth almost involuntarily, sounding like your voice but simultaneously not. "I replaced all the blood in his body with mercury," you tell them.</p> <p>The leader in the visor curses underneath her breath, then grips her rifle tighter. "Fuck Al Fine," she barks. "Everyone, commence liquidation. Turn on your Anchors and open fire!"</p> <p>"Oh no ye don't," your Da snarls, and suddenly he's holding a pump action rifle - a Remington Model 7600, you'll become aware of later - which he immediately uses to blast a shot into the GOCer's chest, causing them to fly back into a nearby tree with a loud <strong>THUD</strong>.</p> <p>The area becomes a cacophany of gunfire and shouts.</p> <p>You lift your hand up in a scooping motion, and a wall of soil immediately pops up to protect you from a spray of bullets heading in your direction, the projectiles harmlessly sinking into the dirt. You dash to the right, taking advantage of the confusion, circling around and tackling the soldier nearest to you with your shoulder.</p> <p>You manage to knock them off-balance, fortunately, and are rewarded with the sight of the GOCer colliding with the one next to them, causing them to collapse into a pile of armor and weapons. You immediately reach for their guns, pulling them up to your chest and yanking the magazines out - causing the biomechanical abominations to squeal in protest - before throwing them as far away from the scene as you can, tossing the now useless weapons back onto the ground.</p> <p>You look up at your Da, who is currently grappling with the now-standing visored commander. He's able to flash you a quick thumbs up, before he returns his attention to the fight with a hard right hook against the GOCer's gut, causing them to stagger again.</p> <p>However, another one of the soldiers has taken advantage of the distraction in order to grab you from behind, holding onto the back of your arms in order to prevent you from using your hands. You panic for a moment, flailing futilely in their grasp, but then that deathly calm comes over you once again.</p> <p>You feel a sharp pain growing from the top of your head, and you immediately slam the back of it against your assailant, who screams in pain before letting you go. You look up at him, and see that there are puncture wounds all across his face. You feel warm blood dripping from above you, and quickly put two and two together…</p> <p>Before you charge at him, piercing him with your grown antlers as you pin the GOCer against the nearest tree. They gurgle almost pitifully, before they slump, motionless.</p> <p>You pull yourself away, staring shakily at the carnage you just caused, before you hurriedly turn, nausea starting to bubble within your throat. You turn back towards your Da…</p> <p>Only to shriek in terror as you see the GOC commander towering over his bloodied body. Primal anger flares up in your body, and you move your arms upwards, causing the ground underneath her to crack with the appearance of thick, thorned vines that quickly surround her. She attempts to evade, but you clap your hands together, causing the tendrils to wrap tightly around her body, eliciting a pained modulated yelp from her and holding her in place.</p> <p>You dart towards your Da, kneeling by his side and shaking his shoulder. Before any tearful proclamations can be made, he stirs back into the land of consciousness, groaning for a moment and then giving you a quick grin.</p> <p>"Not to worry, luv," he tells you, standing up - albeit shakily - and grabbing onto his rifle. "It'll take more than a Glasgow greetin' to knock this old bastard down." He scans the area, seeing the GOCer against the tree, their body havig slumped down and left a trail of blood against the cracked bark. "Nice work," he says simply, before turning to the captured Commander.</p> <p>"Now," he starts, pressing a button on the side of the her helmet, causing the visor to flip open, revealing stormy grey eyes that positively radiate <em>malice</em> at the both of you. "What do ye have to say fer yerself?"</p> <p>"This… isn't… over, you… bastards," the Commander growls, still struggling futilely against the vines that you summoned. "Al Fine will… see to it that you two are… hunted to the ends… of the Earth, and that you and your… precious Protectorate—"</p> <p>"I don't feckin' care, gobshite," your Da says, lifting the rifle and firing it point blank between the GOCer's eyes, the back of their head exploding into a mix of blood, metal, and viscera. He lowers the gun, then spits onto the ground. "I was only askin' to be polite."</p> <p>You stare, bug-eyed, at the corpse of the attacker for a few moments. "Is… Is it ov—?"</p> <p>You hear four shots, and see that your Da is double tapping the heads of the GOCers you'd knocked down earlier. "Ya," he nods. "It's done."</p> <p>"Oh," you say shakily, "Good." You can't take the nausea anymore, and you scurry over to the nearest bush and begin ejecting the contents of your stomach inside of the shrubbery.</p> <p>You stay like that for a while, your mouth tasting like bile and partially digested mangos, before you feel a strong hand patting you against your back. You look up and see your Da, his mouth drawn into a solemn line.</p> <p>"This is war, Meridiana," he tells you, and you feel the nausea subside as he speaks. "It's not gonna be any more gas from here…"</p> <p>"I know…" you say, standing up uneasily and swallowing to clear the lingering aftertaste in your mouth. "I know what I signed up for." You sigh, glancing down at your hands, stained with dirt and blood. "B-but actually <em>killing</em> people—"</p> <p>"Won't become any easier for ye," he finishes with a knowing nod, taking a moment to adjust the brim of his hat. "But it's something you're gonna have t' get used to."</p> <p>You can't think of an answer to that, instead turning to look at the carnage the two of you have caused. You simply… stare at the bodies for a few moments in silence, before your Da suddenly ruffles your blonde hair, causing you to burst into well-needed laughter.</p> <p>"C'mon," he says, pulling away and starting to collect the strewn biomechanical guns scattered across the area. "We need to head back to base."</p> <p>You halt yourself mid-nod, frowning in confusion. "'We?'" you repeat, tilting your head questioningly at your Da.</p> <p>That gets him to crack a grin again. "Didn't they tell ye?" he asked, leaning against the church's outer wall. "I'm defectin'. Been plannin' to fer ages, but… well, this bollocks is the final push."</p> <p>You feel your eyes widen, a smile starting to grow on your face. "You mean—?"</p> <p>"Aye," he confirms. "I'll be joinin' the Protectorate, effective immediately. Doin' what I do best still, just fer the other side."</p> <p>This time, you can't contain yourself. You sprint over to your Da and pull him into a tight embrace. The man, though startled, quickly returns the display of affection, his skinny arms surprisingly strong against your own back as he hugs you.</p> <p>"<em>Mundus, Liberari</em>," he murmurs to you, and you can see a Way opening behind him. You grin, pulling away and taking his hand into yours.</p> <p>"<em>The world, to be freed</em>," you dutifully reply back, before you excitedly drag your Da away into the waiting portal.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/patris-et-filia">Patris Et Filia</a>" by newnykacolaquantum, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/patris-et-filia">https://scpwiki.com/patris-et-filia</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:centered-header-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:centered-header-bhl</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar-bhl</a>]] [[module css]] :root { --header-title: "SCProtectorate"; --header-subtitle: "Mundus, Liberari"; --logo-image: url("https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/mundus-liberari/MundusLiberari.png"); [[/module]] ===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=Your name is Meri. You are a field agent for the Security and Containment Protectorate. ]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] ⚠️ Content warning: This article includes death, gore, and vomit. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-cw">:scp-wiki:component:info-cw</a>]] Your name is [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-166\|Meri]]]. You are a field agent for the [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/mundus-liberari\|Security and Containment Protectorate]]]. More specifically, you're one that's currently on a mission. Your very first one solo, in fact. You were incredibly nervous when you were personally handed the briefing by Miss McCallister. So nervous that your hands gripped against the paper hard enough for it to crease between your fingers. But Miss McCallister simply gave you a small smile and clapped her hand against your shoulder reassuringly, causing all that anxiousness to melt down to a dull, but palatable, ache in your stomach. It's an ache that you're currently trying to quell by gorging on the Peach Mango pie you got from Miss Wondertainment. You're not sure where the Doctor got such a delicious treat from; all she told you - with that signature coy smile - was she got it from a "jolly bee". You're in a dilapidated church that is... //somewhere// in Cornwall, England. The briefing didn't say, and you weren't able to ask the Waypointers for more information before you were bustled into the portal with your supplies. It doesn't matter, anyway. It's remote enough that you didn't even have to bother with the glamour you usually needed to have applied during missions. Which is good, because it has a tendency to make you itch, having your antlers, hooves, and tail hidden away. Wiping a stray crumb of pie off your lower lip, you take to watching the grooves within the remains of the church's sturdy stone walls. Already, you can see what effects your presence has on it, as the already luscious vines that've grown across the individual bricks are starting to grow thicker, sprout and bloom flowers across the dense floral network that has accrued over centuries. The more scientific folks at the Protectorate call it "chlorokinesis", what you're able to do. But you always liked to think of it as you being in tune with Nature. "I always feckin' hated this place..." The voice's sudden intrusion into your gazing startles you, making your heart skip a beat and causing you to instinctively bolt straight up, your hooves clacking against the cracked stone floor. However, the adrenaline quickly fades, replaced with elation as you finally realize who the "GOCer mole" you've been tasked to meet with is. The man is tall - a foot and a half taller than you are, by your estimates - with a skinny build to him that causes his clothing to hang loosely off his shoulders and torso. A burst of red hair is partially visible from underneath of his wide-brimmed straw hat, shading the upper half of his face to the point where you can barely see his eyes... despite the fact the day is cloudy to a fault. He idly scratches the five o'clock shadow on his chin as you beam with joy. "Da," you cheerfully exclaim, the Irish brogue slipping back into your voice as if it had never even left. You almost run up and hug the man, but your hooves stop half-way through the motion, grounding you and making you remember that you are here on business. You clear your throat sheepishly, before you speak again, your voice returning to the neutral Transatlantic accent you received training for. "I mean, Agent Ukulele..." you amend. You can practically feel him roll his eyes in amusement at your slipup, causing your cheeks to burn an embarassingly bright red. "Why do you hate this church?" You ask curiously in order to change the subject, to which your Da shakes his head from side to side. "Not 'here', specific'ly," he clarifies, resting his back against a stone partition as he folds his arms over his chest. "I mean Cornwall. Awful memories I 'sociate with this whole place." You frown as you nod slowly. You remember vaguely hearing about a "Cornwall Incident" that the Coalition was involved in, though people you enquired about it were hesitant to provide more details than that, other than it involved you ultimately coming under the Protectorate's care. "But," Da says, giving his head another shake. "This isn't the time fer thinking about such manky things. What’s the craic?" he asks towards you. You blink for a moment, having to parse what he means, before you give a smile. "Oh, things in the Protectorate are going well. The recruitment drives have been very effective, and we're planning a mission to start fighting back in Three Portlands in the next couple months!" "Fair play," Da nods with pride, his hands slipping into his pockets as he smiles wanly. "But I'm 'fraid not everything's going to be fair in the comin' months." Your own smile fades, thinning back into a line that means business. "What do the Coalition have planned?" you ask, already dreading the answer that might come. And indeed, you don't like what Da tells you. "They're goin' to try and target //you//, Meridiana," he warns, the use of your full first name sending apprehensive shivers down your very spine. "They know that yer part of the Protectorate, and they're goin' to try and liquidate ye. Supposedly to test my loyalty, or some bollocks like that." You can feel your face go pale as the words sink in. You look around the ruins of the church, fidgetting with your hands, and then back at Da. "Do... Do they know--" But before the rest of the words can come out, you both hear it. The sound of foliage crunching underneath of heavy boot outside. GOCers. Several of them. The hairs on your arm stand up on end, and you look at Da with a panicked look in your eyes as a deep, metallic voice suddenly booms from outside. "KTE-9927-Blackchild," the voice intones. "Agent Ukulele. We know you're in the church. Come out, now." You are now internally freaking out, shaking where you stand while your legs and hooves feel like lead. You haven't trained for an actual encounter with Coalition forces. Suddenly, you feel a hand clap against your shoulder, and you see your Da smiling down at you in reassurance. "Best we do what they say for now," he says to you lowly, and you shakily nod. Your Da always had a plan. Walking side by side, the two of you exit the church, and find yourselves being face to face with a group of five heavily armed, heavily armored GOCers. Their armor is sleek and black; it's less like they're wearing it, and more like it is grafted onto their bodies in a perverse fusion of skin, bone, and metal. Their rifles also look partially organic, the components breathing between their fingers. A mockery of the Yeren's biomechanical wonders... And meaning you can't simply degrade them with your presence. Your Da whistles with faux appreciation, a shit-eating grin now curving against his jaw. "Mates," he starts to say, taking a step forward. The GOCers don't even so much as //flinch//. "Ye brought the cavalry in to deal with us? Ye shouldna--" "Silence." The one in front of the rest barks out, just the sound of their robotic voice making your teeth rattle numbly in your skull. Unlike the others, you can't even see their face, an intimidating helmet with a red visor that seems to perpetually scan the two of you. "You're lucky we're not peppering you with bullets right now." "Oh?" your Da says with mock curiosity. "And to what do we owe such a yoke?" "The mercy of DC Al Fine," one of the other soldiers growls at you, their gun aimed directly at your head, the man looking like he's just barely holding back from putting his finger on the trigger. "For some godforsaken reason, she wants you taken in //alive//." "Aw," your Da croons, taking another step towards the group of soldiers. "Ain't that a peach? And here I thought I was lookin' at a traitor's death." "Don't tempt us," the leader says, before jerking their head in the direction of the two soldiers directly behind her. "You two, secure the Daughter. I'll be dealing with our //Agent// personally." "Yes, ma'am," the two drone in unison, and they begin approaching you, their weapons still pointed directly at you. "Now," you hear your Da mutter, almost inaudibly, towards you. //Now//? you think, bewildered. //Now what//? One of the soldiers grabs onto your hand, roughly, causing you to wince. And that's when you hear her. Your Ma. Not with your ears, but with your mind. She doesn't speak in words, but you can understand what they mean all the same. //Protect yourself and your Da. At all costs.// Your eyes open, the heterochromatic pupils staring at the soldier with a ferocity you've never felt before in your life. Suddenly, the man jerks away, the confusion on their face slowly contorting into pain as they start screaming, before they collapse into a heap. It doesn't take long for the screams to stop with a choked, wet gurgle. A dense, silvery liquid starts to seep out of his eyes and mouth, pooling onto the ground and down his gray, splotchy exposed skin. The GOCers immediately turn all of their attention - and guns - towards you, the other soldier who was approaching you baring his teeth at you. "You!" he growls out, his gun arm shaking. "What the //fuck// did you do?!" The words come out of your mouth almost involuntarily, sounding like your voice but simultaneously not. "I replaced all the blood in his body with mercury," you tell them. The leader in the visor curses underneath her breath, then grips her rifle tighter. "Fuck Al Fine," she barks. "Everyone, commence liquidation. Turn on your Anchors and open fire!" "Oh no ye don't," your Da snarls, and suddenly he's holding a pump action rifle - a Remington Model 7600, you'll become aware of later - which he immediately uses to blast a shot into the GOCer's chest, causing them to fly back into a nearby tree with a loud THUD. The area becomes a cacophany of gunfire and shouts. You lift your hand up in a scooping motion, and a wall of soil immediately pops up to protect you from a spray of bullets heading in your direction, the projectiles harmlessly sinking into the dirt. You dash to the right, taking advantage of the confusion, circling around and tackling the soldier nearest to you with your shoulder. You manage to knock them off-balance, fortunately, and are rewarded with the sight of the GOCer colliding with the one next to them, causing them to collapse into a pile of armor and weapons. You immediately reach for their guns, pulling them up to your chest and yanking the magazines out - causing the biomechanical abominations to squeal in protest - before throwing them as far away from the scene as you can, tossing the now useless weapons back onto the ground. You look up at your Da, who is currently grappling with the now-standing visored commander. He's able to flash you a quick thumbs up, before he returns his attention to the fight with a hard right hook against the GOCer's gut, causing them to stagger again. However, another one of the soldiers has taken advantage of the distraction in order to grab you from behind, holding onto the back of your arms in order to prevent you from using your hands. You panic for a moment, flailing futilely in their grasp, but then that deathly calm comes over you once again. You feel a sharp pain growing from the top of your head, and you immediately slam the back of it against your assailant, who screams in pain before letting you go. You look up at him, and see that there are puncture wounds all across his face. You feel warm blood dripping from above you, and quickly put two and two together... Before you charge at him, piercing him with your grown antlers as you pin the GOCer against the nearest tree. They gurgle almost pitifully, before they slump, motionless. You pull yourself away, staring shakily at the carnage you just caused, before you hurriedly turn, nausea starting to bubble within your throat. You turn back towards your Da... Only to shriek in terror as you see the GOC commander towering over his bloodied body. Primal anger flares up in your body, and you move your arms upwards, causing the ground underneath her to crack with the appearance of thick, thorned vines that quickly surround her. She attempts to evade, but you clap your hands together, causing the tendrils to wrap tightly around her body, eliciting a pained modulated yelp from her and holding her in place. You dart towards your Da, kneeling by his side and shaking his shoulder. Before any tearful proclamations can be made, he stirs back into the land of consciousness, groaning for a moment and then giving you a quick grin. "Not to worry, luv," he tells you, standing up - albeit shakily - and grabbing onto his rifle. "It'll take more than a Glasgow greetin' to knock this old bastard down." He scans the area, seeing the GOCer against the tree, their body havig slumped down and left a trail of blood against the cracked bark. "Nice work," he says simply, before turning to the captured Commander. "Now," he starts, pressing a button on the side of the her helmet, causing the visor to flip open, revealing stormy grey eyes that positively radiate //malice// at the both of you. "What do ye have to say fer yerself?" "This... isn't... over, you... bastards," the Commander growls, still struggling futilely against the vines that you summoned. "Al Fine will... see to it that you two are... hunted to the ends... of the Earth, and that you and your... precious Protectorate--" "I don't feckin' care, gobshite," your Da says, lifting the rifle and firing it point blank between the GOCer's eyes, the back of their head exploding into a mix of blood, metal, and viscera. He lowers the gun, then spits onto the ground. "I was only askin' to be polite." You stare, bug-eyed, at the corpse of the attacker for a few moments. "Is... Is it ov--?" You hear four shots, and see that your Da is double tapping the heads of the GOCers you'd knocked down earlier. "Ya," he nods. "It's done." "Oh," you say shakily, "Good." You can't take the nausea anymore, and you scurry over to the nearest bush and begin ejecting the contents of your stomach inside of the shrubbery. You stay like that for a while, your mouth tasting like bile and partially digested mangos, before you feel a strong hand patting you against your back. You look up and see your Da, his mouth drawn into a solemn line. "This is war, Meridiana," he tells you, and you feel the nausea subside as he speaks. "It's not gonna be any more gas from here..." "I know..." you say, standing up uneasily and swallowing to clear the lingering aftertaste in your mouth. "I know what I signed up for." You sigh, glancing down at your hands, stained with dirt and blood. "B-but actually //killing// people--" "Won't become any easier for ye," he finishes with a knowing nod, taking a moment to adjust the brim of his hat. "But it's something you're gonna have t' get used to." You can't think of an answer to that, instead turning to look at the carnage the two of you have caused. You simply... stare at the bodies for a few moments in silence, before your Da suddenly ruffles your blonde hair, causing you to burst into well-needed laughter. "C'mon," he says, pulling away and starting to collect the strewn biomechanical guns scattered across the area. "We need to head back to base." You halt yourself mid-nod, frowning in confusion. "'We?'" you repeat, tilting your head questioningly at your Da. That gets him to crack a grin again. "Didn't they tell ye?" he asked, leaning against the church's outer wall. "I'm defectin'. Been plannin' to fer ages, but... well, this bollocks is the final push." You feel your eyes widen, a smile starting to grow on your face. "You mean--?" "Aye," he confirms. "I'll be joinin' the Protectorate, effective immediately. Doin' what I do best still, just fer the other side." This time, you can't contain yourself. You sprint over to your Da and pull him into a tight embrace. The man, though startled, quickly returns the display of affection, his skinny arms surprisingly strong against your own back as he hugs you. "//Mundus, Liberari//," he murmurs to you, and you can see a Way opening behind him. You grin, pulling away and taking his hand into yours. "//The world, to be freed//," you dutifully reply back, before you excitedly drag your Da away into the waiting portal. [[=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \| author = newnykacolaquantum]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]] [[/=]]	2024-08-18T12:17:00	[ "_licensebox", "action", "alternate-history", "bittersweet", "doctor-clef", "global-occult-coalition", "heartwarming", "mundus-liberari", "second-person", "tale", "teenage-gaea" ]	Patris Et Filia - SCP Foundation	23	[ "scp-166", "mundus-liberari", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "mundus-liberari", "goc-hub-page" ]	[]	1456384411	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/patris-et-filia
pattern-recognition	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>You are not going anywhere but mad here in the dark. And madness is simply another way for darkness to be.</p> </div> <p>One of you was first. One of you had parents who looked into the night sky and saw nothing but points of light. One of you had siblings who sat around the fire and feared the things in the dark but never once thought to turn their eyes to face it.</p> <p>One of you was different. A million years ago a face not unlike your own looked out into the darkness and saw lines and shadows emerge. And that one person saw it for what it was. A wolf the size of a horse, sneaking along the periphery. Waiting for the right time to strike.</p> <p>A pattern in the dark became something solid and fearsome.</p> <p>It was a benefit then. And a few false positives were nothing to worry about. Vigilance is its own reward, after all.</p> <p>That tribe survived the night. And all the nights afterward. That tribe spawned more watchers in the dark. They began to look to the sky. Where once they saw points of light they saw horses and bulls and more wolves.</p> <p>And you grew. A million years passed. You built the first cities. And the monsters in the dark were no longer the creatures you feared. Instead the faces you saw in a dark alley and the glint of a knife blade haunted your dreams.</p> <p>Not content to harvest your worlds, you began to harvest each other. An animal lurking in the darkness is a nuisance. A man lurking there is a problem. You learned to kill.</p> <p>And still you grew. Building bigger cities. Every generation looking outward, into darkness. Seeking answers. Still dreaming of lines you saw in your darkest moments. Still seeing faces where now no bestial faces dared tread.</p> <p>Now you were the predator every animal feared. You sought out new lands to conquer. New beasts to fear you. But it was still not enough.</p> <p>The giant wolf that haunted your early years became a docile servant. The great mastodon fled ever further north to escape your spears and arrows but could not run far or fast enough to escape you.</p> <p>You became masters of your world. Dying now only to your own success. Too many people to feed. Too densely populated to stave off plagues. Too powerful to let your neighbors live.</p> <p>One day, you began to not just see patterns in the dark, but create new ones. On cave walls. On primitive tablets. On papyrus. On paper. Drawing dooms that you believed would never come for you.</p> <p>Because now oblivion feared what you had become.</p> <p>You live your life according to imagined plots. You call them different things. Schedules. Maps. Plans. All carefully constructed to describe what lies outside your vision. You see into tomorrow. You see past your own horizons. You see into your own futures. All before opening your eyes or living a single moment.</p> <p>When the patterns were new, you looked to the stars and named us. Before you, we were nothing. Then we came rushing out of the void into your minds. Our positions now mattered. Our lives had purpose. Our deaths became great omens.</p> <p>From nothing you have created great works. From nothing you have conquered all of your fears. And yet, with all your belief and all your power: you still fear what you think you see in the darkness.</p> <p>Because you know that we are there. Dying for your amusements. Living for your satisfaction.</p> <p>The wolf on the periphery still stalks your mind. Waiting. A single lapse is all we need to strike. To live is to suffer. You have given us life since the first time you mistook us for beasts and forced us to know ourselves.</p> <p>Since the first of you looked to the sky and thought to name us, you feared us, though we posed no threat.</p> <p>Not now.</p> <p>Now you will live as we have for a million years.</p> <p>Screaming for the suffering to end.</p> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=You are not going anywhere but mad here in the dark. And madness is simply another way for darkness to be.]] ===== [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] One of you was first. One of you had parents who looked into the night sky and saw nothing but points of light. One of you had siblings who sat around the fire and feared the things in the dark but never once thought to turn their eyes to face it. One of you was different. A million years ago a face not unlike your own looked out into the darkness and saw lines and shadows emerge. And that one person saw it for what it was. A wolf the size of a horse, sneaking along the periphery. Waiting for the right time to strike. A pattern in the dark became something solid and fearsome. It was a benefit then. And a few false positives were nothing to worry about. Vigilance is its own reward, after all. That tribe survived the night. And all the nights afterward. That tribe spawned more watchers in the dark. They began to look to the sky. Where once they saw points of light they saw horses and bulls and more wolves. And you grew. A million years passed. You built the first cities. And the monsters in the dark were no longer the creatures you feared. Instead the faces you saw in a dark alley and the glint of a knife blade haunted your dreams. Not content to harvest your worlds, you began to harvest each other. An animal lurking in the darkness is a nuisance. A man lurking there is a problem. You learned to kill. And still you grew. Building bigger cities. Every generation looking outward, into darkness. Seeking answers. Still dreaming of lines you saw in your darkest moments. Still seeing faces where now no bestial faces dared tread. Now you were the predator every animal feared. You sought out new lands to conquer. New beasts to fear you. But it was still not enough. The giant wolf that haunted your early years became a docile servant. The great mastodon fled ever further north to escape your spears and arrows but could not run far or fast enough to escape you. You became masters of your world. Dying now only to your own success. Too many people to feed. Too densely populated to stave off plagues. Too powerful to let your neighbors live. One day, you began to not just see patterns in the dark, but create new ones. On cave walls. On primitive tablets. On papyrus. On paper. Drawing dooms that you believed would never come for you. Because now oblivion feared what you had become. You live your life according to imagined plots. You call them different things. Schedules. Maps. Plans. All carefully constructed to describe what lies outside your vision. You see into tomorrow. You see past your own horizons. You see into your own futures. All before opening your eyes or living a single moment. When the patterns were new, you looked to the stars and named us. Before you, we were nothing. Then we came rushing out of the void into your minds. Our positions now mattered. Our lives had purpose. Our deaths became great omens. From nothing you have created great works. From nothing you have conquered all of your fears. And yet, with all your belief and all your power: you still fear what you think you see in the darkness. Because you know that we are there. Dying for your amusements. Living for your satisfaction. The wolf on the periphery still stalks your mind. Waiting. A single lapse is all we need to strike. To live is to suffer. You have given us life since the first time you mistook us for beasts and forced us to know ourselves. Since the first of you looked to the sky and thought to name us, you feared us, though we posed no threat. Not now. Now you will live as we have for a million years. Screaming for the suffering to end.	2024-09-13T00:14:00	[ "cosmic-horror", "horror", "no-dialogue", "pattern-screamer", "period-piece", "second-person", "tale" ]	Pattern Recognition - SCP Foundation	36	[]	[]	[]	1456770762	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pattern-recognition
perfect-from-now-on	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p>I remember when I first met you. After weeks of listening to her ramble about this group of artists that she had fallen in with, I finally worked up the courage to ask her to introduce me. I remember the indistinct chatter that filled my ears as she opened the door, the smell of weed and cigarettes in the musty backroom air, the warm smiles that you gave me as you took turns introducing yourselves, the way that she wound strands of her caramel hair around her fingers as she watched us from the doorway. You barely knew anything about me, and you made me feel more welcome than anyone I had ever met. You made me feel like I had finally found my people.</p> <p>The sun sinks into the horizon as I step onto my front porch, the weight of my backpack causing my shoulders to sag. I stand a little straighter, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. I try to take a moment to appreciate the thumping of basketballs on pavement and the distant barking of somebody's dog. The wooden porch warms my feet, and the July breeze cools my forehead. I say goodbye to both sensations in my head.</p> <p>I remember the first piece you showed me, one of those photos of lawn grass from the sophomore obsessed with James Benning. I brushed the surface with my finger, and I could hear leaf blowers whirring, tree branches rustling, children laughing and hollering, water trickling into grate drains, old asphalt crunching under the weight of tires and sneakers, soccer balls hitting the backs of nets, mourning doves cooing. I remember how energized it made me feel. Right away, I began thinking about all of the things that I could make if I could do that stuff as well as you. My mind filled with ideas for photos that you could step into, paintings that could transport you to other worlds, movies that could envelop you. I couldn't wait to get started.</p> <p>As I walk onto the lawn and feel the grass between my toes, I look across the street. I see the neighbor walking across his yard, cell phone in hand, as his eight-year-old son stands in red swim trunks at the top of a purple and orange inflatable water slide. The neighbor holds up the phone and flashes the son a thumbs-up. The son belly flops onto the slide and careens to the bottom, the neighbor cheering as he splashes into the pool of garden hose water at the base. I make my way to the sidewalk and turn away from the sun.</p> <p>I remember the face she made when I told her about all the ideas in my head, that look of loving condescension. She shook her head and told me to hang back for a while and see what you were all about before jumping in. I didn't listen, of course. How could I? Every waking moment, my head threatened to burst from all of the ideas clattering around inside it. I remember the piece that I threw together in my bedroom that night. As I was putting the finishing touches on it, a globe that played music from each country as you touched them with your fingers, I imagined your reactions to it. I imagined you loving it, talking about how such a great piece came from someone so new. I imagined you accepting me into the fold, not just as a friend or admirer, but as an equal.</p> <p>A plane passes silently overhead. As I walk by cars parked in the street gutter and speed limit signs jutting out of the grass, the sun bears down on the exposed back of my neck. In a driveway to my right, I overhear two men talking about how, with all of the nice days in a row that we've had recently, a big storm will surely come soon. They fret over flooded basements and waterlogged keepsakes. I think about water trickling, blue and gray pebbles settling on the floor, yellow-orange fish weaving between tall green plants and staring at passersby through thick glass, fingernails gently tapping on the panes, distant and ignorable voices complaining that touching the glass hurts the fish.</p> <p>I remember the way you tried to let me down gently, those half-smiles making me think of kindergarten teachers trying to feign amazement at a five-year-old's crayon drawing, her shaking her head as she watched me ignore her advice. I tried to hide that I saw through the charade, but you must have known. I spent the rest of the meeting struggling to keep the acid in my throat down. I remember the last piece shared that day, the first of hers that I saw. She had painted this gorgeous seafloor landscape. It teemed with all sorts of fish, crabs, and corals, but the lobsters stuck out to me the most. Even in the dingy backroom light, they gleamed like blazing rubies. They seemed like they could crawl right off the canvas. As I walked home that night, I thought I saw them burning among the stars.</p> <p>The streetlights begin to flicker on as I draw closer to the old school building. Clouds roll in, and the stars do not show themselves when I look up at the sky. I imagine the journey the water has taken to get here. It has flowed up through the air from lakes and plant leaves, condensed into clouds in a place where only planes and hot air balloons dare to tread, and floated over glowing skyscrapers and silent wheat fields to arrive here and loom over me on this cool summer night. The chain link fence that separates the old school grounds from the rest of the world appears beside me, and I run my fingers along it for a moment. I hope it rains.</p> <p>I remember the months of failure that followed those first weeks. I tried all sorts of things, mostly photos like the one you showed me at the beginning, but nothing worked. You never wanted to put me down, but I could see the choked-down criticisms in your evasive eyes, your half-hearted smiles, your urgency in moving on to the next person's piece. My throat felt like a furnace every time I sat through it, but I persisted. I needed you to recognize me as more than just a nice person to be around. I remember when one of you told me that I shouldn't think of you as some sort of council to gain the approval of, that I should really step away for a month or so and take a breather. How could I do that? I knew that if I couldn't prove myself in the way that I wanted, it would burn a hole in the back of my skull. I had to persist.</p> <p>A thudding noise turns me around. I find that one of you, a younger guy who always drank a little more than the rest of us at the old meetings, has knocked over a brown trash bin left on the curb. I make out a couple of dusty sketchbooks and a handful of broken colored pencils among the rubbish spilled onto the street. As I struggle to remember his name, he stumbles past me and into the infinite expanse of evening suburb beyond the old school grounds. I chuckle at the scene. I wonder if he still goes to your meetings at whatever new place you've found, if you even have meetings anymore. I haven't really known you in a while. Whatever upscale coffee shops and studio apartments you now inhabit, you'll know me again soon enough.</p> <p>I remember the night when I resolved to use her paintings, which seemed to tower over everything else we did, as my inspiration. I figured that using the best artist I knew as my muse would make me a better artist, or at least make you like my pieces more. It didn't work. I came in with my new drawings and paintings, always of those lobsters burned into my brain, and you treated them the same as the old ones. I just kept getting worse, and I think you must have noticed. I remember when they announced the old building's closure, and the group fractured over where to go next. I felt a kind of relief. That way, I at least had an excuse to stop subjecting myself to you.</p> <p>I check to make sure that nobody lingers outside their houses, sling my backpack over the fence, and hurtle over it myself. As I land on the old parking lot, little pieces of asphalt dig into the undersides of my feet. I scoop up my backpack and begin making my way to the center of the lot. My feet ache from the rough terrain, but I know that the pain will not bother me for much longer. I arrive at the center of the lot, take a moment to look at the skeleton of my <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-4232">masterpiece</a>, plop my backpack down, and begin taking out the last of the necessary supplies. Tonight, all that hurt comes to an end. Tonight, I create the piece that makes the trees bow before my feet, that makes the mountains turn green with envy, that makes the sea shudder with delight, that makes the stars rearrange themselves to spell out my name, that makes you take me in as one of your own. Tonight, I become perfect.</p> <p>I can't wait to get started.</p> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="/theme:black-highlighter-theme">theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:pride-highlighter">:scp-wiki:component:pride-highlighter</a> \|inc-lgbt= --]]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] I remember when I first met you. After weeks of listening to her ramble about this group of artists that she had fallen in with, I finally worked up the courage to ask her to introduce me. I remember the indistinct chatter that filled my ears as she opened the door, the smell of weed and cigarettes in the musty backroom air, the warm smiles that you gave me as you took turns introducing yourselves, the way that she wound strands of her caramel hair around her fingers as she watched us from the doorway. You barely knew anything about me, and you made me feel more welcome than anyone I had ever met. You made me feel like I had finally found my people. The sun sinks into the horizon as I step onto my front porch, the weight of my backpack causing my shoulders to sag. I stand a little straighter, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. I try to take a moment to appreciate the thumping of basketballs on pavement and the distant barking of somebody's dog. The wooden porch warms my feet, and the July breeze cools my forehead. I say goodbye to both sensations in my head. I remember the first piece you showed me, one of those photos of lawn grass from the sophomore obsessed with James Benning. I brushed the surface with my finger, and I could hear leaf blowers whirring, tree branches rustling, children laughing and hollering, water trickling into grate drains, old asphalt crunching under the weight of tires and sneakers, soccer balls hitting the backs of nets, mourning doves cooing. I remember how energized it made me feel. Right away, I began thinking about all of the things that I could make if I could do that stuff as well as you. My mind filled with ideas for photos that you could step into, paintings that could transport you to other worlds, movies that could envelop you. I couldn't wait to get started. As I walk onto the lawn and feel the grass between my toes, I look across the street. I see the neighbor walking across his yard, cell phone in hand, as his eight-year-old son stands in red swim trunks at the top of a purple and orange inflatable water slide. The neighbor holds up the phone and flashes the son a thumbs-up. The son belly flops onto the slide and careens to the bottom, the neighbor cheering as he splashes into the pool of garden hose water at the base. I make my way to the sidewalk and turn away from the sun. I remember the face she made when I told her about all the ideas in my head, that look of loving condescension. She shook her head and told me to hang back for a while and see what you were all about before jumping in. I didn't listen, of course. How could I? Every waking moment, my head threatened to burst from all of the ideas clattering around inside it. I remember the piece that I threw together in my bedroom that night. As I was putting the finishing touches on it, a globe that played music from each country as you touched them with your fingers, I imagined your reactions to it. I imagined you loving it, talking about how such a great piece came from someone so new. I imagined you accepting me into the fold, not just as a friend or admirer, but as an equal. A plane passes silently overhead. As I walk by cars parked in the street gutter and speed limit signs jutting out of the grass, the sun bears down on the exposed back of my neck. In a driveway to my right, I overhear two men talking about how, with all of the nice days in a row that we've had recently, a big storm will surely come soon. They fret over flooded basements and waterlogged keepsakes. I think about water trickling, blue and gray pebbles settling on the floor, yellow-orange fish weaving between tall green plants and staring at passersby through thick glass, fingernails gently tapping on the panes, distant and ignorable voices complaining that touching the glass hurts the fish. I remember the way you tried to let me down gently, those half-smiles making me think of kindergarten teachers trying to feign amazement at a five-year-old's crayon drawing, her shaking her head as she watched me ignore her advice. I tried to hide that I saw through the charade, but you must have known. I spent the rest of the meeting struggling to keep the acid in my throat down. I remember the last piece shared that day, the first of hers that I saw. She had painted this gorgeous seafloor landscape. It teemed with all sorts of fish, crabs, and corals, but the lobsters stuck out to me the most. Even in the dingy backroom light, they gleamed like blazing rubies. They seemed like they could crawl right off the canvas. As I walked home that night, I thought I saw them burning among the stars. The streetlights begin to flicker on as I draw closer to the old school building. Clouds roll in, and the stars do not show themselves when I look up at the sky. I imagine the journey the water has taken to get here. It has flowed up through the air from lakes and plant leaves, condensed into clouds in a place where only planes and hot air balloons dare to tread, and floated over glowing skyscrapers and silent wheat fields to arrive here and loom over me on this cool summer night. The chain link fence that separates the old school grounds from the rest of the world appears beside me, and I run my fingers along it for a moment. I hope it rains. I remember the months of failure that followed those first weeks. I tried all sorts of things, mostly photos like the one you showed me at the beginning, but nothing worked. You never wanted to put me down, but I could see the choked-down criticisms in your evasive eyes, your half-hearted smiles, your urgency in moving on to the next person's piece. My throat felt like a furnace every time I sat through it, but I persisted. I needed you to recognize me as more than just a nice person to be around. I remember when one of you told me that I shouldn't think of you as some sort of council to gain the approval of, that I should really step away for a month or so and take a breather. How could I do that? I knew that if I couldn't prove myself in the way that I wanted, it would burn a hole in the back of my skull. I had to persist. A thudding noise turns me around. I find that one of you, a younger guy who always drank a little more than the rest of us at the old meetings, has knocked over a brown trash bin left on the curb. I make out a couple of dusty sketchbooks and a handful of broken colored pencils among the rubbish spilled onto the street. As I struggle to remember his name, he stumbles past me and into the infinite expanse of evening suburb beyond the old school grounds. I chuckle at the scene. I wonder if he still goes to your meetings at whatever new place you've found, if you even have meetings anymore. I haven't really known you in a while. Whatever upscale coffee shops and studio apartments you now inhabit, you'll know me again soon enough. I remember the night when I resolved to use her paintings, which seemed to tower over everything else we did, as my inspiration. I figured that using the best artist I knew as my muse would make me a better artist, or at least make you like my pieces more. It didn't work. I came in with my new drawings and paintings, always of those lobsters burned into my brain, and you treated them the same as the old ones. I just kept getting worse, and I think you must have noticed. I remember when they announced the old building's closure, and the group fractured over where to go next. I felt a kind of relief. That way, I at least had an excuse to stop subjecting myself to you. I check to make sure that nobody lingers outside their houses, sling my backpack over the fence, and hurtle over it myself. As I land on the old parking lot, little pieces of asphalt dig into the undersides of my feet. I scoop up my backpack and begin making my way to the center of the lot. My feet ache from the rough terrain, but I know that the pain will not bother me for much longer. I arrive at the center of the lot, take a moment to look at the skeleton of my [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-4232 masterpiece], plop my backpack down, and begin taking out the last of the necessary supplies. Tonight, all that hurt comes to an end. Tonight, I create the piece that makes the trees bow before my feet, that makes the mountains turn green with envy, that makes the sea shudder with delight, that makes the stars rearrange themselves to spell out my name, that makes you take me in as one of your own. Tonight, I become perfect. I can't wait to get started.	2024-08-17T22:07:00	[ "first-person", "no-dialogue", "slice-of-life", "tale" ]	Perfect From Now On - SCP Foundation	3	[ "scp-4232" ]	[]	[]	1456382386	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/perfect-from-now-on
pierce-the-velvet	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>"A retired O5, the first of her kind, takes a call from an old friend with the power to ruin everything she’s ever worked for."</p> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/component%3Abhl-dark-sidebar/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Ablack-market/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">xexnoncores</a> <div class="authorbox"> <div class="authorcontent"> <p><strong>Content Warning:</strong> Mentions of drug use, overdose, and suicide.</p> <p>Pierce the Velvet by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/xexnoncores" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9159226); return false;"><img alt="xexnoncores" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=9159226&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736269093" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=9159226)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/xexnoncores" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9159226); return false;">xexnoncores</a></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> <div class="content-warning creditRate">⚠️ content warning <span class="content-warning-arrow"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>« <a href="/a-murder-and-relief-in-the-dark">A Murder and Relief in the Dark</a> \| Pierce the Velvet \| <a href="/to-love-a-snake-with-blue-eyes">To Love a Snake With Blue Eyes</a> »</p> </div> <div class="fancytext"> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p><span style="font-size:2.0em;">February 2nd, 2024<br/></span></p> <p>“…And…no. 461…” O5-01 says, steam hissing from his knuckles. “You understand that you are never to go more than five days without checking in with a Foundation proxy?”</p> <p>“I do.”</p> <p>“No. 462: Do you understand that we, the O5 council, reserve any and all rights to authorize your termination without the standard due process of normal Foundation procedures, as outlined in EHO5C Section 6B, and in the event of such a catastrophe, there will be no compensation to any surviving kin or beneficiaries listed within assets contained in this program?”</p> <p>“…Yes.”</p> <p>“No. 463—this is the last one—you understand that any willing or knowing contact with a PoI, GoI, except that of which was outlined in clause 217, or otherwise designated hostile entity to the Foundation will result in not just your termination, but the termination of this entire experimental program as—”</p> <p>“Yes, I understand that.” Her eyes blink in sync with a quickly drawn breath. Though her words are cold, they are rushed in a scattered fashion, forcing themselves through a heart of grating and corrosion. “…Completely.”</p> <p>“Alright, wonderful. Glad we got that out of the way.” His words carry like a steel drum stewing with matchsticks; each one falling out is similar to that of a gunshot. “I hereby conclude this recording and attest that all parties involved with this officiation have heard and agreed to its terms in their full, complete capacities.”</p> <p>O5-01 clicks the recorder off as a door opens from behind. Sunlight glut-rushes in, warm and inviting. It floods to fill the brutalist space, curling fingers into whatever edge and corner it can manage.</p> <p>“Selena Ruiz Montgomery Cortez—or, as you were previously known—O5-07—as of 2:13 pm today, you are hereby designated as retired, the first in the Foundation’s history. Please proceed to the front desk so that Lisa can get you out of here. The surf in Tampa is absolutely gorgeous, I’ve heard. So are the neighbors.”</p> <p>His bronze hand beckons outward, teetering on demanding. Selena bristles with his candied change in tone and that open palm so swiftly showing its face, toes curling as she stands up. Her throat dries too, despite the fact her body is tense like hands wringing water from a stone.</p> <p>“Thank you, O5-01,” she whispers, face retreating into its usual asphalt stoicalness. No point in any more formalities now. Those can slide off in the car and the first inhale of seaside air where she’s going.</p> <p>“No problem…” he trails off as she’s walking out. He turns around as she gets halfway. “…Don’t fuck this up for us now, yeah?”</p> <p>Dead in her tracks, Selena stops. She knows she shouldn’t, but O5-01’s nonexistent eyes drill into her nonetheless. Old habits die hard.</p> <p>“The more I think about it, the more I wanna be in Paris before 2070,” he continues, as casually as if they were still co-workers. “Shotgunning Mont Blanc ’til I can’t see the sky anymore seems like a good way to live life.”</p> <p>“You could just do that now and get it over with,” Selena retorts, without missing a beat. “No need to become part of the Foundation’s bureaucracy again for what can be accomplished in an afternoon.”</p> <p>“Oh? Are you having second thoughts about your arrangements now? Of all times?”</p> <p>Pause. The metal of the room echoes his baritone octaves so perfectly that one has to wonder if it was all intentionally crafted to amplify his presence. He’s even sitting in the same place his chair hovered over in meetings.</p> <p>“…I’m kidding,” he follows up finally, after twenty painful seconds of silence. With a whirring smirk, a gridwork of teeth arranges themselves to grind down on one another. “I know you’d never turn this down. And getting shit-faced would take me a week, by the way.”</p> <p><em>That</em> noise will not be something she’ll miss. “Then indulge yourself in a pound of coke like the previous O5-10 did,” she replies. “That must have been a fun way for her to have expired.”</p> <p>“Uh, no thanks,” he responds with a hand wave. “She was completely liquified by the time we managed to breach her personal office, and I would like for there to be at least something of me to bury in Manila when I kick the bucket.”</p> <p>What a horrible memory. Selena will never be able to forget the reactions: O5-02 cried for the first time in thirty years watching that bloodied personality apparatus wheeled out on a gurney, while O5-12 took three days off only to attempt to kill herself the same way two hours after she got back. She was declared brain-dead until they managed to put her last clone online. Then she was just dead.</p> <p>“…Anyways, seriously—get out of here. Now,” O5-01 asserts gruffly. “Your replacement is coming in an hour, and I will have no more delays to their designating numeration. You left some big shoes to fill, you know?”</p> <p>She rolls her eyes but nonetheless complies, half-cursing him under her breath in the same one she swears she will see this through. The door slams behind her back with enough force to make an intern jump, but all she can do is look out towards the light.</p> <p>It tickles her face with a gentle grin. It may be a hot day, but it’s a million times better than the frigid office she’s known for years. If she was a lesser woman, she would have asked herself when the last time she took a proper vacation was, but she’s not, so instead she thinks to herself where she’s going to get lunch. There’s a good barbecue restaurant supposedly five minutes from the house she’s moving in, right? And there’s supposed to be a bunch of food trucks out on Palm Street every Saturday too. Were they serving Cuban or Lebanese food? Or was that the next town over, and this was where the Puerto Rican trucks gathered instead?</p> <p>Whatever she’s got, it sounds good. She decides she’ll indulge in all of it this week on her way out yet another door, an ID card slipped from her pocket into her palm. A black car’s been waiting out here for hours, but she ignores the annoyance of the driver and looks out the window.</p> <p>It’s her life now. She can do anything she wants with it. Right?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p><span style="font-size:2.0em;">June 30th, 2024<br/></span></p> <p>Eighty degrees outside and seventy-two percent humidity. The green table-side clock reads 9:27 am in digital letters.</p> <p>Selena’s eyes slowly peel open as gulls caw outside her windowsill. Their white bodies glow under the cloudless sky, their shrill cries melding in with the rest of the oceanic soundscape. While waves beat themselves senseless against a chalky beach below, the rest of the world’s noise strips itself back, her vision finally coming into itself.</p> <p>Ah, good to know she managed to go back to sleep. It’s been difficult breaking out of the routine of waking up at 5 am sharp, even more so without the cacophony of traffic snuggled right up next to her. For some reason, the rolling of tires was melodic—there was a steady, mechanical heartbeat to count on whenever an engine was involved, like a metronome of veins that never ceased. Though she knew deep down such vibrations were supposed to register as dissonant, and probably were if she really searched herself, it was all she had for the longest time, and the best she thought she’d ever deserve.</p> <p>It’s long past the time to question the validity of her being here though, away from the bleeding papers, the interrogations, the formalities of extraction. That was a notion ruminated on during the formation of this program, executed during the re-parsing of Council history and the practically unending fountain of misery which followed them all, and buried to grave once it received the red stamp of approval. All of that was, in her mind, an attempt by her own self-sabotaging flesh to drag her down when counting the number of O5s who managed to make it to the end of their careers, because the number just…didn’t compute, at least at first. What was the number of Council members who ever asked for retirement before she did?</p> <p>Zero. Zilch. There were none. Not a single one.</p> <p>There was nothing ever officiated because of how great of a risk they posed as civilians. O5-01 joked frequently during the fact-finding phase of establishing this that the Council killed off those who didn’t want to perform their duties anymore, but when Selena inquired further, he clammed up. When she tried actually going into archival records to find out, she was given a firm <em>never do that again</em> speech from him in all of his asinine glory.</p> <p>It made sense then, because aside from her, their bodies had all been so heavily modified by various anomalies that there was no way amnesticization could possibly wipe everything out cleanly. Those bodies carried with them a score of scars and impaled desires which were loathe to give up the chalice, loathe to give up their minds even more. What other ways did they have besides suicide or homicide?</p> <p>But now…</p> <p>Did they ever think they had a way out at all? Did the possibility even exist in their minds as an intangibility to make real?</p> <p>…Ugh, she needs to stop getting consumed over the past again. There’s been so many moments between normalcy when the realities of who she once was come crawling back. When will her mind rest? Isn’t the beach enough? Can’t the shining blue surf swallow her whole?</p> <p>She yawns, and runs through what she could do today. There’s supposed to be a meet-up of antique Corvettes downtown at noon, and a few hours after that there’s going to be some kind of animal expo at the mall. Was it just for snakes, or reptiles in general? The pamphlet’s been lost amidst a stack of newspapers and magazines she’s buried herself into in a vain attempt to build a sense of place, so she doesn’t know. It’s a paltry way to build community, to nurture roots down here in this busy little town, but it is what it is.</p> <p>Mumbling something unintelligible except to her own mind, she begins getting dressed. Her mind rolls, first along paved streets and second amidst tan-bricked buildings, soothing itself with assumed monotony.</p> <p>As soon as she’s got her shoes on, her phone rings.</p> <p>“Must be that guy from the pottery workshop…”</p> <p>The one with the five dogs. He was nice at first, as nice as a stranger could be to someone they had never met at a community class. Later that day he made the news for getting so drunk that he vomited all over the bartender. Just her luck.</p> <p>At least she wasn’t going to get glares for mingling with civilians now. Take things in stride, Selena.</p> <p>She looks down for the number and—</p> <p>…Shit.</p> <p>“Hey, Lisa.”</p> <p>A mouse-pitched voice cuts the tranquil atmosphere. A cracking wheel under platinum pressure that one could only halfway stand.</p> <p>“Selena, they’re almost done with deliberations.”</p> <p>She rolls her eyes and pinches her nose. “How bad is it?”</p> <p>“You know I can’t tell you that.”</p> <p>“I didn’t ask for details—you can at least tell me my odds of survival.”</p> <p>Selena can practically hear Lisa tapping her foot in frustration on the other end of the line. No wonder she had been able to put up with O5-01 for so long.</p> <p>“I’m not going to lose my pension here telling you such classified inf—”</p> <p>“Regulation-wise, you’re already too far in responding to me like that,” Selena interrupts her. “Do I need to remind you of how -01 usually likes these calls to be done?”</p> <p>He would have probably given his secretary some grace in a situation like this, because she was only calling out of officiality, but Selena wouldn’t have. She had two of hers terminated under her watch for their failure to abide by Foundation secrecy policy, having been goaded into loose lips by terse comments made towards them. It was a slippery slope; all it took was saying one wrong thing and the enemy knew your game plan.</p> <p>A pause, and Lisa sighs. Selena’s mouth knits itself into a heavy frown as she hears pens being pushed aside and footsteps.</p> <p>She must be facing a wall now.</p> <p>“…They’re insanely mad about it.”</p> <p>“Yeah, well, they know I didn’t mean anything. Not my fault that Jude Kriyot was my pizza guy and that he dyed his hair blue.”</p> <p>“They’re aware—” Lisa stutters, inhaling sharply. “It’s just—the terms of your, you know—and especially after what he and his idiotic friends did to Site-106 last month, they’re <em>so</em> not happy about the millions in losses—”</p> <p>“So am I fine?”</p> <p>Selena’s heart flutters, but it’s more a reactionary byproduct than anything. In her mind, this was all a farce, more corporate-bureaucratic nonsense to bring her back down, but she’ll live. She has to. She always has. Whether this was on purpose after her two decades in power, the result of grudges manifesting, or just their asinine analytics finally finding a proper cause to unnerve themselves over—it’s no longer her business. No longer her problem.</p> <p>She can only hope they’ll see her cause as a worthwhile one under their thick skins.</p> <p>“…Yes,” Lisa finally says, after what Selena knows was probably more looking around. The former tries stuttering something out before a huge buzzer echoes out, tearing through the both of them.</p> <p>“Please, Selena, be more careful—! Ah, Ihavetogonow—!”</p> <p>Lisa squeals as the call flatlines.</p> <p>“Bye,” Selena says, throwing her head back and groaning. If she was less unnerved, she would have laughed at that. Why O5-01 always insisted on such noise to signal the end of meetings, she never knew, and she didn’t ask or want to. All she could do was wear earplugs and hope for the best.</p> <p>There’s a want to swear and a want to take the news in stride as she tries to collect herself in the stillness. Her mind races, but with nothing in particular except pictures of faces, of those to avoid, of those she knew by their string of disruption or relevancy to her former duties.</p> <p>God, it sucks, doesn’t it? He seemed kind enough to be someone normal in his stupid beanie and bleached shoes, but already he had changed. Already he had morphed into something she was no longer aware of, and now Selena was paying the price for that. Now she was paying a premium on information she no longer had within arms’ reach.</p> <p>It was all change she didn’t have, change she would have to slip in between seats and words of security details, asking if there’s anyone in the area she should be on the lookout for, as if she was a teen with a mother who hated her and yet couldn’t stand to see her having fun on her own. Change she would have actively have to deposit, taking a precious spoon out of her drawer in exchange for her life as she mumbles to some intern agent who didn’t even know who <em>she</em> was.</p> <p>God, was that really what she wanted to spend the last thirty years of her life doing? Looking over her shoulder all the time, unable to see the view in front of her?</p> <p>…</p> <p>What a horrible way to start a morning, honestly. Selena gets up and looks out her window to watch the birds hover in the sky, admiring how far up they were. Ah, to be so carefree.</p> <p>No point in dwelling on it now. She needs to the best of this, make the best of things. She needs to get her head out of rut ruminations, of muddy waters that don’t exist yet.</p> <p>So, what should she do now? Should she go make coffee? Check the news on her TV? Everything was such doom and gloom as of late, but not so much out of the ordinary as to deceive her that the world was missing her in her council chair.</p> <p>Maybe she should finally visit that new bagel place downtown. The embedded agents at the station wouldn’t stop raving about them at her last check-in, talking about nice it was the owner donated her profits to the local ABA center. But it doesn’t open until eleven, right? She should check on that, because it’ll be too crowded if she doesn’t make it in ti—</p> <p>Out of nowhere, her phone rings again.</p> <p>She freezes, letting it scream and rumble in her hand until she looks down to see “UNKNOWN CALLER” in big, plain letters.</p> <p>A deep pit forms in her stomach. But when she thinks about it for more than a nerve-soaked second she realizes—wait, it’s probably just a robo-caller. Right, those things. They were a part of normal life, a symptom of her “normal” fake name (which she hated remembering) being disseminated by the Foundation into the great digital cloud. She’s going to have to request another number change now, just to ease her paranoia, although in some way she wonders if it means something that the system sees her as a data point now. Something to extract, with a life, hobbies, and smile to personalize product advertisements around.</p> <p>The phone stops ringing, and she sighs. <em>Thank you,</em> she thinks, and slides it into her jeans until it rings again.</p> <p>“UNKNOWN CALLER” once more.</p> <p>Oh. This one is persistent.</p> <p>She looks around for a camera. There’s supposed to be two, one at her front door and one in her garage. They were standard security cameras, but still hooked up to the Foundation mainframe.</p> <p>And they had unusually good hearing. The best modern technology could offer with a little bit of Maxwellian-tinkered microchips.</p> <p>The phone rings out one more time and Selena holds her breath in the silence. Crashing sea foam, no matter how many teeth it possessed, could not possibly hope to break this stillness and the tension wiring quickly in her legs and arms.</p> <p>A fourth time—that number meant death to some people, didn’t it? Now she answers.</p> <p>“Who are you?” she snaps sharply. “Explain yourself right now. How you got this number, and why you keep insisting on calling m—”</p> <p>“Is that how you greet an old friend, Selena?” a Cockney-accented voice chimes. It’s clear as a high bell with an undercurrent of venom dripping from its crown.</p> <p>“…Excuse me?”</p> <p>She glares at the floor, flipping over the possibilities of who this might be.</p> <p>“Hm? Don’t recognize me? Pity. Though I suppose it has been four years since we’ve spoken with each other…”</p> <p>The cogs begin turning, and Selena’s face boils.</p> <p>“But were your little ducklings really not aware of my…what do the youth call it? Transmutation? Transition? Tch. How unbecoming—isn’t that your club’s whole job? To keep tabs on me?”</p> <p>Oh no.</p> <p>No. No. <em>No.</em></p> <p>A bellowing laughter fills the phone as Selena’s brain is mashed by its own inanity, pulverized, and regurgitated again with its wrongdoings.</p> <p>“Hahaha! Oh, I see I’ve stunned you into complete silence. Wonderful! You should see my new look then, if you’re this abashed by me; I look positively radiant, <em>so</em> much more so than in those tatterdemalion rags you’ve got on my file.”</p> <p>Selena bites first her lip and then her tongue in a muffled, soundless screech. Once she’s done, her voice forces itself into a hissing whisper. Because of course this bastard is already going on about self-owned looks, what else would…she do?</p> <p>“Percival, how did you <em>get</em> this number?” Her hand claws into the smooth wall. “And I’ll update it when you put a gun to your mouth.”</p> <p>“My, my, my! Has retirement soured you already?” she asks, faux-sniffling before slithering back to her morbid candor. “That’s not the cadence I’ve come to know you for. I deserve a little bit better than that, surely.”</p> <p>“<em>How do you—?!</em>”</p> <p>Selena nearly draws blood with her teeth, but stops herself in time to take a deep breath. A very, very deep breath.</p> <p>Calm, calm, calm. She has to calm herself. This is a deliberate foot-setting, so it’s best not to wade too deeply. A poorly-thought out reaction will only set off whatever trap this is.</p> <p>The correct answer to her dilemma is to hang up the phone and report the call, but she doesn’t. Instead, she leans herself up against the closet door with her head bent down, glasses straining the nastiest of glares.</p> <p>“…You’re pretty bold for calling a Foundation-tapped line,” she starts.</p> <p>“Well, it’s not like this one is bugged,” Percival replies. “That would be trouble for the both of us.”</p> <p>“Just for you,” Selena insists.</p> <p>“How so?”</p> <p>“Take a guess.”</p> <p>“Aw, you should go on and tell me! This is just a conversation between us, I assure you.”</p> <p>“As if anyone would trust you.”</p> <p>“Stating the obvious? What a wonderful use of that brain you’ve still got left. Why don’t you tell me more?”</p> <p>Selena shivers as an edging horizon slowly peeks its head. With shadowy hands as long as the white cliffs of Dover, and as gnawing as a diamond crown, she has to perform some kind of area denial here. Now.</p> <p>Silence. Waiting for breath, for the rare pulse from Percival’s heart. She could have driven a stake through it if she wanted, listen to it sputter and fizzle out as she gasped for air.</p> <p>Percival is the one to break the iron curtain first.</p> <p>“…Nothing interesting going on in that head of yours?”</p> <p>“Nope,” Selena replies.</p> <p>Percival’s voice tones just a bit south into sour. “…What a shame.”</p> <p>“What, did you expect any different?”</p> <p>“From you? Absolutely. Where’s that ravishing woman I once laid my eyes on?”</p> <p>“Idle flattery isn’t going to work on me, Percival.”</p> <p>Area denial, area denial. She has to keep this up, make her hang up. Selena will <em>not</em> lose to this posh snake.</p> <p>“They all say that. It only takes the right arrow and vintage to change their minds…”</p> <p>“Then I guess I’m lucky you’ve got neither here, talking to me over the phone.”</p> <p>“Ah, well—I still get to listen to your lovely voice, don’t I? Music to my ears, even if it’s banal chatter…that’s all one can really ask for on a day off, mhm?”</p> <p>Selena’s hand makes the slowest crawl up to her mouth that it has had in years.</p> <p>…Silence again. Swallowing dry spit, Selena lets her heart crawl up into her ears, where a death wish and self-preservation begin setting each other’s skin on fire.</p> <p>There’s a new area of denial now, and she has to take it or else…</p> <p>“Playing games won’t get you anywhere.”<br/> Her voice razors an edge she has to force back out of its slip into reflection. This is business as per usual, just business as per usual.</p> <p>“Must you really refuse me, Selena?”</p> <p>Annoyance. That’s good. Maybe mild, but still. She can taste the drooling anticipation Percival is quelling behind a suited verbosity through the phone screen. It’s a desire that comes from someone who killed those who told her no and would raze entire countries just for being uncouth to her once.</p> <p>She sighs, and Selena drums her hands in a circular motion listening to it fade. In agitation, frustration, and…something deeper. Something as red as bloody velvet, as cutting as spasmed veins.</p> <p>“Yes, so hang up now. It’s already too late for your signal not to be tracked.”</p> <p>She’s lying. This is the one phone relinquished to her that isn’t being traced 24/7, granted as a sign of both grace and freedom. She had to fight for this during the planning stage, because practically everyone in the room looked to her with disdain. Disbelief, even, if she wanted to be more accurate. Even the assistants.</p> <p>Those faces singe at her mind as Percival waits for longer than Selena knows is normal. There’s nothing prattling on in her background either, so she must be alone as well.</p> <p>“…What big swords they’re encumbering you with,” she finally titters, as if she’s flicking her nail on a golden scale. “Is all of this your standard defense mechanism for any ruffian which runs its hands through your feathers? Tch.”</p> <p>“It’s standard procedure for someone who has swallowed as many Sarkites as you have. What was the number again, one thousand and fifty?”</p> <p>Exactly the number of years she was destined to live. The details of Percival’s past were as closely guarded as an O5’s true name, but that did not mean it held the same power. No—they dug up that bloody contract she forged in 1421, and all of the skulls that came with it. She was a sloppy eater, and the contract was forged not in the unknowable cosmic script she boasted about to her colleagues, but medieval Hungarian.</p> <p>Yeah, there was something fun to bring up at her dinner parties. Selena never could hold back snickering at what the double agents reported her reaction was when that was uncovered, laid out bare to Amos and Ruprecht. Nobody was left alive in the building except for her daughter, Iris, not even the cargo worth five million dollars, nor the artwork worth triple that. All of London’s windows were forced to shatter from the sheer mortification of someone who had before sold herself on being untouchable in the most godly of ways, from the breaking of a mystery which served as a guillotine she forced her adversaries to buckle and vomit under.</p> <p>“Lead-mouthed ant,” she hears her spit under her breath. Selena clamps her free hand over her own mouth to hide its growing smile. “And here I was thinking of inviting you to a retirement party, just the two of us. But I see you’ve acquired a putrid little spine there, with thorns and all.”</p> <p>“Can’t be any more unpleasant than what you’re used to already.” It all rolls off Selena’s tongue so slickly as if she’s done this before.</p> <p>“Well, it would have certainly been more magnanimous than whatever pilfering triteness they set you off with, most likely not worthy of your great accomplishments. You know how I hate to see good work uncelebrated, Miss Seven.”</p> <p><em>Don’t call me that,</em> Selena thinks. “I don’t know you, actually,” is what comes out instead.</p> <p>“Oh please, dear. You’re such a bad liar.”</p> <p>Selena grits her teeth trying to shove many, <em>many</em> thoughts back into her closet. All dressed up in wined-out skeletons and Vegas-crusted eye sockets, drowning in the booze she never had.</p> <p>“Don’t go all two-faced on me just because you’ve got some laymen friends in a backwater town. A few clean beaches doesn’t make an area livable—to be fooled into such a lie is bad tact, and quite frankly, it disappoints me. It disappoints me more than you know.”</p> <p>Selena’s face goes hot. Her toes curl in her tennis shoes, as her tapping becomes louder, and louder. Can the cameras hear this? No, they shouldn’t; the angle of the closet is too acute from this distance and the padding inside is exquisite. You could kill a man in here and not hear his pleas for help.</p> <p>Right?</p> <p>Right?</p> <p>She pushes down guilty memories to let rising saline flood her veins slowly. She pushes down guilty memories of red lights, of slit pupils eyeing her up and down with a fanged smile, of the gardens where the serpent reared its head and…</p> <p>…Was it a lust for carnage that she wanted then? When she insisted for them to find some place by themselves, was she intentionally trying to sow chaos and discord in her own favor?</p> <p>Percival was a ‘detain on sight’ PoI for a reason. The Foundation stopped estimating the amount of money she possessed years ago, because it was simply too much to keep up with.</p> <p>“It’ll be simple,” that voice chatters on. “Just something between the two of us on a private island of mine.” Its tone dips into a satin nightgown, into an obsidian three-piece suit looking down on someone who had never been desired before. What was that person supposed to do when confronted by someone who had never not gotten what they wanted?</p> <p>“And don’t worry about it being too opulent, I get the impression you’re not a woman impressed by such displays—but nonetheless. All it would take would be a single word to an associate of mine, and…”</p> <p>She stops, long enough to let the conversation breathe. Selena finds herself finally doing the same for the first time in…well, she doesn’t remember, and it feels like a rod being shoved down her throat. It feels like a rod being shoved down her throat, one with eyes so blue they could make sapphires jealous.</p> <p>“…You must be having fun, Percival.”</p> <p>It’s a sentence that comes out of her mouth as smoothly as the lens of a camera.</p> <p>“Risking your life again after all this time just to say hi and invite someone like me to another one of your parties. Are you doing this out of pity, or shame? Because I don’t think I want part of either.”</p> <p>Those words, however, do not. There’s a half lie here in that Selena doesn’t want her pity, but somehow, she’d be willing to stomach shame. She’d be willing to stomach shame just long enough to see that face truly come of itself and lunge at her, before she plunged a thaumaturgic bullet down her skull and that was that.</p> <p>…No, actually. She doesn’t want to do that either. That wouldn’t even kill, what is she thinking?</p> <p>(And she knows it won’t kill because she watched two implant themselves in her spine.)</p> <p>“Bold of you to assume it’s not just good old-fashioned British hospitality,” she chuffs with a click of her tongue.</p> <p>“I’m serious,” Selena asserts. “You’re pushing this farther than is good for you.”</p> <p>“Concerned with my health now, are you? Oh, I’m so flattered. You should be concerned with your own for once.”</p> <p>“The only time I’ve ever been concerned for you was that night when I could have shot you and faced zero repercussions for it.”</p> <p>…Yeah, it was time to bring that up now. This was getting out of hand and lasting way too long. The festival died twenty years ago, just like that agent did.</p> <p>“A bullet for bullet, eh? One in the body with a machete in its hand, and one straight into your eye? You would have <em>loved</em> to let me get away with that.”</p> <p>Selena snickers to herself. What a macabre recollection, but there’s a reason she’s laughing. There’s no one else in the world who got to witness the magnificent Percival Darke cornered like she did, begging for her life with all of the swears and ancient insults as she did.</p> <p>There’s no one else in the world who has seen those eyes as wide with fear as she has.</p> <p>Selena keeps laughing, as the image she holds in her head digs up more and more anxious hallways. This is horrible—this is atrocious, unbecoming of her. It’s pig-headed, fun, selfish and stupid.</p> <p>But she still doesn’t hang up, and neither does Percival.</p> <p>“I wouldn’t have let you get away with it at all,” she snarls through a thick sneer.</p> <p>“Yes you would. I saved not just you, but Iris, didn’t I? I’m sure that could cover up an offense to your sense of manners. What, don’t you demons play by rules and contracts and tit-for-tat?”</p> <p>“You’re a little piece of—I am <em>not</em> a demon, you—”</p> <p>There she goes. Selena just has to hold this for a little longer. Get one last punch in, and make her hang up.</p> <p>“You’re a demon in all but name, yes you are. That’s all you’ll ever be, all you’ll ever amount to, those piss-minded gargoyles who eat their own shit, Percival. Aren’t you halfway there with the contracts and memos already? The pounds of ink your idiotic executives swallow on a monthly basis—”</p> <p>The phone hits a dial tone. Percival hangs up without another word and Selena is left alone. Again.</p> <p>A crow caws outside, and Selena falls to the floor, unsure of whether to burn in pride or with tears. Her glasses sway uncouthly from side to side across her big nose, threatening to collapse and break.</p> <p>They’ve already got a scratch in them she’s been ignoring. Put it aside like the rest of the maintenances she’s been putting off for as long as was feasibly possible. That was the easiest way, that was the way of least cortisol.</p> <p>…What a stupid way to win that. What a stupid way to risk it all. Name-calling like a five-year-old, like a kid on the playground who doesn’t get what they want. Playing a back and forth like this was some TV show about a bunch of nobodies who lived in a walkable city.</p> <p>But that was all she knew, wasn’t it? That was a cynical way to boil down negotiations, the art of cooperation and existence among similarly bloody colleagues but, well, it was right, wasn’t it? Signaling, relinquishing position, feigning nice, appealing to the origins behind the eyes looking at you—she did all of that, yeah? Didn't she?</p> <p>Selena sucks in air thinking of O5-01 looking down on her from his chair. There’s a stark contrast to his blank face and that unknowable blue piercing the same darkness.</p> <p>One synergizes her harshly, forcing her into a team strategy that she rarely, if ever wanted to be a part of. He knew she hated voting on the big initiatives and yet insisted upon her input each time anyway.</p> <p>Percival, however…</p> <p>She asked for her hand once. When she still sounded like an angelic baritone, polished to perfection. She asked about the job, the sites she knew of much too closely, all things Selena would never be allowed to divulge, and yet she waited ever so patiently for her to answer as if she could. As if Selena was someone full of possibilities instead of just a very big numbered fish capable of wiping sites off the map at her beck and call.</p> <p>…No. Once again, she has to force herself not to reminisce on those times. If she does, she will only…</p> <p>She will only…</p> <p>…</p> <p>She taps the most recent caller and waits. Limply. The darkness of her bedroom cradles her from the stripping sun as her phone illuminates her face with a somber glow.</p> <p>Percival picks up, somehow, and Selena forces the first word in before she can even begin yelling at her.</p> <p>“I’m sorry.”</p> <p>Silence. Not unusual now, but it still hurts. Selena can’t feel her face or her chest.</p> <p>“…Sorry? I…You called me to deliver an…apology…?”</p> <p>Even Percival sounds taken aback. She has a cigar in her mouth now, no doubt. The phone catches its demure sizzling with derelicting impunity.</p> <p>“…Yeah,” Selena says, unaware of the power she carries, forcing someone like Percival Darke of all people to bend over for an apology. That will dawn on her later when she’s taking a cold-water shower to collapse, but focus on the present for now. “…I’m sorry.”</p> <p>“Well, that’s…quite the statement, Miss Heptad Autocrat. Very bold for your kind.”</p> <p><em>It’s a bold move for anyone to try and please you</em>, Selena thinks. “Are you still open to that party?”</p> <p>Selena can practically hear Percival licking her lips, but she doesn’t care. Let her eat all the ash she wants.</p> <p>“…Only if you promise to be cordial.”</p> <p>“Okay. You have to promise me protection. I…”</p> <p>Does she want to tell her that she’s got goddamn cameras in her house? She’s already in too deep, and yet…</p> <p>“…I’m sure I don’t need to tell you the nature of my arrangements, yes?”</p> <p>“Indeed, you don’t.” She laughs this time, and it melts in Selena’s ears with stoning resistance. “Here, let me indulge—I’ll take on the burdens of planning this, and we meet up at a rendezvous point in a week under a cover story for those swine-mouthed bottom feeders. As long as you can call me where they can’t hear…”</p> <p>The sun begins setting on Percival’s end, and she sighs. Selena’s hands drip with sweat listening to such a smooth sound.</p> <p>“This will work out in your favor.”</p> <p>“And what if it doesn’t?” Selena blurts louder than she knows is good for her. There’s a real sting of shakiness to her voice that sounds like bricks crumbling. Not falling, but the foundation heaving, releasing their bodies and seeping into the loamy earth.</p> <p>A bead of sweat drips down her forehead in her sixty-two-degree, air-conditioned bedroom. By now she’s fully crammed herself into the back of the closet, feet a mess amidst what were once organized piles of shoes, belied above by rows upon rows of mismatching shirts, most tending towards black.</p> <p>“…Don’t worry. It’s me, isn’t it?” Percival purred, her tone mellowing, softening. Whether in pity, disappointment, or genuine concern, Selena doesn’t know and doesn’t want to ask.</p> <p>“What can you give me to prove that?” Selena asks, as she finally takes off her glasses to stare into the blurry darkness.</p> <p>Percival takes a second to answer, but the smile she slips into is so obvious that Selena can practically feel it kissing her ear.</p> <p>“…The same kindness I graced you with that night. You purloined something of mine…and yet here you are to tell the tale.”</p> <p><em>And I took aim at your ego too,</em> Selena thinks, smiling. Lopsidedly, nervously, but it’s still a smile, despite everything.</p> <p>“Guess you really never thanked me properly for Iris, huh?” she asks.</p> <p>“I suppose.” Selena doesn’t need to see her to know she’s rolling her eyes. “Goodbye for now though, Miss Lucky—I have a gala I need to put on make-up for. Keep your pretty face intact for me, please?”</p> <p>She hangs up before Selena can respond. That was probably on purpose. No, most definitely.</p> <p>A blue jay screams somewhere in the deep distance, in the forest at the edge of town nobody talks about. The one which can’t be razed because it’s of too much sentimental importance to the elders, and yet the youth get nothing out of it because of the ‘STAY OUT’ signs. A security guard patrols the perimeter, every day, annoyed by the squirrels and snakes hiding in the trees, what he has been assigned to protect, as he is eager to see its unsightliness gone despite the easy money it makes for him, and him alone.</p> <p>No one is an island except a forest in a concrete jungle. When Selena finally shakes herself out of her own static-sloughing thoughts, she ponders if she should visit there before all of this goes down. Without a doubt, it reminds her of Percival, of her fascinatingly idiosyncratic opinion of nature. Was the private island she bought originally some historied nature reserve? Knowing it’s here in Florida, it must have closed the loop of its life with a bribe, fat with anticipation as soon as her sin was completed.</p> <p>How come Selena can’t hold her head high like that? She is already, doing what she is, but it doesn’t feel like it. It’s never felt like it in all of her life. Whoever said your confidence got better with age was wrong in the most cosmic of ways—all that you figured out was what you were able to get away with without making a mess, and what you knew more than anyone else.</p> <p>What Selena does know now is that she’s done this before, so she can do it again one more time. One last time.</p> <p>And what she knows more than anyone else is the reason why she doesn’t want to be here, and yet fell into the viper pit anyway.</p> <p>There’s a temptation to call back Percival just to hear her voice again, but she deletes the number from her history and deigns herself instead to calling the dog guy.</p> <p>When he picks up, all she can do is zone out to his jolly greetings and questions about where she’s been while she thinks of what she’s going to wear in a week.</p> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text="A retired O5, the first of her kind, takes a call from an old friend with the power to ruin everything she’s ever worked for."]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-market">:scp-wiki:theme:black-market</a>]] [[module css]] @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=EB+Garamond:500&display=swap'); .fancytext { font-family:"EB Garamond"; sans-serif; font-size:120%; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=xexnoncores]] Content Warning: Mentions of drug use, overdose, and suicide. Pierce the Velvet by [[*user xexnoncores]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] [[>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-cw">:scp-wiki:component:info-cw</a>]] [[/>]] [[=]] << [[[A Murder and Relief in the Dark]]] \| Pierce the Velvet \| [[[To Love a Snake With Blue Eyes]]] >> [[/=]] [[div class="fancytext"]] = [[size 2.0em]] February 2nd, 2024 [[/size]] “…And…no. 461…” O5-01 says, steam hissing from his knuckles. “You understand that you are never to go more than five days without checking in with a Foundation proxy?” “I do.” “No. 462: Do you understand that we, the O5 council, reserve any and all rights to authorize your termination without the standard due process of normal Foundation procedures, as outlined in EHO5C Section 6B, and in the event of such a catastrophe, there will be no compensation to any surviving kin or beneficiaries listed within assets contained in this program?” “…Yes.” “No. 463—this is the last one—you understand that any willing or knowing contact with a PoI, GoI, except that of which was outlined in clause 217, or otherwise designated hostile entity to the Foundation will result in not just your termination, but the termination of this entire experimental program as—” “Yes, I understand that.” Her eyes blink in sync with a quickly drawn breath. Though her words are cold, they are rushed in a scattered fashion, forcing themselves through a heart of grating and corrosion. “…Completely.” “Alright, wonderful. Glad we got that out of the way.” His words carry like a steel drum stewing with matchsticks; each one falling out is similar to that of a gunshot. “I hereby conclude this recording and attest that all parties involved with this officiation have heard and agreed to its terms in their full, complete capacities.” O5-01 clicks the recorder off as a door opens from behind. Sunlight glut-rushes in, warm and inviting. It floods to fill the brutalist space, curling fingers into whatever edge and corner it can manage. “Selena Ruiz Montgomery Cortez—or, as you were previously known—O5-07—as of 2:13 pm today, you are hereby designated as retired, the first in the Foundation’s history. Please proceed to the front desk so that Lisa can get you out of here. The surf in Tampa is absolutely gorgeous, I’ve heard. So are the neighbors.” His bronze hand beckons outward, teetering on demanding. Selena bristles with his candied change in tone and that open palm so swiftly showing its face, toes curling as she stands up. Her throat dries too, despite the fact her body is tense like hands wringing water from a stone. “Thank you, O5-01,” she whispers, face retreating into its usual asphalt stoicalness. No point in any more formalities now. Those can slide off in the car and the first inhale of seaside air where she’s going. “No problem…” he trails off as she’s walking out. He turns around as she gets halfway. “…Don’t fuck this up for us now, yeah?” Dead in her tracks, Selena stops. She knows she shouldn’t, but O5-01’s nonexistent eyes drill into her nonetheless. Old habits die hard. “The more I think about it, the more I wanna be in Paris before 2070,” he continues, as casually as if they were still co-workers. “Shotgunning Mont Blanc ’til I can’t see the sky anymore seems like a good way to live life.” “You could just do that now and get it over with,” Selena retorts, without missing a beat. “No need to become part of the Foundation’s bureaucracy again for what can be accomplished in an afternoon.” “Oh? Are you having second thoughts about your arrangements now? Of all times?” Pause. The metal of the room echoes his baritone octaves so perfectly that one has to wonder if it was all intentionally crafted to amplify his presence. He’s even sitting in the same place his chair hovered over in meetings. “…I’m kidding,” he follows up finally, after twenty painful seconds of silence. With a whirring smirk, a gridwork of teeth arranges themselves to grind down on one another. “I know you’d never turn this down. And getting shit-faced would take me a week, by the way.” //That// noise will not be something she’ll miss. “Then indulge yourself in a pound of coke like the previous O5-10 did,” she replies. “That must have been a fun way for her to have expired.” “Uh, no thanks,” he responds with a hand wave. “She was completely liquified by the time we managed to breach her personal office, and I would like for there to be at least something of me to bury in Manila when I kick the bucket.” What a horrible memory. Selena will never be able to forget the reactions: O5-02 cried for the first time in thirty years watching that bloodied personality apparatus wheeled out on a gurney, while O5-12 took three days off only to attempt to kill herself the same way two hours after she got back. She was declared brain-dead until they managed to put her last clone online. Then she was just dead. “…Anyways, seriously—get out of here. Now,” O5-01 asserts gruffly. “Your replacement is coming in an hour, and I will have no more delays to their designating numeration. You left some big shoes to fill, you know?” She rolls her eyes but nonetheless complies, half-cursing him under her breath in the same one she swears she will see this through. The door slams behind her back with enough force to make an intern jump, but all she can do is look out towards the light. It tickles her face with a gentle grin. It may be a hot day, but it’s a million times better than the frigid office she’s known for years. If she was a lesser woman, she would have asked herself when the last time she took a proper vacation was, but she’s not, so instead she thinks to herself where she’s going to get lunch. There’s a good barbecue restaurant supposedly five minutes from the house she’s moving in, right? And there’s supposed to be a bunch of food trucks out on Palm Street every Saturday too. Were they serving Cuban or Lebanese food? Or was that the next town over, and this was where the Puerto Rican trucks gathered instead? Whatever she’s got, it sounds good. She decides she’ll indulge in all of it this week on her way out yet another door, an ID card slipped from her pocket into her palm. A black car’s been waiting out here for hours, but she ignores the annoyance of the driver and looks out the window. It’s her life now. She can do anything she wants with it. Right? = [[size 2.0em]] June 30th, 2024 [[/size]] Eighty degrees outside and seventy-two percent humidity. The green table-side clock reads 9:27 am in digital letters. Selena’s eyes slowly peel open as gulls caw outside her windowsill. Their white bodies glow under the cloudless sky, their shrill cries melding in with the rest of the oceanic soundscape. While waves beat themselves senseless against a chalky beach below, the rest of the world’s noise strips itself back, her vision finally coming into itself. Ah, good to know she managed to go back to sleep. It’s been difficult breaking out of the routine of waking up at 5 am sharp, even more so without the cacophony of traffic snuggled right up next to her. For some reason, the rolling of tires was melodic—there was a steady, mechanical heartbeat to count on whenever an engine was involved, like a metronome of veins that never ceased. Though she knew deep down such vibrations were supposed to register as dissonant, and probably were if she really searched herself, it was all she had for the longest time, and the best she thought she’d ever deserve. It’s long past the time to question the validity of her being here though, away from the bleeding papers, the interrogations, the formalities of extraction. That was a notion ruminated on during the formation of this program, executed during the re-parsing of Council history and the practically unending fountain of misery which followed them all, and buried to grave once it received the red stamp of approval. All of that was, in her mind, an attempt by her own self-sabotaging flesh to drag her down when counting the number of O5s who managed to make it to the end of their careers, because the number just…didn’t compute, at least at first. What was the number of Council members who ever asked for retirement before she did? Zero. Zilch. There were none. Not a single one. There was nothing ever officiated because of how great of a risk they posed as civilians. O5-01 joked frequently during the fact-finding phase of establishing this that the Council killed off those who didn’t want to perform their duties anymore, but when Selena inquired further, he clammed up. When she tried actually going into archival records to find out, she was given a firm //never do that again// speech from him in all of his asinine glory. It made sense then, because aside from her, their bodies had all been so heavily modified by various anomalies that there was no way amnesticization could possibly wipe everything out cleanly. Those bodies carried with them a score of scars and impaled desires which were loathe to give up the chalice, loathe to give up their minds even more. What other ways did they have besides suicide or homicide? But now… Did they ever think they had a way out at all? Did the possibility even exist in their minds as an intangibility to make real? …Ugh, she needs to stop getting consumed over the past again. There’s been so many moments between normalcy when the realities of who she once was come crawling back. When will her mind rest? Isn’t the beach enough? Can’t the shining blue surf swallow her whole? She yawns, and runs through what she could do today. There’s supposed to be a meet-up of antique Corvettes downtown at noon, and a few hours after that there’s going to be some kind of animal expo at the mall. Was it just for snakes, or reptiles in general? The pamphlet’s been lost amidst a stack of newspapers and magazines she’s buried herself into in a vain attempt to build a sense of place, so she doesn’t know. It’s a paltry way to build community, to nurture roots down here in this busy little town, but it is what it is. Mumbling something unintelligible except to her own mind, she begins getting dressed. Her mind rolls, first along paved streets and second amidst tan-bricked buildings, soothing itself with assumed monotony. As soon as she’s got her shoes on, her phone rings. “Must be that guy from the pottery workshop…” The one with the five dogs. He was nice at first, as nice as a stranger could be to someone they had never met at a community class. Later that day he made the news for getting so drunk that he vomited all over the bartender. Just her luck. At least she wasn’t going to get glares for mingling with civilians now. Take things in stride, Selena. She looks down for the number and— …Shit. “Hey, Lisa.” A mouse-pitched voice cuts the tranquil atmosphere. A cracking wheel under platinum pressure that one could only halfway stand. “Selena, they’re almost done with deliberations.” She rolls her eyes and pinches her nose. “How bad is it?” “You know I can’t tell you that.” “I didn’t ask for details—you can at least tell me my odds of survival.” Selena can practically hear Lisa tapping her foot in frustration on the other end of the line. No wonder she had been able to put up with O5-01 for so long. “I’m not going to lose my pension here telling you such classified inf—” “Regulation-wise, you’re already too far in responding to me like that,” Selena interrupts her. “Do I need to remind you of how -01 usually likes these calls to be done?” He would have probably given his secretary some grace in a situation like this, because she was only calling out of officiality, but Selena wouldn’t have. She had two of hers terminated under her watch for their failure to abide by Foundation secrecy policy, having been goaded into loose lips by terse comments made towards them. It was a slippery slope; all it took was saying one wrong thing and the enemy knew your game plan. A pause, and Lisa sighs. Selena’s mouth knits itself into a heavy frown as she hears pens being pushed aside and footsteps. She must be facing a wall now. “…They’re insanely mad about it.” “Yeah, well, they know I didn’t mean anything. Not my fault that Jude Kriyot was my pizza guy and that he dyed his hair blue.” “They’re aware—” Lisa stutters, inhaling sharply. “It’s just—the terms of your, you know—and especially after what he and his idiotic friends did to Site-106 last month, they’re //so// not happy about the millions in losses—” “So am I fine?” Selena’s heart flutters, but it’s more a reactionary byproduct than anything. In her mind, this was all a farce, more corporate-bureaucratic nonsense to bring her back down, but she’ll live. She has to. She always has. Whether this was on purpose after her two decades in power, the result of grudges manifesting, or just their asinine analytics finally finding a proper cause to unnerve themselves over—it’s no longer her business. No longer her problem. She can only hope they’ll see her cause as a worthwhile one under their thick skins. “…Yes,” Lisa finally says, after what Selena knows was probably more looking around. The former tries stuttering something out before a huge buzzer echoes out, tearing through the both of them. “Please, Selena, be more careful—! Ah, Ihavetogonow—!” Lisa squeals as the call flatlines. “Bye,” Selena says, throwing her head back and groaning. If she was less unnerved, she would have laughed at that. Why O5-01 always insisted on such noise to signal the end of meetings, she never knew, and she didn’t ask or want to. All she could do was wear earplugs and hope for the best. There’s a want to swear and a want to take the news in stride as she tries to collect herself in the stillness. Her mind races, but with nothing in particular except pictures of faces, of those to avoid, of those she knew by their string of disruption or relevancy to her former duties. God, it sucks, doesn’t it? He seemed kind enough to be someone normal in his stupid beanie and bleached shoes, but already he had changed. Already he had morphed into something she was no longer aware of, and now Selena was paying the price for that. Now she was paying a premium on information she no longer had within arms’ reach. It was all change she didn’t have, change she would have to slip in between seats and words of security details, asking if there’s anyone in the area she should be on the lookout for, as if she was a teen with a mother who hated her and yet couldn’t stand to see her having fun on her own. Change she would have actively have to deposit, taking a precious spoon out of her drawer in exchange for her life as she mumbles to some intern agent who didn’t even know who //she// was. God, was that really what she wanted to spend the last thirty years of her life doing? Looking over her shoulder all the time, unable to see the view in front of her? … What a horrible way to start a morning, honestly. Selena gets up and looks out her window to watch the birds hover in the sky, admiring how far up they were. Ah, to be so carefree. No point in dwelling on it now. She needs to the best of this, make the best of things. She needs to get her head out of rut ruminations, of muddy waters that don’t exist yet. So, what should she do now? Should she go make coffee? Check the news on her TV? Everything was such doom and gloom as of late, but not so much out of the ordinary as to deceive her that the world was missing her in her council chair. Maybe she should finally visit that new bagel place downtown. The embedded agents at the station wouldn’t stop raving about them at her last check-in, talking about nice it was the owner donated her profits to the local ABA center. But it doesn’t open until eleven, right? She should check on that, because it’ll be too crowded if she doesn’t make it in ti— Out of nowhere, her phone rings again. She freezes, letting it scream and rumble in her hand until she looks down to see “UNKNOWN CALLER” in big, plain letters. A deep pit forms in her stomach. But when she thinks about it for more than a nerve-soaked second she realizes—wait, it’s probably just a robo-caller. Right, those things. They were a part of normal life, a symptom of her “normal” fake name (which she hated remembering) being disseminated by the Foundation into the great digital cloud. She’s going to have to request another number change now, just to ease her paranoia, although in some way she wonders if it means something that the system sees her as a data point now. Something to extract, with a life, hobbies, and smile to personalize product advertisements around. The phone stops ringing, and she sighs. //Thank you,// she thinks, and slides it into her jeans until it rings again. “UNKNOWN CALLER” once more. Oh. This one is persistent. She looks around for a camera. There’s supposed to be two, one at her front door and one in her garage. They were standard security cameras, but still hooked up to the Foundation mainframe. And they had unusually good hearing. The best modern technology could offer with a little bit of Maxwellian-tinkered microchips. The phone rings out one more time and Selena holds her breath in the silence. Crashing sea foam, no matter how many teeth it possessed, could not possibly hope to break this stillness and the tension wiring quickly in her legs and arms. A fourth time—that number meant death to some people, didn’t it? Now she answers. “Who are you?” she snaps sharply. “Explain yourself right now. How you got this number, and why you keep insisting on calling m—” “Is that how you greet an old friend, Selena?” a Cockney-accented voice chimes. It’s clear as a high bell with an undercurrent of venom dripping from its crown. “…Excuse me?” She glares at the floor, flipping over the possibilities of who this might be. “Hm? Don’t recognize me? Pity. Though I suppose it has been four years since we’ve spoken with each other…” The cogs begin turning, and Selena’s face boils. “But were your little ducklings really not aware of my…what do the youth call it? Transmutation? Transition? Tch. How unbecoming—isn’t that your club’s whole job? To keep tabs on me?” Oh no. No. No. //No.// A bellowing laughter fills the phone as Selena’s brain is mashed by its own inanity, pulverized, and regurgitated again with its wrongdoings. “Hahaha! Oh, I see I’ve stunned you into complete silence. Wonderful! You should see my new look then, if you’re this abashed by me; I look positively radiant, //so// much more so than in those tatterdemalion rags you’ve got on my file.” Selena bites first her lip and then her tongue in a muffled, soundless screech. Once she’s done, her voice forces itself into a hissing whisper. Because of course this bastard is already going on about self-owned looks, what else would…she do? “Percival, how did you //get// this number?” Her hand claws into the smooth wall. “And I’ll update it when you put a gun to your mouth.” “My, my, my! Has retirement soured you already?” she asks, faux-sniffling before slithering back to her morbid candor. “That’s not the cadence I’ve come to know you for. I deserve a little bit better than that, surely.” “//How do you—?!//” Selena nearly draws blood with her teeth, but stops herself in time to take a deep breath. A very, very deep breath. Calm, calm, calm. She has to calm herself. This is a deliberate foot-setting, so it’s best not to wade too deeply. A poorly-thought out reaction will only set off whatever trap this is. The correct answer to her dilemma is to hang up the phone and report the call, but she doesn’t. Instead, she leans herself up against the closet door with her head bent down, glasses straining the nastiest of glares. “…You’re pretty bold for calling a Foundation-tapped line,” she starts. “Well, it’s not like this one is bugged,” Percival replies. “That would be trouble for the both of us.” “Just for you,” Selena insists. “How so?” “Take a guess.” “Aw, you should go on and tell me! This is just a conversation between us, I assure you.” “As if anyone would trust you.” “Stating the obvious? What a wonderful use of that brain you’ve still got left. Why don’t you tell me more?” Selena shivers as an edging horizon slowly peeks its head. With shadowy hands as long as the white cliffs of Dover, and as gnawing as a diamond crown, she has to perform some kind of area denial here. Now. Silence. Waiting for breath, for the rare pulse from Percival’s heart. She could have driven a stake through it if she wanted, listen to it sputter and fizzle out as she gasped for air. Percival is the one to break the iron curtain first. “…Nothing interesting going on in that head of yours?” “Nope,” Selena replies. Percival’s voice tones just a bit south into sour. “…What a shame.” “What, did you expect any different?” “From you? Absolutely. Where’s that ravishing woman I once laid my eyes on?” “Idle flattery isn’t going to work on me, Percival.” Area denial, area denial. She has to keep this up, make her hang up. Selena will //not// lose to this posh snake. “They all say that. It only takes the right arrow and vintage to change their minds…” “Then I guess I’m lucky you’ve got neither here, talking to me over the phone.” “Ah, well—I still get to listen to your lovely voice, don’t I? Music to my ears, even if it’s banal chatter…that’s all one can really ask for on a day off, mhm?” Selena’s hand makes the slowest crawl up to her mouth that it has had in years. …Silence again. Swallowing dry spit, Selena lets her heart crawl up into her ears, where a death wish and self-preservation begin setting each other’s skin on fire. There’s a new area of denial now, and she has to take it or else… “Playing games won’t get you anywhere.” Her voice razors an edge she has to force back out of its slip into reflection. This is business as per usual, just business as per usual. “Must you really refuse me, Selena?” Annoyance. That’s good. Maybe mild, but still. She can taste the drooling anticipation Percival is quelling behind a suited verbosity through the phone screen. It’s a desire that comes from someone who killed those who told her no and would raze entire countries just for being uncouth to her once. She sighs, and Selena drums her hands in a circular motion listening to it fade. In agitation, frustration, and…something deeper. Something as red as bloody velvet, as cutting as spasmed veins. “Yes, so hang up now. It’s already too late for your signal not to be tracked.” She’s lying. This is the one phone relinquished to her that isn’t being traced 24/7, granted as a sign of both grace and freedom. She had to fight for this during the planning stage, because practically everyone in the room looked to her with disdain. Disbelief, even, if she wanted to be more accurate. Even the assistants. Those faces singe at her mind as Percival waits for longer than Selena knows is normal. There’s nothing prattling on in her background either, so she must be alone as well. “…What big swords they’re encumbering you with,” she finally titters, as if she’s flicking her nail on a golden scale. “Is all of this your standard defense mechanism for any ruffian which runs its hands through your feathers? Tch.” “It’s standard procedure for someone who has swallowed as many Sarkites as you have. What was the number again, one thousand and fifty?” Exactly the number of years she was destined to live. The details of Percival’s past were as closely guarded as an O5’s true name, but that did not mean it held the same power. No—they dug up that bloody contract she forged in 1421, and all of the skulls that came with it. She was a sloppy eater, and the contract was forged not in the unknowable cosmic script she boasted about to her colleagues, but medieval Hungarian. Yeah, there was something fun to bring up at her dinner parties. Selena never could hold back snickering at what the double agents reported her reaction was when that was uncovered, laid out bare to Amos and Ruprecht. Nobody was left alive in the building except for her daughter, Iris, not even the cargo worth five million dollars, nor the artwork worth triple that. All of London’s windows were forced to shatter from the sheer mortification of someone who had before sold herself on being untouchable in the most godly of ways, from the breaking of a mystery which served as a guillotine she forced her adversaries to buckle and vomit under. “Lead-mouthed ant,” she hears her spit under her breath. Selena clamps her free hand over her own mouth to hide its growing smile. “And here I was thinking of inviting you to a retirement party, just the two of us. But I see you’ve acquired a putrid little spine there, with thorns and all.” “Can’t be any more unpleasant than what you’re used to already.” It all rolls off Selena’s tongue so slickly as if she’s done this before. “Well, it would have certainly been more magnanimous than whatever pilfering triteness they set you off with, most likely not worthy of your great accomplishments. You know how I hate to see good work uncelebrated, Miss Seven.” //Don’t call me that,// Selena thinks. “I don’t know you, actually,” is what comes out instead. “Oh please, dear. You’re such a bad liar.” Selena grits her teeth trying to shove many, //many// thoughts back into her closet. All dressed up in wined-out skeletons and Vegas-crusted eye sockets, drowning in the booze she never had. “Don’t go all two-faced on me just because you’ve got some laymen friends in a backwater town. A few clean beaches doesn’t make an area livable—to be fooled into such a lie is bad tact, and quite frankly, it disappoints me. It disappoints me more than you know.” Selena’s face goes hot. Her toes curl in her tennis shoes, as her tapping becomes louder, and louder. Can the cameras hear this? No, they shouldn’t; the angle of the closet is too acute from this distance and the padding inside is exquisite. You could kill a man in here and not hear his pleas for help. Right? Right? She pushes down guilty memories to let rising saline flood her veins slowly. She pushes down guilty memories of red lights, of slit pupils eyeing her up and down with a fanged smile, of the gardens where the serpent reared its head and… …Was it a lust for carnage that she wanted then? When she insisted for them to find some place by themselves, was she intentionally trying to sow chaos and discord in her own favor? Percival was a ‘detain on sight’ PoI for a reason. The Foundation stopped estimating the amount of money she possessed years ago, because it was simply too much to keep up with. “It’ll be simple,” that voice chatters on. “Just something between the two of us on a private island of mine.” Its tone dips into a satin nightgown, into an obsidian three-piece suit looking down on someone who had never been desired before. What was that person supposed to do when confronted by someone who had never not gotten what they wanted? “And don’t worry about it being too opulent, I get the impression you’re not a woman impressed by such displays—but nonetheless. All it would take would be a single word to an associate of mine, and…” She stops, long enough to let the conversation breathe. Selena finds herself finally doing the same for the first time in…well, she doesn’t remember, and it feels like a rod being shoved down her throat. It feels like a rod being shoved down her throat, one with eyes so blue they could make sapphires jealous. “…You must be having fun, Percival.” It’s a sentence that comes out of her mouth as smoothly as the lens of a camera. “Risking your life again after all this time just to say hi and invite someone like me to another one of your parties. Are you doing this out of pity, or shame? Because I don’t think I want part of either.” Those words, however, do not. There’s a half lie here in that Selena doesn’t want her pity, but somehow, she’d be willing to stomach shame. She’d be willing to stomach shame just long enough to see that face truly come of itself and lunge at her, before she plunged a thaumaturgic bullet down her skull and that was that. …No, actually. She doesn’t want to do that either. That wouldn’t even kill, what is she thinking? (And she knows it won’t kill because she watched two implant themselves in her spine.) “Bold of you to assume it’s not just good old-fashioned British hospitality,” she chuffs with a click of her tongue. “I’m serious,” Selena asserts. “You’re pushing this farther than is good for you.” “Concerned with my health now, are you? Oh, I’m so flattered. You should be concerned with your own for once.” “The only time I’ve ever been concerned for you was that night when I could have shot you and faced zero repercussions for it.” …Yeah, it was time to bring that up now. This was getting out of hand and lasting way too long. The festival died twenty years ago, just like that agent did. “A bullet for bullet, eh? One in the body with a machete in its hand, and one straight into your eye? You would have //loved// to let me get away with that.” Selena snickers to herself. What a macabre recollection, but there’s a reason she’s laughing. There’s no one else in the world who got to witness the magnificent Percival Darke cornered like she did, begging for her life with all of the swears and ancient insults as she did. There’s no one else in the world who has seen those eyes as wide with fear as she has. Selena keeps laughing, as the image she holds in her head digs up more and more anxious hallways. This is horrible—this is atrocious, unbecoming of her. It’s pig-headed, fun, selfish and stupid. But she still doesn’t hang up, and neither does Percival. “I wouldn’t have let you get away with it at all,” she snarls through a thick sneer. “Yes you would. I saved not just you, but Iris, didn’t I? I’m sure that could cover up an offense to your sense of manners. What, don’t you demons play by rules and contracts and tit-for-tat?” “You’re a little piece of—I am //not// a demon, you—” There she goes. Selena just has to hold this for a little longer. Get one last punch in, and make her hang up. “You’re a demon in all but name, yes you are. That’s all you’ll ever be, all you’ll ever amount to, those piss-minded gargoyles who eat their own shit, Percival. Aren’t you halfway there with the contracts and memos already? The pounds of ink your idiotic executives swallow on a monthly basis—” The phone hits a dial tone. Percival hangs up without another word and Selena is left alone. Again. A crow caws outside, and Selena falls to the floor, unsure of whether to burn in pride or with tears. Her glasses sway uncouthly from side to side across her big nose, threatening to collapse and break. They’ve already got a scratch in them she’s been ignoring. Put it aside like the rest of the maintenances she’s been putting off for as long as was feasibly possible. That was the easiest way, that was the way of least cortisol. …What a stupid way to win that. What a stupid way to risk it all. Name-calling like a five-year-old, like a kid on the playground who doesn’t get what they want. Playing a back and forth like this was some TV show about a bunch of nobodies who lived in a walkable city. But that was all she knew, wasn’t it? That was a cynical way to boil down negotiations, the art of cooperation and existence among similarly bloody colleagues but, well, it was right, wasn’t it? Signaling, relinquishing position, feigning nice, appealing to the origins behind the eyes looking at you—she did all of that, yeah? Didn't she? Selena sucks in air thinking of O5-01 looking down on her from his chair. There’s a stark contrast to his blank face and that unknowable blue piercing the same darkness. One synergizes her harshly, forcing her into a team strategy that she rarely, if ever wanted to be a part of. He knew she hated voting on the big initiatives and yet insisted upon her input each time anyway. Percival, however… She asked for her hand once. When she still sounded like an angelic baritone, polished to perfection. She asked about the job, the sites she knew of much too closely, all things Selena would never be allowed to divulge, and yet she waited ever so patiently for her to answer as if she could. As if Selena was someone full of possibilities instead of just a very big numbered fish capable of wiping sites off the map at her beck and call. …No. Once again, she has to force herself not to reminisce on those times. If she does, she will only… She will only… … She taps the most recent caller and waits. Limply. The darkness of her bedroom cradles her from the stripping sun as her phone illuminates her face with a somber glow. Percival picks up, somehow, and Selena forces the first word in before she can even begin yelling at her. “I’m sorry.” Silence. Not unusual now, but it still hurts. Selena can’t feel her face or her chest. “…Sorry? I…You called me to deliver an…apology…?” Even Percival sounds taken aback. She has a cigar in her mouth now, no doubt. The phone catches its demure sizzling with derelicting impunity. “…Yeah,” Selena says, unaware of the power she carries, forcing someone like Percival Darke of all people to bend over for an apology. That will dawn on her later when she’s taking a cold-water shower to collapse, but focus on the present for now. “…I’m sorry.” “Well, that’s…quite the statement, Miss Heptad Autocrat. Very bold for your kind.” //It’s a bold move for anyone to try and please you//, Selena thinks. “Are you still open to that party?” Selena can practically hear Percival licking her lips, but she doesn’t care. Let her eat all the ash she wants. “…Only if you promise to be cordial.” “Okay. You have to promise me protection. I…” Does she want to tell her that she’s got goddamn cameras in her house? She’s already in too deep, and yet… “…I’m sure I don’t need to tell you the nature of my arrangements, yes?” “Indeed, you don’t.” She laughs this time, and it melts in Selena’s ears with stoning resistance. “Here, let me indulge—I’ll take on the burdens of planning this, and we meet up at a rendezvous point in a week under a cover story for those swine-mouthed bottom feeders. As long as you can call me where they can’t hear…” The sun begins setting on Percival’s end, and she sighs. Selena’s hands drip with sweat listening to such a smooth sound. “This will work out in your favor.” “And what if it doesn’t?” Selena blurts louder than she knows is good for her. There’s a real sting of shakiness to her voice that sounds like bricks crumbling. Not falling, but the foundation heaving, releasing their bodies and seeping into the loamy earth. A bead of sweat drips down her forehead in her sixty-two-degree, air-conditioned bedroom. By now she’s fully crammed herself into the back of the closet, feet a mess amidst what were once organized piles of shoes, belied above by rows upon rows of mismatching shirts, most tending towards black. “…Don’t worry. It’s me, isn’t it?” Percival purred, her tone mellowing, softening. Whether in pity, disappointment, or genuine concern, Selena doesn’t know and doesn’t want to ask. “What can you give me to prove that?” Selena asks, as she finally takes off her glasses to stare into the blurry darkness. Percival takes a second to answer, but the smile she slips into is so obvious that Selena can practically feel it kissing her ear. “…The same kindness I graced you with that night. You purloined something of mine…and yet here you are to tell the tale.” //And I took aim at your ego too,// Selena thinks, smiling. Lopsidedly, nervously, but it’s still a smile, despite everything. “Guess you really never thanked me properly for Iris, huh?” she asks. “I suppose.” Selena doesn’t need to see her to know she’s rolling her eyes. “Goodbye for now though, Miss Lucky—I have a gala I need to put on make-up for. Keep your pretty face intact for me, please?” She hangs up before Selena can respond. That was probably on purpose. No, most definitely. A blue jay screams somewhere in the deep distance, in the forest at the edge of town nobody talks about. The one which can’t be razed because it’s of too much sentimental importance to the elders, and yet the youth get nothing out of it because of the ‘STAY OUT’ signs. A security guard patrols the perimeter, every day, annoyed by the squirrels and snakes hiding in the trees, what he has been assigned to protect, as he is eager to see its unsightliness gone despite the easy money it makes for him, and him alone. No one is an island except a forest in a concrete jungle. When Selena finally shakes herself out of her own static-sloughing thoughts, she ponders if she should visit there before all of this goes down. Without a doubt, it reminds her of Percival, of her fascinatingly idiosyncratic opinion of nature. Was the private island she bought originally some historied nature reserve? Knowing it’s here in Florida, it must have closed the loop of its life with a bribe, fat with anticipation as soon as her sin was completed. How come Selena can’t hold her head high like that? She is already, doing what she is, but it doesn’t feel like it. It’s never felt like it in all of her life. Whoever said your confidence got better with age was wrong in the most cosmic of ways—all that you figured out was what you were able to get away with without making a mess, and what you knew more than anyone else. What Selena does know now is that she’s done this before, so she can do it again one more time. One last time. And what she knows more than anyone else is the reason why she doesn’t want to be here, and yet fell into the viper pit anyway. There’s a temptation to call back Percival just to hear her voice again, but she deletes the number from her history and deigns herself instead to calling the dog guy. When he picks up, all she can do is zone out to his jolly greetings and questions about where she’s been while she thinks of what she’s going to wear in a week. [[/div]]	2024-09-29T15:25:00	[ "lgbtq", "marshall-carter-and-dark", "percival-darke", "romance", "tale" ]	Pierce the Velvet - SCP Foundation	21	[ "a-murder-and-relief-in-the-dark", "to-love-a-snake-with-blue-eyes" ]	[ "marshall-carter-and-dark-hub", "adamantine-temptations-hub" ]	[]	1456951291	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pierce-the-velvet
pique-proves-perennial	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/wormsign-actual">Previous Tale</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> \| Next Tale »</strong></span></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">></span> GAP TRANSIT SUCCESSFUL // 106.9 x 9560.0 ABSOLUTE<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">></span> HEADCOUNT FULL 20 AND JUNIPER SPRIG IN HAND<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">></span> SACRIFICES TO SEVENTH SPRING PREPARED<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">></span> DECAMP 1830 FOR LOCAL TRANSIT // 5063.3 x 5082.4 ABSOLUTE<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">></span> ETA 1930 // OTE 1945 // PULSE ON MAZ-5 WHEN LIVE</p> </blockquote> <hr/> <p>It rained harder than ever across Cherinmark as a wet winter culminated in a worse spring. Droplets drenched Mealworm's fortress too, inundating it despite whatever favor the land showed her, satisfying moats, filling cisterns, and washing away smaller vessels outright. With so much construction yet unfinished—and seeming unlikely to <em>be</em> finished in her lifetime—tarps had sprouted across the walls akin to those covering the old carrier's half-stripped hull. Perhaps creatures living inside greater structures always settled for the same approach when pressed by nature.</p> <p>Maybe fastening knots in the downpour was safer than sitting in her throne room too. So many spots were better fortified against munitions or mages: chambers where a jury-rigged server might hide heat signatures, where architecture could withstand explosions, or where planners simply wouldn't assume she spent her days. There was no convincing the quick-forming, quick-disbanding cliques who took it upon themselves to direct new warbands upward after a lesson on pointless niceties though. They were also the ones who seemed most disappointed when she refused to mount that ridiculous throne with scepter in hand and crown on head. Such expectations only made the steps beneath more appealing a seat.</p> <p>And there she remained on a day where few riders requested equipment for their raids, where few revolutionaries sought knowledge of cross-border tunnels networked by autonomous diggers. Aides instead worked in an alcove intended for statuary, whispering amongst themselves while paging through maps Mealworm had salvaged years before. Other soldiers who declared themselves her personal guard set to gambling between pillars with both cards and dice. She might have joined them if not for the peculiarity budding from the chamber's entrance that forced her hand toward <em>Dead Moon on Silent Water</em>.</p> <p>Yes, being unable to lay eyes on the main doorway was too odd a sensation to ignore. Each attempt felt shameful, the sensation of watching a gruesome accident unfold magnified through some vulnerability in thought patterns—regret over natural curiosity, discomfort born of eventuality, and fear from taboos rooted in genetic memory. It expanded over the far end of the chamber as she drew sword from sheath. Possibilities flickered through mental filters as the familiar sensation of guns trained on center mass took hold, sending adrenaline–</p> <p>A cold hand brushed along her own. Another found the crook between shoulder and neck, steadying what never achieved substance. Such was the ghast that spirit steel extruded, whose damp breaths came despite an absence of lungs, whose monochrome locks drifted above a circlet of three extra eyes burning like stars barely contained.</p> <p>'Oh, harvester mine,' she mouthed to nothing in particular. Spectral fingers cupped Mealworm's chin, directing her toward the taboo which wormed its way through every sense. And then aloud in English: "Did I finally upset someone important enough to earn a reprimand?"</p> <p>The sensation of staring into a mass grave slunk away after a few moments, abhorrence abating, disgust dissipating, allowing Mealworm to focus on twenty-some shades who were pointing rifles at all present. Black masks with more lenses than her ghost had eyes. Black armor heavy with the regenerative plates forbidden early in her deployment. Black guns too, which were plenty intimidating even without a sudden burst of shouting in several languages. Aides were lined up against the wall as would-be guards were zip-tied in uncomfortable positions. No deaths yet unless bodies bled below.</p> <p>Mealworm was thinking too far ahead for shock or awe though, gray matter simmering in the residual stim that her most potent self summoned from the crease between lobes—stewing amidst calculations of who would shoot first along which advance, of who seemed sluggish after an arduous trek through Cherinmark. Then there were chains of command exposed by intonation and combat drugs betrayed by chemical stench. Twitches revealed tension revealed hints at intent that she couldn't finish peeling apart with only the dregs of enhanced reason left in her brainpan.</p> <p>"Come on, come on, shoot already." She jabbed spirit steel toward the intruder that every inference agreed was in command. "That way nobody will be embarrassed about what they ran away from. I can feel your finger twitching like it's mine. I'm thinking your thoughts before you can! Try it!"</p> <p>Their only response was to fish within armor for something nestled against dog tags. Between gloved fingers emerged a two-toothed key similar to the one lost on Mt. Perfidy. If indeed the same, it exuded a different aura now, as though cored with crackling substance that hurt to observe for different reasons. They held it out and spoke a word of power that her ears refused just as intently as her eyes had the veil.</p> <p>A slit carved through empty air eight feet off the ground, leaking pale blue light that overpowered the orange from lamps overhead. It whistled off-tune, then tore downward like wallpaper too hastily removed. Settling pressure's <em>wumpf</em> heralded the entrance of another combatant far more suited to this courtly stage than Mealworm had ever felt. The young man—for he was awfully young, probably ten years behind her thirty-something—towered from the dozen paces separating them, holding himself like a storybook hero from either world's corpus. Pale, proud eyes were the softest feature amidst harder lines bounding jaw and cheeks. He seemed equipped from local armories at first glance; the breastplate wasn't forged in any fashion she recognized though, nor were gauntlets or greaves that looked machined to millimeter accuracy rather than hammered by hands. She could practically feel the metal ripple beneath her fingers and taste the polish that turned each into mirrors.</p> <p>"Leon Harken stands before you," he boomed in a tone matching his frame, and did so in book-taught common tongue too. "Champion of the Assistant Director for Exotic Resource Allocation, chosen bearer of the triskblade CALLOW ELECT, and master of the Blackbox Technique. Be honored that I was selected to duel you in accordance with this land's traditions!"</p> <p>"You aren't any of that," said Mealworm, eyes darting to the soldiers who now held their hostages at gunpoint as something throbbed in the back of her neck. "You can't possibly be."</p> <p>"Such skepticism is warranted, for ours is not an order steeped in swordplay or honorable combat. How refreshing it must be to do battle here instead of skulk through shadows!"</p> <p>"Is that what they said I've been doing this whole time? Having a fun little adventure without anyone from Earth breathing down my neck, maybe touring from city to city to take in the sights?"</p> <p>"You jest, but I read how the last attempt to escort you home ended. Threatening instead of empathizing was pathetic indeed. Rest assured that my patron understands your attachment to this place, to the skills you honed here and the life you made with them. This duel will demonstrate his respect as well as mine!"</p> <p>Tightening, throbbing, the ache in her neck was still nothing compared to what curdled inside it, congealed ire sliding down into a stomach already thick with clots. The hand stroking her spine did nothing to relieve pressure. The microbiome fortified within offered no resilience despite handling water full of every parasite imaginable. Was this how the Foundation saw her? Were her messages—first in words, then in warfare—not clear to analysts who spent every moment sifting through slurry for truths hidden within? Thinking her fond of this world after a decade spent plotting to upend it was the height of folly. These knights, these wizards… that she found examples of each to respect couldn't redeem the rest, nor would an unexpected friendship spare the Coalition its much-deserved thrashing.</p> <p>The magic sword in hand meant nothing compared to a proper conclusion. The otherworldly edifice beneath their feet meant nothing too. Towering monsters that nickered at her, armies that took her advice seriously, exiles from Cherinmark's shifting who sheltered beneath the wormsign all meant <em>nothing</em>. No extent of stim-fed awareness could change that. Hisses leaked out between clenched teeth, their pressure matching a hand whose knuckles were ready to burst free, but the fool seemed incapable of understanding those either.</p> <p>"Ha! Nor can I restrain myself any longer! Let us duel to first incapacitation according to the Chaiune Codex, duly witnessed by my escorts and your court, with control over this fortress as the prize."</p> <p>"It's already my fortress."</p> <p>"Then for the glory of besting the Foundation's champion! Win or lose, my superior wishes to bring you back within the fold to help secure our other holdings abroad. Any number of past transgressions will be excused after taking this new position, no matter who they were inflicted upon. I give my oath thus."</p> <p>Welling bile curdled worse than anything swallowed, but there was nothing for it. Hearing that leadership was willing to move on the moment topsoil hit grave only affirmed what she already knew from their eagerness to retreat years before. How convenient for the 'rational' decision to so ably fit cowards' instinct. This pup was too fresh to understand though, and the agents standing watch looked antsy to execute orders he might know nothing about. Mealworm brought up <em>Dead Moon on Silent Water</em>, angling translucent steel toward his face in a way that obscured its length during her slow walk forward. Standing taller only meant she needed to carve off more meat to balance the scales.</p> <p>"Oh, piteous march!" he boomed, both hands lifting a bleached scabbard overhead for an unnecessarily elaborate draw. Both eyes raised toward CALLOW ELECT too, confident that he could bask in unveiling his enchanted weapon for all to witness. Barely an inch of amber was exposed when her advance became a two-handed thrust that extended ligaments to their fullest. Even throwing her whole body forward couldn't prevent the sword's selfish affirmation though. "Aversion plagues none but the weak!"</p> <p>He had less time than instinct must insist. Her blade's tip nicked his neck in passage, barely dodged by a quarter turn that allowed Leon to finish his draw. A vast chittering filled Mealworm's ears once the amber sword was fully exposed—modulated by countless carapaces trapped within its mass, by frozen wings and lifeless tymbals, the sound of Cherinmark's marshlands magnified a hundredfold. She recovered just in time to divert his downward chop.</p> <p>Enough force still transmitted along that angle to send her stumbling back. Those muscles clearly weren't built by exercises repeated to the point of obsession, nor by means as simple as the steroids their cohort snickered about other task forces guzzling. No, his body was an elixir cauldron, a pill furnace, and it burned hot with ingredients siphoned from other world's ecosystems. One breath amidst check and backstep brought forth images of pale stalks stretching toward the horizon, fronds brushing against speaking stones; of gray waterfalls pouring through layers of gravel and reactive mineral until a few droplets fell into cupped palms.</p> <p>Their blades met thrice more as he pushed forward, each time at complementary angles calculated through the recursive, inevitable logic that both embodied. Knowledge of self through stim. Knowledge of others through the avenues it opened. When mirrored, these truths combined into a tumble down decision trees that saw only downsides for her. Limbs groaned. Gashes bled. Death stalked hungrily along paths not taken, cornering its prey each time. What else could she do? Mealworm's swordplay had been cobbled together from exiles, disgraces, and malcontents of every stripe, not refined by modeling and simulation to overcome extant styles—but if Leon <em>knew</em> as she knew, why assume she enjoyed that submission to fantasy?</p> <p>Absent saner options, she released her blade at the end of one riposte. It hung mid-air for less than a second, inviting more focus than ever, as capturing its release with plentiful senses did not determine which were most important. Angles of rotation? Odor from its leather hilt? The direction of her eyes instead, or which muscles flexed most, or how any of their audience shifted in reaction? Mealworm's ghost grabbed the blade in that moment of processing; it swung at an angle her elbow wouldn't allow, reversing up toward the nick on Leon's neck that had already stopped bleeding. She palmed her holstered pistol with a flesh-and-blood hand as he deflected that strike in turn.</p> <p>Insectoid trills heralded the draw. They blocked onlookers' shouts from her ears and suppressed gunshots too, denying the feedback that human minds thrived on. Entire battle lines had crumbled beneath such disorientation when it was still being carried by sacrifices in Alpha-85. Blood spurting from his unarmored thigh was proof enough in this case. Attempts at a higher shot were cut short as his cowter connected with her temple, sending Mealworm skidding back toward the unused throne with ghost in tow.</p> <p>The view from down there was all too familiar. Rows of polished stone pillars that would someday be engraved by resident artisans stood between herself and the main door (now held slightly ajar, curious). Darkness lingered between the ceiling's arches, only barely touched by lamps which had begun flickering for the first time since installation (pattern unnoticed by soldiers focused on other matters). Mealworm gulped down pooling saliva, then pushed herself upright from those shallow steps, ready to meet the man who limped back toward her.</p> <p>"A foul," he proclaimed. "Unbecoming of warriors whose honor is at stake."</p> <p>"Forcing me into a duel at gunpoint isn't honorable in the first place. Stop putting on airs."</p> <p>"Bah, their only mission was to secure my transit here. Settling matters in this world should be done with its methods, not modern weapons."</p> <p>"Use your brain for one second instead of regurgitating whatever you picked up in briefings!" Her ghost snarled at Leon with a ferocity she hadn't managed for years, but it was the soldiers and their distant advisors who most needed to listen. "Do you think anybody here respects us for pretending to fight like them? It's a bad imitation, it's insulting, it just shows how you aren't taking their lives seriously! Stop fucking around!"</p> <p>She emptied the rest of her magazine in full auto, a sweep encompassing more than that would-be champion. Bullets found flesh and flattened against armor as everything came to a head. Mealworm threw herself aside. More gunfire than ever erupted into the room, riddling her cover and much else with honeycomb holes. Flickering lamps burst in succession as Aster's dissipated consciousness forced power through them. A blonde, furry shape burst through the far door, tackling one of many soldiers into a darkness now strobing with muzzle flashes.</p> <p>Battle's steady pulse cut through the buzz. Mealworm rolled further around the pillar, following Galowyn's example by tackling two legs as her ghost thrust into the torso above them—they managed to fire down at her anyway, one bullet clipping an ear in passage. Grabbing the barrel burned her palm. Forcing it aside cooked flesh worse as another volley erupted. Only after an extra twist of blade between ribs did she manage to wrench the rifle away entirely. Cutting-edge technology felt more alien than ever after all those years; it rejected her in kind, rendered non-functional by some palm lock, helmet link, or gene imprint. Fine. She pawed at their pistol until Leon emerged with sword already mid-swing. Even lead in his leg barely seemed a hindrance.</p> <p>CALLOW ELECT cleaved halfway through the support behind her. Bellowing loud enough to overcome the trill, he wrenched it free in a follow-up that sent stones flying. Attempting to block once amber vibrations achieved such frequency was nothing short of foolish. On the battlefield, she had seen it cleave through horse and knight, through armored truck, and through plenty of lesser things too. Having it wielded against her made all the difference.</p> <p>Two mangled bodies hurled between Mealworm and the gap, which remained impassive save for faint ripples that spread from its center. Stones underfoot trembled as Aster exerted control to bring reinforcements upwards. Then again, maybe it was a sign she was transferring to her PACER in case the tower's upper floors needed to be blown clean off. Mealworm hurried farther from her duel in pursuit of a functional firearm and nearly bowled over a corpse leaned upright. Sheer aversion to its state was nauseating, but she pressed close anyway as her ghost swept around to fend off Leon. The stench of bloat, of being left exposed on a sunlit shore for days on end… fumbling through kit for an unlocked weapon might as well be excavating their chest cavity. Dead arms grabbed her in a bear-hug without warning, nearly squeezing out vomit, but she managed to thumb the pin off a grenade anyway.</p> <p>If it was explosive, she would die painlessly; if incendiary, the suffering would be significant. Suddenly being engulfed in stinging gas was preferable by far, especially as her specter pried at the seal around that walking corpse's mask, causing convulsions that allowed escape just before a two handed swing from Mealworm's foe cleaved his ally in half. It must have destroyed the device that bound that taboo too, for she saw the implicit corpse become an actual one as intestines spilled across trampled carpet.</p> <p>"This is no way to fight!" called Leon through the wafting haze of tear gas as she bolted again. His sword quieted, no doubt claiming too steep a cost from the chemical furnace within. That only allowed other sounds to take hold: distant sirens, nearer battle chants, teeth sunk in flesh, bullets laid into wood, fighting outside the door and whimpers within. "Don't you wish to display the skills honed in this land? Such furtive scurrying betrays your teachers. Stand firm!"</p> <p>He still didn't comprehend that Cherinmark wasn't a place pulled from his favorite novella. Why bother striving for glory when it would only be depicted by reports destined to crumble inside three-ring binders? Surviving was the only skill that mattered there, and while she might not have mastered it, the land had been a better teacher than any expert from the Foundation. Any displeasure from it would be more keenly felt too.</p> <p>Following wet noises, she found a shaggy beast curled into one of many alcoves. A sparking socket illuminated both fallen intruders and executed guards in a scene as gruesome as any found in the red reactor far below. Just another contingent to perish before she did. At least Galowyn was a welcome sight, cursed form aside. He must need every bit of protein to sustain mass—misproportioned though the results were, as though hastily assembled from different predators who shared only a distant ancestor—driving his feast on body and bioplate both.</p> <p>"Shouldn't have put you in this position," she said, patting his flank despite the blood welling beneath fur. Organs that rumbled like heavy machinery were almost comforting compared to her foe's complex. "Sorry we didn't get the chance to humiliate your family either." Messy eating continued unabated, bones cracked for marrow as her sides ached. "Find the key when you're done, then get Gregor to close the gap before reinforcements come through. You're in charge if I don't make it."</p> <p>That turned his elongated snout at last, one black, glassy eye reflecting her own grimace. Any more artful goodbyes were unnecessary. Theirs was a discontent that lingered, then commingled, festering alongside what Aster carried and Gregor wrought until the sum could never be satisfied. Besides, Galowyn wouldn't have followed her if he wanted a peaceful life. She patted his flank once more before turning back to the row of pillars separating her from the Foundation's most miserable experiment in human resources.</p> <p>Leon Harken, Champion of the Assistant Director for Exotic Resource Allocation, seemed fully recovered from the leg wound that would have stymied most warriors even if it failed to rupture an artery. Mealworm hurried to keep pace as he strode down the darkened throne room without a limp, keeping cover between herself and that quieted-but-dangerous blade.</p> <p>"I aspired to a duel worthier than this," he said while staring at the throne's gentle dip. "There is nothing prideful in the character of war on Earth, where even the bravest can be mowed down without recourse. But I see there are naught but cowards here as well."</p> <p>"Who raised you?" she asked from a safe distance. At least as safe as anywhere in the room could be. "War has never been about anything but crawling through mud and shit no matter if it's arrows or missiles flying overhead."</p> <p>"No! The reports speak of legends who choose the most arduous paths here, of heroes who set their power to accomplishing great deeds. Everything must be different in their wake."</p> <p>"Or else you wasted years choking down pills, I get it. Honest."</p> <p>"Or else there is no land which understands that conflict should not be managed by machine and separated by miles!"</p> <p>Sighing in the face of such naivety would be a relief, but Mealworm's grimace merely solidified as blood ran from her mangled ear. "Even if it was like that at some point, we already polluted their possibilities too much. No treaty will ever convince them to forget about heavy artillery or scramjets' screaming for long."</p> <p>"I'll force them if I must." This time it was Leon's turn to point his blade at her. "Announce yourself, and let us resolve this duel with some sliver of decorum."</p> <p>Mealworm's ghost urged her to raise her weapon in turn, hand sliding down from shoulder to wrist. "Just another grub wriggling in Cherinmark ever since the Foundation turned tail."</p> <p>"Announce properly!"</p> <p>"Didn't anyone warn you that names are an OPSEC hazard? I'm surprised they let you keep one."</p> <p>Leon clearly had more to say—proving that he indeed belonged in this world of windbags, misguided as other beliefs might be—but Mealworm rushed him rather than surrender the initiative again. Even skilled duelists could be felled due only to differences in mass or reach, and she was no duelist in the first place. Middle blows were deflected despite their urgency. Lower strikes were evaded despite her near-invisible blade. Knowing its length, seeing her grip, he clearly inferred plenty about Mealworm's movements through gap-lit gloom.</p> <p>Knowing the same about his blade made it no easier to absorb counterattacks. That subtle hum numbed her hands when transmitted through spirit steel, and sheer force left her arms worse off when parrying became blocking by necessity. Let it never be said that the Foundation wasted effort in small measures. His was a precise, practiced swordsmanship that might well prove effective against battle-hardened knights or reclusive bladewives. It certainly worked against hands better suited to a rifle.</p> <p>One strike of many knocked <em>Dead Moon on Silent Water</em> away in a less intentional shedding than before. The ghost grabbed for it as she lurched away from his follow-up, ethereal fingers barely snagging pommel. A stomp connected nevertheless. Bone snapped inside her leg, accompanied by pain the stim refused to dull in its fulsome collection. She could only hiss through clenched teeth while taking her blade from herself once more; just in time too, as CALLOW ELECT careened down with 'to first incapacitation' forgotten.</p> <p>There was nothing to do but endure. Mealworm's free hand steadied against steel, joined by two more from her ideal, best-preserved self, a form that surely wouldn't have ended up in this position for how hot the stim burned inside. Withstanding the amber blade's thousand-cicada cry proved impossible though. Spirit steel shattered. Ethereal form dissolved. Flesh and bone cleaved too, forearm splitting apart as she barely diverted the blow from anything more vital—not that her hand hanging from scrap muscle was much better an outcome.</p> <p>Leon began dragging her by the tunic toward the gap. Whether busy hunting or being hunted, neither Foundation agents nor Galowyn were in sight. None stopped him from throwing her through.</p> <hr/> <p>Transit was instant. It would have been painless too, save for the wounds causing so very much. Mealworm came through on her knees, smearing blood across white tiles that matched white walls. All lay beneath the observation balcony encircling a chamber near ballroom scale, where floodlights threatened to obscure the guns, cameras, and fingers all pointed down. Trying to push herself upright mostly splattered blood onto otherwise sterile surfaces. Every jostle of her useless hand hurt worse than the last. Broken bones should count themselves lucky instead of complaining so.</p> <p>Even hearing so much of her native tongue at once was disorienting; its speakers, diverse in their plainness compared to any gathering in Cherinmark. Vertebrae throbbed again. Her good hand tightened on a blade with little edge left intact. Hunched, dirty, broken, she certainly wasn't being heralded as a lost child returned at last—even worse than being called a traitor, she was now the <em>other</em>. Made unrecognizable by an alien land's embrace, made anomalous by tomes that dictated such matters. Being shot dead would have been preferable to chatter of "containment team on standby" and "follow your engagement parameters."</p> <p>Leon's own return had a triumphant air about it, as if one fight could secure control of a fortress she barely managed or armies she merely advised. Still, high was his head, puffed was his chest. He barely acknowledged her presence before looking up to where his Director must be standing and raising CALLOW ELECT to acknowledge whoops from a few more impassioned researchers.</p> <p>Then she stabbed him in the flank.</p> <p>Armor sheared easier than amber, allowing her weapon's new teeth to bite tender flesh in just as intentional a foul as before. Leaving it embedded there, she grabbed his metal collar and half-spun, half-dragged him down to keep rifles at bay, then headbutted him square in the face. One more. Twice more. Again, until cartilage no longer crunched so loudly. Only the most hands-on training ever prepared anyone for <em>that</em>, though it was still a losing proposition. His return blow sent every sight shifting and separating, and another made half her vision go black. Skull crunched worse than cartilage as it turned out.</p> <p>She never should have let Kieh Teh Kor Rang fill her brain with nonsense about stilled rivers requiring release. Or maybe sending that assassin away was the blunder despite resenting victory's means. Maybe she simply shouldn't have assumed so much when stoking a conflict without precedent, but maybe she didn't regret any of it either. Leon's gauntlet raised once more as a muzzle stained with gore emerged from within stark blue light, snuffling to and fro in the periphery of her good eye.</p> <p>"Next time, kill me like you mean it!" she shouted before reaching back for Galowyn's enormous paw, which yanked her through the gap as rifles finally found firing lines. But what were a few more bullet holes? Even if his offer of a new position absent recriminations was genuine, she didn't want it. Not from those careless hands. Each new cadre of aspirants would know less, understand less, ignorant of how many bones were buried on the other side as they chased ever-elusive promotions. No, leadership needed to finish the last war before even thinking about stealing what they used to take for granted.</p> <hr/> <p>What transpired over the following years ended up deeply classified in servers buried even deeper underground. Body counts throughout DSU#31 were nulled on spreadsheets. Expenditures to support royal lines in GENEROUS FIG were compartmented at the Secretary General level before being wiped clean. The files containing Mealworm's history and hoarded name burned too, lest "leadership" ever take interest in the debacle. Whether any on the far side cherished her for it was a different question, and one she never sought to answer, for warring under delusions of love is foolish indeed.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/wormsign-actual">Previous Tale</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> \| Next Tale »</strong></span></p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/pique-proves-perennial">Pique Proves Perennial</a>" by Pedantique, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/pique-proves-perennial">https://scpwiki.com/pique-proves-perennial</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[=]] [[span style="font-size:90%;"]]<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/wormsign-actual Previous Tale] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] \| Next Tale >>[[/span]] [[/=]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] > @@>@@ GAP TRANSIT SUCCESSFUL // 106.9 x 9560.0 ABSOLUTE > @@>@@ HEADCOUNT FULL 20 AND JUNIPER SPRIG IN HAND > @@>@@ SACRIFICES TO SEVENTH SPRING PREPARED > @@>@@ DECAMP 1830 FOR LOCAL TRANSIT // 5063.3 x 5082.4 ABSOLUTE > @@>@@ ETA 1930 // OTE 1945 // PULSE ON MAZ-5 WHEN LIVE ----- It rained harder than ever across Cherinmark as a wet winter culminated in a worse spring. Droplets drenched Mealworm's fortress too, inundating it despite whatever favor the land showed her, satisfying moats, filling cisterns, and washing away smaller vessels outright. With so much construction yet unfinished—and seeming unlikely to //be// finished in her lifetime—tarps had sprouted across the walls akin to those covering the old carrier's half-stripped hull. Perhaps creatures living inside greater structures always settled for the same approach when pressed by nature. Maybe fastening knots in the downpour was safer than sitting in her throne room too. So many spots were better fortified against munitions or mages: chambers where a jury-rigged server might hide heat signatures, where architecture could withstand explosions, or where planners simply wouldn't assume she spent her days. There was no convincing the quick-forming, quick-disbanding cliques who took it upon themselves to direct new warbands upward after a lesson on pointless niceties though. They were also the ones who seemed most disappointed when she refused to mount that ridiculous throne with scepter in hand and crown on head. Such expectations only made the steps beneath more appealing a seat. And there she remained on a day where few riders requested equipment for their raids, where few revolutionaries sought knowledge of cross-border tunnels networked by autonomous diggers. Aides instead worked in an alcove intended for statuary, whispering amongst themselves while paging through maps Mealworm had salvaged years before. Other soldiers who declared themselves her personal guard set to gambling between pillars with both cards and dice. She might have joined them if not for the peculiarity budding from the chamber's entrance that forced her hand toward //Dead Moon on Silent Water//. Yes, being unable to lay eyes on the main doorway was too odd a sensation to ignore. Each attempt felt shameful, the sensation of watching a gruesome accident unfold magnified through some vulnerability in thought patterns—regret over natural curiosity, discomfort born of eventuality, and fear from taboos rooted in genetic memory. It expanded over the far end of the chamber as she drew sword from sheath. Possibilities flickered through mental filters as the familiar sensation of guns trained on center mass took hold, sending adrenaline– A cold hand brushed along her own. Another found the crook between shoulder and neck, steadying what never achieved substance. Such was the ghast that spirit steel extruded, whose damp breaths came despite an absence of lungs, whose monochrome locks drifted above a circlet of three extra eyes burning like stars barely contained. 'Oh, harvester mine,' she mouthed to nothing in particular. Spectral fingers cupped Mealworm's chin, directing her toward the taboo which wormed its way through every sense. And then aloud in English: "Did I finally upset someone important enough to earn a reprimand?" The sensation of staring into a mass grave slunk away after a few moments, abhorrence abating, disgust dissipating, allowing Mealworm to focus on twenty-some shades who were pointing rifles at all present. Black masks with more lenses than her ghost had eyes. Black armor heavy with the regenerative plates forbidden early in her deployment. Black guns too, which were plenty intimidating even without a sudden burst of shouting in several languages. Aides were lined up against the wall as would-be guards were zip-tied in uncomfortable positions. No deaths yet unless bodies bled below. Mealworm was thinking too far ahead for shock or awe though, gray matter simmering in the residual stim that her most potent self summoned from the crease between lobes—stewing amidst calculations of who would shoot first along which advance, of who seemed sluggish after an arduous trek through Cherinmark. Then there were chains of command exposed by intonation and combat drugs betrayed by chemical stench. Twitches revealed tension revealed hints at intent that she couldn't finish peeling apart with only the dregs of enhanced reason left in her brainpan. "Come on, come on, shoot already." She jabbed spirit steel toward the intruder that every inference agreed was in command. "That way nobody will be embarrassed about what they ran away from. I can feel your finger twitching like it's mine. I'm thinking your thoughts before you can! Try it!" Their only response was to fish within armor for something nestled against dog tags. Between gloved fingers emerged a two-toothed key similar to the one lost on Mt. Perfidy. If indeed the same, it exuded a different aura now, as though cored with crackling substance that hurt to observe for different reasons. They held it out and spoke a word of power that her ears refused just as intently as her eyes had the veil. A slit carved through empty air eight feet off the ground, leaking pale blue light that overpowered the orange from lamps overhead. It whistled off-tune, then tore downward like wallpaper too hastily removed. Settling pressure's //wumpf// heralded the entrance of another combatant far more suited to this courtly stage than Mealworm had ever felt. The young man—for he was awfully young, probably ten years behind her thirty-something—towered from the dozen paces separating them, holding himself like a storybook hero from either world's corpus. Pale, proud eyes were the softest feature amidst harder lines bounding jaw and cheeks. He seemed equipped from local armories at first glance; the breastplate wasn't forged in any fashion she recognized though, nor were gauntlets or greaves that looked machined to millimeter accuracy rather than hammered by hands. She could practically feel the metal ripple beneath her fingers and taste the polish that turned each into mirrors. "Leon Harken stands before you," he boomed in a tone matching his frame, and did so in book-taught common tongue too. "Champion of the Assistant Director for Exotic Resource Allocation, chosen bearer of the triskblade CALLOW ELECT, and master of the Blackbox Technique. Be honored that I was selected to duel you in accordance with this land's traditions!" "You aren't any of that," said Mealworm, eyes darting to the soldiers who now held their hostages at gunpoint as something throbbed in the back of her neck. "You can't possibly be." "Such skepticism is warranted, for ours is not an order steeped in swordplay or honorable combat. How refreshing it must be to do battle here instead of skulk through shadows!" "Is that what they said I've been doing this whole time? Having a fun little adventure without anyone from Earth breathing down my neck, maybe touring from city to city to take in the sights?" "You jest, but I read how the last attempt to escort you home ended. Threatening instead of empathizing was pathetic indeed. Rest assured that my patron understands your attachment to this place, to the skills you honed here and the life you made with them. This duel will demonstrate his respect as well as mine!" Tightening, throbbing, the ache in her neck was still nothing compared to what curdled inside it, congealed ire sliding down into a stomach already thick with clots. The hand stroking her spine did nothing to relieve pressure. The microbiome fortified within offered no resilience despite handling water full of every parasite imaginable. Was this how the Foundation saw her? Were her messages—first in words, then in warfare—not clear to analysts who spent every moment sifting through slurry for truths hidden within? Thinking her fond of this world after a decade spent plotting to upend it was the height of folly. These knights, these wizards... that she found examples of each to respect couldn't redeem the rest, nor would an unexpected friendship spare the Coalition its much-deserved thrashing. The magic sword in hand meant nothing compared to a proper conclusion. The otherworldly edifice beneath their feet meant nothing too. Towering monsters that nickered at her, armies that took her advice seriously, exiles from Cherinmark's shifting who sheltered beneath the wormsign all meant //nothing//. No extent of stim-fed awareness could change that. Hisses leaked out between clenched teeth, their pressure matching a hand whose knuckles were ready to burst free, but the fool seemed incapable of understanding those either. "Ha! Nor can I restrain myself any longer! Let us duel to first incapacitation according to the Chaiune Codex, duly witnessed by my escorts and your court, with control over this fortress as the prize." "It's already my fortress." "Then for the glory of besting the Foundation's champion! Win or lose, my superior wishes to bring you back within the fold to help secure our other holdings abroad. Any number of past transgressions will be excused after taking this new position, no matter who they were inflicted upon. I give my oath thus." Welling bile curdled worse than anything swallowed, but there was nothing for it. Hearing that leadership was willing to move on the moment topsoil hit grave only affirmed what she already knew from their eagerness to retreat years before. How convenient for the 'rational' decision to so ably fit cowards' instinct. This pup was too fresh to understand though, and the agents standing watch looked antsy to execute orders he might know nothing about. Mealworm brought up //Dead Moon on Silent Water//, angling translucent steel toward his face in a way that obscured its length during her slow walk forward. Standing taller only meant she needed to carve off more meat to balance the scales. "Oh, piteous march!" he boomed, both hands lifting a bleached scabbard overhead for an unnecessarily elaborate draw. Both eyes raised toward CALLOW ELECT too, confident that he could bask in unveiling his enchanted weapon for all to witness. Barely an inch of amber was exposed when her advance became a two-handed thrust that extended ligaments to their fullest. Even throwing her whole body forward couldn't prevent the sword's selfish affirmation though. "Aversion plagues none but the weak!" He had less time than instinct must insist. Her blade's tip nicked his neck in passage, barely dodged by a quarter turn that allowed Leon to finish his draw. A vast chittering filled Mealworm's ears once the amber sword was fully exposed—modulated by countless carapaces trapped within its mass, by frozen wings and lifeless tymbals, the sound of Cherinmark's marshlands magnified a hundredfold. She recovered just in time to divert his downward chop. Enough force still transmitted along that angle to send her stumbling back. Those muscles clearly weren't built by exercises repeated to the point of obsession, nor by means as simple as the steroids their cohort snickered about other task forces guzzling. No, his body was an elixir cauldron, a pill furnace, and it burned hot with ingredients siphoned from other world's ecosystems. One breath amidst check and backstep brought forth images of pale stalks stretching toward the horizon, fronds brushing against speaking stones; of gray waterfalls pouring through layers of gravel and reactive mineral until a few droplets fell into cupped palms. Their blades met thrice more as he pushed forward, each time at complementary angles calculated through the recursive, inevitable logic that both embodied. Knowledge of self through stim. Knowledge of others through the avenues it opened. When mirrored, these truths combined into a tumble down decision trees that saw only downsides for her. Limbs groaned. Gashes bled. Death stalked hungrily along paths not taken, cornering its prey each time. What else could she do? Mealworm's swordplay had been cobbled together from exiles, disgraces, and malcontents of every stripe, not refined by modeling and simulation to overcome extant styles—but if Leon //knew// as she knew, why assume she enjoyed that submission to fantasy? Absent saner options, she released her blade at the end of one riposte. It hung mid-air for less than a second, inviting more focus than ever, as capturing its release with plentiful senses did not determine which were most important. Angles of rotation? Odor from its leather hilt? The direction of her eyes instead, or which muscles flexed most, or how any of their audience shifted in reaction? Mealworm's ghost grabbed the blade in that moment of processing; it swung at an angle her elbow wouldn't allow, reversing up toward the nick on Leon's neck that had already stopped bleeding. She palmed her holstered pistol with a flesh-and-blood hand as he deflected that strike in turn. Insectoid trills heralded the draw. They blocked onlookers' shouts from her ears and suppressed gunshots too, denying the feedback that human minds thrived on. Entire battle lines had crumbled beneath such disorientation when it was still being carried by sacrifices in Alpha-85. Blood spurting from his unarmored thigh was proof enough in this case. Attempts at a higher shot were cut short as his cowter connected with her temple, sending Mealworm skidding back toward the unused throne with ghost in tow. The view from down there was all too familiar. Rows of polished stone pillars that would someday be engraved by resident artisans stood between herself and the main door (now held slightly ajar, curious). Darkness lingered between the ceiling's arches, only barely touched by lamps which had begun flickering for the first time since installation (pattern unnoticed by soldiers focused on other matters). Mealworm gulped down pooling saliva, then pushed herself upright from those shallow steps, ready to meet the man who limped back toward her. "A foul," he proclaimed. "Unbecoming of warriors whose honor is at stake." "Forcing me into a duel at gunpoint isn't honorable in the first place. Stop putting on airs." "Bah, their only mission was to secure my transit here. Settling matters in this world should be done with its methods, not modern weapons." "Use your brain for one second instead of regurgitating whatever you picked up in briefings!" Her ghost snarled at Leon with a ferocity she hadn't managed for years, but it was the soldiers and their distant advisors who most needed to listen. "Do you think anybody here respects us for pretending to fight like them? It's a bad imitation, it's insulting, it just shows how you aren't taking their lives seriously! Stop fucking around!" She emptied the rest of her magazine in full auto, a sweep encompassing more than that would-be champion. Bullets found flesh and flattened against armor as everything came to a head. Mealworm threw herself aside. More gunfire than ever erupted into the room, riddling her cover and much else with honeycomb holes. Flickering lamps burst in succession as Aster's dissipated consciousness forced power through them. A blonde, furry shape burst through the far door, tackling one of many soldiers into a darkness now strobing with muzzle flashes. Battle's steady pulse cut through the buzz. Mealworm rolled further around the pillar, following Galowyn's example by tackling two legs as her ghost thrust into the torso above them—they managed to fire down at her anyway, one bullet clipping an ear in passage. Grabbing the barrel burned her palm. Forcing it aside cooked flesh worse as another volley erupted. Only after an extra twist of blade between ribs did she manage to wrench the rifle away entirely. Cutting-edge technology felt more alien than ever after all those years; it rejected her in kind, rendered non-functional by some palm lock, helmet link, or gene imprint. Fine. She pawed at their pistol until Leon emerged with sword already mid-swing. Even lead in his leg barely seemed a hindrance. CALLOW ELECT cleaved halfway through the support behind her. Bellowing loud enough to overcome the trill, he wrenched it free in a follow-up that sent stones flying. Attempting to block once amber vibrations achieved such frequency was nothing short of foolish. On the battlefield, she had seen it cleave through horse and knight, through armored truck, and through plenty of lesser things too. Having it wielded against her made all the difference. Two mangled bodies hurled between Mealworm and the gap, which remained impassive save for faint ripples that spread from its center. Stones underfoot trembled as Aster exerted control to bring reinforcements upwards. Then again, maybe it was a sign she was transferring to her PACER in case the tower's upper floors needed to be blown clean off. Mealworm hurried farther from her duel in pursuit of a functional firearm and nearly bowled over a corpse leaned upright. Sheer aversion to its state was nauseating, but she pressed close anyway as her ghost swept around to fend off Leon. The stench of bloat, of being left exposed on a sunlit shore for days on end... fumbling through kit for an unlocked weapon might as well be excavating their chest cavity. Dead arms grabbed her in a bear-hug without warning, nearly squeezing out vomit, but she managed to thumb the pin off a grenade anyway. If it was explosive, she would die painlessly; if incendiary, the suffering would be significant. Suddenly being engulfed in stinging gas was preferable by far, especially as her specter pried at the seal around that walking corpse's mask, causing convulsions that allowed escape just before a two handed swing from Mealworm's foe cleaved his ally in half. It must have destroyed the device that bound that taboo too, for she saw the implicit corpse become an actual one as intestines spilled across trampled carpet. "This is no way to fight!" called Leon through the wafting haze of tear gas as she bolted again. His sword quieted, no doubt claiming too steep a cost from the chemical furnace within. That only allowed other sounds to take hold: distant sirens, nearer battle chants, teeth sunk in flesh, bullets laid into wood, fighting outside the door and whimpers within. "Don't you wish to display the skills honed in this land? Such furtive scurrying betrays your teachers. Stand firm!" He still didn't comprehend that Cherinmark wasn't a place pulled from his favorite novella. Why bother striving for glory when it would only be depicted by reports destined to crumble inside three-ring binders? Surviving was the only skill that mattered there, and while she might not have mastered it, the land had been a better teacher than any expert from the Foundation. Any displeasure from it would be more keenly felt too. Following wet noises, she found a shaggy beast curled into one of many alcoves. A sparking socket illuminated both fallen intruders and executed guards in a scene as gruesome as any found in the red reactor far below. Just another contingent to perish before she did. At least Galowyn was a welcome sight, cursed form aside. He must need every bit of protein to sustain mass—misproportioned though the results were, as though hastily assembled from different predators who shared only a distant ancestor—driving his feast on body and bioplate both. "Shouldn't have put you in this position," she said, patting his flank despite the blood welling beneath fur. Organs that rumbled like heavy machinery were almost comforting compared to her foe's complex. "Sorry we didn't get the chance to humiliate your family either." Messy eating continued unabated, bones cracked for marrow as her sides ached. "Find the key when you're done, then get Gregor to close the gap before reinforcements come through. You're in charge if I don't make it." That turned his elongated snout at last, one black, glassy eye reflecting her own grimace. Any more artful goodbyes were unnecessary. Theirs was a discontent that lingered, then commingled, festering alongside what Aster carried and Gregor wrought until the sum could never be satisfied. Besides, Galowyn wouldn't have followed her if he wanted a peaceful life. She patted his flank once more before turning back to the row of pillars separating her from the Foundation's most miserable experiment in human resources. Leon Harken, Champion of the Assistant Director for Exotic Resource Allocation, seemed fully recovered from the leg wound that would have stymied most warriors even if it failed to rupture an artery. Mealworm hurried to keep pace as he strode down the darkened throne room without a limp, keeping cover between herself and that quieted-but-dangerous blade. "I aspired to a duel worthier than this," he said while staring at the throne's gentle dip. "There is nothing prideful in the character of war on Earth, where even the bravest can be mowed down without recourse. But I see there are naught but cowards here as well." "Who raised you?" she asked from a safe distance. At least as safe as anywhere in the room could be. "War has never been about anything but crawling through mud and shit no matter if it's arrows or missiles flying overhead." "No! The reports speak of legends who choose the most arduous paths here, of heroes who set their power to accomplishing great deeds. Everything must be different in their wake." "Or else you wasted years choking down pills, I get it. Honest." "Or else there is no land which understands that conflict should not be managed by machine and separated by miles!" Sighing in the face of such naivety would be a relief, but Mealworm's grimace merely solidified as blood ran from her mangled ear. "Even if it was like that at some point, we already polluted their possibilities too much. No treaty will ever convince them to forget about heavy artillery or scramjets' screaming for long." "I'll force them if I must." This time it was Leon's turn to point his blade at her. "Announce yourself, and let us resolve this duel with some sliver of decorum." Mealworm's ghost urged her to raise her weapon in turn, hand sliding down from shoulder to wrist. "Just another grub wriggling in Cherinmark ever since the Foundation turned tail." "Announce properly!" "Didn't anyone warn you that names are an OPSEC hazard? I'm surprised they let you keep one." Leon clearly had more to say—proving that he indeed belonged in this world of windbags, misguided as other beliefs might be—but Mealworm rushed him rather than surrender the initiative again. Even skilled duelists could be felled due only to differences in mass or reach, and she was no duelist in the first place. Middle blows were deflected despite their urgency. Lower strikes were evaded despite her near-invisible blade. Knowing its length, seeing her grip, he clearly inferred plenty about Mealworm's movements through gap-lit gloom. Knowing the same about his blade made it no easier to absorb counterattacks. That subtle hum numbed her hands when transmitted through spirit steel, and sheer force left her arms worse off when parrying became blocking by necessity. Let it never be said that the Foundation wasted effort in small measures. His was a precise, practiced swordsmanship that might well prove effective against battle-hardened knights or reclusive bladewives. It certainly worked against hands better suited to a rifle. One strike of many knocked //Dead Moon on Silent Water// away in a less intentional shedding than before. The ghost grabbed for it as she lurched away from his follow-up, ethereal fingers barely snagging pommel. A stomp connected nevertheless. Bone snapped inside her leg, accompanied by pain the stim refused to dull in its fulsome collection. She could only hiss through clenched teeth while taking her blade from herself once more; just in time too, as CALLOW ELECT careened down with 'to first incapacitation' forgotten. There was nothing to do but endure. Mealworm's free hand steadied against steel, joined by two more from her ideal, best-preserved self, a form that surely wouldn't have ended up in this position for how hot the stim burned inside. Withstanding the amber blade's thousand-cicada cry proved impossible though. Spirit steel shattered. Ethereal form dissolved. Flesh and bone cleaved too, forearm splitting apart as she barely diverted the blow from anything more vital—not that her hand hanging from scrap muscle was much better an outcome. Leon began dragging her by the tunic toward the gap. Whether busy hunting or being hunted, neither Foundation agents nor Galowyn were in sight. None stopped him from throwing her through. ------ Transit was instant. It would have been painless too, save for the wounds causing so very much. Mealworm came through on her knees, smearing blood across white tiles that matched white walls. All lay beneath the observation balcony encircling a chamber near ballroom scale, where floodlights threatened to obscure the guns, cameras, and fingers all pointed down. Trying to push herself upright mostly splattered blood onto otherwise sterile surfaces. Every jostle of her useless hand hurt worse than the last. Broken bones should count themselves lucky instead of complaining so. Even hearing so much of her native tongue at once was disorienting; its speakers, diverse in their plainness compared to any gathering in Cherinmark. Vertebrae throbbed again. Her good hand tightened on a blade with little edge left intact. Hunched, dirty, broken, she certainly wasn't being heralded as a lost child returned at last—even worse than being called a traitor, she was now the //other//. Made unrecognizable by an alien land's embrace, made anomalous by tomes that dictated such matters. Being shot dead would have been preferable to chatter of "containment team on standby" and "follow your engagement parameters." Leon's own return had a triumphant air about it, as if one fight could secure control of a fortress she barely managed or armies she merely advised. Still, high was his head, puffed was his chest. He barely acknowledged her presence before looking up to where his Director must be standing and raising CALLOW ELECT to acknowledge whoops from a few more impassioned researchers. Then she stabbed him in the flank. Armor sheared easier than amber, allowing her weapon's new teeth to bite tender flesh in just as intentional a foul as before. Leaving it embedded there, she grabbed his metal collar and half-spun, half-dragged him down to keep rifles at bay, then headbutted him square in the face. One more. Twice more. Again, until cartilage no longer crunched so loudly. Only the most hands-on training ever prepared anyone for //that//, though it was still a losing proposition. His return blow sent every sight shifting and separating, and another made half her vision go black. Skull crunched worse than cartilage as it turned out. She never should have let Kieh Teh Kor Rang fill her brain with nonsense about stilled rivers requiring release. Or maybe sending that assassin away was the blunder despite resenting victory's means. Maybe she simply shouldn't have assumed so much when stoking a conflict without precedent, but maybe she didn't regret any of it either. Leon's gauntlet raised once more as a muzzle stained with gore emerged from within stark blue light, snuffling to and fro in the periphery of her good eye. "Next time, kill me like you mean it!" she shouted before reaching back for Galowyn's enormous paw, which yanked her through the gap as rifles finally found firing lines. But what were a few more bullet holes? Even if his offer of a new position absent recriminations was genuine, she didn't want it. Not from those careless hands. Each new cadre of aspirants would know less, understand less, ignorant of how many bones were buried on the other side as they chased ever-elusive promotions. No, leadership needed to finish the last war before even thinking about stealing what they used to take for granted. ------ What transpired over the following years ended up deeply classified in servers buried even deeper underground. Body counts throughout DSU#31 were nulled on spreadsheets. Expenditures to support royal lines in GENEROUS FIG were compartmented at the Secretary General level before being wiped clean. The files containing Mealworm's history and hoarded name burned too, lest "leadership" ever take interest in the debacle. Whether any on the far side cherished her for it was a different question, and one she never sought to answer, for warring under delusions of love is foolish indeed. [[=]] [[span style="font-size:90%;"]]<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/wormsign-actual Previous Tale] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] \| Next Tale >>[[/span]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-08-30T21:34:00	[ "_licensebox", "tale" ]	Pique Proves Perennial - SCP Foundation	9	[ "wormsign-actual", "swords-unto-scramjets", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "swords-unto-scramjets" ]	[]	1456612087	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pique-proves-perennial
pizzacon	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p>This was supposed to be the sports contest, but I got hungry.</p> <img alt="ant.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/pizzacon/ant.jpg"/> <h1 id="toc0"><span>Do you think world hunger is a problem? Well, now you can exacerbate it! Introducing: Pizzacon!</span></h1> <p>You see, the problem with an upvote based economy is that there's just too many votes on the wiki, and attempting to establish a flat rate doesn't work for the purposes of capitalism. I'm not an economics major, so instead, we'll be working off a fluctuating rate, accounting for inflation: we'll be using motos.</p> <p>What's a moto, you ask? Well, in honor of moto42, the esteemed creator of SCP-173, the price of one pizza is now equal to 1 moto. I will not elaborate further.</p> <h1 id="toc1"><span>But what does this have to do with Pizzacon?</span></h1> <p>I'm glad you asked! Have you ever wanted to catch up to those bigly named authors with a bajillion upvotes? Well, for today and today only, we're offering a special deal: every pizza you make and submit to the wiki and gets accepted will count as 1 moto's worth of votes! I did not consult anyone when writing this, but I'm sure this is completely allowed!</p> <h1 id="toc2"><span>Contest Information</span></h1> <ul> <li>Legally speaking, I am required to tell you that in joining the contest, you agree to waive your right to complain on the wiki about any cooking-related injuries. However, I'm sure that the brilliant minds behind the wiki can cook a pizza without fail… right?</li> <li>By agreeing to join the contest, you agree to submit only the tastiest pizzas. No war crime creations are allowed, unless they generate a substantial amount of traffic to the site for Michal's ad revenue.</li> <li>You <span style="text-decoration: underline;">must</span> indicate how long the pizza took you to make. Anyone can microwave a premade pizza. The amount of sweat you used correlates to how deserved your motos will be.</li> <li>Not every pizza will be accepted! If it's not tasty enough, I will throw it in the trash and move on.</li> </ul> <h1 id="toc3"><span>Important Dates:</span></h1> <p><strong>Announcement:</strong> Now<br/> <strong>Posting Opens:</strong> When I get hungry<br/> <strong>Posting Closes:</strong> Once I'm full<br/> <strong>Results Decided:</strong> When I wake up from the food coma</p> <h1 id="toc4"><span>Entries</span></h1> <p>Sorry, I ate them all.</p> <h1 id="toc5"><span>Rules</span></h1> <ul> <li>Be kind to one another. Pineapple on pizza does not make you superior to someone else. While the Chicago Deep Dish is more pie than pizza, it also counts for this contest.</li> <li>More than one entry is allowed per user. Collect your motos and take over the number one spot on crom!<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup></li> <li>Pre-existing pizzas are not allowed. I don't want your stinky leftovers.</li> <li>Yes you can absolutely send in store-bought pizzas, but I <em>will</em> judge you for it.</li> <li>You can submit your pizzas anonymously, but don't expect a thank you in return.</li> <li>Winners will be determined by me. Only me. Fuck the other contest committee members.</li> <li>Any contestant who takes unusual and/or negative actions to increase their tastiness, or decrease that of their competitors, will be disqualified and I'll keep your pizzas for no motos in exchange. Examples of shenanigans include, but are not limited to: <ul> <li>rat poison</li> <li>disrupting the supply chain</li> <li>marijuana monopolization</li> </ul> </li> <li>Bribery isn't allowed - however, I think spicy sausages are a topping worth getting VoNCed over and will give bonus points based on that.</li> <li>The contest marshals for this contest are me, <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/naepic" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4463776); return false;"><img alt="Naepic" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=4463776&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1727309261" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=4463776)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/naepic" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4463776); return false;">Naepic</a></span>. Only me. These are my pizzas now. You can't have them anymore.</li> </ul> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/pizzacon">Pizzacon</a>" by Naepic, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/pizzacon">https://scpwiki.com/pizzacon</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> ant.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> 1724Ants of the Philippines eating slices of pizza 53<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Judgefloro<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC 0 1.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1724Ants_of_the_Philippines_eating_slices_of_pizza_53.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. This contest was not sponsored nor supported by smlt</div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] This was supposed to be the sports contest, but I got hungry. [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/pizzacon/ant.jpg]] + Do you think world hunger is a problem? Well, now you can exacerbate it! Introducing: Pizzacon! You see, the problem with an upvote based economy is that there's just too many votes on the wiki, and attempting to establish a flat rate doesn't work for the purposes of capitalism. I'm not an economics major, so instead, we'll be working off a fluctuating rate, accounting for inflation: we'll be using motos. What's a moto, you ask? Well, in honor of moto42, the esteemed creator of SCP-173, the price of one pizza is now equal to 1 moto. I will not elaborate further. + But what does this have to do with Pizzacon? I'm glad you asked! Have you ever wanted to catch up to those bigly named authors with a bajillion upvotes? Well, for today and today only, we're offering a special deal: every pizza you make and submit to the wiki and gets accepted will count as 1 moto's worth of votes! I did not consult anyone when writing this, but I'm sure this is completely allowed! + Contest Information * Legally speaking, I am required to tell you that in joining the contest, you agree to waive your right to complain on the wiki about any cooking-related injuries. However, I'm sure that the brilliant minds behind the wiki can cook a pizza without fail... right? * By agreeing to join the contest, you agree to submit only the tastiest pizzas. No war crime creations are allowed, unless they generate a substantial amount of traffic to the site for Michal's ad revenue. * You __must__ indicate how long the pizza took you to make. Anyone can microwave a premade pizza. The amount of sweat you used correlates to how deserved your motos will be. * Not every pizza will be accepted! If it's not tasty enough, I will throw it in the trash and move on. + Important Dates: Announcement: Now Posting Opens: When I get hungry Posting Closes: Once I'm full Results Decided: When I wake up from the food coma + Entries Sorry, I ate them all. + Rules * Be kind to one another. Pineapple on pizza does not make you superior to someone else. While the Chicago Deep Dish is more pie than pizza, it also counts for this contest. * More than one entry is allowed per user. Collect your motos and take over the number one spot on crom![[footnote]] This contest was not sponsored nor supported by smlt [[/footnote]] * Pre-existing pizzas are not allowed. I don't want your stinky leftovers. * Yes you can absolutely send in store-bought pizzas, but I //will// judge you for it. * You can submit your pizzas anonymously, but don't expect a thank you in return. * Winners will be determined by me. Only me. Fuck the other contest committee members. * Any contestant who takes unusual and/or negative actions to increase their tastiness, or decrease that of their competitors, will be disqualified and I'll keep your pizzas for no motos in exchange. Examples of shenanigans include, but are not limited to: * rat poison * disrupting the supply chain * marijuana monopolization * Bribery isn't allowed - however, I think spicy sausages are a topping worth getting VoNCed over and will give bonus points based on that. * The contest marshals for this contest are me, [[user Naepic]]. Only me. These are my pizzas now. You can't have them anymore. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Filename:* ant.jpg > Name: 1724Ants of the Philippines eating slices of pizza 53 > Author: Judgefloro > License: CC 0 1.0 > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1724Ants_of_the_Philippines_eating_slices_of_pizza_53.jpg Wikimedia Commons] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-04-01T04:11:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "comedy", "first-person", "joke", "no-dialogue", "tale", "worldbuilding" ]	Pizzacon - SCP Foundation	57	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "april-fools-hub" ]	[ "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/pizzacon/ant.jpg" ]	1453164511	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pizzacon
plastic-graveyard	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><a href="http://www.scp-wiki.net/ellie3-gimmick-free">More by this author</a></strong></p> </div> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Acreepypasta/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>hol-chi</strong></span> 04/19/2020 (Tues) 11:03:00 #89238771</p> <hr/> <p>Have you ever had a virtual pet? Some sort of fake little creature that you’re solely responsible for? They were a bit of a craze in my town, to the point that our school district had to ban them. It was such a big problem that kids were skipping school to feed their Tamagotchis (me included, a few times), finding loopholes in the library computers so they could log into Neopets, smuggling their Digimon in their pencil pouches! Against a crowd of crafty teenagers, keeping them away was an insurmountable task. The teachers knew it would be, though– the school already had a pretty strong historical precedent for this kind of thing.</p> <p>Even way back in 1997, when the Tamagotchi first came to the United States, they were immediately popular. But there’s one thing that’s different about those older models, compared to the toys of the current day: they’re fucking brutal! A few hours without feeding and they let out a fit of high-pitched shrieks and screams before dropping dead. Too many snacks? Dead! Low morale? Dead! And when your teacher confiscates your beloved pet for the rest of the class period, that can mean you never see them again.</p> <p>I’m sure the kids knew they could reset the device and get another pet… but at some point, it was all too much for a few of them. They came together to dig holes in the fields, scraping at the dirt with woodchips and plastic spoons, carefully crafting a place to lay their lifeless devices to rest. But eventually, the graveyard grew too big, and it drew the teachers' ire.</p> <p>The corpses were exhumed by the principal himself. He dug into the sacred ground with a rusty shovel, while the onlooking children were held back by some other staff. It sent the school into disarray: kids were screaming, parents were concerned– and they finally realized this problem was too big to simply scold away.</p> <p>That was when the Jeffersons stepped in: a big, rich family that owned an unused tomb in the local cemetery down the street from the school. They offered a section of it to the community, to every kid with a “dead” virtual pet, giving each one a little drawer to act as a coffin. Some kids decorated them with stickers, or wrapped them in cloth. Sometimes, they even visited to leave flowers. At last, all the students slept soundly, knowing their Tamagotchis were at rest.</p> <p>Almost half a decade later, that place is jam-packed with plastic, with ever-cycling LCD screens, only visible under the dim light of the sun creeping down the tomb stairway.</p> <p>When I was 15, most kids at my school had already buried their virtual pets, and the tomb was rarely visited. But I went there, and I didn’t come back for fourteen months. During this time, my parents didn’t report my absence– I’m not even sure if they noticed I was gone. The school was unfazed. The few friends I had forgot about me.</p> <p>The first day I came back, I creeped towards my dad, dirty and disheveled, and he nodded at me, sniffed, then chuckled with a slight scowl on his face. “I know boys your age don’t really <em>get</em> personal hygiene… but when it gets this bad, you go take a fuckin’ shower. So go. Now.” So I went to the bathroom, filled up the tub, and tried to drown myself.</p> <p>I was already missing her.</p> <hr/> <p>When I walked down that damp, dark stairway I didn’t really imagine ever wanting to come back up. I remember the red pocket knife in my backpack– a detail I was almost fixated on. I wasn’t going to do anything, I really wasn’t, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.</p> <p>With each step I took, it felt like gravity was pushing down on me stronger and stronger, beckoning my descent. Eventually, I reached into my backpack and pulled out the knife, holding it in my hand. I flicked it open, pressing the side of the blade against my wrist, feeling the cold metal on my skin. In a moment of lucidity, I pulled it away and mustered the strength to throw it down the stairwell, watching it clink and clank into the darkness.</p> <p>Then, everything looked different– as if the entire world had begun to glow. The stairway wasn’t as dim, almost like I had night vision. For a moment, I stared at the emerald moss creeping up the walls, and I swear it was looking back at me.</p> <p>I started to run, tripping over myself as I gasped for air, every step an impact sending a jolt through my entire body until I reached the bottom. With tear-soaked eyes, I reached for a familiar drawer decorated with shiny rainbow stickers and patterned origami paper. But when I yanked it open, it was empty.</p> <p>And for a moment, everything flickered.</p> <p>Then I heard her guttural, droning voice. She didn’t even have one when I first met her, but I could tell it was hers. “I’ve really missed you, you know?”</p> <p>I froze, barely feeling my legs enough to turn, to see her. She looked so different than I imagined. Her tan, textureless body towered over me, but she looked so thin. The frills on her tomato-red head drifted from side to side in the slight draft running through the tomb. Her black squiggly-line of a mouth on her pale white face looked happy, I think.</p> <p>“Tosa?”</p> <p>Her whole body tilted to the side. “Yeah?”</p> <p>I lunged at her, tackling into her slender body with a hug. “I’ve really missed you too.” She felt like a marshmallow, warm in my arms, like she could melt at any moment. But she didn’t– she only grew softer.</p> <p>Eventually, she laid a hand on my shoulder, slowly pushing me away before looking into my eyes, while I stared back at hers. They looked like button candy, the cheap kind you have to peel off sheets of paper.</p> <p>“Do you want to eat them?” She asked. “My eyes, I mean.”</p> <p>I chuckled a bit, wiping my eyes with the sleeve of my hoodie. “N–no. Of course not.”</p> <p>Tosa’s squiggly mouth straightened out for a moment. “You’re my guest. It’s okay if you want to.”</p> <p>“No! I just…”</p> <p>“You are hungry, though. I can tell.” She started lumbering behind my back, resting a hand on my shoulder to keep me facing forward. Then, she waved a hand over my eyes, and I was suddenly in a kitchen. There was a set of eyes and a mouth on the matte gray fridge. It was chewing on something constantly, like gum, but it didn’t seem to make any noise. Before I could sputter anything out, she guided me to a table and firmly pushed down on my shoulders, sitting me down in a chair. Then, she set a plate in front of me, some kind of sausage and toast.</p> <p>I never really liked breakfast foods, but I cleaned my plate in an instant. Tosa seemed happy about that.</p> <p>“You’re tired, aren’t you?”</p> <p>“I think so– but I don’t–” She waved a hand in front of my eyes again, and I was suddenly tucked neatly into a massive bed. The sheets felt like how I would always imagine clouds would feel.</p> <p>“Goodnight,” Tosa said, flicking the light-switch off. I stared up at the light in the ceiling, and saw it blink, slowly fading into darkness, before closing its eyes. Eventually, I did too.</p> <hr/> <p>The next morning, Tosa sat me at the table with the same meal she fed me before. I was happy to eat, but I couldn’t stop stealing glances at her on the other side, just staring at me, watching me. “This is really good, but… can I make something for you?”</p> <p>Her eyes went white for a moment. “Maybe. Do you remember my favorite?”</p> <p>I froze.</p> <p>“It’s what you’re eating right now.”</p> <p>“Oh.”</p> <p>She shook her entire body, letting her red frills slap together on top of her head. “It’s okay. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”</p> <p>I wanted to say it had been almost five years, but I couldn’t remember for sure. So I just nodded instead, and went for another bite. When I cleared my plate, the face on it winked at me.</p> <hr/> <p>After that, things just… repeated. Eat. Sleep. Eat. Sleep. Eat. Sleep. Sometimes we’d play a card game, or fiddle with some random toy together. I liked the spinning top. It would always get so dizzy and disoriented– you could see it in its eyes. They would turn to little spirals… and we’d always laugh at it. Otherwise, it was a regulated schedule– almost like school, but so much more relaxing.</p> <p>One day, Tosa woke me up and brought me to the table and set a wrapped present in front of me.</p> <p>“Go ahead, open it!” I tore the box open to find a big, pink bow, which she immediately grabbed from my hands and clipped into my hair.</p> <p>“It’s cute on you,” she said, holding a mirror in front of me.</p> <p>I could only agree with her. As she tucked the mirror away, I brushed my hair back. “But it’d be cute on you too, Tosa,” I blurted out.</p> <p>She paused, then turned to me, her eyes completely black. “I don't think most Tosakatchis would agree with you…”</p> <p>“…but?”</p> <p>Her mouth straightened out. “But I think I do.”</p> <hr/> <p>The weeks went by in a flash. After a while, Tosa had gifted me an entire cabinet of accessories, which she occasionally swapped out, paying attention to which of the ones I liked the most.</p> <p>At some point, she adjusted a little opera mask on my face, and as she was focused on my eyes, I grabbed the bow and put it up in her frills.</p> <p>“See, Tosa? It looks nice on you too.”</p> <p>Her mouth squiggled even more, looping around itself like a spiral.</p> <p>“Right?”</p> <p>“That’s not how this works.”</p> <p>“W-what?” I stuttered out.</p> <p>“You wear it.” Her voice was suddenly so dry and raspy as she reached for the bow, tearing it out of her red frills, ripping one out of her head completely. Something gray dribbled down from the spot where it was. “I’m not like you! I don’t know why you think I am. I don’t know why you treat me like this– why you <em>ever</em> did!”</p> <p>I took a step back. “Tosa– Tosa, stop. Please.”</p> <p>“I don’t know why I can’t change.”</p> <p>She waved her hand in front of my eyes, just like she had been doing for weeks, whisking me away to a new place. But this time, everything went dim.</p> <hr/> <p>I was at the entrance of the tomb, which was padlocked shut. It usually was– I couldn’t remember how I’d gotten in before.</p> <p>I don’t remember the walk home, but when I got there, my dad barely acknowledged me. Told me I was just like the usual shit-smelling teenage boy. You know the story.</p> <p>Before I could think about what I was doing, I locked myself in the bathroom, filled up the tub with ice-cold water, and submerged myself, taking a deep breath of water, feeling my lungs fill up. I pushed against my own instincts, forcing myself to stay under. After what felt like hours, things began to fade.</p> <p>And then I saw the frills. The pale arms pulling me upwards, slipping a pill into my mouth. And suddenly, I felt okay. I heaved for a moment, trying to cough up any water in my throat– but it was all gone.</p> <p>I put my hands to my face. My tongue felt prickly, but sweet, like I’d just eaten some popping candy. Eventually, I climbed out from the tub, and I looked at myself in the mirror, my disheveled, ugly self. For a moment, I thought about trying again. But then, I froze. Raising my hands to my face, I waved them in front of my eyes…</p> <p>And when I looked back in the mirror, there was a bow in my hair.</p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><<a href="/but-a-dream">Hub</a>></strong></p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/plastic-graveyard">Plastic Graveyard</a>" by Ellie3, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/plastic-graveyard">https://scpwiki.com/plastic-graveyard</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="/info:start">info:start</a>]] [[=]] [http://www.scp-wiki.net/ellie3-gimmick-free More by this author] [[/=]] [[include <a href="/info:end">info:end</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:creepypasta">:scp-wiki:theme:creepypasta</a>]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##green\|hol-chi## 04/19/2020 (Tues) 11:03:00 #89238771 ------ Have you ever had a virtual pet? Some sort of fake little creature that you’re solely responsible for? They were a bit of a craze in my town, to the point that our school district had to ban them. It was such a big problem that kids were skipping school to feed their Tamagotchis (me included, a few times), finding loopholes in the library computers so they could log into Neopets, smuggling their Digimon in their pencil pouches! Against a crowd of crafty teenagers, keeping them away was an insurmountable task. The teachers knew it would be, though– the school already had a pretty strong historical precedent for this kind of thing. Even way back in 1997, when the Tamagotchi first came to the United States, they were immediately popular. But there’s one thing that’s different about those older models, compared to the toys of the current day: they’re fucking brutal! A few hours without feeding and they let out a fit of high-pitched shrieks and screams before dropping dead. Too many snacks? Dead! Low morale? Dead! And when your teacher confiscates your beloved pet for the rest of the class period, that can mean you never see them again. I’m sure the kids knew they could reset the device and get another pet… but at some point, it was all too much for a few of them. They came together to dig holes in the fields, scraping at the dirt with woodchips and plastic spoons, carefully crafting a place to lay their lifeless devices to rest. But eventually, the graveyard grew too big, and it drew the teachers' ire. The corpses were exhumed by the principal himself. He dug into the sacred ground with a rusty shovel, while the onlooking children were held back by some other staff. It sent the school into disarray: kids were screaming, parents were concerned– and they finally realized this problem was too big to simply scold away. That was when the Jeffersons stepped in: a big, rich family that owned an unused tomb in the local cemetery down the street from the school. They offered a section of it to the community, to every kid with a “dead” virtual pet, giving each one a little drawer to act as a coffin. Some kids decorated them with stickers, or wrapped them in cloth. Sometimes, they even visited to leave flowers. At last, all the students slept soundly, knowing their Tamagotchis were at rest. Almost half a decade later, that place is jam-packed with plastic, with ever-cycling LCD screens, only visible under the dim light of the sun creeping down the tomb stairway. When I was 15, most kids at my school had already buried their virtual pets, and the tomb was rarely visited. But I went there, and I didn’t come back for fourteen months. During this time, my parents didn’t report my absence– I’m not even sure if they noticed I was gone. The school was unfazed. The few friends I had forgot about me. The first day I came back, I creeped towards my dad, dirty and disheveled, and he nodded at me, sniffed, then chuckled with a slight scowl on his face. “I know boys your age don’t really //get// personal hygiene… but when it gets this bad, you go take a fuckin’ shower. So go. Now.” So I went to the bathroom, filled up the tub, and tried to drown myself. I was already missing her. ------ When I walked down that damp, dark stairway I didn’t really imagine ever wanting to come back up. I remember the red pocket knife in my backpack– a detail I was almost fixated on. I wasn’t going to do anything, I really wasn’t, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. With each step I took, it felt like gravity was pushing down on me stronger and stronger, beckoning my descent. Eventually, I reached into my backpack and pulled out the knife, holding it in my hand. I flicked it open, pressing the side of the blade against my wrist, feeling the cold metal on my skin. In a moment of lucidity, I pulled it away and mustered the strength to throw it down the stairwell, watching it clink and clank into the darkness. Then, everything looked different– as if the entire world had begun to glow. The stairway wasn’t as dim, almost like I had night vision. For a moment, I stared at the emerald moss creeping up the walls, and I swear it was looking back at me. I started to run, tripping over myself as I gasped for air, every step an impact sending a jolt through my entire body until I reached the bottom. With tear-soaked eyes, I reached for a familiar drawer decorated with shiny rainbow stickers and patterned origami paper. But when I yanked it open, it was empty. And for a moment, everything flickered. Then I heard her guttural, droning voice. She didn’t even have one when I first met her, but I could tell it was hers. “I’ve really missed you, you know?” I froze, barely feeling my legs enough to turn, to see her. She looked so different than I imagined. Her tan, textureless body towered over me, but she looked so thin. The frills on her tomato-red head drifted from side to side in the slight draft running through the tomb. Her black squiggly-line of a mouth on her pale white face looked happy, I think. “Tosa?” Her whole body tilted to the side. “Yeah?” I lunged at her, tackling into her slender body with a hug. “I’ve really missed you too.” She felt like a marshmallow, warm in my arms, like she could melt at any moment. But she didn’t– she only grew softer. Eventually, she laid a hand on my shoulder, slowly pushing me away before looking into my eyes, while I stared back at hers. They looked like button candy, the cheap kind you have to peel off sheets of paper. “Do you want to eat them?” She asked. “My eyes, I mean.” I chuckled a bit, wiping my eyes with the sleeve of my hoodie. “N–no. Of course not.” Tosa’s squiggly mouth straightened out for a moment. “You’re my guest. It’s okay if you want to.” “No! I just…” “You are hungry, though. I can tell.” She started lumbering behind my back, resting a hand on my shoulder to keep me facing forward. Then, she waved a hand over my eyes, and I was suddenly in a kitchen. There was a set of eyes and a mouth on the matte gray fridge. It was chewing on something constantly, like gum, but it didn’t seem to make any noise. Before I could sputter anything out, she guided me to a table and firmly pushed down on my shoulders, sitting me down in a chair. Then, she set a plate in front of me, some kind of sausage and toast. I never really liked breakfast foods, but I cleaned my plate in an instant. Tosa seemed happy about that. “You’re tired, aren’t you?” “I think so– but I don’t–” She waved a hand in front of my eyes again, and I was suddenly tucked neatly into a massive bed. The sheets felt like how I would always imagine clouds would feel. “Goodnight,” Tosa said, flicking the light-switch off. I stared up at the light in the ceiling, and saw it blink, slowly fading into darkness, before closing its eyes. Eventually, I did too. ------ The next morning, Tosa sat me at the table with the same meal she fed me before. I was happy to eat, but I couldn’t stop stealing glances at her on the other side, just staring at me, watching me. “This is really good, but… can I make something for you?” Her eyes went white for a moment. “Maybe. Do you remember my favorite?” I froze. “It’s what you’re eating right now.” “Oh.” She shook her entire body, letting her red frills slap together on top of her head. “It’s okay. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” I wanted to say it had been almost five years, but I couldn’t remember for sure. So I just nodded instead, and went for another bite. When I cleared my plate, the face on it winked at me. ------ After that, things just… repeated. Eat. Sleep. Eat. Sleep. Eat. Sleep. Sometimes we’d play a card game, or fiddle with some random toy together. I liked the spinning top. It would always get so dizzy and disoriented– you could see it in its eyes. They would turn to little spirals… and we’d always laugh at it. Otherwise, it was a regulated schedule– almost like school, but so much more relaxing. One day, Tosa woke me up and brought me to the table and set a wrapped present in front of me. “Go ahead, open it!” I tore the box open to find a big, pink bow, which she immediately grabbed from my hands and clipped into my hair. “It’s cute on you,” she said, holding a mirror in front of me. I could only agree with her. As she tucked the mirror away, I brushed my hair back. “But it’d be cute on you too, Tosa,” I blurted out. She paused, then turned to me, her eyes completely black. “I don't think most Tosakatchis would agree with you…” “...but?” Her mouth straightened out. “But I think I do.” ------ The weeks went by in a flash. After a while, Tosa had gifted me an entire cabinet of accessories, which she occasionally swapped out, paying attention to which of the ones I liked the most. At some point, she adjusted a little opera mask on my face, and as she was focused on my eyes, I grabbed the bow and put it up in her frills. “See, Tosa? It looks nice on you too.” Her mouth squiggled even more, looping around itself like a spiral. “Right?” “That’s not how this works.” “W-what?” I stuttered out. “You wear it.” Her voice was suddenly so dry and raspy as she reached for the bow, tearing it out of her red frills, ripping one out of her head completely. Something gray dribbled down from the spot where it was. “I’m not like you! I don’t know why you think I am. I don’t know why you treat me like this– why you //ever// did!” I took a step back. “Tosa– Tosa, stop. Please.” “I don’t know why I can’t change.” She waved her hand in front of my eyes, just like she had been doing for weeks, whisking me away to a new place. But this time, everything went dim. ------ I was at the entrance of the tomb, which was padlocked shut. It usually was– I couldn’t remember how I’d gotten in before. I don’t remember the walk home, but when I got there, my dad barely acknowledged me. Told me I was just like the usual shit-smelling teenage boy. You know the story. Before I could think about what I was doing, I locked myself in the bathroom, filled up the tub with ice-cold water, and submerged myself, taking a deep breath of water, feeling my lungs fill up. I pushed against my own instincts, forcing myself to stay under. After what felt like hours, things began to fade. And then I saw the frills. The pale arms pulling me upwards, slipping a pill into my mouth. And suddenly, I felt okay. I heaved for a moment, trying to cough up any water in my throat– but it was all gone. I put my hands to my face. My tongue felt prickly, but sweet, like I’d just eaten some popping candy. Eventually, I climbed out from the tub, and I looked at myself in the mirror, my disheveled, ugly self. For a moment, I thought about trying again. But then, I froze. Raising my hands to my face, I waved them in front of my eyes… And when I looked back in the mirror, there was a bow in my hair. [[/div]] [[=]] <[[[but-a-dream\|Hub]]]> [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [!-- N/A (No Images) --] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-07-04T04:04:00	[ "_licensebox", "bittersweet", "but-a-dream", "creepypasta", "featured", "parawatch", "surrealism", "tale" ]	Plastic Graveyard - SCP Foundation	82	[ "but-a-dream", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "parawatch-hub", "featured-tale-archive-ii", "creepy-pasta", "but-a-dream" ]	[]	1454362314	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/plastic-graveyard
please-g-d-dont-kill-yourself	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>We love you so much, Son of G-d. There is so much for you to live for. Please.</p> </div> <div style="display: none"> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show component code</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide component code</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">sidebar-width-on-desktop:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--base-font-size) * (</span><span class="hl-number">266</span><span class="hl-code"> / </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">body-width-on-desktop:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">45.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 56.25</span><span class="hl-identifier">rem</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#content-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> initial</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> row</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - (</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">min-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - var(--final-header-height-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">10.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">13.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem) </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">13.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem) * -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code"> / </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> initial</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--body-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">45.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--body-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">45.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> min(</span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-code">vw, var(--body-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">45.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> -webkit-sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">grid-area:</span><span class="hl-code"> side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">13.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">min-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">13.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-y:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">scroll</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> translate </span><span class="hl-number">300</span><span class="hl-code">ms cubic-bezier(</span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">), background-color </span><span class="hl-number">300</span><span class="hl-code">ms cubic-bezier(</span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">), padding </span><span class="hl-number">300</span><span class="hl-code">ms linear, margin </span><span class="hl-number">300</span><span class="hl-code">ms linear</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--swatch-tertiary-color, </span><span class="hl-number">170</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">170</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">170</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--sidebar-bg-color, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">translate:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">13.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem) * -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">rtl</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">scrollbar-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">thin</span><span class="hl-code">; -</span><span class="hl-reserved">ms-scroll-chaining:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overscroll-behavior:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">scrollbar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--swatch-primary-darker), </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">) /* Thumb / rgba(var(--swatch-tertiary-color), </span><span class="hl-number">0.05</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--swatch-secondary-color, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-corner</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw + </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right-style:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--sidebar-bg-color, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">is</span><span class="hl-code">(:</span><span class="hl-identifier">hover</span><span class="hl-code">, :</span><span class="hl-identifier">active</span><span class="hl-code">, :</span><span class="hl-identifier">focus-within</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-x:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-y:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--swatch-primary-darker), </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--sidebar-bg-color, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">translate:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem) - var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">scrollbar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">170</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">170</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">170</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">) / Thumb / rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">252</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">252</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">252</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">scrollbar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--swatch-primary-darker, </span><span class="hl-number">170</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">170</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">170</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">) / Thumb / rgb(var(--swatch-menubg-color, </span><span class="hl-number">252</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">252</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">252</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> " "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">fixed</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">300</span><span class="hl-code">ms cubic-bezier(</span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">), background-position </span><span class="hl-number">300</span><span class="hl-code">ms cubic-bezier(</span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">), opacity </span><span class="hl-number">300</span><span class="hl-code">ms cubic-bezier(</span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url("https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/component%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Acollapsible-sidebar/sidebar-tab.svg")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-attachment:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">fixed</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">12.875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">pointer-events:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">is</span><span class="hl-code">(:</span><span class="hl-identifier">hover</span><span class="hl-code">, :</span><span class="hl-identifier">active</span><span class="hl-code">, :</span><span class="hl-identifier">focus-within</span><span class="hl-code">) + </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">14.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem) -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">300</span><span class="hl-code">ms cubic-bezier(</span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">), background-position </span><span class="hl-number">300</span><span class="hl-code">ms cubic-bezier(</span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">), opacity </span><span class="hl-number">300</span><span class="hl-code">ms cubic-bezier(</span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span 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class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--final-header-height-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--sidebar-width-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">14.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - var(--final-header-height-on-desktop, </span><span class="hl-number">0.688</span><span class="hl-code">rem) - </span><span class="hl-number">2.313</span><span 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class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.25</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scpnet-interwiki-wrapper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Print</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Friendly</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Formatting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Estrella</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">body.print-body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">sidebar-width-on-desktop:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body.print-body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">body.print-body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>Yehoshua<br/> The Christ<br/> <em>Logos</em><br/> Son of G-d<br/> Son of Yosef<br/> Fully human<br/> Fully divine<br/> King of kings<br/> And Lord of lords<br/> Born from the Virgin Maryam<br/> But made whole through communion with the Spirit<br/> Through His baptism by Yohanan—</p> </div> <p>Stood with His arms outstretched<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>(as if bearing the Cross once again)</p> </div> <br/> perched upon the edge of the<br/> t<br/> a<br/> l<br/> l<br/> e<br/> s<br/> t <p>b<br/> u<br/> i<br/> l<br/> d<br/> i<br/> n<br/> g<br/> in Palestine.</p> <p>He stood<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>(alone)</p> </div> <br/> upon the Palestine Trade Center<br/> and looked down upon<br/> the flaming holes that had been ruptured<br/> by the burning coals produced<br/> by artillery fire. <p>He was going to kill Himself.</p> <p>He had wept bitterly<br/> for many thousands<br/> of years.<br/> He had bore the punishment<br/> of eternity — He alone<br/> was in Hell; the reincarnation cycle of<br/> Earth, trapped within the clawed grasp of His<br/> Father's Demiurge; the dark impostor<br/> had dominion over the soul of G-d,<br/> His only Son, and Christ could not<br/> return home<br/> ever again<br/> in order to bear the sins of humanity<br/> for all eternity, or until Hell<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>(<em>Samsara</em>, the Earth, the physical realm of the Demiurge's creation)</p> </div> <br/> was empty.<br/> And He was tired of it, rightfully so.<br/> For going as unloved as He did,<br/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>(Or feeling unloved as He did)</p> </div> <br/> for so long, any man would conspire to take his own life. <p>So Christ looked down at the ground<br/> And felt the wind brush back his long,<br/> black, curly hair, tickling up the back<br/> of his ears like the kisses of…</p> <p>So Christ looked down at the ground<br/> And felt the wind brush past Him<br/> beneath His arms and jawline—<br/> His jaw was clenched, His teeth pushing down on each other<br/> threatening to snap.</p> <p>There was no one left in the city<br/> No one would witness the second death of G-d.<br/> He was so alone, as He had always been.</p> <p>Gethsemane had been destroyed<br/> in the early waves of the invasion so<br/> the ruins of the city would be the new garden.<br/> Yes, in time the gardens would grow here again—<br/> The cycle of death and rebirth in <em>Samsara</em> was<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>(Again)</p> </div> <br/> endless, and so the souls<br/> burnt here, the souls<br/> that starved here, the souls<br/> that were shot out there, the souls<br/> that jumped off buildings to escape<br/> the pain:<br/> would regrow into flowers<br/> in the springtime<br/> sprouting out to face their Father<br/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>(the Sun)</p> </div> <br/> and they would be pollinated<br/> and spread their seed together through<br/> the ground that was once<br/> rendered infertile and lifeless,<br/> for no life could be destroyed forever,<br/> though a soul may escape this realm, indeed,<br/> all souls <em>will</em> escape this realm, as G-d willed,<br/> life was a precious and recyclable substance. <p>Death came from life;<br/> And thus, life came from death.</p> <p>Christ knew this and pondered what miraculous life<br/> would be made from His death.</p> <p>Perhaps, perhaps<br/> <a href="/a-shadow-over">when He was born again, He would not remember.</a></p> <p>He prayed quietly:<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>(Father, please, just give me that.)</p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>He<br/> walked<br/> on<br/> air.</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/please-g-d-dont-kill-yourself">please G-d don't kill yourself</a>" by FLOORBOARDS, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/please-g-d-dont-kill-yourself">https://scpwiki.com/please-g-d-dont-kill-yourself</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= We love you so much, Son of G-d. There is so much for you to live for. Please. ]] ===== [[module CSS]] /* Hide the original page title */ #page-title { display: none; } [[/module]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:scp-trans-pride">:scp-wiki:theme:scp-trans-pride</a> \|trans-pride-animated-header= --] \|trans-pride-logo= --] \|trans-pride-footer= --]]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:croqstyle">:scp-wiki:component:croqstyle</a> -=- ]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:collapsible-sidebar">:scp-wiki:component:collapsible-sidebar</a>]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[=]] Yehoshua The Christ //Logos// Son of G-d Son of Yosef Fully human Fully divine King of kings And Lord of lords Born from the Virgin Maryam But made whole through communion with the Spirit Through His baptism by Yohanan-- [[/=]] Stood with His arms outstretched [[>]] (as if bearing the Cross once again) [[/>]] perched upon the edge of the t a l l e s t b u i l d i n g in Palestine. He stood [[>]] (alone) [[/>]] upon the Palestine Trade Center and looked down upon the flaming holes that had been ruptured by the burning coals produced by artillery fire. He was going to kill Himself. He had wept bitterly for many thousands of years. He had bore the punishment of eternity -- He alone was in Hell; the reincarnation cycle of Earth, trapped within the clawed grasp of His Father's Demiurge; the dark impostor had dominion over the soul of G-d, His only Son, and Christ could not return home ever again in order to bear the sins of humanity for all eternity, or until Hell [[>]] (//Samsara//, the Earth, the physical realm of the Demiurge's creation) [[/>]] was empty. And He was tired of it, rightfully so. For going as unloved as He did, [[>]] (Or feeling unloved as He did) [[/>]] for so long, any man would conspire to take his own life. So Christ looked down at the ground And felt the wind brush back his long, black, curly hair, tickling up the back of his ears like the kisses of... So Christ looked down at the ground And felt the wind brush past Him beneath His arms and jawline-- His jaw was clenched, His teeth pushing down on each other threatening to snap. There was no one left in the city No one would witness the second death of G-d. He was so alone, as He had always been. Gethsemane had been destroyed in the early waves of the invasion so the ruins of the city would be the new garden. Yes, in time the gardens would grow here again-- The cycle of death and rebirth in //Samsara// was [[>]] (Again) [[/>]] endless, and so the souls burnt here, the souls that starved here, the souls that were shot out there, the souls that jumped off buildings to escape the pain: would regrow into flowers in the springtime sprouting out to face their Father [[>]] (the Sun) [[/>]] and they would be pollinated and spread their seed together through the ground that was once rendered infertile and lifeless, for no life could be destroyed forever, though a soul may escape this realm, indeed, all souls //will// escape this realm, as G-d willed, life was a precious and recyclable substance. Death came from life; And thus, life came from death. Christ knew this and pondered what miraculous life would be made from His death. Perhaps, perhaps [[[a-shadow-over \|when He was born again, He would not remember.]]] He prayed quietly: [[>]] (Father, please, just give me that.) [[/>]] [[=]] He walked on air. [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [!-- N/A (No Images) --] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-02-23T03:10:00	[ "_licensebox", "bleak", "but-a-dream", "kindness", "poetry", "religious-fiction", "slice-of-life", "surrealism", "tale" ]	please G-d don't kill yourself - SCP Foundation	84	[ "a-shadow-over", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "the-father-the-son-and-the-holy-spirit-hub", "scp-series-7-tales-edition" ]	[]	1452766134	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/please-g-d-dont-kill-yourself
poi-1933	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <h1><span>要注意人物ファイル #1933/01</span></h1> <p><strong>Original article:</strong> <a href="http://scp-jp.wikidot.com/poi-1933">http://scp-jp.wikidot.com/poi-1933</a><br/> <strong>Author:</strong> ©︎<span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/kossy" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5670836); return false;"><img alt="kossy" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5670836&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1733007807" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5670836)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/kossy" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5670836); return false;">kossy</a></span><br/> <strong>Translator:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/salamander724" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1486450); return false;"><img alt="Salamander724" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=1486450&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1733007807" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=1486450)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/salamander724" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1486450); return false;">Salamander724</a></span></p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <table style="border: none; width: 100%;"> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:125%;"><strong>Person of Interest File <span style="white-space:nowrap;">#1933/01</span></strong></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:125%;"><span style="color: #990000"><strong>Name:</strong> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Miyazawa" target="_blank">Miyazawa Kenji <span style="white-space:nowrap;">(宮沢賢治)</span></a></span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:125%;"><strong>PoI Number:</strong> PoI-1933</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:125%;"><span style="color: #990000"><span style="white-space:nowrap;"><strong>Gender:</strong> M</span> <span style="white-space:nowrap;"><strong>　Died at:</strong> the age of 37</span></span></span></td> </tr> </table> <p><a href="/niveaux-de-menace-des-objets-scp" style="text-decoration: none; text-shadow: 1px 3px 1px rgba(0,0,0,0.3); font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px; color: white;" target="_blank"><span style="display: inline-block; width: 100%; background-color: orange; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #000; margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px;"><strong>Threat Level:</strong> ORANGE</span></a></p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:280px;"><img alt="PoI-1933.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-jp.wdfiles.com/local--files/poi-1933/PoI-1933.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Photograph of PoI-1933, taken in 1924.</p> </div> </div> <p><strong>Status:</strong> As PoI-1933 is already expired, so there is no need to surveil him. However, the stories left by PoI-1933 are world-famous and have such a high reputation, thus it is considered virtually impossible to contain or conceal them. Therefore, there is always a risk the containment breach of anomalies related to his works would occur. It should also be considered that there may be multiple other undiscovered anomalies related to him.</p> <p><strong>Related GoIs:</strong> According to the Foundation's investigation so far, no GoI that PoI-1933 had been affiliated clearly identified. However, anomalies suspected of being related to the works written by PoI-1933 are found to be connected to multiple groups of interest. In addition, there was some exchange between him and the dwellers of ‘Samuto Locality’ located within present-day <a href="/toyoho-hub">Tohno Youkai Sanctuary</a>, according to intelligence. Foundation research team is conducting the verification of this information.</p> <p><strong>Grounds to Surveil:</strong> Despite being the deceased, PoI-1933 was designated as PoI because it is pointed out that most of the works written by PoI-1933 are related to the anomalies existing in reality. Even though there are other cases in which anomalies related to the works of prominent authors or artists, the frequency of relation of PoI-1933's works to anomalies is very high compared to other authors, so it is deemed to be sufficient as a basis for the Foundation to designate him as PoI.</p> <p>PoI-1933 is presumed to have had some kind of paranormal ability during his lifetime, and the Foundation considers this to be a factor of a high incidence of anomalies related to PoI-1933. From the data collected so far by the <em><a href="/groups-of-interest-jp#shushuin">Shūshū-In</a></em> and Foundation, it has been suggested that PoI-1933 has contacted or encountered multiple anomalies and paranormal phenomena. Accordingly, the Foundation's research team analyzes that PoI-1933 was likely to have had the paranormal ability to perceive commonly unrecognizable sights and sounds with his five senses. It should be noted that most of the works written by PoI-1933 might had been reflection of his experience of this ability.</p> <p>At this point, the Foundation's concerns about PoI-1933 consist of:</p> <ul> <li>A containment breach due to a contact with the anomalies related to his works, by any civilians who love his works. In particular, there is concern about this situation caused by tourists and enthusiasts.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>The impossibility of complete understanding of any paranormal ability PoI-1933 had. This is because PoI-1933 is already deceased, so there are limitations in the Foundation research. In case of the emergence of another person with paranormal ability same as PoI-1933, we can be never be sure whether the containment attempt will be successful or not.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Recent discoveries of urban legends referencing PoI-1933. These lead to a risk that civilians realize that PoI-1933 had paranormal ability. With the development of the Internet and SNS, it is emerging as a pressing concern in the future.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Mode of Behavior:</strong> As mentioned above, at the time the Foundation designated PoI-1933 as PoI, he already had a worldwide reputation as a prominent children's story writer. Thus it was deemed that virtually impossible to retrieve and conceal his works. Therefore, the main countermeasure for PoI-1933 is implemented with the following three focuses.</p> <ul> <li>Surveillance of anomalies related to the written works. Information on related anomalies is to be frequently shared with <a class="newpage" href="/miyazawakenji-hub">PoI-1933 research team</a>. Accurate information about PoI-1933 should be propagated to each person in charge of those anomalies.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Manipulation of information on PoI-1933's works. It is mainly to be carried out in various media and educational institutions. For example, the manipulation of impressions on the works by PoI-1933, and the surveillance of propagation of information on PoI-1933. For anybody who propagates accurate information of PoI-1933, their reputation must be ruined via Foundation cover story type "demagoguery". Depending on the situation, detention and amnestics treatment are also to be considered.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Concealment of historical materials on PoI-1933. PoI-1933 is widely known to have had a vast amount of of unpublished drafts, and there is a possibility that new materials will be discovered in the future.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup> In such cases, amnestics treatment to people related and retrieval of the draft should be carried out as soon as possible.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Background Information:</strong> PoI-1933 was born in 1896 in the present Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. Nothing is particularly noticeable in the career, behavior, and words and actions of PoI-1933 investigated by the Foundation so far, compared to the information widely known to the mundane world.</p> <p>PoI-1933 rarely showed suspicious words and actions related to the paranormal ability considered he had. It is still unknown when PoI-1933 gained this ability. However, since "Yamanashi", which is thought to be related to SCP-████-JP, was published in 1923, thus we can consider that PoI-1933's paranormal ability was present at this point at the latest. In addition, even though he seems to have encountered many paranormal phenomena that are presumed to be dangerous, there is no trace of him being exposed to anomalies. This is also considered to be noted when we deal with PoI-1933's paranormal ability.</p> <p>There is some evidences suggesting that <em>Shūshū-In</em> had monitored or investigated PoI-1933 during his lifetime. PoI-1933 is known to be interrogated by the police in 1927, because his agricultural extension activity with local peasants was suspected to be “socialistic”. This is presumed to be when the existence of PoI-1933 attracted attention of Shūshū-In, and they initiated their investigation. It was also confirmed that <em>Shūshū-In</em> had set several reports after the death of PoI-1933, and their interest in PoI-1933 seemed to continue to exist to some extent.</p> <p>When PoI-1933 died in September 1933, there was a series of movements by his relatives to publish PoI-1933's unpublished drafts. However, there were no signs that <em>Shūshū-In</em> interfered with the publication. It is presumed that the priority of PoI-1933 related issues for <em>Shūshū-In</em> was low, because PoI-1933 had already died and his recognition was very low at this point. As a result, the works by PoI-1933 became popular to the world from the mid-1930s to the wartime period.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-2" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-2')">2</a></sup></p> <p>In the year of 1945, the Foundation absorbed the most of domestic paranormal organizations within Japan, including <em>Shūshū-In</em>, and established its status as the most powerful normalcy preservation organization in the country. However, <em>Shūshū-In</em> branch of Iwate Prefecture <a class="newpage" href="/kanshin-ryoiki-tono">opposed to be absorbed</a> by the Foundation, and a smooth handover was hindered until around 1950. It is presumed that multiple pieces of data dissipated in the midst of this disorder, and the search of such data is still ongoing by the Foundation's research team.</p> <p>Since then, several proposals to designate PoI-1933 have been raised, but the designation of PoI has been delayed because there has been no consensus on whether the expired person should be designated as PoI. However, a number of anomalies related to the works by PoI-1933 have been discovered in recent years, and the existence of anomalies that are presumed to represent the contents of his works was also confirmed, thus he was officially designated as PoI in 19██. Currently, the Foundation has organized a dedicated team to research the anomalies related to the works by PoI-1933 and to conduct activities to fully identify the paranormal ability PoI-1933 had had.</p> <p><strong>Related Anomalies:</strong> The following is a list of anomalies that are presumed to be related to the works by PoI-1933. When the new anomallies suspected of being related to the works of PoI-1933 are confirmed, they should be added sequentially.</p> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>Item #</th> <th><span style="white-space:nowrap">Works by PoI-1933</span></th> <th>Anomalous Features</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a class="newpage" href="/scp-957-jp">SCP-957-JP</a></td> <td><em>Night on the Galactic Railroad</em></td> <td>A gigantic column of light that exists in Nayoro City, Hokkaido Prefecture. The subject who visually recognizes this column of light become blind for 5-25 days. After exposure, it becomes possible to be recognized through all the shielding, and the exposed gradually strengthens their mental dependence and attempts to approach this column of light. A recent research revealed that organizations related to the Fifthism has recognized the existence of SCP-957-JP. The detailed research is ongoing.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a class="newpage" href="/scp-1246-jp">SCP-1246-JP</a></td> <td><em>Winter Sketch</em></td> <td>A subway station in Minami-ashigara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, with “Department of Abnormalities” written at the entrance. There is an spacetime anomaly that expands at irregular intervals in the trackway. An unmanned freight train appears from the northwest once a month, but its destination is unknown. A poem presumed to be copycatted <em>the Winter Sketch</em>, a poetical work by PoI-1933, has been discovered.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a class="newpage" href="/scp-1561-jp">SCP-1561-JP</a></td> <td><em>Night on the Galactic Railroad</em></td> <td>A ticket vending machine of 1.9-meter high. When a ticket is purchased and used, a mini steam train with a total length of 2,960 mm and a conductor in the form of a dog appear. If one tell the conductor where they want to go, their sight turns into the destination told. The conductor recently testified that PoI-1933 had ridden SCP-1561-JP, though it is difficult to verify its claim.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a class="newpage" href="/scp-1886-jp">SCP-1886-JP</a></td> <td>"Cat's Office"</td> <td>An anomaly thought to occur in Foundation facilities that satisfy certain conditions. When this phenomenon is activated, a human-like being who self-proclaims the "Lion", the member of Board of Directors of the Japanese Foundation appears, and order the facility to be disbanded. The facilities and employees belong to them becomes vanished without exception, causing enormous damage to the Foundation. Therefore, when SCP-1886-JP emerges, it is mandatory to exterminate this entity by all means. It is pointed out that this "Lion" may be the "Lion" featured in PoI-1933's work "Cat's Office".</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a class="newpage" href="/scp-2836-jp">SCP-2836-JP</a></td> <td>"Obbel and the Elephant"</td> <td>An account named ‘Fundraising Association to Subsidize the Workplace Reform’ that appears on multiple SNSs. This account posts the personal information of certain people. When anybody who meets certain conditions read the post about certain person (target), an "Avenge Event" occur and the target perishes by a mob lynch. The account holder calls themselves “ally of the persecuted workers”. It turns out that they is aware of the existence of the Foundation, so strict vigilance is required.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a class="newpage" href="/scp-2901-jp">SCP-2901-JP</a></td> <td>"Matasaburō of the Wind"</td> <td>A levitating non-entity that appears in the Pacific Northeastern Japan. It appears every June to August and is accompanied by anomalously frosty air, causing a strong adverse effect on growth of plant, especially crops, in the surrounding environment. In 1993, SCP-2901-JP had emerged with a humanoid entity designated as SCP-2901-JP-1, and MTF を-85 "Teru-teru-bōzu" was completely destroyed. This event made them designated as Keter.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="white-space:nowrap"><a class="newpage" href="/scp-2943-jp">SCP-2943-JP</a></span></td> <td>"Yamanashi"</td> <td>Unidentified entities called ‘Clammbon’. Although detailed information is unknown becaues of antimemetic nature, fragmentary information can be obtained through freshwater crabs (<em>Geothelphusa dehaani</em>) that have contacted SCP-2943-JP's information. However, there has been a lethal memetic contamination agent leading to acute intelligence breakdown in the information of SCP-2943-JP, and all experiments on SCP-2943-JP are currently prohibited after an accident in which a large number of personnels are exposed to memetic hazard.</td> </tr> </table> <p><strong>Related Materials:</strong> The following document was originated from the <em>Shūshū-In</em>. The Foundation succeeded in retrieving this document in 1949. Note that the retrieved document is not complete and only a part of the original.</p> <div class="shushuInner"> <h4 id="toc0"><span><span>Kenji Miyazawa</span><span style="font-size:60%;">Collected Item Memorandum Catalog #1933</span></span></h4> <p><strong>Detected in March 1927.</strong> Mr. Kenji Miyazawa was born in 1896. The information from his childhood to youth was limited and there was nothing noteworthy. After being granted an associate degree in agronomy at Morioka Agriculture and Forestry High School,<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-3" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-3')">3</a></sup> he worked as a teacher at Iwate Prefectural Hanamaki Agricultural School, and then began tilling a local croft. In addition, he has been recently engaged in creative activities such as writing literary fictons at the same time as he toils away, but has not received much attention until now.</p> <p>The authorities suspected that the activities of the ‘<em>Rasu</em> Peasant Association <sub>(羅須地人協会)</sub>’, a private school presided over by Mr. Miyazawa, were “socialistic”, and Mr. Miyazawa was interrogated by the police. We, <em>Shūshū-In</em> became aware of him as the local police requested us to investigate whether there were any paranormal elements in the activities of ‘<em>Rasu</em> Peasant Association’.</p> <p>As a result of our investigation into Mr. Miyazawa, nothing paranormal was found in the activities of ‘<em>Rasu</em> Peasant Association’ itself. Among relatives and friends of Mr. Miyazawa, no one belonging to the paranormal communities was identified. Thus, once we considered to stop the pointless investigation. But the possibility was pointed out that Mr. Miyazawa was aware of the existence of anomalies in the paranormal communities. The main points that were considered to be noted in Mr. Miyazawa's behaviors are as follows.</p> <ul> <li>He intentionally uses words that are thought to be coined by him on a daily basis. It is possible that there is some abnormality.</li> <li>Sometimes Mr. Miyazawa seems to be talking to someone by himself. We failed to get into detail.</li> <li>The works written by Mr. Miyazawa suggest the entities that seem to be identified as the paranormal anomalies in reality.</li> </ul> <p>Due to the above points, our doubts about Mr. Miyazawa have been reinforced. We determined that it was necessary to contact Mr. Miyazawa to determine how to deal with him. Ms. Isanagi, disguised as a police associate, interviewed Mr. Miyazawa.</p> <p>The following is an excerpt of the interview log.</p> <div style="display: inline-block ; border : dashed 1px #444444 ; background :#ffb6c1 url(http://scp-jp-sandbox3.wdfiles.com/local--files/draft%3A3461191-69-4dd5/%E8%92%90%E9%9B%861.png)center no-repeat ; margin-left : auto ; margin-right : auto ; width : 98% ; padding:10px"> <p><strong>Interviewee:</strong> Mr. Kenji Miyazawa<br/> <strong>Interviewer</strong>: Studier "Yabu Isanagi"<br/> <strong>Note</strong>: The interview was conducted by Ms. Ishanagi disguised herself as a police associate.</p> <hr/> <p><strong>Ms. Isanagi:</strong> Then, let's start our interview. Actually, we were curious about something after the last investigation. I'd like to hear about it.</p> <p><strong>Mr. Miyazawa:</strong> …What do you mean.</p> <p><strong>Ms. Isanagi:</strong> You're using pretty weird words quotidianly. Such as, ‘<em>Īhatōv</em>’ or ‘<em>Clammbon</em>’. What are these names?</p> <p><strong>Mr. Miyazawa:</strong> Ah, it's kind of like, some of them are mere fantasy of mine, and the others are named after the image of what really exists, and so on. ‘Īhatōv’ is an imagery of my hometown, Iwate in my mind. And ‘Clammbon’ is a name for a creature really exists. Let me tell you about this ‘Īhatōv’ …….</p> <p>[Mr. Miyazawa explains ‘Īhatōv’ enthusiastically for more than 20 minutes]</p> <p><strong>Ms. Isanagi:</strong> … I understand what ‘Īhatōv’ is all about. But you explained that ‘clammbons’ are real creatures, but I have totally no idea what kind of creatures they are. Can't you enlighten me in Japanese that is easy for me to understand?</p> <p><strong>Mr. Miyazawa:</strong> If you say so, I think you probably don't know about them. Even I just know that somehow they ‘exist’. They are pretty cute, though…. Yes! I've written a story titled "Yamanashi" before, and I've written about ‘clammbon’ in that story. So if you don't mind, please read it. Come to think of it, can I tell you one thing?</p> <p><strong>Ms. Isanagi:</strong> What?</p> <p><strong>Mr. Miyazawa:</strong> A ‘clammbon’ was in the hallway on the way here.</p> </div> <p>Immediately after the above interview, a creature called a ‘clammbon’ was searched, but could not be found. It was speculated that Mr. Miyazawa has a paranormal ability to perceive the existence of anomalies that cannot be normally observed. After that, we discussed the treatment of Mr. Miyazawa. After conducting further investigations and interviews to Mr. Miyazawa's relatives, we concluded that Mr. Miyazawa does not have hostility towards the Japanese government or paranormal communities, thus regular monitoring would be sufficient policy. Studier "Yabu Isanagi" was placed in in charge of monitoring him.</p> <p><strong>Addition on September 1933.</strong> On September 21, Mr. Miyazawa's death was reported by a local informant. A local investigation concluded that the cause of his death was acute pneumonia. He had been suffered chronic pneumonia, and the acute exacerbation killed him. As the monitoring target has dead, the lifting or drastic reduction of the monitoring will be considered.</p> <p><strong>Addition on October 1933.</strong> Ms. Isanagi reported that Mr. Miyazawa's relatives are planning to publish Mr. Miyazawa's drafts posthumously. We discussed whether to interfere with their publication, but our need to interfere with their actions is low, as Mr. Miyazawa is a dead man already. Rather, the opinion that rivalry with <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ijamea-hub">IJAMEA</a>, which is rapidly spreading their influence in recent years, should be prioritized prevailed. Thus, we decided not to sabotage the postmortem publication of Mr. Miyazawa.</p> <p><strong>Addition on December 1933.</strong> Studiers who were participated in monitoring the late Mr. Miyazawa discussed about future course of action several times, but could not reach a conclusion. Upper Echelon decided to officially disband the monitoring group.</p> <p><strong>Addition on ██████████ 19██.</strong> Concerning the increase in the number of reports of weird phenomena occurring in the Northeastern Japan, the possibility of a causal relationship with the late Mr. Miyazawa has been pointed out, and a re-investigation of his works and behavior has been initiated. However, the re-investigation is found in difficulty, as some of documents are revealed to be smuggled out, and we lost contact with some members of the former monitoring group, including Ms. Isanagi.</p> </div> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. Recently, a manuscript considered to be a unknown unpublished draft by PoI-1933 was discovered in 2009.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-2"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-2')">2</a>. In particular, PoI-1933's poem <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ame_ni_mo_makezu" target="_blank">"Unbeaten by the Rain"</a> was widely exploited during the wartime, interpreting the poem as a justification of utilitarian self-sacrifice.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-3"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-3')">3</a>. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Transl.Note:</span> ‘Specialized High Schools <sub>(専門学校, <em>senmon-gakkō</em>)</sub>’ were not ‘high schools’ you might know. They had been higher education institutions for vocational education, roughly comparable to community colleges in America, thus their graduates were eligible for a degree. They coexisted with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_school_(Japan)" target="_blank">‘High<span style="text-decoration: underline;">er</span> Schools <sub>(高等学校, <em>kōtō-gakkō</em>)</sub>’</a>, another higher education institutions, which were essentially preparatory liberal arts faculties of universities for academic education. Imperial Japan's education system was established in the German style, and <em>senmon-gakkō</em>s corresponded to German <em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fachhochschule" target="_blank">Fachhochschule</a></em>. After 1945, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_reform_in_occupied_Japan" target="_blank">the system was reformed</a> into the American style, and <em>senmon-gakkō</em>s were merged into the universities. Morioka Agriforest High, Kenji Miyazawa's alma mater, is now the Faculty of Agriculture at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwate_University" target="_blank">National Iwate University</a>.</div> </div> <p><br/></p> <div class="authors"> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/poi-1933">Person of Interest File #1933/01</a>" by kossy, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/poi-1933">https://scpwiki.com/poi-1933</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://scp-jp.wikidot.com/dreamlandiwate" target="_blank">the Original article</a> was posted by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/kossy" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5670836); return false;"><img alt="kossy" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5670836&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1733007807" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5670836)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/kossy" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5670836); return false;">kossy</a></span>.<br/> This article was translated by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/salamander724" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1486450); return false;"><img alt="Salamander724" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=1486450&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1733007807" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=1486450)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/salamander724" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1486450); return false;">Salamander724</a></span> and proofread by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/jerden" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1637608); return false;"><img alt="Jerden" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=1637608&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1733007807" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=1637608)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/jerden" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1637608); return false;">Jerden</a></span>.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> PoI-1933.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Unknown<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Miyazawa_Kenji.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Miyazawa_Kenji.jpg</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-int.wikidot.com/poi-1933">:scp-int:poi-1933</a>]]	2024-11-29T14:37:00	[ "foundation-format", "international", "tale" ]	Person of Interest File #1933/01 - SCP Foundation	4	[ "niveaux-de-menace-des-objets-scp", "toyoho-hub", "groups-of-interest-jp#shushuin", "miyazawakenji-hub", "kanshin-ryoiki-tono", "scp-957-jp", "scp-1246-jp", "scp-1561-jp", "scp-1886-jp", "scp-2836-jp", "scp-2901-jp", "scp-2943-jp", "ijamea-hub", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "toyoho-hub", "tales-by-year" ]	[ "https://scp-jp.wdfiles.com/local--files/poi-1933/PoI-1933.jpg" ]	1457452896	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/poi-1933
polly-the-hole	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>I never wanted you to get wrapped up in this.</p> </div> <div class="info-container"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div> <p style="text-align: center;">…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ</p> </div> <hr/> <div id="u-author_block"> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/kingofmice-author-page">▸ More by this Author ◂</a></p> </div> <hr/> <div id="u-comments2" style="display: none;"> <p>{$comments2}</p> </div> <div class="u-faq"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">F.A.Q.</a></p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <p>{$doesthisfixthebug}</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>Your name is Apollo “Polly” Finn, or at least that’s the name you gave yourself, and your front door is sitting on your lawn. This should, for obvious reasons, be very disconcerting. You, Polly, should’ve turned around, gotten back in your car, and driven off.</p> <p>But that’s not like you, is it Polly? Standing there, staring into the gaping hole where your front door should be, you’re struck by the feeling that <em>someone</em> is in there.</p> <p>The scene is easy enough to put together, door on the ground means someone tore it off the hinges, <em>means</em> someone wanted inside, badly. But while it is clear someone <em>was</em> in there, you are also struck by the more bone chilling and inescapable feeling that someone <em>was not</em> in there.</p> <p><em>What a strange thought.</em> Someone <em>not</em> being in your house is a good thing. But that feeling lodges itself into your mind, runs down your spine, and settles in your stomach. The feeling morphs into terror.</p> <p>You charge through the front door, calling out a name. A name that leaves your mind the second it leaves your lips. <em>Who were you calling for? Who was supposed to be there? What’s missing?</em></p> <p>Your house is clean, meticulously so. It’s more unnerving than finding it ransacked. Someone was looking for something, and something specific. It feels off too, everything’s just out of place, like it was all shifted two inches over. You try calling the name again, only to find you don’t remember the name or why you even thought to shout one.</p> <p><em>There’s a shifting upstairs.</em> You freeze, your heart racing a million miles an hour. Next to your door is a coat stand, you grab it; two coats slide off the hooks and land at your feet. You shift the coat stand around in your hands, holding it outwards as if it were a jousting lance.</p> <p>Sweat pours down your forehead as you stalk up the stairs. As a woman who lives alone, a house break-in comes with a million nightmare scenarios. The faces in your photographs and paintings seem to leer down on you as you pass.</p> <p>The door to your bedroom is cracked open. From your vantage point you can see your queen sized bed in ruins. Pillows and sheets strewn across the floor and the mattress lifted up and pushed up against the wall.</p> <p>The sound of shifting gets louder, someone quickly opens and closes several drawers. Then, right as your hand reaches to push the door open, the sound stops.</p> <p>Holding your breath, mouth dry, you can just barely hear someone sigh. A drawer slowly closes and footsteps approach the door. You press your back flat against the wall.</p> <p>Through the crack in the door you can just barely see the back of the intruder. They’re wearing a black coat and a wide brimmed black hat, long blond hair running down their back. They stop at the foot of your bed frame, standing still for just a moment.</p> <p><em>Here’s your opening.</em> Pushing back on your legs, you launch yourself forward, slamming through the open door, coat stand held high above your head. You manage, in your blind sprint, to strike the intruder on the side of the head, knocking their hat off.</p> <p>“Ah! What the-!” She, <em>you’re pretty sure it’s a she</em>, stumbles over onto her side, rubbing the side of her head. With shaking arms, you point the stand right at her chest.</p> <p>Upon making eye contact, you’re immediately struck by an odd and primal sort of fear. For a moment you’re a prey animal who’s just noticed the predator stalking through the brush. Her posture mirrors your own.</p> <p>Everything is quiet.</p> <p>In the blink of an eye, the world becomes a blur of motion. She turns tail and jumps onto your desk, sending everything to the ground. Papers fly through the air as she tears the curtains down. She digs her fingers under the lift, snapping the window lock as she forces the window open.</p> <p>Being taller and a little faster, you drop the coat stand and lunge forward, arms outstretched. You manage to get your arms around her neck and you use your body weight to yank her backwards. The intruder loses her grip and falls on top of you.</p> <p>“No! No!” Shouts the intruder in a raspy voice, kicking and squirming in your grasp. Despite your lack of experience, it’s not hard to keep her in a headlock.</p> <p>With sharp nails, she tears up your sleeves, clawing at your arms. A flinch is all she needs to break your grasp. You hear a wet <em>squelch</em> before you realize she’s bitten you.</p> <p>You scream.</p> <p>“Fuck!” You let go but her teeth are stuck in your arm. The more you wriggle and squirm and shove the more you hurt yourself. Blood runs down her chin.</p> <p>Almost like a dance, you struggle to your feet, your arm still in her mouth. Pushing with her heels, she slams you hard against the wall. The force rattles the whole house, sending a shelf of clown dolls tumbling to the ground. Fifty smiling porcelain faces meet a very grim end.</p> <p>You punch her in the back of the head, a few of your fingers snap with it. She cries out, releasing your arm and stumbling forward. Bringing your knee up to your chest, you kick her hard in the square of her back, sending her to the floor.</p> <p>Out of instinct, you reach out and grab a wooden clown, chucking it at her as hard as you can like she’s some kind of bug. She looks at you, then to the door. On all fours, she scuttles out of the room and down the stairs.</p> <p>You feel faint, taking a step forward, unsure if the ground will be there. The bite mark on your arm makes you feel sick, there’s a million mouth germs flowing through your blood right now. To keep your legs from buckling, you have to lean up against the wall.</p> <p><em>She’s escaping,</em> the thought shoots through your head like a bullet. You wobble after her, fueled by anger and fear. There she is at the bottom of the stairs.</p> <p>“You-!” you cry out. She looks up at you, fear in her eyes, and all of the sudden the floor is not where you thought it should be. Like the whole world has been ripped out from under you, you fly gracelessly through the air, your stomach tied up in knots. All colors blur into one seamless blop and in the same <em>instant-</em></p> <p>Darkness swallows you whole.</p> <p>…</p> <p>You awaken slowly, finding yourself jostled about in the back of a car. The roads were never very good here and it’s only accentuated by how much your head hurts. You feel your arm, finding the indent of teeth loosely wrapped in gauze. An incessant ringing emanates from the driver’s seat. Prying your eyes open, you see the driver pull out and answer a phone.</p> <p>The intruder is now, apparently, your kidnapper.</p> <p>“Hello sir. No I wasn't ab- sir? No- no, sir. I- … There was a complication, if I may… Yes sir, my apologies sir… I didn’t feel right- no, sir, I’m sorry.” You listen to her ramble like this, unable to catch even a word of the other end.</p> <p>You realize you’re not tied up. Propped up in the backseat, you’re buckled in and slightly bandaged, but you’re not trapped. Touching the sore spot on your head, you do your best not to hiss in pain.</p> <p>Feeling your face, you drag your hand down, your fingers coming to a stop on the chain necklace around your neck. Slowly, as to not make it immediately obvious that you’re awake, you sit up and undo the clasp.</p> <p>“Please sir- I am- I am only asking permission to leave her with the hospital. I promise to-” she never gets to finish her promise.</p> <p>You wrap the chain around her throat, with a ferociousness and malice you’ve <em>never</em> shown before, using your weight to yank back, you choke her against the headrest. The driver cries out, the sound quickly cut off by a sharp <em>retch</em> as you strangle her further.</p> <p><em>Polly… Polly, what are you doing?</em></p> <p>She claws at the chain, snapping it under her fingers. She slams on the brakes in some vain attempt to regain control.</p> <p>A telephone pole crumples the car, shattering the windshield in a wave of glorious glass shards. The airbags go off with a sharp hiss. You smack your face into the back of the driver’s seat, lucky to have not broken your neck. The only thing you can hear is the horn blaring and the driver’s wheezing breaths, everything else is drowned out by the ringing in your ears.</p> <p>You pull your arms back, the broken chain still gripped in your hands. At the very least your arms aren’t broken, though they’re bruised like they could be, your bandage torn. Kicking open the door, you immediately collapse onto the asphalt. You’re still in your neighborhood, surrounded on all sides by uninhabited houses. A car drives past the wreckage without even slowing.</p> <p>A <em>gag</em> tears through your throat, something dripping from your lips. You rest your head on the ground for several seconds, watching the other cars pass you by. Despite everything in the world being against your favor, you got out of that pretty unscathed.</p> <p>The driver’s door opens and out she tumbles. She falls to her hands and knees, spitting up a viscous glob of blood. You scramble up to your feet, using the car to hold yourself up.</p> <p>Rearing her head up, you stare into her beady red eyes. Blood and glass decorate her face and chest. She lifts herself up onto shaky legs and methodically pats down her coat. You see the handle of a pistol poking out of an inner pocket.</p> <p>Fueled purely by adrenaline, you damn near tackle her, snatching the gun away. She looks at you, as if confused by what you’ve just done. Until her eyes focus on the gun pointing right at her face, then the confusion turns to fear.</p> <p>She raises her hands in surrender and backs up. You have her pinned.</p> <p>“Who the hell are you!” You scream, spraying spit and blood into her face. “You broke into my house! Why, to kidnap me? What the hell is wrong with you?!”</p> <p>She coughs, shrinking under your gaze. You swallow a lump in your throat, trying to seem a lot more confident than you are. The stranger trembles like a cornered animal. Her eyes dart around, searching for an exit. You’re too wound up now to let this go.</p> <p>You hold the gun in your left hand, your dominant hand, jamming the gun in her face. She gasps, looking more afraid than you.</p> <p>“Say something, damnit!” You shout, finger curling around the trigger. Something catches your attention. Something small and yet more jarring than anything else that’s happened.</p> <p>Nestled securely on your ring finger is a silver band.</p> <p>The feeling of an <em>absence</em> hits you hard. Hard enough to make you stumble and drop the gun, making your world spin. Your vision blurs, nausea builds back up, it’s too hot, your lungs heavy and leaden. You fall back onto your ass. The ring stays, unmoving, on your finger. The clearest thing you can see.</p> <p>You run your thumb over the small <em>V</em> engraved on its surface.</p> <p><em>There’s a Hole in your mind.</em> You were able to ignore it before, it’s easy to ignore <em>nothing</em>. But now this ring- you feel the gap now. This ring is important, <em>you were married</em>, you <em>are</em> married, but the more you try to register this fact, the more you attempt to grip onto any kind of memory, you feel this <em>Hole</em> in your mind.</p> <p>It’s like clawing a chalkboard. <em>It hurts but it won’t stop.</em></p> <p>Your captor, or maybe, if only for a moment, your captive, regards you with a curious expression. Keeping her body facing you, she backs up and reaches into the car, pulling out the shattered phone.</p> <p>“Are you still there, sir?” She speaks, her voice rough and muffled. You can hear some scratchy audio, but no real words. You’re glued to the ground, eyes stuck on the ring.</p> <p>“Yes- yes I’m okay. I’m sorr- no, the car is ruined,” she says in an almost corporate tone, “Yes, yes I know… The passenger is fine, she seems to be-” she pauses, squinting at you. “Are you sure? Sir, she attacked me. You- … alright I understand. See you soon.”</p> <p>The stranger slips the phone into a jacket pocket and approaches you again, swiping the gun off the ground.</p> <p>“Can you stand?”</p> <p>You tear your eyes off the ring, staring up at her. Even without looking at it you can feel it there, reminding you of the <em>Hole</em>. You feel sick.</p> <p>You nod.</p> <p>“My boss wants to speak with you. She can be insistent. She thinks she can help you. <em>Please don’t make me use force</em>.”</p> <p>That last line sounds less like a threat and more like a genuine plea. In the distance, you hear sirens coming closer. Perhaps one of your neighbors called them. You may feel intimidated by this stranger for reasons you can’t place and feel deeply instinctual, but you know that she’s weak and hurt. You don’t <em>have</em> to go anywhere with her.</p> <p>But, if there’s one thing that’s always been your fatal flaw, you’re <em>deathly</em> curious.</p> <p>“Who’s your boss?” You stand up, casting a shadow over her.</p> <p>“Just- come this way.” She takes several steps back and hesitates for a long time, before turning her back to you and walking away. You stand there, watching her leave. She stops and glances back at you, waiting for you to follow.</p> <p>The sun’s starting to go down. The weight of your body is becoming increasingly noticeable, you realize that you haven’t eaten anything since lunch. You pass through your neighborhood, mostly empty houses and unkempt lawns. There’s the occasional car that passes by and people cross the street when they see you coming, but no one does more than that. You’re used to getting strange looks as you walk down these familiar sidewalks. At least right now it makes sense.</p> <p>She (you’re unsure if <em>captor</em> is accurate anymore) is limping. You're tempted to ask if she’s okay but you’re no idiot. She glances back at you occasionally.</p> <p>Neighborhoods turn to storefronts, of course nothing but a few restaurants and drug stores are open at this hour. Then you reach the abandoned outer edge of the town. Here you are, standing before an abandoned laundromat. You try to remember if this place was ever in business. <em>Have you been here before?</em></p> <p>The door looks like it could be forced open but you instead watch her crawl through one of the broken windows. You follow suit, trying not to think about the fact that you’re willingly cornering yourself. Defunct washers and dryers sit in uneven rows. A few are knocked over and dented. It smells like animal shit and trash, several creatures have certainly made their home here.</p> <p>No human has touched this place in ages, there’s not even graffiti on the walls.</p> <p>She leads you to a door labeled <em>Broom Closet</em>. From her many pockets she produces a keyring and flips through the rusty keys. She opens the door to reveal a descending staircase. She steps to the side, gesturing outwards.</p> <p>“After you.”</p> <p>You look behind you. You could still escape. Even just standing there, your captor is out of breath. At this point, you’re walking willingly to the slaughter.</p> <p><em>She thinks she can help you.</em> Those words sit in your mind. You glance at the ring, feeling the gap, unmoving. <em>Help you how?</em></p> <p>You feel distinctly like you’re being swallowed as you descend. The door closes behind you, your captor hissing and struggling her way down the stairs. You think you feel bad for her.</p> <p>The stairs open to a sleek hallway. It’s clean down here, cleaner than the laundromat upstairs, which truly isn’t saying much. It smells like copper and bleach. The floor squeaks under your steps, the fluorescent lights buzz overhead. Other than that it’s awfully quiet, making your captor’s labored breathing all the more noticeable.</p> <p>Down the hall you can see more doors and a larger room further away. She stops at the first door, rapping her knuckles against the hardwood surface. Her face is pale and she holds onto the wall for support.</p> <p>“<em>Barry!?</em> I’m here.”</p> <p>“Come in!” replies a muffled voice.</p> <p>Your captor looks on the verge of falling over, but she pushes on, opening the door and shoving you in. The office is cold and undecorated with bleach white walls. You see a man sitting at a desk, or at least you think they’re a man. After observing <em>her</em> for a moment, the truth hits you. This <em>Barry</em> is a large woman with short black hair wearing a vomit green jacket over a brown flannel.</p> <p>You’ve spent much of your life described as <em>masculine</em> despite your best efforts to appear otherwise. Suddenly every comment you’ve ever heard means nothing to you.</p> <p>With an almost bored expression, Barry looks right past you, laying eyes on your captor instead. “Cord?” She barks, voice thick, “Don’t track shit in here. Take a step back.”</p> <p>“Sorry, sir.” She takes a step back, standing awkwardly in the doorway.</p> <p>“You-” she points at you. “Sit down for a second. Cord, did you come back empty handed?”</p> <p>“I did, sir.”</p> <p>“And you wrecked your car?”</p> <p>Cord bites her lip. “<em>Yes sir.</em>” It looks like she wants to say more.</p> <p>“This entire thing is your fault.”</p> <p>“Entirely my fault, sir,” Cord repeats with a nod.</p> <p>For half a second you’re back at work, watching your boss tell off your co-worker right in front of you. There are no words to describe the discomfort. You can’t help the involuntary flinch as <em>the boss</em> turns her gaze onto you.</p> <p>“Now, I’m sure you have questions.”</p> <p>There’s a pause in which you realize it’s your turn to speak.</p> <p>“Oh- I- What’s going on here?”</p> <p>“We’re having a discussion.”</p> <p>“N- no what’s going on here? Where am I?”</p> <p>“You’re in the basement of an abandoned laundromat.”</p> <p>“Who are you?”</p> <p>“You can call me Baritone. Barry for short.”</p> <p>“Why am I here?”</p> <p>“Why <em>are</em> you here?” She raises one eyebrow.</p> <p>Words get trapped in your throat. Feeling dismissed, your first instinct is to get defensive. But as you think about it, it dawns on you that you know <em>exactly why you’re here</em>.</p> <p>“I’m here because…” you bring your hand up, resting it on your bruised forehead. “I’m here because there’s a <em>Hole</em> in my mind. I- I don’t know why but I can feel it. I’m forgetting something, but when I try to think about it I just feel the <em>Hole</em> where it should be.”</p> <p>“I see.” She nods, pleased. “And when did you start to notice this <em>Hole?</em>”</p> <p>“I think I’ve felt it all morning, but I really started to notice when I saw this r-” you hold your hand out, showing off the ring. Barry snatches your wrist, cutting you off. You forget how to speak for a second.</p> <p>She pulls your hand in closer and slides the ring right off. She examines it closely, holding it up to the light, rolling it between her thumb and forefinger. You feel like you should protest or <em>something</em> but you can’t bring yourself to make a sound.</p> <p>“Cord?” Barry says softly. “Would you come here?”</p> <p>Cord approaches. With Barry’s grip firm on your wrist, you can’t squirm away.</p> <p>“Yes, sir?”</p> <p>“Would you look at this?”</p> <p>“It’s a silver ring?”</p> <p>“Touch it.”</p> <p>Cord’s face scrunches up into a frown. She takes a deep breath in and holds it, reaching out to touch the ring. She seems confused, letting go of the breath and leaning in closer.</p> <p>“Oh…” She picks it up and on the inside you see writing you’ve never noticed before. You don’t have time to puzzle out what it says before it disappears from your view.</p> <p>“Take this to Ayla, just for confirmation. Then you can go see Ruth.”</p> <p>“Thank you sir.”</p> <p>“Wait!” Finally you find your words. “That’s my wedding ring!” You try to stand up but Barry's grip is stronger than it looks. You watch Cord limp her way out, she doesn’t even pause when you shout.</p> <p>“Sit still!” Barry commands.</p> <p>Slowly, you still, forcing your body to loosen. She flashes a smarmy grin, lets go of your wrist, and pulls out a laptop.</p> <p>“I’m going to ask some questions and you are going to answer them. Then, I’ll make sure you get your ring back. Okay?”</p> <p>“Okay…” You interlock your fingers, twiddling your thumbs.</p> <p>“What’s your name?”</p> <p>“Polly. Apollo Finn.”</p> <p>“Uh-huh. And you called it a wedding ring? How long have you been married?”</p> <p>You strain, clawing at the <em>Hole</em> in order to find an answer. “Two years…? I think? Why can’t I remember?”</p> <p>“Oh you <em>can</em> remember.” She gestures for you to give her more. “That’s why I’m going to need your help here. Do you remember your spouse’s name?”</p> <p>“<em>You need my-?”</em> You bite your lip. “V… something. It starts with a V.”</p> <p>Barry’s expression grows into a smirk. “Good… Good.” She closes the laptop. “Congrats! You’re hired!”</p> <p>“Huh?”</p> <p>She grabs your hand, forcefully shaking it. You cringe and flinch, reminded of your bruised and broken fingers.</p> <p>“Here, let’s get you to Ruth. Get you all patched up. Then we’ll talk about your new job.”</p> <p>“My new <em>wha-”</em></p> <p>She stands, grabs you by the shoulders, and drags you along. Down the hallway you pass by a couple of rooms that look like dorms.The hall opens to a large room with two other rooms branching off of it. In the center is a large iron cage.</p> <p>There’s absolutely <em>Nothing</em> inside.</p> <p>A gasp forces its way out of you. The Hole in your mind aches. You just can’t seem to pry your eyes off the lack of anything in the cage. It's captivating, the complete non-existence just sitting there.</p> <p>“Ignore that,” Barry says, dragging you to the rightmost room. Even as you’re torn away, you can feel Nothing calling to you.</p> <p>“I don’t understand…” you mumble.</p> <p>“Good! If you understood you’d go crazy. Start trying to claw your eyeballs out and shit.” She mimes scratching at her own face, expression one of mock horror.</p> <p>“Huh?”</p> <p>“Ruth is just over here.” You come to a stop before a door with a red cross haphazardly hung on it. It’s open just a crack, giving you a glimpse of the clinical setting inside. Barry puts a finger to her lips and drops into a crouch.</p> <p>“What’s going o-”</p> <p>“<em>Did you not see me-</em>” she does the finger on lips gesture again. You furrow your eyebrows.</p> <p>Cord is sitting on an examination table, topless, her torso covered in bandages. Some of the bandages appear older, stained and worn. You can only see the back of a tall woman in a white dress as she leans in, using tweezers to pick the glass out of Cord’s face. <em>This must be Ruth.</em></p> <p>“What mess did Barry put you in this time?” Ruth asks.</p> <p>“This wasn’t her fault. My own mistakes.”</p> <p>“Do you really believe that or did Barry <em>tell you</em> to believe that?”</p> <p>A bashful look flashes across Cord’s face. “Sorry, doctor…”</p> <p>Ruth sighs, setting down the tweezers. “Don’t apologize to me. I know it’s not your fault.” She grabs a washcloth, runs it under some water, and uses it to dab up the blood on Cord’s face.</p> <p>“Don’t be so concerned on my behalf, doctor.” Cord nuzzles into the rag, staring up at the doctor with bright eyes. This feels like an intimate moment you’re not meant to see, yet Barry seems to find this entertaining.</p> <p><em>“You’d think one of them would get on one knee and start reciting Shakespeare the way they’re acting, ey?”</em> Barry nudges you, apparently expecting you to find this funny. You can only frown.</p> <p>“Alright, let’s see the leg.”</p> <p>“It isn’t pretty, doctor.” Cord sheds her pants and you suck in a sharp breath. <em>Oh, no wonder she was limping, that’s broken</em>. You want to squirm away but Barry has a grip on you.</p> <p>“Fuck,” Ruth hisses. “How badly does it hurt?”</p> <p>“I can manage.”</p> <p>“That’s not what I asked.” Ruth hooks a finger under Cord’s chin, tilting her head up to look her in the eyes.</p> <p>“… it’s awful.” Cord’s voice cracks.</p> <p>Ruth sighs and circles around Cord. Many of Ruth’s features mirror your own, with her brown skin and broad shoulders. Her face is utterly beautiful, striking brown eyes and pink lips, dark brown hair in a braid spilling past her shoulders. Your heart rate quickens. She rolls up the sleeve of her dress and jams her forearm into Cord’s mouth.</p> <p>You jump involuntarily. Barry frowns.</p> <p>Cord sinks her teeth into the meat of Ruth’s arm and laps of the blood. Ruth pets her hair, spurring her on. You can see the bruising on Cord’s leg fade before your eyes. Barry grows very tense.</p> <p>“Alright! Alright!” Barry bursts in. “What’d I say about doing freaky shit in here?”</p> <p>More than anything, you want to cover your face and hide. Cord tries to wriggle away, stopped by Ruth’s forceful hold.</p> <p>“<em>Barry,</em>” Ruth growls. “What’d <em>I</em> say about interrupting me?”</p> <p>“Cord, cut that shit out.” Barry puncates with a snap.</p> <p>As if possessed, Cord squirms harder, forcing Ruth’s arm away. Blood runs down her face as she backs herself up into a corner. Ruth takes a step away, using the wash rag to wrap her arm.</p> <p>“You should know better than to feed a demon, <em>doctor</em>.” Barry puts emphasis on the last word, as if mocking her.</p> <p>Ruth rolls her eyes. “And just let you tear her apart for fun? You’re an asshole.”</p> <p>Barry laughs. “You’re funny. Cord, put your clothes back on and step outside.”</p> <p>Cord hunches down, hissing in pain, to gather her clothes off the floor. Ruth slaps the bloodied rag onto the table and storms right up to Barry. You’re half sure you’re about to witness a fight.</p> <p>“I’m not done here!” She points an accusatory finger at her.</p> <p>“Yes you are, actually. You’ve got a new patient.”</p> <p>Ruth leans to the side to look at you. You had done your best to go unnoticed, becoming increasingly more uncomfortable with each passing second. Now, she’s looking directly at you in a mix of confusion and anger. Really makes you feel put on the spot.</p> <p>“Who’s this supposed to be?” She snaps.</p> <p>“Our new anchor.”</p> <p>“Oh…” Ruth softens, now looking at you with concern. With Ruth watching you, you become viscerally aware of how you move. She tosses her braid over her shoulder to get it out of her face. You’re not used to being shorter than people, let alone another woman. Despite her size, Ruth moves with an elegance you’ve never been able to match.</p> <p><em>At least, you don’t think you could match.</em></p> <p>“Okay… Okay…” Ruth sighs, putting her head in her hands. “You, get the hell out of here,” she says to Barry. “When I am done with-” she gestures to you, “-here, I expect my patient <em>returned</em>.”</p> <p>Barry laughs. “Oh Ruth, you're adorable. Cord, with me.” Head hung low, Cord steps out behind Barry, leaving you alone with Ruth.</p> <p>“Damn bitch!” Ruth growls, kicking the metal stand holding her medical tools. She looks at you over her shoulder. “Sorry, hon. Not mad at you, just workplace drama. Hop on the table for me?”</p> <p>“I don’t even know what just happened, or why I’m here.” You take a seat as the last five seconds catch up with you. “Anchor?”</p> <p>“My name is Ruth Poole. You can call me Ruth or just Doctor if you’d like. I’m sure Barry already showed you the thing- well the lack of thing in the other room.” She flicks her fingers towards the door, which is locked this time.</p> <p>“Um, yeah.”</p> <p>“Is your hand broken, hon?”</p> <p>“I- uh- I think so.”</p> <p>“Looks it. I’ll take care of you.” Ruth takes your hand, dexterously straightening your fingers. It hurts like hell and yet you’re fascinated. “Good pain tolerance on you, didn’t even flinch.” The compliment makes you feel proud. She bandages and fits your broken fingers each with a splint. “So, tell me about yourself, where’d Barry pick you up from?”</p> <p>It takes you a second to register the question, your mind occupied with her hands. You begin explaining the day you’ve had, and before you know it everything is spilling out of you. It feels good to lay out all the insanity you’ve experienced in such a short time.</p> <p>It also feels good to have a pretty woman get her hands on you, but that’s a different thing.</p> <p>She offers a sympathetic tisk, “Sounds rough. If you’d like, I could help you forget all about today.”</p> <p>“I- huh?” Your cheeks flush.</p> <p>Ruth reaches into a cabinet, pulling out a cattle prod looking device. It’s a bit bulkier, like a flashlight with switches and a keypad on it. You shift, scooting away from her.</p> <p>“With this bad boy I can wipe anything clean from your mind.” She spins it between her fingers like a baton.</p> <p>“Does it hurt?”</p> <p>“No- well probably but you won’t remember a thing. One little zap-” she playfully jabs at you, “-and boom! No more shitty day!”</p> <p>You swallow. “No. No I’d rather- No.”</p> <p>“That’s fine, really your choice in the end.” With a shrug, Ruth drops the cattle prod onto the counter without much thought. “You’ve got two cracked ribs, nothing too serious. Normally I’d recommend rest, but I’m not really in charge here. Take an ibuprofen if it hurts and lay down when you can.”</p> <p>“Alright.” You feel up your chest, prodding at the soft spot. “Are you done?”</p> <p>“Yep, you’re all good. Here.” She tosses you a small bottle of painkillers. “I imagine Barry’s waiting outside.”</p> <p>Sure enough, you exit the doctor’s office to find Barry and Cord in the room with Nothing. Barry is sitting in a fold-out chair, a second empty chair next to her. Cord is leaning against the wall, eyes drooping.</p> <p>“Oh cool, you’re back! Come and take a seat.” Barry pats the empty seat. You sit and you both stare into Nothing. The <em>Hole</em> aches, but it’s familiar now.</p> <p>“So, about your new job,” Barry begins.</p> <p>“I don’t think I can accept it,” you interject, “I’m already employed and I don’t even know what you want me to do.”</p> <p>“One,” she holds up a finger, “you don’t have a choice. Two,” she holds up a second finger, "Jesus I’m about to explain. Would you look at that?” She gestures at the cage.</p> <p>You blink slowly. “What do you mean I don’t have a choice?”</p> <p>“I mean what I mean. I want you to look really hard at the <em>Hole</em> over there. Imagine what it would be like to fall in there.”</p> <p>You stare into it, into Nothing. You’re standing before a sinkhole and the ground is slippery. A cold chill runs down your spine.</p> <p>“People fall into these Holes all the time, they’re all over this fucking town. We keep this one for research. When people fall in, they’re gone, dead to the world. No one remembers them at all. But what they’ve <em>done</em> and who they’ve <em>affected</em> are still there. So you’re left with all these people with gaps in their lives that they just can’t grasp onto.”</p> <p>She regards you with a manic sort of look, pointing at her forehead.</p> <p>“And then there’s people like you,” she points at your chest. “<em>You</em> can remember a person. Not well, but you <em>can</em>. In the chance one of us is erased, we take meticulous care to make sure the gap is visible. It’s our job, after all, to find what’s gone missing and make sure no one can find it’s absence.”</p> <p>“I don’t- what?” You scratch your forehead, like you’re trying to pick at the gap.</p> <p>“Our old anchor, I imagine, must’ve been pretty smart. Not only did she make her absence visible, but she left a trail right to her replacement! Genius!” She keeps gesturing, her hand movements becoming more and more erratic.</p> <p>You claw harder at the gap, trying to grip a single image of your wife. “What do you mean by <em>trail to her replacement</em>?”</p> <p>“The wedding ring. Written on the inside is code, made specifically for us. Proving she existed and was one of us. She probably only gave it to you so we could find you.”</p> <p><em>That’s not true. That can’t be true, don’t believe it</em>.</p> <p>“So…” You stare at your hands. “I can remember these things that have been erased?”</p> <p>“Yep. Which is why you can’t be allowed to leave.”</p> <p>“B- but can’t you just find another anchor?!” You’re shaking.</p> <p>“Not without wiping your brain first!” Barry laughs. Your stomach drops. She pats your shoulder, making you flinch. “Aw, damn, I’m sorry. I hate when relationships are based on threats of violence. I promise you’ll like it here. You’re gonna help us save lives.”</p> <p>“Okay…” you whisper, leaning away from her.</p> <p>“<em>Hey</em>, look at me.” You obey. “I know this wasn’t what you wanted, but you <em>really don’t</em> have a choice. Anchors, <em>real</em> anchors like you are <em>rare</em>, and I don’t have the time to find someone better. Either I force you or I have to wipe your memory of this whole event and you leave everyone here to fend for themselves.” She shrugs. “What’s it going to be? I won't judge you either way- or, well I will judge you actually.”</p> <p>You consider this. Everything you’ve been through today, everything you’ve learned, everything you’re missing. You consider it more than you should. The answer should be pretty straightforward.</p> <p><em>And yet, Polly, you manage to pick the wrong one</em>.</p> <p>“Okay.”</p> <p>“Okay?” Barry raises an eyebrow.</p> <p>“Okay, I’ll help you. I’ll be your… anchor.”</p> <p>Showing far too many teeth, Barry beams. She grabs your hand tightly in both of hers, giving it a vigorous shake. You sink into the seat, feeling hollow, like the Nothing in front of you.</p> <p>“Welcome to the <em>Losing Dogs</em>! This calls for celebration! Cord!”</p> <p>“The <em>what</em>?”</p> <p>Cord stands up straight. “Sir?”</p> <p>“Do we still have reservations for Spicy Crust Pizza tonight?”</p> <p>“… you never made any reservations, sir.”</p> <p>“Make reservations! Table for three- actually table for five! Say, an hour from now if you can.” She turns to you. “You like pizza, right?”</p> <p>“I don’t really-? But sure.” Who are you to dictate anything about this situation?</p> <p>“Awesome!” She claps your shoulder a little too hard. “Hope to make up for the whole– <em>threatening your life for a good cause</em>– thing.” She makes a clicking sound with her tongue.</p> <p>Cord begins to exit the room.</p> <p>“Oh! <em>Cord!</em>”</p> <p>She freezes. “Sir?”</p> <p>“Don’t let Ayla go out wearing the same outfit she’s been wearing.” Barry suddenly brightens and snaps her fingers. “<em>That’s</em> what I was forgetting! You have to meet Ayla! You’re dismissed, Cord.”</p> <p>Looping her arm around yours, she lifts you out of the chair and drags you around the cage. There’s another door helpfully labeled <em>Tech</em>. She knocks on the door and opens it into a very dark room, illuminated only by a few computer screens. The floor <em>crinkles</em> underfoot.</p> <p>Barry flips on the lights, revealing the floor is absolutely covered in trash. It stinks of a dumpster covered in an air freshener. A woman sitting in a swivel chair before a laptop spins around, sipping loudly out of a fast food cup. She’s a stout little woman with a masculine face who looks ten years older than she actually is. She has long black hair that shines with grease and when she squints her nose wrinkles.</p> <p>“<em>Tone</em>,” she says, like it’s some kind of surname, her voice low.</p> <p>“<em>Lancaster</em>,” Barry says, in a similar yet mocking tone.</p> <p>“Hi…” you mumble, waving.</p> <p>Barry kicks some empty soda cans out of the way and presents you to Ayla. “Ayla, this is our new anchor. <em>The hell was your name again?</em>”</p> <p>“Polly-”</p> <p>“This is Polly!” She claps you on the back. “Polly, this is Ayla. You two will be working very close together. So, get comfortable with each other.” Barry pats your shoulder and steps out, closing you in.</p> <p>Ayla stares at you, sizing you up. You shift on your heels and nudge an empty wrapper with your foot. Without breaking eye contact, Ayla drops the fast food cup, grabs a soda can, and pulls the tab with her teeth.</p> <p>“Do you like anime?”</p> <p>“Excuse me?” Now you notice the wrinkled <em>Full Metal Alchemist</em> t-shirt she’s wearing.</p> <p>“You look like an anime girl. With the hair.” She flicks a finger at her hair. Once you dyed your naturally brown hair a bright blue, but it’s long since faded and grown out. “I thought it might be a- thing. Y’know?”</p> <p>“Uhh… No.” Self consciously, you run your fingers through your hair.</p> <p>“Dang.” She turns back around to her laptop. She nudges over a couple of… <em>interesting</em> anime figures.</p> <p>“So uh… What do you <em>do</em> here? I don’t really understand.”</p> <p>“What do <em>any</em> of us do here?”</p> <p>“I-”</p> <p>“I collect information. Basically anything and everything that happens here. And then, if something gets eaten, you use your <em>memory</em> thing to point it out to me. Then the other guys do the important stuff.”</p> <p>“Did you know the other anchor very well?”</p> <p>“I assume I did. I don’t even know who she is, but I know she’s gone.” Ayla shrugs, unbothered. “Is this yours?” She holds up your ring.</p> <p>“Oh yes!” You snatch it from her. Before putting it back on, you pause, and check the inside. “<em>Here I was</em>? What’s that mean?”</p> <p>“Means whoever owned that ring was one of us.” She tips back one of her figures, revealing the same message scratched onto the base. “All in case we go missing and the others have to cover up our absence. Also have my name and my home address, all just in case.”</p> <p>“Weird.”</p> <p>“I know right?”</p> <p>You share an awkward silence.</p> <p>“I think… I was married to the old anchor. It might’ve just been to… mark me out.”</p> <p>“Sorry for your loss.”</p> <p>“It sucks because I can’t even remember <em>who</em> I’ve lost. Just that I <em>have</em>.” You cringe, rubbing your forehead with your palm.</p> <p>“Yeah…” Ayla shifts, making the chair creak. “Her name was Vivian. I still have some of the records on her.”</p> <p>The name feels familiar but at the same time it brings no picture to your mind. You whisper the name to yourself, trying to connect a single feeling or moment to it, coming up with nothing. You run your thumb over the <em>V</em> on your ring.</p> <p><em>Vivian.</em></p> <p>“We found it all scribbled on the inside of various records. Her name, position, home.” Ayla fidgets with her thumbs. “Tone doesn’t like me talking about it, but… I feel like you should know.”</p> <p>You stare at the <em>V</em> for a long time, letting the silence stretch on for too long.</p> <p>“Thank you.”</p> <p>Ayla glances at you. “It’s nothing.”</p> <p>“I’m… going to leave now.” You appreciate Ayla, but it’s unpleasant standing here.</p> <p>“Cool, turn the lights off on your way out.”</p> <p>You leave Ayla’s room, turning out the lights as you were requested. Unsure of what to do next, you do some poking around.</p> <p>From what you can see, in this bunker of sorts, there’s the main room with the cage, Ayla and Ruth’s office, and then there’s the make-shift bedrooms you passed by on your way in. A few doors are open, revealing mostly bare and empty rooms with beds and clothes. The rest are locked.</p> <p>Except, there’s one closed door that isn’t locked. You didn’t even intend to open it, you were just checking the handle when the door opens. This room is the emptiest of them all, not even a blanket on the bed.</p> <p>“There a problem?” You jump, looking over at Cord. She’s sitting down in the corner of the room, having not even a chair, a laptop sitting on the ground between her legs. She’s got her hat off, letting you see more of her face.</p> <p>“Oh I’m sorry- I was just lost. Sorry to intrude, I don’t really know what to do.”</p> <p>“Most of this work is waiting. You’ll get used to it.” She glances at you, then returns to her computer work.</p> <p>You fidget with your hands. “Sorry about earlier. For attacking you and all.”</p> <p>“You had every right to. Don’t apologize to me.”</p> <p>Unsure of what else to do, you quietly back out and close the door. There’s… not a lock on the handle.</p> <p>You return to the large room that contains Nothing. There’s something magnetic to it, begging you to come closer. You pick a corner to sit in, hug your knees to your chest, and wait.</p> <p>…</p> <p>When the day ends you find yourself back in the parking lot behind the laundromat. Nothing you do can keep the cold off. The entire group is together, standing around a red sedan. Cord is wearing a short green dress and Ruth has swapped her white dress for a classy pair of black dress pants and a white button down. Even Ayla has swapped from one rumpled anime shirt to another. You yourself haven’t had the chance to get your clothes from home so you’re stuck with torn sleeves for the night.</p> <p>“Don’t crash this one,” Barry says as she hands Cord the keys.</p> <p>“Understood.”</p> <p>Barry makes a move to get into the passenger’s seat and you’re about to get in the back when Cord clears her throat.</p> <p>“May I make a small request, sir?”</p> <p>Barry pauses. “Sure, what is it?”</p> <p>“I would like to request that Mrs. Finn takes the passenger’s seat.”</p> <p>Barry glances at you, then smirks. “Alright, alright.” She backs up and approaches you, gently pushing you out of the way. “You've <em>scared</em> her,” Barry whispers into your ear as she passes.</p> <p>She piles into the back. Ruth crawls over Ayla’s lap, forcing Ayla to sit between them. Nervously, you take the passenger’s seat. Cord side-eyes you and begins driving. No one talks during the ride. The tension is thick, suffocating. Cord takes a sharp turn and your stomach jumps into your throat. There’s an invisible weight on your chest that won’t let you fill your lungs all the way.</p> <p>And you’re supposed to eat after this ride too.</p> <p>The Spicy Crust Pizza's parking lot is surprisingly packed for this hour. Seeing the neon sign from the distance you recall that you used to work here and you pray that none of your old coworkers recognize you.</p> <p>The inside is fairly typical of a slightly higher quality pizza chain. Booths line the outer walls and tables fill the remaining space. Whatever music is popular plays over the speakers. The group is seated at a round table right smack in the center of the restaurant. You place yourself between Barry and Ruth. A waitress, luckily no one you know, sets four menus down on the table and takes your drinks. She doesn’t seem to notice or acknowledge Cord, who remains silent.</p> <p>As you enter, you feel a tugging in your mind. The same sort of feeling you get when back in that bunker of a base. You look around the building, unsure of where the feeling is coming from. You don’t find the source, but you do find someone staring right at you.</p> <p>A quick glance around the room reveals several pairs of eyes observing your group. A shiver runs down your spine. The feeling, like being drawn in by quicksand, only gets more suffocating.</p> <p>“What’s going on here?” you whisper to Barry, hoping that you’re just noticing things that aren’t there.</p> <p>“Huh? Oh, we’re being ambushed,” Barry says, causally, not even looking up from her menu. “Would you guys mind sharing two large pizzas? We can go half and half with both of them.”</p> <p>“What-?!” you whisper-shout.</p> <p>She brings a finger to her lips and winks, as if that communicates anything. Ruth sighs, slaps down her menu, and stands up.</p> <p>“Going to the bathroom. Don’t have any fun without me.”</p> <p>Your eyes follow Ruth as she walks away, and you notice you’re not the only one watching her. The chatter of the fine dining establishment fades out, replaced by your heartbeat.</p> <p>“Sir?” Cord says. “I’m sure you know, but we’re not alone here. Would you like me to do something?”</p> <p>“No, no. Just wait. We don’t need to start a scene.” Barry glances at you, noticing how tense you are. “You know you’re in no danger right? Don’t let those weirdos scare you.”</p> <p>“It’s not that.” You lean in, rough strained, sweat dripping from your forehead. <em>“There’s Nothing here.”</em> You whisper, putting your head in your hand.</p> <p>“Oh.” Barry sets down her menu. “In that case we <em>should</em> do something then. Ayla, I would suggest you evacuate everyone. Pull the fire alarm if you have to.”</p> <p>“Damn, I was hoping for a normal meal for once.” Ayla tosses down her menu and stands up. You don’t like how your party is getting split up.</p> <p>“And Cord- Cord pay attention to me.”</p> <p>“I’m paying attention, sir,” Cord says, but she’s turned around in her seat, her eyes glued to Ruth across the building. Ruth is standing right in front of the bathroom, talking to the person you saw before.</p> <p>“Cord, there’s a hole somewhere near the restaurant. I’m going to need you to-”</p> <p>The person talking to Ruth pulls out a gun.</p> <p>The following series of events happens in the span of twenty seconds. In the commotion, the details get lost or blurred. I will do my best to recount them to you in order as they happened.</p> <p>First, you feel your stomach and your mind <em>drop</em>, like a weight’s been dumped on you. You feel as though the entire building has shifted at an angle. You black out for a second, your head hits the table, and you come to just in time to see Cord leap out of her chair.</p> <p>Then, Cord disappears, and a <em>monster</em> takes her place. Bones snap and skin tears as a truck sized dog bounds across the restaurant. It’s hard to wrap your mind around. The beast knocks over several tables, scattering chairs and people.</p> <p>Screaming ensues. Ayla pulls the fire alarm, which is pointless as everyone is already running in terror from the beast, but the siren adds to the moment. You feel the floor underneath you give away, revealing Nothing underneath. Barry grabs you by the shoulders and practically lifts you off the ground. She charges out of the building through the fire exit and dumps you onto the pavement.</p> <p>The wall of the building comes crashing down, torn through by the <em>beast</em> that was once Cord. The beast collapses on the ground and spits up a human head. Ruth and Ayla come running out through the torn down wall.</p> <p>The restaurant, and those few poor souls unlucky enough to be trapped inside disappear. Consumed by Nothing. You see someone you once knew disappear, or at least, you may have. Everyone who escaped the building pack into their cars and speed off in a panic. You blink, open your eyes, and you’re in a half-empty parking lot. You can barely remember why you were here at all.</p> <p>Except, you <em>do</em> remember why you were here. While the others look around, bewildered, confused, filthy, you look at the place where Spicy Crust Pizza used to be. There was <em>never</em> a Spicy Crust Pizza here.</p> <p>You break down into tears. The moment has passed but it sticks to you. You no longer feel the tug of Nothing, but you <em>remember</em> how it felt. You remember <em>everything</em>. No one stops to comfort you.</p> <p>Ruth drops to her knees, resting her head on the beast’s chest. Ayla looks around, brows furrowed. Barry grabs you by the collar and forces you to your feet. Her face is burning red.</p> <p>“What the hell just happened!?” She shouts, you can feel her breath on your face.</p> <p>You open your mouth, stumbling over a few vague words. Barry clenches her teeth.</p> <p>“God damn it, Polly! You’re supposed to remember these things! You <em>need</em> to pay fucking attention! Or you’ll get us all killed!” She throws you back onto the ground. You can’t even catch your breath.</p> <p>“Hey! Lighten up!” Ayla shouts.</p> <p>Barry turns to Ayla, her gaze sharp. Ayla cowers.</p> <p>“Lighten up? You want me to <em>lighten up?</em>” With each word, Barry takes another step forwards and Ayla takes a step backwards. “Do you even know what just happened? Do you know what we’ve lost? The people we failed to save?”</p> <p>Ayla reaches the concrete sidewalk and trips, falling onto the ground.</p> <p>“And you!” She shouts, pointing at the beast. “Turn back to normal! I know I <em>did not</em> give you permission to do anything!”</p> <p>The beast makes a weak groan. Ruth backs up as the beast slowly begins to shrink. You hear what sounds like joints cracking and popping and then there’s Cord, on her knees, the severed head laying next to her. She looks ragged, eyes on the ground, panting heavily. Blood pours from her mouth, it’s unclear who it belongs to. Barry approaches and strikes her across the face.</p> <p>Everyone draws in a collective gasp.</p> <p>“Barry!” Ruth screams, charging towards her. Barry shoves Ruth away, knocking her to the ground.</p> <p>“You have one job! To do what I say! I <em>never</em> want to see you like this again!” Barry shouts.</p> <p>“I’m sorry sir,” Cord mumbles, bruise forming on her cheek.</p> <p>“As for the rest of you!” She turns on her heel. “I can’t fucking believe you guys! You couldn’t even coordinate for <em>two fucking seconds</em>! Do you want to end up like- to end up like…?”</p> <p>As if shoved by some unseen force, she stumbles backwards. The anger on her face melts away into a cold terror. She grips her chest, sucking in a sharp breath.</p> <p>From her pocket she pulls out a strange looking item. The cattle-prod thing Ruth showed you before. No one moves or says a word, as Barry wipes the sweat off her forehead and jams the device into the center. Everyone cringes as she pushes the button and the device crackles with electricity. Her features soften, her shoulders untense, her pupils shrink then dilate. She drops her arms to her side and repockets the device.</p> <p>“Phew, what a night, huh?” She says casually. “Cord, my keys?”</p> <p>Silently, Cord reaches into her dress pocket, and hands Barry her keys.</p> <p>“Let’s go home, alright? It’s too late for work.” She approaches her car, expecting everyone to follow suit.</p> <p>You glance around, looking for some explanation from your teammates. They all look uncomfortable, refusing to look you or each other in the eyes. Cord is the first to stand up and follow Barry. Ruth and Ayla brush themselves off and follow suit.</p> <p>Ruth offers out a hand to help you up. You have so many questions, but the tension in the air is so thick you’re afraid of breaking it. All of you pack back into Barry’s car. Barry sits there, smiling, as if nothing had happened.</p> <p>As you drive back to the headquarters, you keep your gaze locked onto the empty space where there never was a Spicy Crust Pizza.</p> <p>You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.</p> <p><em>And I am so, so sorry, Polly. I never wanted you to get wrapped up in this.</em></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-true earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-no {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="{$previous-title}"> <p><a class="newpage" href="/previous-url">{$previous-title}</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="Hub"> <p><a href="/">Hub</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Losing Dogs"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ayla-losing-dogs">Losing Dogs</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/polly-the-hole">1 - Polly - The Hole</a>" by kingofmice, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/polly-the-hole">https://scpwiki.com/polly-the-hole</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=I never wanted you to get wrapped up in this. ]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">:scp-wiki:component:info-ayers</a> \|lang=en \|page=component:info-ayers \|authorPage=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/kingofmice-author-page \|comments= = …ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ ]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] Your name is Apollo “Polly” Finn, or at least that’s the name you gave yourself, and your front door is sitting on your lawn. This should, for obvious reasons, be very disconcerting. You, Polly, should’ve turned around, gotten back in your car, and driven off. But that’s not like you, is it Polly? Standing there, staring into the gaping hole where your front door should be, you’re struck by the feeling that //someone// is in there. The scene is easy enough to put together, door on the ground means someone tore it off the hinges, //means// someone wanted inside, badly. But while it is clear someone //was// in there, you are also struck by the more bone chilling and inescapable feeling that someone //was not// in there. //What a strange thought.// Someone //not// being in your house is a good thing. But that feeling lodges itself into your mind, runs down your spine, and settles in your stomach. The feeling morphs into terror. You charge through the front door, calling out a name. A name that leaves your mind the second it leaves your lips. //Who were you calling for? Who was supposed to be there? What’s missing?// Your house is clean, meticulously so. It’s more unnerving than finding it ransacked. Someone was looking for something, and something specific. It feels off too, everything’s just out of place, like it was all shifted two inches over. You try calling the name again, only to find you don’t remember the name or why you even thought to shout one. //There’s a shifting upstairs.// You freeze, your heart racing a million miles an hour. Next to your door is a coat stand, you grab it; two coats slide off the hooks and land at your feet. You shift the coat stand around in your hands, holding it outwards as if it were a jousting lance. Sweat pours down your forehead as you stalk up the stairs. As a woman who lives alone, a house break-in comes with a million nightmare scenarios. The faces in your photographs and paintings seem to leer down on you as you pass. The door to your bedroom is cracked open. From your vantage point you can see your queen sized bed in ruins. Pillows and sheets strewn across the floor and the mattress lifted up and pushed up against the wall. The sound of shifting gets louder, someone quickly opens and closes several drawers. Then, right as your hand reaches to push the door open, the sound stops. Holding your breath, mouth dry, you can just barely hear someone sigh. A drawer slowly closes and footsteps approach the door. You press your back flat against the wall. Through the crack in the door you can just barely see the back of the intruder. They’re wearing a black coat and a wide brimmed black hat, long blond hair running down their back. They stop at the foot of your bed frame, standing still for just a moment. //Here’s your opening.// Pushing back on your legs, you launch yourself forward, slamming through the open door, coat stand held high above your head. You manage, in your blind sprint, to strike the intruder on the side of the head, knocking their hat off. “Ah! What the-!” She, //you’re pretty sure it’s a she//, stumbles over onto her side, rubbing the side of her head. With shaking arms, you point the stand right at her chest. Upon making eye contact, you’re immediately struck by an odd and primal sort of fear. For a moment you’re a prey animal who’s just noticed the predator stalking through the brush. Her posture mirrors your own. Everything is quiet. In the blink of an eye, the world becomes a blur of motion. She turns tail and jumps onto your desk, sending everything to the ground. Papers fly through the air as she tears the curtains down. She digs her fingers under the lift, snapping the window lock as she forces the window open. Being taller and a little faster, you drop the coat stand and lunge forward, arms outstretched. You manage to get your arms around her neck and you use your body weight to yank her backwards. The intruder loses her grip and falls on top of you. “No! No!” Shouts the intruder in a raspy voice, kicking and squirming in your grasp. Despite your lack of experience, it’s not hard to keep her in a headlock. With sharp nails, she tears up your sleeves, clawing at your arms. A flinch is all she needs to break your grasp. You hear a wet //squelch// before you realize she’s bitten you. You scream. “Fuck!” You let go but her teeth are stuck in your arm. The more you wriggle and squirm and shove the more you hurt yourself. Blood runs down her chin. Almost like a dance, you struggle to your feet, your arm still in her mouth. Pushing with her heels, she slams you hard against the wall. The force rattles the whole house, sending a shelf of clown dolls tumbling to the ground. Fifty smiling porcelain faces meet a very grim end. You punch her in the back of the head, a few of your fingers snap with it. She cries out, releasing your arm and stumbling forward. Bringing your knee up to your chest, you kick her hard in the square of her back, sending her to the floor. Out of instinct, you reach out and grab a wooden clown, chucking it at her as hard as you can like she’s some kind of bug. She looks at you, then to the door. On all fours, she scuttles out of the room and down the stairs. You feel faint, taking a step forward, unsure if the ground will be there. The bite mark on your arm makes you feel sick, there’s a million mouth germs flowing through your blood right now. To keep your legs from buckling, you have to lean up against the wall. //She’s escaping,// the thought shoots through your head like a bullet. You wobble after her, fueled by anger and fear. There she is at the bottom of the stairs. “You-!” you cry out. She looks up at you, fear in her eyes, and all of the sudden the floor is not where you thought it should be. Like the whole world has been ripped out from under you, you fly gracelessly through the air, your stomach tied up in knots. All colors blur into one seamless blop and in the same //instant-// Darkness swallows you whole. … You awaken slowly, finding yourself jostled about in the back of a car. The roads were never very good here and it’s only accentuated by how much your head hurts. You feel your arm, finding the indent of teeth loosely wrapped in gauze. An incessant ringing emanates from the driver’s seat. Prying your eyes open, you see the driver pull out and answer a phone. The intruder is now, apparently, your kidnapper. “Hello sir. No I wasn't ab- sir? No- no, sir. I- … There was a complication, if I may… Yes sir, my apologies sir… I didn’t feel right- no, sir, I’m sorry.” You listen to her ramble like this, unable to catch even a word of the other end. You realize you’re not tied up. Propped up in the backseat, you’re buckled in and slightly bandaged, but you’re not trapped. Touching the sore spot on your head, you do your best not to hiss in pain. Feeling your face, you drag your hand down, your fingers coming to a stop on the chain necklace around your neck. Slowly, as to not make it immediately obvious that you’re awake, you sit up and undo the clasp. “Please sir- I am- I am only asking permission to leave her with the hospital. I promise to-” she never gets to finish her promise. You wrap the chain around her throat, with a ferociousness and malice you’ve //never// shown before, using your weight to yank back, you choke her against the headrest. The driver cries out, the sound quickly cut off by a sharp //retch// as you strangle her further. //Polly… Polly, what are you doing?// She claws at the chain, snapping it under her fingers. She slams on the brakes in some vain attempt to regain control. A telephone pole crumples the car, shattering the windshield in a wave of glorious glass shards. The airbags go off with a sharp hiss. You smack your face into the back of the driver’s seat, lucky to have not broken your neck. The only thing you can hear is the horn blaring and the driver’s wheezing breaths, everything else is drowned out by the ringing in your ears. You pull your arms back, the broken chain still gripped in your hands. At the very least your arms aren’t broken, though they’re bruised like they could be, your bandage torn. Kicking open the door, you immediately collapse onto the asphalt. You’re still in your neighborhood, surrounded on all sides by uninhabited houses. A car drives past the wreckage without even slowing. A //gag// tears through your throat, something dripping from your lips. You rest your head on the ground for several seconds, watching the other cars pass you by. Despite everything in the world being against your favor, you got out of that pretty unscathed. The driver’s door opens and out she tumbles. She falls to her hands and knees, spitting up a viscous glob of blood. You scramble up to your feet, using the car to hold yourself up. Rearing her head up, you stare into her beady red eyes. Blood and glass decorate her face and chest. She lifts herself up onto shaky legs and methodically pats down her coat. You see the handle of a pistol poking out of an inner pocket. Fueled purely by adrenaline, you damn near tackle her, snatching the gun away. She looks at you, as if confused by what you’ve just done. Until her eyes focus on the gun pointing right at her face, then the confusion turns to fear. She raises her hands in surrender and backs up. You have her pinned. “Who the hell are you!” You scream, spraying spit and blood into her face. “You broke into my house! Why, to kidnap me? What the hell is wrong with you?!” She coughs, shrinking under your gaze. You swallow a lump in your throat, trying to seem a lot more confident than you are. The stranger trembles like a cornered animal. Her eyes dart around, searching for an exit. You’re too wound up now to let this go. You hold the gun in your left hand, your dominant hand, jamming the gun in her face. She gasps, looking more afraid than you. “Say something, damnit!” You shout, finger curling around the trigger. Something catches your attention. Something small and yet more jarring than anything else that’s happened. Nestled securely on your ring finger is a silver band. The feeling of an //absence// hits you hard. Hard enough to make you stumble and drop the gun, making your world spin. Your vision blurs, nausea builds back up, it’s too hot, your lungs heavy and leaden. You fall back onto your ass. The ring stays, unmoving, on your finger. The clearest thing you can see. You run your thumb over the small //V// engraved on its surface. //There’s a Hole in your mind.// You were able to ignore it before, it’s easy to ignore //nothing//. But now this ring- you feel the gap now. This ring is important, //you were married//, you //are// married, but the more you try to register this fact, the more you attempt to grip onto any kind of memory, you feel this //Hole// in your mind. It’s like clawing a chalkboard. //It hurts but it won’t stop.// Your captor, or maybe, if only for a moment, your captive, regards you with a curious expression. Keeping her body facing you, she backs up and reaches into the car, pulling out the shattered phone. “Are you still there, sir?” She speaks, her voice rough and muffled. You can hear some scratchy audio, but no real words. You’re glued to the ground, eyes stuck on the ring. “Yes- yes I’m okay. I’m sorr- no, the car is ruined,” she says in an almost corporate tone, “Yes, yes I know… The passenger is fine, she seems to be-” she pauses, squinting at you. “Are you sure? Sir, she attacked me. You- … alright I understand. See you soon.” The stranger slips the phone into a jacket pocket and approaches you again, swiping the gun off the ground. “Can you stand?” You tear your eyes off the ring, staring up at her. Even without looking at it you can feel it there, reminding you of the //Hole//. You feel sick. You nod. “My boss wants to speak with you. She can be insistent. She thinks she can help you. //Please don’t make me use force//.” That last line sounds less like a threat and more like a genuine plea. In the distance, you hear sirens coming closer. Perhaps one of your neighbors called them. You may feel intimidated by this stranger for reasons you can’t place and feel deeply instinctual, but you know that she’s weak and hurt. You don’t //have// to go anywhere with her. But, if there’s one thing that’s always been your fatal flaw, you’re //deathly// curious. “Who’s your boss?” You stand up, casting a shadow over her. “Just- come this way.” She takes several steps back and hesitates for a long time, before turning her back to you and walking away. You stand there, watching her leave. She stops and glances back at you, waiting for you to follow. The sun’s starting to go down. The weight of your body is becoming increasingly noticeable, you realize that you haven’t eaten anything since lunch. You pass through your neighborhood, mostly empty houses and unkempt lawns. There’s the occasional car that passes by and people cross the street when they see you coming, but no one does more than that. You’re used to getting strange looks as you walk down these familiar sidewalks. At least right now it makes sense. She (you’re unsure if //captor// is accurate anymore) is limping. You're tempted to ask if she’s okay but you’re no idiot. She glances back at you occasionally. Neighborhoods turn to storefronts, of course nothing but a few restaurants and drug stores are open at this hour. Then you reach the abandoned outer edge of the town. Here you are, standing before an abandoned laundromat. You try to remember if this place was ever in business. //Have you been here before?// The door looks like it could be forced open but you instead watch her crawl through one of the broken windows. You follow suit, trying not to think about the fact that you’re willingly cornering yourself. Defunct washers and dryers sit in uneven rows. A few are knocked over and dented. It smells like animal shit and trash, several creatures have certainly made their home here. No human has touched this place in ages, there’s not even graffiti on the walls. She leads you to a door labeled //Broom Closet//. From her many pockets she produces a keyring and flips through the rusty keys. She opens the door to reveal a descending staircase. She steps to the side, gesturing outwards. “After you.” You look behind you. You could still escape. Even just standing there, your captor is out of breath. At this point, you’re walking willingly to the slaughter. //She thinks she can help you.// Those words sit in your mind. You glance at the ring, feeling the gap, unmoving. //Help you how?// You feel distinctly like you’re being swallowed as you descend. The door closes behind you, your captor hissing and struggling her way down the stairs. You think you feel bad for her. The stairs open to a sleek hallway. It’s clean down here, cleaner than the laundromat upstairs, which truly isn’t saying much. It smells like copper and bleach. The floor squeaks under your steps, the fluorescent lights buzz overhead. Other than that it’s awfully quiet, making your captor’s labored breathing all the more noticeable. Down the hall you can see more doors and a larger room further away. She stops at the first door, rapping her knuckles against the hardwood surface. Her face is pale and she holds onto the wall for support. “//Barry!?// I’m here.” “Come in!” replies a muffled voice. Your captor looks on the verge of falling over, but she pushes on, opening the door and shoving you in. The office is cold and undecorated with bleach white walls. You see a man sitting at a desk, or at least you think they’re a man. After observing //her// for a moment, the truth hits you. This //Barry// is a large woman with short black hair wearing a vomit green jacket over a brown flannel. You’ve spent much of your life described as //masculine// despite your best efforts to appear otherwise. Suddenly every comment you’ve ever heard means nothing to you. With an almost bored expression, Barry looks right past you, laying eyes on your captor instead. “Cord?” She barks, voice thick, “Don’t track shit in here. Take a step back.” “Sorry, sir.” She takes a step back, standing awkwardly in the doorway. “You-” she points at you. “Sit down for a second. Cord, did you come back empty handed?” “I did, sir.” “And you wrecked your car?” Cord bites her lip. “//Yes sir.//” It looks like she wants to say more. “This entire thing is your fault.” “Entirely my fault, sir,” Cord repeats with a nod. For half a second you’re back at work, watching your boss tell off your co-worker right in front of you. There are no words to describe the discomfort. You can’t help the involuntary flinch as //the boss// turns her gaze onto you. “Now, I’m sure you have questions.” There’s a pause in which you realize it’s your turn to speak. “Oh- I- What’s going on here?” “We’re having a discussion.” “N- no what’s going on here? Where am I?” “You’re in the basement of an abandoned laundromat.” “Who are you?” “You can call me Baritone. Barry for short.” “Why am I here?” “Why //are// you here?” She raises one eyebrow. Words get trapped in your throat. Feeling dismissed, your first instinct is to get defensive. But as you think about it, it dawns on you that you know //exactly why you’re here//. “I’m here because…” you bring your hand up, resting it on your bruised forehead. “I’m here because there’s a //Hole// in my mind. I- I don’t know why but I can feel it. I’m forgetting something, but when I try to think about it I just feel the //Hole// where it should be.” “I see.” She nods, pleased. “And when did you start to notice this //Hole?//” “I think I’ve felt it all morning, but I really started to notice when I saw this r-” you hold your hand out, showing off the ring. Barry snatches your wrist, cutting you off. You forget how to speak for a second. She pulls your hand in closer and slides the ring right off. She examines it closely, holding it up to the light, rolling it between her thumb and forefinger. You feel like you should protest or //something// but you can’t bring yourself to make a sound. “Cord?” Barry says softly. “Would you come here?” Cord approaches. With Barry’s grip firm on your wrist, you can’t squirm away. “Yes, sir?” “Would you look at this?” “It’s a silver ring?” “Touch it.” Cord’s face scrunches up into a frown. She takes a deep breath in and holds it, reaching out to touch the ring. She seems confused, letting go of the breath and leaning in closer. “Oh…” She picks it up and on the inside you see writing you’ve never noticed before. You don’t have time to puzzle out what it says before it disappears from your view. “Take this to Ayla, just for confirmation. Then you can go see Ruth.” “Thank you sir.” “Wait!” Finally you find your words. “That’s my wedding ring!” You try to stand up but Barry's grip is stronger than it looks. You watch Cord limp her way out, she doesn’t even pause when you shout. “Sit still!” Barry commands. Slowly, you still, forcing your body to loosen. She flashes a smarmy grin, lets go of your wrist, and pulls out a laptop. “I’m going to ask some questions and you are going to answer them. Then, I’ll make sure you get your ring back. Okay?” “Okay…” You interlock your fingers, twiddling your thumbs. “What’s your name?” “Polly. Apollo Finn.” “Uh-huh. And you called it a wedding ring? How long have you been married?” You strain, clawing at the //Hole// in order to find an answer. “Two years…? I think? Why can’t I remember?” “Oh you //can// remember.” She gestures for you to give her more. “That’s why I’m going to need your help here. Do you remember your spouse’s name?” “//You need my-?”// You bite your lip. “V… something. It starts with a V.” Barry’s expression grows into a smirk. “Good… Good.” She closes the laptop. “Congrats! You’re hired!” “Huh?” She grabs your hand, forcefully shaking it. You cringe and flinch, reminded of your bruised and broken fingers. “Here, let’s get you to Ruth. Get you all patched up. Then we’ll talk about your new job.” “My new //wha-”// She stands, grabs you by the shoulders, and drags you along. Down the hallway you pass by a couple of rooms that look like dorms.The hall opens to a large room with two other rooms branching off of it. In the center is a large iron cage. There’s absolutely //Nothing// inside. A gasp forces its way out of you. The Hole in your mind aches. You just can’t seem to pry your eyes off the lack of anything in the cage. It's captivating, the complete non-existence just sitting there. “Ignore that,” Barry says, dragging you to the rightmost room. Even as you’re torn away, you can feel Nothing calling to you. “I don’t understand…” you mumble. “Good! If you understood you’d go crazy. Start trying to claw your eyeballs out and shit.” She mimes scratching at her own face, expression one of mock horror. “Huh?” “Ruth is just over here.” You come to a stop before a door with a red cross haphazardly hung on it. It’s open just a crack, giving you a glimpse of the clinical setting inside. Barry puts a finger to her lips and drops into a crouch. “What’s going o-” “//Did you not see me-//” she does the finger on lips gesture again. You furrow your eyebrows. Cord is sitting on an examination table, topless, her torso covered in bandages. Some of the bandages appear older, stained and worn. You can only see the back of a tall woman in a white dress as she leans in, using tweezers to pick the glass out of Cord’s face. //This must be Ruth.// “What mess did Barry put you in this time?” Ruth asks. “This wasn’t her fault. My own mistakes.” “Do you really believe that or did Barry //tell you// to believe that?” A bashful look flashes across Cord’s face. “Sorry, doctor…” Ruth sighs, setting down the tweezers. “Don’t apologize to me. I know it’s not your fault.” She grabs a washcloth, runs it under some water, and uses it to dab up the blood on Cord’s face. “Don’t be so concerned on my behalf, doctor.” Cord nuzzles into the rag, staring up at the doctor with bright eyes. This feels like an intimate moment you’re not meant to see, yet Barry seems to find this entertaining. //“You’d think one of them would get on one knee and start reciting Shakespeare the way they’re acting, ey?”// Barry nudges you, apparently expecting you to find this funny. You can only frown. “Alright, let’s see the leg.” “It isn’t pretty, doctor.” Cord sheds her pants and you suck in a sharp breath. //Oh, no wonder she was limping, that’s broken//. You want to squirm away but Barry has a grip on you. “Fuck,” Ruth hisses. “How badly does it hurt?” “I can manage.” “That’s not what I asked.” Ruth hooks a finger under Cord’s chin, tilting her head up to look her in the eyes. “... it’s awful.” Cord’s voice cracks. Ruth sighs and circles around Cord. Many of Ruth’s features mirror your own, with her brown skin and broad shoulders. Her face is utterly beautiful, striking brown eyes and pink lips, dark brown hair in a braid spilling past her shoulders. Your heart rate quickens. She rolls up the sleeve of her dress and jams her forearm into Cord’s mouth. You jump involuntarily. Barry frowns. Cord sinks her teeth into the meat of Ruth’s arm and laps of the blood. Ruth pets her hair, spurring her on. You can see the bruising on Cord’s leg fade before your eyes. Barry grows very tense. “Alright! Alright!” Barry bursts in. “What’d I say about doing freaky shit in here?” More than anything, you want to cover your face and hide. Cord tries to wriggle away, stopped by Ruth’s forceful hold. “//Barry,//” Ruth growls. “What’d //I// say about interrupting me?” “Cord, cut that shit out.” Barry puncates with a snap. As if possessed, Cord squirms harder, forcing Ruth’s arm away. Blood runs down her face as she backs herself up into a corner. Ruth takes a step away, using the wash rag to wrap her arm. “You should know better than to feed a demon, //doctor//.” Barry puts emphasis on the last word, as if mocking her. Ruth rolls her eyes. “And just let you tear her apart for fun? You’re an asshole.” Barry laughs. “You’re funny. Cord, put your clothes back on and step outside.” Cord hunches down, hissing in pain, to gather her clothes off the floor. Ruth slaps the bloodied rag onto the table and storms right up to Barry. You’re half sure you’re about to witness a fight. “I’m not done here!” She points an accusatory finger at her. “Yes you are, actually. You’ve got a new patient.” Ruth leans to the side to look at you. You had done your best to go unnoticed, becoming increasingly more uncomfortable with each passing second. Now, she’s looking directly at you in a mix of confusion and anger. Really makes you feel put on the spot. “Who’s this supposed to be?” She snaps. “Our new anchor.” “Oh…” Ruth softens, now looking at you with concern. With Ruth watching you, you become viscerally aware of how you move. She tosses her braid over her shoulder to get it out of her face. You’re not used to being shorter than people, let alone another woman. Despite her size, Ruth moves with an elegance you’ve never been able to match. //At least, you don’t think you could match.// “Okay... Okay…” Ruth sighs, putting her head in her hands. “You, get the hell out of here,” she says to Barry. “When I am done with-” she gestures to you, “-here, I expect my patient //returned//.” Barry laughs. “Oh Ruth, you're adorable. Cord, with me.” Head hung low, Cord steps out behind Barry, leaving you alone with Ruth. “Damn bitch!” Ruth growls, kicking the metal stand holding her medical tools. She looks at you over her shoulder. “Sorry, hon. Not mad at you, just workplace drama. Hop on the table for me?” “I don’t even know what just happened, or why I’m here.” You take a seat as the last five seconds catch up with you. “Anchor?” “My name is Ruth Poole. You can call me Ruth or just Doctor if you’d like. I’m sure Barry already showed you the thing- well the lack of thing in the other room.” She flicks her fingers towards the door, which is locked this time. “Um, yeah.” “Is your hand broken, hon?” “I- uh- I think so.” “Looks it. I’ll take care of you.” Ruth takes your hand, dexterously straightening your fingers. It hurts like hell and yet you’re fascinated. “Good pain tolerance on you, didn’t even flinch.” The compliment makes you feel proud. She bandages and fits your broken fingers each with a splint. “So, tell me about yourself, where’d Barry pick you up from?” It takes you a second to register the question, your mind occupied with her hands. You begin explaining the day you’ve had, and before you know it everything is spilling out of you. It feels good to lay out all the insanity you’ve experienced in such a short time. It also feels good to have a pretty woman get her hands on you, but that’s a different thing. She offers a sympathetic tisk, “Sounds rough. If you’d like, I could help you forget all about today.” “I- huh?” Your cheeks flush. Ruth reaches into a cabinet, pulling out a cattle prod looking device. It’s a bit bulkier, like a flashlight with switches and a keypad on it. You shift, scooting away from her. “With this bad boy I can wipe anything clean from your mind.” She spins it between her fingers like a baton. “Does it hurt?” “No- well probably but you won’t remember a thing. One little zap-” she playfully jabs at you, “-and boom! No more shitty day!” You swallow. “No. No I’d rather- No.” “That’s fine, really your choice in the end.” With a shrug, Ruth drops the cattle prod onto the counter without much thought. “You’ve got two cracked ribs, nothing too serious. Normally I’d recommend rest, but I’m not really in charge here. Take an ibuprofen if it hurts and lay down when you can.” “Alright.” You feel up your chest, prodding at the soft spot. “Are you done?” “Yep, you’re all good. Here.” She tosses you a small bottle of painkillers. “I imagine Barry’s waiting outside.” Sure enough, you exit the doctor’s office to find Barry and Cord in the room with Nothing. Barry is sitting in a fold-out chair, a second empty chair next to her. Cord is leaning against the wall, eyes drooping. “Oh cool, you’re back! Come and take a seat.” Barry pats the empty seat. You sit and you both stare into Nothing. The //Hole// aches, but it’s familiar now. “So, about your new job,” Barry begins. “I don’t think I can accept it,” you interject, “I’m already employed and I don’t even know what you want me to do.” “One,” she holds up a finger, “you don’t have a choice. Two,” she holds up a second finger, "Jesus I’m about to explain. Would you look at that?” She gestures at the cage. You blink slowly. “What do you mean I don’t have a choice?” “I mean what I mean. I want you to look really hard at the //Hole// over there. Imagine what it would be like to fall in there.” You stare into it, into Nothing. You’re standing before a sinkhole and the ground is slippery. A cold chill runs down your spine. “People fall into these Holes all the time, they’re all over this fucking town. We keep this one for research. When people fall in, they’re gone, dead to the world. No one remembers them at all. But what they’ve //done// and who they’ve //affected// are still there. So you’re left with all these people with gaps in their lives that they just can’t grasp onto.” She regards you with a manic sort of look, pointing at her forehead. “And then there’s people like you,” she points at your chest. “//You// can remember a person. Not well, but you //can//. In the chance one of us is erased, we take meticulous care to make sure the gap is visible. It’s our job, after all, to find what’s gone missing and make sure no one can find it’s absence.” “I don’t- what?” You scratch your forehead, like you’re trying to pick at the gap. “Our old anchor, I imagine, must’ve been pretty smart. Not only did she make her absence visible, but she left a trail right to her replacement! Genius!” She keeps gesturing, her hand movements becoming more and more erratic. You claw harder at the gap, trying to grip a single image of your wife. “What do you mean by //trail to her replacement//?” “The wedding ring. Written on the inside is code, made specifically for us. Proving she existed and was one of us. She probably only gave it to you so we could find you.” //That’s not true. That can’t be true, don’t believe it//. “So…” You stare at your hands. “I can remember these things that have been erased?” “Yep. Which is why you can’t be allowed to leave.” “B- but can’t you just find another anchor?!” You’re shaking. “Not without wiping your brain first!” Barry laughs. Your stomach drops. She pats your shoulder, making you flinch. “Aw, damn, I’m sorry. I hate when relationships are based on threats of violence. I promise you’ll like it here. You’re gonna help us save lives.” “Okay…” you whisper, leaning away from her. “//Hey//, look at me.” You obey. “I know this wasn’t what you wanted, but you //really don’t// have a choice. Anchors, //real// anchors like you are //rare//, and I don’t have the time to find someone better. Either I force you or I have to wipe your memory of this whole event and you leave everyone here to fend for themselves.” She shrugs. “What’s it going to be? I won't judge you either way- or, well I will judge you actually.” You consider this. Everything you’ve been through today, everything you’ve learned, everything you’re missing. You consider it more than you should. The answer should be pretty straightforward. //And yet, Polly, you manage to pick the wrong one//. “Okay.” “Okay?” Barry raises an eyebrow. “Okay, I’ll help you. I’ll be your… anchor.” Showing far too many teeth, Barry beams. She grabs your hand tightly in both of hers, giving it a vigorous shake. You sink into the seat, feeling hollow, like the Nothing in front of you. “Welcome to the //Losing Dogs//! This calls for celebration! Cord!” “The //what//?” Cord stands up straight. “Sir?” “Do we still have reservations for Spicy Crust Pizza tonight?” “... you never made any reservations, sir.” “Make reservations! Table for three- actually table for five! Say, an hour from now if you can.” She turns to you. “You like pizza, right?” “I don’t really-? But sure.” Who are you to dictate anything about this situation? “Awesome!” She claps your shoulder a little too hard. “Hope to make up for the whole– //threatening your life for a good cause//– thing.” She makes a clicking sound with her tongue. Cord begins to exit the room. “Oh! //Cord!//” She freezes. “Sir?” “Don’t let Ayla go out wearing the same outfit she’s been wearing.” Barry suddenly brightens and snaps her fingers. “//That’s// what I was forgetting! You have to meet Ayla! You’re dismissed, Cord.” Looping her arm around yours, she lifts you out of the chair and drags you around the cage. There’s another door helpfully labeled //Tech//. She knocks on the door and opens it into a very dark room, illuminated only by a few computer screens. The floor //crinkles// underfoot. Barry flips on the lights, revealing the floor is absolutely covered in trash. It stinks of a dumpster covered in an air freshener. A woman sitting in a swivel chair before a laptop spins around, sipping loudly out of a fast food cup. She’s a stout little woman with a masculine face who looks ten years older than she actually is. She has long black hair that shines with grease and when she squints her nose wrinkles. “//Tone//,” she says, like it’s some kind of surname, her voice low. “//Lancaster//,” Barry says, in a similar yet mocking tone. “Hi…” you mumble, waving. Barry kicks some empty soda cans out of the way and presents you to Ayla. “Ayla, this is our new anchor. //The hell was your name again?//” “Polly-” “This is Polly!” She claps you on the back. “Polly, this is Ayla. You two will be working very close together. So, get comfortable with each other.” Barry pats your shoulder and steps out, closing you in. Ayla stares at you, sizing you up. You shift on your heels and nudge an empty wrapper with your foot. Without breaking eye contact, Ayla drops the fast food cup, grabs a soda can, and pulls the tab with her teeth. “Do you like anime?” “Excuse me?” Now you notice the wrinkled //Full Metal Alchemist// t-shirt she’s wearing. “You look like an anime girl. With the hair.” She flicks a finger at her hair. Once you dyed your naturally brown hair a bright blue, but it’s long since faded and grown out. “I thought it might be a- thing. Y’know?” “Uhh… No.” Self consciously, you run your fingers through your hair. “Dang.” She turns back around to her laptop. She nudges over a couple of… //interesting// anime figures. “So uh… What do you //do// here? I don’t really understand.” “What do //any// of us do here?” “I-” “I collect information. Basically anything and everything that happens here. And then, if something gets eaten, you use your //memory// thing to point it out to me. Then the other guys do the important stuff.” “Did you know the other anchor very well?” “I assume I did. I don’t even know who she is, but I know she’s gone.” Ayla shrugs, unbothered. “Is this yours?” She holds up your ring. “Oh yes!” You snatch it from her. Before putting it back on, you pause, and check the inside. “//Here I was//? What’s that mean?” “Means whoever owned that ring was one of us.” She tips back one of her figures, revealing the same message scratched onto the base. “All in case we go missing and the others have to cover up our absence. Also have my name and my home address, all just in case.” “Weird.” “I know right?” You share an awkward silence. “I think… I was married to the old anchor. It might’ve just been to… mark me out.” “Sorry for your loss.” “It sucks because I can’t even remember //who// I’ve lost. Just that I //have//.” You cringe, rubbing your forehead with your palm. “Yeah…” Ayla shifts, making the chair creak. “Her name was Vivian. I still have some of the records on her.” The name feels familiar but at the same time it brings no picture to your mind. You whisper the name to yourself, trying to connect a single feeling or moment to it, coming up with nothing. You run your thumb over the //V// on your ring. //Vivian.// “We found it all scribbled on the inside of various records. Her name, position, home.” Ayla fidgets with her thumbs. “Tone doesn’t like me talking about it, but… I feel like you should know.” You stare at the //V// for a long time, letting the silence stretch on for too long. “Thank you.” Ayla glances at you. “It’s nothing.” “I’m… going to leave now.” You appreciate Ayla, but it’s unpleasant standing here. “Cool, turn the lights off on your way out.” You leave Ayla’s room, turning out the lights as you were requested. Unsure of what to do next, you do some poking around. From what you can see, in this bunker of sorts, there’s the main room with the cage, Ayla and Ruth’s office, and then there’s the make-shift bedrooms you passed by on your way in. A few doors are open, revealing mostly bare and empty rooms with beds and clothes. The rest are locked. Except, there’s one closed door that isn’t locked. You didn’t even intend to open it, you were just checking the handle when the door opens. This room is the emptiest of them all, not even a blanket on the bed. “There a problem?” You jump, looking over at Cord. She’s sitting down in the corner of the room, having not even a chair, a laptop sitting on the ground between her legs. She’s got her hat off, letting you see more of her face. “Oh I’m sorry- I was just lost. Sorry to intrude, I don’t really know what to do.” “Most of this work is waiting. You’ll get used to it.” She glances at you, then returns to her computer work. You fidget with your hands. “Sorry about earlier. For attacking you and all.” “You had every right to. Don’t apologize to me.” Unsure of what else to do, you quietly back out and close the door. There’s… not a lock on the handle. You return to the large room that contains Nothing. There’s something magnetic to it, begging you to come closer. You pick a corner to sit in, hug your knees to your chest, and wait. … When the day ends you find yourself back in the parking lot behind the laundromat. Nothing you do can keep the cold off. The entire group is together, standing around a red sedan. Cord is wearing a short green dress and Ruth has swapped her white dress for a classy pair of black dress pants and a white button down. Even Ayla has swapped from one rumpled anime shirt to another. You yourself haven’t had the chance to get your clothes from home so you’re stuck with torn sleeves for the night. “Don’t crash this one,” Barry says as she hands Cord the keys. “Understood.” Barry makes a move to get into the passenger’s seat and you’re about to get in the back when Cord clears her throat. “May I make a small request, sir?” Barry pauses. “Sure, what is it?” “I would like to request that Mrs. Finn takes the passenger’s seat.” Barry glances at you, then smirks. “Alright, alright.” She backs up and approaches you, gently pushing you out of the way. “You've //scared// her,” Barry whispers into your ear as she passes. She piles into the back. Ruth crawls over Ayla’s lap, forcing Ayla to sit between them. Nervously, you take the passenger’s seat. Cord side-eyes you and begins driving. No one talks during the ride. The tension is thick, suffocating. Cord takes a sharp turn and your stomach jumps into your throat. There’s an invisible weight on your chest that won’t let you fill your lungs all the way. And you’re supposed to eat after this ride too. The Spicy Crust Pizza's parking lot is surprisingly packed for this hour. Seeing the neon sign from the distance you recall that you used to work here and you pray that none of your old coworkers recognize you. The inside is fairly typical of a slightly higher quality pizza chain. Booths line the outer walls and tables fill the remaining space. Whatever music is popular plays over the speakers. The group is seated at a round table right smack in the center of the restaurant. You place yourself between Barry and Ruth. A waitress, luckily no one you know, sets four menus down on the table and takes your drinks. She doesn’t seem to notice or acknowledge Cord, who remains silent. As you enter, you feel a tugging in your mind. The same sort of feeling you get when back in that bunker of a base. You look around the building, unsure of where the feeling is coming from. You don’t find the source, but you do find someone staring right at you. A quick glance around the room reveals several pairs of eyes observing your group. A shiver runs down your spine. The feeling, like being drawn in by quicksand, only gets more suffocating. “What’s going on here?” you whisper to Barry, hoping that you’re just noticing things that aren’t there. “Huh? Oh, we’re being ambushed,” Barry says, causally, not even looking up from her menu. “Would you guys mind sharing two large pizzas? We can go half and half with both of them.” “What-?!” you whisper-shout. She brings a finger to her lips and winks, as if that communicates anything. Ruth sighs, slaps down her menu, and stands up. “Going to the bathroom. Don’t have any fun without me.” Your eyes follow Ruth as she walks away, and you notice you’re not the only one watching her. The chatter of the fine dining establishment fades out, replaced by your heartbeat. “Sir?” Cord says. “I’m sure you know, but we’re not alone here. Would you like me to do something?” “No, no. Just wait. We don’t need to start a scene.” Barry glances at you, noticing how tense you are. “You know you’re in no danger right? Don’t let those weirdos scare you.” “It’s not that.” You lean in, rough strained, sweat dripping from your forehead. //“There’s Nothing here.”// You whisper, putting your head in your hand. “Oh.” Barry sets down her menu. “In that case we //should// do something then. Ayla, I would suggest you evacuate everyone. Pull the fire alarm if you have to.” “Damn, I was hoping for a normal meal for once.” Ayla tosses down her menu and stands up. You don’t like how your party is getting split up. “And Cord- Cord pay attention to me.” “I’m paying attention, sir,” Cord says, but she’s turned around in her seat, her eyes glued to Ruth across the building. Ruth is standing right in front of the bathroom, talking to the person you saw before. “Cord, there’s a hole somewhere near the restaurant. I’m going to need you to-” The person talking to Ruth pulls out a gun. The following series of events happens in the span of twenty seconds. In the commotion, the details get lost or blurred. I will do my best to recount them to you in order as they happened. First, you feel your stomach and your mind //drop//, like a weight’s been dumped on you. You feel as though the entire building has shifted at an angle. You black out for a second, your head hits the table, and you come to just in time to see Cord leap out of her chair. Then, Cord disappears, and a //monster// takes her place. Bones snap and skin tears as a truck sized dog bounds across the restaurant. It’s hard to wrap your mind around. The beast knocks over several tables, scattering chairs and people. Screaming ensues. Ayla pulls the fire alarm, which is pointless as everyone is already running in terror from the beast, but the siren adds to the moment. You feel the floor underneath you give away, revealing Nothing underneath. Barry grabs you by the shoulders and practically lifts you off the ground. She charges out of the building through the fire exit and dumps you onto the pavement. The wall of the building comes crashing down, torn through by the //beast// that was once Cord. The beast collapses on the ground and spits up a human head. Ruth and Ayla come running out through the torn down wall. The restaurant, and those few poor souls unlucky enough to be trapped inside disappear. Consumed by Nothing. You see someone you once knew disappear, or at least, you may have. Everyone who escaped the building pack into their cars and speed off in a panic. You blink, open your eyes, and you’re in a half-empty parking lot. You can barely remember why you were here at all. Except, you //do// remember why you were here. While the others look around, bewildered, confused, filthy, you look at the place where Spicy Crust Pizza used to be. There was //never// a Spicy Crust Pizza here. You break down into tears. The moment has passed but it sticks to you. You no longer feel the tug of Nothing, but you //remember// how it felt. You remember //everything//. No one stops to comfort you. Ruth drops to her knees, resting her head on the beast’s chest. Ayla looks around, brows furrowed. Barry grabs you by the collar and forces you to your feet. Her face is burning red. “What the hell just happened!?” She shouts, you can feel her breath on your face. You open your mouth, stumbling over a few vague words. Barry clenches her teeth. “God damn it, Polly! You’re supposed to remember these things! You //need// to pay fucking attention! Or you’ll get us all killed!” She throws you back onto the ground. You can’t even catch your breath. “Hey! Lighten up!” Ayla shouts. Barry turns to Ayla, her gaze sharp. Ayla cowers. “Lighten up? You want me to //lighten up?//” With each word, Barry takes another step forwards and Ayla takes a step backwards. “Do you even know what just happened? Do you know what we’ve lost? The people we failed to save?” Ayla reaches the concrete sidewalk and trips, falling onto the ground. “And you!” She shouts, pointing at the beast. “Turn back to normal! I know I //did not// give you permission to do anything!” The beast makes a weak groan. Ruth backs up as the beast slowly begins to shrink. You hear what sounds like joints cracking and popping and then there’s Cord, on her knees, the severed head laying next to her. She looks ragged, eyes on the ground, panting heavily. Blood pours from her mouth, it’s unclear who it belongs to. Barry approaches and strikes her across the face. Everyone draws in a collective gasp. “Barry!” Ruth screams, charging towards her. Barry shoves Ruth away, knocking her to the ground. “You have one job! To do what I say! I //never// want to see you like this again!” Barry shouts. “I’m sorry sir,” Cord mumbles, bruise forming on her cheek. “As for the rest of you!” She turns on her heel. “I can’t fucking believe you guys! You couldn’t even coordinate for //two fucking seconds//! Do you want to end up like- to end up like…?” As if shoved by some unseen force, she stumbles backwards. The anger on her face melts away into a cold terror. She grips her chest, sucking in a sharp breath. From her pocket she pulls out a strange looking item. The cattle-prod thing Ruth showed you before. No one moves or says a word, as Barry wipes the sweat off her forehead and jams the device into the center. Everyone cringes as she pushes the button and the device crackles with electricity. Her features soften, her shoulders untense, her pupils shrink then dilate. She drops her arms to her side and repockets the device. “Phew, what a night, huh?” She says casually. “Cord, my keys?” Silently, Cord reaches into her dress pocket, and hands Barry her keys. “Let’s go home, alright? It’s too late for work.” She approaches her car, expecting everyone to follow suit. You glance around, looking for some explanation from your teammates. They all look uncomfortable, refusing to look you or each other in the eyes. Cord is the first to stand up and follow Barry. Ruth and Ayla brush themselves off and follow suit. Ruth offers out a hand to help you up. You have so many questions, but the tension in the air is so thick you’re afraid of breaking it. All of you pack back into Barry’s car. Barry sits there, smiling, as if nothing had happened. As you drive back to the headquarters, you keep your gaze locked onto the empty space where there never was a Spicy Crust Pizza. You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into. //And I am so, so sorry, Polly. I never wanted you to get wrapped up in this.// [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=true \| last=false \| hub=no \| next-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ayla-losing-dogs \| next-title=Losing Dogs \| hub-url=/ \| hub-title=Hub ]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-08-07T01:21:00	[ "_licensebox", "chaos-insurgency", "lgbtq", "mystery", "nobody", "second-person", "tale" ]	1 - Polly - The Hole - SCP Foundation	10	[ "kingofmice-author-page", "component:info-ayers", "previous-url", "ayla-losing-dogs", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "nobody-hub", "chaos-insurgency-hub" ]	[]	1456093331	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/polly-the-hole
ponyposting	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>Containment is Magic</p> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aminimalist-bhl/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">AstersQuill, FlyPurgatorio and sailorenoch</a> <div class="authorbox"> <div class="authorcontent"> <p>Pony Posting is Now Banned at Site-19</p> <p><strong>Authors:</strong><br/> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;"><img alt="AstersQuill" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8392064&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8392064)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;">AstersQuill</a></span> - <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/aster-s-forest-grotto">Author Page</a><br/> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;"><img alt="FlyPurgatorio" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8497838&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8497838)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;">FlyPurgatorio</a></span> - <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/flys-purgatory">Author Page</a><br/> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span> - <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/art:faust-s-art-page">Art Page</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="Email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>CC:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Site19-Senior-Staff</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>Possible breach</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Dir. Light,</p> <p>Classified documentation pertaining to several SCP objects has been circulated along the senior staff offices of Site-19’s East Wing. There appears to be a picture of a cartoon horse included in each of them. An example has been attached to this correspondence.</p> <p>Although I suspect the culprit to be a uninspired prankster, I would advise investigating the matter.</p> <div class="Signoff"> <p>Dr. Cherryblossom Glow<br/> Director of Alicorn Magic<br/> Containment is Magic</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Open email attachment</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Close</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="Email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>CC:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Site19-Senior-Staff</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>RE:Possible breach</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Charles, did you check your profile picture?</p> <div class="Signoff"> <p>Dr. Amethyst Moonray<br/> ~ paint the world in beauty ~<br/> Containment is Magic</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Open email attachment</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Close</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="Email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>CC:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Site19-Senior-Staff</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>FW:RE:Possible breach</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Dir. Light,</p> <p>Upon review of the previous sent email, I discovered my personal account might have been compromised by a similar effect. I appear unable to undo the changes to my signature as well.</p> <p>Please escalate this to the IT security office, as I am no longer able to correspond with colleagues in a professional manner.</p> <div class="Signoff"> <p>Dr. Cherryblossom Glow<br/> Director of Alicorn Magic<br/> Containment is Magic</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="Email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Site19-Senior-Staff</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>RE:FW:RE:Possible breach</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Dear colleagues,</p> <p>It's not just printed documentation. The <a href="/scp-6317">SCP-6317</a> file seems to be affected as well. If something is changing the files, it could be someone in the database or some sort of anomalous effect.</p> <div class="Signoff"> <p>Dr. Cinnamoncloud<br/> Director of Fee-fees<br/> Containment is Magic</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Open email attachment</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Close</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="Email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Site19-Senior-Staff</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>RE:RE:FW:RE:Possible breach</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>If that's the case we should look into Gamers Against Weed. Sounds like their style.</p> <div class="Signoff"> <p>Dr. Amethyst Moonray<br/> ~ paint the world in beauty ~<br/> Containment is Magic</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="Email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Site19-Senior-Staff</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>RE:RE:RE:FW:RE:Horsing around</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Doubt it, check out the PoI files for GAW. Also changed.</p> <p>Rights, did you draw that yourself? That's not the one I saw this morning on your profile.</p> <div class="Signoff"> <p>Agent Ace Discord<br/> Smooze Stopper<br/> Containment is Magic</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Open email attachment</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Close</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"><img alt="MMwpSTa.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/MMwpSTa.png"/> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Pony of Interest 6870, also known as "Blazed Sparks" or bluntfiend</strong></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="Email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>CC:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Site19-Senior-Staff</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>RE:FW:RE:RE:RE:FW:RE:Horsing around</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Very good picture, Alto. I like how the ponies frolic, they are very much cute.</p> <p>In my country, ponies are fat and flooffy. I have included the picture for reference.</p> <div class="Signoff"> <p>Agent Dashing Specter<br/> Horse Head of Security<br/> Containment is Magic</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Open email attachment</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Close</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="Email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Site19-Senior-Staff</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>RE:RE:FW:RE:RE:RE:FW:RE:Horsing around</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Alto don't forward sensitive staff emails to Dmitri!</p> <p>You're right though. Not only is the PoI file for Jude Kriyot/bluntfiend affected, so is the file for Wilson's Wildlife Solutions.</p> <div class="Signoff"> <p>Dr. Amethyst Moonray<br/> ~ paint the world in beauty ~<br/> Containment is Magic</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Open email attachment</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Close</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"><img alt="ZLzwaXq.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/ZLzwaXq.png"/> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Fairywynn Willow of Wilson's Wildlife Solutions</strong></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="Email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Site19-Senior-Staff</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>CC:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>RE:RE:RE:FW:RE:RE:RE:FW:RE:Horsing around</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Why didn't I get a ponysona?</p> <div class="Signoff"> <p>Prof. Kain Crow<br/> Director of Special Projects<br/> Secure, Contain, Protect</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="Email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Site19-Senior-Staff</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>CC:</strong></th> <td><span style="color: red"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[email protected]</span></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>Pony prank</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>To all senior staff: Technician Rosen has been able to locate the source of this apparent prank and is currently reverting the updates. It will be resolved in the next hour.</p> <p>Alto: report to my office.</p> <div class="Signoff"> <p>Dir. Sparkleshine<br/> Director of this Dog and Pony Show<br/> Containment is Magic</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Video Transcript</strong></p> <hr/> <p><strong>DATE:</strong> 2017 APRIL 01</p> <p><strong>Subject of meeting:</strong> Personnel review of Agent Alto Clef's conducts</p> <p><strong>ATTENDING:</strong><br/> Director Sophia Light<br/> Agent Alto Clef</p> <hr/> <p>[BEGIN LOG]</p> <p><em>[Several seconds of silence on the recording. Director Light exhales deeply as she flips through several pony-themed drawings.]</em></p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> Alto.</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> Soph. Or should I say <em>Sparkleshine</em>?</p> <p><em>[A pause. Director Light leans back in her chair and pinches the bridge of her nose.]</em></p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> You can’t keep doing this to me, Alto.</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, ma’am.</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> No? You have no idea about this?</p> <p><em>[She holds out a printed copy of Dr. Kondraki's badge (See relevant document).]</em></p> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Relevant documentation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Happy April 1st!</a></div> </div> </div> <p><em>[Agent Clef is visibly struggling to hold back laughter.]</em></p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> I’ve warned you about messing with documentation and Foundation administration before.</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> You did.</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> So you should know not to mess with this.</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> I should.</p> <p><em>[A pause.]</em></p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> Are you actually going to do something about it this time?</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> I — what?</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> If you warn, you got to follow through. You don’t follow through. So, are you actually going to reprimand me for ponyposting?</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> Ponyp- <em>[She shakes her head.]</em> You… want me to suspend you?</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> If that’s fitting for my behaviour, you should. But I’m not trying to do your job for you, of course.</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> You know it’s not like a vacation, right? You’d be limited to your dorms and your paperwork won’t be filed in your place.</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> I’m not trying to get out of paperwork this time. I just think I've been given more leeway than anyone would deem reasonable.</p> <p><em>[Agent Clef lifts a snow globe off of Director Light's desk and shakes it.]</em></p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> It started when you warned me for <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/altoid-clef">damaging Foundation property and violating office space</a>. Which was wholly unprofessional behaviour on my part, and should've led to real repercussions. But for some reason, you let it slide.</p> <p><em>[He throws the snow globe in the air and catches it, staring intently at the insides. It appears to display a horse figure now.]</em></p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> Several days later, you warned me to tone down the <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/clef101">Reality Bending during my seminars</a>, that the exposure was too intense.</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> You said that was special effects.</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> I say a lot. <em>[Sigh]</em> Point is, you never suspended me, when just about any other staffer would’ve been. You waffled on that, and I can't stand for it.</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> You're serious?</p> <p><em>[He sighs and places the snow globe back on the desk.]</em></p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> I tried to suspend myself already, but apparently I’m locked out of that system.</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> You bizarre little —</p> <p><em>[She pauses and inhales, leaning forward in her chair, rubbing her temples.]</em></p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> Is this a cry for help?</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> I simply want you to be fair… Sparkleshine.</p> <p>[END LOG]</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><strong>CLOSING NOTES:</strong> After reviewing the extent of Agent Clef's April 1st prank on ongoing Foundation operations, an unpaid suspension of a week was deemed appropriate.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">This one is just for Meri and me</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Love you, from dad</a></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>The full evidence file</span></h1> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h3 id="toc1"><span>Lightpony by Daan/aphelios</span></h3> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show image</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide image</a></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h3 id="toc2"><span>Konnypony by Faust/sailorenoch</span></h3> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show image</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide image</a></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h3 id="toc3"><span>Gearspony by Faust/sailorenoch</span></h3> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show image</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide image</a></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h3 id="toc4"><span>Rightspony by Faust/sailorenoch</span></h3> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show image</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide image</a></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h3 id="toc5"><span>Faepony by Faust/sailorenoch</span></h3> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show image</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide image</a></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h3 id="toc6"><span>Judepony by Faust/sailorenoch</span></h3> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show image</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide image</a></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h3 id="toc7"><span>682pony by Chise/ihatehomework09</span></h3> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show image</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide image</a></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h3 id="toc8"><span>173pony by Snake/RADIATIONLUNGS</span></h3> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show image</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide image</a></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h3 id="toc9"><span>Hanapony by Chise/ihatehomework09</span></h3> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show image</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide image</a></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h3 id="toc10"><span>Strelpony by Faust/sailorenoch</span></h3> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show image</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide image</a></div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h3 id="toc11"><span>Glasspony by Faust/sailorenoch</span></h3> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ Show image</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- Hide image</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/ponyposting">Pony Posting is Now Banned at Site-19</a>" by AstersQuill, FlyPurgatorio, and sailorenoch, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/ponyposting">https://scpwiki.com/ponyposting</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> A Yakutian horse (9762345674).jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Maarten Takens<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Yakutian_horse_(9762345674).jpg">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Crow.png<br/> <strong>Filename:</strong> Welchcorgipembroke.JPG<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Pmuths1956<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Welchcorgipembroke.JPG">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Hanapony<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MtHcepN.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> Derivative of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6317">SCP-6317</a> and 6317horse.png</p> </blockquote> <p>This image [Hanapony.png] is a derivative of:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> SCP-6317<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;"><img alt="AstersQuill" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8392064&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8392064)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;">AstersQuill</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6317">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Hanapony<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/ihatehomework09?t=tTtmdPiOjXA2VdOszWeXLw&s=09">Chise/ihatehomework09</a><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/t81ooeg.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> Author releases work into CC BY SA 3.0</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> 173horse<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/j8vz16Q.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> Derivative of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-173">SCP-173</a> and 173pony</p> </blockquote> <p>This image [173horse.png] is a derivative of:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> SCP-173<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Moto42<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-173">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> 173pony<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/RADIATIONLUNGS">Snake/RADIATIONLUNGS</a><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/T5FCAk9.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> Author releases work into CC BY SA 3.0</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> 682horse<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/8Ce60OW.png">https://i.imgur.com/8Ce60OW.png</a> LINK]<br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> Derivative of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-682">SCP-682</a> and 682 Horse</p> </blockquote> <p>This image [682horse.png] is a derivative of:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> SCP-682<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/dr-gears" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(172464); return false;"><img alt="Dr Gears" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=172464&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=172464)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/dr-gears" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(172464); return false;">Dr Gears</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-682">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> 682pony<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/ihatehomework09?t=tTtmdPiOjXA2VdOszWeXLw&s=09">ihatehomework09 Chise/ihatehomework09</a><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/rTI8NB5.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> Author releases work into CC BY SA 3.0</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Judehorse.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MMwpSTa.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Faehorse.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZLzwaXq.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Rights.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/wBVPpn0.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Gears.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ike6MZG.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Light.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Daan/aphelios<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/c3Z1ZIN.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> Author releases work into CC BY SA 3.0</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Konny_badge-1.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;"><img alt="FlyPurgatorio" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8497838&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8497838)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;">FlyPurgatorio</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Konny%20badge.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> Derivative of NTT DoCoMo FOMA card chip new white.jpg; United Airlines - boarding pass UA926 San Francisco-Frankfurt 2014-09-15.jpg; Logo of the SCP Foundation.png; and Konnyhorse.png. It uses the Open Sans font.<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <p>This image [Konny_badge-1.png] is a derivative of:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> NTT DoCoMo FOMA card chip new white.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Qsmxr860<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NTT_DoCoMo_FOMA_card_chip_new_white.jpg">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> United Airlines - boarding pass UA926 San Francisco-Frankfurt 2014-09-15.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Airline (Scan by Raimond Spekking)<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_Airlines_-_boarding_pass_UA926_San_Francisco-Frankfurt_2014-09-15.jpg">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Logo of the SCP Foundation.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Far2<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Logo_of_the_SCP_Foundation.png">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Logo_of_the_SCP_Foundation.png</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Open Sans<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Open Font License<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Open+Sans">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Konnyhorse.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6U1EXXB.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Clefmeri.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/jbkwny8.jpeg">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> GearsCircled.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;"><img alt="AstersQuill" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8392064&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8392064)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;">AstersQuill</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/GearsCircled.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <p>The image [GearsCircled.png] is derivative of:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Gears.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052912" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ike6MZG.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> SCP-682<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;"><img alt="AstersQuill" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8392064&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052913" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8392064)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;">AstersQuill</a></span>, <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;"><img alt="FlyPurgatorio" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8497838&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052913" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8497838)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;">FlyPurgatorio</a></span> and <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052913" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ponyposting">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Glass.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052913" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/VbvurGP.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Strel.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052913" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3ke8wM0.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Alto clef.svg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> No machine-readable author provided. Tlusťa assumed (based on copyright claims).<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alto_clef.svg">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=Containment is Magic ]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:minimalist-bhl">:scp-wiki:theme:minimalist-bhl</a>]] [[module CSS]] :root { --header-title: "SCPonyposting"; --header-subtitle: "Containment is Magic"; } [[/module]] [[module CSS]] .Email { background: url(http://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-great-hippo/SCP_icon%281%29.png) top right no-repeat; float: center; border: solid 3px #444444; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2); } .Signoff { margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 1px 15px; } .Signature { float: right; width: 100px; margin-left: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 1px 15px; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=AstersQuill, FlyPurgatorio and sailorenoch]] Pony Posting is Now Banned at Site-19 Authors: [[user AstersQuill]] - [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/aster-s-forest-grotto Author Page] [[user FlyPurgatorio]] - [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/flys-purgatory Author Page] [[user sailorenoch]] - [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/art:faust-s-art-page Art Page] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] @@ @@ [[div class="Email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From:* [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] CC: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@Site19-Senior-Staff@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Possible breach [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Dir. Light, Classified documentation pertaining to several SCP objects has been circulated along the senior staff offices of Site-19’s East Wing. There appears to be a picture of a cartoon horse included in each of them. An example has been attached to this correspondence. Although I suspect the culprit to be a uninspired prankster, I would advise investigating the matter. [[div class="Signature"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Gears.png]] [[/div]] [[div class="Signoff"]] Dr. Cherryblossom Glow Director of Alicorn Magic Containment is Magic [[/div]] @@ @@ ----- [[collapsible show="Open email attachment" hide="Close"]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] [[image https://i.imgur.com/j8vz16Q.png]] @@ @@ [[image https://i.imgur.com/8Ce60OW.png]] [[/div]] [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="Email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] CC: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@Site19-Senior-Staff@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] RE:Possible breach [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Charles, did you check your profile picture? [[div class="Signature"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Rights.png]] [[/div]] [[div class="Signoff"]] Dr. Amethyst Moonray ~ paint the world in beauty ~ Containment is Magic [[/div]] @@ @@ ----- [[collapsible show="Open email attachment" hide="Close"]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/GearsCircled.png]] [[/div]] [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="Email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] CC: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@Site19-Senior-Staff@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] FW:RE:Possible breach [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Dir. Light, Upon review of the previous sent email, I discovered my personal account might have been compromised by a similar effect. I appear unable to undo the changes to my signature as well. Please escalate this to the IT security office, as I am no longer able to correspond with colleagues in a professional manner. [[div class="Signature"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Gears.png]] [[/div]] [[div class="Signoff"]] Dr. Cherryblossom Glow Director of Alicorn Magic Containment is Magic [[/div]] @@ @@ [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="Email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@Site19-Senior-Staff@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] RE:FW:RE:Possible breach [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Dear colleagues, It's not just printed documentation. The [[[SCP-6317]]] file seems to be affected as well. If something is changing the files, it could be someone in the database or some sort of anomalous effect. [[div class="Signature"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Glass.png]] [[/div]] [[div class="Signoff"]] Dr. Cinnamoncloud Director of Fee-fees Containment is Magic [[/div]] @@ @@ ----- [[collapsible show="Open email attachment" hide="Close"]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] [[image https://i.imgur.com/MtHcepN.png]] [[/div]] [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="Email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@Site19-Senior-Staff@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] RE:RE:FW:RE:Possible breach [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- If that's the case we should look into Gamers Against Weed. Sounds like their style. [[div class="Signature"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Rights.png]] [[/div]] [[div class="Signoff"]] Dr. Amethyst Moonray ~ paint the world in beauty ~ Containment is Magic [[/div]] @@ @@ [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="Email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@Site19-Senior-Staff@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] RE:RE:RE:FW:RE:Horsing around [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Doubt it, check out the PoI files for GAW. Also changed. Rights, did you draw that yourself? That's not the one I saw this morning on your profile. [[div class="Signature"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/AltoClef.png]] [[/div]] [[div class="Signoff"]] Agent Ace Discord Smooze Stopper Containment is Magic [[/div]] @@ @@ ----- [[collapsible show="Open email attachment" hide="Close"]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] [[image https://i.imgur.com/MMwpSTa.png]] = Pony of Interest 6870, also known as "Blazed Sparks" or bluntfiend [[/div]] [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="Email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] CC: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@Site19-Senior-Staff@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] RE:FW:RE:RE:RE:FW:RE:Horsing around [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Very good picture, Alto. I like how the ponies frolic, they are very much cute. In my country, ponies are fat and flooffy. I have included the picture for reference. [[div class="Signature"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Strel.png]] [[/div]] [[div class="Signoff"]] Agent Dashing Specter Horse Head of Security Containment is Magic [[/div]] @@ @@ ----- [[collapsible show="Open email attachment" hide="Close"]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/A_Yakutian_horse_%289762345674%29.jpg]] [[/div]] [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="Email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@Site19-Senior-Staff@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] RE:RE:FW:RE:RE:RE:FW:RE:Horsing around [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Alto don't forward sensitive staff emails to Dmitri! You're right though. Not only is the PoI file for Jude Kriyot/bluntfiend affected, so is the file for Wilson's Wildlife Solutions. [[div class="Signature"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Rights.png]] [[/div]] [[div class="Signoff"]] Dr. Amethyst Moonray ~ paint the world in beauty ~ Containment is Magic [[/div]] @@ @@ ----- [[collapsible show="Open email attachment" hide="Close"]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] [[image https://i.imgur.com/ZLzwaXq.png]] = Fairywynn Willow of Wilson's Wildlife Solutions [[/div]] [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="Email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@Site19-Senior-Staff@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] CC: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] RE:RE:RE:FW:RE:RE:RE:FW:RE:Horsing around [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Why didn't I get a ponysona? [[div class="Signature"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Crow.png]] [[/div]] [[div class="Signoff"]] Prof. Kain Crow Director of Special Projects Secure, Contain, Protect [[/div]] @@ @@ [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="Email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@Site19-Senior-Staff@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] CC: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] ##red\|@@[email protected]@@## [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Pony prank [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- To all senior staff: Technician Rosen has been able to locate the source of this apparent prank and is currently reverting the updates. It will be resolved in the next hour. Alto: report to my office. [[div class="Signature"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Light.png]] [[/div]] [[div class="Signoff"]] Dir. Sparkleshine Director of this Dog and Pony Show Containment is Magic [[/div]] @@ @@ [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] = Video Transcript ----- DATE: 2017 APRIL 01 Subject of meeting: Personnel review of Agent Alto Clef's conducts ATTENDING: Director Sophia Light Agent Alto Clef ----- [BEGIN LOG] //[Several seconds of silence on the recording. Director Light exhales deeply as she flips through several pony-themed drawings.]// LIGHT: Alto. CLEF: Soph. Or should I say //Sparkleshine//? //[A pause. Director Light leans back in her chair and pinches the bridge of her nose.]// LIGHT: You can’t keep doing this to me, Alto. CLEF: I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, ma’am. LIGHT: No? You have no idea about this? //[She holds out a printed copy of Dr. Kondraki's badge (See relevant document).]// [[collapsible show="Relevant documentation" hide="Happy April 1st!"]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Konny_badge-1.png]] [[/div]] [[/collapsible]] //[Agent Clef is visibly struggling to hold back laughter.]// LIGHT: I’ve warned you about messing with documentation and Foundation administration before. CLEF: You did. LIGHT: So you should know not to mess with this. CLEF: I should. //[A pause.]// CLEF: Are you actually going to do something about it this time? LIGHT: I -- what? CLEF: If you warn, you got to follow through. You don’t follow through. So, are you actually going to reprimand me for ponyposting? LIGHT: Ponyp- //[She shakes her head.]// You… want me to suspend you? CLEF: If that’s fitting for my behaviour, you should. But I’m not trying to do your job for you, of course. LIGHT: You know it’s not like a vacation, right? You’d be limited to your dorms and your paperwork won’t be filed in your place. CLEF: I’m not trying to get out of paperwork this time. I just think I've been given more leeway than anyone would deem reasonable. //[Agent Clef lifts a snow globe off of Director Light's desk and shakes it.]// CLEF: It started when you warned me for [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/altoid-clef damaging Foundation property and violating office space]. Which was wholly unprofessional behaviour on my part, and should've led to real repercussions. But for some reason, you let it slide. //[He throws the snow globe in the air and catches it, staring intently at the insides. It appears to display a horse figure now.]// CLEF: Several days later, you warned me to tone down the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/clef101 Reality Bending during my seminars], that the exposure was too intense. LIGHT: You said that was special effects. CLEF: I say a lot. //[Sigh]// Point is, you never suspended me, when just about any other staffer would’ve been. You waffled on that, and I can't stand for it. LIGHT: You're serious? //[He sighs and places the snow globe back on the desk.]// CLEF: I tried to suspend myself already, but apparently I’m locked out of that system. LIGHT: You bizarre little -- //[She pauses and inhales, leaning forward in her chair, rubbing her temples.]// LIGHT: Is this a cry for help? CLEF: I simply want you to be fair... Sparkleshine. [END LOG] @@ @@ ----- CLOSING NOTES: After reviewing the extent of Agent Clef's April 1st prank on ongoing Foundation operations, an unpaid suspension of a week was deemed appropriate. [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[collapsible show="This one is just for Meri and me" hide="Love you, from dad"]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] [[image https://i.imgur.com/jbkwny8.jpeg]] [[/div]] [[/collapsible]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] + The full evidence file @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:sp-image">:scp-wiki:component:sp-image</a> caption=Lightpony by Daan/aphelios \|src=https://i.imgur.com/c3Z1ZIN.png\|width=100%]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:sp-image">:scp-wiki:component:sp-image</a> caption=Konnypony by Faust/sailorenoch \|src=https://i.imgur.com/6U1EXXB.png\|width=100%]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:sp-image">:scp-wiki:component:sp-image</a> caption=Gearspony by Faust/sailorenoch \|src=https://i.imgur.com/Ike6MZG.png\|width=100%]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:sp-image">:scp-wiki:component:sp-image</a> caption=Rightspony by Faust/sailorenoch \|src=https://i.imgur.com/wBVPpn0.png\|width=100%]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:sp-image">:scp-wiki:component:sp-image</a> caption=Faepony by Faust/sailorenoch \|src=https://i.imgur.com/ZLzwaXq.png\|width=100%]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:sp-image">:scp-wiki:component:sp-image</a> caption=Judepony by Faust/sailorenoch \|src=https://i.imgur.com/MMwpSTa.png\|width=100%]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:sp-image">:scp-wiki:component:sp-image</a> caption=682pony by Chise/ihatehomework09 \|src=https://i.imgur.com/rTI8NB5.png\|width=100%]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:sp-image">:scp-wiki:component:sp-image</a> caption=173pony by Snake/RADIATIONLUNGS \|src=https://i.imgur.com/T5FCAk9.png\|width=100%]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:sp-image">:scp-wiki:component:sp-image</a> caption=Hanapony by Chise/ihatehomework09 \|src=https://i.imgur.com/t81ooeg.png\|width=100%]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:sp-image">:scp-wiki:component:sp-image</a> caption=Strelpony by Faust/sailorenoch \|src=https://i.imgur.com/3ke8wM0.png\|width=100%]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:sp-image">:scp-wiki:component:sp-image</a> caption=Glasspony by Faust/sailorenoch \|src=https://i.imgur.com/VbvurGP.png\|width=100%]] [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=AstersQuill, FlyPurgatorio, and sailorenoch]] > Filename: A Yakutian horse (9762345674).jpg > Author: Maarten Takens > License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Yakutian_horse_(9762345674).jpg LINK] > Name: Crow.png > Filename: Welchcorgipembroke.JPG > Author: Pmuths1956 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Welchcorgipembroke.JPG LINK] > Filename: Hanapony > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/MtHcepN.png LINK] > Notes: Derivative of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6317 SCP-6317] and 6317horse.png This image [Hanapony.png] is a derivative of: > Filename: SCP-6317 > Author: [[user AstersQuill]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6317 LINK] > Filename: Hanapony > Author: [https://twitter.com/ihatehomework09?t=tTtmdPiOjXA2VdOszWeXLw&s=09 Chise/ihatehomework09] > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/t81ooeg.png LINK] > Notes: Author releases work into CC BY SA 3.0 > Filename: 173horse > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/j8vz16Q.png LINK] > Notes: Derivative of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-173 SCP-173] and 173pony This image [173horse.png] is a derivative of: > Filename: SCP-173 > Author: Moto42 > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-173 LINK] > Filename: 173pony > Author: [https://twitter.com/RADIATIONLUNGS Snake/RADIATIONLUNGS] > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/T5FCAk9.png LINK] > Notes: Author releases work into CC BY SA 3.0 > Filename: 682horse > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: https://i.imgur.com/8Ce60OW.png LINK] > Notes: Derivative of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-682 SCP-682] and 682 Horse This image [682horse.png] is a derivative of: > Filename: SCP-682 > Author: [[user Dr Gears]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-682 LINK] > Filename: 682pony > Author: [https://twitter.com/ihatehomework09?t=tTtmdPiOjXA2VdOszWeXLw&s=09 ihatehomework09 Chise/ihatehomework09] > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/rTI8NB5.png LINK] > Notes: Author releases work into CC BY SA 3.0 > Filename: Judehorse.png > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/MMwpSTa.png LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: Faehorse.png > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/ZLzwaXq.png LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: Rights.png > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/wBVPpn0.png LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: Gears.png > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/Ike6MZG.png LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: Light.png > Author: Daan/aphelios > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/c3Z1ZIN.png LINK] > Notes: Author releases work into CC BY SA 3.0 > Filename: Konny_badge-1.png > Author: [[user FlyPurgatorio]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/Konny%20badge.png LINK] > Notes: Derivative of NTT DoCoMo FOMA card chip new white.jpg; United Airlines - boarding pass UA926 San Francisco-Frankfurt 2014-09-15.jpg; Logo of the SCP Foundation.png; and Konnyhorse.png. It uses the Open Sans font. > Source: Authors own work This image [Konny_badge-1.png] is a derivative of: > Filename: NTT DoCoMo FOMA card chip new white.jpg > Author: Qsmxr860 > License: Public Domain > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NTT_DoCoMo_FOMA_card_chip_new_white.jpg LINK] > Filename: United Airlines - boarding pass UA926 San Francisco-Frankfurt 2014-09-15.jpg > Author: Airline (Scan by Raimond Spekking) > License: Public Domain > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_Airlines_-_boarding_pass_UA926_San_Francisco-Frankfurt_2014-09-15.jpg LINK] > Filename: Logo of the SCP Foundation.png > Author: Far2 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) > Source Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Logo_of_the_SCP_Foundation.png > Filename: Open Sans > License: Open Font License > Source Link: [https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Open+Sans LINK] > Filename: Konnyhorse.png > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/6U1EXXB.png LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: Clefmeri.png > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/jbkwny8.jpeg LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: GearsCircled.png > Author: [[user AstersQuill]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ponyposting/GearsCircled.png LINK] > Source: Authors own work The image [GearsCircled.png] is derivative of: > Filename: Gears.png > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/Ike6MZG.png LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: SCP-682 > Author: [[user AstersQuill]], [[user FlyPurgatorio]] and [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ponyposting LINK] > Filename: Glass.png > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/VbvurGP.png LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: Strel.png > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://i.imgur.com/3ke8wM0.png LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: Alto clef.svg > Author: No machine-readable author provided. Tlusťa assumed (based on copyright claims). > License: Public Domain > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alto_clef.svg LINK] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-04-01T20:46:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "agent-strelnikov", "co-authored", "comedy", "doctor-clef", "doctor-gears", "doctor-glass", "doctor-kondraki", "doctor-light", "doctor-rights", "eventyr", "faeowynn-wilson", "hard-to-destroy-reptile", "heartwarming", "illustrated", "iris-thompson", "jude-kriyot", "kain-pathos-crow", "personnel-art", "slice-of-life", "tale", "teenage-gaea", "the-sculpture" ]	Pony Posting is Now Banned at Site-19 - SCP Foundation	115	[ "aster-s-forest-grotto", "flys-purgatory", "art:faust-s-art-page", "scp-6317", "altoid-clef", "clef101", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide", "scp-173", "scp-682" ]	[ "april-fools-hub" ]	[ "https://i.imgur.com/MMwpSTa.png", "https://i.imgur.com/ZLzwaXq.png" ]	1453167927	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ponyposting
possible-kill-screen	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Apenumbra-bhl/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <p><strong>Possible Kill Screen</strong><br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/fleshmaddavalon" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7504782); return false;"><img alt="FleshMaddAvalon" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7504782&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736601617" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7504782)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/fleshmaddavalon" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7504782); return false;">FleshMaddAvalon</a></span> and <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/nonacherontia" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9322661); return false;"><img alt="Nonacherontia" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=9322661&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736601617" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=9322661)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/nonacherontia" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9322661); return false;">Nonacherontia</a></span><br/> This piece contains death, genocide, and utterances of homophobic slurs.</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="content-warning creditRate">⚠️ content warning <span class="content-warning-arrow"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div> <div class="preview"> <p>The first installment of a trans romance where two warlords understand their respective coworkers really need to die—for the greater good, of course.</p> </div> <table style="margin:0; padding:0"> <tr> <td style="margin:0; padding:0"> <div id="toc"> <div id="toc-action-bar"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.foldToc(event)">Fold</a><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.unfoldToc(event)" style="display: none">Unfold</a></div> <div class="title">Table of Contents</div> <div id="toc-list"> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc0">Chapter 1: Ashes to Ashes</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc1">Chapter 2: Tête-à-Tête</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc2">Chapter 3: Heart to heart</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc3">Chapter 4: Sangre por Sangre</a></div> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <h1 id="toc0"><span>Chapter 1: Ashes to Ashes</span></h1> <p>Waiting for O5-1 in an abandoned restaurant, Coda remembered her last visit to Afghanistan.</p> <p>It was almost three years ago. She was having tea with Ahmed Shah Massoud, the legendary freedom fighter and Minister of Defense in the post-Communist government. The green Kahwah in the pot bubbled like the gentle current of the Amu Darya river, and the harsh desert sand stung against her poorly covered countenance. The idyll of their meeting belied a harsh reality: Massoud's young Afghanistan was tearing itself apart again, and Islamists would soon march on Kabul.</p> <p>"You fought the Soviets, and now you're fighting other Afghans," she asked. "This conflict may never end. Everything you did in the last war, and this one, may have been in vain. Your enemies say God is on their side, and yet God sits on his hands. If defeat is certain and the fighting in vain, why bother persisting?"</p> <p>He did not answer her question, gazing past her at the horizon. His smile was cryptic, almost chiding. She knew his heart rate was sixty-five, his blood pressure untroubled. Whatever was in that steely gaze, absorbing the temperate waves of the scrub grass, was the truth.</p> <p>Almost three years later, and a week ago, Afghanistan failed for the last time.</p> <p>In a cataclysm of violet light, twenty million Afghans and the earth they stood on were explosively converted into a second sunrise that lit the global skies for eight minutes before vanishing. They reported the scent of burnt ozone as far away as New York City. With billions witnessing the disaster, the Veil was irreparably, irrevocably broken.</p> <p>The streets were quiet while humanity processed what it had lost in their bunkers and churches. That shock was a dam for an ocean of rage and fear. It would flood the cities, burn the libraries, and butcher the politicians who'd held the curtain closed before killing anyone suspected of being the men behind it. Even then, the wizards behind the curtain knew better than to leave trails.</p> <p>Coda checked her crystal-face watch. She had arrived ten minutes late, yet O5-1 was nowhere to be seen. Meeting an Overseer under the nose of Al-Fine was practically a capital offense, but Coda was out of options, and at least if they executed her, she wouldn't have to watch the world burn.</p> <p>After the Catastrophe, the unthinkable became all too sensible. As Coda concluded her presentation on the post-Catastrophe world, felt something revolutionary brew among the members of the Council of 108.</p> <p>"…over the eight decades of its existence, the Coalition has a policy of terminating or decommissioning most anomalies it discovers." Coda swallowed, realizing she was about to pull the pin on a few kilotons of panic. "The Foundation just contains them. While our strategy is better from a risk-management standpoint, there was always an opportunity cost."</p> <p>"And that is?" D.C Al-Fine voice poured into the air with the low croak of footsteps on an old wood floor, the jingled vowels of an Eton/Oxford RP speaker doing nothing to suppress his drawl.</p> <p>"Well, every anomaly the Foundation contains is a possible asset. The GOC has its occult programmes and loyal officers in every Security Council country's military, but we're at a logistical disadvantage. Our sword is sharper, but the Foundation is a hydra."</p> <p>Al-Fine leaned back in his seat with a crunch of suit and leather. "The GOC is supposed to have a minimal military readiness to terminate the Foundation's anomalies during an active conflict."</p> <p>Coda tried to hold Al-Fine's gaze. "In an active conflict <em>we</em> start, assuming the collapse of the Veil is imminent. Because the Veil collapsed so quickly, we've lost the readiness advantage. The ball is in the air, ready for either side to spike. That changes the math, and I've updated my models to reflect this."</p> <p>"And what does your math say?" Al-Fine leaned over the desk in a show of attention.</p> <p>"If the Foundation mobilizes even just twenty-five percent of just the anomalies we know about," Coda took a breath, then let the prognosis drop like a brick. "the combat power generated from that alone would exceed everything we have on the Western Hemisphere."</p> <p>Gasps, sighs, frantic scribbling, dancing dialing. D.C. Al Fine leaned back in his chair, and Coda couldn't tell whether the absence of wrinkles in his brow showed serenity or whether he had stumbled onto some solution Coda was not privy to. "Thank you, Coda. I shall take a moment to address the choir."</p> <p>He stood up and removed his spectacles—purely for show, of course; Coda knew they were prosthetic—and his voice shifted from his cozy whiskey-sanded croon to a thunderous, almost demanding tone. "They have access to the same data we do," DC Al-Fine folded his hands together, "and are arriving at the same conclusions. I've found that seizing the initiative makes the difference in war."</p> <p>He raised his eyes to look at Coda. In a droll voice, he asked, "What do we do if we want that initiative?"</p> <p>She felt like she could hear her thoughts for the first time as she tried to convince herself he wasn't implying what it sounded like he was suggesting. "We wouldn't want it."</p> <p>"Yes, we <em>wouldn't</em>, but what if we had to?"</p> <p>"We <em>don't</em> have to!"</p> <p>"Did you listen to your presentation? It certainly seems within the realm of possibility if nothing else!" D.C. Al-Fine composed himself. "Alright, if I made you…"</p> <p>Coda honestly wanted to lie, but she knew everyone in that room already understood what was about to come out of her mouth. They just wanted to make sure the record showed <em>she</em> was the one saying it. She covered her mouth for a second and did a quick breathing routine to make sure her voice didn't betray her emotions, then spoke like she was presenting on business strategy:</p> <p>"You call together our puppets in the NATO countries and you be honest with them, because they'll already suspect its the end either way. Fire the starting pistol and let them coup their governments so we can integrate their militaries into our force structure. Global martial law."</p> <p>She let the final and complete death of democracy as a <em>preparatory measure</em> sink in and then she launched into the real horror show:</p> <p>"And then you hit Response Plan Pizzicato. Burn the rulebook. Open the silos. Empty the warehouses. By T plus fifteen minutes, our nuclear deterrent needs to be in the air. T plus two hours, we launch an offensive with everything we have against their weakened lines. By lunchtime, eighty percent of the Foundation's presence on Eurasia has to be obliterated, or they will hit back, and we're looking at a decade-long Occult War <em>if we're lucky.</em>."</p> <p>D.C. Al-Fine clapped his hands in a display of appreciation. "Well said, Coda."</p> <p>Coda cut him off. "<em>Sir!</em>" Panic clawed its way through her insides, and the realization made her heart clamor in her ears. <em>This isn't a discussion. He is going to do it.</em> "I… the… <em>why would we do this?</em> Why not just talk to them?"</p> <p>Al-Fine's voice was all luxury and whiskey again. "Coda, you're the number cruncher here. You tell us, would <em>you</em> trust the Foundation not to strike first?"</p> <p>"Declaring war on the Foundation could—no—<em>will</em> kill millions of people!"</p> <p>"Millions will die anyway if the Foundation strikes first. Compromise solutions rarely make everyone happy! Compromises are—"</p> <p>"Haven't they gone through enough?" Smothering her dread was like trying to smother a pile of rattlesnakes. "When the human toll is this great, we should be prepared to risk-—"</p> <p>"I understand the risks! Do you?"</p> <p>"Do you?!"</p> <p>For the first time in their discussion, Al-Fine's voice broke its veneer of tranquility and exploded— "Do you?" He slammed the table with his fist, punctuating every syllable. "This is it! I'm telling you. This. Is. It!"</p> <p>The meeting ended as D.C. Al-Fine collected himself and asked the council to take an hour's recess and consider the next steps. While passing Coda on his way to the exit, he muttered one phrase to her she knew all too well. "<em>Harden your heart.</em>"</p> <p><em>In other words, get with the program and vote because he expects us to share the blame for an imminent global holocaust.</em></p> <p>She waited until the door to the conference room whistled shut, and then got on her knees and squeezed herself under the meeting table. A surveillance blind spot, it was a place where she could safely sink her teeth into the skin of her wrist and muffle her scream of rage. She slammed her elbow into the wood behind her again and again. The pain reassured her humanity that it was being heard, that it could go back to sleep. The pain deafened the howl of her soul and cleared its cache.</p> <p>When she was through, she pulled herself out of her hiding spot and straightened her clothing, taking out a compact mirror to make sure sweat nor blood from her wrist ruined her make-up, to sort out her hair. Her teeth had left streaks of damp red on her wrist. She decided to blame it on her cat. She usually blamed it on her cat. She did not have a cat.</p> <p><em>They will do it, and your name will be on the order that does it.</em> Her thoughts felt involuntary to her, like it was a second Coda speaking. The voice was an all-too-familiar one, though. This second Coda remembered every time Al-Fine 'accidentally' used the wrong pronoun on his memos. The same Coda her father broke a sweat trying to crush into powder. The Coda whose bruises did not heal. Coda did enough to contain it, but she worked for the Coalition and knew containment was never sufficient for many.</p> <p>She departed for her office in the Shostakovich wing. She left her materials behind since talking and facts would be relics in the world to come. She left her coat because she knew the cold billowing under her skin wasn't the kind more layers could fix.</p> <p>She entered her office to find her secretary, Petra Shahi, waiting for her. She was dressed demurely in a turtleneck sweater, her hair tied back in a professorial bun, and obligingly tender brown eyes. The term 'Secretary' was pure misdirection. Petra was a born agent of chaos in the bureaucratic and kinetic sense, and Coda suspected she would be in prison if she had to do anything else for a living.</p> <p>She was also the closest thing Coda had to a loyal friend.</p> <p>"They're doing it, aren't they," Petra said. <em>She's too good at reading my eyes.</em></p> <p>"You don't know that, and you shouldn't know that." <em>Which is a long-winded way of saying: Yes. Be afraid.</em></p> <p>In a brief flash, Coda saw Petra's wide mouth and unshakeable smirk wither into a wrinkle of dread before Petra stuck a cigarette in her mouth and lit it. Her veil was restored, and she took a drag. "Ah, Coda, this is why we don’t play poker. I suppose Al-Fine is leaning on the other hold-outs for a unanimous vote. Better for appearances."</p> <p>Coda rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the primer on how our politics works, Mrs. Shahi. Are you done telling your superior how to do her job?"</p> <p>"You’re my superior?" Coda tilted her head, and Petra hurriedly bent her head, “Sorry. I haven’t slept in a week, subsisting on company-issued meth and blood sacrifices to Mercury. Just… how bad’s it look?</p> <p>Coda thought about lying. If the Occult War was so simple as a light switch that would simply end all life in a flash, it might be worth it. But death would come too slowly, much much too slowly, and the survivors would envy the dead. They would have time to regret every wasted moment before the end.</p> <p>"Petra, listen to me very carefully." Coda sucked in her breath, "You get the rest of the week off. Go and be with your family."</p> <p>The cigarette almost dropped out of Petra's mouth. Her expression slackened completely. It was one thing to compute despair, another to stare it in the face. "I…" Petra stumbled like her mouth was trying to catch up with her frenzied heart and brain, "No."</p> <p>"Petra," Coda grabbed Petra's shoulders, "I'm not kidding. It could be within <em>hours.</em>"</p> <p>"Respectfully, ma'am, fuck all that." She plucked the tube from her mouth and blew a plume of smoke to her right, and when she turned to face Coda again, her usual smirk painted her lips. "Won't. Can't. All that panic and crying and getting told I'm full of shit, and I can't explain anything because of OpSec policy. Screw all that noise."</p> <p>"It's my call, you can tell them—"</p> <p>"I can't, okay? I can't. <em>I can't.</em> Can't face them. Up here, I can pretend it's all the video game it's always then. Down there, I can't…" Petra looked down to hide the paroxysm of anguish threatening to break through. When she looked again, her defensive cockiness reappeared. "If the plane's going down, I want to be in the cockpit, not the tail. Stop wasting both our time," Petra reached into her mailman bag, fished around its contents, and pulled out a package in a manila envelope. "This came in for you, by the way."</p> <p>"Has it been screened?"</p> <p>"No idea just popped up on my desk."</p> <p>"You think it's loaded?"</p> <p>"I opened it."</p> <p>"You opened my mail?" Coda rolled her eyes, "Petra, how do you both violate Coalition policy <em>and</em> needlessly risk your life at the same time-"</p> <p>"<em>Please</em>," Petra waved her hand, "A clean exit's better than this stupid waiting." She pressed the package into Coda's hands. "It's just a phone. Now give me something else to do."</p> <p>"I'll tell you when I know what <em>I'm</em> doing. Take a nap or something. Chill. Smoke the weed you keep stashed in the closet." Coda's diction shifted around Petra. Somehow, Petra's irreverence made Coda more comfortable slackening her mask just that bit more.</p> <p>"Get out of here, Coda. Sleep is for banals." The in-house slur for 'normal' people was thrown around quite a bit after the Catastrophe.</p> <p>"Do it, or I'm putting it in your performance review."</p> <p>"Psh," Petra turned and walked away, "If self-care was a job requirement you'd have been terminated years ago."</p> <p>Coda walked into her office, vacant of her usual staff (she had sent them home with far more success than she had with Petra), and turned on the Anti-Meme field to ensure she was not being spied on. She emptied the package on her desk.</p> <p>Just as the cell phone—a power-guzzling brick that was a fad among wealthy banals—clunked against the wood, the brick vibrated and shook the table. "Curiouser and curiouser," Coda reached for the phone, which snapped open at her touch. She hit the green button and put it to her ear.</p> <p>"Hello, Coda."</p> <p>Coda almost dropped the phone.</p> <p>She'd know that voice from anywhere, "Leaderboard," the point-man of Foundation inter-GOI diplomacy, and the biggest fascist on the Overseer council: O5-1.</p> <p><em>Maybe today is just some ridiculously involved prank. Everyone's certainly acting like clowns.</em> Her face was beginning to ache from how frequently she had to keep it static. "Are you crazy?," Coda hissed. She threw herself under her desk and placed the phone so close to her lips she was practically biting the plastic, "Both of our groups would <em>nerve staple us</em> for setting up a diplomatic backchannel—"</p> <p>"It'll never get back to either of them—"</p> <p>"Oh, good, then I'm hanging up. Let the Overseers do their jobs and start the negotiations—"</p> <p>O5-1's voice was cold and matter-of-fact: "The Overseer Council is hours away from a war declaration. I only <em>just</em> postponed it."</p> <p>Coda's blood ran cold. <em>O5-1 could have lost his mind. Afghanistan has us all on edge. O5-1 has no way of knowing my posture on war, so what could his decision calculus have been to call me? And if he's telling the truth…</em></p> <p>"Excuse me for just one moment." Coda carefully placed the phone on the floor and then savagely chewed the skin of her wrist again to muffle yet another shriek. Not only was the biggest warmonger on the Council of 108 poised to plunge the world into Armageddon— his logic for doing so was <em>dead-on accurate.</em> If anyone got wind of this call, Coda could be implicated in high crimes against her office <em>and</em> the Council would immediately vote on initiating Pizzicato.</p> <p>The phone was back in her hand, and she cleared her throat. "What are you after?"</p> <p>"Peace."</p> <p><em>Are we on the same wavelength, or is he somehow tapping mine?</em> Coda made her voice threatening. "You're not the first person to offer me the impossible. I've bargained with gods. You can read about the others on our termination logs."</p> <p>"I only ask you hear me out."</p> <p>"How?"</p> <p>"Meet me at the restaurant <em>Rue De Ma Cher</em>, in Bergen. Thirty minutes."</p> <p>"Wait, wait, I can't—" He had already hung up.</p> <p>Someone more comfortable with the random destruction of all their hopes would have reported the call to Al-Fine and resolved to do their duty, no matter how bleak the outcome seemed.</p> <p>She considered with what might become of her if she was caught secretly consorting with the enemy: a drooling, nerve-stapled husk. None of her predecessors had outlived their time in office, and given her preponderance of magic and intellect, she could see a case being made that her soul was too dangerous to be left intact. Would it be a state institution, a nursing home, or would they let her rough it as an inarticulate bag-lady near some Coalition-linked soup kitchen?</p> <p>Her hands shakily reached for her compact again, and she checked her features for post-panic blemishes for the second time in twenty minutes. No trace of the tempest inside her made it to the surface. The only thing she couldn't disguise was her eyes and the deep sadness within them.</p> <p>It took three years, but Coda finally understood what was in the Lion of Panjshir's gaze.</p> <p>She was no Ahmed Shah Massoud.</p> <h1 id="toc1"><span>Chapter 2: Tête-à-Tête</span></h1> <p>The sonic boom of scrambled fighter jets rattled the cutlery and glasses, but Coda still heard it when the front door creaked open and looked up at her guest.</p> <p>It was O5-1, catching its bell before it could ring. She jumped to her feet as she sized him up, and found it difficult not to stare at the creature in front of her.</p> <p>O5-1 cut a striking figure in his well-worn-yet-well-made suit. The folds hugged an athletic frame, with slight swells in all the right places. His wolf-like grin showed at least two teeth had to have been grafted onto his gums from something inhuman. His feminine cheekbones were his most prominent natural characteristic, sculpting an elegant face despite his savage mouth.</p> <p>Coda was most fascinated by his hands, a patchwork of flesh and metal and covered with sarkic runes. The roughness of the skin clashed with the delicate slenderness of his long fingers. It was a mixture of the natural and artificial into something original.</p> <p><em>I didn't expect him to look so…transhuman.</em> Coda thought.</p> <p>Coda did her best to look unmoved and extended her hand to greet him. O5-1 looked at her hand quizzically and then back at her. Something about the gesture seemed amusing and irritating, and he shrugged and sat down.</p> <p>A stubborn silence lingered between them.</p> <p>Coda decided to swallow her pride and break the ice. "Well, it's your meeting. Did you have an agenda?"</p> <p>"I don't do agendas if I can help it. I don't like letting my colleagues know what I will say."</p> <p>"We're not colleagues."</p> <p>"Exactly." <em>If that's how he treats his colleagues, why should a peer adversity expect better?</em></p> <p>"Then <em>I'll</em> start." Coda quit smoking years ago but wished she had a cigarette handy so she could do something other than hold O5-1's predatory gaze. "Why does the Foundation want to go to war with us?"</p> <p>"Well, most of the reasons your boss gave were incorrect. The genocides never really trouble us that much. Your Ichabod Extermination Programme<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup> gives us the raw material for Scranton Reality Anchors. We have many of the same enemies and share a vision of a future-history where one plus one always equals two. We're very compatible."</p> <p>Hope. A pleasant surprise. <em>An verbal olive branch, and I didn't have to offer a thing to get it!</em> Then she computed the rest of the situation, and the hope soured considerably. "If that's true, why is the Foundation gearing up to attack the Coalition?" Coda said, "And what do you mean, 'my boss gave'? Were you eavesdropping on my meeting?"</p> <p>O5-1 smirked. "Those are exciting questions. I have a different one that is somewhat pertinent."</p> <p>Without thinking, Coda rubbed her mouth with the back of her wrist. "Aye? Let's hear it."</p> <p>"How would you kill me?"</p> <p>If O5-1's olive branch gave Coda a bit of common ground, that question neatly sawed it in half. Coda let the question hang in the air while she struggled to respond to it— one voice in her head suggested she try to play along to establish rapport, and indeed, a small part of her would enjoy the verbal horseplay-</p> <p>Then a much louder voice reminded her that her counterparty, during a last-minute peace negotiation, just asked her how she'd kill him.</p> <p><em>Maybe if I pretend he never said it, it won't have happened.</em> "The only amnestic a loyal soldier needs is their selective memory," D.C. Al-Fine would often say, with varying degrees of irony.</p> <p>"Moving on," Coda swallowed, letting the tactile friction distract her, "Uh, let's say these talks went entirely your way. What would that look like?"</p> <p>O5-1 raised his eyebrows as though impressed with the question and stared at the window casting the orange haze of approaching dusk upon the empty dining room. "The same thing you seek. The Natural World is 'dead', for all intents and purposes. The intuitive axioms of its logic are obliterated as completely as the Khyber Pass. We now live in the Managed World, and we would be its stewards."</p> <p><em>Ask a fascist what his heart's desire is, why expect any other answer than that?</em> She coughed. "Uh, right, I think the world doesn't need to be <em>managed</em> by anyone but the people living there and…" Then the concern she tried to swallow rose back up in her mind, and she remembered her previous concern. "Uh, can we just…rewind a bit? How exactly did you know what D.C. Al-Fine told us during the Emergency Session?"</p> <p>"Well, if we're rewinding the conversation, I'll just answer the question I asked you before." And before Coda could stop him: "I'd paralyze you with saxitoxin and suffocate you in your sleep. Chop you into the smallest bits I could manage, boil you down, put you in a blender, then take you to work in a flask and sip you as a treat."</p> <p><em>Is this a joke?</em> If there were muscles responsible for human dignity, hers were burning in lactic acid, <em>O5-1, my actual Foundation counterpart, someone who is supposed to be my bloody equal, is talking to me like I'm strapped to his table in a room lined with sheets of plastic. This is someone who is my counterparty, and THEY think I'm an absolute joke!</em></p> <p>"Okay," Coda rubbed her mouth with her wrist. "What do you—," <em>He wouldn't talk this way to Al-Fine, or any other member of the Council!</em> "What do you <em>want</em>?" Her mind boggled at the words as they spun through the air.</p> <p><em>Why am I taking this from him? From any of them?</em> "Just," she slammed the table, and Johan jolted from the surprise, half-lidded eyes snapping open, "What is it that you're trying to offer?"</p> <p>"I'd like to play a drinking game." The way O5-1 spoke, it was like he was explaining to her that a ceasefire means the shooting stopped.</p> <p>"I see." <em>And that's a wrap!</em> She popped to her feet and slammed the chair hard into the table. "These talks are concluded. Good-bye, O5-1."</p> <p>"Where are you going? We're not finished yet." O5-1 said, reaching out to Coda. "I'm just trying to break the ice!"</p> <p>"Twenty million people died. Thousands are killing themselves or each other. Possible <em>billions</em> are about to die in a war… I get enough of this disrespect from my coworkers. I am not suffering it from a zoo-keeper."</p> <p>"Where are you going?" He, too, had jumped from his seat and was advancing towards her. "We're trying to save the world!"</p> <p>She backed away from him. "I'm going back to headquarters. I'd rather negotiate with the dependable homophobes upstairs than the lunatic in front of me."</p> <p>"Wait—" And then something caught her wrist.</p> <p>It was O5-1's hand, slender, thin-fingered, but rough. The veins were so close to the surface that she could feel the blood pumping underneath the gold and silver skin. O5-1 had accosted her. "Coda… <em>please</em>.</p> <p>Yet something about it made her want to stand and think. She thought of D.C. Al-Fine. The misgendering. The random questions about whether she could beat him in an arm wrestling match. The insane portfolio Al-Fine dumped on her to manage as she was an 'inspirational figure.' The casual deadnaming. The unsolicited advice on how she could look more 'believable.' How all of that neatly rhymed with O5-1's dreadful behavior.</p> <p>"Let go of me." She snapped her train of thought off at the stem and focused on the here and now.</p> <p>His face: a smile that looked pasted on, melting down to a thin-lipped frown. His pupils were dilated, his eyebrows were raised, and his complexion was pale. <em>Is that regret?</em></p> <p>"Let go."</p> <p>"Please. <em>I'm sorry.</em>"</p> <p>She could not remember when anyone at her level apologized for casual disrespect. She was expected to take it with stoicism <em>and</em> with grace.</p> <p>It didn't matter. "Either you're playing me, or you're a lunatic." Her lips were set in a thin scowl. "Meanwhile, this meeting could cost me dearly even if we did figure something out! It's a lose-lose gamble, and I am leaving the bloody casino."</p> <p>"I'm not playing you. I'm not lying to you."</p> <p>The tenderness in O5-1's eyes, the way his hand was firm but not painful—quite the opposite. Coda didn't realize there was a sweet spot to how hard one could crush her wrist, having never discovered that.</p> <p><em>I could almost meditate like this.</em></p> <p>"Get away from me." She gritted her teeth, ripped her hand away, and then walked over and shoved him for good measure.</p> <p>"What the—" O5-1 nearly tripped over his feet.</p> <p>"Cry about it or kill me." Coda turned towards the door-</p> <p>The phone in her pocket buzzed. She turned towards O5-1. <em>Is this pleb playing games now?</em> He raised his hands in a show of innocence. She scowled and answered the call.</p> <p>"Who are you, and how did you get this number—"</p> <p>"They're fucking you." It was Petra, and she was taking deep breaths as though she had run quite a while before making the call.</p> <p>"They're what-"</p> <p>"They're <em>fucking</em> you. They're using a wartime parliamentary measure to hold the session in your absence—"</p> <p>"No." <em>No! No! No!</em> "That's ridiculous. They couldn't—" <em>Yes, how much more of your life will you waste on presuming they respect you.</em> "How—"</p> <p>"Akechi, D.C. Al-Fine's main guy. Quite the gossip. He called me about a surprise meeting in the Wellington Room. He didn't elaborate, so I rushed over to confirm things, then hauled by ass to the IT nexus."</p> <p>"Are… are you…" Coda attempted to deep-breathe her hyperventilation away. Missiles could very well be in the air within five minutes if the subliminal triggers in the silo and submarine personnel were fresh enough.</p> <p><em>Let nature take its course, trust the hand that fed you all these years. O5-1 had done a sterling job of reminding her what insufferable lunatics and 'special interest hires' comprised that zoo's staff. I haven't given decades of my life to the Coalition only to sell it out to this junkyard-dentured bagatelle!</em></p> <p>"Petra, why are you in the IT room?"</p> <p>"I think you know." There was a sound of jet-black-painted nails hitting a keyboard and a firm clack of an enter-key being struck. "What am I doing?"</p> <p><em>But this isn't for him. This is for me. Any strike against them, even now.</em></p> <p>Coda made her decision. "Okay. Do it." She rattled through the sixteen-syllable passcode. Petra entered it. A wind-chime greeted her efforts.</p> <p>"Petra, you understand this is technically an act of espionage against the Coalition. You will be looking over your shoulder as long as you live—"</p> <p>"…and done." Petra already knew what to do and had done it, knowing Coda would try to talk her out of it.</p> <p>"You idiot! Why throw your life away over this?"</p> <p>"The way I see it, I'm dead either way, and I'm rather particular. I think this bought you thirty minutes. Don't waste them."</p> <p>"Petra…" Coda's voice cracked. Injuring the Foundation or the Coalition brought a dark cloud over the offender's life. Petra was a born saboteur, but security was an obsession at the Coalition, especially where divided loyalties and pettiness were concerned. The rest of her life was likely borrowed time.</p> <p>Coda controlled her voice, "Shahi, if you get caught, you tell them you were doing it on my orders—"</p> <p>"You're bloody right. I'm throwing you under the bus, but just for the fun of it, not to look up your skirt. It wouldn't help my case at all," Petra's voice sounded grim. "I'm going to configure a safe room so I can continue to support you as long as I can."</p> <p>"What do you want your family to be told if…"</p> <p>"Coda, do you think someone accepts a job offer to work for you people if they really care about their family?" Her laughter sounded a little more forced. Coda wondered if the finality of her act was beginning to sink in. "Shit, just realized I really don't want you people taking me alive if I get found out. Uh… the cyanide tabs—"</p> <p>"Should be in the sugar bowl. But don't—."</p> <p>"Just don't fuck this up. I can take care of myself." Coda heard the snap of a lighter and the low sizzle of lit tobaco. "Geesiyad Allah ma xilo.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-2" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-2')">2</a></sup></p> <p>Petra hung up.</p> <p>"You made a friend." O5-1's careful and rhythmic drawl rasped behind Coda, and she turned around—he had set the table with two foamy champagne glasses and the gold-embossed bottle between them. "Ordinarily, I'd short that commodity in our line of work, but you seem to have cultivated a real one. Well done. Care for a drink?"</p> <p>Coda walked to the table and picked up her glass. "What are we toasting to?"</p> <p>O5-1 picked up his and looked at the bottle for a moment. "How about peace in our time?"</p> <p>"Agreed." Then she splashed O5-1's face with its contents.</p> <p>"Why—"</p> <p>"Don't disrespect my staff." Coda pulled out her chair and sat down while O5-1 glowered at her. "Let's play your game, but if nothing comes of it, I'll make every second until the bombs kill us a skin-less, unyielding Tartarus for you." <em>There's no going back now, is there?</em></p> <p>O5-1 retook his seat. "Delaying a wartime emergency vote by thirty minutes. Humor me a moment, Coda, how <em>did</em> you manage that?"</p> <p>Coda crossed her arms. "We pulled the fire alarm."</p> <p>"No kidding?" O5-1 leaned forward with hungry eyes. "Do tell."</p> <p><em>Triggered the Level 5 Fire suppression protocols so the entire Council would scatter to safe rooms while the rooms have the oxygen sucked out of them and are flushed with Halon and Orichalchos. Hacked the safe room comms so they can't communicate. Petra always warned me the Council would stab me in the back, I put together this contingency just to shut her up.</em></p> <p>Coda actually said, "No."</p> <p>"You seem quite sure of yourself for someone who is, by her own admission, out in the cold."</p> <p>"I'd rather die than let you win. This ends in a peace between equals, or a peace of unburied dead."</p> <p>"Well said," O5-1 leaned back in his chair. "But there's no peace without trust."</p> <p>"Then give me a reason to trust you."</p> <p>"Fine." She saw his hand move, and she reached for her own sidearm "Consider this a sign of good faith."</p> <p>A thick envelope struck her forehead and bounced on the table with a dull smack. Coda growled in frustration as she retreated from the living gun holstered by her shoulder. "Gods, how do they put up with you over there?"</p> <p>She opened the envelope and pulled out a deck of cards, then shuffled them for a better idea of what they were. Thin, lithe in a strange way, like the memetics within gave each a semblance of life. Carefully inscribed on the steel of each were symbols in a variety of languages. The edges sheened, and each card was covered with memetic pictographs of a strange nature.</p> <p>She knew that they would remain gibberish until she read the mnestic key. Indeed, she found a squashed paper crane between the twelfth and thirteen cards, and unfolded it to see a memetic basilisk written on the page. All at once, the cards' contents blossomed in her head like a divine prophecy.</p> <p>The cards clattered to the table like logs felled in a twilit forest.</p> <p>"O5-1…what have you…" The constant tightness in her chest melted away. A different kind of chill flowed through her veins. Her heart pounded in her ears. Her being had been hooked to a livewire. "O5-1!"</p> <p>Over the decades, the Coalition (and presumably their Foundation counterparts) developed means of quickly and efficiently terminating each member of the leadership of the opposing faction. The only thing missing from the firing solutions of those Occult weapons were the keys to the Occult defenses guarding each Overseer, keys that the Coalition had never been able to acquire. And that the Foundation had been holding on to to defuse the threat.</p> <p>In that envelope were the keys to the final and utter destruction of the Overseer council, <em>the kill-intel on all thirteen members,</em> laid out before her like the assembly instructions for an IKEA sofa.</p> <h1 id="toc2"><span>Chapter 3: Heart to heart</span></h1> <p>It would certainly change some minds among the Council of 108, to have an active countermeasure in the event of a Foundation assault in the short term. It wasn't sufficient leverage by itself to force the Foundation to offer serious terms. The second the O5s found out their kill-intel was leaked, at least a few of the Overseers would be able to adjust their defenses in time. They lacked the Administrator's kill-intel even if they went through with it. The Foundation would only be crippled, not slain outright.</p> <p>And most pertinently, mass murder was not Coda's goal. She lived long enough to understand that no stable peace could come of murder except that of the unburied dead.</p> <p>Yet a vision of a brighter future blossomed within her like an inner sun kissing her skin. "This wasn't a joke, after all." Coda said.</p> <p>O5-1 tilted his head and smiled. "You look surprised."</p> <p>Coda realized her wrist was in front of her mouth, and she pulled it away. "All due respect, the ten minutes was the worst diplomacy I've ever encountered. For reference's sake, I've signed peace treaties with actual gorillas."</p> <p>"Perhaps that's a sign you <em>can</em> trust me." O5-1 said. "Why suspect someone so bad at hiding their defects?"</p> <p>Coda smirked. "In your case, because you're both bad at it and subverting your faction. Why <em>are</em> you doing this, anyways?"</p> <p>"A similar reason to you." O5-1 poured Coda a fresh glass of champagne. "We both work amongst demons and the walking dead, and there's nothing worse than a demon victorious and the dead refusing to die."</p> <p>"I would say I'm more worried about the impending global holocaust and destruction of human civilization."</p> <p>"Yes, that."</p> <p>"Not that I disagree." Coda felt a pang of regret for wasting time not trusting him. "A toast then, to a fruitful negotiation."</p> <p>O5-1 raised his own glass. "To govern, occlude, and fortify."</p> <p>Coda hesitated for a moment and then let her glass touch his. "That sounded like a slogan of some kind."</p> <p>O5-1 downed his glass in one drink, "Just an idea of the future."</p> <p>Her own glass disappeared into her mouth. She reached for the bottle and filled her glass and O5-1's again. Euphoric, grateful, giddy. She had forgotten what hope felt like. She could mainline it like heroin, drip it into her veins in the mornings and float on it like the comfortable bed she requisitioned for herself, before it was ruined.</p> <p>"Okay, one more for good measure and then we get cracking," Coda said. She and O5-1 shared a grin, then their glasses followed their predecessors. "So, O5-1, if that was a good will gesture, what's your major ask?"</p> <p>"About that." O5-1 frowned. "You mentioned using those cards as political leverage. That's not going to work so well. They expire in three days— the Occult keys rotate about as fast as the thaumaturges can generate them. The Overseers spend a pretty penny in blood and treasure trying to accelerate the cycle."</p> <p>"Three days…" Coda's tactical brain raced to see the angles, "Would the Coalition know this?"</p> <p>"It's common fucking sense. Somebody would ask the question, and good luck lying to a Council half-comprised of psychics."</p> <p>"If I can't use these as diplomatic <em>or</em> political leverage, what good are they?"</p> <p>"Yeah, Coda, it's almost like there's only one practical use for them." The corner of O5-1's lips pulled upwards, making his dimples dance, a pitying smile. "Do the math."</p> <p>Her excitement remained unimpeded, but now a familiar voice squeaked its objections: <em>I'm not considering this. I can't consider this. I'm… I'm a technocrat! An administrator! Not an assassin!</em></p> <p>The other part kept an open mind.</p> <p>O5-1 clapped his hands together twice to get her attention. "I called this a goodwill gesture because it shows I'm serious about peace. Yet this is just step one of my peace plan. Step two, you use those cards however you'd wish. You could kill us all, but the Administrator would remain completely unchecked. However, you <em>could</em> spare me so that <em>I</em> could finish the job while the Administrator's down for the count."</p> <p>"Down for the count?"</p> <p>"The Administrator's occult-biology is tied to the Occult power of the thirteen Overseers. If twelve of the thirteen die, the shock would cripple him long enough for a well-placed assassin to finish the job."</p> <p>Coda narrowed her eyes. "Oh, is that all?" She scoffed, trying not to feel the familiar panic surface again. She poured herself a third glass of champagne and downed it too. "See, here I assumed you were going to offer the moon and the stars as well, but I suppose I was dreaming too big there."</p> <p>O5-1 continued as though she hadn't spoken. "You give me a deadline, say…ten minutes from the reset—assuming our thaumaturges are still doing their thing in the chaos. If I don't take out the Administrator and surrender in that window, then you kill me too and do what you have to do."</p> <p>Again, Coda's wrist was near her mouth. <em>I really should get that habit looked at by someone.</em> She slammed her hand on the table. "And then what?"</p> <p>"Then I surrender to the Coalition, and we move forward on business!"</p> <p>"Trusting you."</p> <p>"The way I look at it, you can trust someone who has as much to lose as you do just <em>having</em> this meeting. Or you can trust those myopic, homophobic, and genocidal sons of bitches who have given you so much less support and respect in the entire time you've held you've office than I've presented with you in five minutes! What choice do you have?"</p> <p>The last thing Petra told her came to mind. <em>In Allah's eyes, no brave woman is disgraced.</em> "There's always a choice." <em>And yet you know which one you want to take, you are just mining for the humanitarian rhetoric that will make planning a coup feel righteous when you should be thinking about his endgame!</em></p> <p>The voice of reason or delusion was deafening, compelling, indisputable: <em>You want this.</em> It said. <em>You really want this. Stop pretending that's not the case! This is not just a life-saver, it is your legacy! No one will be able to dismiss you once you carry it out!</em></p> <p>Her phone began to buzz. <em>It's Petra.</em> Relief mixed with worry (<em>Am I getting soft? She's just some dumb pawn!</em>) made her hands shake as she flipped open the phone. "Petra! What's your status?"</p> <p>Instead of Petra, an automated male voice spoke: "Urgent civilian call from—" she heard a static howl encrypting her Aunt's name. "Do you accept?"</p> <p>She signaled O5-1 to give her a minute and ran to the bar, behind the bar stand, and turned away so O5-1 couldn't read her lips, though he was sitting with his back to her. "Yes."</p> <p>A surprise call from a relative she had not spoken to in <em>decades</em> on the eve of the apocalypse. The timing couldn't be worse, but anything labeled as 'urgent' at a time like this had to be particularly dire.</p> <p>"Alexsander," her Aunt's voice was hollow and detached, "Your father's dead." <em>Not even bothering with the pleasantries.</em></p> <p>Coda bit her tongue at the use of her deadname and crushed the instinct to switch to her other voice, "I'm sorry to hear that," she thanked whatever Gods that protected her heart from the filial grief, "Was it peaceful?"</p> <p>"We found his body in the basement after the White Sky<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-3" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-3')">3</a></sup>. Killed himself. Gunshot. Temple."</p> <p>"I see," Coda exhaled in a low whistle, "Did he leave a note?"</p> <p>"Yes."</p> <p>"Did he mention me?"</p> <p>"He mentioned his son." The bitterness of her aunt's words was so potent that Coda tasted blood hearing it, "He insisted only his son could attend his funeral. He has no son, not anymore. Thanks to you."</p> <p>"Did he say there was a reason?"</p> <p>"Your father was sick in the head the past few years. Seeing the White Sky broke healthier men."</p> <p>"So, the funeral…"</p> <p>"A few days ago."</p> <p>"I wasn't invited."</p> <p>"You were not here for him in life. Why trouble him in death?"</p> <p>Coda wanted to say many things, but her office's dignity stayed her tongue. "I suppose with him gone, we have no connection left. I would prefer this is the last time I hear from you."</p> <p>"We never had a connection. His son did, but you're not that person, are you?" She heard her aunt breathe for a minute, "I would pray God spares your father having to greet your soul in heaven, but we both know you aren't going there when you die, semetico." She hung up.</p> <p>There was a moment where Coda wanted to tear the skin off of everything around her, break her hands punching holes in windows, kill her voice screaming at the walls. It passed, and Coda felt nothing. Nothing upon nothing, infinite seas of blackness. All tucked in the pad-locked, welded-shut zinc coffin where her heart resided since she was a child. Now it was getting ripped open with the dead-flesh hands of an angry ghost.</p> <p>She reached into the liquor cabinet, wrapped her hands around the lips of three bottles of vodka and whiskey, and walked to the table. Without caring about the contents or target, she let them drop from her hands like she spread flowers over a grave and let O5-1 scramble to keep them from rolling off the edge.</p> <p>She sat down and poured herself another glass of champagne. "Shall we continue our negotiation?" Her voice was unnaturally high, and her consonants sharp enough to cut the ears. "We are running short of time. I hear your proposal, but I need more reassurances of your good faith."</p> <p>"Well, fuck, that makes sense." O5-1 said. "I'm all ears. If you want to test drive those cards, O5-4's kill-intel lends itself best to cause ambiguity. That's what comes of downloading one's personality to a dog's body, though. The comparisons to a zoo or him to a bitch, are not without merit. O5-13 lacks the same technical ambiguity, but that dwarven heterochromatic whoremongering piece of shit has so many enemies that they will be too busy celebrating to think too hard about it."</p> <p>Coda chuckled. "I'm sure a few bodies will impress D.C. Al-Fine. He always liked muscular displays. Maybe…" She found it hard to breathe. "You can send them to me in a pretty box."</p> <p>She saw herself find it <em>rather</em> hard to breathe. <em>It's not an astral projection event. It's not…</em></p> <p><em>She's twelve again.</em></p> <p><em>The sound of the wind whipping through the lily-of-the-nile's brought sweet senses to her nose as she slowly snuck through the grounds of what would become the Jardim Botânico do Porto.</em></p> <p><em>She didn't want to be seen in what she wore, a simple sundress stolen from her sister's wardrobe.</em></p> <p><em>Approaching the garden bed wall, she giggled as the sound of tinkling wind chimes flitted through the air. Without trepidation, she turned the corner and walked into her father.</em></p> <p><em>He towered above her, salt-and-pepper beard wavering in the wind, and his resting placid face twisted as his lips curled, and he bared his teeth. His fist reeled back, and the Portugese from his throat was visceral in a way she had never heard before.</em></p> <p><em>"You fucking faggot."</em></p> <p><em>She was coughing up blood well before he stopped hitting her. He had enough discipline to ensure his hands only occasionally touched her face. It took weeks for the black eye to heal.</em></p> <p>She saw herself chattering about turning over Sites before the coup to ease border tensions. She named a few humanoids for whom the Coalition had a terminal interest.</p> <p>She was perfectly able to function during a dissociative event. It was a necessary talent in her line of work.</p> <p>The room, its stillness, and O5-1 reasserted themselves over her memories, and she felt real again.</p> <p>She saw new lines along his cheeks.</p> <p>"O5-1, what are you doing?"</p> <p>"Are you okay?" O5-1's voice staggered like his breathing doubled up on itself. "Just breathe, Coda, just breathe?"</p> <p>"O5-1, stop. You're a stone-hearted fascist. You've more bodies on you than a Sarkite mausoleum! You don't have these feelings you're pretending to—"</p> <p>"First, I'm not a fascist, I'm an accelerationist. Second, it—"</p> <p>"We don't have time!"</p> <p>"Stop trying twice as hard to get half as far, Coda! It'll never be enough! Just be you!"</p> <p>"Stop making this personal!"</p> <p>"Coda, look at me." O5-1 showed her his own eyes welling with tears. "You're not alone."</p> <p>It was easy for her to compartmentalize when she was among people, and it was effortless in a professional environment. Whatever O5-1 was, it was neither a professional nor a 'people.' He was a singularity to her.</p> <p>"It's the nature of the system. It's in the marrow of my existence." She mumbled. Something about O5-1's weakness exacerbated hers. It was an effective sabotage except that it was self-inflicted.</p> <p>"It's in mine as well, and I'm done hiding it from you," he said, "Watch."</p> <p>O5-1 grabbed a fistful of fabric on his suit, coiling his fingers. With a high-pitched howl, he ripped his suit and dress shirt apart so the skin on his upper chest, shoulder, and arm was bare. The fabric made a glittering trail as it wove through the air.</p> <p>What showed underneath was a body made to be as muscular as possible, toned, and stressed to the limit. On his chest was a network of scars, and Coda immediately understood.</p> <p>He waged the same war she did against the prison of his own body and the aggressors who wanted to make sure they served their life terms there.</p> <p>Perhaps it was the champagne, perhaps it was the trauma, Coda leaned over the table and touched the scars, saw the chest, and looked up at the face ripe with tears. O5-1's were fixed on DC Al-Fine's chest. "The way it rises and falls is so beautiful," he whispered, like raising his voice would somehow undo the moment.</p> <p>He froze as she touched him. "Why?"</p> <p>O5-1's eyes glazed over like he himself was transported. His voice heightened in pitch, and his words lost their casual smoothness and became just as aristocratic as Coda's. "Growing up, it was just me and my mother and Aunt. My mother never failed to find an excuse to beat me. It started well before I…when I was still trying to make things work. In childhood, I was never conventional enough for her."</p> <p>She couldn't help it. Her heart broke for O5-1. "You were wasted on her."</p> <p>"Either I was promiscuous for spending time with boys or lesbian for not wanting to marry them. My aunt, I think, knew the truth about me before I did. She couldn't rescue me from my mother but did her best to comfort me, protect me in her own way. It didn't help— I don't have the scars anymore. But they were there, physically. "</p> <p>He lunged towards the half-full champagne bottle. Coda handed it to him, and he took a giant swig of its contents before slamming it onto the table. "Auntie died well after I joined the Foundation. I went to her funeral. I couldn't shed a tear. I don't think I wept since I was eight."</p> <p>"Then mother died. My memory's fuzzy on that week, but the term 'shit-faced' and 'manic' come to mind. Inconsolable. It was like a fever dream. Something in me broke, or I think I realized something was missing. The <em>hatred.</em> All that hatred is quite the motivator. And then it was gone."</p> <p>O5-1 looked into Coda's eyes and said, "Looking at you is the second time I've ever wept."</p> <p>Sanity was never Coda's strong suit. She needed a tough outer shell to work in her profession, but all it took was a series of personal tragedies to permanently misalign her mind in a clusterfuck of disaster. With the vodka clutched in her hands, knuckles whitening, she began to feel tears fall down her face.</p> <p>Suddenly she felt an anchor, sheening metal and smooth skin: O5-1's hand gripping hers. She held onto it for lack of anything better and let herself barrel down into the deep black pit that lingered under her, if only for a moment.</p> <p>It wasn't drinking together. It felt more like she was body-doubling her self-medication. The bottle of gin soon died, and it made a playful rattle when it hit the ground. Another followed it, and this one was a dark-brown whiskey of a local vint. Then they stopped using glasses altogether, instead drinking as much as each could before relinquishing the bottle with a sensual gasp and thrusting it into the hands of the other.</p> <p>Coda floated on a sea of comfortable nothing. "We are…" Her lips tripped over slippery words, "<em>so</em> drunk right now."</p> <p><em>Why did I choose to get absolutely shit-faced? The timing's inappropriate.</em> She covered her mouth with her wrist. <em>Unless there is something I'm trying to work out?</em></p> <p>She shrugged, then pointed at O5-1. "<em>You</em> are all mouth and no hands. If I bit you, would it be blood or nougat in my mouth?"</p> <p>O5-1 snorted. "The fuck are you talking about?"</p> <p>"What you said, about how you'd kill me," She dragged a finger in front of her throat for emphasis. "It's ridiculous. Coalition executives are as hard to kill as Foundation Overseers are. It would require the intelligence breach of the literal <em>millennium</em> just to get anywhere close to my bedroom, let alone do the rest of the stuff you said."</p> <p>"It's just spitballing, you <em>bitch</em>." O5-1 had a way of throwing that word around so it sounded almost complimentary. "Why you hung up on it?"</p> <p>"What you described was just so…" She fished for the right word, "<em>Intimate.</em>"</p> <p>"Murder between friends ought to be." O5-1 sank his face into his hands. "Do you know…" His hands slid from his face onto the table, "<em>You</em> are my best friend?"</p> <p>"That's rather pathetic, 'One." Coda's nostril flared as though she really had smelled something foul, "Considering we're not friends."</p> <p>"You can't talk shit, Coda," O5-1 hiccuped, "You don't have any friends."</p> <p>"No. No! Absolutely no friends," Coda threw her head back and cackled. "No, I don't." She crossed one leg over the other and stared O5-1 dead in the eye. "When did you realize nobody was ever going to love you?"</p> <p>O5-1's eyes started to water as his brain swam through oceans of lost time, his heart thumping like mad. "You know how, when you're a child, you stare at yourself in the mirror and wonder how much you can do to make your mother love you?"</p> <p>"Takes me back," Coda's affected a tone of feigned nostalgia, "Takes me <em>way</em> back."</p> <p>"Even though she's a manipulative bitch. Even though she puts all the pressure on you to marry the man she thinks you want. And you can try as hard as you want, but the trying only aggravates her more. Then, one day, she does something that makes it clear that wasn't gonna happen. Something with a knife." O5-1 leaned back and burped. "Learning curves, am I right?"</p> <p>"Yeah…" She felt a warm presence on her hand-it was O5-1's, blanketing hers. Comforting. Safe.</p> <p>From the start of their brief acquaintance, she wondered why someone would care for her so deeply, offer her the world for pittance in return.</p> <p>The moment his hand touched hers, she figured it out.</p> <p><em>That piece of shit.</em></p> <h1 id="toc3"><span>Chapter 4: Sangre por Sangre</span></h1> <p>"Can I ask you a question?" The fuzziness departed her voice. Coda <em>could</em> hold her liquor when the situation warranted.</p> <p>"Anything."</p> <p>"This plan of yours…there's a bit of a complication."</p> <p>Instead of surprise, O5-1 grinned, a look of effusive pride. "Let's hear it."</p> <p>"Say I went through with this and massacred your council. You're the last man standing. Then you kill the Administrator, assuming you can."</p> <p>O5-1 pounded his chest. "I will beat the <em>brakes</em> off that Oxbridge swine."</p> <p>"And then you make peace with us—assuming you're true to your word, which is at best a calculated gamble," Coda said. In response, O5-1 shrugged, and made a see-saw motion with his hand, "And to make the peace stick, you'd probably have to offer incredibly humiliating peace terms. The Coalition would become a Foundation vassal."</p> <p>"Probably."</p> <p>"How would that look to the <em>rest</em> of the Foundation?"</p> <p>O5-1 leaned forward over the table. "I imagine they would think I was the biggest bitch on the Council since Kain brought his girlfriend to work."</p> <p>"It would look very much like you sold out."</p> <p>"Indeed." O5-1 said.</p> <p>"The only way you could sell this is if you retaliated in a proportional way."</p> <p>"Getting warmer."</p> <p>"And…" Coda tried to keep her face straight and her breathing constant, but it was getting increasingly difficult for her, "There's no guarantee that the Council would accept this peace deal anyways. They might consider your coup an opportunity to strike first with even greater advantages."</p> <p>"Fucking right. They would be bitches <em>not to.</em>"</p> <p>"You must kill the Council of 108 to have a hope of stopping the war your way." Coda's jaw dropped. "You need me to help you kill my colleagues for <em>peace.</em>"</p> <p>O5-1 looked like he was about to burst into laughter. "Yeah, how about that?" He seemed utterly oblivious to the sarcasm dripping from her voice.</p> <p>"Uh huh," Coda felt her jaw drop. She could feel grief, horror, terror-something about the full scope of O5-1's intentions made everything that transpired before feel like even more of a manipulation, more of a betrayal. He was the same as everyone else in her life, seeing her weakness and alienating her from her nature.</p> <p>She struggled to keep the rage out of her voice. "You're saying the only way your 'peace-plan' can work is if <em>I</em> give you the kill-intel on my colleagues as well."</p> <p>"Top marks. Strangers on a Train."</p> <p>"Okay, O5-1, I see your proposal. I understand its merits. I have a counter-offer." She pointed to the door. "Get out."</p> <p>She imagined someone clawing in the air after losing their grip on a cliff. O5-1 scowled. "What the fuck? I thought we were making progress!"</p> <p>"You let me think all I had to do was help you execute a coup. What if I <em>hadn't</em> figured this part out until it was too late? Were you counting on me to be so desperate I'd be more willing to kill my people for you?</p> <p>"You were already desperate enough to meet me. And I to talk to you. I want us both on the same page!"</p> <p>"So when was I to be briefed on the full strategy? Would it be after you'd gotten me inebriated?"</p> <p>"Don't be absurd!."</p> <p>Did you see my crying as your 'in,' or was I not debased enough for you? Please, give me some answer that doesn't insult my intelligence—"</p> <p>"Don't insult my integrity!"</p> <p>"The man plotting a double purge in the middle of a peace negotiation is talking to me about integrity."</p> <p>"<em>Your</em> organization treats genocide like a business. <em>Ours</em> is a fucking concentration camp on a global scale! These fifty-four twats are a rounding error! Where do you get off judging me?"</p> <p>"I have my honor to consider, 'One. Without it, I'm just some queer with a professional sugar-daddy and a lot of luck."</p> <p>"Your life has value, period. You don't need Al-Fine or anyone' stamp of approval—"</p> <p>Coda wanted to pull her hair out. <em>He is just not getting it!</em> "I am <em>done</em> with you lecturing me about my life-choices! It's no longer in your portfolio! Stop talking about me!"</p> <p>"I don't understand. Why would you throw in with a gang of psychopaths who are already planning to destroy everything you've built?"</p> <p>"What's the alternative?" She noticed O5-1's expectant expression. "<em>You?</em> As you? You're kidding me! You think <em>we</em> could ever be a team together? We're practically different species."</p> <p>"We…" O5-1's voice cracked, and she heard a snapping sound as O5-1's hands gripped the table so hard the wood gave way under the pressure. "We <em>are</em> alike! I told you those things about me—"</p> <p>"You think some developmental trauma makes us kin?" She looked at him head to toe. "Do you blame this rigamarole on your mommy, too, or was I supposed to be her stand-in?"</p> <p>"What was any of this?." O5-1's voice training fell apart as it warbled between two different pitches, like O5-1's past and present flesh were wrestling for control of his mouth. "You cried in front of me. We drank together. I told you things about myself I haven't told <em>anyone</em> in years! Doesn't that mean anything to you?"</p> <p>"What you are," Coda spoke delicately more to ensure each syllable cut as deep as it could, "is an emotional handkerchief. Our little heart-to-heart? That was entirely me vetting your stupid proposal because I <em>knew</em> it stunk. We have no connection. I could have <em>paid</em> for what I got from you."</p> <p>The hiss that emerged from O5-1 could have come from a drop of water on a coal-fire:</p> <p>"You <em>bitch.</em>"</p> <p>Few words in the English language could truly make Coda experience true murderous intent, and that was one of them. Since physical extermination would only serve to prove O5-1's fundamental thesis, she went for the emotional variety.</p> <p>"Do you think you intimidate me? Run off and find a coed to stalk, Norma Bates!"</p> <p>O5-1 let out a howl that sounded like a 'WOAH' shot out of his chair and dragged it behind him as he stormed within inches of DC Al-Fine. "So läuft das also<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-4" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-4')">4</a></sup>? So läuft das also?"</p> <p>DC Al-Fine stayed still, unmoved. "Sit down and be quiet, boy. There's nothing tough about you!"</p> <p>"So läuft das also?"</p> <p>She spat on the ground, "Your impotence makes me like our chances."</p> <p>He got within a millimeter of her face. She could smell his breath of mint and oak-barrel aged liquor. "What's that augmentation in your eye? Anderson robotics? I'll rip that thing out and shove it down your boss's dick-shaped throat!"</p> <p>In moments like these, Coda's body would feel numb. She considered it her most prized asset. "You were a bed-wetter, weren't you?" Coda chuckled. "I think I found why the 'Norma Bates' thing ticks you off."</p> <p>O5-1 replied to this crack by throwing the table at the wall behind DC Al-Fine.</p> <p>"Is that all you got?" Coda's voice shook with rage. "I bet you my father hit me harder than you ever could. I bet your mother hit <em>you</em> harder than you ever could. You—"</p> <p>Then Coda stopped talking altogether. What use was it to continue talking? There was nothing left to say.</p> <p>"Why?" O5-1 sounded confused. "You are a Coalition executive, yet they treat you like a glorified intern, <em>and you know why.</em> You gamble whether you join me or them, because whether they execute you for the sabotage or you die in their war! And if they win? They will have no use for a try-hard queer, not in the world they want! Why?"</p> <p>She could not argue with him on the merits. And he would not understand if she tried explaining to him what duty meant. <em>We both stare at the abyss, but he blinked.</em></p> <p>"Coda. Why?"</p> <p>Then again, on the merits, he was utterly untrustworthy.</p> <p>"Coda, talk to me!"</p> <p>So Coda did not say anything more. She smiled.</p> <p>O5-1 crumpled to the ground, sitting cross-legged as if he was a child being chastised by a parent. His mouth opened a few times, as if to speak, but instead he leaned back on his elbows and looked at Coda's serene expression. She had the impression of a fire having burned itself out.</p> <p>The tranquility was split in twain by the piercing siren erupting from the pager on Coda's uniform. There was a lot of urgent text in all caps, but only one conclusion: The Coalition was activating Pizzicato.</p> <p>"Petra!" Coda pulled out the phone and dialed the IT nexus. No response. She dialed her office. No response.</p> <p>"Wait, excuse me?" O5-1 got to his feet with a grunt. "An Occult War has effectively broken out, your life's work is in flames, and you're worried about your <em>secretary</em>?"</p> <p>"Yes," Coda jumped out of her chair and checked her side-arm. "Because one, if she's been detained, I'm next before long. And two, I'm not much good to anyone at this rate."</p> <p>"You are a fucking hypocrite." O5-1 shook his head, but his voice suggested something like grudging admiration.</p> <p>Her phone buzzed and she answered it. "Petra?"</p> <p>"Hi, Boss." Her voice sounded uneven and dreamy, almost drugged.</p> <p>"What's going on?"</p> <p>"You probably heard by now. They disengaged Fire Suppression and did the war vote without you."</p> <p>"Naturally." If they did that, they probably knew it was sabotage. "How did you get out?"</p> <p>"Truthfully, I started running the moment they locked down the IT Nexus. Might have used one of your guns to shoot my way out."</p> <p>"Where are y—"</p> <p>"I don't actually have a family."</p> <p>"What?"</p> <p>"That was just something I said during our interview to get sympathy points. I've got a girlfriend, was going to spend my last hours with her."</p> <p>"Petra, what are you talking about?"</p> <p>"Sorry! Blood-loss does funny things to your train of thought…"</p> <p>"<em>Petra!</em>" <em>Keep it together, Coda, you're no use to her falling to pieces.</em> "Petra, Petra, stay with me! What happened?"</p> <p>"They winged me. They're looking for me, just wanted to warn you and, uh, I'm going to try to find a spot to bleed out so they don't find my body. If you wouldn't mind coming to this address…" Petra rattled it off, "sniffing around, you'll find me. I don't care if it's haram, cremate my body. I'm too vain to decompose…"</p> <p>"<em>Petra!</em>"</p> <p>There was a click. Coda threw the phone and threw her own chair on the ground.</p> <p>"<em>Fuck!</em>"</p> <p>O5-1 placed a hand on Coda's shoulder. "Listen to me very carefully, Coda: You are the dumbest, boot-fucked bleeding heart I think I've met at this level of organizational politics."</p> <p>"Get your hand off of me—" Coda wrenched her shoulder away from him and checked her side-arm for a bullet in the chamber.</p> <p>"—and holy <em>fuck</em>, I love it. Now, the streets of Bergen are flooded with soldiers. They will assume Petra was acting under your orders and sack you, and it is <em>quite the walk</em> to where your underboss is holed up."</p> <p>"It'll take some time for them to carry it out, longer for the paperwork to process." Coda ran a quick inventory on the Occult and augmented weaponry secreted throughout her body, did the magical equivalent of musical scales with her tactical and strategic spells. "In any event, saving my people and helping you kill them are two very different propositions." <em>At least I can do some good before I go.</em> Anxiety, dread, but also some sense of pride swelled in her heart. Contrary to O5-1's belief, she hadn't sold out <em>everything.</em></p> <p>"That insufferable title of yours." O5-1 let out a small "<em>Oh,</em>" as though struck by an epiphany, "I think I have just the cure for your mental malady." O5-1 tsk-tsked, then picked up the cell phone and dialed a number.</p> <p>She heard the voice of D.C. Al-Fine's assistant Akechi Kaya. "Please state your authorization code or prepare to be terminated—"</p> <p>"Akechi, this is Erlkönig."</p> <p>"Authenticate."</p> <p>"Protest ist, wenn ich sage, das und das passt mir nicht. Widerstand ist, wenn ich dafür sorge, dass das, was mir nicht passt, nicht länger geschieht.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-5" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-5')">5</a></sup></p> <p>"It's been a while, Erlkönig."</p> <p>"Execute Fall Gericht, Codeword, Downfall. Yes, on my unilateral authority." O5-1 hung up, then snapped the phone in half.</p> <p>"What…what was that?"</p> <p>"You know, back in the day, when someone got syphilis, and it advanced too far, they'd actually infect the patient with malaria? The idea was, the malaria would inflict the safest survivable fever that could burn out the syphillis, and presumably anybody would rather suffer that than their brain rotting." O5-1 withdrew a pocket-watch from what was left of his coat. "It's <em>the</em> staple example we give junior staff so they understand why the Hippocratic Oath isn't in our line of work. To heal, sometimes you need to harm others."</p> <p>"What?"</p> <p>"Fortunately, it's not you who is getting the malaria."</p> <p>D.C. Al-Fine's voice blared from the pocket-watch. "Yes, we've got that limp-wristed dove dead to rights on sabotage. The moment we've got weapons release, I want…I want…my nose is running like a…tlaon faucet right now…somebody hand me a…"</p> <p>There was a general commotion of by-standards, a sound like a bag of potatoes dropping to the ground, a noise Coda could identify as the gurgling of a man choking on his blood, then a loud wet pop and a chorus of screams. O5-1 closed the watch and tucked it back into his suit, patting it for good measure.</p> <p>Coda screamed. "What…what did you just do? <em>You</em> had the kill-intel on D.C. Al-Fine this entire time?"</p> <p>"I had something better. A job referral from a friend on the inside." O5-1 looked at Coda meaningfully and laughed.</p> <p>"What are you talking about?!" Her brain was a howling, keening mess.</p> <p>Coda's ears ached as her pager screamed again. Pulling it out of her pocket again, she saw just one sentence that made her blood freeze:</p> <p>"D.C. Al-Fine medically unfit to assume duties. Line of Succession protocol activated. Coda elevated to acting-D.C. Al-Fine, please-"</p> <p>She dropped her pager, collapsed to her knees, then buried her mouth in her wrist and screamed into her skin, and even though her teeth broke her skin, the pain wasn't nearly loud enough. Then, the news caught up with her stomach, and she threw up into the aged wood at her feet and screamed.</p> <p><em>Everything's lost. It is all lost. There's no running from it and no fixing it. What now? What now?"</em></p> <p>She heard him clear his throat behind her.</p> <p>"O5-1, I'm giving you thirty seconds to withdraw, or I will drop you where you stand."</p> <p>There was the creak of floorboards and the familiar weight of O5-1's arm cradling Coda's shoulder, and this time she neither leaned into the embrace nor shook him off. His hot breath tickled her ear. She couldn't tell if the tone of his whisper was triumphant or apologetic. The words he spoke were too impossible for her to pay heed to such nuances.</p> <p>"Enough with the formalities, Diana," O5-1 took her hand and folded it in his. "Call me Johan."</p> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. The Global Occult Coalition's systematic liquidation of Type Green reality benders. This covers both aborting pregnancies and terminating people through targeted assassinations or, in extreme cases, 'strategic liquidation' of entire communities.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-2"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-2')">2</a>. Somalian proverb meaning "In the eyes of Allah, a brave woman can't be disgraced."</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-3"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-3')">3</a>. the public's name for the Afghanistan Catastrophe</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-4"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-4')">4</a>. German, idiomatically, "Oh, it's like that, huh?</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-5"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-5')">5</a>. German, quote attributed to Ulrike Meinhof, idiomatic translation: "Protest is when one says 'this has to stop'. Resistance is when you make it stop."</div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/possible-kill-screen">Possible Kill Screen</a>" by FleshMaddAvalon and Nonacherontia, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/possible-kill-screen">https://scpwiki.com/possible-kill-screen</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> 0h6GJW4.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/olympic-error" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7938093); return false;"><img alt="Olympic Error" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7938093&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736601617" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7938093)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/olympic-error" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7938093); return false;">Olympic Error</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://imgur.com/0h6GJW4">imgur</a></p> <p>This image is a composite of:</p> <p><strong>Name:</strong> AK47 icon<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Skoll<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://game-icons.net/1x1/skoll/ak47.html">Game Icons</a></p> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Heart burn icon<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Lorc<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://game-icons.net/1x1/lorc/heartburn.html">Game Icons</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:penumbra-bhl">:scp-wiki:theme:penumbra-bhl</a>]] [[module CSS]] @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Roboto+Condensed:ital,wght@0,100..900;1,100..900&display=swap'); :root { --header-title: "The Door of G.O.F."; --header-subtitle: "Govern. Occlude. Fortify."; --accentColor: 178, 255, 255; } #page-content { font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 120%; } [[/module]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] Possible Kill Screen Author: [[user FleshMaddAvalon]] and [[user Nonacherontia]] This piece contains death, genocide, and utterances of homophobic slurs. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-cw">:scp-wiki:component:info-cw</a>]] ===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= The first installment of a trans romance where two warlords understand their respective coworkers really need to die—for the greater good, of course. ]] ===== [[toc]] + Chapter 1: Ashes to Ashes [!-- [[=image https://i.imgur.com/0h6GJW4.png]] --] Waiting for O5-1 in an abandoned restaurant, Coda remembered her last visit to Afghanistan. It was almost three years ago. She was having tea with Ahmed Shah Massoud, the legendary freedom fighter and Minister of Defense in the post-Communist government. The green Kahwah in the pot bubbled like the gentle current of the Amu Darya river, and the harsh desert sand stung against her poorly covered countenance. The idyll of their meeting belied a harsh reality: Massoud's young Afghanistan was tearing itself apart again, and Islamists would soon march on Kabul. "You fought the Soviets, and now you're fighting other Afghans," she asked. "This conflict may never end. Everything you did in the last war, and this one, may have been in vain. Your enemies say God is on their side, and yet God sits on his hands. If defeat is certain and the fighting in vain, why bother persisting?" He did not answer her question, gazing past her at the horizon. His smile was cryptic, almost chiding. She knew his heart rate was sixty-five, his blood pressure untroubled. Whatever was in that steely gaze, absorbing the temperate waves of the scrub grass, was the truth. Almost three years later, and a week ago, Afghanistan failed for the last time. In a cataclysm of violet light, twenty million Afghans and the earth they stood on were explosively converted into a second sunrise that lit the global skies for eight minutes before vanishing. They reported the scent of burnt ozone as far away as New York City. With billions witnessing the disaster, the Veil was irreparably, irrevocably broken. The streets were quiet while humanity processed what it had lost in their bunkers and churches. That shock was a dam for an ocean of rage and fear. It would flood the cities, burn the libraries, and butcher the politicians who'd held the curtain closed before killing anyone suspected of being the men behind it. Even then, the wizards behind the curtain knew better than to leave trails. Coda checked her crystal-face watch. She had arrived ten minutes late, yet O5-1 was nowhere to be seen. Meeting an Overseer under the nose of Al-Fine was practically a capital offense, but Coda was out of options, and at least if they executed her, she wouldn't have to watch the world burn. [[=image https://i.imgur.com/0h6GJW4.png]] After the Catastrophe, the unthinkable became all too sensible. As Coda concluded her presentation on the post-Catastrophe world, felt something revolutionary brew among the members of the Council of 108. "...over the eight decades of its existence, the Coalition has a policy of terminating or decommissioning most anomalies it discovers." Coda swallowed, realizing she was about to pull the pin on a few kilotons of panic. "The Foundation just contains them. While our strategy is better from a risk-management standpoint, there was always an opportunity cost." "And that is?" D.C Al-Fine voice poured into the air with the low croak of footsteps on an old wood floor, the jingled vowels of an Eton/Oxford RP speaker doing nothing to suppress his drawl. "Well, every anomaly the Foundation contains is a possible asset. The GOC has its occult programmes and loyal officers in every Security Council country's military, but we're at a logistical disadvantage. Our sword is sharper, but the Foundation is a hydra." Al-Fine leaned back in his seat with a crunch of suit and leather. "The GOC is supposed to have a minimal military readiness to terminate the Foundation's anomalies during an active conflict." Coda tried to hold Al-Fine's gaze. "In an active conflict //we// start, assuming the collapse of the Veil is imminent. Because the Veil collapsed so quickly, we've lost the readiness advantage. The ball is in the air, ready for either side to spike. That changes the math, and I've updated my models to reflect this." "And what does your math say?" Al-Fine leaned over the desk in a show of attention. "If the Foundation mobilizes even just twenty-five percent of just the anomalies we know about," Coda took a breath, then let the prognosis drop like a brick. "the combat power generated from that alone would exceed everything we have on the Western Hemisphere." Gasps, sighs, frantic scribbling, dancing dialing. D.C. Al Fine leaned back in his chair, and Coda couldn't tell whether the absence of wrinkles in his brow showed serenity or whether he had stumbled onto some solution Coda was not privy to. "Thank you, Coda. I shall take a moment to address the choir." He stood up and removed his spectacles—purely for show, of course; Coda knew they were prosthetic—and his voice shifted from his cozy whiskey-sanded croon to a thunderous, almost demanding tone. "They have access to the same data we do," DC Al-Fine folded his hands together, "and are arriving at the same conclusions. I've found that seizing the initiative makes the difference in war." He raised his eyes to look at Coda. In a droll voice, he asked, "What do we do if we want that initiative?" She felt like she could hear her thoughts for the first time as she tried to convince herself he wasn't implying what it sounded like he was suggesting. "We wouldn't want it." "Yes, we //wouldn't//, but what if we had to?" "We //don't// have to!" "Did you listen to your presentation? It certainly seems within the realm of possibility if nothing else!" D.C. Al-Fine composed himself. "Alright, if I made you..." Coda honestly wanted to lie, but she knew everyone in that room already understood what was about to come out of her mouth. They just wanted to make sure the record showed //she// was the one saying it. She covered her mouth for a second and did a quick breathing routine to make sure her voice didn't betray her emotions, then spoke like she was presenting on business strategy: "You call together our puppets in the NATO countries and you be honest with them, because they'll already suspect its the end either way. Fire the starting pistol and let them coup their governments so we can integrate their militaries into our force structure. Global martial law." She let the final and complete death of democracy as a //preparatory measure// sink in and then she launched into the real horror show: "And then you hit Response Plan Pizzicato. Burn the rulebook. Open the silos. Empty the warehouses. By T plus fifteen minutes, our nuclear deterrent needs to be in the air. T plus two hours, we launch an offensive with everything we have against their weakened lines. By lunchtime, eighty percent of the Foundation's presence on Eurasia has to be obliterated, or they will hit back, and we're looking at a decade-long Occult War //if we're lucky.//." D.C. Al-Fine clapped his hands in a display of appreciation. "Well said, Coda." Coda cut him off. "//Sir!//" Panic clawed its way through her insides, and the realization made her heart clamor in her ears. //This isn't a discussion. He is going to do it.// "I... the... //why would we do this?// Why not just talk to them?" Al-Fine's voice was all luxury and whiskey again. "Coda, you're the number cruncher here. You tell us, would //you// trust the Foundation not to strike first?" "Declaring war on the Foundation could—no—//will// kill millions of people!" "Millions will die anyway if the Foundation strikes first. Compromise solutions rarely make everyone happy! Compromises are—" "Haven't they gone through enough?" Smothering her dread was like trying to smother a pile of rattlesnakes. "When the human toll is this great, we should be prepared to risk-—" "I understand the risks! Do you?" "Do you?!" For the first time in their discussion, Al-Fine's voice broke its veneer of tranquility and exploded-- "Do you?" He slammed the table with his fist, punctuating every syllable. "This is it! I'm telling you. This. Is. It!" The meeting ended as D.C. Al-Fine collected himself and asked the council to take an hour's recess and consider the next steps. While passing Coda on his way to the exit, he muttered one phrase to her she knew all too well. "//Harden your heart.//" //In other words, get with the program and vote because he expects us to share the blame for an imminent global holocaust.// She waited until the door to the conference room whistled shut, and then got on her knees and squeezed herself under the meeting table. A surveillance blind spot, it was a place where she could safely sink her teeth into the skin of her wrist and muffle her scream of rage. She slammed her elbow into the wood behind her again and again. The pain reassured her humanity that it was being heard, that it could go back to sleep. The pain deafened the howl of her soul and cleared its cache. When she was through, she pulled herself out of her hiding spot and straightened her clothing, taking out a compact mirror to make sure sweat nor blood from her wrist ruined her make-up, to sort out her hair. Her teeth had left streaks of damp red on her wrist. She decided to blame it on her cat. She usually blamed it on her cat. She did not have a cat. //They will do it, and your name will be on the order that does it.// Her thoughts felt involuntary to her, like it was a second Coda speaking. The voice was an all-too-familiar one, though. This second Coda remembered every time Al-Fine 'accidentally' used the wrong pronoun on his memos. The same Coda her father broke a sweat trying to crush into powder. The Coda whose bruises did not heal. Coda did enough to contain it, but she worked for the Coalition and knew containment was never sufficient for many. She departed for her office in the Shostakovich wing. She left her materials behind since talking and facts would be relics in the world to come. She left her coat because she knew the cold billowing under her skin wasn't the kind more layers could fix. She entered her office to find her secretary, Petra Shahi, waiting for her. She was dressed demurely in a turtleneck sweater, her hair tied back in a professorial bun, and obligingly tender brown eyes. The term 'Secretary' was pure misdirection. Petra was a born agent of chaos in the bureaucratic and kinetic sense, and Coda suspected she would be in prison if she had to do anything else for a living. She was also the closest thing Coda had to a loyal friend. "They're doing it, aren't they," Petra said. //She's too good at reading my eyes.// "You don't know that, and you shouldn't know that." //Which is a long-winded way of saying: Yes. Be afraid.// In a brief flash, Coda saw Petra's wide mouth and unshakeable smirk wither into a wrinkle of dread before Petra stuck a cigarette in her mouth and lit it. Her veil was restored, and she took a drag. "Ah, Coda, this is why we don’t play poker. I suppose Al-Fine is leaning on the other hold-outs for a unanimous vote. Better for appearances." Coda rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the primer on how our politics works, Mrs. Shahi. Are you done telling your superior how to do her job?" "You’re my superior?" Coda tilted her head, and Petra hurriedly bent her head, “Sorry. I haven’t slept in a week, subsisting on company-issued meth and blood sacrifices to Mercury. Just… how bad’s it look? Coda thought about lying. If the Occult War was so simple as a light switch that would simply end all life in a flash, it might be worth it. But death would come too slowly, much much too slowly, and the survivors would envy the dead. They would have time to regret every wasted moment before the end. "Petra, listen to me very carefully." Coda sucked in her breath, "You get the rest of the week off. Go and be with your family." The cigarette almost dropped out of Petra's mouth. Her expression slackened completely. It was one thing to compute despair, another to stare it in the face. "I..." Petra stumbled like her mouth was trying to catch up with her frenzied heart and brain, "No." "Petra," Coda grabbed Petra's shoulders, "I'm not kidding. It could be within //hours.//" "Respectfully, ma'am, fuck all that." She plucked the tube from her mouth and blew a plume of smoke to her right, and when she turned to face Coda again, her usual smirk painted her lips. "Won't. Can't. All that panic and crying and getting told I'm full of shit, and I can't explain anything because of OpSec policy. Screw all that noise." "It's my call, you can tell them—" "I can't, okay? I can't. //I can't.// Can't face them. Up here, I can pretend it's all the video game it's always then. Down there, I can't..." Petra looked down to hide the paroxysm of anguish threatening to break through. When she looked again, her defensive cockiness reappeared. "If the plane's going down, I want to be in the cockpit, not the tail. Stop wasting both our time," Petra reached into her mailman bag, fished around its contents, and pulled out a package in a manila envelope. "This came in for you, by the way." "Has it been screened?" "No idea just popped up on my desk." "You think it's loaded?" "I opened it." "You opened my mail?" Coda rolled her eyes, "Petra, how do you both violate Coalition policy //and// needlessly risk your life at the same time-" "//Please//," Petra waved her hand, "A clean exit's better than this stupid waiting." She pressed the package into Coda's hands. "It's just a phone. Now give me something else to do." "I'll tell you when I know what //I'm// doing. Take a nap or something. Chill. Smoke the weed you keep stashed in the closet." Coda's diction shifted around Petra. Somehow, Petra's irreverence made Coda more comfortable slackening her mask just that bit more. "Get out of here, Coda. Sleep is for banals." The in-house slur for 'normal' people was thrown around quite a bit after the Catastrophe. "Do it, or I'm putting it in your performance review." "Psh," Petra turned and walked away, "If self-care was a job requirement you'd have been terminated years ago." Coda walked into her office, vacant of her usual staff (she had sent them home with far more success than she had with Petra), and turned on the Anti-Meme field to ensure she was not being spied on. She emptied the package on her desk. Just as the cell phone—a power-guzzling brick that was a fad among wealthy banals—clunked against the wood, the brick vibrated and shook the table. "Curiouser and curiouser," Coda reached for the phone, which snapped open at her touch. She hit the green button and put it to her ear. "Hello, Coda." Coda almost dropped the phone. She'd know that voice from anywhere, "Leaderboard," the point-man of Foundation inter-GOI diplomacy, and the biggest fascist on the Overseer council: O5-1. //Maybe today is just some ridiculously involved prank. Everyone's certainly acting like clowns.// Her face was beginning to ache from how frequently she had to keep it static. "Are you crazy?," Coda hissed. She threw herself under her desk and placed the phone so close to her lips she was practically biting the plastic, "Both of our groups would //nerve staple us// for setting up a diplomatic backchannel--" "It'll never get back to either of them--" "Oh, good, then I'm hanging up. Let the Overseers do their jobs and start the negotiations--" O5-1's voice was cold and matter-of-fact: "The Overseer Council is hours away from a war declaration. I only //just// postponed it." Coda's blood ran cold. //O5-1 could have lost his mind. Afghanistan has us all on edge. O5-1 has no way of knowing my posture on war, so what could his decision calculus have been to call me? And if he's telling the truth...// "Excuse me for just one moment." Coda carefully placed the phone on the floor and then savagely chewed the skin of her wrist again to muffle yet another shriek. Not only was the biggest warmonger on the Council of 108 poised to plunge the world into Armageddon-- his logic for doing so was //dead-on accurate.// If anyone got wind of this call, Coda could be implicated in high crimes against her office //and// the Council would immediately vote on initiating Pizzicato. The phone was back in her hand, and she cleared her throat. "What are you after?" "Peace." //Are we on the same wavelength, or is he somehow tapping mine?// Coda made her voice threatening. "You're not the first person to offer me the impossible. I've bargained with gods. You can read about the others on our termination logs." "I only ask you hear me out." "How?" "Meet me at the restaurant //Rue De Ma Cher//, in Bergen. Thirty minutes." "Wait, wait, I can't--" He had already hung up. Someone more comfortable with the random destruction of all their hopes would have reported the call to Al-Fine and resolved to do their duty, no matter how bleak the outcome seemed. She considered with what might become of her if she was caught secretly consorting with the enemy: a drooling, nerve-stapled husk. None of her predecessors had outlived their time in office, and given her preponderance of magic and intellect, she could see a case being made that her soul was too dangerous to be left intact. Would it be a state institution, a nursing home, or would they let her rough it as an inarticulate bag-lady near some Coalition-linked soup kitchen? Her hands shakily reached for her compact again, and she checked her features for post-panic blemishes for the second time in twenty minutes. No trace of the tempest inside her made it to the surface. The only thing she couldn't disguise was her eyes and the deep sadness within them. It took three years, but Coda finally understood what was in the Lion of Panjshir's gaze. She was no Ahmed Shah Massoud. [[=image https://i.imgur.com/0h6GJW4.png]] + Chapter 2: Tête-à-Tête The sonic boom of scrambled fighter jets rattled the cutlery and glasses, but Coda still heard it when the front door creaked open and looked up at her guest. It was O5-1, catching its bell before it could ring. She jumped to her feet as she sized him up, and found it difficult not to stare at the creature in front of her. O5-1 cut a striking figure in his well-worn-yet-well-made suit. The folds hugged an athletic frame, with slight swells in all the right places. His wolf-like grin showed at least two teeth had to have been grafted onto his gums from something inhuman. His feminine cheekbones were his most prominent natural characteristic, sculpting an elegant face despite his savage mouth. Coda was most fascinated by his hands, a patchwork of flesh and metal and covered with sarkic runes. The roughness of the skin clashed with the delicate slenderness of his long fingers. It was a mixture of the natural and artificial into something original. //I didn't expect him to look so...transhuman.// Coda thought. Coda did her best to look unmoved and extended her hand to greet him. O5-1 looked at her hand quizzically and then back at her. Something about the gesture seemed amusing and irritating, and he shrugged and sat down. A stubborn silence lingered between them. Coda decided to swallow her pride and break the ice. "Well, it's your meeting. Did you have an agenda?" "I don't do agendas if I can help it. I don't like letting my colleagues know what I will say." "We're not colleagues." "Exactly." //If that's how he treats his colleagues, why should a peer adversity expect better?// "Then //I'll// start." Coda quit smoking years ago but wished she had a cigarette handy so she could do something other than hold O5-1's predatory gaze. "Why does the Foundation want to go to war with us?" "Well, most of the reasons your boss gave were incorrect. The genocides never really trouble us that much. Your Ichabod Extermination Programme [[footnote]] The Global Occult Coalition's systematic liquidation of Type Green reality benders. This covers both aborting pregnancies and terminating people through targeted assassinations or, in extreme cases, 'strategic liquidation' of entire communities.[[/footnote]] gives us the raw material for Scranton Reality Anchors. We have many of the same enemies and share a vision of a future-history where one plus one always equals two. We're very compatible." Hope. A pleasant surprise. //An verbal olive branch, and I didn't have to offer a thing to get it!// Then she computed the rest of the situation, and the hope soured considerably. "If that's true, why is the Foundation gearing up to attack the Coalition?" Coda said, "And what do you mean, 'my boss gave'? Were you eavesdropping on my meeting?" O5-1 smirked. "Those are exciting questions. I have a different one that is somewhat pertinent." Without thinking, Coda rubbed her mouth with the back of her wrist. "Aye? Let's hear it." "How would you kill me?" If O5-1's olive branch gave Coda a bit of common ground, that question neatly sawed it in half. Coda let the question hang in the air while she struggled to respond to it-- one voice in her head suggested she try to play along to establish rapport, and indeed, a small part of her would enjoy the verbal horseplay- Then a much louder voice reminded her that her counterparty, during a last-minute peace negotiation, just asked her how she'd kill him. //Maybe if I pretend he never said it, it won't have happened.// "The only amnestic a loyal soldier needs is their selective memory," D.C. Al-Fine would often say, with varying degrees of irony. "Moving on," Coda swallowed, letting the tactile friction distract her, "Uh, let's say these talks went entirely your way. What would that look like?" O5-1 raised his eyebrows as though impressed with the question and stared at the window casting the orange haze of approaching dusk upon the empty dining room. "The same thing you seek. The Natural World is 'dead', for all intents and purposes. The intuitive axioms of its logic are obliterated as completely as the Khyber Pass. We now live in the Managed World, and we would be its stewards." //Ask a fascist what his heart's desire is, why expect any other answer than that?// She coughed. "Uh, right, I think the world doesn't need to be //managed// by anyone but the people living there and..." Then the concern she tried to swallow rose back up in her mind, and she remembered her previous concern. "Uh, can we just...rewind a bit? How exactly did you know what D.C. Al-Fine told us during the Emergency Session?" "Well, if we're rewinding the conversation, I'll just answer the question I asked you before." And before Coda could stop him: "I'd paralyze you with saxitoxin and suffocate you in your sleep. Chop you into the smallest bits I could manage, boil you down, put you in a blender, then take you to work in a flask and sip you as a treat." //Is this a joke?// If there were muscles responsible for human dignity, hers were burning in lactic acid, //O5-1, my actual Foundation counterpart, someone who is supposed to be my bloody equal, is talking to me like I'm strapped to his table in a room lined with sheets of plastic. This is someone who is my counterparty, and THEY think I'm an absolute joke!// "Okay," Coda rubbed her mouth with her wrist. "What do you—," //He wouldn't talk this way to Al-Fine, or any other member of the Council!// "What do you //want//?" Her mind boggled at the words as they spun through the air. //Why am I taking this from him? From any of them?// "Just," she slammed the table, and Johan jolted from the surprise, half-lidded eyes snapping open, "What is it that you're trying to offer?" "I'd like to play a drinking game." The way O5-1 spoke, it was like he was explaining to her that a ceasefire means the shooting stopped. "I see." //And that's a wrap!// She popped to her feet and slammed the chair hard into the table. "These talks are concluded. Good-bye, O5-1." "Where are you going? We're not finished yet." O5-1 said, reaching out to Coda. "I'm just trying to break the ice!" "Twenty million people died. Thousands are killing themselves or each other. Possible //billions// are about to die in a war... I get enough of this disrespect from my coworkers. I am not suffering it from a zoo-keeper." "Where are you going?" He, too, had jumped from his seat and was advancing towards her. "We're trying to save the world!" She backed away from him. "I'm going back to headquarters. I'd rather negotiate with the dependable homophobes upstairs than the lunatic in front of me." "Wait—" And then something caught her wrist. It was O5-1's hand, slender, thin-fingered, but rough. The veins were so close to the surface that she could feel the blood pumping underneath the gold and silver skin. O5-1 had accosted her. "Coda... //please//. Yet something about it made her want to stand and think. She thought of D.C. Al-Fine. The misgendering. The random questions about whether she could beat him in an arm wrestling match. The insane portfolio Al-Fine dumped on her to manage as she was an 'inspirational figure.' The casual deadnaming. The unsolicited advice on how she could look more 'believable.' How all of that neatly rhymed with O5-1's dreadful behavior. "Let go of me." She snapped her train of thought off at the stem and focused on the here and now. His face: a smile that looked pasted on, melting down to a thin-lipped frown. His pupils were dilated, his eyebrows were raised, and his complexion was pale. //Is that regret?// "Let go." "Please. //I'm sorry.//" She could not remember when anyone at her level apologized for casual disrespect. She was expected to take it with stoicism //and// with grace. It didn't matter. "Either you're playing me, or you're a lunatic." Her lips were set in a thin scowl. "Meanwhile, this meeting could cost me dearly even if we did figure something out! It's a lose-lose gamble, and I am leaving the bloody casino." "I'm not playing you. I'm not lying to you." The tenderness in O5-1's eyes, the way his hand was firm but not painful—quite the opposite. Coda didn't realize there was a sweet spot to how hard one could crush her wrist, having never discovered that. //I could almost meditate like this.// "Get away from me." She gritted her teeth, ripped her hand away, and then walked over and shoved him for good measure. "What the—" O5-1 nearly tripped over his feet. "Cry about it or kill me." Coda turned towards the door- The phone in her pocket buzzed. She turned towards O5-1. //Is this pleb playing games now?// He raised his hands in a show of innocence. She scowled and answered the call. "Who are you, and how did you get this number—" "They're fucking you." It was Petra, and she was taking deep breaths as though she had run quite a while before making the call. "They're what-" "They're //fucking// you. They're using a wartime parliamentary measure to hold the session in your absence—" "No." //No! No! No!// "That's ridiculous. They couldn't—" //Yes, how much more of your life will you waste on presuming they respect you.// "How--" "Akechi, D.C. Al-Fine's main guy. Quite the gossip. He called me about a surprise meeting in the Wellington Room. He didn't elaborate, so I rushed over to confirm things, then hauled by ass to the IT nexus." "Are... are you..." Coda attempted to deep-breathe her hyperventilation away. Missiles could very well be in the air within five minutes if the subliminal triggers in the silo and submarine personnel were fresh enough. //Let nature take its course, trust the hand that fed you all these years. O5-1 had done a sterling job of reminding her what insufferable lunatics and 'special interest hires' comprised that zoo's staff. I haven't given decades of my life to the Coalition only to sell it out to this junkyard-dentured bagatelle!// "Petra, why are you in the IT room?" "I think you know." There was a sound of jet-black-painted nails hitting a keyboard and a firm clack of an enter-key being struck. "What am I doing?" //But this isn't for him. This is for me. Any strike against them, even now.// Coda made her decision. "Okay. Do it." She rattled through the sixteen-syllable passcode. Petra entered it. A wind-chime greeted her efforts. "Petra, you understand this is technically an act of espionage against the Coalition. You will be looking over your shoulder as long as you live--" "...and done." Petra already knew what to do and had done it, knowing Coda would try to talk her out of it. "You idiot! Why throw your life away over this?" "The way I see it, I'm dead either way, and I'm rather particular. I think this bought you thirty minutes. Don't waste them." "Petra..." Coda's voice cracked. Injuring the Foundation or the Coalition brought a dark cloud over the offender's life. Petra was a born saboteur, but security was an obsession at the Coalition, especially where divided loyalties and pettiness were concerned. The rest of her life was likely borrowed time. Coda controlled her voice, "Shahi, if you get caught, you tell them you were doing it on my orders—" "You're bloody right. I'm throwing you under the bus, but just for the fun of it, not to look up your skirt. It wouldn't help my case at all," Petra's voice sounded grim. "I'm going to configure a safe room so I can continue to support you as long as I can." "What do you want your family to be told if..." "Coda, do you think someone accepts a job offer to work for you people if they really care about their family?" Her laughter sounded a little more forced. Coda wondered if the finality of her act was beginning to sink in. "Shit, just realized I really don't want you people taking me alive if I get found out. Uh... the cyanide tabs--" "Should be in the sugar bowl. But don't—." "Just don't fuck this up. I can take care of myself." Coda heard the snap of a lighter and the low sizzle of lit tobaco. "Geesiyad Allah ma xilo. [[footnote]] Somalian proverb meaning "In the eyes of Allah, a brave woman can't be disgraced." [[/footnote]] Petra hung up. "You made a friend." O5-1's careful and rhythmic drawl rasped behind Coda, and she turned around—he had set the table with two foamy champagne glasses and the gold-embossed bottle between them. "Ordinarily, I'd short that commodity in our line of work, but you seem to have cultivated a real one. Well done. Care for a drink?" Coda walked to the table and picked up her glass. "What are we toasting to?" O5-1 picked up his and looked at the bottle for a moment. "How about peace in our time?" "Agreed." Then she splashed O5-1's face with its contents. "Why--" "Don't disrespect my staff." Coda pulled out her chair and sat down while O5-1 glowered at her. "Let's play your game, but if nothing comes of it, I'll make every second until the bombs kill us a skin-less, unyielding Tartarus for you." //There's no going back now, is there?// O5-1 retook his seat. "Delaying a wartime emergency vote by thirty minutes. Humor me a moment, Coda, how //did// you manage that?" Coda crossed her arms. "We pulled the fire alarm." "No kidding?" O5-1 leaned forward with hungry eyes. "Do tell." //Triggered the Level 5 Fire suppression protocols so the entire Council would scatter to safe rooms while the rooms have the oxygen sucked out of them and are flushed with Halon and Orichalchos. Hacked the safe room comms so they can't communicate. Petra always warned me the Council would stab me in the back, I put together this contingency just to shut her up.// Coda actually said, "No." "You seem quite sure of yourself for someone who is, by her own admission, out in the cold." "I'd rather die than let you win. This ends in a peace between equals, or a peace of unburied dead." "Well said," O5-1 leaned back in his chair. "But there's no peace without trust." "Then give me a reason to trust you." "Fine." She saw his hand move, and she reached for her own sidearm "Consider this a sign of good faith." A thick envelope struck her forehead and bounced on the table with a dull smack. Coda growled in frustration as she retreated from the living gun holstered by her shoulder. "Gods, how do they put up with you over there?" She opened the envelope and pulled out a deck of cards, then shuffled them for a better idea of what they were. Thin, lithe in a strange way, like the memetics within gave each a semblance of life. Carefully inscribed on the steel of each were symbols in a variety of languages. The edges sheened, and each card was covered with memetic pictographs of a strange nature. She knew that they would remain gibberish until she read the mnestic key. Indeed, she found a squashed paper crane between the twelfth and thirteen cards, and unfolded it to see a memetic basilisk written on the page. All at once, the cards' contents blossomed in her head like a divine prophecy. The cards clattered to the table like logs felled in a twilit forest. "O5-1...what have you..." The constant tightness in her chest melted away. A different kind of chill flowed through her veins. Her heart pounded in her ears. Her being had been hooked to a livewire. "O5-1!" Over the decades, the Coalition (and presumably their Foundation counterparts) developed means of quickly and efficiently terminating each member of the leadership of the opposing faction. The only thing missing from the firing solutions of those Occult weapons were the keys to the Occult defenses guarding each Overseer, keys that the Coalition had never been able to acquire. And that the Foundation had been holding on to to defuse the threat. In that envelope were the keys to the final and utter destruction of the Overseer council, //the kill-intel on all thirteen members,// laid out before her like the assembly instructions for an IKEA sofa. + Chapter 3: Heart to heart It would certainly change some minds among the Council of 108, to have an active countermeasure in the event of a Foundation assault in the short term. It wasn't sufficient leverage by itself to force the Foundation to offer serious terms. The second the O5s found out their kill-intel was leaked, at least a few of the Overseers would be able to adjust their defenses in time. They lacked the Administrator's kill-intel even if they went through with it. The Foundation would only be crippled, not slain outright. And most pertinently, mass murder was not Coda's goal. She lived long enough to understand that no stable peace could come of murder except that of the unburied dead. Yet a vision of a brighter future blossomed within her like an inner sun kissing her skin. "This wasn't a joke, after all." Coda said. O5-1 tilted his head and smiled. "You look surprised." Coda realized her wrist was in front of her mouth, and she pulled it away. "All due respect, the ten minutes was the worst diplomacy I've ever encountered. For reference's sake, I've signed peace treaties with actual gorillas." "Perhaps that's a sign you //can// trust me." O5-1 said. "Why suspect someone so bad at hiding their defects?" Coda smirked. "In your case, because you're both bad at it and subverting your faction. Why //are// you doing this, anyways?" "A similar reason to you." O5-1 poured Coda a fresh glass of champagne. "We both work amongst demons and the walking dead, and there's nothing worse than a demon victorious and the dead refusing to die." "I would say I'm more worried about the impending global holocaust and destruction of human civilization." "Yes, that." "Not that I disagree." Coda felt a pang of regret for wasting time not trusting him. "A toast then, to a fruitful negotiation." O5-1 raised his own glass. "To govern, occlude, and fortify." Coda hesitated for a moment and then let her glass touch his. "That sounded like a slogan of some kind." O5-1 downed his glass in one drink, "Just an idea of the future." Her own glass disappeared into her mouth. She reached for the bottle and filled her glass and O5-1's again. Euphoric, grateful, giddy. She had forgotten what hope felt like. She could mainline it like heroin, drip it into her veins in the mornings and float on it like the comfortable bed she requisitioned for herself, before it was ruined. "Okay, one more for good measure and then we get cracking," Coda said. She and O5-1 shared a grin, then their glasses followed their predecessors. "So, O5-1, if that was a good will gesture, what's your major ask?" "About that." O5-1 frowned. "You mentioned using those cards as political leverage. That's not going to work so well. They expire in three days-- the Occult keys rotate about as fast as the thaumaturges can generate them. The Overseers spend a pretty penny in blood and treasure trying to accelerate the cycle." "Three days..." Coda's tactical brain raced to see the angles, "Would the Coalition know this?" "It's common fucking sense. Somebody would ask the question, and good luck lying to a Council half-comprised of psychics." "If I can't use these as diplomatic //or// political leverage, what good are they?" "Yeah, Coda, it's almost like there's only one practical use for them." The corner of O5-1's lips pulled upwards, making his dimples dance, a pitying smile. "Do the math." Her excitement remained unimpeded, but now a familiar voice squeaked its objections: //I'm not considering this. I can't consider this. I'm... I'm a technocrat! An administrator! Not an assassin!// The other part kept an open mind. O5-1 clapped his hands together twice to get her attention. "I called this a goodwill gesture because it shows I'm serious about peace. Yet this is just step one of my peace plan. Step two, you use those cards however you'd wish. You could kill us all, but the Administrator would remain completely unchecked. However, you //could// spare me so that //I// could finish the job while the Administrator's down for the count." "Down for the count?" "The Administrator's occult-biology is tied to the Occult power of the thirteen Overseers. If twelve of the thirteen die, the shock would cripple him long enough for a well-placed assassin to finish the job." Coda narrowed her eyes. "Oh, is that all?" She scoffed, trying not to feel the familiar panic surface again. She poured herself a third glass of champagne and downed it too. "See, here I assumed you were going to offer the moon and the stars as well, but I suppose I was dreaming too big there." O5-1 continued as though she hadn't spoken. "You give me a deadline, say...ten minutes from the reset—assuming our thaumaturges are still doing their thing in the chaos. If I don't take out the Administrator and surrender in that window, then you kill me too and do what you have to do." Again, Coda's wrist was near her mouth. //I really should get that habit looked at by someone.// She slammed her hand on the table. "And then what?" "Then I surrender to the Coalition, and we move forward on business!" "Trusting you." "The way I look at it, you can trust someone who has as much to lose as you do just //having// this meeting. Or you can trust those myopic, homophobic, and genocidal sons of bitches who have given you so much less support and respect in the entire time you've held you've office than I've presented with you in five minutes! What choice do you have?" The last thing Petra told her came to mind. //In Allah's eyes, no brave woman is disgraced.// "There's always a choice." //And yet you know which one you want to take, you are just mining for the humanitarian rhetoric that will make planning a coup feel righteous when you should be thinking about his endgame!// The voice of reason or delusion was deafening, compelling, indisputable: //You want this.// It said. //You really want this. Stop pretending that's not the case! This is not just a life-saver, it is your legacy! No one will be able to dismiss you once you carry it out!// Her phone began to buzz. //It's Petra.// Relief mixed with worry (//Am I getting soft? She's just some dumb pawn!//) made her hands shake as she flipped open the phone. "Petra! What's your status?" Instead of Petra, an automated male voice spoke: "Urgent civilian call from—" she heard a static howl encrypting her Aunt's name. "Do you accept?" She signaled O5-1 to give her a minute and ran to the bar, behind the bar stand, and turned away so O5-1 couldn't read her lips, though he was sitting with his back to her. "Yes." A surprise call from a relative she had not spoken to in //decades// on the eve of the apocalypse. The timing couldn't be worse, but anything labeled as 'urgent' at a time like this had to be particularly dire. "Alexsander," her Aunt's voice was hollow and detached, "Your father's dead." //Not even bothering with the pleasantries.// Coda bit her tongue at the use of her deadname and crushed the instinct to switch to her other voice, "I'm sorry to hear that," she thanked whatever Gods that protected her heart from the filial grief, "Was it peaceful?" "We found his body in the basement after the White Sky[[footnote]] the public's name for the Afghanistan Catastrophe [[/footnote]]. Killed himself. Gunshot. Temple." "I see," Coda exhaled in a low whistle, "Did he leave a note?" "Yes." "Did he mention me?" "He mentioned his son." The bitterness of her aunt's words was so potent that Coda tasted blood hearing it, "He insisted only his son could attend his funeral. He has no son, not anymore. Thanks to you." "Did he say there was a reason?" "Your father was sick in the head the past few years. Seeing the White Sky broke healthier men." "So, the funeral..." "A few days ago." "I wasn't invited." "You were not here for him in life. Why trouble him in death?" Coda wanted to say many things, but her office's dignity stayed her tongue. "I suppose with him gone, we have no connection left. I would prefer this is the last time I hear from you." "We never had a connection. His son did, but you're not that person, are you?" She heard her aunt breathe for a minute, "I would pray God spares your father having to greet your soul in heaven, but we both know you aren't going there when you die, semetico." She hung up. There was a moment where Coda wanted to tear the skin off of everything around her, break her hands punching holes in windows, kill her voice screaming at the walls. It passed, and Coda felt nothing. Nothing upon nothing, infinite seas of blackness. All tucked in the pad-locked, welded-shut zinc coffin where her heart resided since she was a child. Now it was getting ripped open with the dead-flesh hands of an angry ghost. She reached into the liquor cabinet, wrapped her hands around the lips of three bottles of vodka and whiskey, and walked to the table. Without caring about the contents or target, she let them drop from her hands like she spread flowers over a grave and let O5-1 scramble to keep them from rolling off the edge. She sat down and poured herself another glass of champagne. "Shall we continue our negotiation?" Her voice was unnaturally high, and her consonants sharp enough to cut the ears. "We are running short of time. I hear your proposal, but I need more reassurances of your good faith." "Well, fuck, that makes sense." O5-1 said. "I'm all ears. If you want to test drive those cards, O5-4's kill-intel lends itself best to cause ambiguity. That's what comes of downloading one's personality to a dog's body, though. The comparisons to a zoo or him to a bitch, are not without merit. O5-13 lacks the same technical ambiguity, but that dwarven heterochromatic whoremongering piece of shit has so many enemies that they will be too busy celebrating to think too hard about it." Coda chuckled. "I'm sure a few bodies will impress D.C. Al-Fine. He always liked muscular displays. Maybe..." She found it hard to breathe. "You can send them to me in a pretty box." She saw herself find it //rather// hard to breathe. //It's not an astral projection event. It's not...// //She's twelve again.// //The sound of the wind whipping through the lily-of-the-nile's brought sweet senses to her nose as she slowly snuck through the grounds of what would become the Jardim Botânico do Porto.// //She didn't want to be seen in what she wore, a simple sundress stolen from her sister's wardrobe.// //Approaching the garden bed wall, she giggled as the sound of tinkling wind chimes flitted through the air. Without trepidation, she turned the corner and walked into her father.// //He towered above her, salt-and-pepper beard wavering in the wind, and his resting placid face twisted as his lips curled, and he bared his teeth. His fist reeled back, and the Portugese from his throat was visceral in a way she had never heard before.// //"You fucking faggot."// //She was coughing up blood well before he stopped hitting her. He had enough discipline to ensure his hands only occasionally touched her face. It took weeks for the black eye to heal.// She saw herself chattering about turning over Sites before the coup to ease border tensions. She named a few humanoids for whom the Coalition had a terminal interest. She was perfectly able to function during a dissociative event. It was a necessary talent in her line of work. The room, its stillness, and O5-1 reasserted themselves over her memories, and she felt real again. She saw new lines along his cheeks. "O5-1, what are you doing?" "Are you okay?" O5-1's voice staggered like his breathing doubled up on itself. "Just breathe, Coda, just breathe?" "O5-1, stop. You're a stone-hearted fascist. You've more bodies on you than a Sarkite mausoleum! You don't have these feelings you're pretending to—" "First, I'm not a fascist, I'm an accelerationist. Second, it—" "We don't have time!" "Stop trying twice as hard to get half as far, Coda! It'll never be enough! Just be you!" "Stop making this personal!" "Coda, look at me." O5-1 showed her his own eyes welling with tears. "You're not alone." It was easy for her to compartmentalize when she was among people, and it was effortless in a professional environment. Whatever O5-1 was, it was neither a professional nor a 'people.' He was a singularity to her. "It's the nature of the system. It's in the marrow of my existence." She mumbled. Something about O5-1's weakness exacerbated hers. It was an effective sabotage except that it was self-inflicted. "It's in mine as well, and I'm done hiding it from you," he said, "Watch." O5-1 grabbed a fistful of fabric on his suit, coiling his fingers. With a high-pitched howl, he ripped his suit and dress shirt apart so the skin on his upper chest, shoulder, and arm was bare. The fabric made a glittering trail as it wove through the air. What showed underneath was a body made to be as muscular as possible, toned, and stressed to the limit. On his chest was a network of scars, and Coda immediately understood. He waged the same war she did against the prison of his own body and the aggressors who wanted to make sure they served their life terms there. Perhaps it was the champagne, perhaps it was the trauma, Coda leaned over the table and touched the scars, saw the chest, and looked up at the face ripe with tears. O5-1's were fixed on DC Al-Fine's chest. "The way it rises and falls is so beautiful," he whispered, like raising his voice would somehow undo the moment. He froze as she touched him. "Why?" O5-1's eyes glazed over like he himself was transported. His voice heightened in pitch, and his words lost their casual smoothness and became just as aristocratic as Coda's. "Growing up, it was just me and my mother and Aunt. My mother never failed to find an excuse to beat me. It started well before I...when I was still trying to make things work. In childhood, I was never conventional enough for her." She couldn't help it. Her heart broke for O5-1. "You were wasted on her." "Either I was promiscuous for spending time with boys or lesbian for not wanting to marry them. My aunt, I think, knew the truth about me before I did. She couldn't rescue me from my mother but did her best to comfort me, protect me in her own way. It didn't help-- I don't have the scars anymore. But they were there, physically. " He lunged towards the half-full champagne bottle. Coda handed it to him, and he took a giant swig of its contents before slamming it onto the table. "Auntie died well after I joined the Foundation. I went to her funeral. I couldn't shed a tear. I don't think I wept since I was eight." "Then mother died. My memory's fuzzy on that week, but the term 'shit-faced' and 'manic' come to mind. Inconsolable. It was like a fever dream. Something in me broke, or I think I realized something was missing. The //hatred.// All that hatred is quite the motivator. And then it was gone." O5-1 looked into Coda's eyes and said, "Looking at you is the second time I've ever wept." Sanity was never Coda's strong suit. She needed a tough outer shell to work in her profession, but all it took was a series of personal tragedies to permanently misalign her mind in a clusterfuck of disaster. With the vodka clutched in her hands, knuckles whitening, she began to feel tears fall down her face. Suddenly she felt an anchor, sheening metal and smooth skin: O5-1's hand gripping hers. She held onto it for lack of anything better and let herself barrel down into the deep black pit that lingered under her, if only for a moment. It wasn't drinking together. It felt more like she was body-doubling her self-medication. The bottle of gin soon died, and it made a playful rattle when it hit the ground. Another followed it, and this one was a dark-brown whiskey of a local vint. Then they stopped using glasses altogether, instead drinking as much as each could before relinquishing the bottle with a sensual gasp and thrusting it into the hands of the other. Coda floated on a sea of comfortable nothing. "We are..." Her lips tripped over slippery words, "//so// drunk right now." //Why did I choose to get absolutely shit-faced? The timing's inappropriate.// She covered her mouth with her wrist. //Unless there is something I'm trying to work out?// She shrugged, then pointed at O5-1. "//You// are all mouth and no hands. If I bit you, would it be blood or nougat in my mouth?" O5-1 snorted. "The fuck are you talking about?" "What you said, about how you'd kill me," She dragged a finger in front of her throat for emphasis. "It's ridiculous. Coalition executives are as hard to kill as Foundation Overseers are. It would require the intelligence breach of the literal //millennium// just to get anywhere close to my bedroom, let alone do the rest of the stuff you said." "It's just spitballing, you //bitch//." O5-1 had a way of throwing that word around so it sounded almost complimentary. "Why you hung up on it?" "What you described was just so..." She fished for the right word, "//Intimate.//" "Murder between friends ought to be." O5-1 sank his face into his hands. "Do you know..." His hands slid from his face onto the table, "//You// are my best friend?" "That's rather pathetic, 'One." Coda's nostril flared as though she really had smelled something foul, "Considering we're not friends." "You can't talk shit, Coda," O5-1 hiccuped, "You don't have any friends." "No. No! Absolutely no friends," Coda threw her head back and cackled. "No, I don't." She crossed one leg over the other and stared O5-1 dead in the eye. "When did you realize nobody was ever going to love you?" O5-1's eyes started to water as his brain swam through oceans of lost time, his heart thumping like mad. "You know how, when you're a child, you stare at yourself in the mirror and wonder how much you can do to make your mother love you?" "Takes me back," Coda's affected a tone of feigned nostalgia, "Takes me //way// back." "Even though she's a manipulative bitch. Even though she puts all the pressure on you to marry the man she thinks you want. And you can try as hard as you want, but the trying only aggravates her more. Then, one day, she does something that makes it clear that wasn't gonna happen. Something with a knife." O5-1 leaned back and burped. "Learning curves, am I right?" "Yeah..." She felt a warm presence on her hand-it was O5-1's, blanketing hers. Comforting. Safe. From the start of their brief acquaintance, she wondered why someone would care for her so deeply, offer her the world for pittance in return. The moment his hand touched hers, she figured it out. //That piece of shit.// + Chapter 4: Sangre por Sangre "Can I ask you a question?" The fuzziness departed her voice. Coda //could// hold her liquor when the situation warranted. "Anything." "This plan of yours...there's a bit of a complication." Instead of surprise, O5-1 grinned, a look of effusive pride. "Let's hear it." "Say I went through with this and massacred your council. You're the last man standing. Then you kill the Administrator, assuming you can." O5-1 pounded his chest. "I will beat the //brakes// off that Oxbridge swine." "And then you make peace with us—assuming you're true to your word, which is at best a calculated gamble," Coda said. In response, O5-1 shrugged, and made a see-saw motion with his hand, "And to make the peace stick, you'd probably have to offer incredibly humiliating peace terms. The Coalition would become a Foundation vassal." "Probably." "How would that look to the //rest// of the Foundation?" O5-1 leaned forward over the table. "I imagine they would think I was the biggest bitch on the Council since Kain brought his girlfriend to work." "It would look very much like you sold out." "Indeed." O5-1 said. "The only way you could sell this is if you retaliated in a proportional way." "Getting warmer." "And..." Coda tried to keep her face straight and her breathing constant, but it was getting increasingly difficult for her, "There's no guarantee that the Council would accept this peace deal anyways. They might consider your coup an opportunity to strike first with even greater advantages." "Fucking right. They would be bitches //not to.//" "You must kill the Council of 108 to have a hope of stopping the war your way." Coda's jaw dropped. "You need me to help you kill my colleagues for //peace.//" O5-1 looked like he was about to burst into laughter. "Yeah, how about that?" He seemed utterly oblivious to the sarcasm dripping from her voice. "Uh huh," Coda felt her jaw drop. She could feel grief, horror, terror-something about the full scope of O5-1's intentions made everything that transpired before feel like even more of a manipulation, more of a betrayal. He was the same as everyone else in her life, seeing her weakness and alienating her from her nature. She struggled to keep the rage out of her voice. "You're saying the only way your 'peace-plan' can work is if //I// give you the kill-intel on my colleagues as well." "Top marks. Strangers on a Train." "Okay, O5-1, I see your proposal. I understand its merits. I have a counter-offer." She pointed to the door. "Get out." She imagined someone clawing in the air after losing their grip on a cliff. O5-1 scowled. "What the fuck? I thought we were making progress!" "You let me think all I had to do was help you execute a coup. What if I //hadn't// figured this part out until it was too late? Were you counting on me to be so desperate I'd be more willing to kill my people for you? "You were already desperate enough to meet me. And I to talk to you. I want us both on the same page!" "So when was I to be briefed on the full strategy? Would it be after you'd gotten me inebriated?" "Don't be absurd!." Did you see my crying as your 'in,' or was I not debased enough for you? Please, give me some answer that doesn't insult my intelligence—" "Don't insult my integrity!" "The man plotting a double purge in the middle of a peace negotiation is talking to me about integrity." "//Your// organization treats genocide like a business. //Ours// is a fucking concentration camp on a global scale! These fifty-four twats are a rounding error! Where do you get off judging me?" "I have my honor to consider, 'One. Without it, I'm just some queer with a professional sugar-daddy and a lot of luck." "Your life has value, period. You don't need Al-Fine or anyone' stamp of approval—" Coda wanted to pull her hair out. //He is just not getting it!// "I am //done// with you lecturing me about my life-choices! It's no longer in your portfolio! Stop talking about me!" "I don't understand. Why would you throw in with a gang of psychopaths who are already planning to destroy everything you've built?" "What's the alternative?" She noticed O5-1's expectant expression. "//You?// As you? You're kidding me! You think //we// could ever be a team together? We're practically different species." "We..." O5-1's voice cracked, and she heard a snapping sound as O5-1's hands gripped the table so hard the wood gave way under the pressure. "We //are// alike! I told you those things about me—" "You think some developmental trauma makes us kin?" She looked at him head to toe. "Do you blame this rigamarole on your mommy, too, or was I supposed to be her stand-in?" "What was any of this?." O5-1's voice training fell apart as it warbled between two different pitches, like O5-1's past and present flesh were wrestling for control of his mouth. "You cried in front of me. We drank together. I told you things about myself I haven't told //anyone// in years! Doesn't that mean anything to you?" "What you are," Coda spoke delicately more to ensure each syllable cut as deep as it could, "is an emotional handkerchief. Our little heart-to-heart? That was entirely me vetting your stupid proposal because I //knew// it stunk. We have no connection. I could have //paid// for what I got from you." The hiss that emerged from O5-1 could have come from a drop of water on a coal-fire: "You //bitch.//" Few words in the English language could truly make Coda experience true murderous intent, and that was one of them. Since physical extermination would only serve to prove O5-1's fundamental thesis, she went for the emotional variety. "Do you think you intimidate me? Run off and find a coed to stalk, Norma Bates!" O5-1 let out a howl that sounded like a 'WOAH' shot out of his chair and dragged it behind him as he stormed within inches of DC Al-Fine. "So läuft das also[[footnote]] German, idiomatically, "Oh, it's like that, huh?[[/footnote]]? So läuft das also?" DC Al-Fine stayed still, unmoved. "Sit down and be quiet, boy. There's nothing tough about you!" "So läuft das also?" She spat on the ground, "Your impotence makes me like our chances." He got within a millimeter of her face. She could smell his breath of mint and oak-barrel aged liquor. "What's that augmentation in your eye? Anderson robotics? I'll rip that thing out and shove it down your boss's dick-shaped throat!" In moments like these, Coda's body would feel numb. She considered it her most prized asset. "You were a bed-wetter, weren't you?" Coda chuckled. "I think I found why the 'Norma Bates' thing ticks you off." O5-1 replied to this crack by throwing the table at the wall behind DC Al-Fine. "Is that all you got?" Coda's voice shook with rage. "I bet you my father hit me harder than you ever could. I bet your mother hit //you// harder than you ever could. You—" Then Coda stopped talking altogether. What use was it to continue talking? There was nothing left to say. "Why?" O5-1 sounded confused. "You are a Coalition executive, yet they treat you like a glorified intern, //and you know why.// You gamble whether you join me or them, because whether they execute you for the sabotage or you die in their war! And if they win? They will have no use for a try-hard queer, not in the world they want! Why?" She could not argue with him on the merits. And he would not understand if she tried explaining to him what duty meant. //We both stare at the abyss, but he blinked.// "Coda. Why?" Then again, on the merits, he was utterly untrustworthy. "Coda, talk to me!" So Coda did not say anything more. She smiled. O5-1 crumpled to the ground, sitting cross-legged as if he was a child being chastised by a parent. His mouth opened a few times, as if to speak, but instead he leaned back on his elbows and looked at Coda's serene expression. She had the impression of a fire having burned itself out. The tranquility was split in twain by the piercing siren erupting from the pager on Coda's uniform. There was a lot of urgent text in all caps, but only one conclusion: The Coalition was activating Pizzicato. "Petra!" Coda pulled out the phone and dialed the IT nexus. No response. She dialed her office. No response. "Wait, excuse me?" O5-1 got to his feet with a grunt. "An Occult War has effectively broken out, your life's work is in flames, and you're worried about your //secretary//?" "Yes," Coda jumped out of her chair and checked her side-arm. "Because one, if she's been detained, I'm next before long. And two, I'm not much good to anyone at this rate." "You are a fucking hypocrite." O5-1 shook his head, but his voice suggested something like grudging admiration. Her phone buzzed and she answered it. "Petra?" "Hi, Boss." Her voice sounded uneven and dreamy, almost drugged. "What's going on?" "You probably heard by now. They disengaged Fire Suppression and did the war vote without you." "Naturally." If they did that, they probably knew it was sabotage. "How did you get out?" "Truthfully, I started running the moment they locked down the IT Nexus. Might have used one of your guns to shoot my way out." "Where are y—" "I don't actually have a family." "What?" "That was just something I said during our interview to get sympathy points. I've got a girlfriend, was going to spend my last hours with her." "Petra, what are you talking about?" "Sorry! Blood-loss does funny things to your train of thought..." "//Petra!//" //Keep it together, Coda, you're no use to her falling to pieces.// "Petra, Petra, stay with me! What happened?" "They winged me. They're looking for me, just wanted to warn you and, uh, I'm going to try to find a spot to bleed out so they don't find my body. If you wouldn't mind coming to this address..." Petra rattled it off, "sniffing around, you'll find me. I don't care if it's haram, cremate my body. I'm too vain to decompose..." "//Petra!//" There was a click. Coda threw the phone and threw her own chair on the ground. "//Fuck!//" O5-1 placed a hand on Coda's shoulder. "Listen to me very carefully, Coda: You are the dumbest, boot-fucked bleeding heart I think I've met at this level of organizational politics." "Get your hand off of me—" Coda wrenched her shoulder away from him and checked her side-arm for a bullet in the chamber. "—and holy //fuck//, I love it. Now, the streets of Bergen are flooded with soldiers. They will assume Petra was acting under your orders and sack you, and it is //quite the walk// to where your underboss is holed up." "It'll take some time for them to carry it out, longer for the paperwork to process." Coda ran a quick inventory on the Occult and augmented weaponry secreted throughout her body, did the magical equivalent of musical scales with her tactical and strategic spells. "In any event, saving my people and helping you kill them are two very different propositions." //At least I can do some good before I go.// Anxiety, dread, but also some sense of pride swelled in her heart. Contrary to O5-1's belief, she hadn't sold out //everything.// "That insufferable title of yours." O5-1 let out a small "//Oh,//" as though struck by an epiphany, "I think I have just the cure for your mental malady." O5-1 tsk-tsked, then picked up the cell phone and dialed a number. She heard the voice of D.C. Al-Fine's assistant Akechi Kaya. "Please state your authorization code or prepare to be terminated—" "Akechi, this is Erlkönig." "Authenticate." "Protest ist, wenn ich sage, das und das passt mir nicht. Widerstand ist, wenn ich dafür sorge, dass das, was mir nicht passt, nicht länger geschieht. [[footnote]] German, quote attributed to Ulrike Meinhof, idiomatic translation: "Protest is when one says 'this has to stop'. Resistance is when you make it stop."[[/footnote]] "It's been a while, Erlkönig." "Execute Fall Gericht, Codeword, Downfall. Yes, on my unilateral authority." O5-1 hung up, then snapped the phone in half. "What...what was that?" "You know, back in the day, when someone got syphilis, and it advanced too far, they'd actually infect the patient with malaria? The idea was, the malaria would inflict the safest survivable fever that could burn out the syphillis, and presumably anybody would rather suffer that than their brain rotting." O5-1 withdrew a pocket-watch from what was left of his coat. "It's //the// staple example we give junior staff so they understand why the Hippocratic Oath isn't in our line of work. To heal, sometimes you need to harm others." "What?" "Fortunately, it's not you who is getting the malaria." D.C. Al-Fine's voice blared from the pocket-watch. "Yes, we've got that limp-wristed dove dead to rights on sabotage. The moment we've got weapons release, I want...I want...my nose is running like a...tlaon faucet right now...somebody hand me a..." There was a general commotion of by-standards, a sound like a bag of potatoes dropping to the ground, a noise Coda could identify as the gurgling of a man choking on his blood, then a loud wet pop and a chorus of screams. O5-1 closed the watch and tucked it back into his suit, patting it for good measure. Coda screamed. "What...what did you just do? //You// had the kill-intel on D.C. Al-Fine this entire time?" "I had something better. A job referral from a friend on the inside." O5-1 looked at Coda meaningfully and laughed. "What are you talking about?!" Her brain was a howling, keening mess. Coda's ears ached as her pager screamed again. Pulling it out of her pocket again, she saw just one sentence that made her blood freeze: "D.C. Al-Fine medically unfit to assume duties. Line of Succession protocol activated. Coda elevated to acting-D.C. Al-Fine, please-" She dropped her pager, collapsed to her knees, then buried her mouth in her wrist and screamed into her skin, and even though her teeth broke her skin, the pain wasn't nearly loud enough. Then, the news caught up with her stomach, and she threw up into the aged wood at her feet and screamed. //Everything's lost. It is all lost. There's no running from it and no fixing it. What now? What now?"// She heard him clear his throat behind her. "O5-1, I'm giving you thirty seconds to withdraw, or I will drop you where you stand." There was the creak of floorboards and the familiar weight of O5-1's arm cradling Coda's shoulder, and this time she neither leaned into the embrace nor shook him off. His hot breath tickled her ear. She couldn't tell if the tone of his whisper was triumphant or apologetic. The words he spoke were too impossible for her to pay heed to such nuances. "Enough with the formalities, Diana," O5-1 took her hand and folded it in his. "Call me Johan." [[footnoteblock]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=FleshMaddAvalon and Nonacherontia]] > Name: 0h6GJW4.png > Author: [[user Olympic Error]] > License:* CC BY 3.0 > Source Link: [https://imgur.com/0h6GJW4 imgur] > > This image is a composite of: > > Name: AK47 icon > Author: Skoll > License: CC BY 3.0 > Source Link: [https://game-icons.net/1x1/skoll/ak47.html Game Icons] > > Name: Heart burn icon > Author: Lorc > License: CC BY 3.0 > Source Link: [https://game-icons.net/1x1/lorc/heartburn.html Game Icons] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-08-24T22:07:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "absurdism", "action", "alternate-history", "bittersweet", "black-comedy", "dc-al-fine", "dystopian", "global-occult-coalition", "lgbtq", "reviewers-spotlight", "tale" ]	Possible Kill Screen - SCP Foundation	30	[ "possible-kill-screen#toc0", "possible-kill-screen#toc1", "possible-kill-screen#toc2", "possible-kill-screen#toc3", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "reviewers-spotlight-archive-ii", "goc-hub-page" ]	[]	1456563553	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/possible-kill-screen
pridemonth	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="sign"> <p>A <span class="ature"><a href="https://twitter.com/rounderhouse">ROUNDERHOUSE</a></span> Joint</p> </div> <div class="info-container"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div> <p>Coming Soon - Rounderhouse</p> </div> <hr/> <div id="u-author_block"> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scp-wiki.net/rounderhouse-s-author-page">▸ More by this Author ◂</a></p> </div> <hr/> <div id="u-comments2" style="display: none;"> <p>{$comments2}</p> </div> <div class="u-faq"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">F.A.Q.</a></p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <p>{$doesthisfixthebug}</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="background: white; border: 3px solid black; color: black; padding: 1rem;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span><span class="gay">INCLUSIVITY INCENTIVES</span></span></h1> </div> <br/> TO ALL SITE DIRECTORS — This month, Overwatch Command has made it a priority to honor Foundation employees who are members of the LGBT community! As such, we strongly suggest directors plan a small event outside of work hours to engage with their LGBT staffers and remind them that regardless of sex, gender, or orientation, we are all united in the mission of containment and normalcy. Let’s highlight some of the directors who have gone above and beyond in this goal. <ul> <li>Director Abrams, Site-55: Hosted a pizza party with her staffers!</li> <li>Director Lague, Site-322: Hosted a public ceremony in which he awarded LGBT personnel at his site with a ‘Certificate of Normalcy’ to reassure them that they were ‘normal’. (Director Lague later acknowledged his regret of this incident, and voluntarily registered for sensitivity training.)</li> <li>Director Huang, Site-14: Hosted a pizza party with her staffers!</li> </ul> </div> <p>The sun had barely risen on the Las Vegas strip, and Director House was already regretting waking up. He scrolled on his monitor, grumbled into his “#1 SITE DIRECTOR” mug, and flicked the remote to close the curtains in his office. The daily onslaught of e-mails from the Foundation’s intranet system was a cavalcade of needless updates for projects he had no involvement in, invitations to conferences he had never heard of, and general whackery. This was a prime example of the third category — he had a job to do, dammit. He couldn’t be wasting his time with boondoggles like this, and moved to send it to his trash—</p> <div style="background: white; border: 3px solid black; color: black; padding: 1rem;"> <p>As a reminder, sites that go above and beyond in the mission of accommodating and respecting their LGBT staff members will be prioritized in the next fiscal year for a bonus to their operating budget, up to $50,000. Their directors will also be granted a ‘diversity bonus’ to their salary, of up to $2,000 for every member of personnel that scores above a 3 on the Kinsey Scale.</p> </div> <br/> House snatched the phone off his desk, poking the numbers in. <p>“Sterling?”</p> <p>“Boss?”</p> <p>“I need you to find me at least ten gay people.”</p> <p>“Did you try looking in the mir—”</p> <hr/> <p>Las Vegas in the summer is one large oven, concrete streets baking in the sun. Placed squarely in the middle of the Mojave desert by the act of an angry and vengeful god, one doesn’t even need to cross over to the other side to feel like they’ve died and gone to hell.</p> <p>Thankfully, Site-666 has air-conditioning.</p> <p>“You alright there, Overseer?” House asked, looking at the far side of the elevator.</p> <p>O5-9 was sweating like a pig, damp suit shirt stuck to her skin. House was also sweating, but that had more to do with the large, bulky, besuited armed guards filling the elevator. He could feel one of their guns jamming into his thigh. He hoped it was a gun, anyway.</p> <p>“Fine. The A/C on the plane wasn’t functioning properly.”</p> <p><em>“Functioning properly”. Who the hell talks like that? Why are these guys always some kind of freak?</em></p> <p>Before he could inspect her skin for scales, the elevator slowed to a halt with a soft <em>ding</em>. The group filed out. House straightened his rumpled suit jacket, then looked up as a shadow fell over the group.</p> <p>“Oh, hey Calendar. Meet our new friends.”</p> <p>“Hi, boss.”</p> <p>The demoness was big enough that even the Overseer’s bodybuilding-reject security team only came up to her shoulders. They seemed a little concerned about that fact. That, or the red skin and wickedly-sharp horns protruding from her white hair.</p> <p>She stuck a massive clawed hand out, chipper as wood.</p> <p>“Hi, tiny people!”</p> <p>O5-9 reached up gingerly and shook her hand. For no reason, House was reminded of a baby grasping an adult’s finger.</p> <p>“Your hand is sweaty!” Calendar helpfully pointed out.</p> <p>“Uh, yes. Yes… thank you,” the Overseer muttered.</p> <p>House tried to hide his glee from winning the bodyguard-measuring contest that only he was participating in. He didn’t try very hard, clapping Calendar on the shoulder. Or he would’ve, if he could reach her. Instead he settled for awkwardly clapping her on the mid-back.</p> <p>“Yeah, this is Agent Calendar. Wrath demon. My adjutant, bodyguard, aide, whatever. She’s my right hand around here, and she’s— Calendar, where’s your flag?”</p> <p>She stared blankly down at him.</p> <p>“The flag, Calendar.”</p> <p>“Oh!”</p> <p>She reached into the pocket of her suit (custom-ordered from Shaq’s tailor) and pulled out what might’ve once been a tiny rainbow flag on a plastic flagpole. Now, it was a rumpled scrap of fabric nestled amongst shards of crushed plastic.</p> <p>“Awh,” she said sadly.</p> <p>“It’s— it’s fine, just— just get down here—” House snatched the flag and pulled her down, wrapping the flag around the tip of her left horn. It drooped pathetically.</p> <p>He offered a strained smile to the Overseer. “Yeah, we love Calendar around here. She’s— well, we’re not really sure what she is. Calendar, what do you like again?”</p> <p>“Fighting.”</p> <p>“Yeah, but like, who are you attracted to?”</p> <p>She thought about it for a moment. “People who can take me in a fight,” she offered helpfully.</p> <p>“I— sure, whatever. I’ve never seen her make any distinctions on the gender of people she beats up, so call that whatever you want.”</p> <p>O5-9 looked unimpressed. House hastily shoved Calendar back up.</p> <p>“Alright! Onwards with the tour!”</p> <p>The group took off down the hallway. Site-666 sat atop a labyrinth of containment chambers, research labs, dormitories, armories, and more than a few speakeasies. The red carpet and gold accents made it feel more like the hotel above than an underground military base.</p> <p>“So, Overseer, can I ask what about my report merited a personal visit from a member of the Council?”</p> <p>She gave him a side-eye. “Your report indicated you had almost two hundred percent more openly-LGBT personnel at your site than any other facility, Director House. That’s a remarkable anomaly.”</p> <p>“Anomaly?”</p> <p>“That was a joke. You may laugh.”</p> <p>House did, fakely. “Yeah, well,” he started, waving at the small group of researchers passing by. They had small rainbow pins attached to the lapels of their labcoats. “It’s Vegas, right? I don’t think we have a site in San Francisco, so if it’s gonna be anywhere, it’ll be here.” He tossed a look backward at the researchers they’d just passed. They were lined up expectantly while Calendar gave them each ten dollars from his wallet. House grimaced.</p> <p>“I’m told a number of your senior staff are also openly queer.”</p> <p>“Well, they’re definitely a little weird.”</p> <p>“What?”</p> <p>“Oh, you meant— oh! Yeah, no, yeah. We’ve got a bunch of em.” He looked at her as he led them into a doorway. “This is our Chief Demonologist, Dr. Contessa Thorner.” He turned.</p> <p>Thorner was hunched over her lab table like a feral owl, surrounded by candles and reading from an ominous-looking tome. A small gaggle of grad students were kneeling by the base of the table, foreheads pressed to the floor. House looked at Thorner. Thorner looked at House. They both looked at O5-9. O5-9 looked at the grad students.</p> <p>“Hi, Tess.”</p> <p>She climbed off the lab table and mustered herself up to her full height of four and a half feet. “Director. You did not inform me I would have company.”</p> <p>“It was a bit of a sudden thing. But, uh, yeah! This is our most senior demonologist, Dr. Contessa Thorner. More PhDs than some people have limbs. She’s also proudly and openly asexual!”</p> <p>“No, I’m not,” she said, patting the head of one of her grad students.</p> <p>“What?” House started.</p> <p>“Yes, what?” O5-9 asked, narrowing her eyes.</p> <p>“I’m a lesbian.”</p> <p>“Oh.” House relaxed. “Oh, yeah. That’s cool too.” Then he noticed all of the grad students surrounding her were women. “Wait, is this— actually, uh, I think let’s leave. You know lesbians.”</p> <p>“What do you mean by that?” O5-9 asked him as they left the lab.</p> <p>“They love their… rituals?” he finished lamely. She seemed to accept the answer, thankfully. They’d barely started walking again when a blur of red hair ran full-tilt around a corner, slamming into one of the Overseer’s bodyguards.</p> <p>“This is Alice Sterling, my exceedingly competent security chief,” House said, peeling her off the floor and helping her up. She rubbed her head, wincing.</p> <p>“Sorry I’m late. I was dealing with — a thing.”</p> <p>“No worries! No problem at all. You know me, I’m just, so happy to accommodate my staff,” he said with a strained smile, patting her shoulder.</p> <p>O5-9 looked her up and down. She saw the red hair tied into a bun, speared with a pencil. She saw the jeans and blazer over a plain white shirt, shoulder holster hidden underneath. She noticed the dog tags around her neck, and the carabiner of keys jangling on her belt.</p> <p>“So this one’s a lesbian, right?”</p> <p>Sterling blinked.</p> <p>“What? No. No, I’m straight.”</p> <p>O5-9 squinted. “Really?”</p> <p>“Yeah, really!”</p> <p>“Huh.”</p> <p>House leaned over. “Yeah, she’s one of the very, very few straight people here. What a fuckin’ weirdo, right?” He turned back. “Anyway, aren’t you supposed to be supervising the inclusivity seminar?”</p> <p>O5-9 cut him off. “I admit, I’m a little surprised you delegated the task, Director House. You’re one of the few openly-gay site directors; you don’t think the staff would benefit from you leading the discussion?”</p> <p>He stared at her. “I’m what?”</p> <p>She turned to him, confused. “You said in your report that your site was one of the few in the Foundation with an openly gay director. That’s part of the reason we were considering you for the budget bonus. You wrote that report yourself, yes?”</p> <p>He looked over her shoulder at Sterling, who was smiling pleasantly. He returned her the most hate-filled smile he could manage before answering the Overseer.</p> <p>“Yeah, I just, love men, you know? Men, man. Can’t get enough of them. They’re one of my favorite things — along with wearing Doc Martens and—“ House eyed Sterling “…doing poppers at raves? Raves with other men, which I love.”</p> <p>“Also you can fight them!” Calendar pointed out.</p> <p>“That’s a very good point, Calendar.”</p> <p>O5-9 turned away, and House shot Sterling a look that could curdle milk. They started walking again, coming up to the door of the conference room.</p> <p>“But, uh, I was just busy preparing for your visit, so I couldn’t lead. I delegated it to Sterling, who…”</p> <p>“Yeah, I also had to run out and take care of a… very important security crisis. So I delegated it to Clark.”</p> <p>House’s eyes widened as they passed into the conference room.</p> <p>“You did <em>what?</em>”</p> <p>The conference room was completely empty. A single rainbow banner hung from the far wall, “WELCOME GAYS” spelled out underneath it. There was a cake on the table.</p> <p>“I’m confused, Director.” O5-9 said.</p> <p>“I’m… sure they’re just running late! Sterling, call Clark. Now.”</p> <p>She already had the phone ringing, putting it up to her ear and whisper-shouting.</p> <p>“Clark? Where the hell are you?”</p> <hr/> <p>Clark pulled the phone away from his ear, pressing a hand over it. He looked around.</p> <p>He was in a suburb of Vegas — or something that resembled a suburb of Vegas, save for the cragged cave ceiling high overhead, the omnipresent red hue and odor of brimstone, and the fact that all of the perfectly-dressed families wandering around the cookie-cutter starter houses, trimming their hedges, mowing their lawns, and collecting their mail had big, ontologically-evil smiles plastered across their demonic faces.</p> <p>Actually, he reflected, that last part wasn’t really out of place in Vegas or here: Ivory Towers, the quarter of Undervegas occupied by Conceit-class demons; expats from the Pride circle of Hell.</p> <p>He thought for a moment. Then he put the phone back up to his ear.</p> <p>“What did you say pride month was again?”</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/pridemonth">PRI(DEMON)TH</a>" by Rounderhouse, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/pridemonth">https://scpwiki.com/pridemonth</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/more-by:rounderhouse">:scp-wiki:more-by:rounderhouse</a> \|color=rgb(var(--dark-accent)) ]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">:scp-wiki:component:info-ayers</a> \|lang=en[!-- EN/RU/KO/CN/FR/PL/ES/TH/JP/DE/IT/UA/PTBR --] \|page=pridemonth[!-- url of your page on the scp wiki --] \|authorPage=http://www.scp-wiki.net/rounderhouse-s-author-page[!-- link to your author page --] \|comments= Coming Soon - Rounderhouse ]] [[=]] [[module Rate]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:rso">:scp-wiki:component:rso</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:highroller">:scp-wiki:theme:highroller</a>]] [[module CSS]] .info-container{ --barColour: rgb(var(--dark-accent)); --linkColour: rgb(var(--bright-accent)); } .sign { color: white; } .ature, .ature a, .ature a:visited { color: rgb(var(--bright-accent)); } .gay { background: linear-gradient(to right, #ef5350, #f48fb1, #7e57c2, #2196f3, #26c6da, #43a047, #eeff41, #f9a825, #ff5722); -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; } [[/module]] [[div style="background: white; border: 3px solid black; color: black; padding: 1rem;"]] [[=]] + [[span class="gay"]]INCLUSIVITY INCENTIVES[[/span]] [[/=]] TO ALL SITE DIRECTORS — This month, Overwatch Command has made it a priority to honor Foundation employees who are members of the LGBT community! As such, we strongly suggest directors plan a small event outside of work hours to engage with their LGBT staffers and remind them that regardless of sex, gender, or orientation, we are all united in the mission of containment and normalcy. Let’s highlight some of the directors who have gone above and beyond in this goal. * Director Abrams, Site-55: Hosted a pizza party with her staffers! * Director Lague, Site-322: Hosted a public ceremony in which he awarded LGBT personnel at his site with a ‘Certificate of Normalcy’ to reassure them that they were ‘normal’. (Director Lague later acknowledged his regret of this incident, and voluntarily registered for sensitivity training.) * Director Huang, Site-14: Hosted a pizza party with her staffers! [[/div]] The sun had barely risen on the Las Vegas strip, and Director House was already regretting waking up. He scrolled on his monitor, grumbled into his “#1 SITE DIRECTOR” mug, and flicked the remote to close the curtains in his office. The daily onslaught of e-mails from the Foundation’s intranet system was a cavalcade of needless updates for projects he had no involvement in, invitations to conferences he had never heard of, and general whackery. This was a prime example of the third category — he had a job to do, dammit. He couldn’t be wasting his time with boondoggles like this, and moved to send it to his trash-- [[div style="background: white; border: 3px solid black; color: black; padding: 1rem;"]] As a reminder, sites that go above and beyond in the mission of accommodating and respecting their LGBT staff members will be prioritized in the next fiscal year for a bonus to their operating budget, up to $50,000. Their directors will also be granted a ‘diversity bonus’ to their salary, of up to $2,000 for every member of personnel that scores above a 3 on the Kinsey Scale. [[/div]] House snatched the phone off his desk, poking the numbers in. “Sterling?” “Boss?” “I need you to find me at least ten gay people.” “Did you try looking in the mir—” ---- Las Vegas in the summer is one large oven, concrete streets baking in the sun. Placed squarely in the middle of the Mojave desert by the act of an angry and vengeful god, one doesn’t even need to cross over to the other side to feel like they’ve died and gone to hell. Thankfully, Site-666 has air-conditioning. “You alright there, Overseer?” House asked, looking at the far side of the elevator. O5-9 was sweating like a pig, damp suit shirt stuck to her skin. House was also sweating, but that had more to do with the large, bulky, besuited armed guards filling the elevator. He could feel one of their guns jamming into his thigh. He hoped it was a gun, anyway. “Fine. The A/C on the plane wasn’t functioning properly.” //“Functioning properly”. Who the hell talks like that? Why are these guys always some kind of freak?// Before he could inspect her skin for scales, the elevator slowed to a halt with a soft //ding//. The group filed out. House straightened his rumpled suit jacket, then looked up as a shadow fell over the group. “Oh, hey Calendar. Meet our new friends.” “Hi, boss.” The demoness was big enough that even the Overseer’s bodybuilding-reject security team only came up to her shoulders. They seemed a little concerned about that fact. That, or the red skin and wickedly-sharp horns protruding from her white hair. She stuck a massive clawed hand out, chipper as wood. “Hi, tiny people!” O5-9 reached up gingerly and shook her hand. For no reason, House was reminded of a baby grasping an adult’s finger. “Your hand is sweaty!” Calendar helpfully pointed out. “Uh, yes. Yes… thank you,” the Overseer muttered. House tried to hide his glee from winning the bodyguard-measuring contest that only he was participating in. He didn’t try very hard, clapping Calendar on the shoulder. Or he would’ve, if he could reach her. Instead he settled for awkwardly clapping her on the mid-back. “Yeah, this is Agent Calendar. Wrath demon. My adjutant, bodyguard, aide, whatever. She’s my right hand around here, and she’s— Calendar, where’s your flag?” She stared blankly down at him. “The flag, Calendar.” “Oh!” She reached into the pocket of her suit (custom-ordered from Shaq’s tailor) and pulled out what might’ve once been a tiny rainbow flag on a plastic flagpole. Now, it was a rumpled scrap of fabric nestled amongst shards of crushed plastic. “Awh,” she said sadly. “It’s— it’s fine, just— just get down here—” House snatched the flag and pulled her down, wrapping the flag around the tip of her left horn. It drooped pathetically. He offered a strained smile to the Overseer. “Yeah, we love Calendar around here. She’s— well, we’re not really sure what she is. Calendar, what do you like again?” “Fighting.” “Yeah, but like, who are you attracted to?” She thought about it for a moment. “People who can take me in a fight,” she offered helpfully. “I— sure, whatever. I’ve never seen her make any distinctions on the gender of people she beats up, so call that whatever you want.” O5-9 looked unimpressed. House hastily shoved Calendar back up. “Alright! Onwards with the tour!” The group took off down the hallway. Site-666 sat atop a labyrinth of containment chambers, research labs, dormitories, armories, and more than a few speakeasies. The red carpet and gold accents made it feel more like the hotel above than an underground military base. “So, Overseer, can I ask what about my report merited a personal visit from a member of the Council?” She gave him a side-eye. “Your report indicated you had almost two hundred percent more openly-LGBT personnel at your site than any other facility, Director House. That’s a remarkable anomaly.” “Anomaly?” “That was a joke. You may laugh.” House did, fakely. “Yeah, well,” he started, waving at the small group of researchers passing by. They had small rainbow pins attached to the lapels of their labcoats. “It’s Vegas, right? I don’t think we have a site in San Francisco, so if it’s gonna be anywhere, it’ll be here.” He tossed a look backward at the researchers they’d just passed. They were lined up expectantly while Calendar gave them each ten dollars from his wallet. House grimaced. “I’m told a number of your senior staff are also openly queer.” “Well, they’re definitely a little weird.” “What?” “Oh, you meant— oh! Yeah, no, yeah. We’ve got a bunch of em.” He looked at her as he led them into a doorway. “This is our Chief Demonologist, Dr. Contessa Thorner.” He turned. Thorner was hunched over her lab table like a feral owl, surrounded by candles and reading from an ominous-looking tome. A small gaggle of grad students were kneeling by the base of the table, foreheads pressed to the floor. House looked at Thorner. Thorner looked at House. They both looked at O5-9. O5-9 looked at the grad students. “Hi, Tess.” She climbed off the lab table and mustered herself up to her full height of four and a half feet. “Director. You did not inform me I would have company.” “It was a bit of a sudden thing. But, uh, yeah! This is our most senior demonologist, Dr. Contessa Thorner. More PhDs than some people have limbs. She’s also proudly and openly asexual!” “No, I’m not,” she said, patting the head of one of her grad students. “What?” House started. “Yes, what?” O5-9 asked, narrowing her eyes. “I’m a lesbian.” “Oh.” House relaxed. “Oh, yeah. That’s cool too.” Then he noticed all of the grad students surrounding her were women. “Wait, is this— actually, uh, I think let’s leave. You know lesbians.” “What do you mean by that?” O5-9 asked him as they left the lab. “They love their… rituals?” he finished lamely. She seemed to accept the answer, thankfully. They’d barely started walking again when a blur of red hair ran full-tilt around a corner, slamming into one of the Overseer’s bodyguards. “This is Alice Sterling, my exceedingly competent security chief,” House said, peeling her off the floor and helping her up. She rubbed her head, wincing. “Sorry I’m late. I was dealing with — a thing.” “No worries! No problem at all. You know me, I’m just, so happy to accommodate my staff,” he said with a strained smile, patting her shoulder. O5-9 looked her up and down. She saw the red hair tied into a bun, speared with a pencil. She saw the jeans and blazer over a plain white shirt, shoulder holster hidden underneath. She noticed the dog tags around her neck, and the carabiner of keys jangling on her belt. “So this one’s a lesbian, right?” Sterling blinked. “What? No. No, I’m straight.” O5-9 squinted. “Really?” “Yeah, really!” “Huh.” House leaned over. “Yeah, she’s one of the very, very few straight people here. What a fuckin’ weirdo, right?” He turned back. “Anyway, aren’t you supposed to be supervising the inclusivity seminar?” O5-9 cut him off. “I admit, I’m a little surprised you delegated the task, Director House. You’re one of the few openly-gay site directors; you don’t think the staff would benefit from you leading the discussion?” He stared at her. “I’m what?” She turned to him, confused. “You said in your report that your site was one of the few in the Foundation with an openly gay director. That’s part of the reason we were considering you for the budget bonus. You wrote that report yourself, yes?” He looked over her shoulder at Sterling, who was smiling pleasantly. He returned her the most hate-filled smile he could manage before answering the Overseer. “Yeah, I just, love men, you know? Men, man. Can’t get enough of them. They’re one of my favorite things — along with wearing Doc Martens and—“ House eyed Sterling “…doing poppers at raves? Raves with other men, which I love.” “Also you can fight them!” Calendar pointed out. “That’s a very good point, Calendar.” O5-9 turned away, and House shot Sterling a look that could curdle milk. They started walking again, coming up to the door of the conference room. “But, uh, I was just busy preparing for your visit, so I couldn’t lead. I delegated it to Sterling, who…” “Yeah, I also had to run out and take care of a… very important security crisis. So I delegated it to Clark.” House’s eyes widened as they passed into the conference room. “You did //what?//” The conference room was completely empty. A single rainbow banner hung from the far wall, “WELCOME GAYS” spelled out underneath it. There was a cake on the table. “I’m confused, Director.” O5-9 said. “I’m… sure they’re just running late! Sterling, call Clark. Now.” She already had the phone ringing, putting it up to her ear and whisper-shouting. “Clark? Where the hell are you?” ---- Clark pulled the phone away from his ear, pressing a hand over it. He looked around. He was in a suburb of Vegas — or something that resembled a suburb of Vegas, save for the cragged cave ceiling high overhead, the omnipresent red hue and odor of brimstone, and the fact that all of the perfectly-dressed families wandering around the cookie-cutter starter houses, trimming their hedges, mowing their lawns, and collecting their mail had big, ontologically-evil smiles plastered across their demonic faces. Actually, he reflected, that last part wasn’t really out of place in Vegas or here: Ivory Towers, the quarter of Undervegas occupied by Conceit-class demons; expats from the Pride circle of Hell. He thought for a moment. Then he put the phone back up to his ear. “What did you say pride month was again?” [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-06-03T15:43:00	[ "_licensebox", "agent-calendar", "bureaucracy", "comedy", "lgbtq", "pridefest2024", "tale", "undervegas" ]	PRI(DEMON)TH - SCP Foundation	135	[ "component:info-ayers", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "pridefest", "undervegas-hub" ]	[]	1453854110	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pridemonth
project-cerberus	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Foxtrot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2022</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Liryn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">FONTS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Lexend</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@700</span><span class="hl-code">;800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">JetBrains</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Fira</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Code</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@400</span><span class="hl-code">;700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sofia</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">rsms.me</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter.css</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Figtree</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@800</span><span class="hl-code">;900&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">IBM</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Plex</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Core</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-title:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SCP Foundation"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-subtitle:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SECURE, CONTAIN, PROTECT"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_lightmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">darkmode-logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_darkmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">head-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Sans Normalcy'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">ui-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'IBM Plex Sans'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">mono-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira </span><span class="hl-string">Code</span><span class="hl-code">', </span><span class="hl-string">monospace</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Inter', 'verdana'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">base-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Misc</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">subheader-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; 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/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">BetterFootnotes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnColor:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">barColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">linkColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">html</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">scroll-behavior:</span><span class="hl-code"> smooth</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-x:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-rendering:</span><span class="hl-code"> optimizeLegibility</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#content-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">440</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">strong</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tt</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-source</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">pre</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--mono-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ol</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-underline-offset:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> :</span><span class="hl-special">:selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Clicky</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">links</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">patch</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">for</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">sidebar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ayers</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">so</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">doesn</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">t</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">override</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.danger-diamond</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--linkColour) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">900</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">26</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-img) </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">30</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">130</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-opacity)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Search</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">text</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">47</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li.sfhover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.83</span><span class="hl-code">) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">230</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-indent:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.mobile-top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Login</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">19</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> translate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#my-account</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#account-topbutton</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">s ease-in-out</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">rtl</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#interwiki</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.heading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#cfcfcf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">pt</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Blockquotes</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Custom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">dashed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fbfbfb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.quote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.note</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#afafaf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.round</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Titles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footnotes-footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Author</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Label</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.authorlink-wrapper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-top-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-bottom-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-right-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f4f4f4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bfbfbf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Captions</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E0FFD4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDFCD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFCFCF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colored</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">224</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">212</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">226</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">245</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">189</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">223</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">205</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">218</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQ</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">things</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Assets</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">underline</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.7</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.item1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.class1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">woedbar-class-bar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.55</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MISC</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.bt</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#444</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">45</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#7b7b7b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footer-wikiwalk-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">88</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-options-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-watch-options</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">77</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> row</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#5f5f5f</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ecf2f1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#d9d9d9</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "."</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "tags "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.3125</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.625</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.0625</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent)) </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-style:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> ""</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.2813</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-tags-input</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">150</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">table.form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.edit-page-bottomtable</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-comments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "!"</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">115</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "⏲ "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">outline:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-property:</span><span class="hl-code"> box-shadow</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> darkslategrey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(5)></span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">120</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 900</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content-warning.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">21</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.preview-message</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">29</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> drop-shadow(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.error-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">48</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#B00</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2</span><span class="hl-identifier">n</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.05</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> fade </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">fade</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">default</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">155</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F7F7F7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> " "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> loading </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">loading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">360</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.osuccess</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.content</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2)></span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.odialog-shader</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#262a39</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn.btn-primary</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.buttons</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.button</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#eaeaea</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#dbffd6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#005a0a</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#0d951c</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffe1e1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c52727</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c5272e</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#757575</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.hovertip</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.checkbox</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#h-perpage</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">REDUCED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOTION</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACCESSIBILITY</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (prefers-reduced-motion: </span><span class="hl-identifier">reduce</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-iteration-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@MEDIA</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 850</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.8</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 620</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">123</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 520</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { line-height: </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">145</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> }</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="float:left; width: 350px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-left: 10px;"> <div style="color: #25BA2A; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #000000; background:linear-gradient( #000000, #0D2A13); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p>… h… ey… Ch…lie. Hey Bud..y. Hey are you okay there? You took quite the tumble there. Don't worry though: I got the bastards.</p> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"> <div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">...</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="float:left; width: 350px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-left: 10px;"> <div style="color: #25BA2A; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #000000; background:linear-gradient( #000000, #0D2A13); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p>Where we are? In the damn Hell valley is where we are. We got the short straw. Don't you remember?</p> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"> <div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">...</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="float:left; width: 350px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-left: 10px;"> <div style="color: #25BA2A; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #000000; background:linear-gradient( #000000, #0D2A13); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p>Oh… oh. Yeah okay. Wait a second. Okay Scippy tells me you took a proper bonk on the head. It should be okay in a minute though.</p> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"> <div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">...</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="float:left; width: 350px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-left: 10px;"> <div style="color: #25BA2A; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #000000; background:linear-gradient( #000000, #0D2A13); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p>No, no it's fine. We have a minute. Tell you what: I'll see what I can do to fix up your mech and you read up on our mission okay? That should jog your memory.</p> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"> <div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">...</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"> <div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p>Yes, Commander. Loading relevant files…</p> </div> </div> <div> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">You have one (1) new file. Open?</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <hr/> <div style="background: url(http://kaktuskontainer.wdfiles.com/local--files/format-hell/scp_trans.png) bottom center no-repeat; text-align: center; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto; font-size: 20px; padding: 0px;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span><span style="color: black">NOTICE FROM THE OVERSEER COUNCIL</span></span></h2> <p><span style="color: black">On the 22nd of November the Deavite Empire commited unprecedented atrocities on humanity. On that day we failed to secure, to contain and to protect. Your mission is to make sure this never happens again. Take heart, fight hard and guard the gates of hell!<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <strong>Welcome to Project Cerberus.</strong></span></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="image-hover-enlarge scp-image-block block-center" data-feature="image-feature" style="max-width:1800px;"><img alt="Artexchange%20final.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/top-secret-art-exchange-gift/Artexchange%20final.jpg"/><br/> <div class="scp-image-caption show">‘Explosions ripped apart the silence of those reverent heights, lasers screamed and strange magics unveiled things unseen and among that chaos they stood tall: for three days and three nights they fought in the heavens so that we could escape hell. I remember it well, even today. The steel of their machines glinted in the sun by day and in the shine of fire by night and whenever we saw the flashes of their guns we knew that there was yet time. Those few died so that we many might live. Never forget!’ - Khars Rajip, eyewitness of the Battle of Trevor’s Pass, depicted in this painting displayed in UNAIM headquarters. <Hover to Enlarge></div> </div> <br/> <strong>Project Summary:</strong><br/> <br/> Project Cerberus is the designation for all measures aimed at containing the various anomalies that appeared in and around Tibet and the Tarim basin on the 24th of December 2021, collectively known as the Deavite Empire. After that partial TK-Class Causal Restructuring Event took place Project Cereberus was founded. Our primary mission is to prevent an SK-Class Dominance Shift Scenario through open warfare with the Deava while controlling information to prevent a full Broken Masquerade Scenario. Our secondary mission is the negotiation and establishment of a new normalcy and Veil.<br/> <br/> <strong>Project Components:</strong><br/> <br/> <script src="https://d3g0gp89917ko0.cloudfront.net/v--4b961b7cc327/common--javascript/yahooui/tabview-min.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <div class="yui-navset" id="wiki-tabview-0d6e210151c1d83bf7c9438b69ee572c"> <ul class="yui-nav"> <li class="selected"><a href="javascript:;"><em>Operation Pandora's Box</em></a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;"><em>Operation Hephaestus Forge</em></a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;"><em>Operation Red Rider</em></a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;"><em>Operation Eternal Veil</em></a></li> </ul> <div class="yui-content"> <div id="wiki-tab-0-0"> <p>Operation Pandora's Box is a joint task force tasked with reviewing, researching and acquiring advanced technologies of anomalous nature or of anomalous origin for the purposes of determining if and how they can be implemented for the purposes of Project Cerberus. The Operation coordinates with the Hephaestus Forge and Eternal Veil divisions of Project Cereberus on planning and implementing the utilisation of reviewed technologies for weaponization and normalisation respectively.<br/> <br/> Pandora’s Box assembles dossiers on their reviewed technologies. These include: 1. An Implementation-Risk assessment 2. A full Implementation plan. 3. A Costs-Benefits analysis 4. A Scientific or Pseudoscientific explanation. If Project Command approves implementation Pandora’s Box is responsible for coordinating it.</p> </div> <div id="wiki-tab-0-1" style="display:none"> <p>Operation Hephaestus Forge is an engineering project aiming at forging new weapons for the war against the Deava. They are responsible for the Foundation's contribution to the UNAIM Procurement Project and do quality control and stress testing on finished products as well as on anomalous and non-anomalous parts greenlite for use in the ongoing war effort by Pandora's Box.<br/> <br/> Hephaestus Forge does active research to develop new and improve upon existing weapon’s technology, optimise production pipelines and increase the output of MTF specific equipment.<br/> They also provide assistance and training to the maintenance personnel of both Red Rider and the UNAIM force at large.<br/> Additionally, Hephaestus Forge provides technical advice to Project Command in general and our negotiators on the UNAIM Procurement Project board.<br/> Operation Hephaestus Forge has been instrumental in the development of the HACS, our most effective weapon against the Deava to date.</p> </div> <div id="wiki-tab-0-2" style="display:none"> <p>Operation Red Rider is the designation for the Foundations armed mission in the UNAIM exclusion zone. Red Rider utilises all assets available - in particular those produced by Hephaestus Forge - to fullfil all combat missions undertaken by Project Cerberus.<br/> <br/> Red Rider actively plans and executes offensive and defensive operations against the Deavite Empire in close coordination with our allies in the GOC and the UNAIM.<br/> <br/> Red Rider trains and equips SCPF components of the UNAIM forces, provides specialist training to UNAIM forces, and provides the SCPF contingent of UNAIM Command Staff.<br/> <br/> Red Rider advises Project Command on all matters related to the ongoing war against the Deavite Empire.</p> </div> <div id="wiki-tab-0-3" style="display:none"> <p>Operation Eternal Veil is the designation for the ongoing Foundation efforts to control information about the Deava Empire, the war at large, and the technologies introduced by Pandora’s Box in accordance with the New-Normalcy Accords and in close coordination with the UNAIM Information Sanitation Command. To this end Eternal Veil utilises traditional information control methods as well as advanced cyber-technologies, including the first mass-deployment of Foundations AICs.<br/> <br/> SCPF Employees tasked with policing, investigation, and standard containment within the UNAIM exclusion zone are under the command of Eternal Veil.</p> </div> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ OZONE.dom.onDomReady(function(){ var tabView0d6e210151c1d83bf7c9438b69ee572c = new YAHOO.widget.TabView('wiki-tabview-0d6e210151c1d83bf7c9438b69ee572c'); }, "dummy-ondomready-block"); //]]> </script> <p><strong>Project Timeline:</strong><br/> <br/> Date: 24/12/21</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[09:33 EST]</span> GOC Argus ARRAY detects massive ontokinetic activity paired with unprecedented tachyon emissions.<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[09:33 EST]</span> GOC Experimental Reality Stabilisation array LIMIS kicks in.<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[09:34 EST]</span> LIMIS burns out.<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[09:34 EST]</span> RAISA.aic reports a significant reality restructuring event (delta > 0.1 ‰).<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[09:45 EST]</span> OTF Yod-1 reports apparition of greenery in the Tarim Basin.<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[09:57 EST]</span> Emergent Threat Response Command declares a potentially imminent Broken Masquerade Scenario.<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[10:09 EST]</span> ISS CO S. Walker contacts NASA to report the same change.<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[10:15 EST]</span> Foundation Information Control kicks in and takes over coms between Houston and the ISS.<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[10:38 EST]</span> Overwatch Command takes over operations and orders SCPF Space Assets to begin intercepting and hacking all imaging satellites over central Asia.</p> <div class="fade-out"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[11:00 EST]</span> O5-7 is pulled out of a meeting and takes pesonal command.<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[11:14 EST]</span> Overwatch Command puts all sites in Central Asia on high alert.<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[11:29 EST]</span> O5-7 calls an emergency meeting of the O5 council.<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[12:30 EST]</span> GOC recon planes start from Ashvir Air Force Base and head for the affected territories.<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[13:00 EST]</span> Chinese, Indian and Siberian SCPF sites begin mustering MTFs and RTFs; local agents are send in for recon.</p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>It's coming back to you. You are part of Operation Red Rider. You used to be a simple security guard but then…</em></p> </div> <br/> <br/> <div class="fade-in"> <p>Following these attacks the 3rd UNAIM Mountain Warfare Divison was redeployed to the southern front to reinforce the 2nd and 5th Mountain Warfare Division.<br/> Additionally HACS-equipped MTF 'Hectate's Spear' was ordered to begin anti-thaumaturge operations against the Deava Sorceres in Codename BLOOD VALLEY.</p> </div> <strong><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>>Further information restricted LEVEL-4-CERBERUS<<</span></strong><br/> <br/> <strong>Groups of Interest:</strong><br/> <br/> <script src="https://d3g0gp89917ko0.cloudfront.net/v--4b961b7cc327/common--javascript/yahooui/tabview-min.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <div class="yui-navset" id="wiki-tabview-196230adca3c0020c997ebcfa8a8afd3"> <ul class="yui-nav"> <li class="selected"><a href="javascript:;"><em>Active Combatants</em></a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;"><em>Contractors</em></a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;"><em>Oppurtunists</em></a></li> </ul> <div class="yui-content"> <div id="wiki-tab-0-0"> <p>In the course of the war numerous groups of interest have actively participated in the fighting. In the early phase of the war the GOC and Foundation alliance realised that their present forces were insufficient. To stem the tide they turned to the hired guns of the anomalous world.<br/> The <strong>Valravn Corporation</strong>, <strong>A.R.G.U.S. Inc.</strong>, <strong>Cobweb International</strong>, <strong>Mujin-Getsudō-Shū</strong> and <strong>Primordial</strong> were all hired to slow the Deava until the UNAIM was ready to enter the war in force. Since then the services of some of these mercenaries have been retained as special anti-thaumaturgy forces.</p> <p>While the Serpent's Hand in general is loath to work alongside the ‘fascist’ GOC-SCP Alliance and should be counted among the opportunists GOIs, some splinter groups have joined the fight against the ‘greater evil’ of the Deava Empire. Chief among them is the so-called <strong>Serpent’s Fist</strong> whose operatives regularly perform disruptive operations behind the frontlines - presumably from some extra dimensional base.</p> <p>In the same vein, most sarkic cults are more than happy to take advantage of our current, weakened state; some members of the religion see it as their duty to fight their ancient enemy. These carnomancy-enhanced warriors have formed <strong>Ion’s Legion</strong>, a battalion sized unit which is notable for its high motivation and great effectiveness.</p> <p>Finally, various national anomalous armed forces have participated in the war as part of UNAIM. Chief among these is the US’ <strong>PENTAGRAM</strong>.</p> </div> <div id="wiki-tab-0-1" style="display:none"> <p>In the course of Operation Hephaestus Forge, Project Cerberus has - under the cover of the UNAIM Procurement Board and the Siberian Corridor Patrol Force - contracted various anomalous and non-anomalous tech companies. The anomalous technology companies which produce various parts of UNAIM equipment - most notably the HACS - include, among others: <strong>Anderson Robotics</strong>, the various companies formerly under the <strong>Prometheus Labs Inc.</strong> umbrella, <strong>Raptor Tec. Industries</strong>, <strong>Tou-Hei Heavy Industries</strong> and <strong>Szwagier&Szwagier Motorized</strong>.</p> <p>In addition to these industrial contractors, Project Cerberus has, in the course of Operation Pandora's Box, reached out to the various anomalous academic institutes around the world and established research programs aimed at developing new technologies that fit into the parameters of the New Normalcy Acord. Participating institutes include <strong>Alexyla University</strong>, <strong>St. Christina College</strong>, the <strong>Institute of WAN</strong>, <strong>Deer College</strong>, <strong>ICTUT</strong>, the <strong>Medicean Academy of Occult Arts</strong> and the <strong>Mages Academy</strong>.</p> <p>Finally, there are numerous normalcy-preserving organisations which we have contracted to handle various tasks the Foundation would otherwise perform in exchange for information, additional competencies, and anomalous know-how, as part of the Foundation wide effort to cut costs in face of the present threat of the Deava Empire. Notably, numerous para-fauna SCPs have been released into the care of <strong>Wilson’s Wildlife Solutions</strong>, humanoid anomalies guilty of crimes against US have been extradited to the <strong>UIU</strong>, and the Department of Decommissions has started cooperating with the GOC on decommissioning various euclid and keter anomalies of little scientific import.<br/> The direct persecution and combat of para-terrorist groups like the CI and Serpent's Hand have also been outsourced to national normalcy preserving organisations where possible.</p> </div> <div id="wiki-tab-0-2" style="display:none"> <p>It is unavoidable that the malevolent forces of the anomalous world exploit our current focus on the war against the Deava.</p> <p>Worst of these are the various para-terrorist groups that have increased their attacks on Foundation Sites significantly since the war broke out. Besides the <strong>Serpent's Hand</strong>, the <strong>Chaos Insurgency</strong> is the worst offender. They raided so many minor sites that we had to consolidate anomalies in larger, more easily defended sites. Additionally, they have massively expanded their influence in Sub-Saharan Africa to the point where SCPF Agents can no longer safely enter those countries.</p> <p>Besides these openly hostile forces, various other organisations have used this opportunity to expand their reach in the anomalous world. The various para-religions have seen a rise in members. <strong>Sarkism</strong> in particular has grown given the fact that the AMTFs jointly created with the GOC to fight Sarkists were used as the basis of early UNAIM forces.</p> <p>Not as dangerous - but still encroaching on our field of operations - the <strong>Horizon Initiative</strong> has rapidly advanced its reach in the middle east and northern Africa, often acquiring anamolies before local SCPF agents can.</p> </div> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ OZONE.dom.onDomReady(function(){ var tabView196230adca3c0020c997ebcfa8a8afd3 = new YAHOO.widget.TabView('wiki-tabview-196230adca3c0020c997ebcfa8a8afd3'); }, "dummy-ondomready-block"); //]]> </script> <hr/></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Close file: Project Cerberus</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"> <div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">...</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"> <div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p>Yes, Commander. Loading HACS-Manual…</p> </div> </div> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">You have one (1) new file. Open?</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:larger;"><strong>H</strong>igh <strong>A</strong>ltitude <strong>C</strong>ombat <strong>S</strong>ystem</span><br/> <span style="color: grey">The future of warfare</span></p> </div> <div class="image-hover-enlarge scp-image-block block-center" data-feature="image-feature" style="max-width:1800px;"><img alt="HACSsheet.png" class="image" src="https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/top-secret-art-exchange-gift/HACSsheet.png"/><br/> <div class="scp-image-caption show">Diagramm: The offical variants of the HACS Mark 1 <Hover to Enlarge></div> </div> <p><br/> <strong>1. Introduction</strong></p> <p>The High Altitude Combat System or HACS is undoubtedly the crown jewel of the modern Foundation arsenal. Developed by Operation Hephaestus Forge, it utilises the latest in normalised para-technologies to create the most effective weapons platform for the challenging battle fields faced by Project Cerberus.<br/> <br/> The HACS Mark 1 is the main battle system of Operation Red Rider and by extension the entire UNAIM Armored Corps. Pushed into service a mere two years after the gruesome attacks on the 22nd of November, it has proven to be a resilient and reliable chassis.<br/> <br/> Its modular design allows simple refitting and ensures a wide variety of mission roles can be filled with only one base chassis, vastly simplifying logistics in the rough terrain of the Himalayan Theatre.<br/></p> <div class="fade-out"> <p>Currently there are 5 official HACS MKI variants built around different backpack-modules and sensor packages. Additionally, most variants have open arm-modules which can be equipped with the support weapons of the pilots choosing.</p> </div> <br/> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>You know this…</em></p> </div> <br/> <div class="fade-in"> <p>Integrated heat dispersion systems asure continued operationality even at heights where reduced air density makes regular radiators ineffective. At the same time, the ABC-protected, vacuum sealed cockpit ensures maximum survivability for the pilot.</p> </div> <p><strong>2.2 Normalised Para-Technology</strong></p> <p>The HACS MKI features a good number of para-technologies. These are not considered anomalous as there are scientific explanations for their existence provided by Operation Pandora’s Box. Nonetheless these systems remain unorthodox and highly classified. Any repairs or modifications beyond regular maintenance must be handled by qualified personnel.</p> <p><strong>The most important of these are:</strong><br/> <br/> The hume catalysed fusion generator.<br/> <br/> The humemeter.</p> <div class="fade-out"> <p>The thaumo-spectrometer.<br/> <br/> The super-conductive radiator.<br/> <br/> The Raptor Inc. Brain Computer Interface.<br/> <br/> The berylium weave composite armour.</p> </div> <br/> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…and the layered thaumaturgic resistors etc. etc.</em><br/> <br/> <em>It has all come back now.</em></p> </div> <br/></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Close file: HACS-Manual</a></div> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"> <div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">...</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"> <div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p>Yes, Commander. Performing diagnostic…</p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="float:right; width: 160px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"> <div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">...</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"> <div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p>Diagnostic complete:<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>left shoulder armour damaged</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>secondary lense 2 damaged</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>right-front torso armour damaged</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>primary optic operational</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>primary armaments operational</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>secondary armaments operational</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>primary armour operational</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>generator operational</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>movement systems operational</span><br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>ALL SYSTEMS NOMINAL</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"> <div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">...</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"> <div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p>Yes Commander, accessing current orders…</p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"> <div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p>Your current orders are:<br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>ENTER THUSKEO DHAR VALLEY</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>SEARCH AND DESTROY THE ENEMY</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <div style="float:left; width: 350px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-left: 10px;"> <div style="color: #25BA2A; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #000000; background:linear-gradient( #000000, #0D2A13); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"> <p>Alright buddy. I think your mount is all good. You ready for action?</p> </div> </div> <br/> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>You are ready.</em><br/> <br/> <em>You are so ready.</em><br/> <br/> <em>A thought activates your direct motion interface.<br/> <br/> A shudder runs down your spine as your awareness expands into the comforting steel around you.<br/> <br/> You stand up, working the joints of your machine. Beyond a minor scraping in the right ankle joint it all works seamlessly.<br/> <br/> You squeeze your fist to activate the battle cannon. Blue glowing readiness symbols fill your vision and you can't help but grin.</em><br/> <br/> <em>Yipee Ki Yay Motherfucka!</em></p> </div> <br/> <br/> <br/> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[module css]] .le{ padding: 5px 5px 5px 15px; margin-bottom:10px; font-family: monospace; font-size: 1.1em; } .lol{ background-color:#001322; border: 3px solid #5577aa; color: #7799cc; } [[/module]] [[module CSS]] .fade-out { -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, black 0%, transparent 70%); mask-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, black 0%, transparent 70%); } [[/module]] [[module CSS]] .fade-in { -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(to top, black 0%, transparent 70%); mask-image: linear-gradient(to top, black 0%, transparent 70%); } [[/module]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:foxtrot">:scp-wiki:theme:foxtrot</a>]] [[module CSS]] :root { --header-title: "Project Cerberus"; --header-subtitle: "Custodiendo portas inferni"; --logo-img: url(https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/top-secret-art-exchange-gift/logo.png) } [[/module]] [[div style="float:left; width: 350px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-left: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #25BA2A; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #000000; background:linear-gradient( #000000, #0D2A13); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] … h… ey… Ch…lie. Hey Bud..y. Hey are you okay there? You took quite the tumble there. Don't worry though: I got the bastards. [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Radiogreen.png width="75px" style="margin-left: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: left;"]] [[/div]] [[div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"]] [[div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] @@...@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="float:left; width: 350px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-left: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #25BA2A; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #000000; background:linear-gradient( #000000, #0D2A13); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] Where we are? In the damn Hell valley is where we are. We got the short straw. Don't you remember? [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Radiogreen.png width="75px" style="margin-left: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: left;"]] [[/div]] [[div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"]] [[div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] @@...@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="float:left; width: 350px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-left: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #25BA2A; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #000000; background:linear-gradient( #000000, #0D2A13); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] Oh… oh. Yeah okay. Wait a second. Okay Scippy tells me you took a proper bonk on the head. It should be okay in a minute though. [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Radiogreen.png width="75px" style="margin-left: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: left;"]] [[/div]] [[div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"]] [[div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] @@...@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="float:left; width: 350px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-left: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #25BA2A; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #000000; background:linear-gradient( #000000, #0D2A13); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] No, no it's fine. We have a minute. Tell you what: I'll see what I can do to fix up your mech and you read up on our mission okay? That should jog your memory. [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Radiogreen.png width="75px" style="margin-left: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: left;"]] [[/div]] [[div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"]] [[div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] @@...@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] Yes, Commander. Loading relevant files… [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Lilguy.png width="75px" style="margin-right: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] [[div table2]] [[collapsible show="You have one (1) new file. Open?" hide="Close file: Project Cerberus" hideLocation="bottom"]] ---- [[div style="background: url(http://kaktuskontainer.wdfiles.com/local--files/format-hell/scp_trans.png) bottom center no-repeat; text-align: center; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto; font-size: 20px; padding: 0px;"]] @@ @@ [[=]] ++* ##black\|NOTICE FROM THE OVERSEER COUNCIL## ##black\| On the 22nd of November the Deavite Empire commited unprecedented atrocities on humanity. On that day we failed to secure, to contain and to protect. Your mission is to make sure this never happens again. Take heart, fight hard and guard the gates of hell! @@ @@ Welcome to Project Cerberus. ## [[/=]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:image-features-source">:scp-wiki:component:image-features-source</a> \|hover-enlarge=--] \|enlarge-amount=6 \|speed=250 \|float=true \|align=center \|width=1800px \|url=https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/top-secret-art-exchange-gift/Artexchange%20final.jpg \|add-caption=true \|caption=‘Explosions ripped apart the silence of those reverent heights, lasers screamed and strange magics unveiled things unseen and among that chaos they stood tall: for three days and three nights they fought in the heavens so that we could escape hell. I remember it well, even today. The steel of their machines glinted in the sun by day and in the shine of fire by night and whenever we saw the flashes of their guns we knew that there was yet time. Those few died so that we many might live. Never forget!’ - Khars Rajip, eyewitness of the Battle of Trevor’s Pass, depicted in this painting displayed in UNAIM headquarters. <Hover to Enlarge> ]] @@@@ Project Summary: @@@@ Project Cerberus is the designation for all measures aimed at containing the various anomalies that appeared in and around Tibet and the Tarim basin on the 24th of December 2021, collectively known as the Deavite Empire. After that partial TK-Class Causal Restructuring Event took place Project Cereberus was founded. Our primary mission is to prevent an SK-Class Dominance Shift Scenario through open warfare with the Deava while controlling information to prevent a full Broken Masquerade Scenario. Our secondary mission is the negotiation and establishment of a new normalcy and Veil. @@@@ Project Components: @@@@ [[tabview]] [[tab Operation Pandora's Box]] Operation Pandora's Box is a joint task force tasked with reviewing, researching and acquiring advanced technologies of anomalous nature or of anomalous origin for the purposes of determining if and how they can be implemented for the purposes of Project Cerberus. The Operation coordinates with the Hephaestus Forge and Eternal Veil divisions of Project Cereberus on planning and implementing the utilisation of reviewed technologies for weaponization and normalisation respectively. @@@@ Pandora’s Box assembles dossiers on their reviewed technologies. These include: 1. An Implementation-Risk assessment 2. A full Implementation plan. 3. A Costs-Benefits analysis 4. A Scientific or Pseudoscientific explanation. If Project Command approves implementation Pandora’s Box is responsible for coordinating it. [[/tab]] [[tab Operation Hephaestus Forge]] Operation Hephaestus Forge is an engineering project aiming at forging new weapons for the war against the Deava. They are responsible for the Foundation's contribution to the UNAIM Procurement Project and do quality control and stress testing on finished products as well as on anomalous and non-anomalous parts greenlite for use in the ongoing war effort by Pandora's Box. @@@@ Hephaestus Forge does active research to develop new and improve upon existing weapon’s technology, optimise production pipelines and increase the output of MTF specific equipment. They also provide assistance and training to the maintenance personnel of both Red Rider and the UNAIM force at large. Additionally, Hephaestus Forge provides technical advice to Project Command in general and our negotiators on the UNAIM Procurement Project board. Operation Hephaestus Forge has been instrumental in the development of the HACS, our most effective weapon against the Deava to date. [[/tab]] [[tab Operation Red Rider]] Operation Red Rider is the designation for the Foundations armed mission in the UNAIM exclusion zone. Red Rider utilises all assets available - in particular those produced by Hephaestus Forge - to fullfil all combat missions undertaken by Project Cerberus. @@@@ Red Rider actively plans and executes offensive and defensive operations against the Deavite Empire in close coordination with our allies in the GOC and the UNAIM. @@@@ Red Rider trains and equips SCPF components of the UNAIM forces, provides specialist training to UNAIM forces, and provides the SCPF contingent of UNAIM Command Staff. @@@@ Red Rider advises Project Command on all matters related to the ongoing war against the Deavite Empire. [[/tab]] [[tab Operation Eternal Veil]] Operation Eternal Veil is the designation for the ongoing Foundation efforts to control information about the Deava Empire, the war at large, and the technologies introduced by Pandora’s Box in accordance with the New-Normalcy Accords and in close coordination with the UNAIM Information Sanitation Command. To this end Eternal Veil utilises traditional information control methods as well as advanced cyber-technologies, including the first mass-deployment of Foundations AICs. @@@@ SCPF Employees tasked with policing, investigation, and standard containment within the UNAIM exclusion zone are under the command of Eternal Veil. [[/tab]] [[/tabview]] @@@@ Project Timeline: @@@@ Date: 24/12/21 @@[09:33 EST]@@ GOC Argus ARRAY detects massive ontokinetic activity paired with unprecedented tachyon emissions. @@@@ @@[09:33 EST]@@ GOC Experimental Reality Stabilisation array LIMIS kicks in. @@@@ @@[09:34 EST]@@ LIMIS burns out. @@@@ @@[09:34 EST]@@ RAISA.aic reports a significant reality restructuring event (delta > 0.1 ‰). @@@@ @@[09:45 EST]@@ OTF Yod-1 reports apparition of greenery in the Tarim Basin. @@@@ @@[09:57 EST]@@ Emergent Threat Response Command declares a potentially imminent Broken Masquerade Scenario. @@@@ @@[10:09 EST]@@ ISS CO S. Walker contacts NASA to report the same change. @@@@ @@[10:15 EST]@@ Foundation Information Control kicks in and takes over coms between Houston and the ISS. @@@@ @@[10:38 EST]@@ Overwatch Command takes over operations and orders SCPF Space Assets to begin intercepting and hacking all imaging satellites over central Asia. [[div class="fade-out"]] @@[11:00 EST]@@ O5-7 is pulled out of a meeting and takes pesonal command. @@@@ @@[11:14 EST]@@ Overwatch Command puts all sites in Central Asia on high alert. @@@@ @@[11:29 EST]@@ O5-7 calls an emergency meeting of the O5 council. @@@@ @@[12:30 EST]@@ GOC recon planes start from Ashvir Air Force Base and head for the affected territories. @@@@ @@[13:00 EST]@@ Chinese, Indian and Siberian SCPF sites begin mustering MTFs and RTFs; local agents are send in for recon. [[/div]] [[=]] //It's coming back to you. You are part of Operation Red Rider. You used to be a simple security guard but then...// [[/=]] @@@@ @@@@ [[div class="fade-in"]] Following these attacks the 3rd UNAIM Mountain Warfare Divison was redeployed to the southern front to reinforce the 2nd and 5th Mountain Warfare Division. Additionally HACS-equipped MTF 'Hectate's Spear' was ordered to begin anti-thaumaturge operations against the Deava Sorceres in Codename BLOOD VALLEY. [[/div]] @@>>Further information restricted LEVEL-4-CERBERUS<<@@ @@@@ Groups of Interest: @@@@ [[tabview]] [[tab Active Combatants]] In the course of the war numerous groups of interest have actively participated in the fighting. In the early phase of the war the GOC and Foundation alliance realised that their present forces were insufficient. To stem the tide they turned to the hired guns of the anomalous world. The Valravn Corporation, A.R.G.U.S. Inc., Cobweb International, Mujin-Getsudō-Shū and Primordial were all hired to slow the Deava until the UNAIM was ready to enter the war in force. Since then the services of some of these mercenaries have been retained as special anti-thaumaturgy forces. While the Serpent's Hand in general is loath to work alongside the ‘fascist’ GOC-SCP Alliance and should be counted among the opportunists GOIs, some splinter groups have joined the fight against the ‘greater evil’ of the Deava Empire. Chief among them is the so-called Serpent’s Fist whose operatives regularly perform disruptive operations behind the frontlines - presumably from some extra dimensional base. In the same vein, most sarkic cults are more than happy to take advantage of our current, weakened state; some members of the religion see it as their duty to fight their ancient enemy. These carnomancy-enhanced warriors have formed Ion’s Legion, a battalion sized unit which is notable for its high motivation and great effectiveness. Finally, various national anomalous armed forces have participated in the war as part of UNAIM. Chief among these is the US’ PENTAGRAM. [[/tab]] [[tab Contractors]] In the course of Operation Hephaestus Forge, Project Cerberus has - under the cover of the UNAIM Procurement Board and the Siberian Corridor Patrol Force - contracted various anomalous and non-anomalous tech companies. The anomalous technology companies which produce various parts of UNAIM equipment - most notably the HACS - include, among others: Anderson Robotics, the various companies formerly under the Prometheus Labs Inc. umbrella, Raptor Tec. Industries, Tou-Hei Heavy Industries and Szwagier&Szwagier Motorized. In addition to these industrial contractors, Project Cerberus has, in the course of Operation Pandora's Box, reached out to the various anomalous academic institutes around the world and established research programs aimed at developing new technologies that fit into the parameters of the New Normalcy Acord. Participating institutes include Alexyla University, St. Christina College, the Institute of WAN, Deer College, ICTUT, the Medicean Academy of Occult Arts and the Mages Academy. Finally, there are numerous normalcy-preserving organisations which we have contracted to handle various tasks the Foundation would otherwise perform in exchange for information, additional competencies, and anomalous know-how, as part of the Foundation wide effort to cut costs in face of the present threat of the Deava Empire. Notably, numerous para-fauna SCPs have been released into the care of Wilson’s Wildlife Solutions, humanoid anomalies guilty of crimes against US have been extradited to the UIU, and the Department of Decommissions has started cooperating with the GOC on decommissioning various euclid and keter anomalies of little scientific import. The direct persecution and combat of para-terrorist groups like the CI and Serpent's Hand have also been outsourced to national normalcy preserving organisations where possible. [[/tab]] [[tab Oppurtunists]] It is unavoidable that the malevolent forces of the anomalous world exploit our current focus on the war against the Deava. Worst of these are the various para-terrorist groups that have increased their attacks on Foundation Sites significantly since the war broke out. Besides the Serpent's Hand, the Chaos Insurgency is the worst offender. They raided so many minor sites that we had to consolidate anomalies in larger, more easily defended sites. Additionally, they have massively expanded their influence in Sub-Saharan Africa to the point where SCPF Agents can no longer safely enter those countries. Besides these openly hostile forces, various other organisations have used this opportunity to expand their reach in the anomalous world. The various para-religions have seen a rise in members. Sarkism in particular has grown given the fact that the AMTFs jointly created with the GOC to fight Sarkists were used as the basis of early UNAIM forces. Not as dangerous - but still encroaching on our field of operations - the Horizon Initiative has rapidly advanced its reach in the middle east and northern Africa, often acquiring anamolies before local SCPF agents can. [[/tab]] [[/tabview]] ---- [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"]] [[div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] @@...@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] Yes, Commander. Loading HACS-Manual… [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Lilguy.png width="75px" style="margin-right: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] [[collapsible show="You have one (1) new file. Open?" hide="Close file: HACS-Manual" hideLocation="bottom"]] ---- [[=]] [[size larger]]High Altitude Combat System[[/size]] ##grey\|The future of warfare## [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:image-features-source">:scp-wiki:component:image-features-source</a> \|hover-enlarge=--] \|enlarge-amount=6 \|speed=250 \|float=true \|align=center \|width=1800px \|url=https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/top-secret-art-exchange-gift/HACSsheet.png \|add-caption=true \|caption=Diagramm: The offical variants of the HACS Mark 1 <Hover to Enlarge>]] @@@@ 1. Introduction The High Altitude Combat System or HACS is undoubtedly the crown jewel of the modern Foundation arsenal. Developed by Operation Hephaestus Forge, it utilises the latest in normalised para-technologies to create the most effective weapons platform for the challenging battle fields faced by Project Cerberus. @@@@ The HACS Mark 1 is the main battle system of Operation Red Rider and by extension the entire UNAIM Armored Corps. Pushed into service a mere two years after the gruesome attacks on the 22nd of November, it has proven to be a resilient and reliable chassis. @@@@ Its modular design allows simple refitting and ensures a wide variety of mission roles can be filled with only one base chassis, vastly simplifying logistics in the rough terrain of the Himalayan Theatre. @@@@ [[div class="fade-out"]] Currently there are 5 official HACS MKI variants built around different backpack-modules and sensor packages. Additionally, most variants have open arm-modules which can be equipped with the support weapons of the pilots choosing. [[/div]] @@@@ [[=]] //You know this...// [[/=]] @@@@ [[div class="fade-in"]] Integrated heat dispersion systems asure continued operationality even at heights where reduced air density makes regular radiators ineffective. At the same time, the ABC-protected, vacuum sealed cockpit ensures maximum survivability for the pilot. [[/div]] 2.2 Normalised Para-Technology The HACS MKI features a good number of para-technologies. These are not considered anomalous as there are scientific explanations for their existence provided by Operation Pandora’s Box. Nonetheless these systems remain unorthodox and highly classified. Any repairs or modifications beyond regular maintenance must be handled by qualified personnel. The most important of these are: @@@@ The hume catalysed fusion generator. @@@@ The humemeter. [[div class="fade-out"]] The thaumo-spectrometer. @@@@ The super-conductive radiator. @@@@ The Raptor Inc. Brain Computer Interface. @@@@ The berylium weave composite armour. [[/div]] @@@@ [[=]] //...and the layered thaumaturgic resistors etc. etc.// @@@@ //It has all come back now.// [[/=]] @@@@ [[/collapsible]] @@@@ [[div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"]] [[div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] @@...@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] Yes, Commander. Performing diagnostic… [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Lilguy.png width="75px" style="margin-right: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="float:right; width: 160px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] @@...@@ [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Lilguy.png width="75px" style="margin-right: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] Diagnostic complete: @@@@ @@>left shoulder armour damaged@@ @@>secondary lense 2 damaged@@ @@>right-front torso armour damaged@@ @@>primary optic operational@@ @@>primary armaments operational@@ @@>secondary armaments operational@@ @@>primary armour operational@@ @@>generator operational@@ @@>movement systems operational@@ @@@@ @@>ALL SYSTEMS NOMINAL@@ [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Lilguy.png width="75px" style="margin-right: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="text-align: right; margin: auto; width: 60px;"]] [[div style="color: #000000; font-size: 12t; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background:#FFFFFF; background:linear-gradient(#FFFFFF, #E5E5E5); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] @@...@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] Yes Commander, accessing current orders... [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Lilguy.png width="75px" style="margin-right: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="float:right; width: 350px; text-align: right; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #72ECFF; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #72ECFF; background:linear-gradient(#72ECFF, #5CE9FF); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] Your current orders are: @@@@ @@>ENTER THUSKEO DHAR VALLEY@@ @@>SEARCH AND DESTROY THE ENEMY@@ [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Lilguy.png width="75px" style="margin-right: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: right;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[div style="float:left; width: 350px; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-left: 10px;"]] [[div style="color: #25BA2A; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; border-radius:30px /70px; background: #000000; background:linear-gradient( #000000, #0D2A13); text-align: left; padding: 2px 20px;"]] Alright buddy. I think your mount is all good. You ready for action? [[/div]] [[div]] [[image Radiogreen.png width="75px" style="margin-left: 20px;"]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="clear: left;"]] [[/div]] @@@@ [[=]] //You are ready.// @@@@ //You are so ready.// @@@@ //A thought activates your direct motion interface. @@@@ A shudder runs down your spine as your awareness expands into the comforting steel around you. @@@@ You stand up, working the joints of your machine. Beyond a minor scraping in the right ankle joint it all works seamlessly. @@@@ You squeeze your fist to activate the battle cannon. Blue glowing readiness symbols fill your vision and you can't help but grin.// @@@@ //Yipee Ki Yay Motherfucka!// [[/=]] @@@@ @@@@ @@@@	2024-12-29T11:33:00	[ "art-exchange", "illustrated", "military-fiction", "science-fiction", "tale", "worldbuilding" ]	Project Cerberus - SCP Foundation	9	[]	[ "tales-by-year", "art-exchange-hub", "news" ]	[ "https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/top-secret-art-exchange-gift/Artexchange%20final.jpg", "https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/top-secret-art-exchange-gift/HACSsheet.png" ]	1458147696	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/project-cerberus
project-scarlet-dawn	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aar/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">Ralliston & Uncle Nicolini</a> <div class="authorbox"> <div class="authorcontent"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>Co-written by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ralliston" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5986843); return false;"><img alt="Ralliston" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5986843&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043890" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5986843)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ralliston" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5986843); return false;">Ralliston</a></span> and <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/uncle-nicolini" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3487700); return false;"><img alt="Uncle Nicolini" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=3487700&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043890" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=3487700)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/uncle-nicolini" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3487700); return false;">Uncle Nicolini</a></span></p> <p><strong><a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ralliston-s-authorpage">Ralliston's Authorpage</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.scp-wiki.wikidot.com/uncle-nicolini-author-page">Uncle Nicolini's Authorpage</a></strong></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:1.3em;"><strong><a href="javascript:;">Best</a>｜<a href="javascript:;">Newest</a>｜<a href="javascript:;">Breaking News</a>｜<a href="javascript:;">My Page</a></strong></span></p> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="font-size:0.85em;">unVeiled » <a href="javascript:;">Politics</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:1.4em;"><strong>Concerns Among Americans Over Magically-Gifted Individuals Rising</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:0.8em;"><strong>By Wilbur Henderson (⁂uV_Henderson)</strong><br/> <strong>Published 01/15/2048, 23:45</strong></span></p> <img alt="hall.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/project-scarlet-dawn/hall.jpg" style="border: solid 1.5px #d7003a;" width="auto"/> <p><span style="font-size:0.8em;">The Centennial Hall in Wrocław, one of the most significant locations for the Silesian Uprising.</span></p> <p>The topic of the <a href="/the-face-of-silesian-independence-in-the-21st-century">Silesian Insurrection of 2039</a> has resonated not just in Poland, but around the globe. When the citizens of Silesia took to the streets to gain their independence, suddenly gifted with thaumic muscle on a scale unparalleled by modern history, only to meet armed Polish forces and Chaos Insurgency terrorists on other sides of the barricade, the world collectively held its breath. Even now, years later, the American public's consciousness remains concerned with the thaumic uprising. "What would the government do if this happened in our home? Should we be afraid?" the people asked, almost ten years ago. "Could we even prevent bloodshed, if our home suffered the same fate?"</p> <p>Recent studies show that the acceptance rate of thaumic individuals in major American cities has gone down from 67% in 2038 to just 23% in 2047. With political tensions on the rise due to the impending 2048 presidential election, the topic of thaumic security has been a burning question in many voters' minds. Though both sides of the political aisle recognised and engaged with the topic, during recent hearings, President Crenshaw's administration addressed the subject directly: "The American people have no reason to be afraid. With my administration's new directives when I am, or rather, should say 'if' I am re-elected this year, we will crack down on those who abuse their thaumic abilities for evil. Have no fear. We will overcome."</p> <p><a href="javascript:;">Continue reading...</a></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="email pentagram"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>Re: Project SCARLET DAWN</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Date:</strong></th> <td>01/17/2048</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Prof. Yoshida,</p> <p>It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is General Thomas Bowe, and I will be the new head of SCARLET DAWN, filling in for General Johnson. I look forward to a successful partnership between our organizations — America's long overdue for some proper security.</p> <p>I understand you had a rapport with General Johnson, but fear not — though the name on the other side of the communication may have changed, most things will remain the same. I may take a different route than my predecessor in a few aspects of our endeavor, but our goal continues being the same. In particular, there are two major points I would like to emphasize remain identical as during your time under Gen. Johnson:</p> <ul> <li>1. The DEADLINE: Administration expects the project to be concluded before the election comes into full swing. Though it would be ideal if we could finish before the final presidential debate airs live, the absolute latest you are to present satisfactory results is the day of the election. We can miss our political leverage, but we absolutely cannot risk the Democrats taking credit for SCARLET DAWN, in the unlikely case that Buttigieg claims the win;</li> <li>2. The CONFIDENTIALITY: It is absolutely imperative that our work here remains classified until President Crenshaw can present our results to the public. I am certain you were already notified of this, but this extends to internal JOICL databases and communications as well — until we are done, this is between your team and mine, no exceptions.</li> </ul> <p>With official bussiness out of the way, I would just like to say I am truly honored to be working with a man like you. It's not often that one gets to talk with an apprentice of the famous Hisashi Kunō himself. I am sure that together, we will make America and the international scientific community proud.</p> <p>God bless America,<br/> General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command</p> <hr/> <p><tt>🔗 One (1) file attached: Project SCARLET DAWN Casefiles: Thomas Bowe</tt></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>Re: Project SCARLET DAWN</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Date:</strong></th> <td>01/18/2048</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>General Bowe,</p> <p>You musn't fear: my team guarantees nothing but efficiency and confidentiality. Though I'd tell you to trust my word, I'm more than positive our satisfactory contract history can speak for itself. We have already begun our work, and are expecting preliminary results shortly; I'll update you as soon as we finalize our genetic designs. I'm attaching their blueprints so that in case you have any further comments, we may edit them in before we start the production.</p> <p>All this being said, however, I do have some concerns.</p> <p>Namely, wouldn't the Coalition and the World Parahealth Organization be opposed to this? If this project were to spread to unauthorized third parties, we could be looking at a potential second Impasse. Make no mistake, I am eager to work on this project, but I do not wish for what happened 27 years ago to repeat.</p> <p>Regards,<br/> Professor Haru Yoshida</p> <hr/> <p><tt>🔗 One (1) file attached: 選-U-1854 Genetic Design (final)</tt></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="email pentagram"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>Re: Project SCARLET DAWN</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Date:</strong></th> <td>01/18/2048</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Prof. Yoshida,</p> <p>I am not paying you to catastrophize at me. I am paying you to do what is right for my country. If you question me or my directives again, I am afraid I will have to end this partnership, and I am sure your company would not appreciate losing one of its biggest customers.</p> <p>God bless America,<br/> General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="float: center; border: solid 3px #444444; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="aviatica.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/nexus-hyperline/aviatica.png" width="200px"/></p> <div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px; font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif; color: #f26c0c;"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>AVIATICA</strong></p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 120%; margin: 2px 0 5px; font-family: 'Raleway', sans-serif;"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>With the Wings of Freedom Rings the Bell of Progress</strong></p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="color: #f08502; font-family: serif; font-size: 105%; font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif; font-weight: 900;"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>08/22/2048 \| ISSUE 120, VOLUME 02</strong></p> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 92%; margin: 2px 0 5px; font-family: 'Raleway', sans-serif;"> <p><span style="font-size:400%;"><strong>MEET 'EM</strong></span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size:400%;"><strong>BOTH</strong></span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:120%;"><strong>It's official: we know the two nominees of the 2048 American presidential election. But who are Dan Crenshaw and Pete Buttigieg? What are their programs? What ideologies do they represent? And what is their stance on the nation-wide thaumic security discussion? Join Aviatica as we answer those questions and more, before both our candidates answer them themselves during the upcoming presidential debates!</strong></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="email"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>Re: Project SCARLET DAWN</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Date:</strong></th> <td>08/25/2048</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>General Bowe,</p> <p>I am glad to inform you that 選-U-1854's design and engineering phases have now officially been completed. With a few more changes to its genetic code, we were able to successfully stabilize and print ten samples of the product.</p> <p>What's even better is that the results of preliminary testing are in. I'll attach their exact documentation below, but let's just say that I am certain you will be satisfied with what we were able to accomplish so far.</p> <p>Regards,<br/> Professor Haru Yoshida</p> <hr/> <p><tt>🔗 One (1) file attached: 選-U-1854 Experimentation Log, 20-24/2048</tt></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>Subject</th> <th>Procedure</th> <th>Results</th> </tr> <tr> <td>One house mouse (<em>Mus musculus</em>), bereft of any thaumic traits.</td> <td>Introduced 選-U-1854 directly into the subject's bloodstream via injection.</td> <td>None observed — subject's organism remained indifferent towards 選-U-1854.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>One labrador retriever (<em>Canis lupus familiaris</em>), bereft of any thaumic traits.</td> <td>Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell.</td> <td>None observed — subject's organism remained indifferent towards 選-U-1854.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>One daevon salamander (<em>Tylototriton verrucosus daevoni</em>), fully matured in its thaumic capability of localized pyromancy to maintain its body temperature.</td> <td>Introduced 選-U-1854 directly into the subject's bloodstream via injection.</td> <td>Following 10 hours of exposure, subject perished due to thermal shock.</td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote" style="text-align: center"> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>Voice of Portlands</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 250%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>The American Capital of Magic</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"> <table style="border: none; width: 100%;"> <tr> <td>THREE PORTLANDS, USA</td> <td style="text-align: center;">30, AUGUST 30th, 2048</td> <td style="text-align: right;">$2.40 — NO REFUNDS</td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 500%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>ON THE MIC</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 150%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>PRES. CRENSHAW ON THAUMIC SECURITY: "WILL PRESENT A FINAL SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE BEFORE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE."</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family:serif; font-size:120%;"> <p><em>By Jennifer Garcia</em></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>Subject</th> <th>Procedure</th> <th>Results</th> </tr> <tr> <td>One Jacob Rights, a baseline adult male human (<em>Homo sapiens sapiens</em>), aged 32. With no history of thaumic practise and/or other occult activities.</td> <td>Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell.</td> <td>None observed — subject's organism remained indifferent towards 選-U-1854.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>One Cy'ara Fahlh, a baseline adult female Fae (<em>Homo sapiens sidhe</em>), aged 124. Retired thaumist — hasn't practiced her art since she she was 72.</td> <td>Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell.</td> <td>選-U-1854 successfully recognized several thaumic phenomena inherent to the <em>sidhe</em> body, ignoring them and refusing to activate its properties when coming into contact with them and residual, >40 year old EVE energy generated by the past practise of thaumaturgy. Subject's body remained indifferent towards 選-U-1854.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>One Deh'rhyll Darhyk, a baseline adult male <a href="/scp-1000">Yeren</a> (<em>Homo sapiens noctis</em>), aged 61. Possesses multiple bodily modifications performed on him by licensed Yeren thaumists; otherwise fully bereft of any thaumic talents.</td> <td>Introduced 選-U-1854 directly into the subject's bloodstream via injection, utilizing a specifically-designed needle to penetrate the subject's hardened skin.</td> <td>選-U-1854 successfully recognized several thaumic phenomena inherent to the Yeren body, ignoring them and refusing to activate its properties when coming into contact with them and the aforementioned bodily modifications. Through following 2 days of exposure, the subject's body temperature temporarily grew by 0.5°C, the change quickly subsided. Subject's body remained otherwise indifferent towards 選-U-1854.</td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="email pentagram"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>Re: Project SCARLET DAWN</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Date:</strong></th> <td>07/01/2048</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Prof. Yoshida,</p> <p>I would like to remind you that the first deadline for our project passes in less than 4 months. Though undoubtedly impressive, your results are too preliminary and vague to present to my higher-ups for appropriate approval. We simply have too little to go off to be sure they are satisfactory to our schedule: as such, following a consultation with internal administration, we have decided to update SCARLET DAWN's timetable. You will find exact details below, but from now on we are going to demand weekly updates from your team. I recommend you actually use the subjects we provided you with, this time around — testing on dogs will get you only so far.</p> <p>Remember: the work <span style="text-decoration: underline;">must</span> go on.</p> <p>God bless America,<br/> General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command</p> <hr/> <p><tt>🔗 One (1) file attached: Revised Project SCARLET DAWN Time Schedule</tt></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>Subject</th> <th>Procedure</th> <th>Results</th> </tr> <tr> <td>One Maria Dominguez, an adult female human (<em>Homo sapiens sapiens</em>), aged 39. Pyromancer, thaumically active since she was 15 years old.</td> <td>Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell.</td> <td>選-U-1854 remained within the subject's body for two days, after which it simply expired. Though 選-U-1854 attempted to block the subject's EVE flow for as long as it remained inside her, raising her body temperature by 3.2°C, the subject's organism quickly neutralized 選-U-1854 before it could effectively spread into the rest of the body. Subject fully recovered.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>One Jia Zhang, an adult female human (<em>Homo sapiens sapiens</em>), aged 52. Convicted life-long necromancer.</td> <td>Introduced 選-U-1854 directly into the subject's bloodstream via injection.</td> <td>選-U-1854 remained within the subject's body for four days, fully blocking the flow of internal EVE energies for the entire duration of its life. Though the subject remained incapable of performing thaumic acts for as long as 選-U-1854 remained inside her, the subject's organism neutralized 選-U-1854 before it could effectively spread into the rest of the body. Subject is pending recovery, currently suffering a case of EVE-clog fever.</td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <blockquote> <p><tt>[Automatic JP-EN translation is <strong>ON</strong>]</tt></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="member">mori_virology_internal</span> has joined.</strong></p> <p><span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> <span class="ping">@everyone</span><br/> <span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> hi so sorry for the 3 am ping but ive been thinking about u-1854<br/> <span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> and i think i know what weve been doing wrong</p> <p><span class="member4"><strong>HaruYoshidaInternal:</strong></span> I'm listening.</p> <p><span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> so our thing obviously works when presented with eve, right<br/> <span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> it actually does its job and kills it like we intended</p> <p><span class="member2"><strong>okada_joicl:</strong></span> If we test in a vacuum, you mean. It definitely isn't perfect on actually complex beings</p> <p><span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> right yes i'll get to that but my point is it also spreads wonderfully, no issues on that front<br/> <span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> but the problems start when the organism actually realizes it is being attacked by our guy</p> <p><span class="member5"><strong>aoki_viro:</strong></span> …you really did wake us up just to repeat what we already know, huh</p> <p><span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> what i'm trying to say is: what if the organism didnt immediately identify our guy as a threat<br/> <span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> our current model works by infection -> immediate attack on all fronts, both neutralizing the eve and spreading u-1854 further simultaneously<br/> <span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> but all organisms only begin to attack our guy after it starts its own offensive. only then does the body start to think its a threat<br/> <span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> not before, when its just spreading<br/> <span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> now obviously this is just a theory and i wouldnt be able to test it without getting some major eve hitters (think <a href="/paramax">paramax</a> guys or whoever the it is the coalitions got locked up in that cell in the antarctic) but hear me out here.</p> <p><span class="member2"><strong>okada_joicl:</strong></span> dude this is literally just basic virology.<br/> <span class="member2"><strong>okada_joicl:</strong></span> u are not beating the "waking us up to exposit at us" allegations<br/> <span class="member2"><strong>okada_joicl:</strong></span> 凸(⊙▂⊙✖ )</p> <p><span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> what if we made it so that u-1854 spreads faster and begins its attack before the body can recognize whats going on and create antibodies to kill it<br/> <span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> think dynamite fishing<br/> <span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> im admittedly pulling at straws here but when even small-time mages can defeat our guy in no time and with pentagram breathing on our necks i thought why not a theorys better than nothing<br/> <span class="member"><strong>mori_virology_internal:</strong></span> is this anything</p> <p><span class="member4"><strong>HaruYoshidaInternal:</strong></span> I'll have to make some calls.</p> </blockquote> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>Subject</th> <th>Procedure</th> <th>Results</th> </tr> <tr> <td>One Nora C'har, an adult Fae (<em>Homo sapiens sidhe</em>), aged 51. Life-long thaumic anartist.</td> <td>Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell.</td> <td>選-U-1854 entered the subject's body and immediately began to attack. As programmed, 選-U-1854 only started to act once it has fully spread throughout the subject's organism, fully blocking the flow of internal EVE energies after two hours of struggling against the subject's antibodies. Following the neutralization of 選-U-1854, the subject did not recover. As of writing, ve has effectively lost the ability to perform thaumaturgy.</td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="email pentagram"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>Re: Project SCARLET DAWN</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Date:</strong></th> <td>07/26/2048</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Prof. Yoshida,</p> <p>Just as promised: after heavy negotiations with Ms. van Kann, we were able to secure a select few subjects we believe will be to your liking. The only requirement is that you <span style="text-decoration: underline;">keep them alive</span>. They are to be returned to serve the rest of their sentence after your experimentation is concluded. The Unit has made it clear that they will not lose public face over our personal projects.</p> <p>As a side note — of course, this courtesy does not extend to the rest of the subjects you were provided with. Please operate with them to your liking. The only thing we expect from you are results. Remember: the clock is ticking.</p> <p>God bless America,<br/> General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command</p> <hr/> <p><tt>🔗 One (1) file attached: PARAMAX_DOSSIER_abridged.pdf</tt></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>Subject</th> <th>Procedure</th> <th>Results</th> </tr> <tr> <td>One Aart Visser, an adult male human (<em>Homo sapiens sapiens</em>), aged 43. Life-long occult practitioner of great talent and skill; convicted warlock and domestic terrorist. Currently serving his life sentence in Paramax.</td> <td>Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell.</td> <td>選-U-1854 entered the subject's body and immediately attacked upon coming into contact with residual EVE energy scattered all throughout the subject's body. 選-U-1854 continued to spread throughout the subject's organism at rates never before recorded, overtaking the body in just an hour. As programmed, 選-U-1854 then activated, fully neutralizing the subject's capability of performing thaumaturgy within minutes. Traces of 選-U-1854 were still found within the subject's body even following the completion of its task, with only 10% of the cells spreading past the organism and the remainder remaining dormant inside it. Subject has not since recovered, and is currently undergoing observations before he can be sent back to serve the remainder of his sentence.</td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="void dark"><span class="void-img"><br/> <img alt="unveiled.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-first-occult-flame-war/unveiled.png" style="width: 60px"/><br/></span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span class="vusermod" style="color: hsl(0, 0%, 46%); font-size: 1.35rem">unVeiled</span><br/> <span class="vui" style="color: hsl(0, 0%, 46%); font-size: 1.35rem">⁂unVeiledNews</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 1.2rem"><strong>LIVE:</strong> Join unVeiled political expert Shaun O'Connor as she discusses the ongoing American presidential debate, theorizes what President Crenshaw's promised Thaumic Security Act could entail, and what the growing Republican electorate should expect if… <a href="javascript:;">Read More</a></span> <ul> <li><span class="vui" style="color: hsl(0, 0%, 46%); font-size: .8rem">ECHOES<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span class="vactivity" style="font-size: 1.1rem; font-weight: bold">3,391</span></li> <li><span class="vui" style="color: hsl(0, 0%, 46%); font-size: .8rem">HUMS<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span class="vactivity" style="font-size: 1.1rem; font-weight: bold">13,163</span></li> </ul> <p><span class="vui" style="color: hsl(0, 0%, 46%); font-size: .8rem">7:00 PM · 08/16/2048</span></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>Subject</th> <th>Procedure</th> <th>Results</th> </tr> <tr> <td>One Maria Jefferson, an adult human female (<em>Homo sapiens sapiens</em>), aged 25. Minor thaumaturgic talent, with no history of professional thaumaturgy practice save for hobbyist use.</td> <td>Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell.</td> <td>選-U-1854 entered the subject's body and remained dormant for one hour, refusing to activate even upon coming into contact with minor residual EVE energy scattered throughout the subject's body. 選-U-1854 continued to spread throughout the subject's organism until it completed its duplication. As programmed, 選-U-1854 then activated, fully neutralizing the subject's capability of performing thaumaturgy within minutes. Following the completion of its task, 選-U-1854 remained fully dormant within the subject's organism, refusing to spread past the subject.</td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="email pentagram"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>Re: Project SCARLET DAWN</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Date:</strong></th> <td>10/02/2048</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Prof. Yoshida,</p> <p>Fantastic work. Our administration would like to extend a formal thank you to you and your team for completing the project on such short notice. You have once again proven that you are a capable ally to the entire Western World. As promised, your final payment will be delivered shortly via previously established means.</p> <p>Before she arrives, however, please do make sure that your presentations and subjects are as well prepared as possible. In just a few days (see — attached schedule), President Crenshaw's tour will take him to the agreed-upon location, wherein he is expected to present our final work to the public. Your work might be completed, but he still has an election to win — so do make sure everything is up and running when he does arrive. I am more than certain President Crenshaw will not forget those who helped him keep his position.</p> <p>God bless America,<br/> General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command</p> <hr/> <p><tt>🔗 One (1) file attached: President Crenshaw 2048 All-State Tour</tt></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center"> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>Deer College Odyssey</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 250%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>The Buck Stops Here</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"> <table style="border: none; width: 100%;"> <tr> <td>THREE PORTLANDS</td> <td style="text-align: center;">22, OCTOBER, 2048</td> <td style="text-align: right;">THREE (3) ORPHANS</td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 500%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p><strong>FIFTY-FIFTY</strong></p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 370%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>A GUIDE FOR WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY COME FOR YOU</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family:serif; font-size:120%; text-align: center"> <p><em>By Riley Q'inn (⁂BaaderMeinhofRiley)</em></p> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <p>So the polls are in — surprise to nobody, they are <em>fucked</em>. With circa 50% for War Crimes and 50% for Even More War Crimes (match descriptors to party of choice as you see fit), it is pretty safe to say that Crenshaw winning his second term is a real possibility. A real possibility which does <em>not</em> bode well for those who make up 78% of this journal's readerbase (And no, I am not talking about the gays, though obviously a Republican clearing again is also. You know. Not ideal for us. But I digress).</p> <p>With our local Metal Gear (Shoutout to Deer's vintage video game club!) villain dipshit extraordinaire declaring during his campaign that if he wins again, he shall "guarantee the American people safety from the threat of magic" (I also love euphemisms!!), I've decided it's high time to give you all lesbian witches and trans alchemists a quick overview of how to guarantee your safety among this clusterfuck, if push comes to shove:</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>Subject</th> <th>Procedure</th> <th>Results</th> </tr> <tr> <td>One Lukas Peters, an adult human male (<em>Homo sapiens sapiens</em>), aged 19. A beginning thaumic practitioner, previously sentenced to two years in prison for numerous cases of petty theft.</td> <td>Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell.</td> <td>選-U-1854 entered the subject's body and remained dormant for one hour, properly executing all of its functions in the expected matter. However, following a two-day observation period, it was noticed that after a time of supposed inactivity, 選-U-1854 suddenly reactivated without any prompt, rapidly spreading past the subject's body and into the surrounding area. It currently remains unknown why this has happened or why — similarly without any prompt — a similar case has occurred in several other past subjects. All past 選-U-1854 subjects have been currently put in quarantine pending further observation, barring the singular subject chosen by the USPWC for President Crenshaw's public display, in spite of JOICL recommendations for a different course of action.</td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="president"><img alt="dan.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/project-scarlet-dawn/dan.png" width="100%"/> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Campaign transcript redacted for brevity.</em></strong></p> <p><em>PRES. CRENSHAW stands before a microphone set in front of a rallying public. The people gathered before him continue chanting words of support for the candidate. Behind him stand HARU YOSHIDA and an UNIDENTIFIED MAN who wears a prison uniform and is handcuffed. PRES. CRENSHAW is pointing at the man, shouting into his microphone.</em></p> <p><strong>CRENSHAW:</strong> Just yesterday, this man was a dangerous criminal. He was a ticking time bomb, ready to blow up his whole neighborhood the second he got out back on the streets!</p> <p><em>The public cheers.</em></p> <p><strong>CRENSHAW:</strong> He was an active danger to the life of normal Americans — of people who just want to live without the constant threat of their neighbor burning them alive and raising their corpses with magic!</p> <p><em>CRENSHAW pauses.</em></p> <p><strong>CRENSHAW:</strong> But look at him now, America. Now, he is nobody. He is <em>nothing</em>. Working with our top men, we were able to create a permanent solution to his kind — to dangerous individuals who dare to raise their hand against the greatest country in the world!</p> <p><em>The public's cheering grows louder; behind CRENSHAW, YOSHIDA tries to say something to the candidate. There is concern in his eyes. CRENSHAW ignores him, instead pointing to the public before him.</em></p> <p><strong>CRENSHAW:</strong> This is what I offer you, America! Under my administration, nobody will ever dare to threaten our country — and if they do, if they bring their unnatural talents into the public and try to attack the values we hold dear, we <em>will</em> take it away from them. We will show them who they truly are, under all of the spells and rites — nothing but dogs!</p> <p><em>The public begins its applause.</em></p> <p><em>Though all cameras are focused on CRENSHAW, just behind him YOSHIDA very slowly begins to retreat behind the curtain. A mere moment before he disappears from view, he looks back at the public, silently counting how many stand before him. His eyes, though unmoving, quickly fill with terror.</em></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:1.3em;"><strong><a href="javascript:;">Best</a>｜<a href="javascript:;">Newest</a>｜<a href="javascript:;">Breaking News</a>｜<a href="javascript:;">My Page</a></strong></span></p> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="font-size:0.85em;">unVeiled » <a href="javascript:;">Politics</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:1.4em;"><strong>Back in the House: Meet the 52nd President of the United States, Again</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:0.8em;"><strong>By Wilbur Henderson (⁂uV_Henderson)</strong><br/> <strong>Published 11/05/2048, 23:58</strong></span></p> <img alt="house.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/project-scarlet-dawn/house.jpg" style="border: solid 1.5px #d7003a;" width="auto"/> <p><span style="font-size:0.8em;">The White House as seen in anticipation of the presidential inauguration.</span></p> <p>It's official: with a support rate of over 62% of voters, President Dan Crenshaw has been elected by the American people as their head of state. Officially returning to the White House for his second term, President Crenshaw is expected to be soon inaugurated for his second term before the nation, swearing his presidential oaths and preserving his position, first taken in 2044.</p> <p>…Or is he?</p> <p>Under normal circumstances, the President would have already been expected to speak to the people by now, addressing their victory and plans for the years to come. Indeed, during his first victory, Crenshaw did just that mere hours after the confirmation of his victory. So where is he now?</p> <p>White House administration seems to be of no help — so far, all journalist attempts at extracting information from government officials (or even entering the White House at all!) have been met with resistance. Resistance that is yet to be justified in any way beyond shoving and pushing out anyone who attempts to enter the building. Similarly, not a single person has been observed leaving the House within the last 48 hours. So what's going on with the President? Is there any reason to be concerned?</p> <p><a href="javascript:;">Continue reading...</a></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="email pentagram"> <table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>From:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>To:</strong></th> <td><a href="javascript:;">@Everyone-Administration</a></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Subject:</strong></th> <td>IMPORTANT: EMERGENT EXIGENCY, WASHINGTON, D.C.</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right"><strong>Date:</strong></th> <td>11/07/2048</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>To all this may concern,</p> <p>Due to circumstances outside the control of personnel assigned to Project SCARLET DAWN, several officially unapproved instances of its product were inadvertently released to the public population of Washington, D.C., in the morning hours of 11/06/2048. As of writing, personnel stationed in the area were able to quarantine Ward 2 and the White House, from which the threat is theorized to have originated, from the rest of the city. Unofficially, we are under COGCON2. Further updates are pending.</p> <p>To properly deal with the situation before it spreads beyond the city's borders, I hereby call all available USPWC personnel above the rank of Colonel to an emergency digital summit, as now scheduled on 21:00 (GMT-5). <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Attendence is mandatory</span> and absences, save for personnel assigned to Priority 0 projects, will be met with disciplinary action. I'm attaching all of the documentation we currently have regarding the potential threat — I expect all of you to familiarize yourself with it before the aforementioned time.</p> <p>God bless America,<br/> General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command</p> <hr/> <p><tt>🔗 One (1) file attached: 選-U-1854 "Evekaryotic Germicide" Catalog</tt></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-true earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="{$previous-title}"> <p><a class="newpage" href="/previous-url">{$previous-title}</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="8,000 Dead Rats"> <p><a href="/8000-dead-rats-hub">8,000 Dead Rats</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="KTE-9817"> <p><a href="/kte-9817-bluebuster-mendel-shelley-renegade-armbrusteri">KTE-9817</a></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/project-scarlet-dawn">Internal JOICL-PENTAGRAM Communication Regarding Project SCARLET DAWN</a>" by Ralliston and Uncle Nicolini, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/project-scarlet-dawn">https://scpwiki.com/project-scarlet-dawn</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> house.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> PLBechly<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 4.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1600_Pennsylvania_Avenue.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> aviatica.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/erisma" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4789064); return false;"><img alt="Erisma" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=4789064&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043890" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=4789064)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/erisma" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4789064); return false;">Erisma</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-5631">SCP Foundation Wiki</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> hall.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Wroclaw - Hala Stulecia 03a.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Jar.ciurus<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0 PL<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wroclaw_-_Hala_Stulecia_03a.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> unveiled.png<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> New York World's Fair - Unisphere<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> roger4336<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 2.0<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://openverse.org/image/5b7e7df5-9da2-4fbc-8998-4a05268b3896/">Openverse</a><br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> Edited by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/zygard" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3135673); return false;"><img alt="Zygard" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=3135673&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043890" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=3135673)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/zygard" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3135673); return false;">Zygard</a></span></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> 01.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/soya-001" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(2577572); return false;"><img alt="SOYA-001" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=2577572&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043890" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=2577572)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/soya-001" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(2577572); return false;">SOYA-001</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="http://scp-jp.wikidot.com/soya-001-logo-art-01">SCP-JP</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> ASASAS.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/navla" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5817542); return false;"><img alt="Navla" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5817542&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043890" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5817542)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/navla" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5817542); return false;">Navla</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork">SCP Foundation Wiki</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> dan.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/jasiu06" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(6669398); return false;"><img alt="Jasiu06" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=6669398&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043890" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=6669398)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/jasiu06" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(6669398); return false;">Jasiu06</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/project-scarlet-dawn">SCP Foundation Wiki</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:ar">:scp-wiki:theme:ar</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar</a>]] [[module CSS]] @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Cinzel'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Anton'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Pinyon+Script'); #page-title { display: none; } /* The Anton font was created by Vernon Adams and is licensed under the Open Font License The Cinzel font was created by Natanael Gama and is licensed under the Open Font License The Pinyon Script font was created by Nicole Fally and is licensed under the Open Font License / #header h1 a, #header h2 span { font-family: 'Inter'; 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cursor: pointer; } blockquote { color: #eee; background-color: #223 !important; border: solid 1px #444; } span.member:active, span.member0:active, span.member2:active, span.member3:active, span.member4:active, span.member5:active span.member6:active span.member7:active span.ping:active, span.click:active{ background-color: #99f; border-radius: 4px; } span.link a{ color: #39e; } .newmes{ color: #d00; } .red-hr > hr{ background-color: #d00; bottom: 0.2em; } .president { border: solid 2.5px #b30030; outline: solid 2.5px #0a0037; outline-offset: 2px; padding: 0.95em 15px; margin: auto; width: 85%; --border-colour: #B30030; text-align: justify; } [[/module]] @@ @@ [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=Ralliston & Uncle Nicolini]] [[=]] Co-written by [[user Ralliston]] and [[user Uncle Nicolini]] [http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ralliston-s-authorpage Ralliston's Authorpage]* [http://www.scp-wiki.wikidot.com/uncle-nicolini-author-page Uncle Nicolini's Authorpage] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] [[/=]] @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[==]] [[=]] [[size 1.3em]][# Best]｜[# Newest]｜[# Breaking News]｜[# My Page][[/size]] [[/=]] ------ [[size 0.85em]]unVeiled » [# Politics][[/size]] [[size 1.4em]]Concerns Among Americans Over Magically-Gifted Individuals Rising[[/size]] [[size 0.8em]]By Wilbur Henderson (⁂uV_Henderson) Published 01/15/2048, 23:45[[/size]] [[image hall.jpg width="auto" style="border: solid 1.5px #d7003a;"]] [[size 0.8em]]The Centennial Hall in Wrocław, one of the most significant locations for the Silesian Uprising.[[/size]] The topic of the [[[the-face-of-silesian-independence-in-the-21st-century\|Silesian Insurrection of 2039]]] has resonated not just in Poland, but around the globe. When the citizens of Silesia took to the streets to gain their independence, suddenly gifted with thaumic muscle on a scale unparalleled by modern history, only to meet armed Polish forces and Chaos Insurgency terrorists on other sides of the barricade, the world collectively held its breath. Even now, years later, the American public's consciousness remains concerned with the thaumic uprising. "What would the government do if this happened in our home? Should we be afraid?" the people asked, almost ten years ago. "Could we even prevent bloodshed, if our home suffered the same fate?" Recent studies show that the acceptance rate of thaumic individuals in major American cities has gone down from 67% in 2038 to just 23% in 2047. With political tensions on the rise due to the impending 2048 presidential election, the topic of thaumic security has been a burning question in many voters' minds. Though both sides of the political aisle recognised and engaged with the topic, during recent hearings, President Crenshaw's administration addressed the subject directly: "The American people have no reason to be afraid. With my administration's new directives when I am, or rather, should say 'if' I am re-elected this year, we will crack down on those who abuse their thaumic abilities for evil. Have no fear. We will overcome." [# Continue reading...] [[/==]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="email pentagram"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re: Project SCARLET DAWN [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Date: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] 01/17/2048 [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Prof. Yoshida, It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is General Thomas Bowe, and I will be the new head of SCARLET DAWN, filling in for General Johnson. I look forward to a successful partnership between our organizations -- America's long overdue for some proper security. I understand you had a rapport with General Johnson, but fear not -- though the name on the other side of the communication may have changed, most things will remain the same. I may take a different route than my predecessor in a few aspects of our endeavor, but our goal continues being the same. In particular, there are two major points I would like to emphasize remain identical as during your time under Gen. Johnson: * 1. The DEADLINE: Administration expects the project to be concluded before the election comes into full swing. Though it would be ideal if we could finish before the final presidential debate airs live, the absolute latest you are to present satisfactory results is the day of the election. We can miss our political leverage, but we absolutely cannot risk the Democrats taking credit for SCARLET DAWN, in the unlikely case that Buttigieg claims the win; * 2. The CONFIDENTIALITY: It is absolutely imperative that our work here remains classified until President Crenshaw can present our results to the public. I am certain you were already notified of this, but this extends to internal JOICL databases and communications as well -- until we are done, this is between your team and mine, no exceptions. With official bussiness out of the way, I would just like to say I am truly honored to be working with a man like you. It's not often that one gets to talk with an apprentice of the famous Hisashi Kunō himself. I am sure that together, we will make America and the international scientific community proud. God bless America, General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command ---- {{🔗 One (1) file attached: Project SCARLET DAWN Casefiles: Thomas Bowe}} [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re: Project SCARLET DAWN [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Date: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] 01/18/2048 [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- General Bowe, You musn't fear: my team guarantees nothing but efficiency and confidentiality. Though I'd tell you to trust my word, I'm more than positive our satisfactory contract history can speak for itself. We have already begun our work, and are expecting preliminary results shortly; I'll update you as soon as we finalize our genetic designs. I'm attaching their blueprints so that in case you have any further comments, we may edit them in before we start the production. All this being said, however, I do have some concerns. Namely, wouldn't the Coalition and the World Parahealth Organization be opposed to this? If this project were to spread to unauthorized third parties, we could be looking at a potential second Impasse. Make no mistake, I am eager to work on this project, but I do not wish for what happened 27 years ago to repeat. Regards, Professor Haru Yoshida ---- {{🔗 One (1) file attached: 選-U-1854 Genetic Design (final)}} [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="email pentagram"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re: Project SCARLET DAWN [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Date: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] 01/18/2048 [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Prof. Yoshida, I am not paying you to catastrophize at me. I am paying you to do what is right for my country. If you question me or my directives again, I am afraid I will have to end this partnership, and I am sure your company would not appreciate losing one of its biggest customers. God bless America, General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="float: center; border: solid 3px #444444; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"]] = [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/nexus-hyperline/aviatica.png width="200px"]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px; font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif; color: #f26c0c;"]] = AVIATICA [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 120%; margin: 2px 0 5px; font-family: 'Raleway', sans-serif;"]] = With the Wings of Freedom Rings the Bell of Progress [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="color: #f08502; font-family: serif; font-size: 105%; font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif; font-weight: 900;"]] = 08/22/2048 \| ISSUE 120, VOLUME 02 [[/div]] ----- @@ @@ [[=]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 92%; margin: 2px 0 5px; font-family: 'Raleway', sans-serif;"]] [[size 400%]]MEET 'EM[[/size]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[size 400%]]BOTH[[/size]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] [[size 120%]]It's official: we know the two nominees of the 2048 American presidential election. But who are Dan Crenshaw and Pete Buttigieg? What are their programs? What ideologies do they represent? And what is their stance on the nation-wide thaumic security discussion? Join Aviatica as we answer those questions and more, before both our candidates answer them themselves during the upcoming presidential debates![[/size]] [[/=]] [[/div]] [[/=]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="email"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re: Project SCARLET DAWN [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Date: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] 08/25/2048 [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- General Bowe, I am glad to inform you that 選-U-1854's design and engineering phases have now officially been completed. With a few more changes to its genetic code, we were able to successfully stabilize and print ten samples of the product. What's even better is that the results of preliminary testing are in. I'll attach their exact documentation below, but let's just say that I am certain you will be satisfied with what we were able to accomplish so far. Regards, Professor Haru Yoshida ---- {{🔗 One (1) file attached: 選-U-1854 Experimentation Log, 20-24/2048}} [[/div]] @@ @@ \|\|~ Subject \|\|~ Procedure \|\|~ Results \|\| \|\| One house mouse (//Mus musculus//), bereft of any thaumic traits. \|\| Introduced 選-U-1854 directly into the subject's bloodstream via injection. \|\| None observed -- subject's organism remained indifferent towards 選-U-1854. \|\| \|\| One labrador retriever (//Canis lupus familiaris//), bereft of any thaumic traits. \|\| Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell. \|\| None observed -- subject's organism remained indifferent towards 選-U-1854. \|\| \|\| One daevon salamander (//Tylototriton verrucosus daevoni//), fully matured in its thaumic capability of localized pyromancy to maintain its body temperature. \|\| Introduced 選-U-1854 directly into the subject's bloodstream via injection. \|\| Following 10 hours of exposure, subject perished due to thermal shock. \|\| @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote" style="text-align: center"]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] Voice of Portlands [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 250%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] The American Capital of Magic [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"]] [[table style="border: none; width: 100%;"]] [[row]] [[cell]] THREE PORTLANDS, USA [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: center;"]] 30, AUGUST 30th, 2048 [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: right;"]] $2.40 -- NO REFUNDS [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 500%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] ON THE MIC [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 150%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] PRES. CRENSHAW ON THAUMIC SECURITY: "WILL PRESENT A FINAL SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE BEFORE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE." [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family:serif; font-size:120%;"]] //By Jennifer Garcia// [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ \|\|~ Subject \|\|~ Procedure \|\|~ Results \|\| \|\| One Jacob Rights, a baseline adult male human (//Homo sapiens sapiens//), aged 32. With no history of thaumic practise and/or other occult activities. \|\| Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell. \|\| None observed -- subject's organism remained indifferent towards 選-U-1854. \|\| \|\| One Cy'ara Fahlh, a baseline adult female Fae (//Homo sapiens sidhe//), aged 124. Retired thaumist -- hasn't practiced her art since she she was 72. \|\| Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell. \|\| 選-U-1854 successfully recognized several thaumic phenomena inherent to the //sidhe// body, ignoring them and refusing to activate its properties when coming into contact with them and residual, >40 year old EVE energy generated by the past practise of thaumaturgy. Subject's body remained indifferent towards 選-U-1854. \|\| \|\| One Deh'rhyll Darhyk, a baseline adult male [[[scp-1000\|Yeren]]] (//Homo sapiens noctis//), aged 61. Possesses multiple bodily modifications performed on him by licensed Yeren thaumists; otherwise fully bereft of any thaumic talents. \|\| Introduced 選-U-1854 directly into the subject's bloodstream via injection, utilizing a specifically-designed needle to penetrate the subject's hardened skin. \|\| 選-U-1854 successfully recognized several thaumic phenomena inherent to the Yeren body, ignoring them and refusing to activate its properties when coming into contact with them and the aforementioned bodily modifications. Through following 2 days of exposure, the subject's body temperature temporarily grew by 0.5°C, the change quickly subsided. Subject's body remained otherwise indifferent towards 選-U-1854. \|\| @@ @@ [[div class="email pentagram"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re: Project SCARLET DAWN [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Date: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] 07/01/2048 [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Prof. Yoshida, I would like to remind you that the first deadline for our project passes in less than 4 months. Though undoubtedly impressive, your results are too preliminary and vague to present to my higher-ups for appropriate approval. We simply have too little to go off to be sure they are satisfactory to our schedule: as such, following a consultation with internal administration, we have decided to update SCARLET DAWN's timetable. You will find exact details below, but from now on we are going to demand weekly updates from your team. I recommend you actually use the subjects we provided you with, this time around -- testing on dogs will get you only so far. Remember: the work __must__ go on. God bless America, General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command ---- {{🔗 One (1) file attached: Revised Project SCARLET DAWN Time Schedule}} [[/div]] @@ @@ \|\|~ Subject \|\|~ Procedure \|\|~ Results \|\| \|\| One Maria Dominguez, an adult female human (//Homo sapiens sapiens//), aged 39. Pyromancer, thaumically active since she was 15 years old. \|\| Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell. \|\| 選-U-1854 remained within the subject's body for two days, after which it simply expired. Though 選-U-1854 attempted to block the subject's EVE flow for as long as it remained inside her, raising her body temperature by 3.2°C, the subject's organism quickly neutralized 選-U-1854 before it could effectively spread into the rest of the body. Subject fully recovered. \|\| \|\| One Jia Zhang, an adult female human (//Homo sapiens sapiens//), aged 52. Convicted life-long necromancer. \|\| Introduced 選-U-1854 directly into the subject's bloodstream via injection. \|\| 選-U-1854 remained within the subject's body for four days, fully blocking the flow of internal EVE energies for the entire duration of its life. Though the subject remained incapable of performing thaumic acts for as long as 選-U-1854 remained inside her, the subject's organism neutralized 選-U-1854 before it could effectively spread into the rest of the body. Subject is pending recovery, currently suffering a case of EVE-clog fever. \|\| @@ @@ > {{[Automatic JP-EN translation is ON]}} > = [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal[[/span]] has joined. > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] [[span class="ping"]]@everyone[[/span]] > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] hi so sorry for the 3 am ping but ive been thinking about u-1854 > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] and i think i know what weve been doing wrong > > [[span class="member4"]]HaruYoshidaInternal:[[/span]] I'm listening. > > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] so our thing obviously works when presented with eve, right > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] it actually does its job and kills it like we intended > > [[span class="member2"]]okada_joicl:[[/span]] If we test in a vacuum, you mean. It definitely isn't perfect on actually complex beings > > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] right yes i'll get to that but my point is it also spreads wonderfully, no issues on that front > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] but the problems start when the organism actually realizes it is being attacked by our guy > > [[span class="member5"]]aoki_viro:[[/span]] ...you really did wake us up just to repeat what we already know, huh > > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] what i'm trying to say is: what if the organism didnt immediately identify our guy as a threat > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] our current model works by infection -> immediate attack on all fronts, both neutralizing the eve and spreading u-1854 further simultaneously > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] but all organisms only begin to attack our guy after it starts its own offensive. only then does the body start to think its a threat > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] not before, when its just spreading > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] now obviously this is just a theory and i wouldnt be able to test it without getting some major eve hitters (think [[[paramax\|paramax]]] guys or whoever the it is the coalitions got locked up in that cell in the antarctic) but hear me out here. > > [[span class="member2"]]okada_joicl:[[/span]] dude this is literally just basic virology. > [[span class="member2"]]okada_joicl:[[/span]] u are not beating the "waking us up to exposit at us" allegations > [[span class="member2"]]okada_joicl:[[/span]] 凸(⊙▂⊙✖ ) > > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] what if we made it so that u-1854 spreads faster and begins its attack before the body can recognize whats going on and create antibodies to kill it > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] think dynamite fishing > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] im admittedly pulling at straws here but when even small-time mages can defeat our guy in no time and with pentagram breathing on our necks i thought why not a theorys better than nothing > [[span class="member"]]mori_virology_internal:[[/span]] is this anything > > [[span class="member4"]]HaruYoshidaInternal:[[/span]] I'll have to make some calls. @@ @@ \|\|~ Subject \|\|~ Procedure \|\|~ Results \|\| \|\| One Nora C'har, an adult Fae (//Homo sapiens sidhe//), aged 51. Life-long thaumic anartist. \|\| Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell. \|\| 選-U-1854 entered the subject's body and immediately began to attack. As programmed, 選-U-1854 only started to act once it has fully spread throughout the subject's organism, fully blocking the flow of internal EVE energies after two hours of struggling against the subject's antibodies. Following the neutralization of 選-U-1854, the subject did not recover. As of writing, ve has effectively lost the ability to perform thaumaturgy. \|\| @@ @@ [[div class="email pentagram"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re: Project SCARLET DAWN [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Date: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] 07/26/2048 [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Prof. Yoshida, Just as promised: after heavy negotiations with Ms. van Kann, we were able to secure a select few subjects we believe will be to your liking. The only requirement is that you __keep them alive__. They are to be returned to serve the rest of their sentence after your experimentation is concluded. The Unit has made it clear that they will not lose public face over our personal projects. As a side note -- of course, this courtesy does not extend to the rest of the subjects you were provided with. Please operate with them to your liking. The only thing we expect from you are results. Remember: the clock is ticking. God bless America, General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command ---- {{🔗 One (1) file attached: PARAMAX_DOSSIER_abridged.pdf}} [[/div]] @@ @@ \|\|~ Subject \|\|~ Procedure \|\|~ Results \|\| \|\| One Aart Visser, an adult male human (//Homo sapiens sapiens//), aged 43. Life-long occult practitioner of great talent and skill; convicted warlock and domestic terrorist. Currently serving his life sentence in Paramax. \|\| Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell. \|\| 選-U-1854 entered the subject's body and immediately attacked upon coming into contact with residual EVE energy scattered all throughout the subject's body. 選-U-1854 continued to spread throughout the subject's organism at rates never before recorded, overtaking the body in just an hour. As programmed, 選-U-1854 then activated, fully neutralizing the subject's capability of performing thaumaturgy within minutes. Traces of 選-U-1854 were still found within the subject's body even following the completion of its task, with only 10% of the cells spreading past the organism and the remainder remaining dormant inside it. Subject has not since recovered, and is currently undergoing observations before he can be sent back to serve the remainder of his sentence. \|\| @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:void-post">:scp-wiki:component:void-post</a> \|profile-pic=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-first-occult-flame-war/unveiled.png \|username=unVeiled \|handle=unVeiledNews \|void-msg= LIVE: Join unVeiled political expert Shaun O'Connor as she discusses the ongoing American presidential debate, theorizes what President Crenshaw's promised Thaumic Security Act could entail, and what the growing Republican electorate should expect if... [# Read More] \|echoes=3,391 \|hums=13,163 \|time-and-date=7:00 PM · 08/16/2048 ]] @@ @@ \|\|~ Subject \|\|~ Procedure \|\|~ Results \|\| \|\| One Maria Jefferson, an adult human female (//Homo sapiens sapiens//), aged 25. Minor thaumaturgic talent, with no history of professional thaumaturgy practice save for hobbyist use. \|\| Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell. \|\| 選-U-1854 entered the subject's body and remained dormant for one hour, refusing to activate even upon coming into contact with minor residual EVE energy scattered throughout the subject's body. 選-U-1854 continued to spread throughout the subject's organism until it completed its duplication. As programmed, 選-U-1854 then activated, fully neutralizing the subject's capability of performing thaumaturgy within minutes. Following the completion of its task, 選-U-1854 remained fully dormant within the subject's organism, refusing to spread past the subject. \|\| @@ @@ [[div class="email pentagram"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# haruyoshida@joicl_virology.int] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re: Project SCARLET DAWN [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Date: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] 10/02/2048 [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- Prof. Yoshida, Fantastic work. Our administration would like to extend a formal thank you to you and your team for completing the project on such short notice. You have once again proven that you are a capable ally to the entire Western World. As promised, your final payment will be delivered shortly via previously established means. Before she arrives, however, please do make sure that your presentations and subjects are as well prepared as possible. In just a few days (see -- attached schedule), President Crenshaw's tour will take him to the agreed-upon location, wherein he is expected to present our final work to the public. Your work might be completed, but he still has an election to win -- so do make sure everything is up and running when he does arrive. I am more than certain President Crenshaw will not forget those who helped him keep his position. God bless America, General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command ---- {{🔗 One (1) file attached: President Crenshaw 2048 All-State Tour}} [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[div style="text-align: center"]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] Deer College Odyssey [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 250%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] The Buck Stops Here [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"]] [[table style="border: none; width: 100%;"]] [[row]] [[cell]] THREE PORTLANDS [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: center;"]] 22, OCTOBER, 2048 [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: right;"]] THREE (3) ORPHANS [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 500%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] FIFTY-FIFTY [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 370%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] A GUIDE FOR WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY COME FOR YOU [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family:serif; font-size:120%; text-align: center"]] //By Riley Q'inn (⁂BaaderMeinhofRiley)// [[/div]] [[/div]] [[==]] So the polls are in -- surprise to nobody, they are //fucked//. With circa 50% for War Crimes and 50% for Even More War Crimes (match descriptors to party of choice as you see fit), it is pretty safe to say that Crenshaw winning his second term is a real possibility. A real possibility which does //not// bode well for those who make up 78% of this journal's readerbase (And no, I am not talking about the gays, though obviously a Republican clearing again is also. You know. Not ideal for us. But I digress). With our local Metal Gear (Shoutout to Deer's vintage video game club!) villain dipshit extraordinaire declaring during his campaign that if he wins again, he shall "guarantee the American people safety from the threat of magic" (I also love euphemisms!!), I've decided it's high time to give you all lesbian witches and trans alchemists a quick overview of how to guarantee your safety among this clusterfuck, if push comes to shove: [[/==]] [[/div]] @@ @@ \|\|~ Subject \|\|~ Procedure \|\|~ Results \|\| \|\| One Lukas Peters, an adult human male (//Homo sapiens sapiens//), aged 19. A beginning thaumic practitioner, previously sentenced to two years in prison for numerous cases of petty theft. \|\| Introduced subject to 選-U-1854 via inhalation, as pumped directly into the air through the ventilation system of the subject's cell. \|\| 選-U-1854 entered the subject's body and remained dormant for one hour, properly executing all of its functions in the expected matter. However, following a two-day observation period, it was noticed that after a time of supposed inactivity, 選-U-1854 suddenly reactivated without any prompt, rapidly spreading past the subject's body and into the surrounding area. It currently remains unknown why this has happened or why -- similarly without any prompt -- a similar case has occurred in several other past subjects. All past 選-U-1854 subjects have been currently put in quarantine pending further observation, barring the singular subject chosen by the USPWC for President Crenshaw's public display, in spite of JOICL recommendations for a different course of action. \|\| @@ @@ [[div class="president"]] [[image dan.png width="100%"]] = //Campaign transcript redacted for brevity.// //PRES. CRENSHAW stands before a microphone set in front of a rallying public. The people gathered before him continue chanting words of support for the candidate. Behind him stand HARU YOSHIDA and an UNIDENTIFIED MAN who wears a prison uniform and is handcuffed. PRES. CRENSHAW is pointing at the man, shouting into his microphone.// CRENSHAW: Just yesterday, this man was a dangerous criminal. He was a ticking time bomb, ready to blow up his whole neighborhood the second he got out back on the streets! //The public cheers.// CRENSHAW: He was an active danger to the life of normal Americans -- of people who just want to live without the constant threat of their neighbor burning them alive and raising their corpses with magic! //CRENSHAW pauses.// CRENSHAW: But look at him now, America. Now, he is nobody. He is //nothing//. Working with our top men, we were able to create a permanent solution to his kind -- to dangerous individuals who dare to raise their hand against the greatest country in the world! //The public's cheering grows louder; behind CRENSHAW, YOSHIDA tries to say something to the candidate. There is concern in his eyes. CRENSHAW ignores him, instead pointing to the public before him.// CRENSHAW: This is what I offer you, America! Under my administration, nobody will ever dare to threaten our country -- and if they do, if they bring their unnatural talents into the public and try to attack the values we hold dear, we //will// take it away from them. We will show them who they truly are, under all of the spells and rites -- nothing but dogs! //The public begins its applause.// //Though all cameras are focused on CRENSHAW, just behind him YOSHIDA very slowly begins to retreat behind the curtain. A mere moment before he disappears from view, he looks back at the public, silently counting how many stand before him. His eyes, though unmoving, quickly fill with terror.// [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[==]] [[=]] [[size 1.3em]][# Best]｜[# Newest]｜[# Breaking News]｜[# My Page][[/size]] [[/=]] ------ [[size 0.85em]]unVeiled » [# Politics][[/size]] [[size 1.4em]]Back in the House: Meet the 52nd President of the United States, Again[[/size]] [[size 0.8em]]By Wilbur Henderson (⁂uV_Henderson) Published 11/05/2048, 23:58[[/size]] [[image house.jpg width="auto" style="border: solid 1.5px #d7003a;"]] [[size 0.8em]]The White House as seen in anticipation of the presidential inauguration.[[/size]] It's official: with a support rate of over 62% of voters, President Dan Crenshaw has been elected by the American people as their head of state. Officially returning to the White House for his second term, President Crenshaw is expected to be soon inaugurated for his second term before the nation, swearing his presidential oaths and preserving his position, first taken in 2044. ...Or is he? Under normal circumstances, the President would have already been expected to speak to the people by now, addressing their victory and plans for the years to come. Indeed, during his first victory, Crenshaw did just that mere hours after the confirmation of his victory. So where is he now? White House administration seems to be of no help -- so far, all journalist attempts at extracting information from government officials (or even entering the White House at all!) have been met with resistance. Resistance that is yet to be justified in any way beyond shoving and pushing out anyone who attempts to enter the building. Similarly, not a single person has been observed leaving the House within the last 48 hours. So what's going on with the President? Is there any reason to be concerned? [# Continue reading...] [[/==]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="email pentagram"]] [[table style="align:left; margin-top: 10px;"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# thomasbowe@pentagram_internal.gov] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [# @Everyone-Administration] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] IMPORTANT: EMERGENT EXIGENCY, WASHINGTON, D.C. [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Date: [[/hcell]] [[cell]] 11/07/2048 [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- To all this may concern, Due to circumstances outside the control of personnel assigned to Project SCARLET DAWN, several officially unapproved instances of its product were inadvertently released to the public population of Washington, D.C., in the morning hours of 11/06/2048. As of writing, personnel stationed in the area were able to quarantine Ward 2 and the White House, from which the threat is theorized to have originated, from the rest of the city. Unofficially, we are under COGCON2. Further updates are pending. To properly deal with the situation before it spreads beyond the city's borders, I hereby call all available USPWC personnel above the rank of Colonel to an emergency digital summit, as now scheduled on 21:00 (GMT-5). __Attendence is mandatory__ and absences, save for personnel assigned to Priority 0 projects, will be met with disciplinary action. I'm attaching all of the documentation we currently have regarding the potential threat -- I expect all of you to familiarize yourself with it before the aforementioned time. God bless America, General Thomas Bowe, United States Paranatural Warfare Command ---- {{🔗 One (1) file attached: 選-U-1854 "Evekaryotic Germicide" Catalog}} [[/div]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=true \| last=false \| hub=yes \| previous-url= \| previous-title= \| next-url=/kte-9817-bluebuster-mendel-shelley-renegade-armbrusteri \| next-title=KTE-9817 \| hub-url=/8000-dead-rats-hub \| hub-title=8,000 Dead Rats ]] ----- [[=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Ralliston and Uncle Nicolini]] ===== > Filename: house.jpg > Name: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.jpg > Author: PLBechly > License: CC BY-SA 4.0 > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1600_Pennsylvania_Avenue.jpg Wikimedia Commons] > Filename: aviatica.png > Author: [[user Erisma]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-5631 SCP Foundation Wiki] > Filename: hall.jpg > Name: Wroclaw - Hala Stulecia 03a.jpg > Author: Jar.ciurus > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 PL > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wroclaw_-_Hala_Stulecia_03a.jpg Wikimedia Commons] > Filename: unveiled.png > Name: New York World's Fair - Unisphere > Author: roger4336 > License: CC BY-SA 2.0 > Source: [https://openverse.org/image/5b7e7df5-9da2-4fbc-8998-4a05268b3896/ Openverse] > Notes: Edited by [[user Zygard]] > Filename:* 01.png > Author: [[user SOYA-001]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [http://scp-jp.wikidot.com/soya-001-logo-art-01 SCP-JP] > Filename: ASASAS.png > Author: [[user Navla]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork SCP Foundation Wiki] > Filename: dan.png > Author: [[user Jasiu06]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/project-scarlet-dawn SCP Foundation Wiki] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]] [[/=]]	2024-03-16T21:05:00	[ "8000-dead-rats", "_cc", "_licensebox", "co-authored", "correspondence", "deer-college", "from-120s-archives", "general-bowe", "joicl", "military-fiction", "pentagram", "tale", "three-portlands", "worldbuilding" ]	Internal JOICL-PENTAGRAM Communication Regarding Project SCARLET DAWN - SCP Foundation	68	[ "ralliston-s-authorpage", "http://www.scp-wiki.wikidot.com/uncle-nicolini-author-page", "the-face-of-silesian-independence-in-the-21st-century", "scp-1000", "paramax", "previous-url", "8000-dead-rats-hub", "kte-9817-bluebuster-mendel-shelley-renegade-armbrusteri", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide", "scp-5631", "navla-artwork" ]	[ "from-120-s-archives-hub", "deer-college-hub", "8000-dead-rats-hub" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/project-scarlet-dawn/hall.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/nexus-hyperline/aviatica.png", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-first-occult-flame-war/unveiled.png", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/project-scarlet-dawn/dan.png", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/project-scarlet-dawn/house.jpg" ]	1453060436	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/project-scarlet-dawn
prologue-ghosted-by-amaterasu-well-only-sort-of-because-it-s	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>"Oritsu," she says. "It's not really my name, but that doesn't matter. It's good enough for you."</p> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Ajakstyle/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p>You work the bar at a sushi place in New York City. You’re Chinese, but that's beside the point; there are enough dragons and lanterns to fill in for both countries. This story begins on a Wednesday afternoon in May. Most customers are at a booth, so there's not much for you to do except organize ingredients and wipe down the counter.</p> <p>The first person to sit down at the bar that afternoon is an Asian woman with necklaces and a handbag, each probably worth more than your rent; which is saying something, considering you live in Manhattan. In fact, just the sunglasses atop her head could probably cover your bills for the next month. You notice that her eye color leans more towards gold than brown or black. Her ponytail seems to be almost iridescent: probably just a trick of the light.</p> <p>"Shitty Lunar New Year bargain bin decor," she mutters as she sits down, referring to the paper lanterns and cheap calligraphy hanging around the restaurant.</p> <p>"Hakkaisan sake, snow-aged," she demands. "Warmed to forty-five Celsius, give or take a few degrees." Her tone isn't rude, per say. "Commanding" would be more accurate.</p> <p>She downs the shot you pour her, before raising her cup and shaking it at you to ask for more. You refill her glass.</p> <p>Her fingers drum on the table. She eventually takes out her phone, but can't seem to decide what to do with it. You finish wiping down the countertop and begin organizing glasses, keeping her in the corner of your vision.</p> <p>She downs the last of her sake and raises her cup again to ask for a refill. You give her more wine.</p> <p>"What's on your mind?" you ask.</p> <p>“Why do you care?” she replies.</p> <p>"Oh," you say, "I always feel better after I talk to someone. But it's fine if you don't want to discuss it.” You would like to think it was a very smooth conversation starter.</p> <p>The way her eyes narrow implies that it was not, in fact, a very smooth conversation starter. Her cheeks have flushed, and her gaze is somewhat unfocused. The bottle of sake is already half-empty.</p> <p>"My boss is giving me an impossible job," she mutters anyways. "Which is why I'm drinking at three o' clock on a Wednesday."</p> <p>"Do you wanna talk about it?" you say.</p> <p>She looks up from her phone and makes eye contact as she asks, "are you religious?"</p> <p>"Agnostic," you say. "That seems to be the norm for Chinese people."</p> <p>"Chinese? Working <em>here</em>?" she mutters as she rolls her eyes. "Chiang Kai-shek didn't die for this." You hope that the mediocre, somewhat problematic joke is another effect of the alcohol.</p> <p>She asks if you have a lot of Chinese friends. You tell her yes, you do.</p> <p>Her eyes light up. In fact, you swear that they flash gold for a split second. She asks if you’ve seen a Chinese woman named Patch nearby. You tell her no, you haven’t.</p> <p>She visibly deflates as she sighs.</p> <p>"I mean, I'm pretty involved in the local Chinese community," you add. "I could definitely ask around."</p> <p>She’s asks if you're fishing for a date. You—an honest, hardworking person—say yes.</p> <p>"You know what?" she laughs. "If you manage to find her, I'll go out with you. How does that sound?"</p> <p>"Why can't you go find her yourself?" you ask.</p> <p>"Complicated," she says. "Her things have eyes everywhere. She'll scurry off if she sees me looking for her. So, do you wanna take me up on that deal or not?"</p> <p>"Sure," you say. "I'll give it a shot."</p> <p>She downs the rest of her drink and hands you her credit card. It's cool to the touch, and you discover it's made entirely out of matte black metal.</p> <p>You slide her that fancy new electronic thing with a touchpad for her to select a tip. She taps the screen before telling you her number.</p> <p>"Write it down," she says, "and call me if you need anything."</p> <p>You plug her number into your contacts, and she leaves.</p> <p>The screen says that she left a 500% tip. You're not quite sure how to react to that.</p> <p>A few seconds after she closes the glass doors, she explodes into a burst of radiance. It's blinding, like a piece of light ripped from the sun and thrust onto earth. When your vision clears, the street is empty.</p> <p>You feel like at some point a TV crew is going to run out and tell you it was a prank. But that never happens, and you clock out as usual, leaving as the evening shift replaces you and the bar begins to fill.</p> <hr/> <p>When you get home, you call every single Chinese person you know and ask how you would go about finding this Patch.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p>"Who names their kid <em>Patch</em>?"</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p>"You don't know anything else about this girl? Anything?"</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p>"How the fuck would I know?"</p> </div> <p>Some more identifying info about Patch would probably be helpful.</p> <p>You call the woman and ask for her name, since her contact on your phone is still blank save for the phone number.</p> <p>"Oritsu," she says. "It's not really my name, but that doesn't matter. It's good enough for you."</p> <p>According to Oritsu, Patch has a lot of tattoos, is probably doing something artsy, looks “around her age” (referring to herself), and that’s all she can tell you.</p> <p>"Call me again as soon as you find her," she says, hanging up before you can even respond.</p> <hr/> <p>The "artsy" and "tattoo" hints turn out to be useful. Now, you have <em>too many</em> leads.</p> <p>You call all the universities, art studios and museum centers that people told you to check.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p>"Nope."</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p>"Nobody by that description."</p> </div> <p>The faces of all the the art school teachers and museum curators are beginning to blend together, perhaps even <em>literally</em>. Some of them look strikingly similar.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p>"Think I've seen her. Check at this address,"</p> </div> <p>One of these identical museum guides tells you.</p> <p>You ring the doorbell to the pottery studio he told you about. A man wearing a mud-stained apron opens the door. Every single surface is splattered with bits of clay. The sound of turning pottery wheels fills the area.</p> <p>The man at the first wheel says that Patch is here. He points you across the room, where a tattooed Asian woman is currently molding a life-size humanoid figurine. She pinches and prods the clay, which seems to obey her thoughts rather than her fingers, contorting into perfect limbs and appendages. In fact, you swear that the clay continues to move as she looks away to switch the music playing in her earbuds.</p> <p>She locks eyes with you for a fraction of a second before you dart back into the hallway.</p> <p>"Found her," you tell Oritsu as soon as she picks up.</p> <p>"What's the address?" she replies.</p> <p>Two minutes after you send the Google Maps link, Oritsu emerges out of the elevator. She emits an aura of warmth, and her skin is subtly glowing. Her eyes seem to have shifted to a light golden hue. Despite the early summer heat, she's wearing a coat: something metallic glints underneath it.</p> <p>“Stay out until I give you a phone call,” she tells you. She grabs your arm, and in the blink of an eye you're on the street next to the building.</p> <p>You decide you should probably listen to her. You find a bench nearby and sit down.</p> <p>The street is almost silent, save for the chirping of birds and the gunshots that begin a few minutes later. You get up and start walking away.</p> <p>The gunfire intensifies. Your walk turns into a run.</p> <hr/> <p>Half an hour later, Oritsu calls you. You tell her you got bored of waiting and walked away.</p> <p>She laughs and says, "I don't blame you. Hey, are you free tomorrow night?"</p> <p>"Does 7:00 PM work?" you reply.</p> <p>"It does for me. See you then."</p> <hr/> <p>You're ten minutes early, but she's already there when you show up. She still looks preoccupied, and…what happened again? Something was there, something…</p> <hr/> <p>You wake up the next morning, ready to go to work after a night of staying at home and watching Youtube. What a shame that she cancelled at the last minute.</p> <p>Life goes on.</p> <hr/> <p>A month later, a woman shows up to your bar. Despite her pale skin, she seems very dark. Dark hair trapped in a black beanie, dark circles under her eyes, dark ink tattooed across her body. Her black "this cat kills fascists" t-shirt is stained with clay. She carries a faint smell of marijuana.</p> <p>As you make the vodka martini she ordered, you feel like you've seen her before.</p> <p>"Have we met?" you ask.</p> <p>"No," she says.</p> <p>One refill later, she asks how you've been.</p> <p>"Fine," you reply. "What about you?"</p> <p>"I've been better," she says.</p> <p>"Wanna talk about it?"</p> <p>"An ex. Well, sort of. It's kinda complicated."</p> <p>"Ah."</p> <p>"Fucking Foundation bootlicker. Throws me away and pretends not to care, just for…"</p> <p>The woman pauses. You decide not to pry.</p> <p>Her expression is deliberate and stern as she pulls out her wallet, which doesn’t seem to have any credit cards. Instead, it’s packed with hundred-dollar bills, one of which she takes out to ask for change. You return her $89.50 in cash.</p> <p>She looks at the money before handing it back to you. “It’s a tip,” she says, before she downs the rest of her cocktail and leaves.</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/prologue-ghosted-by-amaterasu-well-only-sort-of-because-it-s">prologue: ghosted by amaterasu (well, only sort of, because it's not really her, but that's beside the point)</a>" by halcyon_days, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/prologue-ghosted-by-amaterasu-well-only-sort-of-because-it-s">https://scpwiki.com/prologue-ghosted-by-amaterasu-well-only-sort-of-because-it-s</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Oritsu.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/butterfly213" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9085587); return false;"><img alt="Butterfly213" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=9085587&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052871" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=9085587)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/butterfly213" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9085587); return false;">Butterfly213</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC-BY-SA 3.0</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:preview">:scp-wiki:component:preview</a> \|text="Oritsu," she says. "It's not really my name, but that doesn't matter. It's good enough for you."]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:jakstyle">:scp-wiki:theme:jakstyle</a>]] [[module CSS]] :root { --header-title: "HOST DIVISION"; --header-subtitle: "call me when you've killed the gods"; --lgurl: url(http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/tactical-theology-hub/TactTheo%20East%20Asian%20Small.png); } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[div style="border: 1px #fff solid;"]] [[image Oritsu.png]] [[/div]] You work the bar at a sushi place in New York City. You’re Chinese, but that's beside the point; there are enough dragons and lanterns to fill in for both countries. This story begins on a Wednesday afternoon in May. Most customers are at a booth, so there's not much for you to do except organize ingredients and wipe down the counter. The first person to sit down at the bar that afternoon is an Asian woman with necklaces and a handbag, each probably worth more than your rent; which is saying something, considering you live in Manhattan. In fact, just the sunglasses atop her head could probably cover your bills for the next month. You notice that her eye color leans more towards gold than brown or black. Her ponytail seems to be almost iridescent: probably just a trick of the light. "Shitty Lunar New Year bargain bin decor," she mutters as she sits down, referring to the paper lanterns and cheap calligraphy hanging around the restaurant. "Hakkaisan sake, snow-aged," she demands. "Warmed to forty-five Celsius, give or take a few degrees." Her tone isn't rude, per say. "Commanding" would be more accurate. She downs the shot you pour her, before raising her cup and shaking it at you to ask for more. You refill her glass. Her fingers drum on the table. She eventually takes out her phone, but can't seem to decide what to do with it. You finish wiping down the countertop and begin organizing glasses, keeping her in the corner of your vision. She downs the last of her sake and raises her cup again to ask for a refill. You give her more wine. "What's on your mind?" you ask. “Why do you care?” she replies. "Oh," you say, "I always feel better after I talk to someone. But it's fine if you don't want to discuss it.” You would like to think it was a very smooth conversation starter. The way her eyes narrow implies that it was not, in fact, a very smooth conversation starter. Her cheeks have flushed, and her gaze is somewhat unfocused. The bottle of sake is already half-empty. "My boss is giving me an impossible job," she mutters anyways. "Which is why I'm drinking at three o' clock on a Wednesday." "Do you wanna talk about it?" you say. She looks up from her phone and makes eye contact as she asks, "are you religious?" "Agnostic," you say. "That seems to be the norm for Chinese people." "Chinese? Working //here//?" she mutters as she rolls her eyes. "Chiang Kai-shek didn't die for this." You hope that the mediocre, somewhat problematic joke is another effect of the alcohol. She asks if you have a lot of Chinese friends. You tell her yes, you do. Her eyes light up. In fact, you swear that they flash gold for a split second. She asks if you’ve seen a Chinese woman named Patch nearby. You tell her no, you haven’t. She visibly deflates as she sighs. "I mean, I'm pretty involved in the local Chinese community," you add. "I could definitely ask around." She’s asks if you're fishing for a date. You—an honest, hardworking person—say yes. "You know what?" she laughs. "If you manage to find her, I'll go out with you. How does that sound?" "Why can't you go find her yourself?" you ask. "Complicated," she says. "Her things have eyes everywhere. She'll scurry off if she sees me looking for her. So, do you wanna take me up on that deal or not?" "Sure," you say. "I'll give it a shot." She downs the rest of her drink and hands you her credit card. It's cool to the touch, and you discover it's made entirely out of matte black metal. You slide her that fancy new electronic thing with a touchpad for her to select a tip. She taps the screen before telling you her number. "Write it down," she says, "and call me if you need anything." You plug her number into your contacts, and she leaves. The screen says that she left a 500% tip. You're not quite sure how to react to that. A few seconds after she closes the glass doors, she explodes into a burst of radiance. It's blinding, like a piece of light ripped from the sun and thrust onto earth. When your vision clears, the street is empty. You feel like at some point a TV crew is going to run out and tell you it was a prank. But that never happens, and you clock out as usual, leaving as the evening shift replaces you and the bar begins to fill. ---- When you get home, you call every single Chinese person you know and ask how you would go about finding this Patch. [[div class="blockquote"]] "Who names their kid //Patch//?" [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] "You don't know anything else about this girl? Anything?" [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] "How the fuck would I know?" [[/div]] Some more identifying info about Patch would probably be helpful. You call the woman and ask for her name, since her contact on your phone is still blank save for the phone number. "Oritsu," she says. "It's not really my name, but that doesn't matter. It's good enough for you." According to Oritsu, Patch has a lot of tattoos, is probably doing something artsy, looks “around her age” (referring to herself), and that’s all she can tell you. "Call me again as soon as you find her," she says, hanging up before you can even respond. ---- The "artsy" and "tattoo" hints turn out to be useful. Now, you have //too many// leads. You call all the universities, art studios and museum centers that people told you to check. [[div class="blockquote"]] "Nope." [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] "Nobody by that description." [[/div]] The faces of all the the art school teachers and museum curators are beginning to blend together, perhaps even //literally//. Some of them look strikingly similar. [[div class="blockquote"]] "Think I've seen her. Check at this address," [[/div]] One of these identical museum guides tells you. You ring the doorbell to the pottery studio he told you about. A man wearing a mud-stained apron opens the door. Every single surface is splattered with bits of clay. The sound of turning pottery wheels fills the area. The man at the first wheel says that Patch is here. He points you across the room, where a tattooed Asian woman is currently molding a life-size humanoid figurine. She pinches and prods the clay, which seems to obey her thoughts rather than her fingers, contorting into perfect limbs and appendages. In fact, you swear that the clay continues to move as she looks away to switch the music playing in her earbuds. She locks eyes with you for a fraction of a second before you dart back into the hallway. "Found her," you tell Oritsu as soon as she picks up. "What's the address?" she replies. Two minutes after you send the Google Maps link, Oritsu emerges out of the elevator. She emits an aura of warmth, and her skin is subtly glowing. Her eyes seem to have shifted to a light golden hue. Despite the early summer heat, she's wearing a coat: something metallic glints underneath it. “Stay out until I give you a phone call,” she tells you. She grabs your arm, and in the blink of an eye you're on the street next to the building. You decide you should probably listen to her. You find a bench nearby and sit down. The street is almost silent, save for the chirping of birds and the gunshots that begin a few minutes later. You get up and start walking away. The gunfire intensifies. Your walk turns into a run. ---- Half an hour later, Oritsu calls you. You tell her you got bored of waiting and walked away. She laughs and says, "I don't blame you. Hey, are you free tomorrow night?" "Does 7:00 PM work?" you reply. "It does for me. See you then." ---- You're ten minutes early, but she's already there when you show up. She still looks preoccupied, and...what happened again? Something was there, something... ---- You wake up the next morning, ready to go to work after a night of staying at home and watching Youtube. What a shame that she cancelled at the last minute. Life goes on. ---- A month later, a woman shows up to your bar. Despite her pale skin, she seems very dark. Dark hair trapped in a black beanie, dark circles under her eyes, dark ink tattooed across her body. Her black "this cat kills fascists" t-shirt is stained with clay. She carries a faint smell of marijuana. As you make the vodka martini she ordered, you feel like you've seen her before. "Have we met?" you ask. "No," she says. One refill later, she asks how you've been. "Fine," you reply. "What about you?" "I've been better," she says. "Wanna talk about it?" "An ex. Well, sort of. It's kinda complicated." "Ah." "Fucking Foundation bootlicker. Throws me away and pretends not to care, just for..." The woman pauses. You decide not to pry. Her expression is deliberate and stern as she pulls out her wallet, which doesn’t seem to have any credit cards. Instead, it’s packed with hundred-dollar bills, one of which she takes out to ask for change. You return her $89.50 in cash. She looks at the money before handing it back to you. “It’s a tip,” she says, before she downs the rest of her cocktail and leaves. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Filename: Oritsu.png > Author: [[user Butterfly213]] > License:* CC-BY-SA 3.0 [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-07-28T18:19:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "illustrated", "mystery", "mythological", "reviewers-spotlight", "second-person", "tale" ]	prologue: ghosted by amaterasu (well, only sort of, because it's not really her, but that's beside the point) - SCP Foundation	27	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "reviewers-spotlight-archive-ii" ]	[]	1455962015	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/prologue-ghosted-by-amaterasu-well-only-sort-of-because-it-s
proposal-of-expanded-protections-for-post-amnesticization-pe	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/normalize-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/basalt-bedrock-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="preview"> <p>The matter pertaining to the security and safety of personnel post-retirement has recently come to the attention of the Council.</p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>🕰️ Word Count: 2.5k Words 🕰️</strong></p> </div> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h3 id="toc0"><span>Retirement Programme</span></h3> <h4 id="toc1"><span>Proposal of Expanded Protections for Post-Amnesticization Personnel</span></h4> <hr/></div> <p><strong>Case #:</strong> 8980-4</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> 09/OCT/2022</p> <p><strong>Relevant Person:</strong> Christopher Byrnes \| Retired Research Staff</p> <p><strong>Proposal:</strong> The creation and deployment of a team dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of personnel who have previously retired from the Foundation in good standing.</p> <p><strong>Request Submitted To:</strong> O5-1 (Arbiter), O5-3, O5-11</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h3 id="toc2"><span>O5 Discussion</span></h3> <hr/></div> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> Thank you both for taking the time to be here.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Our pleasure.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> Given the short notice the context of our meeting provides, we will not be joined by other Council members on the date. Both of you are to make your insights clear, at which point I - an unbiased party - will decide upon which course of action to take. Is that clear?</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> It is clear.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Clear.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> You both have been adequately informed on the situation, have you not?</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> Yes we have.</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>Briefing</strong></p> </div> <p>On 06/OCT/2022, a person within Site-17 disseminated copies of the <a href="/scp-8980">SCP-8980</a> file to the public. All copies sent to civilians and media outlets were retrieved, and the person responsible was detained. However, numerous hostile agents of non-normalcy were able to create their own copies of the SCP-8980 file.</p> <p>Two individuals hence dubbed as PoI-8980.1 and PoI-8980.2 subsequently took significant interest in Christopher Byrnes, beginning discourse regarding him. On 08/OCT/2022, both persons successfully identified the whereabouts and new identity of Byrnes prior to closing in upon his location.</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h3 id="toc3"><span>Transcribed Evidence #1</span></h3> <hr/></div> <p><strong>Note:</strong> Conversations made between PoIs were transcribed via standard spacial-distortion recording available to the Council.</p> <hr/> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> It's fucked up. It's bullshit!</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> What?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Did you read the leaked file yet?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> No.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Okay. Just- read that first. It's- fucking haunting, man.</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> Jesus Christ.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> And she's still in containment, too! That's the worst part. They just gave her a pat on the back and are moving on with their day.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> We already knew those guys were assholes. Just…</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Hopefully this does something to them.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> I don't think this is really going to do much for anyone who isn't already against the Foundation.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> I know, I know.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> I mean I'm agreeing with you - anybody who let that happen should go to whatever variant of hell they believe in. But nobody is going to change anything after this.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> They still have her in there.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> She should be free. But nothing like that is ever going to happen to her again - especially after this. At least she has good care now. Be glad that it is better than it was.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> You know what the real fucked up part about it is? That they let that piece of shit Byrnes get away with it.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> I know.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> He's probably enjoying retirement. Marley has to spend the rest of her life with everything he did to her - and he gets to forget all about her.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> It's bullshit.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> I don't… He doesn't- I don't know. I don't even know what to think right now.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> There's not much we can do for her, I don't think.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> I know.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> I really, really wish we could, though.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Hopefully she gets done right one day.</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> What chance do you think there is that Byrnes is guarded?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> What?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> In retirement - do you think he has security?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> I don't know.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> You see- I'm thinking that he doesn't. He retired in a position where he wouldn't reasonably have anyone going after him, and now he's disgraced within the Foundation.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> …</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> So I'm thinking that there is a really good chance that Byrnes is the only person who cares about Byrnes at the current moment.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> …</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> Do you want to pay him a visit?</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h3 id="toc4"><span>O5 Discussion</span></h3> <hr/></div> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> I think it is readily apparent that should we not intervene, Byrnes will at best be murdered by the hostile persons. But at worst, we risk the PoIs kidnapping Byrnes and attempting to extract sensitive information.</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> <em>A risk</em> we actively take with an amnesticization retirement plan across all personnel. Not to mention any personnel who choose to not undergo amnesticization after retirement.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> The crucial difference being that Byrnes is actively under threat.</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> Byrnes <em>the person</em> is under threat. But there exist very minor reflections of that threat upon normalcy at large given his amnesticization.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Are you forgetting <em>amnesticization reversal?</em></p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> We exist as the only polity with remotely the proper resources to reliably and viably perform such a procedure. A procedure heavily reliant on recency, memory type, resistance, and the experience of the performing amnesthesiologist. Not to mention how incredibly <em>expensive</em> a reversal procedure is.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> There always remains a chance that hostile groups possess technology we are unaware of.</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> If captured alive, the chance of anybody being able to retrieve anything of value is incredibly low.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> But-</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> -and that is <em>if</em> Byrnes is captured alive. There is a strong chance that Byrnes is killed on the spot by the hostiles. Your argument relies on a very specific, unlikely scenario.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> That is just one example. But even if it were the only one, we can not risk any chance. What was the opinion of the 1967 Annual Council Meeting? "Laziness is the path to normalcy meeting its neverend."</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> Then I would propose for the neutralization of Christopher Byrnes.</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h3 id="toc5"><span>Transcribed Evidence #2</span></h3> <hr/></div> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> Found him.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Nice. Where is he?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> Brisbane.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Australia?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> No, no. It's a town near San Francisco.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Oh.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> Close enough to Site-17 from what I can tell.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> They really have a lot of sites around San Francisco, don't they?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> Which means we're going to have to be pretty careful with him.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> He probably just kept his house from before retirement, didn't he?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> Yeah.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> How far away is it from Site-17? A 40-minute drive? 1 hour?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> Around half an hour.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> That's going to be pretty close.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> Are you planning on make a stop there?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> I mean- we're going to kill somebody who used to work with them. They're probably going after us anyway. Might as well try to break Marley free?</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> We can't.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Yes we can-</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> First off, there is not any possible way we could come close to succeeding in that. And secondly; what would we even do after?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> I don't know.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> We can't break into one of the biggest Foundation sites, kidnap someone, and just walk away with her.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> She deserves to get out of there.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> Of course she does! I really, really want her to go free. But we can't realistically do anything to change that.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> I know, I know. It was just a thought.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> Things aren't as bad for her as they used to be. They really, really suck ass still. But things got better for her when Byrnes left. The main issue was Byrnes.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> And we're making sure he sees justice, yeah. I don't like how this is everything we can do about it.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2</strong> For now. I'm sure it will change in the future. But lets do what we can now and give this sadist what he deserves.</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h3 id="toc6"><span>O5 Discussion</span></h3> <hr/></div> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> I'm thinking of this from a purely logistical angle; let's think for a second about what we'd be spending on Byrnes. All of that funding, all of that manpower, all of those hours planning. Imagine all of that - against a single bullet to the head.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> But what would that establish?</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> What?</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> It would establish that we - as an organization - are willing to kill anyone who poses a remote challenge upon our objectives. We are not the Foundation of yesterday, we are a moral organization leading the way to humanity's future.</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> We are far, far past that. The Foundation of the past would round up those they merely suspected to interfere with their goals and detain/neutralize them. I agree that we are not that Foundation.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> And I see that what you are suggesting may seem radically different. But I could easily imagine this being the start of future Councils organizing assassinations against those who don't deserve it.</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> The neutralization of Byrnes would be the exception, not the rule.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Regardless, we simply can't kill somebody because we do not like what we did. We have rules. The neutralization of Byrnes would make us hypocrites.</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h3 id="toc7"><span>Transcribed Evidence #3</span></h3> <hr/></div> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> You're sure that you are sure that you want to do this?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Stop asking me that.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> It's just how you look - it makes me think that you aren't sure with yourself.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Hell no. I got to- We've got to give him what's coming for him. I'm sure about that…</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> Are you just nervous in general?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> No.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> Well, I'm not going to stop pestering you until you get whatever's on your mind off of it.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> I was just thinking about Byrnes.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> What about him?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Not too sure.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> Is it what he did? How he got away?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Something similar to that. Just his amnesticization - how he doesn't remember anything.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> Hey, no! He abused that knowing that it'd get him off scot-free.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Oh, definitely. I'm just second-guessing the point of it.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> Point of what?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Killing him. He doesn't remember anything, isn't involved with the Foundation, and nobody cares about him anymore.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> There has to be consequences for pulling shit like that. If the Foundation won't lock him away for the heinous stuff he did in the past - then we'll give him what he deserves.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> But is that Byrnes even the same person anymore? They have different memories - or at the very least forgot everything the original did.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> There has to be overlap. Even if he doesn't remember what he did, he still has the mental capacity to do it again.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Yeah, yeah. I guess.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> If we don't stop him now; it <em>is</em> only a matter of time until he finds another victim.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Fair, fair. I agree with that.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> You still reserved about it?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Slightly. But - I'm going to go through with it if you are.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> Yeah. Even then, whatever variant of himself he designs to escape guilt simply can't be allowed to work.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> I know. It's just… difficult to get past.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.2:</strong> It's tough, but Byrnes is the same person. He is evil, sadistic, and dangerous. What we are doing is a good thing - and that is making sure that Byrnes faces retribution.</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980.1:</strong> Yeah. Of course.</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980-2:</strong> You want to know something strange?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980-1:</strong> What?</p> <p><strong>PoI-8980-2:</strong> I think there's a good chance Byrnes remembers what he did. Maybe the amnestics weren't applied right, or something like that. But I think that deep down, he remembers every minute detail of what he did to Marley. I think that he wakes up every day and takes joy from what he did to her. And it makes me feel disgusting.</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h3 id="toc8"><span>O5 Discussion</span></h3> <hr/></div> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> And yet you propose with hardly any basis to go out of our way to ensure the security of a single man?</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Not just a single man, no. Anyone who is retired and deemed to be under threat may join a programme for further protections. It wouldn't be exclusive for Byrnes.</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> And what defines being "under threat"?</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> As of now, we will. Moving forward, we will establish a team to analyze developments and attempt to discover threats against the well-being of retired staff prior to action agains them.</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> Could we assemble all of that within the next 24 hours for Byrnes?</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Most likely.</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> Covert surveillance, a search team to find assailants, operatives to stop threats from reaching him without his knowledge of their existence. All of that?</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> We have Site-17, Site-15, and Site-14 all in the Bay Area. He is in the best area for such a team to be assembled.</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> I would directly oppose any action to the benefit of a single, unimportant man. However I would support any action to establish protections for those beyond simply Byrnes.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> So you remove any opposition to the proposal?</p> <p><strong>O5-11:</strong> Yes. So long as the protections remain in place for all retired personnel should it be needed.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> In that case, we shall proceed with the proposal. -3, you are relegated to the immediate security of Christopher Byrnes as the first mission of the new programme. -11, you are dismissed. Thank you both for your participation in the discussion today.</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h3 id="toc9"><span>Post-Amnesticization Protection Programme</span></h3> <h4 id="toc10"><span>Notice of Expanded Protections</span></h4> <hr/></div> <p><strong>Date:</strong> 09/OCT/2022</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <blockquote> <p><em>"The matter pertaining to the security and safety of personnel post-retirement has recently come to the attention of the Council. Indeed, prior to now the security measures dedicated to said personnel has only been allocated to those who would undeniably pose a threat to normalcy if not granted protection. We recognize this shortcoming and have committed to creating a body dedicated to regulate and assign additional protections to persons deemed to be under threat. That is all that the Council has decided on the matter.</em></p> <p><em>~O5-3</em></p> </blockquote> </div> <hr/> <p><strong>Note:</strong> On 10/OCT/2022, PoI-8980.1 and PoI-8980.2 launched an assault on where they believed Byrnes' location was. Foundation operatives had previously removed Byrnes from the area. Both PoIs were confronted by personnel. The PoIs initiated violent contact with the attending personnel, resulting in armed personnel opening fire. PoI-8980.1 was neutralized during the engagement while PoI-8980.2 was apprehended, albeit injured. PoI-8980.2 would later expire during interrogation.</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h3 id="toc11"><span>Post-Legislation Celebratory Meeting</span></h3> <hr/></div> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> Ah, -3! Come in. Have a seat!</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Thank you.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> Would you like a drink?</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> No thanks. I'm not a drinker.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> Really? Could've sworn I've seen you drink before.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Not really my thing anymore.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> Ah.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Hey, don't hold yourself back because of me.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> Not particularly planning on it.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Heh.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> And hey - we did a good thing there the other day. Looking back on it - I don't see how the council hasn't made a body such as that before.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> How so?</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> There are the odd assassinations every decade or so. Typically we learn of them afterthefact; so this was unique.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Do you imagine the same legislation passing regardless?</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> Of course! It really was inevitable that something like that would be made eventually.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> But would that time be now; or somewhere in the future?</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> Does it really matter?</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Not really, no.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> The only thing that really matters is the precedent we establish. Precedent and normalcy go hand-in-hand, as it is normalcy's biggest rule. Precedent can not exist with exception - and thus normalcy can not exist with exception.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> Indeed.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> Ultimately; this will be a benefit to all of the Foundation.</p> <p><strong>O5-3:</strong> I doubt any personnel who plan on retiring oppose it - which are all of them.</p> <p><strong>O5-1:</strong> Gives them the good grace to relax knowing that we will protect them. No matter what happens.</p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/proposal-of-expanded-protections-for-post-amnesticization-pe">Proposal of Expanded Protections for Post-Amnesticization Personnel</a>" by VapidPoem, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/proposal-of-expanded-protections-for-post-amnesticization-pe">https://scpwiki.com/proposal-of-expanded-protections-for-post-amnesticization-pe</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:basalt">:scp-wiki:theme:basalt</a> darkmode=a\|hidetitle=a]] [[module CSS]] @import url('https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/scp-8980/departuremono.css'); :root { --logo: url(http://scptestwiki.wikidot.com/local--files/sigma:lol/ecw.png); --header-title: "ETHICS COMMITTEE"; --header-subtitle: "INTERNAL RECORDKEEPING INTERFACE"; --basalt-primary-color: 0, 15, 0; --basalt-secondary-color: 0, 22, 0; --basalt-tertiary-color: 0, 30, 0; --ec-popup-color: 10, 70, 10; --basalt-bright-element-color: 16, 184, 16; --basalt-dark-element-color: 10, 150, 10; --rfr-primary: #E0F6FD; --rfr-secondary: lightskyblue; } body { background: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)), url("https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/scp-8980/fractal.webp"); background-position: center, center; background-size: cover; background-attachment: scroll, fixed; } b, strong { font-weight: 800; } table { box-sizing: border-box; } .content-warning { font-size: 85%; translate: 0px -5px; } #top-bar div[class="top-bar"] > ul > li > a { font-size: 115%; } .page-title { border-bottom: solid 1px #424248; font-weight: normal; margin: 0 0 0.6em; padding: 0 0 0.25em; font-size: 200%; font-family: var(--title-font); } .page-title p { margin: 0; } #breadcrumbs, .pseudocrumbs { margin: auto; width: fit-content; padding-bottom: 5px; opacity: 0.8; } #page-content .yui-content div { overflow: hidden; } #page-content div:is(.document, .darkdocument) { max-width: 50rem; } div:is(.document, .darkdocument)::before, div:is(.document, .darkdocument)::after { position: relative !important; } div.blockquote { background-color: #0f0f0f; } div.blockquote.light { background-color: #2b2b2b; } .red-text { color: red; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { opacity: 0.5; transition-duration: 0.3s; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link:hover { opacity: 1; transition-duration: 0.3s; } @media (max-width: 430px) { :where(#page-content) table { width: fit-content; } } [[/module]] ==== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= The matter pertaining to the security and safety of personnel post-retirement has recently come to the attention of the Council. ]] ===== [[=]] 🕰️ Word Count: 2.5k Words 🕰️* [[/=]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] ---- [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] ---- +++ Retirement Programme ++++ Proposal of Expanded Protections for Post-Amnesticization Personnel ---- [[/=]] Case #: 8980-4 Date: 09/OCT/2022 Relevant Person: Christopher Byrnes \| Retired Research Staff Proposal: The creation and deployment of a team dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of personnel who have previously retired from the Foundation in good standing. Request Submitted To: O5-1 (Arbiter), O5-3, O5-11 [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] ---- +++ O5 Discussion ---- [[/=]] O5-1: Thank you both for taking the time to be here. O5-3: Our pleasure. O5-1: Given the short notice the context of our meeting provides, we will not be joined by other Council members on the date. Both of you are to make your insights clear, at which point I - an unbiased party - will decide upon which course of action to take. Is that clear? O5-11: It is clear. O5-3: Clear. O5-1: You both have been adequately informed on the situation, have you not? O5-11: Yes we have. [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] Briefing [[/=]] On 06/OCT/2022, a person within Site-17 disseminated copies of the [[[SCP-8980]]] file to the public. All copies sent to civilians and media outlets were retrieved, and the person responsible was detained. However, numerous hostile agents of non-normalcy were able to create their own copies of the SCP-8980 file. Two individuals hence dubbed as PoI-8980.1 and PoI-8980.2 subsequently took significant interest in Christopher Byrnes, beginning discourse regarding him. On 08/OCT/2022, both persons successfully identified the whereabouts and new identity of Byrnes prior to closing in upon his location. [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] ---- +++ Transcribed Evidence #1 ---- [[/=]] Note: Conversations made between PoIs were transcribed via standard spacial-distortion recording available to the Council. ---- PoI-8980.1: It's fucked up. It's bullshit! PoI-8980.2 What? PoI-8980.1: Did you read the leaked file yet? PoI-8980.2 No. PoI-8980.1: Okay. Just- read that first. It's- fucking haunting, man. ... PoI-8980.2 Jesus Christ. PoI-8980.1: And she's still in containment, too! That's the worst part. They just gave her a pat on the back and are moving on with their day. PoI-8980.2 We already knew those guys were assholes. Just... PoI-8980.1: Hopefully this does something to them. PoI-8980.2 I don't think this is really going to do much for anyone who isn't already against the Foundation. PoI-8980.1: I know, I know. PoI-8980.2 I mean I'm agreeing with you - anybody who let that happen should go to whatever variant of hell they believe in. But nobody is going to change anything after this. PoI-8980.1: They still have her in there. PoI-8980.2 She should be free. But nothing like that is ever going to happen to her again - especially after this. At least she has good care now. Be glad that it is better than it was. PoI-8980.1: You know what the real fucked up part about it is? That they let that piece of shit Byrnes get away with it. PoI-8980.2 I know. PoI-8980.1: He's probably enjoying retirement. Marley has to spend the rest of her life with everything he did to her - and he gets to forget all about her. PoI-8980.2 It's bullshit. PoI-8980.1: I don't... He doesn't- I don't know. I don't even know what to think right now. PoI-8980.2 There's not much we can do for her, I don't think. PoI-8980.1: I know. PoI-8980.2 I really, really wish we could, though. PoI-8980.1: Hopefully she gets done right one day. ... PoI-8980.2 What chance do you think there is that Byrnes is guarded? PoI-8980.1: What? PoI-8980.2 In retirement - do you think he has security? PoI-8980.1: I don't know. PoI-8980.2 You see- I'm thinking that he doesn't. He retired in a position where he wouldn't reasonably have anyone going after him, and now he's disgraced within the Foundation. PoI-8980.1: ... PoI-8980.2 So I'm thinking that there is a really good chance that Byrnes is the only person who cares about Byrnes at the current moment. PoI-8980.1: ... PoI-8980.2 Do you want to pay him a visit? [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] ---- +++ O5 Discussion ---- [[/=]] O5-3: I think it is readily apparent that should we not intervene, Byrnes will at best be murdered by the hostile persons. But at worst, we risk the PoIs kidnapping Byrnes and attempting to extract sensitive information. O5-11: //A risk// we actively take with an amnesticization retirement plan across all personnel. Not to mention any personnel who choose to not undergo amnesticization after retirement. O5-3: The crucial difference being that Byrnes is actively under threat. O5-11: Byrnes //the person// is under threat. But there exist very minor reflections of that threat upon normalcy at large given his amnesticization. O5-3: Are you forgetting //amnesticization reversal?// O5-11: We exist as the only polity with remotely the proper resources to reliably and viably perform such a procedure. A procedure heavily reliant on recency, memory type, resistance, and the experience of the performing amnesthesiologist. Not to mention how incredibly //expensive// a reversal procedure is. O5-3: There always remains a chance that hostile groups possess technology we are unaware of. O5-11: If captured alive, the chance of anybody being able to retrieve anything of value is incredibly low. O5-3: But- O5-11: -and that is //if// Byrnes is captured alive. There is a strong chance that Byrnes is killed on the spot by the hostiles. Your argument relies on a very specific, unlikely scenario. O5-3: That is just one example. But even if it were the only one, we can not risk any chance. What was the opinion of the 1967 Annual Council Meeting? "Laziness is the path to normalcy meeting its neverend." O5-11: Then I would propose for the neutralization of Christopher Byrnes. [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] ---- +++ Transcribed Evidence #2 ---- [[/=]] PoI-8980.2 Found him. PoI-8980.1: Nice. Where is he? PoI-8980.2 Brisbane. PoI-8980.1: Australia? PoI-8980.2 No, no. It's a town near San Francisco. PoI-8980.1: Oh. PoI-8980.2 Close enough to Site-17 from what I can tell. PoI-8980.1: They really have a lot of sites around San Francisco, don't they? PoI-8980.2 Which means we're going to have to be pretty careful with him. PoI-8980.1: He probably just kept his house from before retirement, didn't he? PoI-8980.2 Yeah. PoI-8980.1: How far away is it from Site-17? A 40-minute drive? 1 hour? PoI-8980.2 Around half an hour. PoI-8980.1: That's going to be pretty close. PoI-8980.2 Are you planning on make a stop there? PoI-8980.1: I mean- we're going to kill somebody who used to work with them. They're probably going after us anyway. Might as well try to break Marley free? ... PoI-8980.2 We can't. PoI-8980.1: Yes we can- PoI-8980.2 First off, there is not any possible way we could come close to succeeding in that. And secondly; what would we even do after? PoI-8980.1: I don't know. PoI-8980.2 We can't break into one of the biggest Foundation sites, kidnap someone, and just walk away with her. PoI-8980.1: She deserves to get out of there. PoI-8980.2 Of course she does! I really, really want her to go free. But we can't realistically do anything to change that. PoI-8980.1: I know, I know. It was just a thought. PoI-8980.2 Things aren't as bad for her as they used to be. They really, really suck ass still. But things got better for her when Byrnes left. The main issue was Byrnes. PoI-8980.1: And we're making sure he sees justice, yeah. I don't like how this is everything we can do about it. PoI-8980.2 For now. I'm sure it will change in the future. But lets do what we can now and give this sadist what he deserves. [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] ---- +++ O5 Discussion ---- [[/=]] O5-11: I'm thinking of this from a purely logistical angle; let's think for a second about what we'd be spending on Byrnes. All of that funding, all of that manpower, all of those hours planning. Imagine all of that - against a single bullet to the head. O5-3: But what would that establish? O5-11: What? O5-3: It would establish that we - as an organization - are willing to kill anyone who poses a remote challenge upon our objectives. We are not the Foundation of yesterday, we are a moral organization leading the way to humanity's future. O5-11: We are far, far past that. The Foundation of the past would round up those they merely suspected to interfere with their goals and detain/neutralize them. I agree that we are not that Foundation. O5-3: And I see that what you are suggesting may seem radically different. But I could easily imagine this being the start of future Councils organizing assassinations against those who don't deserve it. O5-11: The neutralization of Byrnes would be the exception, not the rule. O5-3: Regardless, we simply can't kill somebody because we do not like what we did. We have rules. The neutralization of Byrnes would make us hypocrites. [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] ---- +++ Transcribed Evidence #3 ---- [[/=]] PoI-8980.2: You're sure that you are sure that you want to do this? PoI-8980.1: Stop asking me that. PoI-8980.2: It's just how you look - it makes me think that you aren't sure with yourself. PoI-8980.1: Hell no. I got to- We've got to give him what's coming for him. I'm sure about that... PoI-8980.2: Are you just nervous in general? PoI-8980.1: No. PoI-8980.2: Well, I'm not going to stop pestering you until you get whatever's on your mind off of it. PoI-8980.1: I was just thinking about Byrnes. PoI-8980.2: What about him? PoI-8980.1: Not too sure. PoI-8980.2: Is it what he did? How he got away? PoI-8980.1: Something similar to that. Just his amnesticization - how he doesn't remember anything. PoI-8980.2: Hey, no! He abused that knowing that it'd get him off scot-free. PoI-8980.1: Oh, definitely. I'm just second-guessing the point of it. PoI-8980.2: Point of what? PoI-8980.1: Killing him. He doesn't remember anything, isn't involved with the Foundation, and nobody cares about him anymore. PoI-8980.2: There has to be consequences for pulling shit like that. If the Foundation won't lock him away for the heinous stuff he did in the past - then we'll give him what he deserves. PoI-8980.1: But is that Byrnes even the same person anymore? They have different memories - or at the very least forgot everything the original did. PoI-8980.2: There has to be overlap. Even if he doesn't remember what he did, he still has the mental capacity to do it again. PoI-8980.1: Yeah, yeah. I guess. PoI-8980.2: If we don't stop him now; it //is// only a matter of time until he finds another victim. PoI-8980.1: Fair, fair. I agree with that. PoI-8980.2: You still reserved about it? PoI-8980.1: Slightly. But - I'm going to go through with it if you are. PoI-8980.2: Yeah. Even then, whatever variant of himself he designs to escape guilt simply can't be allowed to work. PoI-8980.1: I know. It's just... difficult to get past. PoI-8980.2: It's tough, but Byrnes is the same person. He is evil, sadistic, and dangerous. What we are doing is a good thing - and that is making sure that Byrnes faces retribution. PoI-8980.1: Yeah. Of course. ... PoI-8980-2: You want to know something strange? PoI-8980-1: What? PoI-8980-2: I think there's a good chance Byrnes remembers what he did. Maybe the amnestics weren't applied right, or something like that. But I think that deep down, he remembers every minute detail of what he did to Marley. I think that he wakes up every day and takes joy from what he did to her. And it makes me feel disgusting. [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] ---- +++ O5 Discussion ---- [[/=]] O5-11: And yet you propose with hardly any basis to go out of our way to ensure the security of a single man? O5-3: Not just a single man, no. Anyone who is retired and deemed to be under threat may join a programme for further protections. It wouldn't be exclusive for Byrnes. O5-11: And what defines being "under threat"? O5-3: As of now, we will. Moving forward, we will establish a team to analyze developments and attempt to discover threats against the well-being of retired staff prior to action agains them. O5-11: Could we assemble all of that within the next 24 hours for Byrnes? O5-3: Most likely. O5-11: Covert surveillance, a search team to find assailants, operatives to stop threats from reaching him without his knowledge of their existence. All of that? O5-3: We have Site-17, Site-15, and Site-14 all in the Bay Area. He is in the best area for such a team to be assembled. O5-11: I would directly oppose any action to the benefit of a single, unimportant man. However I would support any action to establish protections for those beyond simply Byrnes. O5-1: So you remove any opposition to the proposal? O5-11: Yes. So long as the protections remain in place for all retired personnel should it be needed. O5-1: In that case, we shall proceed with the proposal. -3, you are relegated to the immediate security of Christopher Byrnes as the first mission of the new programme. -11, you are dismissed. Thank you both for your participation in the discussion today. [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] ---- +++ Post-Amnesticization Protection Programme ++++ Notice of Expanded Protections ---- [[/=]] Date: 09/OCT/2022 ---- [[=]] > //"The matter pertaining to the security and safety of personnel post-retirement has recently come to the attention of the Council. Indeed, prior to now the security measures dedicated to said personnel has only been allocated to those who would undeniably pose a threat to normalcy if not granted protection. We recognize this shortcoming and have committed to creating a body dedicated to regulate and assign additional protections to persons deemed to be under threat. That is all that the Council has decided on the matter.// > > //~O5-3// [[/=]] ---- Note: On 10/OCT/2022, PoI-8980.1 and PoI-8980.2 launched an assault on where they believed Byrnes' location was. Foundation operatives had previously removed Byrnes from the area. Both PoIs were confronted by personnel. The PoIs initiated violent contact with the attending personnel, resulting in armed personnel opening fire. PoI-8980.1 was neutralized during the engagement while PoI-8980.2 was apprehended, albeit injured. PoI-8980.2 would later expire during interrogation. [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] ---- +++ Post-Legislation Celebratory Meeting ---- [[/=]] O5-1: Ah, -3! Come in. Have a seat! O5-3: Thank you. O5-1: Would you like a drink? O5-3: No thanks. I'm not a drinker. O5-1: Really? Could've sworn I've seen you drink before. O5-3: Not really my thing anymore. O5-1: Ah. O5-3: Hey, don't hold yourself back because of me. O5-1: Not particularly planning on it. O5-3: Heh. O5-1: And hey - we did a good thing there the other day. Looking back on it - I don't see how the council hasn't made a body such as that before. O5-3: How so? O5-1: There are the odd assassinations every decade or so. Typically we learn of them afterthefact; so this was unique. O5-3: Do you imagine the same legislation passing regardless? O5-1: Of course! It really was inevitable that something like that would be made eventually. O5-3: But would that time be now; or somewhere in the future? O5-1: Does it really matter? O5-3: Not really, no. O5-1: The only thing that really matters is the precedent we establish. Precedent and normalcy go hand-in-hand, as it is normalcy's biggest rule. Precedent can not exist with exception - and thus normalcy can not exist with exception. O5-3: Indeed. O5-1: Ultimately; this will be a benefit to all of the Foundation. O5-3: I doubt any personnel who plan on retiring oppose it - which are all of them. O5-1: Gives them the good grace to relax knowing that we will protect them. No matter what happens. [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-11-03T04:08:00	[ "_licensebox", "bleak", "bureaucracy", "horror", "tale" ]	Proposal of Expanded Protections for Post-Amnesticization Personnel - SCP Foundation	45	[ "scp-8980", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[]	[]	1457268017	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/proposal-of-expanded-protections-for-post-amnesticization-pe
protocol-recolo	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="/some-more-dead-men">< < < < < Some More Dead Men</a></strong></p> <blockquote> <p><em>The following document is the first meeting of the O5 Council and the Ethics Committee on November 29, 2021, following the <a href="/some-more-dead-men">activation</a> of protocol recolo. As dictated by the protocol, several personnel of either Level 3 or 4 were upgraded to Overseer and Liaison status due to a mix of continued excellence in work output, directing other personnel and ability to deal with high amounts of stress in short time frames. Due to changes in Foundation leadership, the document is open to all personnel. For convenience, Ethics Committee Liaisons are designated as EC-(their number).</em></p> <ul> <li><strong>O5-1</strong>: OK, welcome everyone.</li> <li><strong>EC-1</strong>: Yes, welcome everyone.</li> <li><strong>O5-10</strong>: I’m still getting used to all this security.</li> <li><strong>EC-3</strong>: Me too.</li> <li><strong>O5-1</strong>: Don’t worry. Everybody’s guard numbers will decrease after this initial meeting. You all read the document detailing <a href="/tanhony-s-proposal">SCP-001</a>, correct?</li> <li><strong>O5-7</strong>: Yes. I know the Foundation isn’t above keeping anomalies unaware of where they are, but at least it was so they didn’t blow up the fucking world.</li> <li><strong>EC-16</strong>: It’s still at this site, isn’t it?</li> <li><strong>O5-11</strong>: In the infirmary, yes. The prosopagnosia procedure hadn’t gotten into the more advanced stages, so recovery is going to take a while.</li> <li><strong>EC-2</strong>: We’re all in agreement about none of us using it again, right? I mean two councils and a team of liaisons died because they couldn’t stop messing with it.</li> <li><strong>O5-9</strong>: We could just throw it in a standard humanoid containment unit.</li> <li><strong>EC-15</strong>: That would get it out of our minds, but I think there’s more we can do.</li> <li><strong>EC-1</strong>: Right. It’s in the state it is due to the Foundation’s abuse, something that we shouldn’t be doing to anomalies. This is our mistake and we need to fix it.</li> <li><strong>O5-1</strong>: Are you suggesting…?</li> <li><strong>EC-1</strong>: I propose that we release him into civilian life, without amnestic treatment.</li> </ul> <p>(Silence for 24 seconds)</p> <ul> <li><strong>O5-4</strong>: You can’t be serious.</li> <li><strong>EC-1</strong>: I <em>am</em>. Despite its anomalous properties, the Foundation abused it for its own gain and we all agree that we can’t let ourselves fall into the habits of our predecessors. …And it deserves to know who did it to them.</li> <li><strong>O5-13</strong>: And what if GoIs try to exert their own influence onto SCP-001?</li> <li><strong>EC-1</strong>: That is why we will monitor it. Should any hostile powers try to capture it, or should it try to use its abilities in ways that could cause damage to civilians, we will take it into containment once again.</li> <li><strong>EC-19</strong>: If we’re going to release SCP-001…, then there are other non-hostile sapient anomalies that we should as well. Though taking advantage of them did not result in as much damage as this one did to the Foundation, they were still thoroughly abused in ways that caused a great amount of physical and psychological stress to them.</li> <li><strong>O5-3</strong>: You know that this will completely upend the way the Foundation operates, right? Releasing non-hostile sapient anomalies without amnestic treatment? If they threaten the Veil Protocol…</li> <li><strong>EC-1</strong>: Which is why the Foundation will continually monitor them for any actions that threaten civilians or the Veil. If the need arises, we contain them, like an NDA. I still believe that the Veil is necessary for our operations to continue, but there’s no reason to cause any more unnecessary secrecy.</li> <li><strong>O5-7</strong>: This would save the Foundation countless amounts of money spent on their living expenses. But are we sure this is what we want to do?</li> <li><strong>O5-1</strong>: The Foundation has taken anomalies from their lives and thrown them into needlessly cruel experimentation. We have seen what this did to our predecessors. And the Foundation needs to be better if we want to continue operating without crazy shit like this. Besides, we’re lucky SCP-001 couldn’t fight back. What’s to stop the next anomaly someone tries to take advantage of from fighting back when it wants its freedom.</li> <li><strong>EC-23</strong>: Say we did do this. What would we tell the anomalies?</li> <li><strong>EC-1</strong>: We would inform them of the changes, return them to their families and help them readjust to civilian life.</li> <li><strong>O5-11</strong>: There’s going to be plenty of lingering resentment.</li> <li><strong>EC-1</strong>: Of course there is. But we can't just erase it. We need it to be a reminder of what we can’t allow to happen again.</li> </ul> <em>Vote of O5 Council and Ethics Committee Liaisons on the release of non-hostile sapient anomalies that don’t immediately cause harm to civilians or the Veil.</em><br/> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th></th> <th>Yes</th> <th>No</th> <th>Abstain</th> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-1</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-2</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-3</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-4</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>X</td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-5</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>X</td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-6</td> <td></td> <td>X</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-7</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-8</td> <td></td> <td>X</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-9</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-10</td> <td></td> <td>X</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-11</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-12</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>X</td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-13</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>X</td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-1</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-2</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-3</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-4</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>X</td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-5</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-6</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-7</td> <td></td> <td>X</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-8</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-9</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-10</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-11</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-12</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>X</td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-13</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-14</td> <td></td> <td>X</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-15</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-16</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-17</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-18</td> <td></td> <td>X</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-19</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-20</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-21</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-22</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>X</td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-23</td> <td></td> <td>X</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-24</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td>X</td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-25</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>EC-26</td> <td>X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> </table> <p>THE MOTION PASSES</p> </blockquote> <hr/> <h3 id="toc0"><span>December 2, 2021</span></h3> <p><a href="/scp-105">Iris</a> liked doing picture puzzles.</p> <p>Whether it was a small one or a puzzle with hundreds of pieces, Iris liked doing them to look at what they showed her. It gave her something to do in her cell. The Foundation didn’t want her to go insane after all — they could still make use of her gifts. Iris scoffed at that. Of course it had been over six years since anyone had asked her to help them, but what use was a gift it got you locked up for almost a decade? She knew it would be turning into her decade-anniversary of her stay with the Foundation — those psychiatrist appointments, useless as they were asking how their prisoner was feeling, helped her keep track of what day it was.</p> <p>This puzzle was of the solar system. It was over 1,000 pieces and she had been working on it for the past three hours on the floor. Maybe when it was done, she could try to reach her hand into it, but it likely wouldn’t work. She had tried it with other puzzles, but it felt as though she was reaching into a wood chipper that was turned on. The pain was only temporary and the marks that should have been on her hand always disappeared when she stopped trying.</p> <p>There was a knock on her cell door. “May I come in?” a soft feminine voice asked. That was unusual. She had previously been able to leave her cell freely during the day and talk to the other Site-17 residents and talk to the guards, or as much as one could call conversing with people who barely spoke more than one sentence and had orders to subdue you if you got too rowdy. But that hadn’t been the case for nearly three months. It was after the day her and Rainer had discussed SCP-001. It was a simple guessing game and they just thought that whatever it was was strong and the Foundation would definitely use it if they got the chance. What was so wrong about their guess? She hadn’t been able to come out of her cell unless it was for psychiatrist appointments and it wasn’t today, and they most certainly didn’t ever knock on her door and ask if they could come in.</p> <p>“Um… yeah” Iris hesitantly responded. This was all new territory for her. She hadn’t thought she did anything bad in her cell recently, or at least, she thought she hadn’t. She supposed she would just have to find out.</p> <p>The door opened and a woman in a white lab coat with dirty-blonde hair stepped through. She had a pale face, brown eyes and small marks around her cheeks. Iris stood up. The woman was only slightly taller than Iris. She smiled.</p> <p>“Iris…” she began. Iris’s eyes widened, apart from her psychiatrist and the other anomalies no one ever called her by her name, always SCP-105 or 105. “I was wondering if you would like to go back to Arizona.”</p> <p>Suddenly the picture puzzle didn’t seem so important.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="/you-want-to-go-home">You Want to Go Home? > > > > ></a></strong></p> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] = [[[Some More Dead Men\|< < < < < Some More Dead Men]]] > //The following document is the first meeting of the O5 Council and the Ethics Committee on November 29, 2021, following the [[[Some More Dead Men\|activation]]] of protocol recolo. As dictated by the protocol, several personnel of either Level 3 or 4 were upgraded to Overseer and Liaison status due to a mix of continued excellence in work output, directing other personnel and ability to deal with high amounts of stress in short time frames. Due to changes in Foundation leadership, the document is open to all personnel. For convenience, Ethics Committee Liaisons are designated as EC-(their number).// > > * O5-1: OK, welcome everyone. > * EC-1: Yes, welcome everyone. > * O5-10: I’m still getting used to all this security. > * EC-3: Me too. > * O5-1: Don’t worry. Everybody’s guard numbers will decrease after this initial meeting. You all read the document detailing [[[Tanhony's Proposal\|SCP-001]]], correct? > * O5-7: Yes. I know the Foundation isn’t above keeping anomalies unaware of where they are, but at least it was so they didn’t blow up the fucking world. > * EC-16: It’s still at this site, isn’t it? > * O5-11: In the infirmary, yes. The prosopagnosia procedure hadn’t gotten into the more advanced stages, so recovery is going to take a while. > * EC-2: We’re all in agreement about none of us using it again, right? I mean two councils and a team of liaisons died because they couldn’t stop messing with it. > * O5-9: We could just throw it in a standard humanoid containment unit. > * EC-15: That would get it out of our minds, but I think there’s more we can do. > * EC-1: Right. It’s in the state it is due to the Foundation’s abuse, something that we shouldn’t be doing to anomalies. This is our mistake and we need to fix it. > * O5-1: Are you suggesting…? > * EC-1: I propose that we release him into civilian life, without amnestic treatment. > > (Silence for 24 seconds) > > * O5-4: You can’t be serious. > * EC-1: I //am//. Despite its anomalous properties, the Foundation abused it for its own gain and we all agree that we can’t let ourselves fall into the habits of our predecessors. …And it deserves to know who did it to them. > * O5-13: And what if GoIs try to exert their own influence onto SCP-001? > * EC-1: That is why we will monitor it. Should any hostile powers try to capture it, or should it try to use its abilities in ways that could cause damage to civilians, we will take it into containment once again. > * EC-19: If we’re going to release SCP-001…, then there are other non-hostile sapient anomalies that we should as well. Though taking advantage of them did not result in as much damage as this one did to the Foundation, they were still thoroughly abused in ways that caused a great amount of physical and psychological stress to them. > * O5-3: You know that this will completely upend the way the Foundation operates, right? Releasing non-hostile sapient anomalies without amnestic treatment? If they threaten the Veil Protocol… > * EC-1: Which is why the Foundation will continually monitor them for any actions that threaten civilians or the Veil. If the need arises, we contain them, like an NDA. I still believe that the Veil is necessary for our operations to continue, but there’s no reason to cause any more unnecessary secrecy. > * O5-7: This would save the Foundation countless amounts of money spent on their living expenses. But are we sure this is what we want to do? > * O5-1: The Foundation has taken anomalies from their lives and thrown them into needlessly cruel experimentation. We have seen what this did to our predecessors. And the Foundation needs to be better if we want to continue operating without crazy shit like this. Besides, we’re lucky SCP-001 couldn’t fight back. What’s to stop the next anomaly someone tries to take advantage of from fighting back when it wants its freedom. > * EC-23: Say we did do this. What would we tell the anomalies? > * EC-1: We would inform them of the changes, return them to their families and help them readjust to civilian life. > * O5-11: There’s going to be plenty of lingering resentment. > * EC-1: Of course there is. But we can't just erase it. We need it to be a reminder of what we can’t allow to happen again. > > //Vote of O5 Council and Ethics Committee Liaisons on the release of non-hostile sapient anomalies that don’t immediately cause harm to civilians or the Veil.// > > > \|\|~ \|\|~ Yes \|\|~ No \|\|~ Abstain \|\| > \|\| O5-1 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| O5-2 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| O5-3 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| O5-4 \|\| \|\| \|\| X \|\| > \|\| O5-5 \|\| \|\| \|\| X \|\| > \|\| O5-6 \|\| \|\| X \|\| \|\| > \|\| O5-7 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| O5-8 \|\| \|\| X \|\| \|\| > \|\| O5-9 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| O5-10 \|\| \|\| X \|\| \|\| > \|\| O5-11 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| O5-12 \|\| \|\| \|\| X \|\| > \|\| O5-13 \|\| \|\| \|\| X \|\| > \|\| EC-1 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-2 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-3 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-4 \|\| \|\| \|\| X \|\| > \|\| EC-5 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-6 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-7 \|\| \|\| X \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-8 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-9 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-10 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-11 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-12 \|\| \|\| \|\| X \|\| > \|\| EC-13 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-14 \|\| \|\| X \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-15 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-16 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-17 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-18 \|\| \|\| X \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-19 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-20 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-21 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-22 \|\| \|\| \|\| X \|\| > \|\| EC-23 \|\| \|\| X \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-24 \|\| \|\| \|\| X \|\| > \|\| EC-25 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > \|\| EC-26 \|\| X \|\| \|\| \|\| > > THE MOTION PASSES ------ +++ December 2, 2021 [[[SCP-105\|Iris]]] liked doing picture puzzles. Whether it was a small one or a puzzle with hundreds of pieces, Iris liked doing them to look at what they showed her. It gave her something to do in her cell. The Foundation didn’t want her to go insane after all — they could still make use of her gifts. Iris scoffed at that. Of course it had been over six years since anyone had asked her to help them, but what use was a gift it got you locked up for almost a decade? She knew it would be turning into her decade-anniversary of her stay with the Foundation — those psychiatrist appointments, useless as they were asking how their prisoner was feeling, helped her keep track of what day it was. This puzzle was of the solar system. It was over 1,000 pieces and she had been working on it for the past three hours on the floor. Maybe when it was done, she could try to reach her hand into it, but it likely wouldn’t work. She had tried it with other puzzles, but it felt as though she was reaching into a wood chipper that was turned on. The pain was only temporary and the marks that should have been on her hand always disappeared when she stopped trying. There was a knock on her cell door. “May I come in?” a soft feminine voice asked. That was unusual. She had previously been able to leave her cell freely during the day and talk to the other Site-17 residents and talk to the guards, or as much as one could call conversing with people who barely spoke more than one sentence and had orders to subdue you if you got too rowdy. But that hadn’t been the case for nearly three months. It was after the day her and Rainer had discussed SCP-001. It was a simple guessing game and they just thought that whatever it was was strong and the Foundation would definitely use it if they got the chance. What was so wrong about their guess? She hadn’t been able to come out of her cell unless it was for psychiatrist appointments and it wasn’t today, and they most certainly didn’t ever knock on her door and ask if they could come in. “Um… yeah” Iris hesitantly responded. This was all new territory for her. She hadn’t thought she did anything bad in her cell recently, or at least, she thought she hadn’t. She supposed she would just have to find out. The door opened and a woman in a white lab coat with dirty-blonde hair stepped through. She had a pale face, brown eyes and small marks around her cheeks. Iris stood up. The woman was only slightly taller than Iris. She smiled. “Iris…” she began. Iris’s eyes widened, apart from her psychiatrist and the other anomalies no one ever called her by her name, always SCP-105 or 105. “I was wondering if you would like to go back to Arizona.” Suddenly the picture puzzle didn’t seem so important. = [[[you want to go home?\|You Want to Go Home? > > > > >]]]	2024-11-17T04:18:00	[ "ethics-committee", "iris-thompson", "tale" ]	Protocol Recolo - SCP Foundation	-3	[ "some-more-dead-men", "tanhony-s-proposal", "scp-105", "you-want-to-go-home" ]	[ "tales-by-year", "lowest-rated-articles", "lowest-rated-pages" ]	[]	1457395029	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/protocol-recolo
prowess-pissant	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/drinking-doubt-dry">Previous Tale</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/migrating-the-minefield/">Next Tale</a> »</strong></span></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><em>730.11.</em> Fools Leave Only Orphans <em>performed at least 130 times in Skardoss and Timur by sponsored troupes. 43 performances were ended prematurely by local guardsmen. Gossipmongers report unrest among conscript populaces.</em></p> <p><em>731. A shamed hunter reports <tt>[HAL/0 REQUEST: KTE-9099-Caliburn-Typhon]</tt> was brought into central Cherinmark by current wielder (foreign straggler). Report corroborated by rats aplenty, contract passed to retrieval office.</em></p> <p><em>731.1. Bounties submitted to assassins' guilds capable of moving within Cherinmark:</em></p> <ul> <li><em>The Mourning Glories - Accepted</em></li> <li><em>Flightless Crow Couriers - Accepted</em></li> <li><em>Those Penniless Strangers - Accepted</em></li> <li><em>Auk om Jaeren - Declined</em></li> <li><em>But Upon the Innocent - Accepted</em></li> </ul> <p><em>731.2. Additional bounties circulated within local transient communities.</em></p> <p><em>731.3. Based on available intelligence, supplemented by the wisdom of advisors most keen, the royal tealbox put forth a retrieval plan that succeeded in 82.5% of simulations.</em></p> <p><em>732. HUMINT from moles within the Allaingian court suggests tensions are growing over reinstatement of a disgraced advisor. Details vague amidst purges.</em><br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>—Excerpt from daily reporting to King Tomen il Tellech XXIV</p> </div> </blockquote> <hr/> <div style="opacity: 40%"> <p>There are fifteen rules to succeeding as a Nighthand: be calm, be confident, be careful, be clueless when necessary and clever as needed, be cruel, be</p> </div> <div style="opacity: 60%"> <p>Here are seven laws all Adders obey: forget the faces of your victims, forget the names of their families, remember your employees but do not question their intentions, forget</p> </div> <div style="opacity: 80%"> <p>Three dicta came first from nature: claw the eyes, bite the throat, pick at</p> </div> <p>Kill only for coin and only under contract. This was imprinted by your many-feathered teacher, who occupies the Corvid Table's third seat and learned by shadowing the Grandmaster herself through elven nights. Skills derived thus can end royal lineages when ambition, righteousness, or simple vengeance flare bright enough, all then imparted unto you with the removed efficiency that teacher applies to every task. Almost as if he didn't recognize the same once-in-a-generation talent that others did—envy, fear, useless reactions from those who should have learned coldness—but better to be a job than a <em>job</em>. Not that he had a chance against you in combat after completing the Six Talon Trials, heh.</p> <p>Dwelling on the old man's tiny, feeble ambitions proves just as futile as ever. Sweep that cloak across your frame instead (tall but sinuous, not like the dumb bruisers who mocked you). Thumb the Featherblade's hilt next (retrieved during that contract all claimed was impossible). Adjust the beaked mask again (how else to hide the heterochromia that flags royal bastards). The Grandmaster tried to send a whole clique of lesser crows, but they would have only slowed your passage to the Cairn, only would have stood out as other cutthroats posture in packs around the one lantern that dead city. A boring city too, heh. White stone, simple shadows, no crowds or officers or the harem guard's hunt for straying heritage. Completing a job here will be simplicity itself.</p> <p>No other killers aspire to your six-story perch. They must sense the menace there, hindbrains prickling at bloodlust that other apprentices once complained about, then came to respect. Strangers, Glories, Adders, their hidden steps and formations are plain as day from that vantage; encyclopedic knowledge identifying each beyond doubt. Sneaking into the order's library long before apprentices were permitted proves yet again to have been the correct decision, not like those buffoons who distracted themselves with companions or courtship. Didn't they realize childhood was merely chance after chance to advantage your future ambitions?</p> <p>Motion below. One of the Strangers has lumbered halfway across the street, feet barely entering that lantern's glow. Clattering armor (rusted antique, unimpressive). Chattering exoskeleton (needs gearshift lubricant). Hardly surprising from an organization with no techniques to its name, no elixirs in its trove, no legends in its annals, and no respect for its contracts. Heh… No geniuses in their ranks either, as two lackeys with white-wood rifles follow their leader out instead of taking a better vantage.</p> <p><strong><em>WORM</em></strong> he yells, amplified too loud and distorted worse. Those in your profession should be calm, cool, collected under all circumstances; except when your anger proves justified of course. The fools who laughed. The betrayals from confidants. The woman who didn't appreciate your deeds or understand your potential. <strong><em>NO ESCAPING NOW. BRING THE SWORD AND DIE QUIET.</em></strong></p> <p>You leap from the roof after a few moments of silence broken only by laughter from one pennyblade or another. Heh. Humorous incompetence indeed, but so was letting that amusement slip free. Your boots (purchased from a wizard after swindling some undeserving merchant) are good for ten paces across open air, and you tap down on the next building over. Calm footsteps continue on its roof as <strong><em>COWARDS ARE POISONED. COWARDS ARE STRANGLED. COME SPARE YOURSELF MISERY</em></strong> echoes throughout the cityscape, throughout all of Cherinmark.</p> <p>Over another alley, then to the next building. Around taller structures as a gunshot rings out somewhere below. Just as you thought. Crouched at that new vantage—perching as the crow does—you watch a headless body hurl so hard between buildings that it skips across the road outside, wet splatters culminating in impact against a wall. Intriguing. The brief hadn't mentioned such strength, but then again, spies who slink to roosts are often bereft insight. Two more gunshots sound within as you reposition again, deftly avoiding attention from the camouflage-clad Adders whose half-dozen look out of place darting through civilization. Another two shots—carbine, maybe taken from one of the Strangers. Heh. Let the fools kill themselves if it so happened that way. Scavengers have the right of things, as said crow law (the epitome of wisdom except when countervailed by your own wit).</p> <p>Something crunches louder than bodies inside the alley, sending several of those scattering from its mouth. One limp and bleeding. Another scrambling for stability. The third lands hard but stable, traveling cloak splattered with somebody else's blood. Short stature, short hair, stance evincing some crude training, though nothing near what you received when, having been exiled on fabricated charges, you studied the legendary Storm and Shadow School of Swordsmanship. The blade whose grip is hidden under her cloak though… spirit steel makes it nearly invisible and definitely priceless, but not the prize your contract demands. Nobody else seems to notice, heh.</p> <p><strong><em>RUNNY SHIT. SICKLY PUP. STAND AND FIGHT.</em></strong> The hulking Stranger emerges from the alley next, splinters of wood still sticking from armored crevices. He must have burst through the door despite warnings about entry. Mealworm—that was her name, hard to remember when targets all die easily—raises her guard against his sickle.</p> <p>Something glints several blocks away. From your perch, it's easy to spot one of the few present Glories aiming down a foreign-made rifle for an even easier shot. At least, easy for you. That suppressed flash is matched by one closer to Mealworm as the high-caliber bullet is diverted mid-flourish. Improbable. Daggers glint in the twilight wrought by stone suspended far overhead, a circle of eight Strangers and Adders tightening in silent agreement to fight for the bounty later. She flourishes again, spins, and gunfire erupts from underneath her cloak despite the sword held clearly in both hands, short carbine issuing fast enough to plug four bodies before blade checks exoskeletal sickle.</p> <p>From where did this ability stem? How could such an unimpressive specimen fend off so many killers at once? Others inevitably took shortcuts to power, relying on underhandedness, connections, or simple fortune (truly despicable on all counts). It reeks. It <em>reeks</em>. Tables should never be turned by hands other than your own.</p> <p>The black Featherblade rustles when clearing its scabbard. You step off the roof's edge as Mealworm thrusts her longsword through heavy armor, drawing a mechanical screech from device or occupant. One long step down on open air. Two, three, four as you descend. Heh, the killing stroke will be so easy, coming from a blindspot to instantly sever spine, and every other assassin will retreat after recognizing that <em>Calum Shadowstep</em> saved their sorry hides.</p> <p>A haze gathers behind Mealworm's head between steps six and seven, coalescing into a shape perceptible only by the third eye, the Dragonsight, you were granted after foiling cultists and freeing the last great wyrm (which, of course, soon proved useful in determining that an imposter had replaced the Grandmaster, who then needed defeating in single combat). But the haze. The shape. Only on the eighth step does it become a head, and after the ninth you realize it's this woman's face cleaved from itself, staring at you with three extra eyes shining bright.</p> <p>A bayonet slices out through the back of her cloak on the tenth step (inborn talent pulling everything into slow motion in moments of crisis (if, indeed, you could possibly face crisis at the peak of your power (absurd, heh))). A barrel follows, stock cradled in ghostly hands and trained on center mass. That single gunshot fills your world even as sword is pulled from Stranger.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>'Back to your feet, pissant!'</p> </div> <p>Teacher's firm voice snaps everything back into focus. Be sure to thank the elflords for that woven armor next time. Vision clears across several wheezes, just in time to see that close-bound ghost fire her carbine at the Glory posted blocks away even as Mealworm's corporeal hands divert another bullet with that blade. Three shots with the carbine in different directions clearly hit their targets even at implausible distance.</p> <p>"I'm not happy about this either," she says without looking at you—not with normal eyes at least, though the shade split from her waist fully glares. An average voice. <em>A boring voice.</em> "Hate it, in fact. But the world refuses to give me what I want."</p> <p>Hardly the worst situation you've ever faced. The Featherblade is trapped under one of her boots as she stabs down into the armored Stranger, summoning one final bark of static when translucent metal shears whatever flesh was preserved underneath. You still have tricks left though. The tooth. The sigil. The elixir. The oath. The binding and its corollary debts. You accumulated as a youth to trample as an adult. Bending ten fingers to the requisite shapes beneath your cloak, it's simple to–</p> <p>"You can go now," she says, kicking the Featherblade aside like so much litter.</p> <p>"What?"</p> <p>"You can go. None of you are the people I actually want to kill." Now she turns, exposing eyes the color of dying grass (weak, unmemorable). A slight frown crests as she hands the sword to her ghostly half, taking the carbine in turn and starting to work a jam from its chamber. <em>Clink. Clink. Clink.</em> She doesn't look away, but it doesn't feel like she's seeing you either. If she did, she would know. She would know!</p> <p>Complete the sigil under your cloak while taking time to stand. This form is simple, though most students require years to learn anyway, and its magicks whisk you a few feet behind your target. Wrist blades extend after an even simpler gesture. Only you turn tables, only you flip them outright—only you get clobbered with a wooden butt so hard that it sends you skidding aside, forehead bleeding as cracked mask falls away. Handsome features (of course they're handsome (not <em>handsome</em> handsome, but attractive in a manner relatable and approachable and much more)) somehow don't draw extra attention.</p> <p>"You can go," she repeats while fiddling with the bolt. "Tell your clients the Foundation is back if it'll help you save face. Wouldn't be the first report they got this way."</p> <p><em>Clink. Clink. Clunk.</em> You bite your hollow molar as she glances down, releasing an alchemical concoction that expresses itself in roaring dragonbreath. Lighting, ice, fire, and acid burst between your lips, instantly filling the street with death-tinged steam. Wench. You spit leftover goop aside before casting about for the Featherblade.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>'Confirm your kills, pissant!'</p> </div> <p>Another gunshot catches you in the side, cracking ribs even with the protection of your cloak, your vest, and a patch of wyrmscales that has saved your life before despite coincidental placement. Mealworm strides from the clearing fog, looking all the more imposing with peeling skin and singed eyebrows, looking all the calmer despite them—her ghost expresses their fury instead, baring teeth as three eyes drilled into its forehead flare bright enough to be a string of stars stolen from heavenly vaults.</p> <p>"What is <em>happening</em>?" you snarl while clutching your side. "What enchantments are these? How are you doing this to me!? Answer!"</p> <p>Among insults and injury, 'tis the simple question that pains your target most. She shakes her head, stops, and shakes it again, each bout ending with a glance at the translucent blade clutched by her second set of hands. "We disturbed this place already, and Cherinmark won't tolerate much more before throwing a fit. Go home however you got here. Bring your friends' bodies with you."</p> <p>Could hands actually tremble this much without coming apart? This insolent ghost, this sad little warrior, they were nothing (less than nothing in fact, transient motes compared to the legends whispered about your name (how uttering it might summon you (how summoning you invites death (how, heh, you're actually just an urban legend)))). What rivals had she thwarted? What plots had she founded or foiled? What exceptions had she earned to the rules that bind all others? Every vein in your body throbs as you twist the ruby-encrusted ring from one finger and–</p> <p>The ghost cleaves through your arm moments before the carbine's butt crashes between your eyes. Stumbling back, fighting pain, you raise the half-removed ring to your teeth and–</p> <p>Wood strikes again, this time driving into jawbone hard enough to dislodge it. Collapse to the street. Run your hand against a gap in ancient paving stones. Remove the ring, break the seal, invoke the beast slumbering within and–</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>'Control your malice, pissant!'</p> </div> <p>The other hand departs this time, and the ghost is no gentler a butcher than you've ever been. The butt strikes ribcage. A boot follows it. Mealworm crouches down and clutches your head in both hands, staring into your eyes from so close that it's impossible to avoid that dull coloration. Dead grass. Dead leaves. A killing field that craves wetting anew before its stems grow brittle. "How do I send you back?" she steadily enunciates.</p> <p>Draw the knife! Unleash the wrist blade! Somehow, someway get the elixir from your bandolier into your mouth (this is <em>why</em> those orks had brewed it for you). Invoke princes who owe favors and name the organization you've nearly surmounted. Do something, anything, besides allowing eyes to drift down toward the feather emblem hanging from your neck. She yanks it off and blows the whistle hidden within before dropping it on your body again. Within seconds, a swarm of crows coalesces around you, and your body is gone by the time they vanish.</p> <p>"The Foundation," she had said. It was this foundation who disrespected you, who maimed you, and everybody who matters will know to seek it before long.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/drinking-doubt-dry">Previous Tale</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/migrating-the-minefield/">Next Tale</a> »</strong></span></p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/prowess-pissant">Prowess / Pissant</a>" by Pedantique, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/prowess-pissant">https://scpwiki.com/prowess-pissant</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[=]] [[span style="font-size:90%;"]]<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/drinking-doubt-dry Previous Tale] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/migrating-the-minefield/ Next Tale] >>[[/span]] [[/=]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] > //730.11.// Fools Leave Only Orphans //performed at least 130 times in Skardoss and Timur by sponsored troupes. 43 performances were ended prematurely by local guardsmen. Gossipmongers report unrest among conscript populaces.// > > //731. A shamed hunter reports {{[HAL/0 REQUEST: KTE-9099-Caliburn-Typhon]}} was brought into central Cherinmark by current wielder (foreign straggler). Report corroborated by rats aplenty, contract passed to retrieval office.// > > //731.1. Bounties submitted to assassins' guilds capable of moving within Cherinmark:// > * //The Mourning Glories - Accepted// > * //Flightless Crow Couriers - Accepted// > * //Those Penniless Strangers - Accepted// > * //Auk om Jaeren - Declined// > * //But Upon the Innocent - Accepted// > > //731.2. Additional bounties circulated within local transient communities.// > > //731.3. Based on available intelligence, supplemented by the wisdom of advisors most keen, the royal tealbox put forth a retrieval plan that succeeded in 82.5% of simulations.// > > //732. HUMINT from moles within the Allaingian court suggests tensions are growing over reinstatement of a disgraced advisor. Details vague amidst purges.// > [[>]] > —Excerpt from daily reporting to King Tomen il Tellech XXIV > [[/>]] ----- [[div style="opacity: 40%"]] There are fifteen rules to succeeding as a Nighthand: be calm, be confident, be careful, be clueless when necessary and clever as needed, be cruel, be [[/div]] [[div style="opacity: 60%"]] Here are seven laws all Adders obey: forget the faces of your victims, forget the names of their families, remember your employees but do not question their intentions, forget [[/div]] [[div style="opacity: 80%"]] Three dicta came first from nature: claw the eyes, bite the throat, pick at [[/div]] Kill only for coin and only under contract. This was imprinted by your many-feathered teacher, who occupies the Corvid Table's third seat and learned by shadowing the Grandmaster herself through elven nights. Skills derived thus can end royal lineages when ambition, righteousness, or simple vengeance flare bright enough, all then imparted unto you with the removed efficiency that teacher applies to every task. Almost as if he didn't recognize the same once-in-a-generation talent that others did—envy, fear, useless reactions from those who should have learned coldness—but better to be a job than a //job//. Not that he had a chance against you in combat after completing the Six Talon Trials, heh. Dwelling on the old man's tiny, feeble ambitions proves just as futile as ever. Sweep that cloak across your frame instead (tall but sinuous, not like the dumb bruisers who mocked you). Thumb the Featherblade's hilt next (retrieved during that contract all claimed was impossible). Adjust the beaked mask again (how else to hide the heterochromia that flags royal bastards). The Grandmaster tried to send a whole clique of lesser crows, but they would have only slowed your passage to the Cairn, only would have stood out as other cutthroats posture in packs around the one lantern that dead city. A boring city too, heh. White stone, simple shadows, no crowds or officers or the harem guard's hunt for straying heritage. Completing a job here will be simplicity itself. No other killers aspire to your six-story perch. They must sense the menace there, hindbrains prickling at bloodlust that other apprentices once complained about, then came to respect. Strangers, Glories, Adders, their hidden steps and formations are plain as day from that vantage; encyclopedic knowledge identifying each beyond doubt. Sneaking into the order's library long before apprentices were permitted proves yet again to have been the correct decision, not like those buffoons who distracted themselves with companions or courtship. Didn't they realize childhood was merely chance after chance to advantage your future ambitions? Motion below. One of the Strangers has lumbered halfway across the street, feet barely entering that lantern's glow. Clattering armor (rusted antique, unimpressive). Chattering exoskeleton (needs gearshift lubricant). Hardly surprising from an organization with no techniques to its name, no elixirs in its trove, no legends in its annals, and no respect for its contracts. Heh... No geniuses in their ranks either, as two lackeys with white-wood rifles follow their leader out instead of taking a better vantage. //WORM// he yells, amplified too loud and distorted worse. Those in your profession should be calm, cool, collected under all circumstances; except when your anger proves justified of course. The fools who laughed. The betrayals from confidants. The woman who didn't appreciate your deeds or understand your potential. //NO ESCAPING NOW. BRING THE SWORD AND DIE QUIET.// You leap from the roof after a few moments of silence broken only by laughter from one pennyblade or another. Heh. Humorous incompetence indeed, but so was letting that amusement slip free. Your boots (purchased from a wizard after swindling some undeserving merchant) are good for ten paces across open air, and you tap down on the next building over. Calm footsteps continue on its roof as //COWARDS ARE POISONED. COWARDS ARE STRANGLED. COME SPARE YOURSELF MISERY// echoes throughout the cityscape, throughout all of Cherinmark. Over another alley, then to the next building. Around taller structures as a gunshot rings out somewhere below. Just as you thought. Crouched at that new vantage—perching as the crow does—you watch a headless body hurl so hard between buildings that it skips across the road outside, wet splatters culminating in impact against a wall. Intriguing. The brief hadn't mentioned such strength, but then again, spies who slink to roosts are often bereft insight. Two more gunshots sound within as you reposition again, deftly avoiding attention from the camouflage-clad Adders whose half-dozen look out of place darting through civilization. Another two shots—carbine, maybe taken from one of the Strangers. Heh. Let the fools kill themselves if it so happened that way. Scavengers have the right of things, as said crow law (the epitome of wisdom except when countervailed by your own wit). Something crunches louder than bodies inside the alley, sending several of those scattering from its mouth. One limp and bleeding. Another scrambling for stability. The third lands hard but stable, traveling cloak splattered with somebody else's blood. Short stature, short hair, stance evincing some crude training, though nothing near what you received when, having been exiled on fabricated charges, you studied the legendary Storm and Shadow School of Swordsmanship. The blade whose grip is hidden under her cloak though... spirit steel makes it nearly invisible and definitely priceless, but not the prize your contract demands. Nobody else seems to notice, heh. //RUNNY SHIT. SICKLY PUP. STAND AND FIGHT.// The hulking Stranger emerges from the alley next, splinters of wood still sticking from armored crevices. He must have burst through the door despite warnings about entry. Mealworm—that was her name, hard to remember when targets all die easily—raises her guard against his sickle. Something glints several blocks away. From your perch, it's easy to spot one of the few present Glories aiming down a foreign-made rifle for an even easier shot. At least, easy for you. That suppressed flash is matched by one closer to Mealworm as the high-caliber bullet is diverted mid-flourish. Improbable. Daggers glint in the twilight wrought by stone suspended far overhead, a circle of eight Strangers and Adders tightening in silent agreement to fight for the bounty later. She flourishes again, spins, and gunfire erupts from underneath her cloak despite the sword held clearly in both hands, short carbine issuing fast enough to plug four bodies before blade checks exoskeletal sickle. From where did this ability stem? How could such an unimpressive specimen fend off so many killers at once? Others inevitably took shortcuts to power, relying on underhandedness, connections, or simple fortune (truly despicable on all counts). It reeks. It //reeks//. Tables should never be turned by hands other than your own. The black Featherblade rustles when clearing its scabbard. You step off the roof's edge as Mealworm thrusts her longsword through heavy armor, drawing a mechanical screech from device or occupant. One long step down on open air. Two, three, four as you descend. Heh, the killing stroke will be so easy, coming from a blindspot to instantly sever spine, and every other assassin will retreat after recognizing that //Calum Shadowstep// saved their sorry hides. A haze gathers behind Mealworm's head between steps six and seven, coalescing into a shape perceptible only by the third eye, the Dragonsight, you were granted after foiling cultists and freeing the last great wyrm (which, of course, soon proved useful in determining that an imposter had replaced the Grandmaster, who then needed defeating in single combat). But the haze. The shape. Only on the eighth step does it become a head, and after the ninth you realize it's this woman's face cleaved from itself, staring at you with three extra eyes shining bright. A bayonet slices out through the back of her cloak on the tenth step (inborn talent pulling everything into slow motion in moments of crisis (if, indeed, you could possibly face crisis at the peak of your power (absurd, heh))). A barrel follows, stock cradled in ghostly hands and trained on center mass. That single gunshot fills your world even as sword is pulled from Stranger. ----- [[=]] 'Back to your feet, pissant!' [[/=]] Teacher's firm voice snaps everything back into focus. Be sure to thank the elflords for that woven armor next time. Vision clears across several wheezes, just in time to see that close-bound ghost fire her carbine at the Glory posted blocks away even as Mealworm's corporeal hands divert another bullet with that blade. Three shots with the carbine in different directions clearly hit their targets even at implausible distance. "I'm not happy about this either," she says without looking at you—not with normal eyes at least, though the shade split from her waist fully glares. An average voice. //A boring voice.// "Hate it, in fact. But the world refuses to give me what I want." Hardly the worst situation you've ever faced. The Featherblade is trapped under one of her boots as she stabs down into the armored Stranger, summoning one final bark of static when translucent metal shears whatever flesh was preserved underneath. You still have tricks left though. The tooth. The sigil. The elixir. The oath. The binding and its corollary debts. You accumulated as a youth to trample as an adult. Bending ten fingers to the requisite shapes beneath your cloak, it's simple to– "You can go now," she says, kicking the Featherblade aside like so much litter. "What?" "You can go. None of you are the people I actually want to kill." Now she turns, exposing eyes the color of dying grass (weak, unmemorable). A slight frown crests as she hands the sword to her ghostly half, taking the carbine in turn and starting to work a jam from its chamber. //Clink. Clink. Clink.// She doesn't look away, but it doesn't feel like she's seeing you either. If she did, she would know. She would know! Complete the sigil under your cloak while taking time to stand. This form is simple, though most students require years to learn anyway, and its magicks whisk you a few feet behind your target. Wrist blades extend after an even simpler gesture. Only you turn tables, only you flip them outright—only you get clobbered with a wooden butt so hard that it sends you skidding aside, forehead bleeding as cracked mask falls away. Handsome features (of course they're handsome (not //handsome// handsome, but attractive in a manner relatable and approachable and much more)) somehow don't draw extra attention. "You can go," she repeats while fiddling with the bolt. "Tell your clients the Foundation is back if it'll help you save face. Wouldn't be the first report they got this way." //Clink. Clink. Clunk.// You bite your hollow molar as she glances down, releasing an alchemical concoction that expresses itself in roaring dragonbreath. Lighting, ice, fire, and acid burst between your lips, instantly filling the street with death-tinged steam. Wench. You spit leftover goop aside before casting about for the Featherblade. [[=]] 'Confirm your kills, pissant!' [[/=]] Another gunshot catches you in the side, cracking ribs even with the protection of your cloak, your vest, and a patch of wyrmscales that has saved your life before despite coincidental placement. Mealworm strides from the clearing fog, looking all the more imposing with peeling skin and singed eyebrows, looking all the calmer despite them—her ghost expresses their fury instead, baring teeth as three eyes drilled into its forehead flare bright enough to be a string of stars stolen from heavenly vaults. "What is //happening//?" you snarl while clutching your side. "What enchantments are these? How are you doing this to me!? Answer!" Among insults and injury, 'tis the simple question that pains your target most. She shakes her head, stops, and shakes it again, each bout ending with a glance at the translucent blade clutched by her second set of hands. "We disturbed this place already, and Cherinmark won't tolerate much more before throwing a fit. Go home however you got here. Bring your friends' bodies with you." Could hands actually tremble this much without coming apart? This insolent ghost, this sad little warrior, they were nothing (less than nothing in fact, transient motes compared to the legends whispered about your name (how uttering it might summon you (how summoning you invites death (how, heh, you're actually just an urban legend)))). What rivals had she thwarted? What plots had she founded or foiled? What exceptions had she earned to the rules that bind all others? Every vein in your body throbs as you twist the ruby-encrusted ring from one finger and– The ghost cleaves through your arm moments before the carbine's butt crashes between your eyes. Stumbling back, fighting pain, you raise the half-removed ring to your teeth and– Wood strikes again, this time driving into jawbone hard enough to dislodge it. Collapse to the street. Run your hand against a gap in ancient paving stones. Remove the ring, break the seal, invoke the beast slumbering within and– [[=]] 'Control your malice, pissant!' [[/=]] The other hand departs this time, and the ghost is no gentler a butcher than you've ever been. The butt strikes ribcage. A boot follows it. Mealworm crouches down and clutches your head in both hands, staring into your eyes from so close that it's impossible to avoid that dull coloration. Dead grass. Dead leaves. A killing field that craves wetting anew before its stems grow brittle. "How do I send you back?" she steadily enunciates. Draw the knife! Unleash the wrist blade! Somehow, someway get the elixir from your bandolier into your mouth (this is //why// those orks had brewed it for you). Invoke princes who owe favors and name the organization you've nearly surmounted. Do something, anything, besides allowing eyes to drift down toward the feather emblem hanging from your neck. She yanks it off and blows the whistle hidden within before dropping it on your body again. Within seconds, a swarm of crows coalesces around you, and your body is gone by the time they vanish. "The Foundation," she had said. It was this foundation who disrespected you, who maimed you, and everybody who matters will know to seek it before long. [[=]] [[span style="font-size:90%;"]]<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/drinking-doubt-dry Previous Tale] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/migrating-the-minefield/ Next Tale] >>[[/span]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-06-15T04:23:00	[ "_licensebox", "tale" ]	Prowess / Pissant - SCP Foundation	17	[ "drinking-doubt-dry", "swords-unto-scramjets", "migrating-the-minefield/", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "swords-unto-scramjets" ]	[]	1454061676	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/prowess-pissant
psa-evocation-and-you	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Acreepypasta/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aanon/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>EvoWitch223</strong></span> 31/10/2024 (Thur) 20:16:34 #27676322</p> <hr/> <p>Hello watchers! We just pulled up to the graveyard! It's very, very cold, so I'll try to type as much as my fingers can bear. Liu told me to take my leather jacket, but I couldn't find it, so here we are. Suffering in the cold :D. Somehow these lights are helping a bit, their yellow incandescent glow warms the ground around it slightly. Call me a moth all you like. I'm sticking to these :D. Especially since the leaves have been raked from the pathway so there's no extra rustle in the background from all the maple.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:90%;"><img alt="path.jpeg" class="image" src="https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/path.jpeg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Cool image I caught of the path on our scouting mission.</p> </div> </div> <p>SO why are we here? Well, we wanted to make a small PSA about evocation! This is the making of, of the video for you all to enjoy. I'm personally really excited since we already got some good vibes from this spot when we were scouting graveyards. We even had some presence follow us for a bit.</p> <p>I don't think I mentioned it, but there's this cool memorial for the lost heroes of the Second World War. But, tbh it's quite off-putting. Liu even said it's a bit scary, moreso than in our scouting quest here. I do have to admit the nerves are getting to me a bit too. With its mild shadow looming over our set :D.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:90%;"><img alt="angle.jpeg" class="image" src="https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/angle.jpeg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Statue!!!</p> </div> </div> <p>But to get to the good stuff. We will be preparing a Vera-Henna portal circle, with which we will try to get ahold of this mysterious presence. We brought tons of candles, salt, and herbs. We also brought some gifts on the off chance that the spirit happens to be a roaming ghost.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:90%;"><img alt="candles.jpeg" class="image" src="https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/candles.jpeg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Here's what it looks like!</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>EvoWitch223</strong></span> 31/10/2024 (Thur) 20:49:52 #27676322</p> <hr/> <p>UPDATE! After getting the ritual set up and finished, we waited for something to come and talk to us. And then we waited and waited and waited. After a while, we felt some sort of cold wind pass through us. Which then "bashed" against the statue, creating some sort of cracks in it. Which disappeared shortly after, faster than I could pull my camera out After waiting a bit longer, again nothing. We tried again with a bit more herbs, but it just did not do anything. The vibes disappeared by the second try, so we just decided to pack our bags for the night. We might try it again tomorrow but for now, I'll just go enjoy Halloween at home.</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <blockquote> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>EvoWitch223</strong></span> 1/11/2024 (Fri) 9:36:53 #27676322</p> <hr/> <p>Crossposting this to /paraevents, you'll soon see why.</p> </blockquote> <p>Last night marked the most paranormal night of my life. I got home shortly after posting, narrowly avoiding a storm. I immediately started to try to figure out what went wrong. But for the life of me, I could not find anything that was off. I even messaged Liu to look at the steps and compare the video, but there was nothing we could have missed.</p> <p>After hours of studious labour, and after my cat had poked me for the 500th time to be fed, we decided to call it quits for the night. I made some food for me and my kitty and decided to watch a movie in my room to celebrate Halloween. Around the halfway mark I noticed a small cold gust on my neck, which at the time was just marginally spooky, fitting for the time of the year, so I didn't bother about it too much. I just cosied further into my duvet. But when the cold breeze did not disappear no matter how deep into my duvet I burrowed to, that's when I got concerned. After an hour, it felt like an icicle was being slowly but surely jammed into my spine's core. I decided to try to make something warm to drink.</p> <p>As soon as I got up from my bed, I could feel how the cold almost followed me around. Walking downstairs my cat practically jumped me in the stairway and clung to my shirt. She's usually the "fuck off, I'm going on my own adventures" type so I was surprised for sure. (I did get a cat to feel less lonely, ironic right?) She felt quite cold and was shaking like a maraca. I decided to just hold onto her to warm her up, I rarely get to hold her anyway.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:90%;"><img alt="cat.jpeg" class="image" src="https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/cat.jpeg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>My cat!</p> </div> </div> <p>Coming downstairs I got an idea of why she was looking so scared. My living room window had a sizeable crack on it that somehow continued to the wall next to it, like a crack in the building itself. Obviously, I almost got the living daylight scared out of me, so I went for some tape and cardboard to fix it up. But as soon as I got close to the cracks, the air got really really stale, almost as if I couldn't even feel the air go in. Suffocating yet breathing. I couldn't stand next to it long enough to tape it closed. Something about it felt like it was glowing with the coldness.</p> <p>I quickly made my coco, and went back upstairs, letting my cat inside of my room and blocking the bottom of my door with a towel to keep the cold out. I laid my cat on my duvet and decided, that I had enough of the film and switched to some late-night conspiracy theory crap from the history channel while sipping my coco.</p> <p>So now to this morning. I woke up terribly cold, with my cat now under the duvet shivering on my chest. There was a violating feel to the room, like a surgical theatre filled with students with me being the one examined. I put some more clothes on and walked downstairs to get another look at the damage. I was freaked the fuck out by how far the damage had gone. The cracks had expanded to occupy most of the window and had started to dig into the walls more. I decided to put some cardboard on top of it. As I approached it, it felt like there was a cold gush of wind coming through it, but not like physically? In a way that makes your soul cold if you know what I mean?</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:90%;"><img alt="cracks.jpeg" class="image" src="https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/cracks.jpeg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Image of cracks, they sadly don't look as animate as they do irl.</p> </div> </div> <p>it did not look deep enough to even go through the drywall. The glowing was far brighter. It almost felt warm, like it was calling me to snuggle next to it for warmth like a baby coddled by their mother. I can't take my cat to school, so I decided that I'll have a friend of mine pick her up later in the evening. For now, she'll be cosy next to the space heater.</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>EvoWitch223</strong></span> 1/11/2024 (Fri) 11:32:23 #27676322</p> <hr/> <p>There's been a lot going on, the cold drilling feeling is back that I felt last night. It's the same chilly painful drilling. but somehow it feels like it's watching me? like the icicle inside of my spine is seeing my thoughts and judging me. This feeling has been following me since I left the house, which made focusing impossible be abuse it felt like social anxiety x100. I wasn't planning on posting until I got back home, but there's been too much going on to ignore.</p> <p>I was looking at the video during class on repeat to hopefully find out what was wrong with the ritual. After wracking my brain for too long, I decided to stretch a bit and actually look like I was focusing on the class. As I was looking around I saw something.</p> <p>I genuinely shat my pants when I noticed the blue glow coming from a table near me. Like a disease following me like a miasma. my breath felt shorter and slower, just like they did at home and my eyes barely had the energy to open. I could've justified it with a bad night's rest, maybe something got into my coco. but to be honest, I couldn't think at all. All I could do was to try to scream my hands and legs to move and get away. But whatever caused the crack to appear, I had to find out.</p> <p>So like most terrifying supernatural encounters in my life, I chatted with Liu about it. I told her everything. What happened to my apartment last night due to the storm, the chilly feeling, the cracks, the spine tap. She connected the dots quicker than I did. The ritual didn't fail, we evoked something.</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>EvoWitch223</strong></span> 1/11/2024 (Fri) 11:52:23 #27676322</p> <hr/> <p>I came back to a house in ruin. The cracks were now everywhere. With icy frost covering everything. The lights don't work anymore, but I could still see everything through the numb glow of the cracks. the horrifying judging I felt in my spine got worse like the cracks in the wall were appraising my every move, counting my every thought to see if what I would do would have any value.</p> <p>The icicle in my spine started to go deeper again. That's when I woke from the shock of it all to remember my cat.</p> <p>I found what was left of her</p> <p>Just some fur and stray bits and pieces all around.</p> <p>I don't want to be alon</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>EvoWitch223</strong></span> 2/11/2024 (Sat) 8:28:63 #27676322</p> <hr/> <p>I finally feel like posting an update. it's been really really rough since I found her on the ground. I don't want to talk about it. But atleast it's warming up here. It almost starts to feel like summer here.</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>EvoWitch223</strong></span> 2/11/2024 (Sat) 10:12:143 #27676322</p> <hr/> <p>It's way too fucking hot in here. I couldn't take it anymore. I already turned my heating off, rid myself of all my clothes and almost considered shaving my skin off to cool down. I tried to see if the cracks could cool me off but I can't get to them anymore because they are in a layer of thick ice now. I'm typing this from my bed but it's just not cold enough here. I'll have to go deeper into my bed.</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>EvoWitch223</strong></span> 2/11/2024 (Sat) 10:12:8749 #27676322</p> <hr/> <p>How deep is my bed, why can I feel dirt?</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>EvoWitch223</strong></span> 2/11/2024 (Sat) 10:12:487368 #27676322</p> <hr/> <p>The memorial looks so pretty in the dark. It's starting to get cold again with the snowflakes dancing to the blue hue of the morning sun.</p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/psa-evocation-and-you">PSA: Evocation and you!</a>" by Dr Farstream, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/psa-evocation-and-you">https://scpwiki.com/psa-evocation-and-you</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:path.jpeg</strong><br/> <strong>Name:Rayleigh_church_graveyard_by_night_-_panoramio.jpeg</strong><br/> <strong>Author:Luke Cops</strong><br/> <strong>License:CC-BY 3.0</strong><br/> <strong>Source Link:<a href="https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=graveyard+night&title=Special:MediaSearch&type=image">https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=graveyard+night&title=Special:MediaSearch&type=image</a></strong></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:statue.jpeg</strong><br/> <strong>Name:Guardian Angle.jpeg</strong><br/> <strong>Author:fredrik Andreasson</strong><br/> <strong>License:CC-BY 2.0</strong><br/> <strong>Source Link:<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/127297977@N05/15447123112">https://www.flickr.com/photos/127297977@N05/15447123112</a></strong></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:candles.jpeg</strong><br/> <strong>Name:Wind-Candles.jpeg</strong><br/> <strong>Author:Verbena Stevens</strong><br/> <strong>License:CC0 1.0</strong><br/> <strong>Source Link:<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/131652528@N04/16450709074">https://www.flickr.com/photos/131652528@N04/16450709074</a></strong></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:cat.jpeg</strong><br/> <strong>Name:2015-01-19 um 09-34-19 - Cat Winter Bokeh.jpeg</strong><br/> <strong>Author:Torsten Behrens</strong><br/> <strong>License:CC-BY 2.0</strong><br/> <strong>Source Link:<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/29812986@N06/28401105038">https://www.flickr.com/photos/29812986@N06/28401105038</a></strong></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:crack.jpeg</strong><br/> <strong>Name:Painted Cracked Wall 01.jpeg</strong><br/> <strong>Author:texturepalace</strong><br/> <strong>License:CC-BY 2.0</strong><br/> <strong>Source Link:<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/122127718@N08/31235885067">https://www.flickr.com/photos/122127718@N08/31235885067</a></strong></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:creepypasta">:scp-wiki:theme:creepypasta</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:anon">:scp-wiki:theme:anon</a>]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##green\|EvoWitch223## 31/10/2024 (Thur) 20:16:34 #27676322 ------ Hello watchers! We just pulled up to the graveyard! It's very, very cold, so I'll try to type as much as my fingers can bear. Liu told me to take my leather jacket, but I couldn't find it, so here we are. Suffering in the cold :D. Somehow these lights are helping a bit, their yellow incandescent glow warms the ground around it slightly. Call me a moth all you like. I'm sticking to these :D. Especially since the leaves have been raked from the pathway so there's no extra rustle in the background from all the maple. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> \|name=https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/path.jpeg \|caption=Cool image I caught of the path on our scouting mission. \|width=90% \|align=right]] SO why are we here? Well, we wanted to make a small PSA about evocation! This is the making of, of the video for you all to enjoy. I'm personally really excited since we already got some good vibes from this spot when we were scouting graveyards. We even had some presence follow us for a bit. I don't think I mentioned it, but there's this cool memorial for the lost heroes of the Second World War. But, tbh it's quite off-putting. Liu even said it's a bit scary, moreso than in our scouting quest here. I do have to admit the nerves are getting to me a bit too. With its mild shadow looming over our set :D. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> \|name=https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/angle.jpeg \|caption=Statue!!! \|width=90% \|align=right]] But to get to the good stuff. We will be preparing a Vera-Henna portal circle, with which we will try to get ahold of this mysterious presence. We brought tons of candles, salt, and herbs. We also brought some gifts on the off chance that the spirit happens to be a roaming ghost. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> \|name=https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/candles.jpeg \|caption=Here's what it looks like! \|width=90% \|align=right]] [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##green\|EvoWitch223## 31/10/2024 (Thur) 20:49:52 #27676322 ------ UPDATE! After getting the ritual set up and finished, we waited for something to come and talk to us. And then we waited and waited and waited. After a while, we felt some sort of cold wind pass through us. Which then "bashed" against the statue, creating some sort of cracks in it. Which disappeared shortly after, faster than I could pull my camera out After waiting a bit longer, again nothing. We tried again with a bit more herbs, but it just did not do anything. The vibes disappeared by the second try, so we just decided to pack our bags for the night. We might try it again tomorrow but for now, I'll just go enjoy Halloween at home. [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] > ##green\|EvoWitch223## 1/11/2024 (Fri) 9:36:53 #27676322 > ------ > Crossposting this to /paraevents, you'll soon see why. Last night marked the most paranormal night of my life. I got home shortly after posting, narrowly avoiding a storm. I immediately started to try to figure out what went wrong. But for the life of me, I could not find anything that was off. I even messaged Liu to look at the steps and compare the video, but there was nothing we could have missed. After hours of studious labour, and after my cat had poked me for the 500th time to be fed, we decided to call it quits for the night. I made some food for me and my kitty and decided to watch a movie in my room to celebrate Halloween. Around the halfway mark I noticed a small cold gust on my neck, which at the time was just marginally spooky, fitting for the time of the year, so I didn't bother about it too much. I just cosied further into my duvet. But when the cold breeze did not disappear no matter how deep into my duvet I burrowed to, that's when I got concerned. After an hour, it felt like an icicle was being slowly but surely jammed into my spine's core. I decided to try to make something warm to drink. As soon as I got up from my bed, I could feel how the cold almost followed me around. Walking downstairs my cat practically jumped me in the stairway and clung to my shirt. She's usually the "fuck off, I'm going on my own adventures" type so I was surprised for sure. (I did get a cat to feel less lonely, ironic right?) She felt quite cold and was shaking like a maraca. I decided to just hold onto her to warm her up, I rarely get to hold her anyway. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> \|name=https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/cat.jpeg \|caption=My cat! \|width=90% \|align=right]] Coming downstairs I got an idea of why she was looking so scared. My living room window had a sizeable crack on it that somehow continued to the wall next to it, like a crack in the building itself. Obviously, I almost got the living daylight scared out of me, so I went for some tape and cardboard to fix it up. But as soon as I got close to the cracks, the air got really really stale, almost as if I couldn't even feel the air go in. Suffocating yet breathing. I couldn't stand next to it long enough to tape it closed. Something about it felt like it was glowing with the coldness. I quickly made my coco, and went back upstairs, letting my cat inside of my room and blocking the bottom of my door with a towel to keep the cold out. I laid my cat on my duvet and decided, that I had enough of the film and switched to some late-night conspiracy theory crap from the history channel while sipping my coco. So now to this morning. I woke up terribly cold, with my cat now under the duvet shivering on my chest. There was a violating feel to the room, like a surgical theatre filled with students with me being the one examined. I put some more clothes on and walked downstairs to get another look at the damage. I was freaked the fuck out by how far the damage had gone. The cracks had expanded to occupy most of the window and had started to dig into the walls more. I decided to put some cardboard on top of it. As I approached it, it felt like there was a cold gush of wind coming through it, but not like physically? In a way that makes your soul cold if you know what I mean? [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> \|name=https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/cracks.jpeg \|caption=Image of cracks, they sadly don't look as animate as they do irl. \|width=90% \|align=right]] it did not look deep enough to even go through the drywall. The glowing was far brighter. It almost felt warm, like it was calling me to snuggle next to it for warmth like a baby coddled by their mother. I can't take my cat to school, so I decided that I'll have a friend of mine pick her up later in the evening. For now, she'll be cosy next to the space heater. [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##green\|EvoWitch223## 1/11/2024 (Fri) 11:32:23 #27676322 ------ There's been a lot going on, the cold drilling feeling is back that I felt last night. It's the same chilly painful drilling. but somehow it feels like it's watching me? like the icicle inside of my spine is seeing my thoughts and judging me. This feeling has been following me since I left the house, which made focusing impossible be abuse it felt like social anxiety x100. I wasn't planning on posting until I got back home, but there's been too much going on to ignore. I was looking at the video during class on repeat to hopefully find out what was wrong with the ritual. After wracking my brain for too long, I decided to stretch a bit and actually look like I was focusing on the class. As I was looking around I saw something. I genuinely shat my pants when I noticed the blue glow coming from a table near me. Like a disease following me like a miasma. my breath felt shorter and slower, just like they did at home and my eyes barely had the energy to open. I could've justified it with a bad night's rest, maybe something got into my coco. but to be honest, I couldn't think at all. All I could do was to try to scream my hands and legs to move and get away. But whatever caused the crack to appear, I had to find out. So like most terrifying supernatural encounters in my life, I chatted with Liu about it. I told her everything. What happened to my apartment last night due to the storm, the chilly feeling, the cracks, the spine tap. She connected the dots quicker than I did. The ritual didn't fail, we evoked something. [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##green\|EvoWitch223## 1/11/2024 (Fri) 11:52:23 #27676322 ------ I came back to a house in ruin. The cracks were now everywhere. With icy frost covering everything. The lights don't work anymore, but I could still see everything through the numb glow of the cracks. the horrifying judging I felt in my spine got worse like the cracks in the wall were appraising my every move, counting my every thought to see if what I would do would have any value. The icicle in my spine started to go deeper again. That's when I woke from the shock of it all to remember my cat. I found what was left of her Just some fur and stray bits and pieces all around. I don't want to be alon [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##green\|EvoWitch223## 2/11/2024 (Sat) 8:28:63 #27676322 ------ I finally feel like posting an update. it's been really really rough since I found her on the ground. I don't want to talk about it. But atleast it's warming up here. It almost starts to feel like summer here. [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##green\|EvoWitch223## 2/11/2024 (Sat) 10:12:143 #27676322 ------ It's way too fucking hot in here. I couldn't take it anymore. I already turned my heating off, rid myself of all my clothes and almost considered shaving my skin off to cool down. I tried to see if the cracks could cool me off but I can't get to them anymore because they are in a layer of thick ice now. I'm typing this from my bed but it's just not cold enough here. I'll have to go deeper into my bed. [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##green\|EvoWitch223## 2/11/2024 (Sat) 10:12:8749 #27676322 ------ How deep is my bed, why can I feel dirt? [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##green\|EvoWitch223## 2/11/2024 (Sat) 10:12:487368 #27676322 ------ The memorial looks so pretty in the dark. It's starting to get cold again with the snowflakes dancing to the blue hue of the morning sun. [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Filename:path.jpeg > Name:Rayleigh_church_graveyard_by_night_-_panoramio.jpeg > Author:Luke Cops > License:CC-BY 3.0 > Source Link:https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=graveyard+night&title=Special:MediaSearch&type=image > Filename:statue.jpeg > Name:Guardian Angle.jpeg > Author:fredrik Andreasson > License:CC-BY 2.0 > Source Link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/127297977@N05/15447123112 > Filename:candles.jpeg > Name:Wind-Candles.jpeg > Author:Verbena Stevens > License:CC0 1.0 > Source Link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/131652528@N04/16450709074 > Filename:cat.jpeg > Name:2015-01-19 um 09-34-19 - Cat Winter Bokeh.jpeg > Author:Torsten Behrens > License:CC-BY 2.0 > Source Link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/29812986@N06/28401105038 > Filename:crack.jpeg > Name:Painted Cracked Wall 01.jpeg > Author:texturepalace > License:CC-BY 2.0 > Source Link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/122127718@N08/31235885067 [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-10-31T18:11:00	[ "first-person", "horror", "no-dialogue", "parawatch", "psychological-horror", "tale" ]	PSA: Evocation and you! - SCP Foundation	15	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "parawatch-hub" ]	[ "https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/path.jpeg", "https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/angle.jpeg", "https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/candles.jpeg", "https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/cat.jpeg", "https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/psa-2-electric-boogaloo/cracks.jpeg" ]	1457236383	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/psa-evocation-and-you
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class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title, "R\</span><span class="hl-number">0026</span><span class="hl-code"> C SITE-43")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">a:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Ablankstyle/</span><span class="hl-number">43</span><span class="hl-code">Head.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient( to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <div style="display: none;"> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ CODE</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- CODE</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BLANKSTYLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CSS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2021</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Placeholder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">McD</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HarryBlank</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Based</span><span class="hl-code"> on: </span><span class="hl-identifier">Paperstack</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Penumbra</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title, "R\</span><span class="hl-number">0026</span><span class="hl-code"> C SITE-43")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">a:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Ablankstyle/</span><span class="hl-number">43</span><span class="hl-code">Head.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient( to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span 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class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span 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class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span 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</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pseudoguilt</span></span></h1> </div> <p>It was the night before Christmas, and although she celebrated Hanukkah, Stephanie Pseudo found herself where she always was on this day; a steward, standing watch at a remote post. She shivered, despite being in a cabin that most people would consider cozy and festive — the chill was not in her body, but crawling up her spine, an ice that would not let go of her. She stared at a weathered leather chair, framed with a large bay window — decorated for the holidays, since this was the only time she used the cabin — and found herself frozen in the spot.</p> <p>It was picturesque. But, just like all pictures, a snapshot of time rarely tells the full story, and tragedies are often overlooked. Pictures are crafted, careful, intentional — <em>everything that humans are not,</em> she thought, hesitating as if her very presence would ruin the diorama of an older, forgotten time.</p> <p>Outside, the rain fell like static on a treasured, but forgotten home video recording. Stephanie smiled. The rain was a strange comfort, an inconsistency in the expectations, an imperfection within a curated scene; the rains brought a deluge of emotions and memories, an undertow dragging her back into the past.</p> <p>"What's global warming?"</p> <p>Stephanie looked up from her well-annotated script to see the cherubic face, eyes bright and wide with the promise of Christmas magic. Her daughter, Grace, had a frown that failed to match the holiday — an inconsistency that must be corrected.</p> <p>"Global warming?" Stephanie asked, putting her play down and leaning forward conspiratorially. "Well, it's a pretty big idea, and most adults don't know what it means either — why are you asking about global warming?"</p> <p>"Well," Grace said, looking down and biting her lip, "The radio said that it's not going to be a white Christmas because of global warming one day! But how will Santa land on the roof if his sled doesn't have any snow?"</p> <p>Stephanie smiled, reaching out and brushing Grace's cheek. <em>She deserves a world full of magic,</em> she thought, resolving to do anything within her power to extend that life of wonder. Children saw things others did not, and magic, as Stephanie knew, was more real than the rest of the world knew.</p> <p>"Come here, Gracie," Stephanie said, patting on her knees. Grace toddled over in excitement, scrambling into her desired perch, as Stephanie lifted her up onto her lap. She pointed out the window, and the two watched as the snow fell from the sky, a flurry of white.</p> <p>"Global warming is a problem that we need to solve, but nobody wants to figure out," Stephanie began to explain, as Grace listened to her mother in rapture. "Because of how much we build and make things, all around the world, we have to drive and burn a lot more coal—"</p> <p>"Oh!" Grace interjected, "like the coal that Santa gives you if you've been naughty?"</p> <p>"Exactly like that." Stephanie rustled her daughters hair, continuing. "When we burn coal, the air gets dirty. Because the air is getting dirtier and dirtier, the Sun is making the Earth hotter and hotter."</p> <p>"But wait," Grace asked. "Why would dirty air make the Sun stronger?"</p> <p>Stephanie beamed at her daughter — Grace had always been curious, adventurous and brave. Stephanie knew that she would need that to survive in the modern world.</p> <p>"You know," Stephanie said, "a lot of adults have the same question, but they don't ask somebody. They just think that they are right, and ignore the problem — and the bad thing is that they are right. It's not their problem, it's going to be their children's problem."</p> <p>Grace looked at her, puzzled. "So, global warming is my problem to solve?"</p> <p>Stephanie laughed. "No, not you silly! Because you have me."</p> <p>Grace leaned into her mothers arms, nuzzling against the woolen sweater Stephanie was wearing. "But what about the snow? Is the snow going to melt?"</p> <p>"One day," Stephanie said, grabbing her daughters hand, "but that's only if we don't do something about it first. I'm not going to let the snow go away on Christmas, that would be wrong!"</p> <p>"So it's going to be okay?"</p> <p>"Yes, honey. It's all going to be okay."</p> <p>Stephanie looked out the window to the wintery vista outside of their cabin. Frost crept up the edges of the panes, as snow fell heavily onto the frozen lake. The wind blew, as snow and ice swirled, interspersed by birds that should have been long gone by now — the winter had been warmer than most, but it was still 'Christmas' in every way. A fireplace flickered, the heat warming the two up as peace fell on the valley.</p> <p>"I'm bored," Grace said, her hyperactive mind breaking the silence. "Can I go outside and play?"</p> <p><em>That would give me time to finish fixing this script,</em> Stephanie thought as she looked out the window. <em>And the snow is letting up, it should be fine. Right?</em></p> <p>"Go ahead, sweetie, just put on your snow pants and coat!"</p> <p>Grace jumped up with renewed vigor, sprinting to the back door to get dressed.</p> <p>"Hey!" Stephanie called after her, "don't forget to wear your boots too! And not too long okay? Come inside when you're cold, or in 15 minutes. Whichever comes first."</p> <p>"Okay!" replied Grace, in a tone that told her mother that not only would she ignore the cold, but that she had no sense of time.</p> <p>Stephanie decided that Grace could have that joy, for just a few more years. There was plenty of time to grow up, and speaking from experience, Stephanie knew just how hard it was to be forced to grow up fast.</p> <p>As Grace ran out the door, slamming it behind her in excitement, Stephanie looked down to the manuscript that was due over a month ago. It was a play she had been working on — but no matter what she did, nothing felt right. Nothing was good enough, nothing flowed — it was an exercise in futility, and Stephanie was no more than a hamsters on a wheel.</p> <p>Stephanie was a creative, and had faced down the eternal enemy — creative blocks — many times before. And yet, the windmills still spun, as she sat, tilted but frozen.</p> <p>She had been frozen for months now, and nothing could thaw her mind. It just wouldn't come together. Every attempt, a failure. Every solution, a mistake. Every script, an embarrassment. Stephanie had reached the terminus, and had nowhere else to turn.</p> <p><em>What if,</em> she thought, sipping a cup of tea, <em>I can't do it anymore? What if I can't be creative, I've lost that spark, that magic that flowed so easily before. What if I am the problem, and I can never be fixed?</em></p> <p>The holidays were bittersweet for Stephanie — after all, the holidays were a time for family.</p> <p>And all that brought with it.</p> <p><em>Maybe I should just give up, and be a full time parent,</em> Stephanie mused, absentmindedly playing with her tea bag. <em>It's hard enough being a single mother, but Grace deserves more from me. I could be playing outside with her, but I'm not.</em></p> <p>The chilling thought crashed against the vision of Grace, outside of the window, having the time of her life as she ran through the snow like it was the first time. <em>She has what I want,</em> she thought. <em>Joy. Pure, unadulterated happiness. If I focused on her, then maybe I—</em></p> <p>Stephanie shook her head, throwing the thought into the fire where it belonged. <em>I can't be a good mother. I don't know what that looks like, let alone how to do it. I'm trying, but it just always feels like I'm drowning, forgetting things, missing moments.</em> And with the precious time that she had left to herself, it had to be spent working on her career.</p> <p>The play. The play that taunted her. The play that could not work, no matter what.</p> <p><em>Would I rather be a bad playwright, or a terrible mother?</em> Stephanie thought in a twisted laugh. <em>My mother was the expert in that, and… what if I'm worse? What if I hurt Gracie and fail her? What if I can't save her from the world? What can <strong>I</strong> do about global warming? Write a play about it? Brilliant, Steph, just use art and change the world! It's easy, right?</em></p> <p>Stephanie closed her eyes, as she fought to hold back the tears. <em>I can't even write a fucking script. How am I supposed to leave this place for her, ensure that she has a future, if I can't even solve my own present?</em></p> <p>Maybe she really had become her mother. Aloof, distant, with better things to do than be a parent — she knew Grace deserved better. <em>But,</em> she thought, <em>what if I'm not enough?"</em></p> <p>But she could try. She would try. She would do everything within her power to ensure that Grace had the mother she deserved, the one that Stephanie deserved. She would break the cycle and be the mother who she needed to b—</p> <p>A sound like a gunshot rang through her ears as her eyes shot open in panic, scrambling to see Grace — and there she was.</p> <p>Standing, hesitating, like a figure skater, posed in the middle of their frozen lake. Stephanie was frozen, watching Grace inch forward, fear rooting her to the spot.</p> <p><em>A good mother would be running outside,</em> she thought in the same sardonic, tired tone. <em>A good mother wouldn't have—</em></p> <p>And in an instant, she lost that title.</p> <p>The ice shattered as Grace plummeted down into the dark water with a silent splash. Stephanie went to run, went to go rescue her daughter, but a primal fear rooted her in her place. <em>Go! Save her!</em> she yelled at her mind, <em>do something, anything!</em></p> <p>But all she could do was sit, watching, and hoping desperately that somehow, some way, Grace would climb back out of the lake, a grin on her face, as if nothing had ever happened.</p> <p>Nothing happened.</p> <p>As the rain fell onto the once pristine, still lake, Stephanie sat as she always did. She sat, looking out the window, knowing that the world had magic in it, that death was not the end — she knew that the impossible existed elsewhere, and maybe, just maybe, if she focused hard enough, it could happen here too.</p> <p>Maybe, if she prayed hard enough, Grace might finally surface from the lake. Grace would swim on up, dust herself off and come be with her mother. They would celebrate Christmas, opening the presents that had sat under the dead tree for years — they could pick up where Stephanie's world had ended, pick up in a better time.</p> <p>The problem with global warming is that you couldn't turn the clock back. You couldn't turn the clock back on what happened just outside of these frigid walls. You cannot undo what has been done.</p> <p>Stephanie waited, watching lit by a flickering candle, hoping that she was wrong. One day, Grace will come back — and Stephanie will be here to see it.</p> <p>Until then, Stephanie waited. Alone. Surrounded by the cold shadows of her own making.</p> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/pseudoguilt">Pseudoguilt</a>" by Queerious, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/pseudoguilt">https://scpwiki.com/pseudoguilt</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:blankstyle">:scp-wiki:theme:blankstyle</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:darkqueer">:scp-wiki:theme:darkqueer</a>]] [[module css]] .staticTransition { background-image: url(https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/pseudogenesis-productions-hub/Vhs_Glitch-cropped-flipped.gif); background-position-x: center; background-clip: border-box; width: 100%; height: 0.15em; overflow: hidden; background-size: cover; padding: 0em 1.5em; margin-left: -1.5em; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[=]] + __Pseudoguilt__ [[/=]] It was the night before Christmas, and although she celebrated Hanukkah, Stephanie Pseudo found herself where she always was on this day; a steward, standing watch at a remote post. She shivered, despite being in a cabin that most people would consider cozy and festive -- the chill was not in her body, but crawling up her spine, an ice that would not let go of her. She stared at a weathered leather chair, framed with a large bay window -- decorated for the holidays, since this was the only time she used the cabin -- and found herself frozen in the spot. It was picturesque. But, just like all pictures, a snapshot of time rarely tells the full story, and tragedies are often overlooked. Pictures are crafted, careful, intentional -- //everything that humans are not,// she thought, hesitating as if her very presence would ruin the diorama of an older, forgotten time. Outside, the rain fell like static on a treasured, but forgotten home video recording. Stephanie smiled. The rain was a strange comfort, an inconsistency in the expectations, an imperfection within a curated scene; the rains brought a deluge of emotions and memories, an undertow dragging her back into the past. [[div class="staticTransition"]] [[/div]] "What's global warming?" Stephanie looked up from her well-annotated script to see the cherubic face, eyes bright and wide with the promise of Christmas magic. Her daughter, Grace, had a frown that failed to match the holiday -- an inconsistency that must be corrected. "Global warming?" Stephanie asked, putting her play down and leaning forward conspiratorially. "Well, it's a pretty big idea, and most adults don't know what it means either -- why are you asking about global warming?" "Well," Grace said, looking down and biting her lip, "The radio said that it's not going to be a white Christmas because of global warming one day! But how will Santa land on the roof if his sled doesn't have any snow?" Stephanie smiled, reaching out and brushing Grace's cheek. //She deserves a world full of magic,// she thought, resolving to do anything within her power to extend that life of wonder. Children saw things others did not, and magic, as Stephanie knew, was more real than the rest of the world knew. "Come here, Gracie," Stephanie said, patting on her knees. Grace toddled over in excitement, scrambling into her desired perch, as Stephanie lifted her up onto her lap. She pointed out the window, and the two watched as the snow fell from the sky, a flurry of white. "Global warming is a problem that we need to solve, but nobody wants to figure out," Stephanie began to explain, as Grace listened to her mother in rapture. "Because of how much we build and make things, all around the world, we have to drive and burn a lot more coal--" "Oh!" Grace interjected, "like the coal that Santa gives you if you've been naughty?" "Exactly like that." Stephanie rustled her daughters hair, continuing. "When we burn coal, the air gets dirty. Because the air is getting dirtier and dirtier, the Sun is making the Earth hotter and hotter." "But wait," Grace asked. "Why would dirty air make the Sun stronger?" Stephanie beamed at her daughter -- Grace had always been curious, adventurous and brave. Stephanie knew that she would need that to survive in the modern world. "You know," Stephanie said, "a lot of adults have the same question, but they don't ask somebody. They just think that they are right, and ignore the problem -- and the bad thing is that they are right. It's not their problem, it's going to be their children's problem." Grace looked at her, puzzled. "So, global warming is my problem to solve?" Stephanie laughed. "No, not you silly! Because you have me." Grace leaned into her mothers arms, nuzzling against the woolen sweater Stephanie was wearing. "But what about the snow? Is the snow going to melt?" "One day," Stephanie said, grabbing her daughters hand, "but that's only if we don't do something about it first. I'm not going to let the snow go away on Christmas, that would be wrong!" "So it's going to be okay?" "Yes, honey. It's all going to be okay." Stephanie looked out the window to the wintery vista outside of their cabin. Frost crept up the edges of the panes, as snow fell heavily onto the frozen lake. The wind blew, as snow and ice swirled, interspersed by birds that should have been long gone by now -- the winter had been warmer than most, but it was still 'Christmas' in every way. A fireplace flickered, the heat warming the two up as peace fell on the valley. "I'm bored," Grace said, her hyperactive mind breaking the silence. "Can I go outside and play?" //That would give me time to finish fixing this script,// Stephanie thought as she looked out the window. //And the snow is letting up, it should be fine. Right?// "Go ahead, sweetie, just put on your snow pants and coat!" Grace jumped up with renewed vigor, sprinting to the back door to get dressed. "Hey!" Stephanie called after her, "don't forget to wear your boots too! And not too long okay? Come inside when you're cold, or in 15 minutes. Whichever comes first." "Okay!" replied Grace, in a tone that told her mother that not only would she ignore the cold, but that she had no sense of time. Stephanie decided that Grace could have that joy, for just a few more years. There was plenty of time to grow up, and speaking from experience, Stephanie knew just how hard it was to be forced to grow up fast. As Grace ran out the door, slamming it behind her in excitement, Stephanie looked down to the manuscript that was due over a month ago. It was a play she had been working on -- but no matter what she did, nothing felt right. Nothing was good enough, nothing flowed -- it was an exercise in futility, and Stephanie was no more than a hamsters on a wheel. Stephanie was a creative, and had faced down the eternal enemy -- creative blocks -- many times before. And yet, the windmills still spun, as she sat, tilted but frozen. She had been frozen for months now, and nothing could thaw her mind. It just wouldn't come together. Every attempt, a failure. Every solution, a mistake. Every script, an embarrassment. Stephanie had reached the terminus, and had nowhere else to turn. //What if,// she thought, sipping a cup of tea, //I can't do it anymore? What if I can't be creative, I've lost that spark, that magic that flowed so easily before. What if I am the problem, and I can never be fixed?// The holidays were bittersweet for Stephanie -- after all, the holidays were a time for family. And all that brought with it. //Maybe I should just give up, and be a full time parent,// Stephanie mused, absentmindedly playing with her tea bag. //It's hard enough being a single mother, but Grace deserves more from me. I could be playing outside with her, but I'm not.// The chilling thought crashed against the vision of Grace, outside of the window, having the time of her life as she ran through the snow like it was the first time. //She has what I want,// she thought. //Joy. Pure, unadulterated happiness. If I focused on her, then maybe I--// Stephanie shook her head, throwing the thought into the fire where it belonged. //I can't be a good mother. I don't know what that looks like, let alone how to do it. I'm trying, but it just always feels like I'm drowning, forgetting things, missing moments.// And with the precious time that she had left to herself, it had to be spent working on her career. The play. The play that taunted her. The play that could not work, no matter what. //Would I rather be a bad playwright, or a terrible mother?// Stephanie thought in a twisted laugh. //My mother was the expert in that, and... what if I'm worse? What if I hurt Gracie and fail her? What if I can't save her from the world? What can I do about global warming? Write a play about it? Brilliant, Steph, just use art and change the world! It's easy, right?// Stephanie closed her eyes, as she fought to hold back the tears. //I can't even write a fucking script. How am I supposed to leave this place for her, ensure that she has a future, if I can't even solve my own present?// Maybe she really had become her mother. Aloof, distant, with better things to do than be a parent -- she knew Grace deserved better. //But,// she thought, //what if I'm not enough?"// But she could try. She would try. She would do everything within her power to ensure that Grace had the mother she deserved, the one that Stephanie deserved. She would break the cycle and be the mother who she needed to b-- A sound like a gunshot rang through her ears as her eyes shot open in panic, scrambling to see Grace -- and there she was. Standing, hesitating, like a figure skater, posed in the middle of their frozen lake. Stephanie was frozen, watching Grace inch forward, fear rooting her to the spot. //A good mother would be running outside,// she thought in the same sardonic, tired tone. //A good mother wouldn't have--// And in an instant, she lost that title. The ice shattered as Grace plummeted down into the dark water with a silent splash. Stephanie went to run, went to go rescue her daughter, but a primal fear rooted her in her place. //Go! Save her!// she yelled at her mind, //do something, anything!// But all she could do was sit, watching, and hoping desperately that somehow, some way, Grace would climb back out of the lake, a grin on her face, as if nothing had ever happened. Nothing happened. [[div class="staticTransition"]] [[/div]] As the rain fell onto the once pristine, still lake, Stephanie sat as she always did. She sat, looking out the window, knowing that the world had magic in it, that death was not the end -- she knew that the impossible existed elsewhere, and maybe, just maybe, if she focused hard enough, it could happen here too. Maybe, if she prayed hard enough, Grace might finally surface from the lake. Grace would swim on up, dust herself off and come be with her mother. They would celebrate Christmas, opening the presents that had sat under the dead tree for years -- they could pick up where Stephanie's world had ended, pick up in a better time. The problem with global warming is that you couldn't turn the clock back. You couldn't turn the clock back on what happened just outside of these frigid walls. You cannot undo what has been done. Stephanie waited, watching lit by a flickering candle, hoping that she was wrong. One day, Grace will come back -- and Stephanie will be here to see it. Until then, Stephanie waited. Alone. Surrounded by the cold shadows of her own making. [[div class="staticTransition"]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-12-25T01:58:00	[ "_licensebox", "bleak", "pseudogenesis", "tale" ]	Pseudoguilt - SCP Foundation	14	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "top-rated-pages-by-month", "tales-by-year", "shortest-pages-by-month", "pseudogenesis-productions-hub", "shortest-pages-this-month", "news" ]	[]	1458094021	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pseudoguilt
pulse-not-shockable	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>Boris chooses to save a member of the public. He did not return to a thankful Coalition.</p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:100%;"><img alt="thumbnail.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/pulse-not-shockable/thumbnail.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>thumbnail</p> </div> </div> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/normalize-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/basalt-bedrock-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>Flakes of sparks swept past him as he sprinted into a storm of fire. He felt his suit compensate for the significant temperature change by cooling itself, surprising Boris' skin and sending it into a shiver.</p> <p>"BORIS!" a voice shouted in his ears.</p> <p>"YEAH, I KNOW!" he yelled back, his voice muffled by his helmet and broken up by his labored breathing.</p> <p>He sprinted, his heart on the precipice of bursting out of his chest as his legs moved at an unhuman pace. <em>16.8 km/h.</em> Propelled forward, the soles of his suit dug deep into the blackened dirt, kicking it back high into the air as he leaned his body forward. <em>25.3 km/h.</em> The thick fog of smoke parted itself in Boris' wake, swirling into a clearing in the shape of a ravine before quickly collapsing into obscurity again. <em>31.9 km/h.</em></p> <p>Before he began to taste blood in his mouth, the SOS beacon started to close in rapidly.</p> <p>Swiftly, mid-sprint, he made a 180 and leaned forward against his momentum, letting the bottom of his feet slow him down. As he slid to a stop, an injured infantryman in regular military slacks came to view on his left, laying on his back with a respirator attached to his face as another PHYSICS member in a mechanical suit of alien armor unwound his IFAK.</p> <p>Boris quickly blinked in rapid succession, signaling his White Suit to open his glove compartment. The tips of his fingers were quickly rushed by furious winds, embers striking and stinging them.</p> <p>He ignored the unpleasant sensation and pressed his index and middle finger into the wounded soldier's carotid artery.</p> <p>Nothing.</p> <p>He pressed harder, second-guessing himself as his doubt mixed with a desperate plea to feel anything underneath this man's skin.</p> <p>Nothing.</p> <p>He looked up to his comrade, who returned a nod of confirmation and began CPR.</p> <p>Boris reached behind his back, blinking in a different rhythm which promptly shot a metal handle into his waiting hand. Swinging the object around, he placed it on the ground, opened the case, and pulled the pads up, letting gravity untangle the wires connecting them.</p> <p>He leaned over the man, and his comrade gave space. He placed the pads on the anterior sternum and lateral. Textbook.</p> <p>Quickly retreating, his comrade resumed, his hands sinking deep into the downed man's chest as Boris worked the AED machine, its screen coming to life. He had to squint to see what it said through the merciless smoke.</p> <p>Text appeared on the screen:</p> <p><em>Pulse Not Shockable.</em></p> <p>"Keep going," Boris signaled to his comrade. He nodded back.</p> <p>Three minutes later, the text remained the same.</p> <p><em>Pulse Not Shockable.</em></p> <p>"For fuck sake, Niel, where the hell is my medivac?" he yelled into his helmet's comms.</p> <p>Nothing but static replied.</p> <p>That meant Niel was either dead or so preoccupied that his radio was swarmed with different voices. If it was an equipment malfunction, someone in PTOLEMY would be sent home.</p> <p><em>Pulse Not Shockable.</em></p> <p>He tapped his hands on the dirt impatiently.</p> <p><em>Pulse Not Shockable.</em></p> <p>"Here, take a break," Boris grunted. He moved to his comrade's side and continued the compressions.</p> <p><em>Pulse Not Shockable.</em></p> <p>"Come on."</p> <p><em>Pulse Not Shockable.</em></p> <p><em>"Typically,"</em> the words of his instructor echoed in Boris' head, <em>"once five minutes pass, success in resuscitation drops to 50%."</em></p> <p><em>Pulse Not Shockable.</em></p> <p><em>"And anything beyond thirty minutes is often left to chance, with the odds obviously not being in the patient's favor."</em></p> <p><em>Pulse Not Shockable.</em></p> <p><em>"This is why rapid response is key in every aspect of our work and is the preliminary stage that sets up the patient's possibility for survival."</em></p> <p><em>Pulse Not Shockable.</em></p> <p><em>"So, when you get the call, <strong>you better run like hell.</strong>"</em></p> <p>"FUCK!" Boris screamed into his helmet as he pressed down on the man's chest.</p> <p>Apparently, his comrade heard him despite the helmet's insulant nature. "Here, let's switch," he said. And after a brief moment, Boris complied.</p> <p>Scrambling to the AED machine, it read,</p> <p><em>Pulse Not Shockable.</em></p> <p>It felt as if the smoke began to creep into his helmet underneath, through the imaginary gaps, his mind clouding in frustration and helplessness.</p> <p>Medivac seemed impossible in these conditions despite the Coalition's best pilots. And they would never risk their skin for someone not their own. He felt he should be on the frontlines where most PHYSICS casualties are likely to occur, rather than saving a stranger who was meant just to be another collateral in an unfortunate scene. It would eventually be passed as a regular wildfire by the media, while its true history would be only engraved in hidden archives.</p> <p>Any attempts to save this man were a waste of Coalition resources. The time Boris continued to spend here, alongside his comrade, was considered a waste—all of it. From the energy he poured into his sprint, the uncoupling of the AED on his back, the attachment of its pads on this man's chest, the frustration pent up in Boris' tensed shoulders. When he looked up, he could see how his comrade was slowly becoming less and less enthusiastic, clearly eager to jump away, give up, and join his squad so they didn't experience the same fate he was trying to save this man from.</p> <p>All of this is a waste.</p> <p>From every single perspiration, his breath is wasted on this stranger. From every meal he ate prior, their calories were seared away and wasted on this stranger. From every dream his rampant mind had conjured, believing that when he would become subject to Death's grapples, he could trust the people he knew by his side to rob Death of its trophy. And this deluded but comfortable possibility—this dream, reminded him why he does this.</p> <p>With a surge that could be incomparable to any other, he felt his hand reach to his leg, swayed by the influences of a belief that humanity would save its own when it needed it. And he knew he wasn't the only zealot to this hope.</p> <p>He blinked in successions again, and a cylinder shot out of his suit's thigh and into his waiting hand.</p> <p>His comrade double-taked Boris, stopping midway. "What are you doing?"</p> <p>But before he could do anything to stop Boris, he pulled away the cylinder's cap to reveal a needle and swung it down to the man's leg.</p> <p><em>Pulse Shockable.</em></p> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>ARCHIVED EMAIL</th> </tr> </table> <div class="tofrom"> <p><strong>To:</strong> Amelia Shannon (PTOLEMY, Human Resources)<br/> <strong>From:</strong> Milton (PHYSICS, Strike Team)<br/> <strong>Subject:</strong> Boris's Potential Court Martial</p> </div> <hr/> <p>Hello Amelia,</p> <p>Foremost, I would like to apologize for the hail of complaints.</p> <p>But I would like to thank you for trying to put a nip in the bud against those keyboard warriors.</p> <p>If you need help, I can send his CV and tenure history to validate your debate. I don't know if it'll help since I'm no lawyer or litigator or whatever you guys do in the office, but I figure some people going against Boris have some kind of a heart (I hope).</p> <p>Anyways, email us if you need anything; we'll be happy to oblige.</p> <p>Best,<br/> Milton</p> <p>Strike Team 1293 "Destiny"<br/> <em>" For an everlasting future."</em></p> </div> <hr/> <p>"And what did you inject into the patient?"</p> <p>"Lazarus Formula, sir," Boris replied.</p> <p>"And what does it do?"</p> <p>"It's an odylic treatment meant to increase the chances of autoresuscitation using Vita energy. In this particular case involving Corporal Ming of the Canadian Armed Forces, it instead jumpstarted electrical activity from asystole which enabled me to shock and reset—"</p> <p>"Yes, yes, I'm quite aware," Mr. Carter interrupted. "But I am primarily concerned that you used paranormal resources on a member of the public. Last I checked, odylic research and Vita are properties of the WPO's research department, which revolves around studying and inventing paranormal medicine. If it were a PHYSICS member, I'd be more forgiving. But a civilian? Can you explain why you used critical time in a dangerous situation to save him when others could've used that treatment?"</p> <p><em>Because nobody thought he was worth saving. You still don't think he is.</em></p> <p>"I offer no excuse, sir," Boris forced, his jaws clenched.</p> <p>Mr. Carter rubbed his temples, obviously bored with having to encounter this problem again. Boris didn't doubt that this man treated this as a tedium.</p> <p>"Boris," Mr. Carter started, paused, and then continued. "Concealment supersedes Protection. I know the obligation you feel as a field medic to all walks of life."</p> <p><em>No, you don't. You'd rather I let that man die alone on the sidewalk.</em></p> <p>"Yes, sir," Boris replied.</p> <p>"But this is excessive. This compound has evidence of lingering in the human body for an extended period of time. I have the research paper here to validate that claim." He reached underneath his desk, the muffled sound of papers scuffling playing out.</p> <p><em>Do you have any relatives, Mr. Carter?</em> Boris imagined asking him.</p> <p>"I understand my mistake, sir."</p> <p>Mr. Carter nodded dismissively as he sat back upright, laying sheets of paper on the table. "A Dr. Willow, oncology genomics and specialist in the…" he trailed off, more enamored by his own findings. "Weird. Since when did we research cancer? A bit below our pay grade," he muttered.</p> <p><em>Do you expect me to save them, sir?</em> A man of Mr. Carter's caliber would've probably replied, "No." A lie. A politician like him would be skilled in that. Words were cheap, and Boris knew Mr. Carter would turn into an immediate hypocrite upon the infinitesimal sign of danger near the people he cherished. And then suddenly, it'd become permissible for Boris to perform his duty.</p> <p>The thought of refusing treatment out of spite tugged dangerously in the dark corners of his mind, and he suddenly wished to see Mr. Carter wear the same devastated face Boris had witnessed time and time again.</p> <p>Those wide eyes, swirls of conflict plaguing their retinas. A mouth open, ready to speak but incapable. How else could you articulate a hurricane in your mind that felt sorrow and disbelief all at once? And the corners of those eyes. Oh, how it seemed like ship anchors pulled them down. They were the universal prodrome of a soul's destruction.</p> <p>How would Mr. Carter look with that expression? Boris pondered. And would it convince Boris that even his people would be worth saving?</p> <p>Is desperation really the only motivating factor to bring someone's humanity back?</p> <p>"Anyways, sorry about that," Mr. Carter said, snapping out of his own trance. "I cannot allow one of our operatives to continue in this fragile field of work with a hero complex. I'm sorry, Boris." He looked to his colleagues who sat at the roundtable with Boris. "Are we in agreement?"</p> <p>"Aye," a high feminine voice said.</p> <p><em>When the time comes, and your people become the collaterals, and the Coalition's deployment becomes a necessity, if I find them with all the resources I have at my disposal, do you expect me to do everything I can to save them?</em></p> <p>"Aye," a digitized voice followed.</p> <p><em>When I have the tip of the spear—everything that human medicine could ever achieve in this present moment, would you want me to use it to save your people?</em></p> <p>"Aye. Boris, I respect your field of work," a low voice echoed, its tone sympathetic, "but I cannot accept the unauthorized use of Coalition assets."</p> <p><em>Will your high expectations falter when it is you we are talking about now and not a "stranger?"</em></p> <p>"The WPO say aye," the last person said after a lengthy pause.</p> <p><em>If the people you love were on the line, would your decision today be different?</em></p> <p>"Aye," Mr. Carter finished, avoiding to look Boris in the eyes. "This caucus is adjourned."</p> <p><em>Would I run to save you if I had the chance?</em></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>PRODROME</strong></p> </div> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title='"Retrieval"'> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/retrieval">"Retrieval"</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="HELLRAISERS"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/goc-hub-page">HELLRAISERS</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Heaven's Rain"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/heavens-rain">Heaven's Rain</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/pulse-not-shockable">Pulse Not Shockable</a>" by Calico, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/pulse-not-shockable">https://scpwiki.com/pulse-not-shockable</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> GOC Logo<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/navla" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5817542); return false;"><img alt="Navla" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5817542&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043794" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5817542)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/navla" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5817542); return false;">Navla</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork">https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> pns.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Tim Williams<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fires_over_the_Hills_-_Flickr_-_Timm_Williams.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fires_over_the_Hills_-_Flickr_-_Timm_Williams.jpg</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= Boris chooses to save a member of the public. He did not return to a thankful Coalition. ]] ===== [[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> \| name=thumbnail.png \| caption=thumbnail \| width=100% \| align=center]] [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:basalt">:scp-wiki:theme:basalt</a> darkmode=a\|hidetitle=a]] [[module css]] /---- IMPORTS ----/ @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Saira:wght@400;700&display=swap'); /---- THEME ----/ :root { --logo: url(https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/retrieval/dark.png); --header-title: "GLOBAL OCCULT COALITION"; --subtitle: "Humanity's Anchor"; --title-size: 1rem; --subtitle-size: 0.75rem; --basalt-bright-element-color: 118, 185, 232; --basalt-dark-element-color: 94, 114, 128; } :root { --UI-font-primary: 'Saira'; font-size: 110%; } body { background: url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/pulse-not-shockable/pns.png') top center repeat-x; background-size: 150em; background-color: #050505; } [[/module]] [[module css]] .email { border: solid 2px #ffffff; padding: 1px 15px; margin: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.5) } .tofrom { margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 1px 15px; border-left: solid 3px #0b729e} [[/module]] [[=image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/pulse-not-shockable/titletext.png size=500%]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] Flakes of sparks swept past him as he sprinted into a storm of fire. He felt his suit compensate for the significant temperature change by cooling itself, surprising Boris' skin and sending it into a shiver. "BORIS!" a voice shouted in his ears. "YEAH, I KNOW!" he yelled back, his voice muffled by his helmet and broken up by his labored breathing. He sprinted, his heart on the precipice of bursting out of his chest as his legs moved at an unhuman pace. //16.8 km/h.// Propelled forward, the soles of his suit dug deep into the blackened dirt, kicking it back high into the air as he leaned his body forward. //25.3 km/h.// The thick fog of smoke parted itself in Boris' wake, swirling into a clearing in the shape of a ravine before quickly collapsing into obscurity again. //31.9 km/h.// Before he began to taste blood in his mouth, the SOS beacon started to close in rapidly. Swiftly, mid-sprint, he made a 180 and leaned forward against his momentum, letting the bottom of his feet slow him down. As he slid to a stop, an injured infantryman in regular military slacks came to view on his left, laying on his back with a respirator attached to his face as another PHYSICS member in a mechanical suit of alien armor unwound his IFAK. Boris quickly blinked in rapid succession, signaling his White Suit to open his glove compartment. The tips of his fingers were quickly rushed by furious winds, embers striking and stinging them. He ignored the unpleasant sensation and pressed his index and middle finger into the wounded soldier's carotid artery. Nothing. He pressed harder, second-guessing himself as his doubt mixed with a desperate plea to feel anything underneath this man's skin. Nothing. He looked up to his comrade, who returned a nod of confirmation and began CPR. Boris reached behind his back, blinking in a different rhythm which promptly shot a metal handle into his waiting hand. Swinging the object around, he placed it on the ground, opened the case, and pulled the pads up, letting gravity untangle the wires connecting them. He leaned over the man, and his comrade gave space. He placed the pads on the anterior sternum and lateral. Textbook. Quickly retreating, his comrade resumed, his hands sinking deep into the downed man's chest as Boris worked the AED machine, its screen coming to life. He had to squint to see what it said through the merciless smoke. Text appeared on the screen: //Pulse Not Shockable.// "Keep going," Boris signaled to his comrade. He nodded back. Three minutes later, the text remained the same. //Pulse Not Shockable.// "For fuck sake, Niel, where the hell is my medivac?" he yelled into his helmet's comms. Nothing but static replied. That meant Niel was either dead or so preoccupied that his radio was swarmed with different voices. If it was an equipment malfunction, someone in PTOLEMY would be sent home. //Pulse Not Shockable.// He tapped his hands on the dirt impatiently. //Pulse Not Shockable.// "Here, take a break," Boris grunted. He moved to his comrade's side and continued the compressions. //Pulse Not Shockable.// "Come on." //Pulse Not Shockable.// //"Typically,"// the words of his instructor echoed in Boris' head, //"once five minutes pass, success in resuscitation drops to 50%."// //Pulse Not Shockable.// //"And anything beyond thirty minutes is often left to chance, with the odds obviously not being in the patient's favor."// //Pulse Not Shockable.// //"This is why rapid response is key in every aspect of our work and is the preliminary stage that sets up the patient's possibility for survival."// //Pulse Not Shockable.// //"So, when you get the call, you better run like hell."// "FUCK!" Boris screamed into his helmet as he pressed down on the man's chest. Apparently, his comrade heard him despite the helmet's insulant nature. "Here, let's switch," he said. And after a brief moment, Boris complied. Scrambling to the AED machine, it read, //Pulse Not Shockable.// It felt as if the smoke began to creep into his helmet underneath, through the imaginary gaps, his mind clouding in frustration and helplessness. Medivac seemed impossible in these conditions despite the Coalition's best pilots. And they would never risk their skin for someone not their own. He felt he should be on the frontlines where most PHYSICS casualties are likely to occur, rather than saving a stranger who was meant just to be another collateral in an unfortunate scene. It would eventually be passed as a regular wildfire by the media, while its true history would be only engraved in hidden archives. Any attempts to save this man were a waste of Coalition resources. The time Boris continued to spend here, alongside his comrade, was considered a waste—all of it. From the energy he poured into his sprint, the uncoupling of the AED on his back, the attachment of its pads on this man's chest, the frustration pent up in Boris' tensed shoulders. When he looked up, he could see how his comrade was slowly becoming less and less enthusiastic, clearly eager to jump away, give up, and join his squad so they didn't experience the same fate he was trying to save this man from. All of this is a waste. From every single perspiration, his breath is wasted on this stranger. From every meal he ate prior, their calories were seared away and wasted on this stranger. From every dream his rampant mind had conjured, believing that when he would become subject to Death's grapples, he could trust the people he knew by his side to rob Death of its trophy. And this deluded but comfortable possibility—this dream, reminded him why he does this. With a surge that could be incomparable to any other, he felt his hand reach to his leg, swayed by the influences of a belief that humanity would save its own when it needed it. And he knew he wasn't the only zealot to this hope. He blinked in successions again, and a cylinder shot out of his suit's thigh and into his waiting hand. His comrade double-taked Boris, stopping midway. "What are you doing?" But before he could do anything to stop Boris, he pulled away the cylinder's cap to reveal a needle and swung it down to the man's leg. //Pulse Shockable.// ----- [[div class="blockquote"]] \|\|~ ARCHIVED EMAIL\|\| [[div class="tofrom"]] To: Amelia Shannon (PTOLEMY, Human Resources) From: Milton (PHYSICS, Strike Team) Subject: Boris's Potential Court Martial [[/div]] ---- Hello Amelia, Foremost, I would like to apologize for the hail of complaints. But I would like to thank you for trying to put a nip in the bud against those keyboard warriors. If you need help, I can send his CV and tenure history to validate your debate. I don't know if it'll help since I'm no lawyer or litigator or whatever you guys do in the office, but I figure some people going against Boris have some kind of a heart (I hope). Anyways, email us if you need anything; we'll be happy to oblige. Best, Milton Strike Team 1293 "Destiny" //" For an everlasting future."// [[/div]] ----- "And what did you inject into the patient?" "Lazarus Formula, sir," Boris replied. "And what does it do?" "It's an odylic treatment meant to increase the chances of autoresuscitation using Vita energy. In this particular case involving Corporal Ming of the Canadian Armed Forces, it instead jumpstarted electrical activity from asystole which enabled me to shock and reset—" "Yes, yes, I'm quite aware," Mr. Carter interrupted. "But I am primarily concerned that you used paranormal resources on a member of the public. Last I checked, odylic research and Vita are properties of the WPO's research department, which revolves around studying and inventing paranormal medicine. If it were a PHYSICS member, I'd be more forgiving. But a civilian? Can you explain why you used critical time in a dangerous situation to save him when others could've used that treatment?" //Because nobody thought he was worth saving. You still don't think he is.// "I offer no excuse, sir," Boris forced, his jaws clenched. Mr. Carter rubbed his temples, obviously bored with having to encounter this problem again. Boris didn't doubt that this man treated this as a tedium. "Boris," Mr. Carter started, paused, and then continued. "Concealment supersedes Protection. I know the obligation you feel as a field medic to all walks of life." //No, you don't. You'd rather I let that man die alone on the sidewalk.// "Yes, sir," Boris replied. "But this is excessive. This compound has evidence of lingering in the human body for an extended period of time. I have the research paper here to validate that claim." He reached underneath his desk, the muffled sound of papers scuffling playing out. //Do you have any relatives, Mr. Carter?// Boris imagined asking him. "I understand my mistake, sir." Mr. Carter nodded dismissively as he sat back upright, laying sheets of paper on the table. "A Dr. Willow, oncology genomics and specialist in the..." he trailed off, more enamored by his own findings. "Weird. Since when did we research cancer? A bit below our pay grade," he muttered. //Do you expect me to save them, sir?// A man of Mr. Carter's caliber would've probably replied, "No." A lie. A politician like him would be skilled in that. Words were cheap, and Boris knew Mr. Carter would turn into an immediate hypocrite upon the infinitesimal sign of danger near the people he cherished. And then suddenly, it'd become permissible for Boris to perform his duty. The thought of refusing treatment out of spite tugged dangerously in the dark corners of his mind, and he suddenly wished to see Mr. Carter wear the same devastated face Boris had witnessed time and time again. Those wide eyes, swirls of conflict plaguing their retinas. A mouth open, ready to speak but incapable. How else could you articulate a hurricane in your mind that felt sorrow and disbelief all at once? And the corners of those eyes. Oh, how it seemed like ship anchors pulled them down. They were the universal prodrome of a soul's destruction. How would Mr. Carter look with that expression? Boris pondered. And would it convince Boris that even his people would be worth saving? Is desperation really the only motivating factor to bring someone's humanity back? "Anyways, sorry about that," Mr. Carter said, snapping out of his own trance. "I cannot allow one of our operatives to continue in this fragile field of work with a hero complex. I'm sorry, Boris." He looked to his colleagues who sat at the roundtable with Boris. "Are we in agreement?" "Aye," a high feminine voice said. //When the time comes, and your people become the collaterals, and the Coalition's deployment becomes a necessity, if I find them with all the resources I have at my disposal, do you expect me to do everything I can to save them?// "Aye," a digitized voice followed. //When I have the tip of the spear—everything that human medicine could ever achieve in this present moment, would you want me to use it to save your people?// "Aye. Boris, I respect your field of work," a low voice echoed, its tone sympathetic, "but I cannot accept the unauthorized use of Coalition assets." //Will your high expectations falter when it is you we are talking about now and not a "stranger?"// "The WPO say aye," the last person said after a lengthy pause. //If the people you love were on the line, would your decision today be different?// "Aye," Mr. Carter finished, avoiding to look Boris in the eyes. "This caucus is adjourned." //Would I run to save you if I had the chance?// @@ @@ [[=]] PRODROME [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=false\| last=false\| hub=yes \| previous-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/retrieval \| previous-title="Retrieval" \| next-url= https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/heavens-rain \| next-title=Heaven's Rain \| hub-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/goc-hub-page \| hub-title=HELLRAISERS ]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Calico]] > Filename: GOC Logo > Author: [[user Navla]] > License:* CC BY SA 3.0 > Source Link: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork > Filename: pns.png > Author: Tim Williams > License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic > Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fires_over_the_Hills_-_Flickr_-_Timm_Williams.jpg [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-07-17T00:39:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "bleak", "global-occult-coalition", "military-fiction", "tale" ]	Pulse Not Shockable - SCP Foundation	11	[ "retrieval", "goc-hub-page", "heavens-rain", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide", "navla-artwork" ]	[ "goc-hub-page" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/pulse-not-shockable/thumbnail.png" ]	1455903739	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pulse-not-shockable
pursuing-ghosts-part-2	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p><em>This</em> is what I came to see: the altar of a dead god.</p> </div> <div style="display: none"> <div class="limit"> <div class="anchor"> <div class="authorbox tableb"><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>Pursuing Ghosts, Part II</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><span class="bt bb">Byㅤ</span> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/lt-flops" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1735419); return false;"><img alt="Lt Flops" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=1735419&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736645384" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=1735419)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/lt-flops" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1735419); return false;">Lt Flops</a></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th>Published on <span class="odate time_1714959033 format_%25d%20%25b%20%25Y">06 May 2024 01:30</span></th> </tr> </table> </div> </div></div> <br/></div> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aflopstyle-dark/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> </div> <div class="info-container"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div> <div class="blockquote lightweight"> <p><strong>Pursuing Ghosts, Part II</strong><br/> <span class="bt bb">By</span> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/lt-flops" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1735419); return false;"><img alt="Lt Flops" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=1735419&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043739" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=1735419)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/lt-flops" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1735419); return false;">Lt Flops</a></span><br/> <strong>Published on 05 May 2024</strong></p> <hr/> <div class="centered"> <p>This article is part of the forthcoming<br/> <strong>Weaving Imperceptible Threads Continuity Hub</strong>.</p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="tablerig"> <h3><span>Other Works by Lt Flops!</span></h3> <hr/> <div class="list-pages-box"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.3em;">SCP Articles</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Title</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-4420">SCP-4420</a></td> <td>+273</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-4416">SCP-4416</a></td> <td>+209</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-4790">SCP-4790</a></td> <td>+186</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-3570">EE-3570</a></td> <td>+186</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-4031">SCP-4031</a></td> <td>+168</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-5990">SCP-5990</a></td> <td>+149</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-3787">SCP-3787</a></td> <td>+136</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-5810">SCP-5810</a></td> <td>+135</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-3464">SCP-3464</a></td> <td>+130</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-4190">SCP-4190</a></td> <td>+106</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-3719">SCP-3719</a></td> <td>+91</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-6327">SCP-6327</a></td> <td>+78</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-7723">SCP-7723</a></td> <td>+61</td> </tr> </table> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.3em;">Tales</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Title</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scp-2">SCP-2</a></td> <td>+193</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/the-abyss-gazes-back">The Abyss Gazes Back (and It's ASCII on a CRT Screen)</a></td> <td>+118</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/the-doctor-s-dilemma">The Doctor's Dilemma</a></td> <td>+93</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/fifthist-family-picnic">fifthist family picnic</a></td> <td>+88</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/umbral-migratory-sequence">UMBRAL_MIGRATORY_SEQUENCE.txt</a></td> <td>+88</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/buggy-hardware">Buggy Hardware (or Why I Don't Play Violent Video Games)</a></td> <td>+85</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/what-lurks">What Lurks in the Dark?</a></td> <td>+76</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/no-sense-crying">Spilled Milk</a></td> <td>+73</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/a-scene-from-a-meme">A Scene From a Meme(-ory)</a></td> <td>+73</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/illac">Illac</a></td> <td>+70</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/crispy-sex-pirates">A Surprise Encounter with Crispy Sex Pirates</a></td> <td>+63</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/inner-space">INNER-SPACE</a></td> <td>+54</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/a-necromantic-prelude">A Necromantic Prelude</a></td> <td>+36</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/an-old-familiar-dream">A Prologue: An Old, Familiar Dream</a></td> <td>+29</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/pursuing-ghosts-part-1">Pursuing Ghosts, Part I</a></td> <td>+28</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/solidao">Solidão</a></td> <td>+27</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/samara-be-the-itsy-bitsy-spider">Samara: Be the Itsy Bitsy Spider.</a></td> <td>+25</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/pursuing-ghosts-part-2">Pursuing Ghosts, Part II</a></td> <td>+15</td> </tr> </table> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.3em;">GOI Formats</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Title</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/spc-993">SPC-993: BOBBLE THE CLOWN SHARK</a></td> <td>+141</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/spc-507">SPC-507: EAGER NETHERENDER</a></td> <td>+120</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/saturn-s-corner">SATURN'S CORNER</a></td> <td>+106</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/scattersomnia">"Scattersomnia": A Disease of the Wise and Drowsy Wanderers</a></td> <td>+104</td> </tr> </table> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.3em;">Hubs</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Title</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/void-dancer-hub">Void Dancer Hub</a></td> <td>+111</td> </tr> </table> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.3em;">CSS Themes</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Title</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/theme:pataphysics">'Pataphysics Department Theme</a></td> <td>+133</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/theme:classic">Classic SCP Foundation Theme</a></td> <td>+123</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/theme:flopstyle-dark">Flopstyle: DARK</a></td> <td>+107</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/theme:flopstyle">Flopstyle: LITE</a></td> <td>+83</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/theme:pack-of-peanuts">Pack Of Peanuts Theme</a></td> <td>+52</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/theme:anon">Parawatch Anon Theme</a></td> <td>+48</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/theme:saphir">SAPPHIRE Theme Redux</a></td> <td>+44</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/theme:sapphire">SAPPHIRE Theme</a></td> <td>+23</td> </tr> </table> </div> <h3><span>Collaborations</span></h3> <hr/> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.3em;">Co-Authored SCP Articles</span></th> </tr> </table> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/scp-3309">SCP-3309</a> - Where We Go When We Fade, Fade Away</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="printuser"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/phamtomguy" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7630719); return false;">PhamtomGuy</a></span></td> <td>+1173</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/scp-3739">SCP-3739</a> - <span style="color: hsl(214, 95%, 24%)">Mind-Milk™ by Moosphere, Inc.</span></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td>KindlyTurtleClem</td> <td>+285</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">SCP-4428</span> <a href="/scp-4428">Dr. Michaels</a> - <span class="lie">Dr. Michaels is not in danger.</span></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/henzoids-author-page" target="_blank">Henzoid</a></td> <td>+480</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/scp-4475">SCP-4475</a> - So Long, and Thanks for All the Milk</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td>KindlyTurtleClem</td> <td>+176</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/scp-4519">SCP-4519</a> - Carl Sagan, Godhead</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/natalie-watts" target="_blank">NatVoltaic</a></td> <td>+175</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/scp-4795">SCP-4795</a> - Feathered F(r)iends</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/dr-mews-personnel-file" target="_blank">Mew-ltiverse</a></td> <td>+125</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/scp-6447">SCP-6447</a> - Sinners' Symphony</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/elunerazim" target="_blank">Elunerazim</a> & Others</td> <td>+54</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/scp-6481">SCP-6481</a> - Nipple Centipedes</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/ellie3-gimmick-free" target="_blank">Ellie3</a></td> <td>+107</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/scp-6705">SCP-6705</a> - The Bicameral Milk</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/lord-stonefish" target="_blank">LordStonefish</a></td> <td>+87</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/scp-6830">SCP-6830</a> - Oops! All Atens!</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/ariadnes-malibu-dream-house" target="_blank">AriadnesThread</a></td> <td>+93</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/scp-7010">SCP-7010</a> - We Will Endure</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/stormbreath" target="_blank">Stormbreath</a></td> <td>+161</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.3em;">Co-Authored Tales</span></th> </tr> </table> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/avian-anthology-i">Avian Anthology I</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/bird" target="_blank">Team Bird</a></td> <td>+76</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/avian-anthology-ii">Avian Anthology II</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/bird" target="_blank">Team Bird</a></td> <td>+94</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/land-of-honey">Land Of Honey</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td>KindlyTurtleClem</td> <td>+111</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/broken-masquerade-epistolary">Snippets of an Unveiled World</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/researcher-nyka-s-file" target="_blank">Nykacolaquantum</a> & Others</td> <td>+299</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.3em;">Co-Authored GOI Formats</span></th> </tr> </table> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/the-sacred-djehuti">The Sacred Djehuti</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/ayers-array" target="_blank">Ayers</a></td> <td>+134</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/grant-request-post-mortem-neural-preservation">GRANT REQUEST FOR THE RE-CREATION OF AN ADVANCED POSTMORTEM NEURAL PRESERVATION SYSTEM</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/uncle-nicolini-author-page" target="_blank">Uncle Nicolini</a></td> <td>+61</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/critter-profile-bartholomew">Critter Profile: Bartholomew!</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td>KindlyTurtleClem</td> <td>+137</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.3em;">Co-Authored Hubs</span></th> </tr> </table> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/bird">Team Bird Hub</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/notgull" target="_blank">notgull</a></td> <td>+244</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/non-prophet-organization-hub">A Non-Prophet Organization Hub</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/uncle-nicolini-author-page" target="_blank">Uncle Nicolini</a></td> <td>+115</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/i-hub">I, Hub (April Fools)</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/elenee-s-author-page" target="_blank">Elenee FishTruck</a> & Others</td> <td>+100</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/spc-hub">SPC Hub</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/peppersghost" target="_blank">PeppersGhost</a>, <a href="/wrong-analytics" target="_blank">MrWrong</a>, & <a href="/lordxvnv" target="_blank">LORDXVNV</a></td> <td>+181</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/milk-hub">Milk Hub</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/lordxvnv" target="_blank">LORDXVNV</a></td> <td>+82</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.3em;">Other Co-Authored Pages</span></th> </tr> </table> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="2"><span style="font-size:1.1em;"><a href="/departments-complete-list">A Semi-Comprehensive List of Foundation Departments</a></span></th> </tr> <tr> <th>Co-Author</th> <th>Rating</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="/top" target="_blank">TopDownUnder</a> & <a href="/dr-moned-s-temporal-pocket-universe" target="_blank">Dr Moned</a></td> <td>+237</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <h3><span>Wanderers' Library Entries</span></h3> <hr/> <div class="wanlib"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>Page</th> <th>Page Info</th> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/lampyra-the-watcher" target="_blank">Lampyra, the Watcher</a></td> <td>Wanderers' Library Author Page</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/cave-story" target="_blank">Cave Story</a></td> <td>2020 Wanderers' Depths Contest, First Place</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/interplanetary-colonization" target="_blank">Interplanetary Colonization</a></td> <td>2021 Scavenger Hunt Contest</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/take-you-to-the-parashops" target="_blank">I'll Take You to the Parashops</a></td> <td>2021 Scavenger Hunt Contest</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/talk-of-the-town" target="_blank">Talk of the Town</a></td> <td><em>Last Light</em> Canon</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/the-foolish-one" target="_blank">The Foolish One</a></td> <td>2021 WanderCon</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <hr/> <p><iframe allowtransparency="true" class="html-block-iframe" frameborder="0" src="/pursuing-ghosts-part-2/html/423e4bca147c32519fafc4b0daf7a6fbd01951ec-1719962171332281805"></iframe></p> <hr/> <div id="u-author_block"> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/floppyphoenix">▸ More by this Author ◂</a></p> </div> <hr/> <div id="u-comments2" style="display: none;"> <p>{$comments2}</p> </div> <div class="u-faq"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">F.A.Q.</a></p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <p>{$doesthisfixthebug}</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="byline"> <p><span style="display:none">.</span><br/> <span>35</span></p> </div> <div class="lite-heading extra-wide"> <hr/> <h1 id="toc0"><span>THE LOST GLADE</span></h1> <hr/></div> <div class="meta-title"> <p>Pursuing Ghosts<br/> <span class="ii">PART II</span></p> </div> <div class="blockquote lightweight pseudocrumbs"> <p><sub><span class="tb">PREVIOUSLY</span></sub><br/> <strong><a href="/pursuing-ghosts-part-1">Pursuing Ghosts, Part I</a></strong></p> <p><em>Our protagonist has been having a recurring nightmare. For months, she has kept an elaborate dream journal, intent on learning everything she can. The nightmare responds in kind — shifting and growing, ever closer to resolving itself.</em></p> <p><em>Weird enough, right?</em></p> <p><em>One day, when she trespasses the old farmhouse, she discovers a ghostly blue cat made entirely out of light.</em></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="centered" style="font: italic 1.33rem/1.33rem var(--script-font)"> <p>What’s better:</p> <p>Being lost for good reason?</p> <p>Or no reason at all?</p> </div> <div class="justified"> <div class="baetyl"> <h4 id="toc1"><span>Future Date Unknown</span></h4> <h1 id="toc2"><span><a href="/the-hydra-s-spine">The Hydra's Spine</a></span></h1> <hr/> <p>A magical cat made entirely out of light was, I’d hoped, my sole shocker for the week.</p> <div class="indented"> <p>‘Till I came here. That stupid cat is the reason I got stuck in the first place. I caught its look before it skittered through a tight spot. My curiosity pushed me after it, and now, my naïveté pulls me along. And no person is more naïve than she who finds herself stuck in the fossilized corpse of a cosmic creature.</p> <p>So, I’m off pursuing ghosts (or was it herding cats?). The deeper I search, the more spaces beckon to be searched, the larger the effort I must command to search them. An ixnay on my sanitay.</p> <hr/> <p>After wiping my shock from the face of my disorientating surroundings, I revert to base instinct. As the old maxim goes:</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="centered" style="font: 1.33rem/1.33rem var(--script-font)"> <p>“The human body can last three <span style="text-decoration: underline;">minutes</span> without oxygen,<br/> three <span style="text-decoration: underline;">days</span> without water,<br/> and three <span style="text-decoration: underline;">weeks</span> without food.”</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="centered"> <p><strong>Air</strong><br/></p> </div> <p>This so-called “Hydra’s Spine” has air I can breathe. At least, enough to let me hyperventilate in panic the first hour I got here.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="centered"> <p><strong>Water</strong><br/></p> </div> <p>I initially had five plastic bottles packed in my Earth Science toolbag. By day two, only two remained.</p> <p>This is where I got lucky. That metal outpost with the ancient offices? It saved my life. Concealed behind the room in the back, I found a freshwater filtration reservoir. There’s even basic plumbing that pumps (what I hope is) recycled greywater. Maybe, if I keep within a half-day’s trek of this place at all times, I’ll keep my luck.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="centered"> <p><strong>Food</strong><br/></p> </div> <p>This is where I punted preparedness off a cliff. Sure, before leaving home, I had a couple boxes of protein and granola bars stowed in my toolbag. But only a couple. And until this ordeal becomes truly desperate, I’m too worried to indulge. My gut growled a mad one after only the first night.</p> <p>I’ve never rationed a day in my life. I guess this week is one of firsts. It’ll take sorting the hours from the days and the days from the nights. Completely <em>analog</em>, too. I’m sure I’ll be <em>miserable</em> — especially with nobody but myself keeping me accountable — but it’s Life or Death.</p> <p><em>Is it?</em></p> <p>Once more, this strange outpost is on my side, except it’s thrown a Hail Mary. Although there are no food stores <em>here</em>, I found in the maps the location of a refuelling station. Here’s the catch: it’s well outside the half-day window I gave myself — assuming its own food stores aren’t empty.</p> <p>Still, there’s another reason not to stay: this place gives me the creeps. It wasn’t <em>just</em> a research outpost; for whatever research that <em>whoever</em> was conducting, it has a gruesome air.</p> <p>The backroom leads to a much larger underground level hewn from silty white rock. A dungeon. There, covered with tarps, I find what looks like a throne. From that throne, concentric rings oscillate outward; dancing geometric shapes; faded script from antiquity. All three comprise deep carvings that wound the rockbed. There are phials of muddy umber liquid — and some empty. At the basement wall, behind limestone, I hear uninterrupted humming: the universal call-sign for running mechanical equipment. The kind almost engineered as a decorative acoustic garnishing.</p> <p>The shifting rock ceases.</p> <p>It’s silent.</p> <p>For a time.</p> <p>Then, booming echoes come all at once, booming from under the world, deeper still than my mind can fathom.</p> <p>I spend all of a few minutes down here. A few short minutes — and I book it through the inky dark, cross the dingy pit, up the stairs, over the catwalks, all the way out the door, I don’t look back and I keep running.</p> <hr/> <p>Those maxims lurch through my head like rivers of lava. Those smarmy, know-it-all maxims. Trivia disguised as deeply held wisdom. You’d think it makes sense inside your head, but out in the real world, things fall apart much more swiftly.</p> <p>For one, these three figures are expressed with mighty confidence. When thrown into a bona fide survival setting, most city-dwelling folks would immediately lose their cool, and death would rear its beastly head. And neither is any safe bet without proper shelter.</p> <p>Me? Three days from home, and already I’m stumbling through the wild yonder, guided by hasty planning and no shelter to speak of.</p> <p>Night Three yawns before me. I make off towards that second outpost — which I’ve circled in blood-red Sharpie. Further along from here, two finger-widths in advance of my destination, I catch the inked-on symbol of a human skull. Unavoidable, unless I take a lengthier, more roundabout route; sacrifice time I don’t have.</p> <p>I gulp down bated breath and venture ever deeper into God’s tomb.<br/></p> </div> </div> <h4 id="toc3"><span>Thursday, 25 April 2019</span></h4> <h5 id="toc4"><span>Morning</span></h5> <h1 id="toc5"><span>Selkirk</span></h1> <h2 id="toc6"><span>Manitoba, Canada</span></h2> <hr/> <div class="indented"> <p>Finals were a quiet killer. At this point, though, I’ll accept middle-of-the-road B’s — and I’m fairly certain that’s how I’ll finish the semester.</p> <p>The dream hasn’t let up in the slightest. If anything, the past week has brought with it heightened lucidity. I call this the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Law of Proportionate Nightmares</span>: for every mentally stimulating day in waking, the more intense my dreaming in turn. If my dreams follow just <em>one</em> dictum, <em>this is it.</em></p> <p>Something is beginning to resolve itself near the very end of my dream. No longer just feelings. Not sensations, not vibes. Something with a definite form. A shape. Something I can barely make out before I jolt awake, cold and sweating and alone. I swim beneath my sheets in the gloom of the extreme early morning. I argue with myself over whether I might try for sleep again. Whether I might risk an ever-closer encounter. Whether I might finally know <em>It</em> for certain. Every single time, I talk myself out of it. <em>So what</em> if I don’t know what it is? I can fight it. I have the tenacity. It’s just another hour of missed sleep here, a stronger coffee there. If I need to, I can even pinch myself. But falling back asleep, especially after that? Screw it. If I can set an alarm at night, I can just as easily wait it out.</p> <p>Keep this up and I’ll never miss class again.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h5 id="toc7"><span>5:18 p.m.</span></h5> <hr/> <p>I’m on a bus to town. The trip before last, I picked up some melatonin. Today, I’m grabbing something special for an old friend. Coasting the Selkirk Lift Bridge, I cast a sordid gaze over the Red River like I’m in some antiquated music video.</p> <p>As the bus turns to finish its route, I speedwalk down Main Street. Northbound bus not twelve minutes out, I zip across an empty lot to the gas station. Out front sits a white step van of the pedophile variety, blocking all view. Inside, I beeline towards the packed peanuts and sunflower seeds and pecans and cashews and dates and make my selection.</p> <p>Then, I realize they’ve finally restocked the pemmican.</p> <p>What I call “road-trip” pemmican is nowhere near as good as the “real” thing (or so I have on good authority), but it’s enough for my tastes. Pemmican, a snack thicker than jerky, consists of a strip of dried bison, sweet blueberry, and some spice. This gas bar is the only place in Selkirk to have it in stock, even if it’s once every couple of months.</p> <p>As I walk out, I almost smack into the side of the still-parked van. A good few blinks bring me back to my senses.</p> <p>Smacking-range serves a closer look.</p> <p>A black-and-white logo that reads “Selkirk Carpeting Pristine” adorns the van’s obverse. Strange place for carpet cleaners to advertise their services. The wording is plastered over an icon bearing three spokes. The stylized depiction of some kind of… Axle strut? For a washer, I guess?</p> <p>When I edge ‘round the front to pass by, the van takes off in a huff of black smoke. I stumble back atop the curb and get the urge to shout something stupid, but instead I squint through the side window.</p> <p>The driver is leering at me. Or, at least, I swear he is. All-black jumpsuit, black gloves, black cap, and a ghastly glare. I drop my gaze to the pavement and purse my lips.</p> <p>Minding Selkirk’s tight, two-way bus schedule, I bust it back up Main Street. As I’m sitting on the northbound line, I’ve already forgotten my tight-assed new enemy.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h5 id="toc8"><span>5:45 p.m.</span></h5> <hr/> <p>ZZ messaged me. Says he’s already here. That was over half an hour ago.</p> <p>I dismount at my stop and tiptoe through an almost-marsh drowning the old campground. This time of year, the ice floes carrying downstream to Lake Winnipeg are usually still about, being broken up, bit by bit. In recent years, however, the thaw has come early — and brought floodwaters.</p> <p>This year, the campsites on the northeastern bank face a slow, rising deluge, cold-as-ice. I don’t mind it. Flooding means most everything is waterlogged, which means less people about, which means peace and quiet. That’s <em>always</em> something to bask in.</p> <p>The water has taken the riverside walking path and flooded it over; consumed it. I divert paths and chase up the hill, into the woods, and over a snow-and-mud-caked gravel trail to high ground. Finally, through the thicket, I spot it: that large, wooden platform towering over the tributary.</p> <p>The East Selkirk Lookout.</p> <p>And someone is sitting up top.</p> <p>I tiptoe up the stairs. This thing was built when I left high school. It’s been barely two years, and already it’s graffitied to shit. Just as I’ve made my ascent, I catch him from the corner of my eye.</p> <p>ZZ lounges over an extraordinarily shitty camping stool. One he yoinked from that derelict campsite, no doubt. At six-foot-four, he’s like a grizzly perched on a high chair.</p> <p>I see he’s stolen a second one for my own behind. I close in for the kill…</p> <p>He shoots out an arm and waves. “You just missed it.”</p> <p>I frog-jump over my chosen stool and scoot towards him. “Missed what?”</p> <p>“Lift Bridge.” In his other hand, he cups an open whisky. He hands over the bottle and points past the railing, grinning sheepishly. “Red River’s gone flooded. Fed’s inspecting the damage. You <em>really</em> would’ve been late if you’d been caught in <em>that.</em>”</p> <p>I stand on my tip-toes and trace an imagined line from his finger to a point southwest, craning my neck. By some feat of engineering, the middle section of the bridge levitates in mid-air. Powerful counterweights pull a bundle of cords taut and keep everything in suspension.</p> <p>A bright red vessel passes underneath. It sports a Canadian flag and a placard for Environment Canada. Elsewhere, a lone waterfowl squeals incessantly in the distance.</p> <p>I wave off his finger, the bridge, and the rest of it. “Oh, but I’m <em>never</em> late.” I grin back, not quite sheepish as devious. Then I steal a swig and just as quickly spit it out. I croak out, between coughs, “Tastes worse than Buckley’s.”</p> <p>“Works <em>better</em> than Buckley’s.” He looks me up and down as my face is contorted in disgust. “God — <em>you look like you haven’t slept!</em> ” A half-second later and I’m being constricted in a bear hug as he lifts me a foot into the air. “And you hardly weigh a pound!”</p> <p>Towering well above most everyone else, Zeloszelos “ZZ” Laurent has always been a broad-shouldered kid. I’ve called him my best friend since first grade. Coming from a Métis background, his family have called the Prairies their home for literal centuries.</p> <p>I wheeze again as he sets me down, which translates to: “<em>Gee, thanks!</em> ” I turn my back, lift up my satchel, and shuffle around for the vacuum-sealed pemmican.</p> <p>He peeks over my shoulder, expectant.</p> <p>I elbow him in the side but strike something that pokes out from his worn-down bomber jacket. “Glad to see me?”</p> <p>ZZ lowers his chin and snorts. “Got you something fruity.” He swings open his jacket to reveal a slim bottle of Malibu.</p> <p>“Check this out.” I hold up the pemmican like a beaming bar of 24-karat gold. “I hit up the Sev’ on my way up here.</p> <p>“No shit! Can’t go wrong with ‘road-trip’ style, eh?” He scans the label, grinning. “‘Cept maybe the packaging.”</p> <p>He hands over the mickey. We make the trade.</p> <p>“Here’s to the girliest girl I know. Hope you didn’t break a nail climbing up here.”</p> <p>“Why, thank you, my liege.”</p> <p>ZZ attempts a faux-curtsy, but his knees buckle and he teeters in place.</p> <p>“Dudes are s’posed to bow,” I say, pulling at his camping stool.</p> <p>He decides just then that falling over is <em>entirely</em> in his wheelhouse and finds a seat on the floor.</p> <p>Our shared giggle-fit carries over the waterfowl and all else.</p> <p>“So,” he says, “how’ve exams been treating ‘ya?”</p> <p>“Nasty, brutish, and” — I stretch, yawning — “way longer than they had any right being.”</p> <p>“Finished, huh? Lucky. I’ve still got two tomorrow.” He lies through his teeth.</p> <p>I sock him on the shoulder.</p> <p>He doesn’t budge.</p> <p>“I finished <em>three</em> today, I’ll have you know.” I wrench open the drink he brought and take a hearty sip. A tropical scene plays out inside my mouth.</p> <p>He raises an eyebrow. “And you really thought you’d get me juiced up with exams tomorrow?”</p> <p>“Please, Z. I’ve seen you at a code jam. 48 hours, no sleep? You practically put this stuff in your coffee.” I knock our mickeys together in a way most unceremonious, their contents frothing and splashing about. “I’d be doing you a favour.”</p> <p>He looks over his drink like it’s from an alien planet. “… Canadian whisky? I wouldn’t put <em>this shit</em> in my coffee. What am I, fifty?”</p> <p>We shoot the shit for a long while.</p> <p>“Good thing the campgrounds are pretty much gonna be shut down this year.” He gestures at the river.</p> <p>“Yeah, I nearly got stuck knee-high in a booter,” I scoff.</p> <p>“No, that was because you’re <em>short</em>. But hey, there’s a silver lining to everything. Take your shortness, for one. Lots of tricky things to deal with. Real <em>diminutive</em> problems. But you also get more leg room on the bus. Now, try this on for size: park’s a flood, mud for days, gravel all over the field. Townsfolk are clutching pearls. Bunch of pampered tyrants whinging at the mayor’s office over not being able to use a facility that’s not even open yet. And meanwhile, we’re up here, having as much fun as we want. We can shout, scream, make asses out of ourselves, et cetera. And the best part is, nobody can come bitch. <em>Because there’s not a soul in sight.</em>”</p> <p>“I find myself agreeing with you more and more these days. Must be the free booze.”</p> <p>“No, the cost for <em>that</em> is spending time with me.” ZZ finally parks himself on his throne, scooting with deliberation to snag the perfect view. “Y’know, I do love living here in Canada’s own <em>South Park</em>. I mean, that perfectly encapsulates the Selkirk spirit, doesn’t it?”</p> <p>“At least ‘til summertime. Then the blackflies come out in force.” Through spotless trees I spy the boat further downstream. It has long since cleared the Selkirk Bridge on its approach towards Lake Winnipeg. “I’m still ragging on you for being such a <em>South Park</em> Republican, though. That’s never gonna change.”</p> <p>“It’s all chaff and no wheat coming from you. You’re just lucky I let this petty shit slide. But if you <em>must</em> know, I’ll say I’m closer to a radical republican.”</p> <p>“I thought you were a Libertarian. Swapped out your yellow flag for a white one? Surprised you got the stains out.”</p> <p>“A <em>classical</em> libertarian, more like it. And that’s <em>precisely</em> what I mean — <em>all chaff</em>. She can’t even get her metaphors straight.”</p> <p>We spend a good twenty minutes blabbing on before I remember what I wanted to tell him.</p> <p>“Ohhh, shoot! We’ve gotta meet up again before you leave for Toronto! Early next week, maybe? I’ll take you out to the Marine Museum. They’re still running that expo on the centennial of the General Strike in the ‘Peg. We all know how <em>gung ho</em> you get about direct actions.”</p> <p>“Oh, right. I never told you.”</p> <p>I shoot him a searing glare.</p> <p>“I’ll be, uh, flying out a week ahead of schedule. As in, tomorrow. I’ve told you about my granddad, yeah?”</p> <p>I put down my rum but otherwise stay silent.</p> <p>“He’s still hanging on — but for how long? … Anyway, the rest of my folks are flying out from Vancouver.”</p> <p>We exchange a flicker of looks, a candle flame waning in a spasmodic spell. I imagine my face and his must give off the same sentiment — remorse — but for entirely different reasons.</p> <p>ZZ’s tone takes on a guilt-ridden hue. “I really meant to take you out to Bronze Boot sometime. But I guess things’ve just been a whirlwind these past couple months. Truth is, I’ve been studying my butt off. Doubly so for exams. I’m the only one in my family to go to university. You know that. Look.” He rests his right hand on my shoulder. “I know how much that museum means to you—”</p> <p>“I don’t give a <em>shit</em> about some kiddish <em>boat museum</em>, Z! I just wanted to spend time with you!”</p> <p>My shift in demeanour from zero to one-hundred shocks him. His arm slides off with a jolt. He lets it fall without resistance and gapes at the sky, then closes his eyes.</p> <p>I slump in my seat for a few beats, feeling miserable. “<em>God, I’m so stupid.</em> I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry. It’s just… It’s not your fault. That wasn’t fair. To you.”</p> <p>The spring sky sheds its blue and submits to bands of peach, pink, and purple. For a while, we sit still, side-by-side but on different planets. Maybe we ought to grab a bite; at least spend the last couple of hours with our bellies full.</p> <p>Eventually, he breaks the bout of silence. “So, you end up killing your old name?” He avoids making eye contact; I must be all scowls.</p> <p>“Huh?”</p> <p>“Didja find something new to call yourself? You know what I mean. I’m still not good with the lingo.”</p> <p>I shake my head.</p> <p>“Whatever you end up choosing, it’ll be gorgeous. I’d bet on it.”</p> <p>I hazard a slight warm smirk. “Aw. Thanks, Z.” I loosen the strap on my satchel and pull it up over my head. “Um, here, lemme show you what I—”</p> <p>But he isn’t finished. “Remember when we were kids, and we had to deal with those neverending water boil advisories? All because of those shitty feeders in the old wells? Wasn’t that the pits?”<span class="fnnum">.</span> <span class="fncon"><span class="bt bb">TRANSLATION</span> Didn’t that suck?</span></p> <p>“Oh. Yeah. They really took their sweet time with those upgrades, or whatever. ‘Hey kids, by next summer you’ll be able to leech public water right out of our subsidized modern sanitation system!’”</p> <p>“I swear we heard that same line six years in a row.”</p> <p>“God, I remember when they closed down the water fountain at Happy Thought. I think we started calling it, like, the ‘Sludge Altar’, or something like that.”</p> <p>“Can you even <em>begin</em> to imagine how much plastic that tiny school wasted?”</p> <p>“It was, what — a few cases of lukewarm, bottled water, every single day for an entire friggin’ decade?”</p> <p>He nudges me square in the ribs. “So <em>that’s</em> what’s been keeping you up so late. I know, you’re one of those ‘save the water’ types,” he says, pumping his chest twice with his fist and raising it into the air.</p> <p>My eyes widen.</p> <p>I haven’t told him about the Lost Glade yet, have I? Outing myself as an insane person is certainly <em>lower</em> on the list of things I want my best friend discovering, right before breaking contact for four months.</p> <p>I must be staring at a fixed point for some time when ZZ waves a hand in front of my face.</p> <p>“We should dip,” he says, before turning away. “I know <em>I’ve</em> got the fuckin’ munchies.”</p> <p>I quickly unzip my satchel and feel around for the hidden compartment sewn into its bottom, then fish out what I’m looking for. “Check it.” I shake a small prescription packet in front of his face, pills clattering noisily. It’s emblazoned with a pink swirl and a label slapped on, signed courtesy of the clinic at the Irina Borisov Health Centre. “Informed consent, bitches!”</p> <p>It takes a moment for things to click inside his head. “No. Way. <em>Titty sprinkles?</em> Let’s get that shit, girl!” ZZ shoots up like a cannon and sets dynamite to the late-afternoon quietude.</p> <p>A long, jubilant shriek carries over the tributary.<br/></p> </div> <div class="baetyl"> <h4 id="toc9"><span>Future Date Unknown</span></h4> <h1 id="toc10"><span><a href="/the-hydra-s-spine">The Hydra's Spine</a></span></h1> <hr/> <div class="indented"> <p>… And that was the last good moment I’ve had all week.</p> <p>It takes several hours of treading across this dull and dead expanse to see any progress. Just as well, I arrive at the first stop on my journey: the skull pictogram. Before I’m even within eyeshot of the main attraction, my entire body fills with the sensation that I must not be alone.</p> <p>This unique transect of cave leading up to the skull requires that I climb a fairly steep embankment. As with the rocky rise underfoot, the spinal column arches low overhead, nearly kissing its spelaean counterpart (shut up, I’m a geology student). It’s low enough to grip, so I use it to my advantage, steadying my ascent.</p> <p>The climb proves delicate. My palms become slick with sweat. I catch ripples within a light fog that rolls down the hill. The higher I find myself, the heavier it becomes. Yet still, I climb.</p> <p>As the slope’s lip comes within reach, I scan left-to-right. There’s something on the far side. I don’t let it distract me, but it looks to be a structure built into the wall. Man-made.</p> <p>One more step.</p> <p>The next chamber looms in my surroundings. With the mystique-giving fog intervening on the mighty space, it’s impossible to receive the whole scene at once. Zigzagged scorch marks run upon cleaved crust, streaking and scouring across geological time: a dance of death. In every direction the riddled ground slopes navellike towards a centre obscured.</p> <p>I’m not quite willing to push my way through the heaviest throng of fog, flashlight be damned, so I shoot for the chamber’s right-most flank where its lavish cloak is spread more thinly. Echoing footsteps knock back from a distant wall I can’t see. I trace a careful path in the blind. Nevertheless, every “ping” created by sediments underfoot pierces the soundless veil.</p> <p>Natural fog intermixes with disturbed dust. It comes as no surprise, then, that I’m hacking up a storm. I hold my shirt to my mouth and keep going.</p> <hr/> <p>I stop within a couple dozen paces of my destination: the man-made structure. But now, taking in the fine details, the structure no longer screams “man-made” as it did in my peripherals. In the back of my head, too, the part of me that fancies herself a know-it-all student of geology is, perhaps for the first time, not sure if it’s a “structure”, either.</p> <p>Unlike its crag-faced neighbours, the wall surface here is smooth, and polished to a translucent green-gray sheen. Its facade evokes the image of an exposed nuclear bunker, but rendered in great organic flourishes. Monolithic arcs begin high off the ground, curve out dramatically from the wall, and feed into the cave floor. Each arc must be taller than the outpost I came from (the part left standing, that is) by two-and-a-half times, and spaced apart by at least that length. The arrangement of alien protrusions continues along into the deep fog and out of sight.</p> <p>It’s impossible to make out <em>who</em> (or <em>what</em>) put this here. The map indicates nothing like this, and it’s in stark contrast to everywhere else I’ve been.</p> <p>Stranger still, I notice a section further along that has clearly collapsed. I squat at a low angle to snag a good look at the damage from under the foggy tapestry. On the face of one broken arc, right about where I’d expect some sort of skeletal superstructure to stick out, the interior is hollow instead. The face itself has been smoothened out, as though even its sabotage were meticulously designed. Several arcs are complemented by a fallen beam — longer and thicker than any single one — and crumpled, pin-like columns. Even in their damaged states, each of them still carries that same luster.</p> <p>Behind this mess of dysfunctional supports, I spy a darkened pocket recessed into the rock. Is that the front door?</p> <p>Let’s not get carried away; I’m on a time-limit.</p> <p>I feel plenty more sure of myself back here, so I decide to move into the fog from along the wall.</p> <p>I quickly regret this decision. Directly in my path, a maw-like crevasse in the earth stretches from the wall towards somewhere approximating the chamber’s centre. I avert my eyes as though avoiding looking at the Sun.</p> <p>Having exhausted all other options, I move with penetrating focus into the wide open space, now wary of <em>the ground</em> on top of everything else.</p> <p>… A human skull meant “keep away”, didn’t it?</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Hold that thought.</p> <p>I find myself face-to-face with a towering grim visage. A monstrous skull, twenty metres to a side, dwarfs the ancient structure with ease. At once masked by fog, it rears its grisly head and scares me utterly shitless.</p> <p>Everything is laid out in fours of perfect symmetry. Its face bears four cavernous eye sockets, each with four smaller satellite sockets that riddle the diagonal axes. Gargantuan quadruplicate mouthparts rip across facial bone towards unsettling outer extremes. Four sets of Cheshire mandibles are shunted ever-so-slightly open, enough to expose row upon crowded row of pincer-like fangs, crowned with four piercing tusks.</p> <p>Behind the skull, a jagged exoskeleton assuming a scolopendrine body plan snakes into the fog and past my sight.<br/></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Theophage:</strong></em> God-Eater.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="indented"> <p><em>This</em> is what I came to see: the altar of a dead god.</p> <p>Except, that’d be ridiculous.</p> <p>I’ve never felt satisfied putting stock in a higher power. The divine is, by definition, something that us <em>pesky mortals</em> have no way of making contact with. Anyone with the self-importance to want or seek out such a thing for themself was clearly the <em>last</em> person we should trust to do so. The same goes for anyone who would claim divinity, or even suggest they were its special representative. Besides, that’s been <em>the</em> byway for scamsters ever since the first ones barged their way out of a swamp while foisting their muddy wares.</p> <p>As for all those old myths of “righteous domination” and “natural supremacy” that stem from gestures to a divine being: if an absolute god were truly out there, in the beyond, wouldn’t its existence validate those deeply held prejudices? Wouldn’t it justify treating outsiders as being inferior to the ones who were “chosen”? If divinely ordained power were real, and its laws favoured the few above the many, how could we ever possibly thwart it? And if we never could, then why seek its favour?</p> <p>A <em>dead</em> god, on the other hand, speaks to something else entirely. Let’s say we accept that there is an immensely powerful being with unparalleled influence over the fabric of space and time. Let’s say it’s every bit as mortal as we are.</p> <p>What would this mean?</p> <p>That it can be killed. Obviously. Does the Pope take holy shits?</p> <p>But what would it mean for <em>us</em>?</p> <p>That, for everything we <em>think</em> we know about the universe, what we actually <em>can</em> know is a fraction of a fraction of that whole. And for what vanishingly little we’re <em>certain</em> about, we are <em>loudly</em> and <em>stunningly</em> proud. And yet, as we sit here atop our self-important precipice, hanging over a gaping hole of ignorance, we are unconscious as to what might exist just beyond our fingertips.</p> <p>Makes me wonder if it’s worth knowing anything at all.</p> <p>I’ve got the inkling that I’ve barely skimmed the surface stratum of this place. I <em>have</em> only been here for three days. And what are three measly days? Am I seriously convinced that I’ve come across the one revelation that could shock the entire world? Whatever this once was — whether some supreme being, or just a huge (and hideous) centipede — that it wound up in <em>this</em> state bodes well for nobody.</p> <hr/> <p>Strangely, though, there is one thing that clashes with everything else. Somebody has come here and propped up those same orb-like lamps that dot every other passageway. This latest grouping is housed inside the segmented trunk of the digested god.</p> <p>I give the entire complex an apprehensive once-over before dragging my feet towards the centre of the concave dais.</p> <p>Sure enough, the lamps plot a course through the arthropodic innards. The creature’s entire ossified frame, from chitinous shell to spindly legs, is jet-black with an almost porcelain quality. Orange light backscatters all across; a shimmering brilliance in hazy air.</p> <p>After a slight bend, the body resolves into a consistent straightaway, and my luck hits shore. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Finally</span>. There sits an elongated canvas tent reminiscent of those Haudenosaunee longhouses from social studies class, but with amber camouflage patterns. Military-themed? Blegh. Its tentpoles number in the double-digits with a spread three-to-four metres apart, the entire camp no more than 30 metres across. A far cry from an outpost, but human all the same. The abdomen fits all this with room to spare.</p> <p>Not my taste in interior design, but I’ll take it.</p> <p>Near the back, I find a pair of security flaps screening off a vestibule. Both unlatch with ease. I position my flashlight shoulder-high and sneak through.</p> <p>Set inside are bunk beds lining each wall; racks at the far end; a common area: basic furnishings. I circle old-fashioned folding chairs and tables, many of them toppled or flipped over. What was this — a barracks? Army camp? There are no insignia to speak of. Not that I’d glean much from an emblem, anyhow. Dad served, but it’s not like it got me “hereditary knowledge” or any horseshit like that.</p> <p>Whoever was here, they left in a hurry.</p> <p>… No, something doesn’t sit right. Something <em>reeks</em>. I make for the furthest wall. I’ll go through every corner of this godforsaken place if that’s what it takes to find out.</p> <p>The bunk beds are built from collapsible, lightweight metal, each decked out with a thin box spring and sleeping bag. A few rows down, one sleeping bag appears bulky in the gloom. Huh?</p> <p>The reek is no stronger here, but ever-present. Pulling at the fabric reveals little. I poke around for the zipper. There it is!</p> <p><span style="font-size:75%;">Now, let’s find out what’s in—</span></p> <p>The rest unzips under its own weight, spilling its contents. I yelp and leap back.</p> <p>“What the—?!”</p> <p>Rotting flesh hangs limply off a grotesque yellow skeleton and hits the ground in wet <em>thunk</em>s, bursting apart. It releases a pungent, foul odour, too strong for words. I’d yak my lunch — if I’d eaten lunch.</p> <p>I book it faster than my brain can tell my legs where to go. What the <em>fuck</em> is this place, a quarantine station? A lure for desperate freaks? Good fucking lord was I mistaken.</p> <p>The outer shell outside holds back the fog but doesn’t stop me tripping and falling on my ass. I land on a hard, rough platform. I struggle to roll off but succumb instead to pain. Head darting around like an anxious rodent, I find I’ve fallen onto a shipping pallet. It carries a stack of bins made out of cloth, each stamped with…</p> <p>… The now-familiar icon of three spokes arrayed radially.</p> <p>I blubber to nobody in particular. “<em>Are you serious?</em> ”</p> <p>Pain so easily gives way to bitter anger. I kick the bins and send their carcasses flying. I kick ‘till they’re all sullied in the dust. I kick and kick some more for good measure. Whimpering now, I stomp on the nearest one and buck the skid with my combat boots. Tears flowing freely, I crouch in place and scream into my hands.</p> <p>“Is <em>this</em> what you wanted? You wanted me <em>trapped</em> in here, you <em>dumb fucks</em>? You got your <em>fucking wish!</em> ”</p> <p>My voice echoes far and wide.</p> <p>Weakness settles in my knees, and I crumple.</p> <p>Nothing else in the world moves.<br/></p> </div> </div> <h4 id="toc11"><span>Friday, 26 April</span></h4> <h5 id="toc12"><span>Morning</span></h5> <h1 id="toc13"><span>Downtown Selkirk</span></h1> <h2 id="toc14"><span>Manitoba, Canada</span></h2> <hr/> <div class="indented"> <p>ZZ and I meet at Timmies in Selkirk before parting ways.</p> <p>“Sooo, how’s this going to work out?” I ask him. We slouch around a table by the back wall, skirting our own little corner. The place is dead, even by the standards of the mid-morning dawdle.</p> <p>“I was gonna hand something in today, but I decided against it. Emailed my prof instead, just ‘cause I wanted to spend the morning with you.</p> <p>“Awww.”</p> <p>“Yeah, yeah, I hear you. Anyway, I’ve gotta swing by my Matante’s later and grab my things.”</p> <p>“You’re really hitching it all the way back to Toronto?”</p> <p>“Dumbass.” He grins stupidly. “We’re getting a ride. Taxi to Winnipeg, YWG.”</p> <p>I burst into nervous laughter. “That’s the… airport, I’m guessing? Dunno why you insisted on a code-name.”</p> <p>“Hey, if I get an excuse not to say ‘aeroplane’, I’m taking every opportunity coming my way.” He slurps his coffee a little too boldly, scolds his lips, and jolts back, dribbling some onto the table.</p> <p>“Yet he says it anyway!” I slide over a stack of serviettes.</p> <p>“Got any business left at uni?”</p> <p>I shake my head. “I actually cleared my locker last Friday.”</p> <p>“And what’s up with that?”</p> <p>“It’s nothing.”</p> <p>“Guys at school giving you grief, eh?”</p> <p>“No, Z, just some stupid shit.” Leaning on my left palm, I idly tap the table, conjuring up percussive nothings from anxious jitters. “I’m a casual agoraphobe, anyhow. I wouldn’t <em>dare</em> fraternize with any of those stuck-up city kids.”</p> <p>“You’re way too predictable.”</p> <p>I stare out the window past ZZ, past the salt-encrusted dull grey parking lot, even past the snow mound posing in stalwart defiance of our unseasonably mild April. Far in the distance, I catch an eyesore to beat out all the rest: Selkirk’s new superstore. “Hey, uh, d’you see that thing?”</p> <p>He turns around fully, blurting out, “Where’m I looking?” He weaves alternately as he does, perplexing a couple as they walk inside. “<em>What</em> am I looking <em>for</em>?”</p> <p>“You could really use some classes in discreetness.” While his back is turned, I reach over the table and, vulture-like, pick off his unsuspecting potato wedges. “All the way down ‘cross the parking lot. You see it?”</p> <p>“Oh, that thing? Yeah. Feels like an alien invasion.” He faces me in full ignorance of the deed I did.</p> <p>“Worse than Target?”</p> <p>Target is an American big-box retail chain that expanded into Canada starting in 2013. But Target Canada never lasted long. It saw entire shelving units persistently bare of merchandise, staffing perpetually short, and small towns country-wide propitiously colonized — Selkirk included. Hence, the writing was on the wall. Not two years later, all one hundred and thirty-three stores coast-to-coast blinked out of existence like shitty incandescents.</p> <p>Thank goodness.</p> <p>ZZ removes his glasses and polishes them with his shirt. “Yeah, no, that was a disaster. But this? Feels like it sprung up overnight. Almost like they’ve been renovating right under our noses for years and we collectively <em>forgot</em>. Can you imagine?”</p> <p>I exploit his limited eyesight and snag a couple more wedges. “Just like those new churches that’ve been popping up. They look a lot more stunning than <em>this</em>, though.”</p> <p>“What are they calling it, again? SunCo?”</p> <p>Now, SunCo Prime, a Québécois chain venturing into the English-speaking provinces, wears the husk of the old Target northwest of town. It has a tripartite logo emblazoned with blue, red, and green. Medium-saturation decals fill practically every square centimeter of the outside. I almost get a headache gawking at the full palette.</p> <p>“Something like that. You know — like Costco?”</p> <p>“You mistake me for someone who willingly shops at Costco,” he says. “Boy am <em>I</em> glad I’m ducking out of here before this goes down. Why do we need one, anyhow?”</p> <p>I shrug. “My dad told me they’ll get, like, three hundred employees, or something. He’s even asked me to put in my résumé.”</p> <p>“You gonna?”</p> <p>“Hell no! I would <em>most certainly</em> never dream of contributing to the encroaching retail apocalypse as it sucks in small businesses and burps up abandoned Targets.”</p> <p>“That’s late-stage capitalism for you.”</p> <p>“And <em>that’s</em> your trademark optimism.”</p> <p>We kill time for a little longer, sipping our coffees, nodding along to the <em>Top 40</em> playlist faintly blaring over the PA, smelling the blackened molts of scorched sandwiches as they burn atop the panini press. But mostly, I struggle to bite back an increasing apprehension. It’s more than clear that ZZ is avoiding a particular Damoclean question as it swings haphazardly over our heads.</p> <p>“Uh, Z? Hey, listen…”</p> <p>He looks up from his phone, then wipes away the line of coffee residue tinging his upper lip. “What’s up?”</p> <p>“When you told me you were leaving, the only way I knew how to take it was… the wrong way.” I shake my head, wincing. “It was selfish, and there’s no excuse.”</p> <p>“You really don’t want to be here — do you?”</p> <p>“It’s not <em>about</em> me, Z.” The words I know how to use won’t come out, which doesn’t leave an awful lot of space for the words I don’t know how to use but that I really should. “Forget about me for a second, would you? What matters is your grandpa. It isn’t fair. And now I’m just repeating myself.”</p> <p>“I don’t know how to break the news in a way that won’t bomb the vibe, so I’ll just drop it.” He tops off the rest of his coffee and sets down the empty cup with a resounding <em>crack</em> to fill the silent air. “His cancer, well, it’s not just any old cancer.”</p> <p>“Oh?”</p> <p>“It’s brain cancer. Stage 3, but.” ZZ folds his hands. “He <em>is</em> pretty old.”</p> <p>“Oh.”</p> <p>“Yup. So, that’s that.”</p> <p>“Now I really feel like a royal bitch,” I say. “But I’ve made my decision.”</p> <p>“What’s that?”</p> <p>“If you’re leaving, so am I.” I burst from my seat out the door, tears catching in my eyes, squeezing them shut in rapid succession, vision bleary.</p> <p>“C’mon, L, don’t do this!” He blurts out a nickname, significant because it shares the first letter of my deadname parsed phonetically. “Your stuff! Wait up!” But the exit door muffles all sound.</p> <p>I don’t check if he’s followed. I can’t look him in the face. I make my way around the corner, ‘round a second, and thump against the brick, eyes misty and stinging.</p> <hr/> <p>He doesn’t find me for another few minutes.</p> <p>When he finally does, he lowers my bag to my feet and steps back, crossing his arms. Short, yellowed grass ripples in a soft draft behind him. “That’s it, then? You’ll go off on your lonesome? You know, you’re the only one here who doesn’t” — he searches for a good metaphor — “who doesn’t wear their gotchies on their damn head.”</p> <p>Despite his imagination, I’m a heapload more stubborn. “Well, maybe all the other ‘good ones’ left, too. That’d explain a shit-tonne about Selkirk. Maybe they <em>all</em> got lonely and — and hell, maybe they joined the friggin’ Mounties. What then?”</p> <p>“Maybe, maybe.”</p> <p>“Maybe <em>I’ve</em> got a good enough reason. And anyhow, you’ve always stayed in Toronto over summer break. Meanwhile, I’m trapped here, at the farmer’s market, where everyone is dry as hell, and I hate it. So, what’s the use?”</p> <p>He looks down. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s just veg for a little while longer. And when the bus comes, I can give you a nice goodbye, and we’ll put this whole thing behind us.”</p> <p>“I’ll miss you, Z, I’ll really miss you.” I give him a hug.</p> <p>“You too, L. You too.”<br/></p> </div> <div class="baetyl"> <h4 id="toc15"><span>Future Date Unknown</span></h4> <h1 id="toc16"><span><a href="/the-hydra-s-spine">The Hydra's Spine</a></span></h1> <hr/> <div class="centered"> <p>My eyes scour lazily across the ceiling.</p> <p>The creepy-crawly with the arched back lines up with the spine in the sky.</p> <p>It’s funny.</p> <p>Funny place to die, too.</p> <p>I would literally never be found.</p> <p>I should calm down eventually.</p> <p>Maybe I’ll lie here a bit longer, though.</p> <p>I’d like to eat, but I’d also like to sleep.</p> <p>The eternal predicament.</p> <p>I’m an idiot, aren’t I?</p> <p>I need to find something to eat.</p> <p>Fine.</p> <p>I’ll drop the charade, conscience.<br/></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="indented"> <p>I’d regret napping for a meal, anyhow. Especially next to the cryptkeeper over there.</p> <p>There are some open supply drops in the general area, but it seems like yet more sleeping bags. I <em>guess</em> it saves me from going back inside that sorry excuse for a tent. There is even a motorized pallet jack sitting here. It’d be a wild steed to ride through this shithole, that’s for sure.</p> <p>I stand up to roll my shoulders and twist my back, leaving my own cargo on the empty pallet. Then, I retrace my steps to the great green structure.</p> <hr/> <p>Awe strikes me the moment I step inside, and it never really goes away. The recessed path cuts a narrow swath from the outside in, feeding into a long hall with high walls. The hallway itself stretches bidirectionally until each end recedes into the distance, much like my view of the creature outside. Every centimetre in here consists of one smooth, contiguous form.</p> <p>The next room is laid out in a warehouse-sized semicircular plan. The floor inclines steeply towards the back, corkscrews out the sides, and levels off onto a mezzanine behind me. I nearly strain my neck working out the sightlines. Circular platforms fill the floor, beset by raised interlopers in many different configurations, like scattered buoys in a raging ocean. Each platform varies from its neighbour in width and height and sports a pulsating, multicoloured light show with its own kaleidoscopic pattern. I quickly learn I don’t need my flashlight.</p> <p>My imagination runs amok, picturing strange aliens of every shape and size encircling the platforms. It’s sort of like, instead of a single house of worship with a single, centrally planned altar, there was a place for faiths of every description to congregate, all under one roof.</p> <p>Climbing to the next level proves trivial. It’s as though the floor’s surface were calibrated to my exact step with perfect grippiness.</p> <p>Up here, the translucent wall becomes fully transparent. Through a glass-like aperture, I see the invertebrate skeleton poking through light fog.</p> <p>But that’s not all.</p> <p>Something unmistakable scurries behind the tent.</p> <p>I make chase.</p> <hr/> <p>There is a whistle that I’ve picked up which always seems to attract cats. C<sub>7</sub> to A<sub>7</sub>, a swift little flourish.</p> <p>From behind a leg, a bright-blue cat sticks out his see-through head and goes <em>mrrp</em>.</p> <p>“Are you… real?” Or are you the delirium of some dehydrated cavedweller? I outstretch my hand, palm up. He sizes me up and strolls my way.</p> <p>“Heard me freaking out back there, didn’tcha?” I rub my knuckles against his ears. I invite the heat of faint embers, the quaint fluorescence, the ethereal-sounding purr. “I know, Buckwheat. I’m sorry. Well, I’m here now.”</p> <hr/> <div class="end-mark"> <p>I can attest, thankfully, that the sleeping bag is about the softest thing I’ve felt since I got here. As exhaustion sets in, my newfound companion and I curl up together. We can sleep easy now, knowing the armour of a god protects us.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h5><span>To Be Concluded.</span></h5> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h4><span><span class="bi-pride">Buckwheat will return.</span></span></h4> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="Pt. I"> <p><a href="/pursuing-ghosts-part-1">Pt. I</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="Pursuing Ghosts"> <p><a href="/">Pursuing Ghosts</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Pt. III"> <p><a href="/">Pt. III</a></p> </div> </div> <p><span id="u-activeRate"></span></p> <span id="u-activeRate"></span> <p><span id="u-activeRate"></span></p> <hr/> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/pursuing-ghosts-part-2">Pursuing Ghosts, Part II</a>" by Lt Flops, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/pursuing-ghosts-part-2">https://scpwiki.com/pursuing-ghosts-part-2</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Shield_of_Manitoba.png<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Simple arms of the Province of Manitoba (Canada)<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Echando_una_mano" target="_blank">Echando una mano</a><br/> <strong>License:</strong> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" target="_blank">Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)</a><br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Simple_arms_of_Manitoba.svg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a><br/> <strong>Note:</strong> Edited by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/lt-flops" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1735419); return false;"><img alt="Lt Flops" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=1735419&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043739" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=1735419)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/lt-flops" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1735419); return false;">Lt Flops</a></span>. Added black outline.</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Hydra.png<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Hydra symbol (Moskowitz, fixed width)<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Denis Moskowitz<br/> <strong>License:</strong> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" target="_blank">Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)</a><br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hydra_symbol_(Moskowitz,_fixed_width).svg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:preview">:scp-wiki:component:preview</a> text= //This// is what I came to see: the altar of a dead god. ]] ===== [[div style="display: none"]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:flopstyle-dark">:scp-wiki:theme:flopstyle-dark</a> \|witch=a \|veldt=a]] [[/div]] [!-- CSS is located at the bottom. --] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">:scp-wiki:component:info-ayers</a> \|lang=en \|page=pursuing-ghosts-part-2 \|authorPage=/floppyphoenix \|comments=[[div class="blockquote lightweight"]] Pursuing Ghosts, Part II [[span class="bt bb"]]By[[/span]] [[user Lt Flops]] Published on 05 May 2024* ---- [[div class="centered"]] This article is part of the forthcoming Weaving Imperceptible Threads Continuity Hub. [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[include :scp-wiki:more-by:lt-flops]] [[/div]] [[module Rate]] [[div class="byline"]] [[span style="display:none"]].[[/span]] [[span]]35[[/span]] [[/div]] [[div class="lite-heading extra-wide"]] ---- + THE LOST GLADE ---- [[/div]] [[div class="meta-title"]] Pursuing Ghosts [[span class="ii"]]PART II[[/span]] [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote lightweight pseudocrumbs"]] ,,[[span class="tb"]]PREVIOUSLY[[/span]],, [[[pursuing-ghosts-part-1\|]]] //Our protagonist has been having a recurring nightmare. For months, she has kept an elaborate dream journal, intent on learning everything she can. The nightmare responds in kind -- shifting and growing, ever closer to resolving itself.// //Weird enough, right?// //One day, when she trespasses the old farmhouse, she discovers a ghostly blue cat made entirely out of light.// [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="centered" style="font: italic 1.33rem/1.33rem var(--script-font)"]] What’s better: Being lost for good reason? Or no reason at all? [[/div]] [[=image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/pursuing-ghosts-part-1/Hydra.png class="scene-break break-hydra"]] [[div class="justified"]] [[div class="baetyl"]] ++++ Future Date Unknown + [[[The Hydra's Spine]]] ---- A magical cat made entirely out of light was, I’d hoped, my sole shocker for the week. [[div class="indented"]] ‘Till I came here. That stupid cat is the reason I got stuck in the first place. I caught its look before it skittered through a tight spot. My curiosity pushed me after it, and now, my naïveté pulls me along. And no person is more naïve than she who finds herself stuck in the fossilized corpse of a cosmic creature. So, I’m off pursuing ghosts (or was it herding cats?). The deeper I search, the more spaces beckon to be searched, the larger the effort I must command to search them. An ixnay on my sanitay. ---- After wiping my shock from the face of my disorientating surroundings, I revert to base instinct. As the old maxim goes: @@ @@ [[div class="centered" style="font: 1.33rem/1.33rem var(--script-font)"]] “The human body can last three __minutes__ without oxygen, three __days__ without water, and three __weeks__ without food.” [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="centered"]] Air [[/div]] This so-called “Hydra’s Spine” has air I can breathe. At least, enough to let me hyperventilate in panic the first hour I got here. @@ @@ [[div class="centered"]] Water [[/div]] I initially had five plastic bottles packed in my Earth Science toolbag. By day two, only two remained. This is where I got lucky. That metal outpost with the ancient offices? It saved my life. Concealed behind the room in the back, I found a freshwater filtration reservoir. There’s even basic plumbing that pumps (what I hope is) recycled greywater. Maybe, if I keep within a half-day’s trek of this place at all times, I’ll keep my luck. @@ @@ [[div class="centered"]] Food [[/div]] This is where I punted preparedness off a cliff. Sure, before leaving home, I had a couple boxes of protein and granola bars stowed in my toolbag. But only a couple. And until this ordeal becomes truly desperate, I’m too worried to indulge. My gut growled a mad one after only the first night. I’ve never rationed a day in my life. I guess this week is one of firsts. It’ll take sorting the hours from the days and the days from the nights. Completely //analog//, too. I’m sure I’ll be //miserable// -- especially with nobody but myself keeping me accountable -- but it’s Life or Death. //Is it?// Once more, this strange outpost is on my side, except it’s thrown a Hail Mary. Although there are no food stores //here//, I found in the maps the location of a refuelling station. Here’s the catch: it’s well outside the half-day window I gave myself -- assuming its own food stores aren’t empty. Still, there’s another reason not to stay: this place gives me the creeps. It wasn’t //just// a research outpost; for whatever research that //whoever// was conducting, it has a gruesome air. The backroom leads to a much larger underground level hewn from silty white rock. A dungeon. There, covered with tarps, I find what looks like a throne. From that throne, concentric rings oscillate outward; dancing geometric shapes; faded script from antiquity. All three comprise deep carvings that wound the rockbed. There are phials of muddy umber liquid -- and some empty. At the basement wall, behind limestone, I hear uninterrupted humming: the universal call-sign for running mechanical equipment. The kind almost engineered as a decorative acoustic garnishing. The shifting rock ceases. It’s silent. For a time. Then, booming echoes come all at once, booming from under the world, deeper still than my mind can fathom. I spend all of a few minutes down here. A few short minutes -- and I book it through the inky dark, cross the dingy pit, up the stairs, over the catwalks, all the way out the door, I don’t look back and I keep running. ---- Those maxims lurch through my head like rivers of lava. Those smarmy, know-it-all maxims. Trivia disguised as deeply held wisdom. You’d think it makes sense inside your head, but out in the real world, things fall apart much more swiftly. For one, these three figures are expressed with mighty confidence. When thrown into a bona fide survival setting, most city-dwelling folks would immediately lose their cool, and death would rear its beastly head. And neither is any safe bet without proper shelter. Me? Three days from home, and already I’m stumbling through the wild yonder, guided by hasty planning and no shelter to speak of. Night Three yawns before me. I make off towards that second outpost -- which I’ve circled in blood-red Sharpie. Further along from here, two finger-widths in advance of my destination, I catch the inked-on symbol of a human skull. Unavoidable, unless I take a lengthier, more roundabout route; sacrifice time I don’t have. I gulp down bated breath and venture ever deeper into God’s tomb. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[=image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/pursuing-ghosts-part-1/Shield_of_Manitoba.png class="scene-break"]] ++++ Thursday, 25 April 2019 +++++ Morning + Selkirk ++ Manitoba, Canada ---- [[div class="indented"]] Finals were a quiet killer. At this point, though, I’ll accept middle-of-the-road B’s -- and I’m fairly certain that’s how I’ll finish the semester. The dream hasn’t let up in the slightest. If anything, the past week has brought with it heightened lucidity. I call this the __Law of Proportionate Nightmares__: for every mentally stimulating day in waking, the more intense my dreaming in turn. If my dreams follow just //one// dictum, //this is it.// Something is beginning to resolve itself near the very end of my dream. No longer just feelings. Not sensations, not vibes. Something with a definite form. A shape. Something I can barely make out before I jolt awake, cold and sweating and alone. I swim beneath my sheets in the gloom of the extreme early morning. I argue with myself over whether I might try for sleep again. Whether I might risk an ever-closer encounter. Whether I might finally know //It// for certain. Every single time, I talk myself out of it. //So what// if I don’t know what it is? I can fight it. I have the tenacity. It’s just another hour of missed sleep here, a stronger coffee there. If I need to, I can even pinch myself. But falling back asleep, especially after that? Screw it. If I can set an alarm at night, I can just as easily wait it out. Keep this up and I’ll never miss class again. @@ @@ +++++ 5:18 p.m. ---- I’m on a bus to town. The trip before last, I picked up some melatonin. Today, I’m grabbing something special for an old friend. Coasting the Selkirk Lift Bridge, I cast a sordid gaze over the Red River like I’m in some antiquated music video. As the bus turns to finish its route, I speedwalk down Main Street. Northbound bus not twelve minutes out, I zip across an empty lot to the gas station. Out front sits a white step van of the pedophile variety, blocking all view. Inside, I beeline towards the packed peanuts and sunflower seeds and pecans and cashews and dates and make my selection. Then, I realize they’ve finally restocked the pemmican. What I call “road-trip” pemmican is nowhere near as good as the “real” thing (or so I have on good authority), but it’s enough for my tastes. Pemmican, a snack thicker than jerky, consists of a strip of dried bison, sweet blueberry, and some spice. This gas bar is the only place in Selkirk to have it in stock, even if it’s once every couple of months. As I walk out, I almost smack into the side of the still-parked van. A good few blinks bring me back to my senses. Smacking-range serves a closer look. A black-and-white logo that reads “Selkirk Carpeting Pristine” adorns the van’s obverse. Strange place for carpet cleaners to advertise their services. The wording is plastered over an icon bearing three spokes. The stylized depiction of some kind of… Axle strut? For a washer, I guess? When I edge ‘round the front to pass by, the van takes off in a huff of black smoke. I stumble back atop the curb and get the urge to shout something stupid, but instead I squint through the side window. The driver is leering at me. Or, at least, I swear he is. All-black jumpsuit, black gloves, black cap, and a ghastly glare. I drop my gaze to the pavement and purse my lips. Minding Selkirk’s tight, two-way bus schedule, I bust it back up Main Street. As I’m sitting on the northbound line, I’ve already forgotten my tight-assed new enemy. @@ @@ +++++ 5:45 p.m. ---- ZZ messaged me. Says he’s already here. That was over half an hour ago. I dismount at my stop and tiptoe through an almost-marsh drowning the old campground. This time of year, the ice floes carrying downstream to Lake Winnipeg are usually still about, being broken up, bit by bit. In recent years, however, the thaw has come early -- and brought floodwaters. This year, the campsites on the northeastern bank face a slow, rising deluge, cold-as-ice. I don’t mind it. Flooding means most everything is waterlogged, which means less people about, which means peace and quiet. That’s //always// something to bask in. The water has taken the riverside walking path and flooded it over; consumed it. I divert paths and chase up the hill, into the woods, and over a snow-and-mud-caked gravel trail to high ground. Finally, through the thicket, I spot it: that large, wooden platform towering over the tributary. The East Selkirk Lookout. And someone is sitting up top. I tiptoe up the stairs. This thing was built when I left high school. It’s been barely two years, and already it’s graffitied to shit. Just as I’ve made my ascent, I catch him from the corner of my eye. ZZ lounges over an extraordinarily shitty camping stool. One he yoinked from that derelict campsite, no doubt. At six-foot-four, he’s like a grizzly perched on a high chair. I see he’s stolen a second one for my own behind. I close in for the kill… He shoots out an arm and waves. “You just missed it.” I frog-jump over my chosen stool and scoot towards him. “Missed what?” “Lift Bridge.” In his other hand, he cups an open whisky. He hands over the bottle and points past the railing, grinning sheepishly. “Red River’s gone flooded. Fed’s inspecting the damage. You //really// would’ve been late if you’d been caught in //that.//” I stand on my tip-toes and trace an imagined line from his finger to a point southwest, craning my neck. By some feat of engineering, the middle section of the bridge levitates in mid-air. Powerful counterweights pull a bundle of cords taut and keep everything in suspension. A bright red vessel passes underneath. It sports a Canadian flag and a placard for Environment Canada. Elsewhere, a lone waterfowl squeals incessantly in the distance. I wave off his finger, the bridge, and the rest of it. “Oh, but I’m //never// late.” I grin back, not quite sheepish as devious. Then I steal a swig and just as quickly spit it out. I croak out, between coughs, “Tastes worse than Buckley’s.” “Works //better// than Buckley’s.” He looks me up and down as my face is contorted in disgust. “God -- //you look like you haven’t slept!// ” A half-second later and I’m being constricted in a bear hug as he lifts me a foot into the air. “And you hardly weigh a pound!” Towering well above most everyone else, Zeloszelos “ZZ” Laurent has always been a broad-shouldered kid. I’ve called him my best friend since first grade. Coming from a Métis background, his family have called the Prairies their home for literal centuries. I wheeze again as he sets me down, which translates to: “//Gee, thanks!// ” I turn my back, lift up my satchel, and shuffle around for the vacuum-sealed pemmican. He peeks over my shoulder, expectant. I elbow him in the side but strike something that pokes out from his worn-down bomber jacket. “Glad to see me?” ZZ lowers his chin and snorts. “Got you something fruity.” He swings open his jacket to reveal a slim bottle of Malibu. “Check this out.” I hold up the pemmican like a beaming bar of 24-karat gold. “I hit up the Sev’ on my way up here. “No shit! Can’t go wrong with ‘road-trip’ style, eh?” He scans the label, grinning. “‘Cept maybe the packaging.” He hands over the mickey. We make the trade. “Here’s to the girliest girl I know. Hope you didn’t break a nail climbing up here.” “Why, thank you, my liege.” ZZ attempts a faux-curtsy, but his knees buckle and he teeters in place. “Dudes are s’posed to bow,” I say, pulling at his camping stool. He decides just then that falling over is //entirely// in his wheelhouse and finds a seat on the floor. Our shared giggle-fit carries over the waterfowl and all else. “So,” he says, “how’ve exams been treating ‘ya?” “Nasty, brutish, and” -- I stretch, yawning -- “way longer than they had any right being.” “Finished, huh? Lucky. I’ve still got two tomorrow.” He lies through his teeth. I sock him on the shoulder. He doesn’t budge. “I finished //three// today, I’ll have you know.” I wrench open the drink he brought and take a hearty sip. A tropical scene plays out inside my mouth. He raises an eyebrow. “And you really thought you’d get me juiced up with exams tomorrow?” “Please, Z. I’ve seen you at a code jam. 48 hours, no sleep? You practically put this stuff in your coffee.” I knock our mickeys together in a way most unceremonious, their contents frothing and splashing about. “I’d be doing you a favour.” He looks over his drink like it’s from an alien planet. “... Canadian whisky? I wouldn’t put //this shit// in my coffee. What am I, fifty?” We shoot the shit for a long while. “Good thing the campgrounds are pretty much gonna be shut down this year.” He gestures at the river. “Yeah, I nearly got stuck knee-high in a booter,” I scoff. “No, that was because you’re //short//. But hey, there’s a silver lining to everything. Take your shortness, for one. Lots of tricky things to deal with. Real //diminutive// problems. But you also get more leg room on the bus. Now, try this on for size: park’s a flood, mud for days, gravel all over the field. Townsfolk are clutching pearls. Bunch of pampered tyrants whinging at the mayor’s office over not being able to use a facility that’s not even open yet. And meanwhile, we’re up here, having as much fun as we want. We can shout, scream, make asses out of ourselves, et cetera. And the best part is, nobody can come bitch. //Because there’s not a soul in sight.//” “I find myself agreeing with you more and more these days. Must be the free booze.” “No, the cost for //that// is spending time with me.” ZZ finally parks himself on his throne, scooting with deliberation to snag the perfect view. “Y’know, I do love living here in Canada’s own //South Park//. I mean, that perfectly encapsulates the Selkirk spirit, doesn’t it?” “At least ‘til summertime. Then the blackflies come out in force.” Through spotless trees I spy the boat further downstream. It has long since cleared the Selkirk Bridge on its approach towards Lake Winnipeg. “I’m still ragging on you for being such a //South Park// Republican, though. That’s never gonna change.” “It’s all chaff and no wheat coming from you. You’re just lucky I let this petty shit slide. But if you //must// know, I’ll say I’m closer to a radical republican.” “I thought you were a Libertarian. Swapped out your yellow flag for a white one? Surprised you got the stains out.” “A //classical// libertarian, more like it. And that’s //precisely// what I mean -- //all chaff//. She can’t even get her metaphors straight.” We spend a good twenty minutes blabbing on before I remember what I wanted to tell him. “Ohhh, shoot! We’ve gotta meet up again before you leave for Toronto! Early next week, maybe? I’ll take you out to the Marine Museum. They’re still running that expo on the centennial of the General Strike in the ‘Peg. We all know how //gung ho// you get about direct actions.” “Oh, right. I never told you.” I shoot him a searing glare. “I’ll be, uh, flying out a week ahead of schedule. As in, tomorrow. I’ve told you about my granddad, yeah?” I put down my rum but otherwise stay silent. “He’s still hanging on -- but for how long? … Anyway, the rest of my folks are flying out from Vancouver.” We exchange a flicker of looks, a candle flame waning in a spasmodic spell. I imagine my face and his must give off the same sentiment -- remorse -- but for entirely different reasons. ZZ’s tone takes on a guilt-ridden hue. “I really meant to take you out to Bronze Boot sometime. But I guess things’ve just been a whirlwind these past couple months. Truth is, I’ve been studying my butt off. Doubly so for exams. I’m the only one in my family to go to university. You know that. Look.” He rests his right hand on my shoulder. “I know how much that museum means to you--” “I don’t give a //shit// about some kiddish //boat museum//, Z! I just wanted to spend time with you!” My shift in demeanour from zero to one-hundred shocks him. His arm slides off with a jolt. He lets it fall without resistance and gapes at the sky, then closes his eyes. I slump in my seat for a few beats, feeling miserable. “//God, I’m so stupid.// I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry. It’s just… It’s not your fault. That wasn’t fair. To you.” The spring sky sheds its blue and submits to bands of peach, pink, and purple. For a while, we sit still, side-by-side but on different planets. Maybe we ought to grab a bite; at least spend the last couple of hours with our bellies full. Eventually, he breaks the bout of silence. “So, you end up killing your old name?” He avoids making eye contact; I must be all scowls. “Huh?” “Didja find something new to call yourself? You know what I mean. I’m still not good with the lingo.” I shake my head. “Whatever you end up choosing, it’ll be gorgeous. I’d bet on it.” I hazard a slight warm smirk. “Aw. Thanks, Z.” I loosen the strap on my satchel and pull it up over my head. “Um, here, lemme show you what I--” But he isn’t finished. “Remember when we were kids, and we had to deal with those neverending water boil advisories? All because of those shitty feeders in the old wells? Wasn’t that the pits?”[[span class="fnnum"]].[[/span]][[span class="fncon"]] [[span class="bt bb"]] TRANSLATION [[/span]] Didn’t that suck? [[/span]] “Oh. Yeah. They really took their sweet time with those upgrades, or whatever. ‘Hey kids, by next summer you’ll be able to leech public water right out of our subsidized modern sanitation system!’” “I swear we heard that same line six years in a row.” “God, I remember when they closed down the water fountain at Happy Thought. I think we started calling it, like, the ‘Sludge Altar’, or something like that.” “Can you even //begin// to imagine how much plastic that tiny school wasted?” “It was, what -- a few cases of lukewarm, bottled water, every single day for an entire friggin’ decade?” He nudges me square in the ribs. “So //that’s// what’s been keeping you up so late. I know, you’re one of those ‘save the water’ types,” he says, pumping his chest twice with his fist and raising it into the air. My eyes widen. I haven’t told him about the Lost Glade yet, have I? Outing myself as an insane person is certainly //lower// on the list of things I want my best friend discovering, right before breaking contact for four months. I must be staring at a fixed point for some time when ZZ waves a hand in front of my face. “We should dip,” he says, before turning away. “I know //I’ve// got the fuckin’ munchies.” I quickly unzip my satchel and feel around for the hidden compartment sewn into its bottom, then fish out what I’m looking for. “Check it.” I shake a small prescription packet in front of his face, pills clattering noisily. It’s emblazoned with a pink swirl and a label slapped on, signed courtesy of the clinic at the Irina Borisov Health Centre. “Informed consent, bitches!” It takes a moment for things to click inside his head. “No. Way. //Titty sprinkles?// Let’s get that shit, girl!” ZZ shoots up like a cannon and sets dynamite to the late-afternoon quietude. A long, jubilant shriek carries over the tributary. [[/div]] [[=image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/pursuing-ghosts-part-1/Hydra.png class="scene-break break-hydra"]] [[div class="baetyl"]] ++++ Future Date Unknown + [[[The Hydra's Spine]]] ---- [[div class="indented"]] ... And that was the last good moment I’ve had all week. It takes several hours of treading across this dull and dead expanse to see any progress. Just as well, I arrive at the first stop on my journey: the skull pictogram. Before I’m even within eyeshot of the main attraction, my entire body fills with the sensation that I must not be alone. This unique transect of cave leading up to the skull requires that I climb a fairly steep embankment. As with the rocky rise underfoot, the spinal column arches low overhead, nearly kissing its spelaean counterpart (shut up, I’m a geology student). It’s low enough to grip, so I use it to my advantage, steadying my ascent. The climb proves delicate. My palms become slick with sweat. I catch ripples within a light fog that rolls down the hill. The higher I find myself, the heavier it becomes. Yet still, I climb. As the slope’s lip comes within reach, I scan left-to-right. There’s something on the far side. I don’t let it distract me, but it looks to be a structure built into the wall. Man-made. One more step. The next chamber looms in my surroundings. With the mystique-giving fog intervening on the mighty space, it’s impossible to receive the whole scene at once. Zigzagged scorch marks run upon cleaved crust, streaking and scouring across geological time: a dance of death. In every direction the riddled ground slopes navellike towards a centre obscured. I’m not quite willing to push my way through the heaviest throng of fog, flashlight be damned, so I shoot for the chamber’s right-most flank where its lavish cloak is spread more thinly. Echoing footsteps knock back from a distant wall I can’t see. I trace a careful path in the blind. Nevertheless, every “ping” created by sediments underfoot pierces the soundless veil. Natural fog intermixes with disturbed dust. It comes as no surprise, then, that I’m hacking up a storm. I hold my shirt to my mouth and keep going. ---- I stop within a couple dozen paces of my destination: the man-made structure. But now, taking in the fine details, the structure no longer screams “man-made” as it did in my peripherals. In the back of my head, too, the part of me that fancies herself a know-it-all student of geology is, perhaps for the first time, not sure if it’s a “structure”, either. Unlike its crag-faced neighbours, the wall surface here is smooth, and polished to a translucent green-gray sheen. Its facade evokes the image of an exposed nuclear bunker, but rendered in great organic flourishes. Monolithic arcs begin high off the ground, curve out dramatically from the wall, and feed into the cave floor. Each arc must be taller than the outpost I came from (the part left standing, that is) by two-and-a-half times, and spaced apart by at least that length. The arrangement of alien protrusions continues along into the deep fog and out of sight. It’s impossible to make out //who// (or //what//) put this here. The map indicates nothing like this, and it’s in stark contrast to everywhere else I’ve been. Stranger still, I notice a section further along that has clearly collapsed. I squat at a low angle to snag a good look at the damage from under the foggy tapestry. On the face of one broken arc, right about where I’d expect some sort of skeletal superstructure to stick out, the interior is hollow instead. The face itself has been smoothened out, as though even its sabotage were meticulously designed. Several arcs are complemented by a fallen beam -- longer and thicker than any single one -- and crumpled, pin-like columns. Even in their damaged states, each of them still carries that same luster. Behind this mess of dysfunctional supports, I spy a darkened pocket recessed into the rock. Is that the front door? Let’s not get carried away; I’m on a time-limit. I feel plenty more sure of myself back here, so I decide to move into the fog from along the wall. I quickly regret this decision. Directly in my path, a maw-like crevasse in the earth stretches from the wall towards somewhere approximating the chamber’s centre. I avert my eyes as though avoiding looking at the Sun. Having exhausted all other options, I move with penetrating focus into the wide open space, now wary of //the ground// on top of everything else. … A human skull meant “keep away”, didn’t it? @@ @@Hold that thought. I find myself face-to-face with a towering grim visage. A monstrous skull, twenty metres to a side, dwarfs the ancient structure with ease. At once masked by fog, it rears its grisly head and scares me utterly shitless. Everything is laid out in fours of perfect symmetry. Its face bears four cavernous eye sockets, each with four smaller satellite sockets that riddle the diagonal axes. Gargantuan quadruplicate mouthparts rip across facial bone towards unsettling outer extremes. Four sets of Cheshire mandibles are shunted ever-so-slightly open, enough to expose row upon crowded row of pincer-like fangs, crowned with four piercing tusks. Behind the skull, a jagged exoskeleton assuming a scolopendrine body plan snakes into the fog and past my sight. [[/div]] @@ @@ = //Theophage:// God-Eater. @@ @@ [[div class="indented"]] //This// is what I came to see: the altar of a dead god. Except, that’d be ridiculous. I’ve never felt satisfied putting stock in a higher power. The divine is, by definition, something that us //pesky mortals// have no way of making contact with. Anyone with the self-importance to want or seek out such a thing for themself was clearly the //last// person we should trust to do so. The same goes for anyone who would claim divinity, or even suggest they were its special representative. Besides, that’s been //the// byway for scamsters ever since the first ones barged their way out of a swamp while foisting their muddy wares. As for all those old myths of “righteous domination” and “natural supremacy” that stem from gestures to a divine being: if an absolute god were truly out there, in the beyond, wouldn’t its existence validate those deeply held prejudices? Wouldn’t it justify treating outsiders as being inferior to the ones who were “chosen”? If divinely ordained power were real, and its laws favoured the few above the many, how could we ever possibly thwart it? And if we never could, then why seek its favour? A //dead// god, on the other hand, speaks to something else entirely. Let’s say we accept that there is an immensely powerful being with unparalleled influence over the fabric of space and time. Let’s say it’s every bit as mortal as we are. What would this mean? That it can be killed. Obviously. Does the Pope take holy shits? But what would it mean for //us//? That, for everything we //think// we know about the universe, what we actually //can// know is a fraction of a fraction of that whole. And for what vanishingly little we’re //certain// about, we are //loudly// and //stunningly// proud. And yet, as we sit here atop our self-important precipice, hanging over a gaping hole of ignorance, we are unconscious as to what might exist just beyond our fingertips. Makes me wonder if it’s worth knowing anything at all. I’ve got the inkling that I’ve barely skimmed the surface stratum of this place. I //have// only been here for three days. And what are three measly days? Am I seriously convinced that I’ve come across the one revelation that could shock the entire world? Whatever this once was -- whether some supreme being, or just a huge (and hideous) centipede -- that it wound up in //this// state bodes well for nobody. ---- Strangely, though, there is one thing that clashes with everything else. Somebody has come here and propped up those same orb-like lamps that dot every other passageway. This latest grouping is housed inside the segmented trunk of the digested god. I give the entire complex an apprehensive once-over before dragging my feet towards the centre of the concave dais. Sure enough, the lamps plot a course through the arthropodic innards. The creature’s entire ossified frame, from chitinous shell to spindly legs, is jet-black with an almost porcelain quality. Orange light backscatters all across; a shimmering brilliance in hazy air. After a slight bend, the body resolves into a consistent straightaway, and my luck hits shore. __Finally__. There sits an elongated canvas tent reminiscent of those Haudenosaunee longhouses from social studies class, but with amber camouflage patterns. Military-themed? Blegh. Its tentpoles number in the double-digits with a spread three-to-four metres apart, the entire camp no more than 30 metres across. A far cry from an outpost, but human all the same. The abdomen fits all this with room to spare. Not my taste in interior design, but I’ll take it. Near the back, I find a pair of security flaps screening off a vestibule. Both unlatch with ease. I position my flashlight shoulder-high and sneak through. Set inside are bunk beds lining each wall; racks at the far end; a common area: basic furnishings. I circle old-fashioned folding chairs and tables, many of them toppled or flipped over. What was this -- a barracks? Army camp? There are no insignia to speak of. Not that I’d glean much from an emblem, anyhow. Dad served, but it’s not like it got me “hereditary knowledge” or any horseshit like that. Whoever was here, they left in a hurry. … No, something doesn’t sit right. Something //reeks//. I make for the furthest wall. I’ll go through every corner of this godforsaken place if that’s what it takes to find out. The bunk beds are built from collapsible, lightweight metal, each decked out with a thin box spring and sleeping bag. A few rows down, one sleeping bag appears bulky in the gloom. Huh? The reek is no stronger here, but ever-present. Pulling at the fabric reveals little. I poke around for the zipper. There it is! [[size 75%]]Now, let’s find out what’s in--[[/size]] The rest unzips under its own weight, spilling its contents. I yelp and leap back. “What the--?!” Rotting flesh hangs limply off a grotesque yellow skeleton and hits the ground in wet //thunk//s, bursting apart. It releases a pungent, foul odour, too strong for words. I’d yak my lunch -- if I’d eaten lunch. I book it faster than my brain can tell my legs where to go. What the //fuck// is this place, a quarantine station? A lure for desperate freaks? Good fucking lord was I mistaken. The outer shell outside holds back the fog but doesn’t stop me tripping and falling on my ass. I land on a hard, rough platform. I struggle to roll off but succumb instead to pain. Head darting around like an anxious rodent, I find I’ve fallen onto a shipping pallet. It carries a stack of bins made out of cloth, each stamped with… … The now-familiar icon of three spokes arrayed radially. I blubber to nobody in particular. “//Are you serious?// ” Pain so easily gives way to bitter anger. I kick the bins and send their carcasses flying. I kick ‘till they’re all sullied in the dust. I kick and kick some more for good measure. Whimpering now, I stomp on the nearest one and buck the skid with my combat boots. Tears flowing freely, I crouch in place and scream into my hands. “Is //this// what you wanted? You wanted me //trapped// in here, you //dumb fucks//? You got your //fucking wish!// ” My voice echoes far and wide. Weakness settles in my knees, and I crumple. Nothing else in the world moves. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[=image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/pursuing-ghosts-part-1/Shield_of_Manitoba.png class="scene-break"]] ++++ Friday, 26 April +++++ Morning + Downtown Selkirk ++ Manitoba, Canada ---- [[div class="indented"]] ZZ and I meet at Timmies in Selkirk before parting ways. “Sooo, how’s this going to work out?” I ask him. We slouch around a table by the back wall, skirting our own little corner. The place is dead, even by the standards of the mid-morning dawdle. “I was gonna hand something in today, but I decided against it. Emailed my prof instead, just ‘cause I wanted to spend the morning with you. “Awww.” “Yeah, yeah, I hear you. Anyway, I’ve gotta swing by my Matante’s later and grab my things.” “You’re really hitching it all the way back to Toronto?” “Dumbass.” He grins stupidly. “We’re getting a ride. Taxi to Winnipeg, YWG.” I burst into nervous laughter. “That’s the… airport, I’m guessing? Dunno why you insisted on a code-name.” “Hey, if I get an excuse not to say ‘aeroplane’, I’m taking every opportunity coming my way.” He slurps his coffee a little too boldly, scolds his lips, and jolts back, dribbling some onto the table. “Yet he says it anyway!” I slide over a stack of serviettes. “Got any business left at uni?” I shake my head. “I actually cleared my locker last Friday.” “And what’s up with that?” “It’s nothing.” “Guys at school giving you grief, eh?” “No, Z, just some stupid shit.” Leaning on my left palm, I idly tap the table, conjuring up percussive nothings from anxious jitters. “I’m a casual agoraphobe, anyhow. I wouldn’t //dare// fraternize with any of those stuck-up city kids.” “You’re way too predictable.” I stare out the window past ZZ, past the salt-encrusted dull grey parking lot, even past the snow mound posing in stalwart defiance of our unseasonably mild April. Far in the distance, I catch an eyesore to beat out all the rest: Selkirk’s new superstore. “Hey, uh, d’you see that thing?” He turns around fully, blurting out, “Where’m I looking?” He weaves alternately as he does, perplexing a couple as they walk inside. “//What// am I looking //for//?” “You could really use some classes in discreetness.” While his back is turned, I reach over the table and, vulture-like, pick off his unsuspecting potato wedges. “All the way down ‘cross the parking lot. You see it?” “Oh, that thing? Yeah. Feels like an alien invasion.” He faces me in full ignorance of the deed I did. “Worse than Target?” Target is an American big-box retail chain that expanded into Canada starting in 2013. But Target Canada never lasted long. It saw entire shelving units persistently bare of merchandise, staffing perpetually short, and small towns country-wide propitiously colonized -- Selkirk included. Hence, the writing was on the wall. Not two years later, all one hundred and thirty-three stores coast-to-coast blinked out of existence like shitty incandescents. Thank goodness. ZZ removes his glasses and polishes them with his shirt. “Yeah, no, that was a disaster. But this? Feels like it sprung up overnight. Almost like they’ve been renovating right under our noses for years and we collectively //forgot//. Can you imagine?” I exploit his limited eyesight and snag a couple more wedges. “Just like those new churches that’ve been popping up. They look a lot more stunning than //this//, though.” “What are they calling it, again? SunCo?” Now, SunCo Prime, a Québécois chain venturing into the English-speaking provinces, wears the husk of the old Target northwest of town. It has a tripartite logo emblazoned with blue, red, and green. Medium-saturation decals fill practically every square centimeter of the outside. I almost get a headache gawking at the full palette. “Something like that. You know -- like Costco?” “You mistake me for someone who willingly shops at Costco,” he says. “Boy am //I// glad I’m ducking out of here before this goes down. Why do we need one, anyhow?” I shrug. “My dad told me they’ll get, like, three hundred employees, or something. He’s even asked me to put in my résumé.” “You gonna?” “Hell no! I would //most certainly// never dream of contributing to the encroaching retail apocalypse as it sucks in small businesses and burps up abandoned Targets.” “That’s late-stage capitalism for you.” “And //that’s// your trademark optimism.” We kill time for a little longer, sipping our coffees, nodding along to the //Top 40// playlist faintly blaring over the PA, smelling the blackened molts of scorched sandwiches as they burn atop the panini press. But mostly, I struggle to bite back an increasing apprehension. It’s more than clear that ZZ is avoiding a particular Damoclean question as it swings haphazardly over our heads. “Uh, Z? Hey, listen…” He looks up from his phone, then wipes away the line of coffee residue tinging his upper lip. “What’s up?” “When you told me you were leaving, the only way I knew how to take it was… the wrong way.” I shake my head, wincing. “It was selfish, and there’s no excuse.” “You really don’t want to be here -- do you?” “It’s not //about// me, Z.” The words I know how to use won’t come out, which doesn’t leave an awful lot of space for the words I don’t know how to use but that I really should. “Forget about me for a second, would you? What matters is your grandpa. It isn’t fair. And now I’m just repeating myself.” “I don’t know how to break the news in a way that won’t bomb the vibe, so I’ll just drop it.” He tops off the rest of his coffee and sets down the empty cup with a resounding //crack// to fill the silent air. “His cancer, well, it’s not just any old cancer.” “Oh?” “It’s brain cancer. Stage 3, but.” ZZ folds his hands. “He //is// pretty old.” “Oh.” “Yup. So, that’s that.” “Now I really feel like a royal bitch,” I say. “But I’ve made my decision.” “What’s that?” “If you’re leaving, so am I.” I burst from my seat out the door, tears catching in my eyes, squeezing them shut in rapid succession, vision bleary. “C’mon, L, don’t do this!” He blurts out a nickname, significant because it shares the first letter of my deadname parsed phonetically. “Your stuff! Wait up!” But the exit door muffles all sound. I don’t check if he’s followed. I can’t look him in the face. I make my way around the corner, ‘round a second, and thump against the brick, eyes misty and stinging. ---- He doesn’t find me for another few minutes. When he finally does, he lowers my bag to my feet and steps back, crossing his arms. Short, yellowed grass ripples in a soft draft behind him. “That’s it, then? You’ll go off on your lonesome? You know, you’re the only one here who doesn’t” -- he searches for a good metaphor -- “who doesn’t wear their gotchies on their damn head.” Despite his imagination, I’m a heapload more stubborn. “Well, maybe all the other ‘good ones’ left, too. That’d explain a shit-tonne about Selkirk. Maybe they //all// got lonely and -- and hell, maybe they joined the friggin’ Mounties. What then?” “Maybe, maybe.” “Maybe //I’ve// got a good enough reason. And anyhow, you’ve always stayed in Toronto over summer break. Meanwhile, I’m trapped here, at the farmer’s market, where everyone is dry as hell, and I hate it. So, what’s the use?” He looks down. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s just veg for a little while longer. And when the bus comes, I can give you a nice goodbye, and we’ll put this whole thing behind us.” “I’ll miss you, Z, I’ll really miss you.” I give him a hug. “You too, L. You too.” [[/div]] [[=image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/pursuing-ghosts-part-1/Hydra.png class="scene-break break-hydra"]] [[div class="baetyl"]] ++++ Future Date Unknown + [[[The Hydra's Spine]]] ---- [[div class="centered"]] My eyes scour lazily across the ceiling. The creepy-crawly with the arched back lines up with the spine in the sky. It’s funny. Funny place to die, too. I would literally never be found. I should calm down eventually. Maybe I’ll lie here a bit longer, though. I’d like to eat, but I’d also like to sleep. The eternal predicament. I’m an idiot, aren’t I? I need to find something to eat. Fine. I’ll drop the charade, conscience. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="indented"]] I’d regret napping for a meal, anyhow. Especially next to the cryptkeeper over there. There are some open supply drops in the general area, but it seems like yet more sleeping bags. I //guess// it saves me from going back inside that sorry excuse for a tent. There is even a motorized pallet jack sitting here. It’d be a wild steed to ride through this shithole, that’s for sure. I stand up to roll my shoulders and twist my back, leaving my own cargo on the empty pallet. Then, I retrace my steps to the great green structure. ---- Awe strikes me the moment I step inside, and it never really goes away. The recessed path cuts a narrow swath from the outside in, feeding into a long hall with high walls. The hallway itself stretches bidirectionally until each end recedes into the distance, much like my view of the creature outside. Every centimetre in here consists of one smooth, contiguous form. The next room is laid out in a warehouse-sized semicircular plan. The floor inclines steeply towards the back, corkscrews out the sides, and levels off onto a mezzanine behind me. I nearly strain my neck working out the sightlines. Circular platforms fill the floor, beset by raised interlopers in many different configurations, like scattered buoys in a raging ocean. Each platform varies from its neighbour in width and height and sports a pulsating, multicoloured light show with its own kaleidoscopic pattern. I quickly learn I don’t need my flashlight. My imagination runs amok, picturing strange aliens of every shape and size encircling the platforms. It’s sort of like, instead of a single house of worship with a single, centrally planned altar, there was a place for faiths of every description to congregate, all under one roof. Climbing to the next level proves trivial. It’s as though the floor’s surface were calibrated to my exact step with perfect grippiness. Up here, the translucent wall becomes fully transparent. Through a glass-like aperture, I see the invertebrate skeleton poking through light fog. But that’s not all. Something unmistakable scurries behind the tent. I make chase. ---- There is a whistle that I’ve picked up which always seems to attract cats. C,,7,, to A,,7,,, a swift little flourish. From behind a leg, a bright-blue cat sticks out his see-through head and goes //mrrp//. “Are you… real?” Or are you the delirium of some dehydrated cavedweller? I outstretch my hand, palm up. He sizes me up and strolls my way. “Heard me freaking out back there, didn’tcha?” I rub my knuckles against his ears. I invite the heat of faint embers, the quaint fluorescence, the ethereal-sounding purr. “I know, Buckwheat. I’m sorry. Well, I’m here now.” ---- [[div class="end-mark"]] I can attest, thankfully, that the sleeping bag is about the softest thing I’ve felt since I got here. As exhaustion sets in, my newfound companion and I curl up together. We can sleep easy now, knowing the armour of a god protects us. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ +++++* To Be Concluded. @@ @@ ++++* [[span class="bi-pride"]]Buckwheat will return.[[/span]] [[=image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/pursuing-ghosts-part-1/Hydra.png class="scene-break break-hydra"]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=false \| last=false \| hub=yes \| previous-url=/pursuing-ghosts-part-1 \| previous-title=Pt. I \| next-url=/ \| next-title=Pt. III \| hub-url=/ \| hub-title=Pursuing Ghosts ]] [[div class="footing"]] [[/div]] [[span id="activeRate"]] [[module Rate]] [[/span]] ---- [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[div class="blockquote"]] Filename: Shield_of_Manitoba.png Name: Simple arms of the Province of Manitoba (Canada) Author: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Echando_una_mano Echando una mano] License:* [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)] Source Link:* [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Simple_arms_of_Manitoba.svg Wikimedia Commons] Note:* Edited by [[user Lt Flops]]. Added black outline. [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] Filename:* Hydra.png Name: Hydra symbol (Moskowitz, fixed width) Author: Denis Moskowitz License: [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)] Source Link:* [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hydra_symbol_(Moskowitz,_fixed_width).svg Wikimedia Commons] [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]] [[module CSS]] / ==== FONTS ==== / @import url(https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Permanent+Marker&display=swap); / == COMMON == / :root { --part: "Permanent Marker", cursive; } / == ALL CHAPTERS == / .lite-heading.extra-wide { position: relative; left: calc(-33vw + 50%); width: 66vw; max-width: 66vw; background: linear-gradient( to right, transparent, var(--fgColor) 10% 90%, transparent); } .lite-heading.extra-wide hr { height: .3rem; background: linear-gradient( to right, transparent, var(--accentColor) 10% 90%, transparent); border: 0; } .lite-heading.extra-wide h1 { background: -webkit-linear-gradient( var(--accentColor) 55%, transparent 85%); -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; font-size: 2.95rem; letter-spacing: .4rem } .lite-heading.extra-wide h3 { margin-bottom: .7em; font-size: 1.95rem; letter-spacing: .2rem } @media (max-width: 767.9px) { .lite-heading.extra-wide { left: unset; width: unset; max-width: unset; } } @media (max-width: 575.9px) { .lite-heading.extra-wide h1 { background: -webkit-linear-gradient( var(--accentColor) 25%, transparent 95%); -webkit-background-clip: text; } } h2, h4 { color: var(--textColorMid); filter: none; } .scene-break.break-hydra { filter: invert(77%) sepia(24%) saturate(1063%) hue-rotate(78deg) brightness(87%) contrast(88%); } / == EARTHWORM SERIES NAVIGATOR == / /* * By Croquembouche */ #page-content .earthworm .hub { background: var(--accentColorLite); border-color: transparent; } #page-content .earthworm .hub a { color: var(--keyColor); } / == CHAPTER-SPECIFIC == */ .ii { color: var(--textColorMid); font: 2.05rem var(--part); letter-spacing: 2px; } .baetyl { --fgColor: hsla(108, 29%, 10%, .67); padding: .53rem 1rem; color: var(--textColorLow); background-color: var(--fgColor); border-radius: 2rem; } h4 span.bi-pride { background: linear-gradient( 90deg, hsl(328, 86%, 65%), hsl(304, 55%, 65%) 45%, hsl(304, 55%, 65%) 55%, hsl(221, 81%, 65%)); -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; } [[/module]]	2024-05-06T01:30:00	[ "_cc", "_cc4", "_licensebox", "adventure", "first-person", "lgbtq", "tale", "w-i-t-c-h" ]	Pursuing Ghosts, Part II - SCP Foundation	15	[ "scp-4420", "scp-4416", "scp-4790", "scp-3570", "scp-4031", "scp-5990", "scp-3787", "scp-5810", "scp-3464", "scp-4190", "scp-3719", "scp-6327", "scp-7723", "scp-2", "the-abyss-gazes-back", "the-doctor-s-dilemma", "fifthist-family-picnic", "umbral-migratory-sequence", "buggy-hardware", "what-lurks", "no-sense-crying", "a-scene-from-a-meme", "illac", "crispy-sex-pirates", "inner-space", "a-necromantic-prelude", "an-old-familiar-dream", "pursuing-ghosts-part-1", "solidao", "samara-be-the-itsy-bitsy-spider", "spc-993", "spc-507", "saturn-s-corner", "scattersomnia", "void-dancer-hub", "theme:pataphysics", "theme:classic", "theme:flopstyle-dark", "theme:flopstyle", "theme:pack-of-peanuts", "theme:anon", "theme:saphir", "theme:sapphire", "scp-3309", "scp-3739", "scp-4428", "henzoids-author-page", "scp-4475", "scp-4519", "natalie-watts", "scp-4795", "dr-mews-personnel-file", "scp-6447", "elunerazim", "scp-6481", "ellie3-gimmick-free", "scp-6705", "lord-stonefish", "scp-6830", "ariadnes-malibu-dream-house", "scp-7010", "stormbreath", "avian-anthology-i", "bird", "avian-anthology-ii", "land-of-honey", "broken-masquerade-epistolary", "researcher-nyka-s-file", "the-sacred-djehuti", "ayers-array", "grant-request-post-mortem-neural-preservation", "uncle-nicolini-author-page", "critter-profile-bartholomew", "notgull", "non-prophet-organization-hub", "i-hub", "elenee-s-author-page", "spc-hub", "peppersghost", "wrong-analytics", "lordxvnv", "milk-hub", "departments-complete-list", "top", "dr-moned-s-temporal-pocket-universe", "floppyphoenix", "component:info-ayers", "the-hydra-s-spine", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "void-dancer-hub", "bird" ]	[]	1453548845	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pursuing-ghosts-part-2
queen-mab-vs-the-moon-monsters	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>A tragedy in three acts.</p> </div> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Foxtrot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2022</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Liryn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">FONTS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Lexend</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@700</span><span class="hl-code">;800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">JetBrains</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Fira</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Code</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@400</span><span class="hl-code">;700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sofia</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">rsms.me</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter.css</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Figtree</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@800</span><span class="hl-code">;900&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">IBM</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Plex</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Core</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-title:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SCP Foundation"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-subtitle:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SECURE, CONTAIN, PROTECT"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_lightmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">darkmode-logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_darkmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">head-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Sans Normalcy'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">ui-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'IBM Plex Sans'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">mono-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira </span><span class="hl-string">Code</span><span class="hl-code">', </span><span class="hl-string">monospace</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Inter', 'verdana'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">base-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Misc</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">subheader-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">misc-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#464646</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E6283C</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-hover-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Color</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Accents</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">accent:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-default:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-wyoming:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">142</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-canada:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-poland:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">87</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">44</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">17</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-slothspit:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">27</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">133</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-vanguard:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">153</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">75</span><span class="hl-code">; 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--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-nightfall:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">151</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-hybrasil:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">27</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">133</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-goc:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">39</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">84</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">149</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-spooky:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">252</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">112</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">BetterFootnotes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnColor:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">barColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">linkColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">html</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">scroll-behavior:</span><span class="hl-code"> smooth</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-x:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-rendering:</span><span class="hl-code"> optimizeLegibility</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#content-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">440</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">strong</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tt</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-source</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">pre</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--mono-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ol</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-underline-offset:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> :</span><span class="hl-special">:selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Clicky</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">links</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">patch</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">for</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">sidebar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ayers</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">so</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">doesn</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">t</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">override</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.danger-diamond</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--linkColour) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">900</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">26</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-img) </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">30</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">130</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-opacity)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Search</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">text</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">47</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li.sfhover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.83</span><span class="hl-code">) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">230</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-indent:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.mobile-top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Login</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">19</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> translate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#my-account</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#account-topbutton</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">s ease-in-out</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">rtl</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#interwiki</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.heading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#cfcfcf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">pt</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Blockquotes</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Custom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">dashed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fbfbfb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.quote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.note</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#afafaf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.round</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Titles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footnotes-footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Author</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Label</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.authorlink-wrapper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-top-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-bottom-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-right-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f4f4f4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bfbfbf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Captions</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E0FFD4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDFCD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFCFCF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colored</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">224</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">212</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">226</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">245</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">189</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">223</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">205</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">218</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQ</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">things</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Assets</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">underline</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.7</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.item1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.class1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">woedbar-class-bar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.55</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MISC</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.bt</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#444</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">45</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#7b7b7b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footer-wikiwalk-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">88</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-options-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-watch-options</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">77</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> row</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#5f5f5f</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ecf2f1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#d9d9d9</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "."</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "tags "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.3125</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.625</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.0625</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent)) </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-style:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> ""</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.2813</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-tags-input</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">150</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">table.form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.edit-page-bottomtable</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-comments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "!"</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">115</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "⏲ "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">outline:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-property:</span><span class="hl-code"> box-shadow</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> darkslategrey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(5)></span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">120</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 900</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content-warning.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">21</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.preview-message</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">29</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> drop-shadow(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.error-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">48</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#B00</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2</span><span class="hl-identifier">n</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.05</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> fade </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">fade</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">default</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">155</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F7F7F7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> " "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> loading </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">loading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">360</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.osuccess</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.content</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2)></span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.odialog-shader</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#262a39</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn.btn-primary</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.buttons</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.button</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#eaeaea</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#dbffd6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#005a0a</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#0d951c</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffe1e1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c52727</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c5272e</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#757575</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.hovertip</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.checkbox</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#h-perpage</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">REDUCED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOTION</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACCESSIBILITY</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (prefers-reduced-motion: </span><span class="hl-identifier">reduce</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-iteration-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@MEDIA</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 850</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.8</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 620</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">123</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 520</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { line-height: </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">145</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> }</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="border:solid 1px #999999; background:#f2f2c2; padding:5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h4 id="toc0"><span>NOTICE FROM THE FOUNDATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION</span></h4> <p>The following document was shared as part of an information exchange with the Sidhe Lounge in Esterberg, and depicts a heavily dramaticised version of the Fae myth. As such, the veracity of the accounts detailed within cannot be confirmed, and their relation to <a href="/scp-1233">SCP-1233</a> is pending investigation. To take it as fact would be comparable to treating Homer's Odyssey as an accurate historical account.</p> <p>— James Moore, Site-120's General RAISA Chairman</p> </div> </div> <h1 id="toc1"><span><strong>ACT 1, SCENE 1</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> Empty stage. An illusory Earth the size of a car floats two meters off the ground, a faint emerald glow surrounding it. The Moon is visible in its orbit.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> NARRATOR climbs aboard the stage, standing on the leftmost side. They face the crowd.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>NARRATOR</strong></p> <p>In the reign of Queen Mab, legends were no different than reality. She dominated the world when every crevice brimmed with magic, when monsters and heroes clashed in the stars for all to see. Many a tale has been spun about this era; the tragedy of the Scarlet Fool, the slaying of the Inventor, and countless others told again and again until they are almost fact. Tonight, we bring you a tale seldom told…</p> <p><em>(A second moon rises behind the Earth, moving in a larger orbit than the first. It is clearly covered in lush greenery and vast lakes.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>NARRATOR</strong></p> <p>Once, there were two moons in the sky. One was the white and barren wasteland we all know, but the other was almost a reflection of our own world. Queen Mab had coveted it ever since she first glimpsed it in the sky, that pearl of brilliant turquoise shining amidst the swirling stars. And when she had taken all that she could from Gaia, she knew it was finally time for her empire to take to the skies.</p> <p>First, she sent an envoy to its people, the Adanei. A demand for tribute, an establishment of relations. She had never even seen the moon dwellers, but had played the game so many times that her moves came as naturally as breathing. Soon she would increase the demands under threat of war, sucking their little world dry until she could break them without effort.</p> <p><em>(QUEEN MAB enters the stage from the right, wearing an exquisite white dress that trails behind her on the floor. A MESSENGER bursts into the stage from the left, out of breath.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>MESSENGER</strong></p> <p>My Queen! The Adanei have refused to deliver tribute. They say they'll "never bow down before a tyrant."</p> <p><em>(Pure rage explodes on MAB’s face for an instant before she composes herself.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>MAB</strong></p> <p>Call my generals. We’ve got a world to burn.</p> <h1 id="toc2"><span><strong>ACT 1, SCENE 2</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> An apportation circle encompasses the floor, and unintelligible orders can be heard in the background, blending into the orchestra. A battalion of YEREN SLAVE-SOLDIERS stand in formation. One is notably missing.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> SAVION, a lean Yeren whose armor is clearly one size too big, rushes from the left of the stage to take his place in the circle. A FAE CAPTAIN in an ornate silver breastplate enters from the right. Spotlights turn on SAVION, and he addresses the audience as all actors freeze.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I am nought but a household slave,<br/> Cruelly dragged into Queen Mab’s war!<br/> I do not know how to be brave,<br/> What are we even fighting for?</p> <p><em>(Spotlights rescind. The FAE CAPTAIN shouts harsh commands. The music crescendos.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE CAPTAIN</strong></p> <p>Give your souls and blood for our queen,<br/> Take the fight to the lunar fiends!<br/> Light your torches and draw your blades,<br/> Break their bodies and burn their glades!</p> <p><em>(The apportation circle ignites and white light bathes the stage. As it dies down, the soldiers are gone, and the FAE CAPTAIN leaves the stage.)</em></p> <h1 id="toc3"><span><strong>ACT 1, SCENE 3</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> A lunar grove, burned to a crisp. Charred skeletons of once proud trees surround a group of YEREN SOLDIERS as they take cover from a barrage of plant-bombs. Where they land, thorns spray out, felling a quarter of the squadron while the rest press themselves to the forest floor. SAVION is among them. The air is thick with smoke, and the crackling of flames can be heard from every direction.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> THERAKH, a well-built Yeren warrior in platemail leaps through the trees, just as another plant-bomb is lobbed at the group. She lands next to the soldiers with her hands raised, and a yellow barrier blinks into existence around them, deflecting the attack. They look at her in awe.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Are you alright?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>You—you can do magic? Our Captain could have you executed!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Better not tell zir, then! Can you people move?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>YEREN SOLDIER</strong></p> <p>Yes, but the bastards have us pinned. All this fire, and we’re still being bombarded every minute.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>If you can keep that barrier up, we might have a shot. What’s your name?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Therakh, fifth battalion. You?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Savion. Thank you for saving all of our lives, Therakh.</p> <p><em>(THERAKH helps the soldiers stand.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>You can lift a sword with those arms?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Hey!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>I’m simply surprised they conscripted you. Anyhow, pardon the phrasing but we’re not out of the woods yet. Come on, let’s move!</p> <p><em>The soldiers move through the burnt forest, THERAKH’s barrier flashing intermittently as they are attacked.</em></p> <h1 id="toc4"><span><strong>ACT 1, SCENE 4</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> SAVION and THERAKH are sitting around a campfire, joined by a few YEREN SOLDIERS. They are eating field rations, surrounded by war tents. The ground is covered in a thin layer of ash.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> The SOLDIERS begin to sing. Orchestra begins to play.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>YEREN SOLDIER</strong></p> <p>Ripped away from home<br/> And thrown into the sky!<br/> Tonight we’re still alive<br/> Tomorrow we might die!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Everything’s aflame<br/> The flowers and the trees<br/> Screams and smoke and ash<br/> Drift along the breeze</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>My comrades in arms,<br/> Pierced by blades of bark,<br/> Only I remained,<br/> Left them in the dark.</p> <p><em>(Music enters a bridge.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Oh—I didn't know. I'm sorry.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Don’t be.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>YEREN SOLDIER</strong></p> <p>Sent to fight a war,<br/> As an afterthought,<br/> Be thankful you still breathe,<br/> ‘Cause tomorrow you might not.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Oh let there be peace,<br/> So we might come back home,<br/> I can’t bear this for long,<br/> Fearful and alone.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>On the battlefield,<br/> You’re never on your own,<br/> We’ll make it out alive,<br/> And spit at Queen Mab’s throne!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Careful! You could be hanged for treason—</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Eh, Captain’s a while off. Besides, Ze’s got more important things to do than listen in on our every conversation.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I suppose you're right. So, you’re fighting with us now?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Yep. Battalion got axed by the tree monsters, never saw ‘em coming. They’re merging what’s left with you folks to replace the twelfth company.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I’m glad. That you’re with us, of course, not about… what happened.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>I know, you’d have been dead in a few days otherwise.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Hey, I can handle myself!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Sure you can.</p> <h1 id="toc5"><span><strong>ACT 1, SCENE 5</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> Empty stage. An illusory moon hovers above the ground. It is burning.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> NARRATOR enters the stage.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>NARRATOR</strong></p> <p>In just a few weeks, the verdant moon became a wasteland of blackened earth, its forests razed to the ground by Mab’s fury. Victory seemed just over the horizon. But no surrender came. No white flags or treaties or pleas for a ceasefire. Then the reports began pouring in.</p> <p>Encampments assaulted at night, the attackers seemingly coming from nowhere. Missing supplies and equipment, gone as if the earth swallowed them whole. Organic mines, poisonous thorns that rose from the dirt to eviscerate soldiers and generals alike. Requests for reinforcements were approved, but came with a royal warning. If they would not be able to bring the Adanei to heel, they would face the wrath of the Undoer herself.</p> <h1 id="toc6"><span><strong>ACT 1, SCENE 6</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> A military encampment, the tents identical to those in SCENE 4. The ground is covered in a fine sheet of ash and dust.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> The stage begins to shake, as if during an earthquake. THERAKH and SAVION burst into the stage from the right alongside a group of YEREN SOLDIERS.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>What–-what is this? What’s happening?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>We need to get to cover–-</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>What cover?! Everything is–-</p> <p><em>(SAVION stumbles and falls to the ground. THERAKH stops running and rushes to his side. The YEREN SOLDIERS continue on, exiting from stage left.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Come on! It’s not safe here!</p> <p><em>(She begins to help him up, but the quake suddenly grows in strength and both of them lose their footing, falling prone. They shout in surprise and cover their heads as dust rains on the stage from above.)</em></p> <p><em>(Several large boulders drop on stage, flattening the war tents. The ash on the ground disappears as plants begin to grow rapidly. Soon, the Yeren pair is surrounded by foliage on all sides. Gnarled trees reach to the ceiling, bearing fruit that glow brightly in shades of pink and orange. The floor is a bed of moss, flowers and tall grass, turquoise in color. The sun is not visible - the hanging fruits are the only source of illumination.)</em></p> <p><em>(They have been dragged down from hell and into paradise.)</em><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc7"><span><strong>END OF ACT 1</strong></span></h1> </div> <h1 id="toc8"><span><strong>ACT 2, SCENE 1</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> A lush cavern filled with dense foliage, see <strong>ACT 1 SCENE 7</strong>.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> THERAKH and SAVION stand up, dusting themselves off, and begin to explore the cave.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Did we… fall? Are we beneath the camp?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Looks like it. This must be where they’ve been attacking us from. Stars above, it’s beautiful. To think, this is what we’ve destroyed…</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Yes. It’s untouched. We should see where this tunnel leads.</p> <p><em>(THERAKH picks a round, pink fruit from a tree. Its glow diminishes as she takes a bite.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Wait! What if they’re–-</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Absolutely delicious?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p><em>(Sighs)</em> Nevermind.</p> <p><em>(THERAKH begins to laugh.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Oh I can’t believe this! We’re free! Finally free!</p> <p><em>(Music begins, upbeat and jovial.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>I never expected for it to be like this,<br/> But this is an opportunity I just can’t miss!<br/> Liberty handed to me on a platter,<br/> No orders to follow, no masters to flatter!</p> <p>Because we’re free, finally free!<br/> As free as we could ever be!<br/> Free, utterly free!<br/> From abject pain and misery,<br/> From brutal, toiling slavery,<br/> Free, totally free!</p> <p><em>(As she sings, THERAKH dances in the glade, cupping water that flows from a small stream in the rocky wall. Ribbons of yellow light linger in the air behind her. She drinks and turns to SAVION.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Savion? What’s wrong? Don’t you see?<br/> We could stay here together, you and me!</p> <p><em>(Music slows, growing more somber.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>No, I’m sorry, I simply can’t,<br/> Live amongst these alien plants,<br/> This isn’t my home, we’re trapped underground,<br/> And it will not be long until we are found,</p> <p>By Luna or Mab, by wood or by steel,<br/> We’ll be chained again and forced to kneel,<br/> This isn’t Eden, nor is this hell,<br/> It’s just another prison cell!</p> <p><em>(Music grows faster and more intense. THERAKH and SAVION sing simultaneously.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>I won’t have to hide my magic no more,<br/> Dying in someone else’s war,</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Staying here, it’s just not right,<br/> I miss the warmth of true sunlight,</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>If we were just to work together,<br/> We could survive here forever,</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>The wind flowing through my hair,<br/> My lungs filling with fresh air,</p> <p><em>(Music reaches a crescendo. SAVION sings alone.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>No! I’m certain, without a doubt,<br/> I have to find my own way out,<br/> Out of this prison, this false paradise,</p> <p>Through fire and blood, I know I might die,<br/> For this last chance to see blue skies,<br/> But that is freedom, and it will suffice.</p> <p><em>(Music ends.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>So that’s it? You’ve made up your mind?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Yes. This is goodbye.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>No! I’ll come with you.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>You don’t have to.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>I…</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>What?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>I don’t want to be left alone. Not again.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Oh.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Plus, you–- <em>neither</em> of us will survive out here on our own. Best to go together.</p> <p><em>(SAVION nods, and the two exit from stage right.)</em></p> <h1 id="toc9"><span><strong>ACT 2, SCENE 2</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> Same as previous scene.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> SAVION and THERAKH enter from stage left. They walk slowly in a circular path around the stage. The flora gradually changes as they walk, to imitate travel through the tunnels.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>So, what’s the plan? You’re the leader now.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I was hoping this tunnel would lead us upwards, but it looks like this is not the case.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Well, we never did find any entrances up above…</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>True. But no one had fallen below before we did, either.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>What now, then?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I–-I’m not sure. We can’t be the only ones to have been swallowed by the earth. Surely we’ll find someone from the army eventually.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>More likely we’ll find eviscerated corpses.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>It’s the only chance we have.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Hmph.</p> <p><em>(The two pause next to a small stream, filling their waterskins and cleaning their fur. SAVION takes out a small sack and eats a handful of glowing berries.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>We should stop and make camp, I think. We’ve been walking for hours.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>And still no-one in sight. How do the moon monsters even navigate this place?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I wish I knew. Stars willing, we’ll have more luck tomorrow. I'll take first watch?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Sure, I could use the rest. Be careful. And wake me up if anything's wrong.</p> <p><em>(THERAKH lies down to sleep while SAVION sits down, leaning against a tree trunk. Spotlights dim, shrouding the stage in darkness.)</em></p> <h1 id="toc10"><span><strong>ACT 2, SCENE 3</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> Same as previous scene. Spotlights bathe the stage in dim red light. THERAKH is still sleeping.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> An ADANEI WARRIOR enters slowly from stage left. They are a tall, humanoid being seemingly made of wood, with four arms and a crown of branches extending like antlers from their head. SAVION appears not to notice them as they creep on the pair.</p> <p><em>(SAVION yawns. The ADANEI leaps forwards, thick, thorned vines sprouting from their arms. SAVION jumps to his feet and attempts to draw his sword, but isn’t quick enough. The ADANEI grabs him by the neck while the vines ensnare his arms and legs, drawing blood. The creature whispers.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ADANEI</strong></p> <p>One word and I’ll snap your neck, invader.</p> <p><em>(SAVION grits his teeth. His body becomes more muscular, though he does not notice this. The ADANEI leans in.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ADANEI</strong></p> <p>Now, I’m going to ask you some questions. Blink once for yes, two for–-</p> <p><em>(SAVION slams his forehead into the ADANEI’s face, staggering them. His arm breaks free of the vines and he draws his blade, slashing desperately in a wide arc. The ADANEI leaps back, but their arm is caught in the strike and falls to the ground. SAVION is almost as large as THERAKH now, and he charges his foe.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>RAAAAAAAAAGH!</p> <p><em>(The ADANEI brings their arms up to defend, but the Yeren’s blade cuts through them with ease. THERAKH wakes up and leaps to her feet, drawing her own weapon, but finds that SAVION has already pierced the attacker’s chest with his sword. His newfound strength deflates as she rushes over, hands glowing with yellow light.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>By the–- Are you alright?</p> <p><em>(SAVION is out of breath.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Yes, I’m… I’m fine. I killed it.</p> <p><em>(He draws his sword out of the arboreal corpse. Scarlet blood drips from it. He wipes the blade on a nearby bush and sheathes it before examining his arms. THERAKH looks him over.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Was this… your first kill?</p> <p><em>(Short silence.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Yes.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Ah. I’m sorry.</p> <p><em>(She raises a hand, as if to put it on his shoulder, but he pulls away.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>We should get going. Before others come looking for it.</p> <p><em>(He walks quickly, exiting from stage right. THERAKH quickly follows.)</em></p> <h1 id="toc11"><span><strong>ACT 2, SCENE 4</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> THERAKH and SAVION are camping in the underground wilderness, clearly in a different location. SAVION is asleep while THERAKH keeps watch.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> THERAKH sings to herself softly.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>What was that I saw there? That flash of power?<br/> For just a moment I could have sworn,<br/> That the gentle spirit I’ve come to known,<br/> Had hardened into something awful.</p> <p>War twists and bends us all like metal,<br/> This I have known since the very start,<br/> But now it forges something in his heart,<br/> And I am afraid.</p> <p><em>(Therakh lies down to rest. SAVION rises to keep his own watch. He examines his body.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>What was that I felt there? That burst of strength?<br/> I had never felt anything like it before,<br/> Could it be that these bloody months of war,<br/> Have finally forged me into something greater?</p> <p>Am I finally becoming a soldier?<br/> At last, someone I can be proud of?<br/> Or was it a gift from the stars above,<br/> Guiding me to them?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Oh, to see the starry sky again…</p> <p><em>(He closes his eyes sleepily. His ears grow slightly, perking up. Red flowers bloom around his feet. He does not notice.)</em></p> <h1 id="toc12"><span><strong>ACT 2, SCENE 5</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> A lunar cavern nearly identical to previous scenes.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> SAVION and THERAKH enter from stage left. Smoke slowly creeps into the stage from stage right.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>What? No! The wood’s just armor. Beneath it they bleed like anyone else.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>What about the arms then? <em>Those</em> don’t bleed at all! It’s as if they were a tree branch.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Just extensions. Like… I don’t know, pauldrons or capes. Only more useful.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Yes, but–- wait. I smell something.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Huh? I don't—</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Fire. The army’s here, we’ve made it!</p> <p><em>(SAVION breaks into a sprint, charging out of stage right. THERAKH follows him. Spotlights transition to bright orange as illusory flames appear onstage, engulfing the foliage.)</em></p> <p><em>(Intense music begins to play. From stage left enter a number of YEREN SOLDIERS led by a familiar FAE CAPTAIN, zir armor dented and damaged. The group is engaged in brutal combat with an equal number of ADANEI WARRIORS.)</em></p> <p><em>(Fighting continues with both sides sustaining heavy losses. Eventually, only the CAPTAIN and two ADANEI are left standing. Ze is backed into a corner as the two advance, sharpened limbs poised to strike. Zir stance is unstable, holding zir sword with shaking hands. Blood drips from zir forehead.)</em></p> <p><em>(SAVION enters running from stage left. His body grows more muscular as he draws his blade and drives it into the back of one of the ADANEI. Flowers bloom beneath him.)</em></p> <p><em>(The second WARRIOR twists around to face SAVION as THERAKH enters the stage as well. She runs in to help him, but he wins the duel just as she reaches him. The FAE CAPTAIN looks at them in surprise, still gripping zir weapon.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE CAPTAIN</strong></p> <p>Well, well, well, if it isn’t the deserters. You know the penalty for treason is death.</p> <p><em>(SAVION rips his sword out of the dead ADANEI and sheathes it.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>You are in no position to punish us now, worm.</p> <p><em>(Yellow sparks dance across her fingertips.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>In fact, I think I’ll be the one carrying out the sen–-</p> <p><em>(THERAKH yelps as SAVION shoves her to the side violently, falling to the floor. SAVION kneels before his CAPTAIN.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Please, we are not deserters. We were separated during the fiends’ attack, and have been attempting to rejoin with the rest of the army ever since. Please pardon us, Captain.</p> <p><em>(The CAPTAIN’s eyes widen in surprise before zir face twists in a smile. Ze looks at THERAKH, who’s struggling to rise, still in shock.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE CAPTAIN</strong></p> <p>Very well, I shall forgive this affront, if you will serve. Now kneel.</p> <p><em>(She glances at SAVION, confusion and betrayal evident on her face. For a moment her whole body is tense, as if preparing to attack. The she relaxes her muscles, breathes deeply and bends the knee.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE CAPTAIN</strong></p> <p>And it’s General now. You’d do well to remember that.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc13"><span><strong>END OF ACT 2</strong></span></h1> </div> <h1 id="toc14"><span><strong>ACT 3, SCENE 1</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> An underground military encampment. The floor is covered in ash and the surrounding flora is burnt to a crisp. On the right side of the stage is a tent larger than the others, its fourth wall absent for the audience. Inside this command tent is a small table, around which sit the FAE GENERAL, a FAE CAPTAIN and a FAE COLONEL.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> SAVION enters from stage left. He sits on the ground a few meters away from the command tent, as if to rest. His ears visibly elongate as the FAE begin to speak.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE GENERAL</strong></p> <p>Well?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE CAPTAIN</strong></p> <p>We’re making progress, General, but the soldiers are exhausted and so are we. It doesn’t help that we’re forced to burn every source of food we come across–-</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE GENERAL</strong></p> <p>Might I remind you they are slaves, Captain? Keep the food for yourselves. Our Queen demands results, and she’s seen precious little of that in the last few weeks.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE COLONEL</strong></p> <p>At this rate, she’ll have nothing to rule over but a charred husk, General! Surely we can’t be expected to–-</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE GENERAL</strong></p> <p>You are <em>expected</em> to follow the Queen’s orders. If that is her wish, so it shall be. Have there been any news from deeper below? Terms from the monsters, perhaps?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE CAPTAIN</strong></p> <p>None, I’m afraid. They’re stubborn creatures.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE COLONEL</strong></p> <p>They’re fighting for their lives while our soldiers are fighting for a Queen who barely knows they exist!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE GENERAL</strong></p> <p>Watch your tongue.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE COLONEL</strong></p> <p>With all due respect General, troop morale is in the dirt for a reason. We can’t win a war like this.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE GENERAL</strong></p> <p>And what do you propose, exactly? Because to me, it sounds like you’re spreading propaganda for the enemy.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE COLONEL</strong></p> <p>Take my head if you’d like, but that won’t change a thing. We must either hunker down for a war of attrition or find a way to destroy their chain of command. Otherwise, we’re all as good as dead.</p> <p><em>(The FAE stop talking. The spotlights shift to SAVION, drenching the command tent in darkness. THERAKH enters from stage left and walks up to him.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>What are you doing?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Listening.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>To what?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>To our leaders. If they will not share the state of the war with us, then I must learn the truth myself.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>What are you talking about, how can you–-</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Shhhh!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Savion, please. Just talk to me. You haven’t been acting like yourself.</p> <p><em>(He does not reply. The CAPTAIN and the COLONEL leave the war tent and walk past them, exiting from stage left.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Like myself? People change, Therakh. I’m a soldier now, like you! I thought you would understand.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>It’s not that, I’m glad you’ve gotten good with a sword, it’s just… I don’t even understand <em>how</em>, and you’ve grown so cold–-</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>How? I’ve been given a gift.</p> <p><em>(His body bulks up and he stands to his full height. THERAKH instinctively stands up as well. He is slightly taller than her now.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Control over my own body, and my own destiny.</p> <p><em>(A seedling pushes out of the ash next to SAVION’s foot. He crouches down and caresses it, watching as it grows faster in response. It blooms with red.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Now, I’m going to make myself into someone who matters.</p> <p><em>(He turns away and enters the command tent, disappearing in the dark. THERAKH buries her face in her hands.)</em></p> <h1 id="toc15"><span><strong>ACT 3, SCENE 2</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> An underground military encampment. Wounded YEREN SOLDIERS huddle together around small campfires. On the left side of the stage, a tent has been erected around a large tree. The wall facing the audience is absent, revealing an ADANEI PRISONER chained to the tree. The wood that covers their skin is split and cut in several places, and they have only one pair of arms.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> SAVION enters from stage right, moving quickly through the camp. He stops at the entrance to the tent, where a YEREN GUARD stands.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>YEREN GUARD</strong></p> <p>Halt!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I’ve permission from the General.</p> <p><em>(He shows the guard a piece of parchment. The GUARD nods, and he steps inside. The rest of the stage goes dark as the spotlights focus on the prisoner tent.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I heard you were being uncooperative.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>PRISONER</strong></p> <p>Do your worst. We will not yield.</p> <p><em>(SAVION reaches out and grips their chest, nails digging into the wood. The spotlights turn a bright green, and music begins to play.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Listen close now and listen hard,<br/> I can warp your body like I can my own,<br/> Tell me where your leaders are,<br/> Or I’ll show you pain you’ve never known.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>PRISONER</strong></p> <p>Your rage betrays your own weakness,<br/> I’ve seen friends die by your flames,<br/> And even facing such bleakness,<br/> Our garden will grow again.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I will break you!</p> <p><em>(The PRISONER screams as the wood tears and sloughs off their body, revealing a slim figure beneath with pale green skin. SAVION’s fingers draw bright red blood as they sink deeper into their chest. Music intensifies as a giant, illusory tree manifests at the center of the stage, pulsing with green light.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>AGH! My eyes! My mind!<br/> What <em>is</em> this?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>PRISONER</strong></p> <p>You are running out of time,<br/> Bear witness.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Everything… it's all connected,<br/> It's the heart.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>PRISONER</strong></p> <p>Yes, it has kept us protected,<br/> From the start.</p> <p><em>(Music dies down as SAVION lets go of the ADANEI PRISONER and stumbles backwards, clutching his head and groaning in pain. The illusion fades from the stage. The PRISONER coughs blood.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I'm part of it now too, aren't I?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>PRISONER</strong></p> <p>Yes, though I know not why,</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I can see it now, in my mind's eye,</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>PRISONER</strong></p> <p>I've given you it all, please let me die,</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Right at the center, so far below,<br/> I'll rip it out and return a hero!</p> <p><em>(SAVION leaves the tent, the spotlights following him outside. The FAE GENERAL stands at the center of the stage, dismissing an officer as ze sees SAVION.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE GENERAL</strong></p> <p>Well?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>It broke. Told me exactly where we need to strike. This war will be over in a week.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE GENERAL</strong></p> <p>Excellent. I will be expecting you at the command tent at first light. I’m promoting you to Lieutenant.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>You honor me, General.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE GENERAL</strong></p> <p>You’ve proven yourself efficient. I want you leading the vanguard. High Command must stay behind lines for now; coordinating troop movements throughout hundreds of tunnels is no easy task, I'm afraid.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Of course.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FAE GENERAL</strong></p> <p>Good hunting, Lieutenant. You are dismissed.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Yes, General.</p> <p><em>(SAVION salutes and exits through stage right. The FAE GENERAL exits through stage left.)</em></p> <h1 id="toc16"><span><strong>ACT 3, SCENE 3</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> A military encampment in a lunar cavern. YEREN SOLDIERS mill about, dismantling tents and sparring with one another. Mab’s forces are mobilizing.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> SAVION enters from stage right, directing the SOLDIERS in various tasks. THERAKH enters from stage left and approaches him.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>So, Lieutenant, huh?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I am your superior officer and you will address me as such.</p> <p><em>(There is a short pause.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Yes, Lieutenant. May I ask a question?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Speak freely.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Are you behind the screams I heard last night?</p> <p><em>(SAVION does not respond.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Did you torture him, Savion?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I know it must be difficult for you to accept this, Therakh, but I am no longer the frightened weakling you took into your care.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>This isn’t about that! Did you or did you not?!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>It was the only way.</p> <p><em>(THERAKH grabs him by the shoulders.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>The only way for what?!</p> <p><em>(He jerks away and kicks her in the stomach. She staggers back, but holds her ground.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Don’t touch me!</p> <p><em>(THERAKH meets his gaze, pain blossoming in her eyes.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Why?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I could have your head for that, you know.</p> <p><em>(Her expression turns from sadness to anger. She spits at his feet.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Be my guest.</p> <p><em>(She turns away and leaves, exiting through stage left. SAVION walks slowly towards stage right, muttering to himself.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>You don’t need her. You don’t need her anymore. You’re <em>strong</em> now! You don’t! We have to win. We have to go home. She’ll understand. Yes, she will. When all is said and done she’ll see it. She has to.</p> <p><em>(He exits through stage right.)</em></p> <h1 id="toc17"><span><strong>ACT 3, SCENE 4</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> A lunar cavern, burnt to a crisp. A thick layer of ash covers the floor. In the center of the stage is a tall pile of corpses, Adanei and Yeren alike. More bodies litter the stage. A group of YEREN SOLDIERS, THERAKH among them, is currently at work adding them to the pile.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> SAVION enters from stage right, dragging the bodies of two large Adanei soldiers. His fur is stained with blood. He hurls them at the pile with force.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Burn them when you're done. The wood makes for excellent kindling.</p> <p><em>(He exits through stage right. The SOLDIERS continue their work for a moment, before one of them comes up to THERAKH.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>YEREN SOLDIER</strong></p> <p>Hey, you're Therakh right? From the fifth?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Yes. Are you–-</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>YEREN SOLDIER</strong></p> <p>Vareden. You saved my life, up on the surface a few months ago.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Oh! Right. It was nothing. Just duty.</p> <p><em>(THERAKH sits on a rock to rest. VAREDEN joins her.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>VAREDEN</strong></p> <p>Duty? You don’t seem like the type.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Ha, not that type of duty. I couldn't care less about this pointless campaign.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>VAREDEN</strong></p> <p>They say we're close to victory. Close to going home.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>As if that matters. We're slaves either way, here or there.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>VAREDEN</strong></p> <p>You never know what the future holds.</p> <p><em>(THERAKH doesn’t respond for a moment.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>I can't believe I gave it all up. My one chance to be free… of all of this.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>VAREDEN</strong></p> <p>Gave up for what?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Love.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>VAREDEN</strong></p> <p>That sounds like a worthy goal.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>I thought so too, at the time. It… didn’t work out. It was foolish.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>VAREDEN</strong></p> <p>I don’t think it’s foolish to pursue your dreams.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>And what if that dream turns into a nightmare?</p> <p><em>(VAREDEN doesn’t respond. The two watch in silence as the YEREN SOLDIERS pile up the rest of the bodies. One of them attempts to light a fire with flint and steel, but the sparks don’t catch.)</em></p> <p><em>(After a few moments, THERAKH stands up and walks over to them, glancing over her shoulder.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>He lied. There’s too much blood for the wood to catch. Here.</p> <p><em>(She reaches out her palm. Golden flames leap from her fingers, engulfing the nearest corpse. Slowly, they begin to spread to the others. THERAKH sits back down.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Won’t be long before we’ll be the ones burning.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>VAREDEN</strong></p> <p>Like I said, you never know what tomorrow will bring. We’ll make it out alive.</p> <p><em>(Soft, somber music begins to play. THERAKH sings slowly.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,<br/> Burned it all, thought I could trust,<br/> This world is cruel and nothing is just,<br/> It’s hard to go on but I know that I must.</p> <h1 id="toc18"><span><strong>ACT 3, SCENE 5</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> A lunar cavern. Thick, dark smoke curls from the sides of the stage.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> SAVION enters from stage left, followed by a large contingent of YEREN SOLDIERS, among them THERAKH and VAREDEN. SAVION addresses his troops.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Soldiers! The final hour is at hand. I have carefully selected each and every one of you to lead the assault. We are the vanguard that shall break through their last line of defense, a force that shall crush any barricade the wooden demons can raise. Up ahead is the World Tree, the beating heart that grants these beasts their power. Today, we set it aflame. Tomorrow, we return home with honor and glory.</p> <p><em>(He draws his sword, lifting it up high. The SOLDIERS remain silent, their faces hard.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>For the Queen! Charge!</p> <p><em>(The contingent charges across the stage, exiting through stage right. The sound of crackling flames intensifies and smoke billows from the floor, covering the stage as the set transitions to the next scene.)</em></p> <h1 id="toc19"><span><strong>ACT 3, SCENE 6</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> A lunar battlefield. A wooden barricade covered in thorns stands at the center, behind which stand ADANEI WARRIORS, wooden limbs long and sharp like spears. More WARRIORS stand on tall trees, some gripping plant bombs while others ready bows fashioned from their own bodies. They are all staring dead ahead at the left side of the stage.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> SAVION’s contingent comes charging in through stage left. He screams a command.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Forward! Break them!</p> <p><em>(A hail of projectiles comes raining down on the YEREN SOLDIERS. Sharpened wooden arrows pierce their armor and impale their flesh, while the bombs spray poisoned thorns in all directions. Half of the group falls before THERAKH raises a barrier of golden energy with a roar.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Go go go!</p> <p><em>(She stands with her arms raised high, clearly struggling to hold the shield as the bombardment continues. SAVION, muscles rippling, leaps above the thorny barrier with his blade drawn, instantly beheading an ADANEI behind it. His soldiers follow suit, but many fall to the defenders’ spears before they can cross the threshold.)</em></p> <p><em>(The ADANEI WARRIORS in the trees abandon their posts and jump down as one. THERAKH shouts as her barrier is shattered by their weight, and they lunge at her.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Help!</p> <p><em>(She rolls away, narrowly escaping their arm-blades. They press the attack, outnumbering her five to one. In a panic, she parries, blocks and dodges each of their strikes, rapidly losing ground as she draws towards the wall.)</em></p> <p><em>(One of the ADANEI screeches as a giant battleaxe slams into their back, sending them to the ground. Two of the remaining four turn to face the attacker while the other two remain focused on THERAKH.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>VAREDEN</strong></p> <p>I’ve got you, fight!</p> <p><em>(THERAKH’s eyes burst with light as one of her attackers is flung backward violently. She charges the other, overpowering them while VAREDEN holds off the other two. On the other side of the stage, SAVION’s hulking form tears through the Adanei ranks, throwing their bodies on the barricades.)</em></p> <p><em>(VAREDEN finds an opening and crushes a ADANEI’s head with his axe. The move leaves him open, however, and a spear of dark wood skewers his chest. He groans in pain as THERAKH rushes over to fend off the attacker, sword burning with golden fire. Seeing the flames, they flee, and THERAKH crouches next to VAREDEN.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>No no no, stay with me, stay with me!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>VAREDEN</strong></p> <p>I’m–-I’m fine.</p> <p><em>(She ignores him, hands glowing as they press against the wound.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Come-on-come-on-come-on!</p> <p><em>(The light flickers. VAREDEN gasps, blood flowing from his mouth.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>VAREDEN</strong></p> <p>I’ve paid my debt.</p> <p><em>(His eyes close. A terrible, bestial screech rips through the air, clearly sourced from the right side of the stage. There is a quake, then another and another. Something big is drawing close. On the other side of the barricade, few remain standing. SAVION and a handful of YEREN SOLDIERS freeze at the sound.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Stand your ground! We will not retreat!</p> <p><em>(His troops do not obey, scrambling backwards to where THERAKH is standing. SAVION follows them unwillingly, still facing stage right.)</em></p> <h1 id="toc20"><span><strong>ACT 3, SCENE 7</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> Same as the previous scene. Yeren and Adanei corpses litter the floor. The grass is stained a deep red.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> YEREN REINFORCEMENTS arrive through stage left. SAVION stands at the head of the party, with THERAKH not far behind. The contingency watches in terror as an ADANEI WAR BEAST emerges from stage right. It is a colossal, reptilian-like creature with scales of tree bark. Each of its six legs is twice the size of a Yeren, and large spines rise from its back. A crown of razor-sharp branches adorn its head, upon which four eyes burn with hate. It roars.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Forward! For the Queen!</p> <p><em>(SAVION pours every inch of authority into his voice as he charges forward at the BEAST. To his surprise, his soldiers follow suit.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Spread out! Surround it and attack together! We strike as one!</p> <p><em>(The BEAST leaps forward in a stunning display of speed, crashing into the approaching horde. SOLDIERS are flung into the air, others crushed beneath its feet. THERAKH finds herself beneath its belly as its massive jaws devour a YEREN whole. She grips her sword, sets it aflame once more, and drives it into the underside of the BEAST. It screams and shudders before grabbing THERAKH with a giant claw and raising her to the air. In a moment, she will be slammed into the earth, and die.)</em></p> <p><em>(SAVION's troops are faltering. Only one in every five is still fighting. One is about to be crushed under the BEAST's foot, another frozen in fear as it opens its maw again. SAVION seizes the opportunity and leaps, sword raised high.)</em></p> <p><em>(He crashes into the BEAST’s forehead with force, shattering its crown into splinters. His weapon tears through the thick wooden hide, carving the soft flesh underneath. The WAR BEAST dies with a whimper.)</em></p> <p><em>(THERAKH dies with a scream.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>THERAKH</strong></p> <p>Savion!</p> <h1 id="toc21"><span><strong>ACT 3, SCENE 8</strong></span></h1> <p><strong>SETTING:</strong> The World Tree dominates the stage. Only half of it is visible, the rest seemingly placed backstage. SAVION stands before it, sword in hand. He is covered in blood, and his body is the same as it was when he first arrived on this world, short and scrawny. He is alone.</p> <p><strong>AT RISE:</strong> The World Tree’s bark shifts, molding itself into a roughly humanoid shape that detaches itself from the trunk. This SPIRIT looks at SAVION with glowing green eyes.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>You’re it, right? The heart?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WORLD SPIRIT</strong></p> <p>You know what I am. I showed you.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I’ve come to kill you.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WORLD SPIRIT</strong></p> <p>I know. You believe it will set you free. I cannot stop you. I have done everything I could, and I have failed.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Then why… why did you choose me? Why give me the power to destroy you?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WORLD SPIRIT</strong></p> <p>You were not chosen.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>Wh—What?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WORLD SPIRIT</strong></p> <p>An accident. When my child drove their claws into your flesh the day you were ambushed, they poured a part of them into you. A part of them that pulsed with power. The part of them that was me. The part of me that’s in all of them.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>But–-but the vision! You showed me the way to you! You brought me here!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WORLD SPIRIT</strong></p> <p>I tried to make you see! But you were blind and a fool. You saw only what you wanted to, what fit your own fantasies of heroism and glory.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>See what, then?! What was I supposed to see?!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WORLD SPIRIT</strong></p> <p>That I <em>am</em> this world. That every leaf, petal, branch and blade of grass is part of me, and that my roots run the whole world over. That what you in your arrogance call victory will end everything.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>No.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WORLD SPIRIT</strong></p> <p>To kill me is to kill this world. It will collapse in on itself and crumble to dust. And you will die.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>No!</p> <p><em>(SAVION falls to his knees, leaning on his sword as it sinks in the earth. He weeps.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>You lie!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WORLD SPIRIT</strong></p> <p>You know I do not.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>I sacrificed <em>everything</em> for this. My freedom, my honor, even <em>her</em>! This can’t be the end. No, this is a trick, some last-ditch effort to save yourself. And it won’t work.</p> <p><em>(He stands up shakily and stumbles forward, gripping his weapon with both hands.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WORLD SPIRIT</strong></p> <p>You do not believe that.</p> <p><em>(SAVION is inches away from the SPIRIT now. He raises the blade at its chest.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAVION</strong></p> <p>It doesn’t matter, does it?</p> <p><em>(The SPIRIT simply looks him in the eyes. He stabs its heart. The world shakes.)</em></p> <p><em>(The stage is plunged into darkness. When the spotlights turn on again, it is empty, apart from a thin sheet of dust that lingers in the air, slowly drifting down to the floor. The NARRATOR enters from stage left and addresses the crowd.)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>NARRATOR</strong></p> <p>And so, that charred husk of a world finally broke, returning to stardust. It is said that pieces of its spirit fell down to the Earth, sowing it with the seeds of a power that would be used to topple an empire. But the history of biomancy is a story for another time.</p> <p>Some say that Savion is still alive, still stalking the stars in search of those he called monsters. They claim that the eons had driven him mad, that he heralds himself as a Champion of an empire which has laid dead for millennia.</p> <p>I, for one, hope he found rest.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc22"><span><strong>END OF ACT 3</strong></span></h1> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/queen-mab-vs-the-moon-monsters">Queen Mab vs. The Moon Monsters, the Musical</a>" by UNCGriffin, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/queen-mab-vs-the-moon-monsters">https://scpwiki.com/queen-mab-vs-the-moon-monsters</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] ===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= A tragedy in three acts. ]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:foxtrot">:scp-wiki:theme:foxtrot</a> poland=a]] [[div style="border:solid 1px #999999; background:#f2f2c2; padding:5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"]] [[=]] ++++ NOTICE FROM THE FOUNDATION RECORDS AND INFORMATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION The following document was shared as part of an information exchange with the Sidhe Lounge in Esterberg, and depicts a heavily dramaticised version of the Fae myth. As such, the veracity of the accounts detailed within cannot be confirmed, and their relation to [[[scp-1233\| SCP-1233]]] is pending investigation. To take it as fact would be comparable to treating Homer's Odyssey as an accurate historical account. -- James Moore, Site-120's General RAISA Chairman [[/=]] [[/div]] + ACT 1, SCENE 1 SETTING: Empty stage. An illusory Earth the size of a car floats two meters off the ground, a faint emerald glow surrounding it. The Moon is visible in its orbit. AT RISE: NARRATOR climbs aboard the stage, standing on the leftmost side. They face the crowd. = NARRATOR In the reign of Queen Mab, legends were no different than reality. She dominated the world when every crevice brimmed with magic, when monsters and heroes clashed in the stars for all to see. Many a tale has been spun about this era; the tragedy of the Scarlet Fool, the slaying of the Inventor, and countless others told again and again until they are almost fact. Tonight, we bring you a tale seldom told… //(A second moon rises behind the Earth, moving in a larger orbit than the first. It is clearly covered in lush greenery and vast lakes.)// = NARRATOR Once, there were two moons in the sky. One was the white and barren wasteland we all know, but the other was almost a reflection of our own world. Queen Mab had coveted it ever since she first glimpsed it in the sky, that pearl of brilliant turquoise shining amidst the swirling stars. And when she had taken all that she could from Gaia, she knew it was finally time for her empire to take to the skies. First, she sent an envoy to its people, the Adanei. A demand for tribute, an establishment of relations. She had never even seen the moon dwellers, but had played the game so many times that her moves came as naturally as breathing. Soon she would increase the demands under threat of war, sucking their little world dry until she could break them without effort. //(QUEEN MAB enters the stage from the right, wearing an exquisite white dress that trails behind her on the floor. A MESSENGER bursts into the stage from the left, out of breath.)// = MESSENGER My Queen! The Adanei have refused to deliver tribute. They say they'll "never bow down before a tyrant." //(Pure rage explodes on MAB’s face for an instant before she composes herself.)// = MAB Call my generals. We’ve got a world to burn. + ACT 1, SCENE 2 SETTING: An apportation circle encompasses the floor, and unintelligible orders can be heard in the background, blending into the orchestra. A battalion of YEREN SLAVE-SOLDIERS stand in formation. One is notably missing. AT RISE: SAVION, a lean Yeren whose armor is clearly one size too big, rushes from the left of the stage to take his place in the circle. A FAE CAPTAIN in an ornate silver breastplate enters from the right. Spotlights turn on SAVION, and he addresses the audience as all actors freeze. = SAVION I am nought but a household slave, Cruelly dragged into Queen Mab’s war! I do not know how to be brave, What are we even fighting for? //(Spotlights rescind. The FAE CAPTAIN shouts harsh commands. The music crescendos.)// = FAE CAPTAIN Give your souls and blood for our queen, Take the fight to the lunar fiends! Light your torches and draw your blades, Break their bodies and burn their glades! //(The apportation circle ignites and white light bathes the stage. As it dies down, the soldiers are gone, and the FAE CAPTAIN leaves the stage.)// + ACT 1, SCENE 3 SETTING: A lunar grove, burned to a crisp. Charred skeletons of once proud trees surround a group of YEREN SOLDIERS as they take cover from a barrage of plant-bombs. Where they land, thorns spray out, felling a quarter of the squadron while the rest press themselves to the forest floor. SAVION is among them. The air is thick with smoke, and the crackling of flames can be heard from every direction. AT RISE: THERAKH, a well-built Yeren warrior in platemail leaps through the trees, just as another plant-bomb is lobbed at the group. She lands next to the soldiers with her hands raised, and a yellow barrier blinks into existence around them, deflecting the attack. They look at her in awe. = THERAKH Are you alright? = SAVION You--you can do magic? Our Captain could have you executed! = THERAKH Better not tell zir, then! Can you people move? = YEREN SOLDIER Yes, but the bastards have us pinned. All this fire, and we’re still being bombarded every minute. = SAVION If you can keep that barrier up, we might have a shot. What’s your name? = THERAKH Therakh, fifth battalion. You? = SAVION Savion. Thank you for saving all of our lives, Therakh. //(THERAKH helps the soldiers stand.)// = THERAKH You can lift a sword with those arms? = SAVION Hey! = THERAKH I’m simply surprised they conscripted you. Anyhow, pardon the phrasing but we’re not out of the woods yet. Come on, let’s move! //The soldiers move through the burnt forest, THERAKH’s barrier flashing intermittently as they are attacked.// + ACT 1, SCENE 4 SETTING: SAVION and THERAKH are sitting around a campfire, joined by a few YEREN SOLDIERS. They are eating field rations, surrounded by war tents. The ground is covered in a thin layer of ash. AT RISE: The SOLDIERS begin to sing. Orchestra begins to play. = YEREN SOLDIER Ripped away from home And thrown into the sky! Tonight we’re still alive Tomorrow we might die! = SAVION Everything’s aflame The flowers and the trees Screams and smoke and ash Drift along the breeze = THERAKH My comrades in arms, Pierced by blades of bark, Only I remained, Left them in the dark. //(Music enters a bridge.)// = SAVION Oh--I didn't know. I'm sorry. = THERAKH Don’t be. = YEREN SOLDIER Sent to fight a war, As an afterthought, Be thankful you still breathe, ‘Cause tomorrow you might not. = SAVION Oh let there be peace, So we might come back home, I can’t bear this for long, Fearful and alone. = THERAKH On the battlefield, You’re never on your own, We’ll make it out alive, And spit at Queen Mab’s throne! = SAVION Careful! You could be hanged for treason-- = THERAKH Eh, Captain’s a while off. Besides, Ze’s got more important things to do than listen in on our every conversation. = SAVION I suppose you're right. So, you’re fighting with us now? = THERAKH Yep. Battalion got axed by the tree monsters, never saw ‘em coming. They’re merging what’s left with you folks to replace the twelfth company. = SAVION I’m glad. That you’re with us, of course, not about... what happened. = THERAKH I know, you’d have been dead in a few days otherwise. = SAVION Hey, I can handle myself! = THERAKH Sure you can. + ACT 1, SCENE 5 SETTING: Empty stage. An illusory moon hovers above the ground. It is burning. AT RISE: NARRATOR enters the stage. = NARRATOR In just a few weeks, the verdant moon became a wasteland of blackened earth, its forests razed to the ground by Mab’s fury. Victory seemed just over the horizon. But no surrender came. No white flags or treaties or pleas for a ceasefire. Then the reports began pouring in. Encampments assaulted at night, the attackers seemingly coming from nowhere. Missing supplies and equipment, gone as if the earth swallowed them whole. Organic mines, poisonous thorns that rose from the dirt to eviscerate soldiers and generals alike. Requests for reinforcements were approved, but came with a royal warning. If they would not be able to bring the Adanei to heel, they would face the wrath of the Undoer herself. + ACT 1, SCENE 6 SETTING: A military encampment, the tents identical to those in SCENE 4. The ground is covered in a fine sheet of ash and dust. AT RISE: The stage begins to shake, as if during an earthquake. THERAKH and SAVION burst into the stage from the right alongside a group of YEREN SOLDIERS. = SAVION What–-what is this? What’s happening? = THERAKH We need to get to cover–- = SAVION What cover?! Everything is–- //(SAVION stumbles and falls to the ground. THERAKH stops running and rushes to his side. The YEREN SOLDIERS continue on, exiting from stage left.)// = THERAKH Come on! It’s not safe here! //(She begins to help him up, but the quake suddenly grows in strength and both of them lose their footing, falling prone. They shout in surprise and cover their heads as dust rains on the stage from above.)// //(Several large boulders drop on stage, flattening the war tents. The ash on the ground disappears as plants begin to grow rapidly. Soon, the Yeren pair is surrounded by foliage on all sides. Gnarled trees reach to the ceiling, bearing fruit that glow brightly in shades of pink and orange. The floor is a bed of moss, flowers and tall grass, turquoise in color. The sun is not visible - the hanging fruits are the only source of illumination.)// //(They have been dragged down from hell and into paradise.)// [[=]] + END OF ACT 1 [[/=]] + ACT 2, SCENE 1 SETTING: A lush cavern filled with dense foliage, see ACT 1 SCENE 7. AT RISE: THERAKH and SAVION stand up, dusting themselves off, and begin to explore the cave. = SAVION Did we… fall? Are we beneath the camp? = THERAKH Looks like it. This must be where they’ve been attacking us from. Stars above, it’s beautiful. To think, this is what we’ve destroyed… = SAVION Yes. It’s untouched. We should see where this tunnel leads. //(THERAKH picks a round, pink fruit from a tree. Its glow diminishes as she takes a bite.)// = SAVION Wait! What if they’re–- = THERAKH Absolutely delicious? = SAVION //(Sighs)// Nevermind. //(THERAKH begins to laugh.)// = THERAKH Oh I can’t believe this! We’re free! Finally free! //(Music begins, upbeat and jovial.)// = THERAKH I never expected for it to be like this, But this is an opportunity I just can’t miss! Liberty handed to me on a platter, No orders to follow, no masters to flatter! Because we’re free, finally free! As free as we could ever be! Free, utterly free! From abject pain and misery, From brutal, toiling slavery, Free, totally free! //(As she sings, THERAKH dances in the glade, cupping water that flows from a small stream in the rocky wall. Ribbons of yellow light linger in the air behind her. She drinks and turns to SAVION.)// = THERAKH Savion? What’s wrong? Don’t you see? We could stay here together, you and me! //(Music slows, growing more somber.)// = SAVION No, I’m sorry, I simply can’t, Live amongst these alien plants, This isn’t my home, we’re trapped underground, And it will not be long until we are found, By Luna or Mab, by wood or by steel, We’ll be chained again and forced to kneel, This isn’t Eden, nor is this hell, It’s just another prison cell! //(Music grows faster and more intense. THERAKH and SAVION sing simultaneously.)// = THERAKH I won’t have to hide my magic no more, Dying in someone else’s war, = SAVION Staying here, it’s just not right, I miss the warmth of true sunlight, = THERAKH If we were just to work together, We could survive here forever, = SAVION The wind flowing through my hair, My lungs filling with fresh air, //(Music reaches a crescendo. SAVION sings alone.)// = SAVION No! I’m certain, without a doubt, I have to find my own way out, Out of this prison, this false paradise, Through fire and blood, I know I might die, For this last chance to see blue skies, But that is freedom, and it will suffice. //(Music ends.)// = THERAKH So that’s it? You’ve made up your mind? = SAVION Yes. This is goodbye. = THERAKH No! I’ll come with you. = SAVION You don’t have to. = THERAKH I… = SAVION What? = THERAKH I don’t want to be left alone. Not again. = SAVION Oh. = THERAKH Plus, you–- //neither// of us will survive out here on our own. Best to go together. //(SAVION nods, and the two exit from stage right.)// + ACT 2, SCENE 2 SETTING: Same as previous scene. AT RISE: SAVION and THERAKH enter from stage left. They walk slowly in a circular path around the stage. The flora gradually changes as they walk, to imitate travel through the tunnels. = THERAKH So, what’s the plan? You’re the leader now. = SAVION I was hoping this tunnel would lead us upwards, but it looks like this is not the case. = THERAKH Well, we never did find any entrances up above… = SAVION True. But no one had fallen below before we did, either. = THERAKH What now, then? = SAVION I–-I’m not sure. We can’t be the only ones to have been swallowed by the earth. Surely we’ll find someone from the army eventually. = THERAKH More likely we’ll find eviscerated corpses. = SAVION It’s the only chance we have. = THERAKH Hmph. //(The two pause next to a small stream, filling their waterskins and cleaning their fur. SAVION takes out a small sack and eats a handful of glowing berries.)// = SAVION We should stop and make camp, I think. We’ve been walking for hours. = THERAKH And still no-one in sight. How do the moon monsters even navigate this place? = SAVION I wish I knew. Stars willing, we’ll have more luck tomorrow. I'll take first watch? = THERAKH Sure, I could use the rest. Be careful. And wake me up if anything's wrong. //(THERAKH lies down to sleep while SAVION sits down, leaning against a tree trunk. Spotlights dim, shrouding the stage in darkness.)// + ACT 2, SCENE 3 SETTING: Same as previous scene. Spotlights bathe the stage in dim red light. THERAKH is still sleeping. AT RISE: An ADANEI WARRIOR enters slowly from stage left. They are a tall, humanoid being seemingly made of wood, with four arms and a crown of branches extending like antlers from their head. SAVION appears not to notice them as they creep on the pair. //(SAVION yawns. The ADANEI leaps forwards, thick, thorned vines sprouting from their arms. SAVION jumps to his feet and attempts to draw his sword, but isn’t quick enough. The ADANEI grabs him by the neck while the vines ensnare his arms and legs, drawing blood. The creature whispers.)// = ADANEI One word and I’ll snap your neck, invader. //(SAVION grits his teeth. His body becomes more muscular, though he does not notice this. The ADANEI leans in.)// = ADANEI Now, I’m going to ask you some questions. Blink once for yes, two for–- //(SAVION slams his forehead into the ADANEI’s face, staggering them. His arm breaks free of the vines and he draws his blade, slashing desperately in a wide arc. The ADANEI leaps back, but their arm is caught in the strike and falls to the ground. SAVION is almost as large as THERAKH now, and he charges his foe.)// = SAVION RAAAAAAAAAGH! //(The ADANEI brings their arms up to defend, but the Yeren’s blade cuts through them with ease. THERAKH wakes up and leaps to her feet, drawing her own weapon, but finds that SAVION has already pierced the attacker’s chest with his sword. His newfound strength deflates as she rushes over, hands glowing with yellow light.)// = THERAKH By the–- Are you alright? //(SAVION is out of breath.)// = SAVION Yes, I’m… I’m fine. I killed it. //(He draws his sword out of the arboreal corpse. Scarlet blood drips from it. He wipes the blade on a nearby bush and sheathes it before examining his arms. THERAKH looks him over.)// = THERAKH Was this… your first kill? //(Short silence.)// = SAVION Yes. = THERAKH Ah. I’m sorry. //(She raises a hand, as if to put it on his shoulder, but he pulls away.)// = SAVION We should get going. Before others come looking for it. //(He walks quickly, exiting from stage right. THERAKH quickly follows.)// + ACT 2, SCENE 4 SETTING: THERAKH and SAVION are camping in the underground wilderness, clearly in a different location. SAVION is asleep while THERAKH keeps watch. AT RISE: THERAKH sings to herself softly. = THERAKH What was that I saw there? That flash of power? For just a moment I could have sworn, That the gentle spirit I’ve come to known, Had hardened into something awful. War twists and bends us all like metal, This I have known since the very start, But now it forges something in his heart, And I am afraid. //(Therakh lies down to rest. SAVION rises to keep his own watch. He examines his body.)// = SAVION What was that I felt there? That burst of strength? I had never felt anything like it before, Could it be that these bloody months of war, Have finally forged me into something greater? Am I finally becoming a soldier? At last, someone I can be proud of? Or was it a gift from the stars above, Guiding me to them? = SAVION Oh, to see the starry sky again… //(He closes his eyes sleepily. His ears grow slightly, perking up. Red flowers bloom around his feet. He does not notice.)// + ACT 2, SCENE 5 SETTING: A lunar cavern nearly identical to previous scenes. AT RISE: SAVION and THERAKH enter from stage left. Smoke slowly creeps into the stage from stage right. = THERAKH What? No! The wood’s just armor. Beneath it they bleed like anyone else. = SAVION What about the arms then? //Those// don’t bleed at all! It’s as if they were a tree branch. = THERAKH Just extensions. Like… I don’t know, pauldrons or capes. Only more useful. = SAVION Yes, but–- wait. I smell something. = THERAKH Huh? I don't-- = SAVION Fire. The army’s here, we’ve made it! //(SAVION breaks into a sprint, charging out of stage right. THERAKH follows him. Spotlights transition to bright orange as illusory flames appear onstage, engulfing the foliage.)// //(Intense music begins to play. From stage left enter a number of YEREN SOLDIERS led by a familiar FAE CAPTAIN, zir armor dented and damaged. The group is engaged in brutal combat with an equal number of ADANEI WARRIORS.)// //(Fighting continues with both sides sustaining heavy losses. Eventually, only the CAPTAIN and two ADANEI are left standing. Ze is backed into a corner as the two advance, sharpened limbs poised to strike. Zir stance is unstable, holding zir sword with shaking hands. Blood drips from zir forehead.)// //(SAVION enters running from stage left. His body grows more muscular as he draws his blade and drives it into the back of one of the ADANEI. Flowers bloom beneath him.)// //(The second WARRIOR twists around to face SAVION as THERAKH enters the stage as well. She runs in to help him, but he wins the duel just as she reaches him. The FAE CAPTAIN looks at them in surprise, still gripping zir weapon.)// = FAE CAPTAIN Well, well, well, if it isn’t the deserters. You know the penalty for treason is death. //(SAVION rips his sword out of the dead ADANEI and sheathes it.)// = THERAKH You are in no position to punish us now, worm. //(Yellow sparks dance across her fingertips.)// = THERAKH In fact, I think I’ll be the one carrying out the sen–- //(THERAKH yelps as SAVION shoves her to the side violently, falling to the floor. SAVION kneels before his CAPTAIN.)// = SAVION Please, we are not deserters. We were separated during the fiends’ attack, and have been attempting to rejoin with the rest of the army ever since. Please pardon us, Captain. //(The CAPTAIN’s eyes widen in surprise before zir face twists in a smile. Ze looks at THERAKH, who’s struggling to rise, still in shock.)// = FAE CAPTAIN Very well, I shall forgive this affront, if you will serve. Now kneel. //(She glances at SAVION, confusion and betrayal evident on her face. For a moment her whole body is tense, as if preparing to attack. The she relaxes her muscles, breathes deeply and bends the knee.)// = FAE CAPTAIN And it’s General now. You’d do well to remember that. [[=]] + END OF ACT 2 [[/=]] + ACT 3, SCENE 1 SETTING: An underground military encampment. The floor is covered in ash and the surrounding flora is burnt to a crisp. On the right side of the stage is a tent larger than the others, its fourth wall absent for the audience. Inside this command tent is a small table, around which sit the FAE GENERAL, a FAE CAPTAIN and a FAE COLONEL. AT RISE: SAVION enters from stage left. He sits on the ground a few meters away from the command tent, as if to rest. His ears visibly elongate as the FAE begin to speak. = FAE GENERAL Well? = FAE CAPTAIN We’re making progress, General, but the soldiers are exhausted and so are we. It doesn’t help that we’re forced to burn every source of food we come across–- = FAE GENERAL Might I remind you they are slaves, Captain? Keep the food for yourselves. Our Queen demands results, and she’s seen precious little of that in the last few weeks. = FAE COLONEL At this rate, she’ll have nothing to rule over but a charred husk, General! Surely we can’t be expected to–- = FAE GENERAL You are //expected// to follow the Queen’s orders. If that is her wish, so it shall be. Have there been any news from deeper below? Terms from the monsters, perhaps? = FAE CAPTAIN None, I’m afraid. They’re stubborn creatures. = FAE COLONEL They’re fighting for their lives while our soldiers are fighting for a Queen who barely knows they exist! = FAE GENERAL Watch your tongue. = FAE COLONEL With all due respect General, troop morale is in the dirt for a reason. We can’t win a war like this. = FAE GENERAL And what do you propose, exactly? Because to me, it sounds like you’re spreading propaganda for the enemy. = FAE COLONEL Take my head if you’d like, but that won’t change a thing. We must either hunker down for a war of attrition or find a way to destroy their chain of command. Otherwise, we’re all as good as dead. //(The FAE stop talking. The spotlights shift to SAVION, drenching the command tent in darkness. THERAKH enters from stage left and walks up to him.)// = THERAKH What are you doing? = SAVION Listening. = THERAKH To what? = SAVION To our leaders. If they will not share the state of the war with us, then I must learn the truth myself. = THERAKH What are you talking about, how can you–- = SAVION Shhhh! = THERAKH Savion, please. Just talk to me. You haven’t been acting like yourself. //(He does not reply. The CAPTAIN and the COLONEL leave the war tent and walk past them, exiting from stage left.)// = SAVION Like myself? People change, Therakh. I’m a soldier now, like you! I thought you would understand. = THERAKH It’s not that, I’m glad you’ve gotten good with a sword, it’s just… I don’t even understand //how//, and you’ve grown so cold–- = SAVION How? I’ve been given a gift. //(His body bulks up and he stands to his full height. THERAKH instinctively stands up as well. He is slightly taller than her now.)// = SAVION Control over my own body, and my own destiny. //(A seedling pushes out of the ash next to SAVION’s foot. He crouches down and caresses it, watching as it grows faster in response. It blooms with red.)// = SAVION Now, I’m going to make myself into someone who matters. //(He turns away and enters the command tent, disappearing in the dark. THERAKH buries her face in her hands.)// + ACT 3, SCENE 2 SETTING: An underground military encampment. Wounded YEREN SOLDIERS huddle together around small campfires. On the left side of the stage, a tent has been erected around a large tree. The wall facing the audience is absent, revealing an ADANEI PRISONER chained to the tree. The wood that covers their skin is split and cut in several places, and they have only one pair of arms. AT RISE: SAVION enters from stage right, moving quickly through the camp. He stops at the entrance to the tent, where a YEREN GUARD stands. = YEREN GUARD Halt! = SAVION I’ve permission from the General. //(He shows the guard a piece of parchment. The GUARD nods, and he steps inside. The rest of the stage goes dark as the spotlights focus on the prisoner tent.)// = SAVION I heard you were being uncooperative. = PRISONER Do your worst. We will not yield. //(SAVION reaches out and grips their chest, nails digging into the wood. The spotlights turn a bright green, and music begins to play.)// = SAVION Listen close now and listen hard, I can warp your body like I can my own, Tell me where your leaders are, Or I’ll show you pain you’ve never known. = PRISONER Your rage betrays your own weakness, I’ve seen friends die by your flames, And even facing such bleakness, Our garden will grow again. = SAVION I will break you! //(The PRISONER screams as the wood tears and sloughs off their body, revealing a slim figure beneath with pale green skin. SAVION’s fingers draw bright red blood as they sink deeper into their chest. Music intensifies as a giant, illusory tree manifests at the center of the stage, pulsing with green light.)// = SAVION AGH! My eyes! My mind! What //is// this? = PRISONER You are running out of time, Bear witness. = SAVION Everything… it's all connected, It's the heart. = PRISONER Yes, it has kept us protected, From the start. //(Music dies down as SAVION lets go of the ADANEI PRISONER and stumbles backwards, clutching his head and groaning in pain. The illusion fades from the stage. The PRISONER coughs blood.)// = SAVION I'm part of it now too, aren't I? = PRISONER Yes, though I know not why, = SAVION I can see it now, in my mind's eye, = PRISONER I've given you it all, please let me die, = SAVION Right at the center, so far below, I'll rip it out and return a hero! //(SAVION leaves the tent, the spotlights following him outside. The FAE GENERAL stands at the center of the stage, dismissing an officer as ze sees SAVION.)// = FAE GENERAL Well? = SAVION It broke. Told me exactly where we need to strike. This war will be over in a week. = FAE GENERAL Excellent. I will be expecting you at the command tent at first light. I’m promoting you to Lieutenant. = SAVION You honor me, General. = FAE GENERAL You’ve proven yourself efficient. I want you leading the vanguard. High Command must stay behind lines for now; coordinating troop movements throughout hundreds of tunnels is no easy task, I'm afraid. = SAVION Of course. = FAE GENERAL Good hunting, Lieutenant. You are dismissed. = SAVION Yes, General. //(SAVION salutes and exits through stage right. The FAE GENERAL exits through stage left.)// + ACT 3, SCENE 3 SETTING: A military encampment in a lunar cavern. YEREN SOLDIERS mill about, dismantling tents and sparring with one another. Mab’s forces are mobilizing. AT RISE: SAVION enters from stage right, directing the SOLDIERS in various tasks. THERAKH enters from stage left and approaches him. = THERAKH So, Lieutenant, huh? = SAVION I am your superior officer and you will address me as such. //(There is a short pause.)// = THERAKH Yes, Lieutenant. May I ask a question? = SAVION Speak freely. = THERAKH Are you behind the screams I heard last night? //(SAVION does not respond.)// = THERAKH Did you torture him, Savion? = SAVION I know it must be difficult for you to accept this, Therakh, but I am no longer the frightened weakling you took into your care. = THERAKH This isn’t about that! Did you or did you not?! = SAVION It was the only way. //(THERAKH grabs him by the shoulders.)// = THERAKH The only way for what?! //(He jerks away and kicks her in the stomach. She staggers back, but holds her ground.)// = SAVION Don’t touch me! //(THERAKH meets his gaze, pain blossoming in her eyes.)// = THERAKH Why? = SAVION I could have your head for that, you know. //(Her expression turns from sadness to anger. She spits at his feet.)// = THERAKH Be my guest. //(She turns away and leaves, exiting through stage left. SAVION walks slowly towards stage right, muttering to himself.)// = SAVION You don’t need her. You don’t need her anymore. You’re //strong// now! You don’t! We have to win. We have to go home. She’ll understand. Yes, she will. When all is said and done she’ll see it. She has to. //(He exits through stage right.)// + ACT 3, SCENE 4 SETTING: A lunar cavern, burnt to a crisp. A thick layer of ash covers the floor. In the center of the stage is a tall pile of corpses, Adanei and Yeren alike. More bodies litter the stage. A group of YEREN SOLDIERS, THERAKH among them, is currently at work adding them to the pile. AT RISE: SAVION enters from stage right, dragging the bodies of two large Adanei soldiers. His fur is stained with blood. He hurls them at the pile with force. = SAVION Burn them when you're done. The wood makes for excellent kindling. //(He exits through stage right. The SOLDIERS continue their work for a moment, before one of them comes up to THERAKH.)// = YEREN SOLDIER Hey, you're Therakh right? From the fifth? = THERAKH Yes. Are you–- = YEREN SOLDIER Vareden. You saved my life, up on the surface a few months ago. = THERAKH Oh! Right. It was nothing. Just duty. //(THERAKH sits on a rock to rest. VAREDEN joins her.)// = VAREDEN Duty? You don’t seem like the type. = THERAKH Ha, not that type of duty. I couldn't care less about this pointless campaign. = VAREDEN They say we're close to victory. Close to going home. = THERAKH As if that matters. We're slaves either way, here or there. = VAREDEN You never know what the future holds. //(THERAKH doesn’t respond for a moment.)// = THERAKH I can't believe I gave it all up. My one chance to be free… of all of this. = VAREDEN Gave up for what? = THERAKH Love. = VAREDEN That sounds like a worthy goal. = THERAKH I thought so too, at the time. It… didn’t work out. It was foolish. = VAREDEN I don’t think it’s foolish to pursue your dreams. = THERAKH And what if that dream turns into a nightmare? //(VAREDEN doesn’t respond. The two watch in silence as the YEREN SOLDIERS pile up the rest of the bodies. One of them attempts to light a fire with flint and steel, but the sparks don’t catch.)// //(After a few moments, THERAKH stands up and walks over to them, glancing over her shoulder.)// = THERAKH He lied. There’s too much blood for the wood to catch. Here. //(She reaches out her palm. Golden flames leap from her fingers, engulfing the nearest corpse. Slowly, they begin to spread to the others. THERAKH sits back down.)// = THERAKH Won’t be long before we’ll be the ones burning. = VAREDEN Like I said, you never know what tomorrow will bring. We’ll make it out alive. //(Soft, somber music begins to play. THERAKH sings slowly.)// = THERAKH Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, Burned it all, thought I could trust, This world is cruel and nothing is just, It’s hard to go on but I know that I must. + ACT 3, SCENE 5 SETTING: A lunar cavern. Thick, dark smoke curls from the sides of the stage. AT RISE: SAVION enters from stage left, followed by a large contingent of YEREN SOLDIERS, among them THERAKH and VAREDEN. SAVION addresses his troops. = SAVION Soldiers! The final hour is at hand. I have carefully selected each and every one of you to lead the assault. We are the vanguard that shall break through their last line of defense, a force that shall crush any barricade the wooden demons can raise. Up ahead is the World Tree, the beating heart that grants these beasts their power. Today, we set it aflame. Tomorrow, we return home with honor and glory. //(He draws his sword, lifting it up high. The SOLDIERS remain silent, their faces hard.)// = SAVION For the Queen! Charge! //(The contingent charges across the stage, exiting through stage right. The sound of crackling flames intensifies and smoke billows from the floor, covering the stage as the set transitions to the next scene.)// + ACT 3, SCENE 6 SETTING: A lunar battlefield. A wooden barricade covered in thorns stands at the center, behind which stand ADANEI WARRIORS, wooden limbs long and sharp like spears. More WARRIORS stand on tall trees, some gripping plant bombs while others ready bows fashioned from their own bodies. They are all staring dead ahead at the left side of the stage. AT RISE: SAVION’s contingent comes charging in through stage left. He screams a command. = SAVION Forward! Break them! //(A hail of projectiles comes raining down on the YEREN SOLDIERS. Sharpened wooden arrows pierce their armor and impale their flesh, while the bombs spray poisoned thorns in all directions. Half of the group falls before THERAKH raises a barrier of golden energy with a roar.)// = THERAKH Go go go! //(She stands with her arms raised high, clearly struggling to hold the shield as the bombardment continues. SAVION, muscles rippling, leaps above the thorny barrier with his blade drawn, instantly beheading an ADANEI behind it. His soldiers follow suit, but many fall to the defenders’ spears before they can cross the threshold.)// //(The ADANEI WARRIORS in the trees abandon their posts and jump down as one. THERAKH shouts as her barrier is shattered by their weight, and they lunge at her.)// = THERAKH Help! //(She rolls away, narrowly escaping their arm-blades. They press the attack, outnumbering her five to one. In a panic, she parries, blocks and dodges each of their strikes, rapidly losing ground as she draws towards the wall.)// //(One of the ADANEI screeches as a giant battleaxe slams into their back, sending them to the ground. Two of the remaining four turn to face the attacker while the other two remain focused on THERAKH.)// = VAREDEN I’ve got you, fight! //(THERAKH’s eyes burst with light as one of her attackers is flung backward violently. She charges the other, overpowering them while VAREDEN holds off the other two. On the other side of the stage, SAVION’s hulking form tears through the Adanei ranks, throwing their bodies on the barricades.)// //(VAREDEN finds an opening and crushes a ADANEI’s head with his axe. The move leaves him open, however, and a spear of dark wood skewers his chest. He groans in pain as THERAKH rushes over to fend off the attacker, sword burning with golden fire. Seeing the flames, they flee, and THERAKH crouches next to VAREDEN.)// = THERAKH No no no, stay with me, stay with me! = VAREDEN I’m–-I’m fine. //(She ignores him, hands glowing as they press against the wound.)// = THERAKH Come-on-come-on-come-on! //(The light flickers. VAREDEN gasps, blood flowing from his mouth.)// = VAREDEN I’ve paid my debt. //(His eyes close. A terrible, bestial screech rips through the air, clearly sourced from the right side of the stage. There is a quake, then another and another. Something big is drawing close. On the other side of the barricade, few remain standing. SAVION and a handful of YEREN SOLDIERS freeze at the sound.)// = SAVION Stand your ground! We will not retreat! //(His troops do not obey, scrambling backwards to where THERAKH is standing. SAVION follows them unwillingly, still facing stage right.)// + ACT 3, SCENE 7 SETTING: Same as the previous scene. Yeren and Adanei corpses litter the floor. The grass is stained a deep red. AT RISE: YEREN REINFORCEMENTS arrive through stage left. SAVION stands at the head of the party, with THERAKH not far behind. The contingency watches in terror as an ADANEI WAR BEAST emerges from stage right. It is a colossal, reptilian-like creature with scales of tree bark. Each of its six legs is twice the size of a Yeren, and large spines rise from its back. A crown of razor-sharp branches adorn its head, upon which four eyes burn with hate. It roars. = SAVION Forward! For the Queen! //(SAVION pours every inch of authority into his voice as he charges forward at the BEAST. To his surprise, his soldiers follow suit.)// = SAVION Spread out! Surround it and attack together! We strike as one! //(The BEAST leaps forward in a stunning display of speed, crashing into the approaching horde. SOLDIERS are flung into the air, others crushed beneath its feet. THERAKH finds herself beneath its belly as its massive jaws devour a YEREN whole. She grips her sword, sets it aflame once more, and drives it into the underside of the BEAST. It screams and shudders before grabbing THERAKH with a giant claw and raising her to the air. In a moment, she will be slammed into the earth, and die.)// //(SAVION's troops are faltering. Only one in every five is still fighting. One is about to be crushed under the BEAST's foot, another frozen in fear as it opens its maw again. SAVION seizes the opportunity and leaps, sword raised high.)// //(He crashes into the BEAST’s forehead with force, shattering its crown into splinters. His weapon tears through the thick wooden hide, carving the soft flesh underneath. The WAR BEAST dies with a whimper.)// //(THERAKH dies with a scream.)// = THERAKH Savion! + ACT 3, SCENE 8 SETTING: The World Tree dominates the stage. Only half of it is visible, the rest seemingly placed backstage. SAVION stands before it, sword in hand. He is covered in blood, and his body is the same as it was when he first arrived on this world, short and scrawny. He is alone. AT RISE: The World Tree’s bark shifts, molding itself into a roughly humanoid shape that detaches itself from the trunk. This SPIRIT looks at SAVION with glowing green eyes. = SAVION You’re it, right? The heart? = WORLD SPIRIT You know what I am. I showed you. = SAVION I’ve come to kill you. = WORLD SPIRIT I know. You believe it will set you free. I cannot stop you. I have done everything I could, and I have failed. = SAVION Then why… why did you choose me? Why give me the power to destroy you? = WORLD SPIRIT You were not chosen. = SAVION Wh--What? = WORLD SPIRIT An accident. When my child drove their claws into your flesh the day you were ambushed, they poured a part of them into you. A part of them that pulsed with power. The part of them that was me. The part of me that’s in all of them. = SAVION But–-but the vision! You showed me the way to you! You brought me here! = WORLD SPIRIT I tried to make you see! But you were blind and a fool. You saw only what you wanted to, what fit your own fantasies of heroism and glory. = SAVION See what, then?! What was I supposed to see?! = WORLD SPIRIT That I //am// this world. That every leaf, petal, branch and blade of grass is part of me, and that my roots run the whole world over. That what you in your arrogance call victory will end everything. = SAVION No. = WORLD SPIRIT To kill me is to kill this world. It will collapse in on itself and crumble to dust. And you will die. = SAVION No! //(SAVION falls to his knees, leaning on his sword as it sinks in the earth. He weeps.)// = SAVION You lie! = WORLD SPIRIT You know I do not. = SAVION I sacrificed //everything// for this. My freedom, my honor, even //her//! This can’t be the end. No, this is a trick, some last-ditch effort to save yourself. And it won’t work. //(He stands up shakily and stumbles forward, gripping his weapon with both hands.)// = WORLD SPIRIT You do not believe that. //(SAVION is inches away from the SPIRIT now. He raises the blade at its chest.)// = SAVION It doesn’t matter, does it? //(The SPIRIT simply looks him in the eyes. He stabs its heart. The world shakes.)// //(The stage is plunged into darkness. When the spotlights turn on again, it is empty, apart from a thin sheet of dust that lingers in the air, slowly drifting down to the floor. The NARRATOR enters from stage left and addresses the crowd.)// = NARRATOR And so, that charred husk of a world finally broke, returning to stardust. It is said that pieces of its spirit fell down to the Earth, sowing it with the seeds of a power that would be used to topple an empire. But the history of biomancy is a story for another time. Some say that Savion is still alive, still stalking the stars in search of those he called monsters. They claim that the eons had driven him mad, that he heralds himself as a Champion of an empire which has laid dead for millennia. I, for one, hope he found rest. [[=]] + END OF ACT 3 [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=UNCGriffin]] ===== ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-08-07T19:58:00	[ "_licensebox", "action", "children-of-the-night", "from-120s-archives", "homo-sapiens-sidhe", "moon-champion", "queen-mab", "space-opera", "tale" ]	Queen Mab vs. The Moon Monsters, the Musical - SCP Foundation	18	[ "scp-1233", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "from-120-s-archives-hub" ]	[]	1456115417	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/queen-mab-vs-the-moon-monsters
quiet-quitting	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="blockquote"> <p>From the desk of Factotum September<br/> To Senior Agent Andrea Adams</p> <p>This is your official directive to assess possible candidates for Mobile Task Force Alpha-9 following recent changes in membership. A number of candidates have been recommended by our superiors and their files have been given to you, but I would like to remind you that as the replacement of a commander constitutes a 'significant restructuring' as per Ethics Committee guidelines, existing members are to be notified of prospective changes and allowed to resign from duty with no administrative retaliation.</p> <p>I would ask that you attach any documentation of your efforts to this shared document for accountability and ease of access. Formal write-ups can be completed elsewhere but proper documentation of any notes will be useful.</p> <hr/> <p>Candidate: <a href="/scp-1985">SCP-1985</a>, given name Jacqueline Johnson<br/> Alpha-9 lieutenant and medical officer, longest tenure on the task force aside from the late Commander Thompson.</p> <p>Pros<br/> - Strong candidate for new commander due to experience and proximity to previous commander<br/> - Long-term longevity due to anomalous augmentations<br/> - Increased physical abilities and resilience due to anomalous augmentations<br/> - Educated background<br/> - Good Foundation loyalty<br/> - Accepted by previous commander</p> <p>Cons<br/> - Limited combat experience outside of the task force<br/> - Non-military background<br/> - Limited short-term anti-attrition capabilities<br/> - Limited leadership experience and capability</p> <p>Status: Requested to be removed from the task force moving forwards with no reason given. I can't even guess.</p> </div> <p>The main lobby of Site-17's administration wing was thankfully, mercifully, mostly empty. And all the red tape had been brushed away within a matter of a couple hours, too, as 19 was about the only site with enough clout to pressure 17 into signing away one of their SCPs. The 'eclectic' residents made the humanoid wing more memorable - or simply louder, if Jackie was being uncharitable - but without anything of note to distract her, the architecture of pure efficiency endemic to Foundation sites was bearing down on her. The rather frugal seating off to the sides of the room felt to Jackie like its cushioning was a thin sheet of faux leather and nothing but wood underneath.</p> <p>Jackie rapped her fingers on her knee and looked at the clock. The head of her research team said he'd be over to pick her up by 11:30, so it wasn't much longer to wait now. If anything, he was a punctual man, so he'd probably be there early. Back to Site-19's scientific campus, with people who actually spoke her language. She never figured out what the hell any of the people here were on about besides maybe Iris, who she moreso <em>handled</em> than interacted with, but that was a bust now. No point in staying here.</p> <p>Jackie squinted at the aluminum ceiling fan above her. She could scarcely remember why she joined Alpha-9 in the first place. But there was no point in dwelling on it, so she looked at the coffee table in front of her and tried to make herself interested in the outdated magazine on it. She was probably just hoping for a vacation of sorts, but she didn't end up liking it, so there was no shame in just calling it here. She didn't have anything to prove by staying on a sinking ship, she told herself. The half-assed excuse was all she could muster.</p> <p>The low hum of the room was disturbed by one of its decades-old metal doors being thrown open. Jackie snapped her head in the direction of the noise and winced. Anne was storming out of an office, upset in a way that was too genuine to look like it fit on her face. Of course she was here, it made sense that they'd need to talk to Anne about the task force like they had for Jackie, but she really wasn't planning on seeing her now. Jackie had elected on making a clean and quiet exit in the morning. She'd been out of the humanoid wing before breakfast, and managed to avoid everyone except a few guards and janitors. And now she was going to have to put up with Anne. She prayed that her ride would get there in the next ten seconds.</p> <p>Sighing, Jackie stood up and put on a smile. Anne was cutting across the room and heading right to her, so she raised a hand in a wave. Maybe she could play dumb to stall. "Oh, hey, I didn't think you'd…"</p> <p>Anne didn't change her pace or direction as she marched right past Jackie and straight towards the exit. She offered only the barest acknowledgement that she was standing there, with a split-second glare she didn't move her neck at all for. Jackie recoiled from it.</p> <p>More footsteps on the linoleum floor and another door slamming open, and she was gone. Leaving Jackie standing with the hum of the fan for company again. After a second, she resumed breathing, sat down again, and reminded herself that she was apathetic about all of this.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p>Candidate: CPOI-GRN3-6385, given name Anne Byrne<br/> Alpha-9 task force member, only recently completing requisite training courses.</p> <p>Pros<br/> - Significant combat experience, including alongside and against the deployment of anomalies<br/> - Weak infovoric capabilities applicable in intelligence-gathering<br/> - Acceptable loyalty to previous commander</p> <p>Cons<br/> - Former Insurgency affiliation<br/> - Less than ideal Foundation loyalty</p> <p>Status: Agreed to stay with Alpha-9 after some deliberation. Not going to include the comments here - they were vulgar and rambling, and recorded in attached documents - but she seemed unhappy with the fact the task force was continuing. Not sure why she's staying if that's how she feels.</p> </div> <p>Anne made a show of shuffling the deck of cards while keeping the same one at the bottom. She did a bad job at hiding that, and from Stacey's angle, it should have been obvious. After a few seconds, she pulled up the bottom card and placed it on the cafeteria table in front of Leora. "Is <em>this</em> your card?" Anne asked with a smug smile.</p> <p>Leora's face scrunched up, a definite <em>yes</em> that Anne didn't need to read her for. Instead, she focused her attention on Stacey, whose general dark grey emotional state registered a short, muted burst of recognition. That was it, kids loved nothing more than correcting someone, so as long as Stacey was paying attention…</p> <p>Any new emotion was swallowed up by the gnawing emptiness in her again. Anne couldn't hold the smile as Stacey looked back to her untouched lunch sitting on her plate. She recognized those kinds of emotions from her old Insurgency comrades, and still, she was useless against it. Leora stole a glance at her friend as though she was afraid to be noticed, and shrunk into her chair, looking ashamed.</p> <p>Stupid. That was stupid. That kind of thing was only good at cheering up drunk assholes. Anne kicked herself for even attempting it, but she couldn't think of anything for kids. She scarcely even saw them before she got to the Foundation, anyways.</p> <p>Their table fell into an awkward state of silence with nobody else to pick up the conversation. Iris was… gone, Marya had been locked up again, Daniel and Rainer started sitting somewhere else after a couple awkward meals, and even that albino girl Jackie had been teaching had taken to standing by the wall and waiting for her to come back. She wasn't coming back. It set Anne on edge to think about it, but she was hesitant to fuck up talking with another kid.</p> <p>Anne ground her teeth. What was even the point of her still being there if she couldn't even help the kids, at the very least? She felt her nails dig into her palms. For all her talents, she was never any better at this in the Insurgency.</p> <p><em>At least then they didn't tend to stick around too long.</em></p> <p>Her attention was directed away from the table for long enough for a particularly unsubtle man to lumber his way up to it and loudly drop all of his weight down onto the cheap plastic seats with a clatter. Anne jumped up on reflex, but she could already guess who it was.</p> <p>Foxx heaved a plastic bag bearing a logo Anne was unfamiliar with onto the table with the kind of deep sigh from minimal activity that came naturally to fathers. "Yeah, so, this Asian place just opened close to the site and it's cheaper than the Safeway." He just barged straight into the conversation like it was nothing. His cluelessness was honestly inspiring in its own right. The awkward quiet was replaced with the deafening crinkling of cellophane.</p> <p>"And the candy's cheap, too," Foxx added as he tore open a bag a little too forcefully and sent small yellow bits of plastic flying across a portion of the table. Enough landed near Leora that he brushed them towards her to make it seem like he did it on purpose.</p> <p>She flinched away from the candies, unsure for a second, before her obligation to social etiquette won out and she mumbled a quick "Thank you" while taking one, her typical invective having been absent for over a week now.</p> <p>She opened the bag and regarded the amber chunk inside of it with distaste and caution, then tossed the whole thing into her mouth with the expression of someone ripping off a band-aid. It looked as though she was going on the classic Hero's Journey with her eyebrows before she settling into chewing it at a consistent pace. She nodded her head slightly without looking at anyone in particular, which appeared to be enough praise to make Foxx's mood noticeably better.</p> <p>Anne registered another jolt of recognition from Stacey, this time a more gentle, insistent push. She had picked up one of the candies and was inspecting it with more interest than Anne had seen all day. Anne squinted at her. Did she seriously just need to bring in candy? She had figured the girls were too old for that.</p> <p>"You can have some, if you want," offered Foxx. Anne was surprised by his restraint in not pushing a huge pile over to her, but he didn't give her too much attention. At least visibly.</p> <p>Anne felt an odd emotion bubble up inside her - no, it wasn't strange at all, she knew what it was. A mix of annoyance and jealousy, but she didn't voice it. Rationally, she understood what Foxx was doing, graceless and blunt as he was. So she turned her feelings inwards and kept her mouth shut for the sake of the girls.</p> <p>"Ah, n-no, I just…" Stacey cleared her throat and scratched her neck. "Th-These are just the same thing my grandpa used to get me."</p> <p>"Oh? Well, I just picked them up since they were on sale while I was getting my groceries after work." Anne winced. She knew there were no Asian grocers anywhere near the site or his house. "You like them?"</p> <p>"M-Mm." Stacey replied with a weak moan and a weaker nod.</p> <p>Foxx responded with a noncommittal nod-shrug and pulled out his phone so he could more inconspicuously watch Stacey's reaction, lingering guilt worming its way onto his face. Oblivious to this, Stacey checked to see that nobody was watching her, missed that all three other people at the table were, and unwrapped and ate the candy so meekly it looked like she was afraid someone would take it from her if they noticed her.</p> <p>She chewed on the candy thoughtfully for a moment before puckering her lips slightly, a deep blue creeping over the gray in her head. She tried to ignore it for a few seconds before gagging and scrunching up her face. The deep blue nostalgia washed over her as she ground her teeth as tears silently streamed down her face, her eyes screwed shut as she refused to see if anyone was looking at her. Her posture collapsed in on itself and she covered her face in her hands, her entire body rhythmically rocking with her quiet heaving.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p>Candidate: CPOI-RED4-4573 (SCP redesignation pending), given name Marya Sirin<br/> Recently given more restrictive containment procedures once it was understood her previous containment severely underestimated her abilities.</p> <p>Pros<br/> - Striga are difficult to kill, essentially requiring total incineration (according to retrieved GOC files on other specimens)<br/> - Difficult to slow down in combat, requiring dismemberment when any body part, the head included, can be regenerated given enough suitable biomass nearby<br/> - Dangerous in close quarters, provided the ability to morph into the proper form<br/> - Extensive, albeit poorly understood, thaumaturgy - Foxx told me that Striga linages pass on and develop their schools across generations, and therefore the Sirin lineage's thaumaturgy is poorly understood at this time.</p> <p>Cons<br/> - The overwhelming resilience of a mature Blood Striga makes it very difficult to form a good contingency plan for Marya like we have for the others, <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">because quite frankly if we really wanted her secure we'd seal her in a cremation chamber and never let her leave</span> (Foxx objected to some of these comments)<br/> - Possibly extremely dangerous if she cannot control herself when changing out of her human morph, as was seen in the most recent incident she was involved in<br/> - We don't know her actual capabilities, both physically and in terms of thaumaturgy, and testing this would be time and resource intensive and dangerous</p> </div> <p>Daniel had been passively aware of higher-risk containment cells for other humanoids, or at least that they existed, but had made the decision not to give it much thought. especially after Marya had been confined to one since their little… escapade. He felt some guilt about turning a blind eye to such a thing, but he could only do what he could do, and figured that worrying about something he couldn't change would have been painful, even if there was some heroism in that kind of self-flagellation on another's behalf.</p> <p>But having accepted Marya's invitation to speak one-on-one, carried through a social worker that seemed incredulous to be given the request and even more so for it to be agreed to, he was now able to get a firsthand experience of what it looked like. The fact that there was a reinforced entryway that only opened from the outside was, admittedly, a pretty bad start, but the man operating it had told Daniel to just wait for the past half-hour while he confirmed that whatever Marya was doing in her room wouldn't instantly kill Daniel. Which he would have liked to protest on her behalf with, but their last interaction had shown him he actually knew precious little about her.</p> <p>While Daniel was in the middle of trying to figure out how the strange-looking firearms on the wall functioned, the guard stuck his head out of his little cubby filled with all manner of invasive monitors and awkwardly called out to his guest. "Uh, yeah, looks like everything's fine." He leaned forwards a bit more and spoke quietly, even though Daniel had been the only other person in the room since being dropped off. "Look, you don't have to go in, man. If she asks I can just say you never got the message."</p> <p>"Oh. No, it's fine. I'm here." Daniel reflexively gave the response that would result in the least amount of work for the person he was talking to, so the guard just shrugged and opened the door to a long metal hallway.</p> <p>The flashing yellow lights on its interior brought him back off autopilot, and he actually took a moment to consider what might have been on the other side of the power door opposite of him. "Uh, wait what was she doing that was such an issue?" He asked as he nonetheless entered the hallway.</p> <p>"Singing." The door began closing behind Daniel</p> <p>"Singing?"</p> <p>"Yeah, but - you'll see." The guard cut himself off as the door fully closed behind Daniel, leaving him in the featureless airlock-looking buffer zone.</p> <p>He frowned and furrowed his brow. He was beginning to get the sense that if he were more important, they wouldn't have allowed him to be there at all. Reminding himself that it was his choice to be there in the first place, he dutifully walked over to the entrance to Marya's room and waited for the door to be opened.</p> <p>The moment the heavy slab of steel cracked open, a song rushed through as clearly as if it had simply always been in the hallway. It was a breathless melody, without so much as a beat between any of its words, skipping off the consonants and lilting on the vowels and supported by a chorus of harmonizing voices, embracing the melody while remaining indistinguishable. It was all guided by a gentle yet insistent strumming, which Daniel found to be almost buried in the stream of vocals.</p> <p>Although he was drawn in by the song at first, once the door had fully opened, Daniel found himself rooted in place. In front of him, in a dim, sparse room that smelled faintly of iron, was Marya, holding some kind of lute. That much he could understand at a glance, but it looked as though she was a sculpture that a child had gotten ahold of before it was fired in a kiln. There were holes along her neck and down to her navel of varying sizes, gently undulating like the mouths of fish, creating a chorus of roughly human vocals, fed by Marya's chest and stomach expanding and contracting in a way that gave the appearance of a large, stirring infant pressing against the inside of her torso. Her body was framed by gently undulating growths on her back that appeared at first to be wings, but looked closer to rigid intestines with 'feathers' of some kind of fluffy-looking tissue, lazily swinging in the air. It was all so beautiful that Daniel felt like he was going to vomit as he stepped inside.</p> <p>The room really was quite dim, though whether that was due to its construction or Marya's preference, Daniel couldn't tell. He couldn't see very much past Marya herself, who was still singing with her eyes gently closed, and didn't even look like she had noticed him walk in. Daniel knew he had been summoned, but would feel bad for interrupting her song, so instead he found himself looking at her undulating form the same way someone with no experience in medicine would find themself transfixed by a video of an expertly performed surgery.</p> <p>Marya's eyes opened, a deeper sanguine than Daniel remembered, or perhaps realized. His muscles tensed as she kept him in a gentle gaze as she finished her verse, keeping the other aspects of her body consistent. Compared to the rest of the room, her eyes seemed practically luminescent - though now seeing what Marya was capable of, that seemed entirely possible.</p> <p>The song wound down into a more reserved arrangement, and many of the holes on Marya's skin pursed together like lips and began fusing together, cleanly enough that within seconds there was no trace of them on Marya's skin, which appeared unblemished aside from plates of chitin holding her together. A few secondary mouths on her back remained, by the sound of it, but they tightened to resemble the sounds of gentle woodwinds.</p> <p>When Marya finally spoke, the sound of her mouth opening was like peeling apart two sheets of paper with wet glue in between them, as though she had only just finished re-arranging her flesh to something close to human. "…You could say that was a folk song."</p> <p>"…Huh?" Daniel shook his head as her voice woke him up from a stupor he didn't know he was in. "Oh, ah. It was nice."</p> <p>Marya looked down at her lute and smiled sadly. "I'm glad you liked it." There was a lull in the song as Marya appeared to begin tuning her instrument, though Marya's woodwinds continued making noise.</p> <p>Now that Marya was talking, Daniel felt a little more at ease. He politely clasped his hands behind his back. Even coming in had been a headache, and he still wasn't sure why Marya needed to talk with him, but he didn't want to hurt her feelings if she simply wanted to play him some music. It was at least a unique performance.</p> <p>"I, ah…" Marya appeared to be struggling for words. She finished tuning her instrument and placed her hands back into their playing positions, but didn't strum the lute. "I'm sorry I… No. I'm sorry you had to see that."</p> <p>Daniel nodded his head as though he were not expected to offer a response. Once he realized Marya was waiting expectantly, he nodded his head faster and spoke quickly as though making up for lost time. "Oh, no, it's fine. You're fine. Really. I get it."</p> <p>Marya looked at Daniel just long enough to make him uncomfortable before she returned to strumming her lute. "Do you think I'm scary?"</p> <p>"Wha-" Daniel coughed. He didn't really spend much time with women, but he remembered many of his friends, who didn't either, warning him of their trick questions and devious riddles. "Well, um-"</p> <p>"You'd be right to." The quick response saved Daniel from what he felt would be digging his own grave, though Marya's dour words made him feel a twinge of distaste. "Striga are inherently foul things. Even now, we reek of the fear and desperation of Klavigar Lovataar." Marya's words were biting, but their tone was objective. Her playing continued on at a steady pace. "I was expressly born and bred for a kind of violence that the world has since left behind."</p> <p>With nothing much to add, Daniel simply made a point to be a good listener. Marya's brief explanation raised more questions about her than it answered, but it didn't seem like something she was simply saying out of guilt. It seemed as though it was a conclusion she had given a lot of thought, and as uninformed as Daniel was, he decided he would offer sympathy rather than an argument.</p> <p>"I can't say I understand everything you're saying, but I can understand what you mean by feeling left behind." Daniel looked at the ground and felt his expression becoming darker.</p> <p>"Yes, you want to be a great hero, hm?" The lilt in Marya's voice belied some amusement. "My mother would scold you for that, austere old woman she was."</p> <p>"Yeah, well, it's not like the world needs heroes like that anymore."</p> <p>"Oh, no." Marya's face perked up into an almost innocent expression. "By all means, we need them more than ever. You're simply a terrible fit."</p> <p>Daniel felt a sharp blow in the gut as he stared at his 'friend' slack-jawed. He was used to taking hit for trying to be nice, but that just felt particularly cruel, delivered without a hint of thought.</p> <p>"Ah, don't take it like that," Marya huffed while rolling her eyes. "It's admirable. You still have the good sense to understand how weak you are, but you persevere."</p> <p>For her efforts, Marya was met only with a pout from her guest. Daniel's previous malaise gave way to wounded pride, or at least offense. He was aware he was being childish, but Marya was being a little unreasonable to drag him all the way out there, make him wait on her, then insult him right off the bat.</p> <p>Marya frowned and furrowed her brow. "You know, I…" She struggled for the words as Daniel continued to pout, electing to at least hear her explanation. "…I would not admire a hawk for killing a snake, but if a mouse… Bah."</p> <p>In a huff, Marya stood up with her lute, the puffy 'feathers' contracting into their bases until she only had four tentacles sticking out of her back, which writhed subtly as if they were snakes attempting to show discontent on their owner's behalf. "Sorry," she huffed, though Daniel got the sense she was mostly annoyed with herself. "English is my second language. I still struggle with analogies."</p> <p>Daniel thought she was fluent enough that he would have believed her if she said it was her first language, but as someone who gave up on learning Spanish halfway through high school, he decided it would be rude to say anything. Besides, he was pretty sure he understood the general message Marya was trying to get across, and that was the most important thing anyhow.</p> <p>The music abandoned, Daniel became aware of the oppressiveness of the space for the first time. Marya skulked away into a nearby corner of the room, leaving the wide-open space in front of Daniel unobstructed. He could have charitably called it 'spacious,' but it looked more like the gaping maw of a sinkhole than a living quarters.</p> <p>"I'm sorry if you found that display of mine… offputting, or… anything of the sort." Marya spoke over her shoulder. "It was just a breathing exercise my mother taught me," she continued as she turned back to gently place her lute on the ground. "You had to see an uncouth - no, a rather horrific side of me. I wanted to show you something beautiful." Though he couldn't see it, Marya's frown was apparent in her voice. "Or at least something closer to it."</p> <p>"I never thought that about you." Daniel felt as though the words were pulled right out of him, and Marya turned to look at him with a wide-eyed look that was equal parts surprised and confused. Still, he pressed on - it wasn't right for someone that considerate to say something like that about herself. "I was scared of you because I didn't know anything about you. But you - I mean, you…" Daniel felt his face get warmer as it dawned on him that he didn't actually know where he was going with any of this.</p> <p>"…You're nice."</p> <p>Marya's tentacles twitched at his unbidden remark, her expression saying much the same. Daniel took a step back and kicked himself. If lifetime confinement couldn't stop him from getting ahead of himself like that, it really might be over for him.</p> <p>He stared at the ground for a few seconds. Then, slowly, Marya relaxed and raised a hand to cover her mouth. "Honestly, you're hopeless," she chided softly. "That's what I was worried about."</p> <p>"Huh?" Daniel blinked. "…Am I in trouble?"</p> <p>"You probably will be more often than not with that personality of yours." Marya placed her lute gently on the ground near an orderly pile of other keepsakes that must have hailed from her home. "Which is why I wanted to speak with you."</p> <p>Now it was Daniel's turn to be confused. "It wasn't to say sorry?" He wouldn't say it, but he had sort of felt like he was owed an apology for what Marya did back then.</p> <p>"You know Iris is dead, yes?" Marya brushed past his inconsequential remark with a rather jarring non sequitur. It took him a moment to catch up with the rapidly changing topic, but he nodded. "Died working some sort of militant role for the Foundation. They need a replacement."</p> <p>"Uh, should we be… talking about this?" Daniel said in a half-whisper. Sure, most people assumed something was up with her, but it always seemed like the kind of thing you weren't actually supposed to know.</p> <p>"No," replied Marya plainly, "but that doesn't matter. I've been approached about it. And if I've been approached, you likely will be too." She turned to face him, her posture making her look more authoritative than she normally appeared when she was elsewhere on the site. Or maybe it was just the tentacles making her look bigger. As nice as her eyes were, it was a little hard not to look at them.</p> <p>"You think?" Daniel perked up before reminding himself of what he had just been talking about. "But, wait, why would they…"</p> <p>"They're desperate if they're coming to something as dangerous as me," Marya explained.</p> <p>"Some<em>one.</em>"</p> <p>"…Yes, yes. Someone as dangerous as me. My point stands." Marya waved her hand dismissively as she turned her face away from him. "Stay away from any such propositions."</p> <p>She said it so matter-of-factly that by the time Daniel had started to think about it, he found that he was already nodding.</p> <p>"Good." Marya nodded sagely. "As long as-"</p> <p>"W-Wait, hold on." Daniel blurted out once he processed what Marya had told him. "If they're coming to me, that means they need me, doesn't it?"</p> <p>Marya's expression hardened. "They don't <em>need</em> anyone, Daniel."</p> <p>"How can you be sure?" Daniel bristled in spite of himself. "What if - what if someone needs help, and I'm the only one who can do that job?"</p> <p>There was no response to his question. Marya stayed silent, looking at him with a cold expression as she let the oppressive silence bear down on him. Daniel was indignant at first, that someone would try to stop him from even trying to be a hero, but he could feel himself withering under Marya's glare. He tugged on his shirt collar, the smell of iron and the humidity starting to get to him, but he didn't backpedal. He appreciated what she was trying to say, but really, she'd just told him that the situation meant he could finally have his time to shine. He wanted to at least <em>think</em> about it.</p> <p>Seconds passed. Then a minute. Daniel could feel himself sweating, though whether he just started or had been for a while, he didn't know. Indignation started to turn to annoyance as neither party broke the stalemate. Daniel cleared his throat and decided to make his move.</p> <p>"I-I mean, what is it to you, anyways?" Loathe to admit it, but Daniel found that in most cases, he was very little to other people. At least it was a good point in an argument about him.</p> <p>Marya finally blinked, and sighed deeply. She ran a hand through her hair, and with one of her tentacles, gingerly fished her lute out of the pile. Wordlessly, she presented it to her guest, the human parts of her body maintaining a reserved pose.</p> <p>Somewhat reluctantly, he grabbed it from the slimy-looking tentacle, careful not to touch the parts where the tentacle had been holding it. It was surprisingly light, with worn wood and some of its strings clearly having been replaced. It lacked the smooth finish of a modern instrument, and even from the briefest of examinations, Daniel understood it was likely older than him by a significant margin.</p> <p>"That balalaika isn't mine, or my mother's, though she gave it to me," Marya said. Her voice was reverent, and not nearly as cold as her body language would have insinuated. "It belongs to a man named Ivan. Ivan has two daughters and a wife who passed away during childbirth to his third, who died shortly after. He was born on January 17th, 1909, and made that instrument when his oldest daughter was four, because she had trouble sleeping without her mother. After years of practice, his music became well-liked in his village."</p> <p>She spoke plainly, as though she were simply reciting common knowledge. Daniel felt his grip on the - what did she call it? - balalaika start to slip as he suddenly found it heavier.</p> <p>"Before I was born, when my mother was young and… <em>ambitious,</em> she came to lead a war party, a Halkost." Marya's eyes were downcast, wearing an inherited shame. "Under the command of a Karcist - one of a Striga's standing - those in the party became flesh to be shaped into weapons. Ivan willingly accompanied my mother, because she told him that it would make his village safer when they returned. That he would be a hero to his daughters." Although the squirming of Marya's tentacles betrayed her discomfort, her human body remain rigid. "She said the same thing to many people during that time."</p> <p>Though Daniel felt that much of this was going over his head, the pressure precluded him from interrupting, and Marya continued. "She asked each individual who joined her to carry a keepsake. So they wouldn't forget themself. In this way, my mother believed herself compassionate, that the members of her Halkost might return home."</p> <p>Marya stepped forwards so that Daniel could see what was in the corner. He followed her gaze to the pile of chipped dolls, worn carvings, cooking utensils, faded paintings, rusted knives, and torn photographs. The pressure moved into a pit in his stomach. "My mother seldom spoke of her campaign. Such was its intensity that it is still spoken about today, and my family name carries honors and respect with it." Her hands clasped each other so tightly that they must have been leaving marks. "My mother said the accolades were hollow. She was a great leader, and few under her command died in body, but by the end they were only flesh. Bereft of my mother's influence, they would have become a plague upon the living, and so she took in their flesh, and their remnants. I inherited their flesh from her. And so too did I inherit their keepsakes, and their memories."</p> <p>She looked across her pile of remnants left behind by everything, save for her. "As such, I carry their names and stories"</p> <p>Marya turned her red eyes back to Daniel, and he felt them pierce right through him. "They were all scared. They were weak, and they all wanted to help in spite of that. As I said to you, Daniel, I admire that." She stepped in front of Daniel, who found himself rooted in place, and clasped her hands around his, pressing them into the worn wood in his hands. "I would not ask you to abandon your pride, or your dreams. But you should listen to me when I say that you cannot give yourself over to another's violence in the name of that dream. Please," - her hands gripped his even tighter - "I carry their names for a reason."</p> <p>She locked him in an insistent, earnest gaze, and Daniel found himself rooted in place. Granted, part of that was also because Marya was holding onto his hands with deceptive strength. The longer he stared into her eyes, the weaker he felt his legs and spine becoming, as so it was only a matter of time before he nodded. As much as he wanted to help people, he couldn't deny Marya's sincere wishes. Even if there were precious few things he could still count on after coming to the Foundation, his dedication to respecting women was one of them. And everyone else, too, but women was the big one.</p> <p>Relieved, Marya sighed and released Daniel's hands, leaving him with the lute. "Well, that's good." She sounded strangely tired as she gave him a solemn nod. "As long as you understand that." She looked around the room for a few seconds, her intense expression morphing into one of mild embarrassment, as though she just realized she didn't properly plan activities for a party.</p> <p>"S-So, what will you be doing, then?" Daniel asked. In fact, he'd been meaning to ask for a while, ever since she failed to appear for breakfast after their incident.</p> <p>"Me? Oh, I'll be working on my application to that task force."</p> <p>Daniel let out a strange noise akin to the sound a balloon makes when you only hold its opening shut halfway and felt worn wood slip past his now-frozen fingers. It was only by the grace of Marya's low-hanging tentacles that it was caught before it hit the ground, and only Marya's piercing glare that stopped Daniel from saying something stupid again.</p> <p>"I'm not going to actually - you - guh." Marya did her best to restrain her invective as she gingerly placed her inherited keepsake back where it belonged among the pile. A deep breath, a count to three, and she continued. "They would never use me. <em>But</em> they'll give me back my privileges if I can make them think they can, even for a little."</p> <p>"Hmph. You're actually awfully shrewd, you know." Daniel found himself pouting once again.</p> <p>Marya sighed. "With a such a capacity for violence, far better that than to be a fool."</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p>Candidate: <a href="/scp-4051">SCP-4051</a>, given name Rainer Miller<br/> Currently granted increased on-site privileges as per the Anomaly Social Flagship Project</p> <p>Pros<br/> - Anomaly is widely applicable both in combat and for utility in various situations, notably at range<br/> - Offers both significant firepower without ammunition cost and rapid deployment of defensive equipment<br/> - Some experience with MTF operations<br/> - Demonstrates strong loyalty to the Foundation</p> <p>Cons<br/> - Due to the anomaly only being able to manifest things based on Rainer's cognition, it is incapable of producing complex armaments or gear<br/> - Potential of extremely hazardous products from the anomaly<br/> - Relatively young compared to typical MTF members<br/> - Inclusion was strongly opposed by the previous commander</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Interviewer:</strong> Senior Agent Aleksander Foxx<br/> <strong>Interviewee:</strong> SCP-4051<br/> Excerpt from preliminary interview for Alpha-9 application.</p> <hr/> <p><em>(Foxx enters small meeting room with SCP-4051 seated at the table, having been given some preliminary documents pertaining to Mobile Task Force Alpha-9 following his designation as a candidate.)</em></p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> Hey kid. Sorry to be late, I-</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> <em>(Standing up)</em> Was that lady serious earlier? can I really - I mean on the - can I do that?</p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> …Well, aha, uh. Hello to you too.</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> Oh, shi- I mean, I'm sorry. That was rude.</p> <p><em>(SCP-4051 takes a seat, followed by Foxx after a moment.)</em></p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> Don't worry about it. You know if anything, it's a nice change of pace.</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> From Iris?</p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> Well, I… um.</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> Oh, I, ah, uh, I'm sorry. <em>(Raises his hands and gesticulates vaguely)</em> I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry about that. Her. Your loss, I mean.</p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> Don't worry about it.<br/> <em>(Foxx moves closer to the table and arranges the papers into a more orderly arrangement, taking several seconds to check over each document.)</em></p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> You've had a chance to look at these, I take it?</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> Yes, I have, and, I mean, wow. Is this - ahem - I mean, is it…</p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> <em>(Forces a smile)</em> Uh, you can just ask, kid. That's why I'm here, just to make sure you know what's going on.</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> Okay, thanks, but is it really… I mean, is it all that?</p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> …'All that?'</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> I mean, you know! The missions, the saving people, fighting the bad guys, just… <em>everything.</em></p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> <em>(Sighs)</em> Well, I don't know if I'd… frame it like that, you know, but I suppose you're not wrong.</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> Well, how would you frame it?</p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> Me? <em>(Pauses and leans back in his chair)</em> A job.</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> Heh, well that's not a very romantic way of putting it.</p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> <em>(Leaning forwards)</em> It's not a very romantic job.</p> <p><em>(SCP-4051 weakly laughs. Foxx smiles but does not laugh. Several seconds of silence follow.)</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> …I understand there's a risk, you know, like I get that.</p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> <em>(Frowns)</em> Like with Iris.</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> Well, yeah, but I still think it's important. Important to help when I can, if I can. Because I can. Even more now that Iris can't help.</p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> …Right. If you say so.</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> I do. Really.</p> <p><em>(Foxx nods his head and leans back in his chair, crossing his arms and taking a deep breath. SCP-4051 looks at him intently.)</em></p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> You know, I think she told me about that, once.</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> About wanting to help?</p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> About why she joined. I think is was so that you wouldn't have to.</p> <p><strong>SCP-4051:</strong> Well, she's not here now.</p> <p><strong>Foxx:</strong> <em>(Smiling)</em> I guess not.</p> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="blockquote"]] From the desk of Factotum September To Senior Agent Andrea Adams This is your official directive to assess possible candidates for Mobile Task Force Alpha-9 following recent changes in membership. A number of candidates have been recommended by our superiors and their files have been given to you, but I would like to remind you that as the replacement of a commander constitutes a 'significant restructuring' as per Ethics Committee guidelines, existing members are to be notified of prospective changes and allowed to resign from duty with no administrative retaliation. I would ask that you attach any documentation of your efforts to this shared document for accountability and ease of access. Formal write-ups can be completed elsewhere but proper documentation of any notes will be useful. ---- Candidate: [[[SCP-1985]]], given name Jacqueline Johnson Alpha-9 lieutenant and medical officer, longest tenure on the task force aside from the late Commander Thompson. Pros - Strong candidate for new commander due to experience and proximity to previous commander - Long-term longevity due to anomalous augmentations - Increased physical abilities and resilience due to anomalous augmentations - Educated background - Good Foundation loyalty - Accepted by previous commander Cons - Limited combat experience outside of the task force - Non-military background - Limited short-term anti-attrition capabilities - Limited leadership experience and capability Status: Requested to be removed from the task force moving forwards with no reason given. I can't even guess. [[/div]] The main lobby of Site-17's administration wing was thankfully, mercifully, mostly empty. And all the red tape had been brushed away within a matter of a couple hours, too, as 19 was about the only site with enough clout to pressure 17 into signing away one of their SCPs. The 'eclectic' residents made the humanoid wing more memorable - or simply louder, if Jackie was being uncharitable - but without anything of note to distract her, the architecture of pure efficiency endemic to Foundation sites was bearing down on her. The rather frugal seating off to the sides of the room felt to Jackie like its cushioning was a thin sheet of faux leather and nothing but wood underneath. Jackie rapped her fingers on her knee and looked at the clock. The head of her research team said he'd be over to pick her up by 11:30, so it wasn't much longer to wait now. If anything, he was a punctual man, so he'd probably be there early. Back to Site-19's scientific campus, with people who actually spoke her language. She never figured out what the hell any of the people here were on about besides maybe Iris, who she moreso //handled// than interacted with, but that was a bust now. No point in staying here. Jackie squinted at the aluminum ceiling fan above her. She could scarcely remember why she joined Alpha-9 in the first place. But there was no point in dwelling on it, so she looked at the coffee table in front of her and tried to make herself interested in the outdated magazine on it. She was probably just hoping for a vacation of sorts, but she didn't end up liking it, so there was no shame in just calling it here. She didn't have anything to prove by staying on a sinking ship, she told herself. The half-assed excuse was all she could muster. The low hum of the room was disturbed by one of its decades-old metal doors being thrown open. Jackie snapped her head in the direction of the noise and winced. Anne was storming out of an office, upset in a way that was too genuine to look like it fit on her face. Of course she was here, it made sense that they'd need to talk to Anne about the task force like they had for Jackie, but she really wasn't planning on seeing her now. Jackie had elected on making a clean and quiet exit in the morning. She'd been out of the humanoid wing before breakfast, and managed to avoid everyone except a few guards and janitors. And now she was going to have to put up with Anne. She prayed that her ride would get there in the next ten seconds. Sighing, Jackie stood up and put on a smile. Anne was cutting across the room and heading right to her, so she raised a hand in a wave. Maybe she could play dumb to stall. "Oh, hey, I didn't think you'd..." Anne didn't change her pace or direction as she marched right past Jackie and straight towards the exit. She offered only the barest acknowledgement that she was standing there, with a split-second glare she didn't move her neck at all for. Jackie recoiled from it. More footsteps on the linoleum floor and another door slamming open, and she was gone. Leaving Jackie standing with the hum of the fan for company again. After a second, she resumed breathing, sat down again, and reminded herself that she was apathetic about all of this. [[div class="blockquote"]] Candidate: CPOI-GRN3-6385, given name Anne Byrne Alpha-9 task force member, only recently completing requisite training courses. Pros - Significant combat experience, including alongside and against the deployment of anomalies - Weak infovoric capabilities applicable in intelligence-gathering - Acceptable loyalty to previous commander Cons - Former Insurgency affiliation - Less than ideal Foundation loyalty Status: Agreed to stay with Alpha-9 after some deliberation. Not going to include the comments here - they were vulgar and rambling, and recorded in attached documents - but she seemed unhappy with the fact the task force was continuing. Not sure why she's staying if that's how she feels. [[/div]] Anne made a show of shuffling the deck of cards while keeping the same one at the bottom. She did a bad job at hiding that, and from Stacey's angle, it should have been obvious. After a few seconds, she pulled up the bottom card and placed it on the cafeteria table in front of Leora. "Is //this// your card?" Anne asked with a smug smile. Leora's face scrunched up, a definite //yes// that Anne didn't need to read her for. Instead, she focused her attention on Stacey, whose general dark grey emotional state registered a short, muted burst of recognition. That was it, kids loved nothing more than correcting someone, so as long as Stacey was paying attention... Any new emotion was swallowed up by the gnawing emptiness in her again. Anne couldn't hold the smile as Stacey looked back to her untouched lunch sitting on her plate. She recognized those kinds of emotions from her old Insurgency comrades, and still, she was useless against it. Leora stole a glance at her friend as though she was afraid to be noticed, and shrunk into her chair, looking ashamed. Stupid. That was stupid. That kind of thing was only good at cheering up drunk assholes. Anne kicked herself for even attempting it, but she couldn't think of anything for kids. She scarcely even saw them before she got to the Foundation, anyways. Their table fell into an awkward state of silence with nobody else to pick up the conversation. Iris was... gone, Marya had been locked up again, Daniel and Rainer started sitting somewhere else after a couple awkward meals, and even that albino girl Jackie had been teaching had taken to standing by the wall and waiting for her to come back. She wasn't coming back. It set Anne on edge to think about it, but she was hesitant to fuck up talking with another kid. Anne ground her teeth. What was even the point of her still being there if she couldn't even help the kids, at the very least? She felt her nails dig into her palms. For all her talents, she was never any better at this in the Insurgency. //At least then they didn't tend to stick around too long.// Her attention was directed away from the table for long enough for a particularly unsubtle man to lumber his way up to it and loudly drop all of his weight down onto the cheap plastic seats with a clatter. Anne jumped up on reflex, but she could already guess who it was. Foxx heaved a plastic bag bearing a logo Anne was unfamiliar with onto the table with the kind of deep sigh from minimal activity that came naturally to fathers. "Yeah, so, this Asian place just opened close to the site and it's cheaper than the Safeway." He just barged straight into the conversation like it was nothing. His cluelessness was honestly inspiring in its own right. The awkward quiet was replaced with the deafening crinkling of cellophane. "And the candy's cheap, too," Foxx added as he tore open a bag a little too forcefully and sent small yellow bits of plastic flying across a portion of the table. Enough landed near Leora that he brushed them towards her to make it seem like he did it on purpose. She flinched away from the candies, unsure for a second, before her obligation to social etiquette won out and she mumbled a quick "Thank you" while taking one, her typical invective having been absent for over a week now. She opened the bag and regarded the amber chunk inside of it with distaste and caution, then tossed the whole thing into her mouth with the expression of someone ripping off a band-aid. It looked as though she was going on the classic Hero's Journey with her eyebrows before she settling into chewing it at a consistent pace. She nodded her head slightly without looking at anyone in particular, which appeared to be enough praise to make Foxx's mood noticeably better. Anne registered another jolt of recognition from Stacey, this time a more gentle, insistent push. She had picked up one of the candies and was inspecting it with more interest than Anne had seen all day. Anne squinted at her. Did she seriously just need to bring in candy? She had figured the girls were too old for that. "You can have some, if you want," offered Foxx. Anne was surprised by his restraint in not pushing a huge pile over to her, but he didn't give her too much attention. At least visibly. Anne felt an odd emotion bubble up inside her - no, it wasn't strange at all, she knew what it was. A mix of annoyance and jealousy, but she didn't voice it. Rationally, she understood what Foxx was doing, graceless and blunt as he was. So she turned her feelings inwards and kept her mouth shut for the sake of the girls. "Ah, n-no, I just..." Stacey cleared her throat and scratched her neck. "Th-These are just the same thing my grandpa used to get me." "Oh? Well, I just picked them up since they were on sale while I was getting my groceries after work." Anne winced. She knew there were no Asian grocers anywhere near the site or his house. "You like them?" "M-Mm." Stacey replied with a weak moan and a weaker nod. Foxx responded with a noncommittal nod-shrug and pulled out his phone so he could more inconspicuously watch Stacey's reaction, lingering guilt worming its way onto his face. Oblivious to this, Stacey checked to see that nobody was watching her, missed that all three other people at the table were, and unwrapped and ate the candy so meekly it looked like she was afraid someone would take it from her if they noticed her. She chewed on the candy thoughtfully for a moment before puckering her lips slightly, a deep blue creeping over the gray in her head. She tried to ignore it for a few seconds before gagging and scrunching up her face. The deep blue nostalgia washed over her as she ground her teeth as tears silently streamed down her face, her eyes screwed shut as she refused to see if anyone was looking at her. Her posture collapsed in on itself and she covered her face in her hands, her entire body rhythmically rocking with her quiet heaving. [[div class="blockquote"]] Candidate: CPOI-RED4-4573 (SCP redesignation pending), given name Marya Sirin Recently given more restrictive containment procedures once it was understood her previous containment severely underestimated her abilities. Pros - Striga are difficult to kill, essentially requiring total incineration (according to retrieved GOC files on other specimens) - Difficult to slow down in combat, requiring dismemberment when any body part, the head included, can be regenerated given enough suitable biomass nearby - Dangerous in close quarters, provided the ability to morph into the proper form - Extensive, albeit poorly understood, thaumaturgy - Foxx told me that Striga linages pass on and develop their schools across generations, and therefore the Sirin lineage's thaumaturgy is poorly understood at this time. Cons - The overwhelming resilience of a mature Blood Striga makes it very difficult to form a good contingency plan for Marya like we have for the others, --because quite frankly if we really wanted her secure we'd seal her in a cremation chamber and never let her leave-- (Foxx objected to some of these comments) - Possibly extremely dangerous if she cannot control herself when changing out of her human morph, as was seen in the most recent incident she was involved in - We don't know her actual capabilities, both physically and in terms of thaumaturgy, and testing this would be time and resource intensive and dangerous [[/div]] Daniel had been passively aware of higher-risk containment cells for other humanoids, or at least that they existed, but had made the decision not to give it much thought. especially after Marya had been confined to one since their little... escapade. He felt some guilt about turning a blind eye to such a thing, but he could only do what he could do, and figured that worrying about something he couldn't change would have been painful, even if there was some heroism in that kind of self-flagellation on another's behalf. But having accepted Marya's invitation to speak one-on-one, carried through a social worker that seemed incredulous to be given the request and even more so for it to be agreed to, he was now able to get a firsthand experience of what it looked like. The fact that there was a reinforced entryway that only opened from the outside was, admittedly, a pretty bad start, but the man operating it had told Daniel to just wait for the past half-hour while he confirmed that whatever Marya was doing in her room wouldn't instantly kill Daniel. Which he would have liked to protest on her behalf with, but their last interaction had shown him he actually knew precious little about her. While Daniel was in the middle of trying to figure out how the strange-looking firearms on the wall functioned, the guard stuck his head out of his little cubby filled with all manner of invasive monitors and awkwardly called out to his guest. "Uh, yeah, looks like everything's fine." He leaned forwards a bit more and spoke quietly, even though Daniel had been the only other person in the room since being dropped off. "Look, you don't have to go in, man. If she asks I can just say you never got the message." "Oh. No, it's fine. I'm here." Daniel reflexively gave the response that would result in the least amount of work for the person he was talking to, so the guard just shrugged and opened the door to a long metal hallway. The flashing yellow lights on its interior brought him back off autopilot, and he actually took a moment to consider what might have been on the other side of the power door opposite of him. "Uh, wait what was she doing that was such an issue?" He asked as he nonetheless entered the hallway. "Singing." The door began closing behind Daniel "Singing?" "Yeah, but - you'll see." The guard cut himself off as the door fully closed behind Daniel, leaving him in the featureless airlock-looking buffer zone. He frowned and furrowed his brow. He was beginning to get the sense that if he were more important, they wouldn't have allowed him to be there at all. Reminding himself that it was his choice to be there in the first place, he dutifully walked over to the entrance to Marya's room and waited for the door to be opened. The moment the heavy slab of steel cracked open, a song rushed through as clearly as if it had simply always been in the hallway. It was a breathless melody, without so much as a beat between any of its words, skipping off the consonants and lilting on the vowels and supported by a chorus of harmonizing voices, embracing the melody while remaining indistinguishable. It was all guided by a gentle yet insistent strumming, which Daniel found to be almost buried in the stream of vocals. Although he was drawn in by the song at first, once the door had fully opened, Daniel found himself rooted in place. In front of him, in a dim, sparse room that smelled faintly of iron, was Marya, holding some kind of lute. That much he could understand at a glance, but it looked as though she was a sculpture that a child had gotten ahold of before it was fired in a kiln. There were holes along her neck and down to her navel of varying sizes, gently undulating like the mouths of fish, creating a chorus of roughly human vocals, fed by Marya's chest and stomach expanding and contracting in a way that gave the appearance of a large, stirring infant pressing against the inside of her torso. Her body was framed by gently undulating growths on her back that appeared at first to be wings, but looked closer to rigid intestines with 'feathers' of some kind of fluffy-looking tissue, lazily swinging in the air. It was all so beautiful that Daniel felt like he was going to vomit as he stepped inside. The room really was quite dim, though whether that was due to its construction or Marya's preference, Daniel couldn't tell. He couldn't see very much past Marya herself, who was still singing with her eyes gently closed, and didn't even look like she had noticed him walk in. Daniel knew he had been summoned, but would feel bad for interrupting her song, so instead he found himself looking at her undulating form the same way someone with no experience in medicine would find themself transfixed by a video of an expertly performed surgery. Marya's eyes opened, a deeper sanguine than Daniel remembered, or perhaps realized. His muscles tensed as she kept him in a gentle gaze as she finished her verse, keeping the other aspects of her body consistent. Compared to the rest of the room, her eyes seemed practically luminescent - though now seeing what Marya was capable of, that seemed entirely possible. The song wound down into a more reserved arrangement, and many of the holes on Marya's skin pursed together like lips and began fusing together, cleanly enough that within seconds there was no trace of them on Marya's skin, which appeared unblemished aside from plates of chitin holding her together. A few secondary mouths on her back remained, by the sound of it, but they tightened to resemble the sounds of gentle woodwinds. When Marya finally spoke, the sound of her mouth opening was like peeling apart two sheets of paper with wet glue in between them, as though she had only just finished re-arranging her flesh to something close to human. "...You could say that was a folk song." "...Huh?" Daniel shook his head as her voice woke him up from a stupor he didn't know he was in. "Oh, ah. It was nice." Marya looked down at her lute and smiled sadly. "I'm glad you liked it." There was a lull in the song as Marya appeared to begin tuning her instrument, though Marya's woodwinds continued making noise. Now that Marya was talking, Daniel felt a little more at ease. He politely clasped his hands behind his back. Even coming in had been a headache, and he still wasn't sure why Marya needed to talk with him, but he didn't want to hurt her feelings if she simply wanted to play him some music. It was at least a unique performance. "I, ah..." Marya appeared to be struggling for words. She finished tuning her instrument and placed her hands back into their playing positions, but didn't strum the lute. "I'm sorry I... No. I'm sorry you had to see that." Daniel nodded his head as though he were not expected to offer a response. Once he realized Marya was waiting expectantly, he nodded his head faster and spoke quickly as though making up for lost time. "Oh, no, it's fine. You're fine. Really. I get it." Marya looked at Daniel just long enough to make him uncomfortable before she returned to strumming her lute. "Do you think I'm scary?" "Wha-" Daniel coughed. He didn't really spend much time with women, but he remembered many of his friends, who didn't either, warning him of their trick questions and devious riddles. "Well, um-" "You'd be right to." The quick response saved Daniel from what he felt would be digging his own grave, though Marya's dour words made him feel a twinge of distaste. "Striga are inherently foul things. Even now, we reek of the fear and desperation of Klavigar Lovataar." Marya's words were biting, but their tone was objective. Her playing continued on at a steady pace. "I was expressly born and bred for a kind of violence that the world has since left behind." With nothing much to add, Daniel simply made a point to be a good listener. Marya's brief explanation raised more questions about her than it answered, but it didn't seem like something she was simply saying out of guilt. It seemed as though it was a conclusion she had given a lot of thought, and as uninformed as Daniel was, he decided he would offer sympathy rather than an argument. "I can't say I understand everything you're saying, but I can understand what you mean by feeling left behind." Daniel looked at the ground and felt his expression becoming darker. "Yes, you want to be a great hero, hm?" The lilt in Marya's voice belied some amusement. "My mother would scold you for that, austere old woman she was." "Yeah, well, it's not like the world needs heroes like that anymore." "Oh, no." Marya's face perked up into an almost innocent expression. "By all means, we need them more than ever. You're simply a terrible fit." Daniel felt a sharp blow in the gut as he stared at his 'friend' slack-jawed. He was used to taking hit for trying to be nice, but that just felt particularly cruel, delivered without a hint of thought. "Ah, don't take it like that," Marya huffed while rolling her eyes. "It's admirable. You still have the good sense to understand how weak you are, but you persevere." For her efforts, Marya was met only with a pout from her guest. Daniel's previous malaise gave way to wounded pride, or at least offense. He was aware he was being childish, but Marya was being a little unreasonable to drag him all the way out there, make him wait on her, then insult him right off the bat. Marya frowned and furrowed her brow. "You know, I..." She struggled for the words as Daniel continued to pout, electing to at least hear her explanation. "...I would not admire a hawk for killing a snake, but if a mouse... Bah." In a huff, Marya stood up with her lute, the puffy 'feathers' contracting into their bases until she only had four tentacles sticking out of her back, which writhed subtly as if they were snakes attempting to show discontent on their owner's behalf. "Sorry," she huffed, though Daniel got the sense she was mostly annoyed with herself. "English is my second language. I still struggle with analogies." Daniel thought she was fluent enough that he would have believed her if she said it was her first language, but as someone who gave up on learning Spanish halfway through high school, he decided it would be rude to say anything. Besides, he was pretty sure he understood the general message Marya was trying to get across, and that was the most important thing anyhow. The music abandoned, Daniel became aware of the oppressiveness of the space for the first time. Marya skulked away into a nearby corner of the room, leaving the wide-open space in front of Daniel unobstructed. He could have charitably called it 'spacious,' but it looked more like the gaping maw of a sinkhole than a living quarters. "I'm sorry if you found that display of mine... offputting, or... anything of the sort." Marya spoke over her shoulder. "It was just a breathing exercise my mother taught me," she continued as she turned back to gently place her lute on the ground. "You had to see an uncouth - no, a rather horrific side of me. I wanted to show you something beautiful." Though he couldn't see it, Marya's frown was apparent in her voice. "Or at least something closer to it." "I never thought that about you." Daniel felt as though the words were pulled right out of him, and Marya turned to look at him with a wide-eyed look that was equal parts surprised and confused. Still, he pressed on - it wasn't right for someone that considerate to say something like that about herself. "I was scared of you because I didn't know anything about you. But you - I mean, you..." Daniel felt his face get warmer as it dawned on him that he didn't actually know where he was going with any of this. "...You're nice." Marya's tentacles twitched at his unbidden remark, her expression saying much the same. Daniel took a step back and kicked himself. If lifetime confinement couldn't stop him from getting ahead of himself like that, it really might be over for him. He stared at the ground for a few seconds. Then, slowly, Marya relaxed and raised a hand to cover her mouth. "Honestly, you're hopeless," she chided softly. "That's what I was worried about." "Huh?" Daniel blinked. "...Am I in trouble?" "You probably will be more often than not with that personality of yours." Marya placed her lute gently on the ground near an orderly pile of other keepsakes that must have hailed from her home. "Which is why I wanted to speak with you." Now it was Daniel's turn to be confused. "It wasn't to say sorry?" He wouldn't say it, but he had sort of felt like he was owed an apology for what Marya did back then. "You know Iris is dead, yes?" Marya brushed past his inconsequential remark with a rather jarring non sequitur. It took him a moment to catch up with the rapidly changing topic, but he nodded. "Died working some sort of militant role for the Foundation. They need a replacement." "Uh, should we be... talking about this?" Daniel said in a half-whisper. Sure, most people assumed something was up with her, but it always seemed like the kind of thing you weren't actually supposed to know. "No," replied Marya plainly, "but that doesn't matter. I've been approached about it. And if I've been approached, you likely will be too." She turned to face him, her posture making her look more authoritative than she normally appeared when she was elsewhere on the site. Or maybe it was just the tentacles making her look bigger. As nice as her eyes were, it was a little hard not to look at them. "You think?" Daniel perked up before reminding himself of what he had just been talking about. "But, wait, why would they..." "They're desperate if they're coming to something as dangerous as me," Marya explained. "Some//one.//" "...Yes, yes. Someone as dangerous as me. My point stands." Marya waved her hand dismissively as she turned her face away from him. "Stay away from any such propositions." She said it so matter-of-factly that by the time Daniel had started to think about it, he found that he was already nodding. "Good." Marya nodded sagely. "As long as-" "W-Wait, hold on." Daniel blurted out once he processed what Marya had told him. "If they're coming to me, that means they need me, doesn't it?" Marya's expression hardened. "They don't //need// anyone, Daniel." "How can you be sure?" Daniel bristled in spite of himself. "What if - what if someone needs help, and I'm the only one who can do that job?" There was no response to his question. Marya stayed silent, looking at him with a cold expression as she let the oppressive silence bear down on him. Daniel was indignant at first, that someone would try to stop him from even trying to be a hero, but he could feel himself withering under Marya's glare. He tugged on his shirt collar, the smell of iron and the humidity starting to get to him, but he didn't backpedal. He appreciated what she was trying to say, but really, she'd just told him that the situation meant he could finally have his time to shine. He wanted to at least //think// about it. Seconds passed. Then a minute. Daniel could feel himself sweating, though whether he just started or had been for a while, he didn't know. Indignation started to turn to annoyance as neither party broke the stalemate. Daniel cleared his throat and decided to make his move. "I-I mean, what is it to you, anyways?" Loathe to admit it, but Daniel found that in most cases, he was very little to other people. At least it was a good point in an argument about him. Marya finally blinked, and sighed deeply. She ran a hand through her hair, and with one of her tentacles, gingerly fished her lute out of the pile. Wordlessly, she presented it to her guest, the human parts of her body maintaining a reserved pose. Somewhat reluctantly, he grabbed it from the slimy-looking tentacle, careful not to touch the parts where the tentacle had been holding it. It was surprisingly light, with worn wood and some of its strings clearly having been replaced. It lacked the smooth finish of a modern instrument, and even from the briefest of examinations, Daniel understood it was likely older than him by a significant margin. "That balalaika isn't mine, or my mother's, though she gave it to me," Marya said. Her voice was reverent, and not nearly as cold as her body language would have insinuated. "It belongs to a man named Ivan. Ivan has two daughters and a wife who passed away during childbirth to his third, who died shortly after. He was born on January 17th, 1909, and made that instrument when his oldest daughter was four, because she had trouble sleeping without her mother. After years of practice, his music became well-liked in his village." She spoke plainly, as though she were simply reciting common knowledge. Daniel felt his grip on the - what did she call it? - balalaika start to slip as he suddenly found it heavier. "Before I was born, when my mother was young and... //ambitious,// she came to lead a war party, a Halkost." Marya's eyes were downcast, wearing an inherited shame. "Under the command of a Karcist - one of a Striga's standing - those in the party became flesh to be shaped into weapons. Ivan willingly accompanied my mother, because she told him that it would make his village safer when they returned. That he would be a hero to his daughters." Although the squirming of Marya's tentacles betrayed her discomfort, her human body remain rigid. "She said the same thing to many people during that time." Though Daniel felt that much of this was going over his head, the pressure precluded him from interrupting, and Marya continued. "She asked each individual who joined her to carry a keepsake. So they wouldn't forget themself. In this way, my mother believed herself compassionate, that the members of her Halkost might return home." Marya stepped forwards so that Daniel could see what was in the corner. He followed her gaze to the pile of chipped dolls, worn carvings, cooking utensils, faded paintings, rusted knives, and torn photographs. The pressure moved into a pit in his stomach. "My mother seldom spoke of her campaign. Such was its intensity that it is still spoken about today, and my family name carries honors and respect with it." Her hands clasped each other so tightly that they must have been leaving marks. "My mother said the accolades were hollow. She was a great leader, and few under her command died in body, but by the end they were only flesh. Bereft of my mother's influence, they would have become a plague upon the living, and so she took in their flesh, and their remnants. I inherited their flesh from her. And so too did I inherit their keepsakes, and their memories." She looked across her pile of remnants left behind by everything, save for her. "As such, I carry their names and stories" Marya turned her red eyes back to Daniel, and he felt them pierce right through him. "They were all scared. They were weak, and they all wanted to help in spite of that. As I said to you, Daniel, I admire that." She stepped in front of Daniel, who found himself rooted in place, and clasped her hands around his, pressing them into the worn wood in his hands. "I would not ask you to abandon your pride, or your dreams. But you should listen to me when I say that you cannot give yourself over to another's violence in the name of that dream. Please," - her hands gripped his even tighter - "I carry their names for a reason." She locked him in an insistent, earnest gaze, and Daniel found himself rooted in place. Granted, part of that was also because Marya was holding onto his hands with deceptive strength. The longer he stared into her eyes, the weaker he felt his legs and spine becoming, as so it was only a matter of time before he nodded. As much as he wanted to help people, he couldn't deny Marya's sincere wishes. Even if there were precious few things he could still count on after coming to the Foundation, his dedication to respecting women was one of them. And everyone else, too, but women was the big one. Relieved, Marya sighed and released Daniel's hands, leaving him with the lute. "Well, that's good." She sounded strangely tired as she gave him a solemn nod. "As long as you understand that." She looked around the room for a few seconds, her intense expression morphing into one of mild embarrassment, as though she just realized she didn't properly plan activities for a party. "S-So, what will you be doing, then?" Daniel asked. In fact, he'd been meaning to ask for a while, ever since she failed to appear for breakfast after their incident. "Me? Oh, I'll be working on my application to that task force." Daniel let out a strange noise akin to the sound a balloon makes when you only hold its opening shut halfway and felt worn wood slip past his now-frozen fingers. It was only by the grace of Marya's low-hanging tentacles that it was caught before it hit the ground, and only Marya's piercing glare that stopped Daniel from saying something stupid again. "I'm not going to actually - you - guh." Marya did her best to restrain her invective as she gingerly placed her inherited keepsake back where it belonged among the pile. A deep breath, a count to three, and she continued. "They would never use me. //But// they'll give me back my privileges if I can make them think they can, even for a little." "Hmph. You're actually awfully shrewd, you know." Daniel found himself pouting once again. Marya sighed. "With a such a capacity for violence, far better that than to be a fool." [[div class="blockquote"]] Candidate: [[[SCP-4051]]], given name Rainer Miller Currently granted increased on-site privileges as per the Anomaly Social Flagship Project Pros - Anomaly is widely applicable both in combat and for utility in various situations, notably at range - Offers both significant firepower without ammunition cost and rapid deployment of defensive equipment - Some experience with MTF operations - Demonstrates strong loyalty to the Foundation Cons - Due to the anomaly only being able to manifest things based on Rainer's cognition, it is incapable of producing complex armaments or gear - Potential of extremely hazardous products from the anomaly - Relatively young compared to typical MTF members - Inclusion was strongly opposed by the previous commander [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] Interviewer: Senior Agent Aleksander Foxx Interviewee: SCP-4051 Excerpt from preliminary interview for Alpha-9 application. ---- //(Foxx enters small meeting room with SCP-4051 seated at the table, having been given some preliminary documents pertaining to Mobile Task Force Alpha-9 following his designation as a candidate.)// Foxx: Hey kid. Sorry to be late, I- SCP-4051: //(Standing up)// Was that lady serious earlier? can I really - I mean on the - can I do that? Foxx: ...Well, aha, uh. Hello to you too. SCP-4051: Oh, shi- I mean, I'm sorry. That was rude. //(SCP-4051 takes a seat, followed by Foxx after a moment.)// Foxx: Don't worry about it. You know if anything, it's a nice change of pace. SCP-4051: From Iris? Foxx: Well, I... um. SCP-4051: Oh, I, ah, uh, I'm sorry. //(Raises his hands and gesticulates vaguely)// I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry about that. Her. Your loss, I mean. Foxx: Don't worry about it. //(Foxx moves closer to the table and arranges the papers into a more orderly arrangement, taking several seconds to check over each document.)// Foxx: You've had a chance to look at these, I take it? SCP-4051: Yes, I have, and, I mean, wow. Is this - ahem - I mean, is it... Foxx: //(Forces a smile)// Uh, you can just ask, kid. That's why I'm here, just to make sure you know what's going on. SCP-4051: Okay, thanks, but is it really... I mean, is it all that? Foxx: ...'All that?' SCP-4051: I mean, you know! The missions, the saving people, fighting the bad guys, just... //everything.// Foxx: //(Sighs)// Well, I don't know if I'd... frame it like that, you know, but I suppose you're not wrong. SCP-4051: Well, how would you frame it? Foxx: Me? //(Pauses and leans back in his chair)// A job. SCP-4051: Heh, well that's not a very romantic way of putting it. Foxx: //(Leaning forwards)// It's not a very romantic job. //(SCP-4051 weakly laughs. Foxx smiles but does not laugh. Several seconds of silence follow.)// SCP-4051: ...I understand there's a risk, you know, like I get that. Foxx: //(Frowns)// Like with Iris. SCP-4051: Well, yeah, but I still think it's important. Important to help when I can, if I can. Because I can. Even more now that Iris can't help. Foxx: ...Right. If you say so. SCP-4051: I do. Really. //(Foxx nods his head and leans back in his chair, crossing his arms and taking a deep breath. SCP-4051 looks at him intently.)// Foxx: You know, I think she told me about that, once. SCP-4051: About wanting to help? Foxx: About why she joined. I think is was so that you wouldn't have to. SCP-4051: Well, she's not here now. Foxx: //(Smiling)// I guess not. [[/div]] [[div class="footer-wikiwalk-nav"]] [[=]] [[[devils advocate hub\|Devil's Advocate Hub]]] [[/=]] [[/div]]	2024-07-29T16:13:00	[ "last-hope", "tale" ]	Quiet Quitting - SCP Foundation	27	[ "scp-1985", "scp-4051", "devils-advocate-hub" ]	[ "devils-advocate-hub" ]	[]	1455966555	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/quiet-quitting
ramifications-of-fifty-five	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>A wild shot in the shark.</p> </div> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Foxtrot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2022</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Liryn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">FONTS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Lexend</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@700</span><span class="hl-code">;800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">JetBrains</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Fira</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Code</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@400</span><span class="hl-code">;700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sofia</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">rsms.me</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter.css</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Figtree</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@800</span><span class="hl-code">;900&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">IBM</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Plex</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Core</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-title:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SCP Foundation"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-subtitle:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SECURE, CONTAIN, PROTECT"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_lightmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">darkmode-logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_darkmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">head-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Sans Normalcy'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">ui-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'IBM Plex Sans'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">mono-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira </span><span class="hl-string">Code</span><span class="hl-code">', </span><span class="hl-string">monospace</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Inter', 'verdana'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">base-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Misc</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">subheader-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; 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/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">BetterFootnotes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnColor:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">barColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">linkColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">html</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">scroll-behavior:</span><span class="hl-code"> smooth</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-x:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-rendering:</span><span class="hl-code"> optimizeLegibility</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#content-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">440</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">strong</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tt</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-source</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">pre</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--mono-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ol</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-underline-offset:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> :</span><span class="hl-special">:selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Clicky</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">links</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">patch</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">for</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">sidebar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ayers</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">so</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">doesn</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">t</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">override</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.danger-diamond</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--linkColour) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">900</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">26</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-img) </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">30</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">130</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-opacity)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Search</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">text</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">47</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li.sfhover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.83</span><span class="hl-code">) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">230</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-indent:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.mobile-top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Login</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">19</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> translate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#my-account</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#account-topbutton</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">s ease-in-out</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">rtl</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#interwiki</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.heading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#cfcfcf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">pt</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Blockquotes</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Custom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">dashed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fbfbfb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.quote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.note</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#afafaf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.round</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Titles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footnotes-footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Author</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Label</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.authorlink-wrapper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-top-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-bottom-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-right-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f4f4f4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bfbfbf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Captions</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E0FFD4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDFCD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFCFCF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colored</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">224</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">212</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">226</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">245</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">189</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">223</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">205</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">218</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQ</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">things</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Assets</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">underline</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.7</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.item1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.class1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">woedbar-class-bar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.55</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MISC</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.bt</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#444</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">45</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#7b7b7b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footer-wikiwalk-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">88</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-options-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-watch-options</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">77</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> row</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#5f5f5f</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ecf2f1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#d9d9d9</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "."</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "tags "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.3125</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.625</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.0625</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent)) </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-style:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> ""</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.2813</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-tags-input</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">150</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">table.form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.edit-page-bottomtable</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-comments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "!"</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">115</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "⏲ "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">outline:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-property:</span><span class="hl-code"> box-shadow</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> darkslategrey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(5)></span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">120</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 900</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content-warning.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">21</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.preview-message</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">29</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> drop-shadow(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.error-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">48</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#B00</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2</span><span class="hl-identifier">n</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.05</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> fade </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">fade</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">default</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">155</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F7F7F7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> " "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> loading </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">loading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">360</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.osuccess</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.content</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2)></span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.odialog-shader</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#262a39</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn.btn-primary</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.buttons</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.button</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#eaeaea</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#dbffd6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#005a0a</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#0d951c</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffe1e1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c52727</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c5272e</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#757575</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.hovertip</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.checkbox</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#h-perpage</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">REDUCED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOTION</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACCESSIBILITY</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (prefers-reduced-motion: </span><span class="hl-identifier">reduce</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-iteration-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@MEDIA</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 850</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.8</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 620</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">123</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 520</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { line-height: </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">145</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> }</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <p>We Need To Discuss The Ramifications of Fifty-Five<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/doctorlilithsophia" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8838246); return false;"><img alt="DoctorLilithSophia" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8838246&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1730032486" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8838246)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/doctorlilithsophia" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8838246); return false;">DoctorLilithSophia</a></span><br/> NOTE: The Sharkest Timeline theme is taken from <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-sharkest-timeline">The Sharkest Timeline Hub</a>.</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <p>Mariet Wheel sits outside of the office of the Eighth Oracle, taking a long drag of her cigarette, and puffing the smoke back out. She needed a quick hit of nicotine before going to meet one of the highest authorities in the Centre. The Oracles call on you when they need a job done, and she knew that it was going to be something big.</p> <p>The secretary looks at her, a tired gaze that tells her that the man is overworked. "You know that you can't smoke here, I said that about your last four."</p> <p>She shrugs, looking at him. "Smoking never hurt anybody."</p> <p>He leans forward at his desk, a sigh coming out. "Oracle Eight doesn't like it when people smoke in here."</p> <p>"Why not?"</p> <p>"He says it makes his surfboards smell." He gestures to the walls, as Mariet fully takes in the fact that all four of the walls are covered in surfboards, some with various types of weaponry attached. A perfectly fine waste of possible fist-based weapons.<br/> "Kind of show-boaty, isn't it?" Mariet comments.</p> <p>The secretary glares at her, standing up and pushing his coat to the side. Mariet catches a glimpse of a comfortably occupied holster.</p> <p>She slinks back in her chair, looking at the pale blue lining the walls under the decorations. An ocean, painted on all of the walls. It's beautiful, really. Untampered by the evolution of the selachian menace or their servants, a world of peace…</p> <p>She drifts to sleep with these thoughts.</p> <hr/> <p>A creaking comes from the office door behind the secretary, a young man with glassy eyes poking his head out of the door. <em>"Wheel, Mariet. He'll see you now."</em> He gives a toothy smile.</p> <p>This jolts her awake, as she blinks to clear her eyes. She nods, grabbing her purse and following him through the long hallway. She catches a nametag, noticing the name "Hark Scott". He's new. He presses his keycard against a scanner at the end of their trek, the door automatically opening to show a fat man with silvering locks, likely about fifty, sitting at the fine wood desk. Taking a seat, she leans back in the chair and looks at him, waiting for him to speak.</p> <p>"Mariet Wheel. Head of the Anti-Selachimitics Department." O-8 comments incredulously, shuffling a few papers around in one hand. His other hand, fingers tapping against the desk, bears a shimmering, bronze set of brass knuckles.</p> <p>Mariet can hear the taps of Hark's footsteps, as he paces behind her.</p> <p>"That's correct." Mariet answers, nodding slightly.</p> <p>"Hm." The Oracle thinks, running his weaponized hand through his slicked back hair, before he slams it against the desk. This action prompts Hark to hold a gun to Mariet's head.</p> <p>"One reason. Give me one reason I shouldn't beat you to kingdom come. You're obviously a Selachian Spy. You put part of the word in your fake department name, for Ichthys' sake!"</p> <p>Mariet sighs, looking at O-8 and rubbing above her nose as she thinks. "Right. Of course this has to happen now. Let's get this over with, I can prove Selachimitics are real right here and now."</p> <p>O-8 looks to Hark, who glares at her. "<em>She's obviously trying to do something drastic.</em>" His word bites through the typically cordial air of the Oracle's office, her heart dropping at the language.</p> <p>The Oracle member thinks, scratching at his chin. "Mariet, are you going to kill one of us if Hark lets you go?"</p> <p>"No."</p> <p>O-8 shrugs, as Hark bites at him verbally. "<em>Are you this stupid?! She's got you tricked, hook, line, and sinker!</em>"</p> <p>The Oracle looks desperately at Mariet, pulling down his sunglasses and looking at her. "What could she do, Hark? She's an old woman."</p> <p>Hark huffs, relenting. "<em>I'll keep the gun on her, but we can hear her out.</em>"</p> <p>Mariet inhales, calming herself down from the stress the gun and the unceasing pacing were causing her. "Selachimitics. You want to know more about them?"</p> <p>The Oracle nods, leaning a bit further like a curious child.</p> <p>"Selachimitics are a broad category of deviant-classes. They invade, they try to hide within the Centre in some way, shape, or form. Vent-dwelling selachians, ones that replace floor tiles or clothing, ones that replace people. Do you know about Compound-55?"</p> <p>Hark Scott huffs in disbelief. "<em>We don't have a Compound-55, Oracle. You're just going to keep swimming to this tune—</em>"</p> <p>He raises a hand, silencing the assistant. "No, I don't. Tell me."</p> <p>"We found it one day, me and my team. We had just performed the Anti-Selachimitic style on each other to tackle a particularly sneaky enemy combatant in the water, and we stumbled across what we thought could be a supply restock center."</p> <p>She takes deep breaths to try and remember… it's still foggy. "It was empty, dilapidated. It looked like something had taken a bite out of the ceiling, and my team and I couldn't find a single soul. Everything was normal, other than the ceiling… and the floor was a bit damp, I suppose, but there was nobody, no paperwork, not even Sharkics to blame this on."</p> <p>Hark looks… nervous? Water seems to be running down his face, and his tone displays unease. "<em>So you really got sent into the deep end, hm? I'm sure the fact you're a <strong>bitch</strong> didn't help—</em>" He falters, his gun moving a bit upwards from her temple.</p> <p>She turns behind her, uppercutting Hark and throwing another punch into his gut. That brings him to the ground, so he finishes the job with two kicks to the chest. Before O-8 can lunge, she unzips the back of his head, revealing a now-flopping selachian, floating in a pool of salt water, appropriating the superior shape of humans.</p> <p>"<em>How… my disguise was… perfect… I can't believe… a <strong>whore</strong> like you did this.</em>" The words bit through the atmosphere, hitting Mariet with self-doubt. She steeled her will. She's dealt with many of these before, but it didn't sting any less. She chuckles a bit as she watches the eyes glaze over. It's dead.</p> <p>"What the—"</p> <p>"A HATE-CLASS Selachimitic." Mariet stands fully, kicking the disguise and deviant-class corpse away from her, taking out and rolling a cigarette in her fingers. "They eat memories, sir. He took your memories involving work that didn't include him, to make him seem like a regular part of your routine." She spits on the shark. "I used an Anti-Selachimitic attack on myself before this. I wanted to make sure nothing came in the way of this meeting— And he was a coward. He used a gun instead of his glorious fists."</p> <p>O-8 looks at Mariet, a slight glimmer of memory in his eyes. "HATE-CLASS…?"</p> <p>"Especially vitriolic selachimitics. They're usually so hostile that it would become unceasingly obvious to anyone not affected by their memory-eating they're not normal."</p> <p>O-8 stumbles over his words, before nodding at Mariet, his eyes filling with remembrance. "Right. I'm close to remembering what I called you for, now.” He growls at the corpse. “Coward. A gun, instead of his fists. Punch me."</p> <p>As Mariet prepares to hit him, the deviant-class corpse moves, opening its mouth. It does not move as sound comes out, like there's a voice box hidden somewhere in its body.</p> <p>"<strong>YOU'RE AN IDIOTIC REMAKING OF A PERFECTLY GOOD WORLD.</strong>"</p> <p>She tries to think of what this could mean, off the top of her head. Before she can get too far into this, however, she notices that it begins floating—</p> <p>What was she looking at? Never mind.</p> <p>She obliges, taking a deep breath and performing an Anti-Selachimitic pugilism technique on the Oracle, obviously non-lethal, but just as potent to restore memories to people who have forgotten or been affected by Selachimitics.</p> <p>A fist to the gut, palm on the forehead, punch your palm. A small daze and a bit of pain, then they remember it all.</p> <p>"Right. Before the deviant got in, I called you here about a progress report on Project Alpha-Forget-Me-Not." He hacks, grabbing at his stomach. "I forgot how much it fucking hurts. Couldn't we make gas or something to this effec—"</p> <p>"Performing as intended, sir. Infiltrators are down by a predicted ninety percent, that's why there's nothing in high profile places like this." She continues to roll the cigarette, channeling stress into that simple motion. "You know that you just could've called."</p> <p>He shrugs, chuckling and wheezing a bit. "I like my reports in person. Reminds me of the good old days." He hacks a bit more. "Did you hit me harder than usual? I can taste copper—"</p> <p>"Alright, sir." Mariet stands up, before remembering something. "We need more hires. We have thirty employees, and we need more people to maintain our part of the database. Five or so would do."</p> <p>"We can do that for you, Mrs. Wheel. Tell the husband I said hello." The Oracle waves, as Mariet ensures that she stomps on Hark's identification.</p> <p>The Eighth Oracle hits a button on his intercom. "Please send a medic in here."</p> <hr/> <p>Mariet walks into her office, tobacco already filling the space. Pat Kempt sits in the visitors' chair. He's a good man, and a better senior agent. She feels like there are needles in the back of her head.</p> <p>… Why is she rubbing the back of her head—</p> <p>"Mariet, we have two bad things that are happening, and we need to discuss both. Compound-55 first, or HATE-CLASS Selachimitics?" Pat's voice cuts through her confusion.</p> <p>"HATE-CLASSes. What's with them?"</p> <p>"Well, we've found that while <em>traditional</em> selachimitics are decreasing in severity, the HATE-CLASS deviants are becoming more frequent. Up from about two percent of cases last year to twelve now." He fiddles with his hands a bit.</p> <p>"Concerning. How are our tactics looking for them?"</p> <p>Pat scratches his neck, nervously. "Well… That's the thing. We have twelve percent, but every one of those cases was the HATE-CLASS slipping up after we attempted our usual tactics. The slip-ups were small, unnoticeable if you're not a trained Anti-Selachimitic personnel. Puns, fish terminology… It's too much. We estimate the events to keep rising."</p> <p>Mariet inhales, putting her head in her hands. "Okay. We'll figure something out. You can always punch a selachian, there's always a way. Tell me about Compound-55."</p> <p>"Well… I believe we found something there."</p> <p>"What's the deal, Pat? I thought we knew it was empty."</p> <p>"It is," He shifts awkwardly in his chair. "But outside of it, we found something that might interest you." Pat reaches into his bag, pulling out employee identification for two people that do not exist.</p> <p>Pat stumbles out some half sentences, before he speaks fully. "I don't know who these people are, but they have real Centre IDs. I used one of these to get into your office. They work, but they're not in the database."</p> <p>A woman named Patricia, and a man named Johnathan. They both look like regular people, and there's nothing inherently deviant about the identification.</p> <p>She would go as far to say that they look familiar. She touches the cards, shivering as she feels the wood of her desk. She feels something sharp poking at the back of her head, but nothing is there when she touches it.</p> <p>"Why did you need to talk to me again?" Mariet asks, a small smile on her face.</p> <p>Pat stumbles over his words, before leaving and apologizing profusely. Something about a "Compound-55".</p> <p>There's no Compound-55. Oh well.</p> <p>You don't want to be too hard on him, it's only his first day, after all.</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/ramifications-of-fifty-five">We Need To Discuss The Ramifications of Fifty-Five</a>" by DoctorLilithSophia, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/ramifications-of-fifty-five">https://scpwiki.com/ramifications-of-fifty-five</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=A wild shot in the shark.]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:foxtrot">:scp-wiki:theme:foxtrot</a> \|spc=a \|hidetitle=a \|wide=a]] [[>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] We Need To Discuss The Ramifications of Fifty-Five Author: [[user DoctorLilithSophia]] NOTE: The Sharkest Timeline theme is taken from [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-sharkest-timeline The Sharkest Timeline Hub]. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[/>]] Mariet Wheel sits outside of the office of the Eighth Oracle, taking a long drag of her cigarette, and puffing the smoke back out. She needed a quick hit of nicotine before going to meet one of the highest authorities in the Centre. The Oracles call on you when they need a job done, and she knew that it was going to be something big. The secretary looks at her, a tired gaze that tells her that the man is overworked. "You know that you can't smoke here, I said that about your last four." She shrugs, looking at him. "Smoking never hurt anybody." He leans forward at his desk, a sigh coming out. "Oracle Eight doesn't like it when people smoke in here." "Why not?" "He says it makes his surfboards smell." He gestures to the walls, as Mariet fully takes in the fact that all four of the walls are covered in surfboards, some with various types of weaponry attached. A perfectly fine waste of possible fist-based weapons. "Kind of show-boaty, isn't it?" Mariet comments. The secretary glares at her, standing up and pushing his coat to the side. Mariet catches a glimpse of a comfortably occupied holster. She slinks back in her chair, looking at the pale blue lining the walls under the decorations. An ocean, painted on all of the walls. It's beautiful, really. Untampered by the evolution of the selachian menace or their servants, a world of peace... She drifts to sleep with these thoughts. ----- A creaking comes from the office door behind the secretary, a young man with glassy eyes poking his head out of the door. //"Wheel, Mariet. He'll see you now."// He gives a toothy smile. This jolts her awake, as she blinks to clear her eyes. She nods, grabbing her purse and following him through the long hallway. She catches a nametag, noticing the name "Hark Scott". He's new. He presses his keycard against a scanner at the end of their trek, the door automatically opening to show a fat man with silvering locks, likely about fifty, sitting at the fine wood desk. Taking a seat, she leans back in the chair and looks at him, waiting for him to speak. "Mariet Wheel. Head of the Anti-Selachimitics Department." O-8 comments incredulously, shuffling a few papers around in one hand. His other hand, fingers tapping against the desk, bears a shimmering, bronze set of brass knuckles. Mariet can hear the taps of Hark's footsteps, as he paces behind her. "That's correct." Mariet answers, nodding slightly. "Hm." The Oracle thinks, running his weaponized hand through his slicked back hair, before he slams it against the desk. This action prompts Hark to hold a gun to Mariet's head. "One reason. Give me one reason I shouldn't beat you to kingdom come. You're obviously a Selachian Spy. You put part of the word in your fake department name, for Ichthys' sake!" Mariet sighs, looking at O-8 and rubbing above her nose as she thinks. "Right. Of course this has to happen now. Let's get this over with, I can prove Selachimitics are real right here and now." O-8 looks to Hark, who glares at her. "//She's obviously trying to do something drastic.//" His word bites through the typically cordial air of the Oracle's office, her heart dropping at the language. The Oracle member thinks, scratching at his chin. "Mariet, are you going to kill one of us if Hark lets you go?" "No." O-8 shrugs, as Hark bites at him verbally. "//Are you this stupid?! She's got you tricked, hook, line, and sinker!//" The Oracle looks desperately at Mariet, pulling down his sunglasses and looking at her. "What could she do, Hark? She's an old woman." Hark huffs, relenting. "//I'll keep the gun on her, but we can hear her out.//" Mariet inhales, calming herself down from the stress the gun and the unceasing pacing were causing her. "Selachimitics. You want to know more about them?" The Oracle nods, leaning a bit further like a curious child. "Selachimitics are a broad category of deviant-classes. They invade, they try to hide within the Centre in some way, shape, or form. Vent-dwelling selachians, ones that replace floor tiles or clothing, ones that replace people. Do you know about Compound-55?" Hark Scott huffs in disbelief. "//We don't have a Compound-55, Oracle. You're just going to keep swimming to this tune--//" He raises a hand, silencing the assistant. "No, I don't. Tell me." "We found it one day, me and my team. We had just performed the Anti-Selachimitic style on each other to tackle a particularly sneaky enemy combatant in the water, and we stumbled across what we thought could be a supply restock center." She takes deep breaths to try and remember... it's still foggy. "It was empty, dilapidated. It looked like something had taken a bite out of the ceiling, and my team and I couldn't find a single soul. Everything was normal, other than the ceiling... and the floor was a bit damp, I suppose, but there was nobody, no paperwork, not even Sharkics to blame this on." Hark looks... nervous? Water seems to be running down his face, and his tone displays unease. "//So you really got sent into the deep end, hm? I'm sure the fact you're a bitch* didn't help--//" He falters, his gun moving a bit upwards from her temple. She turns behind her, uppercutting Hark and throwing another punch into his gut. That brings him to the ground, so he finishes the job with two kicks to the chest. Before O-8 can lunge, she unzips the back of his head, revealing a now-flopping selachian, floating in a pool of salt water, appropriating the superior shape of humans. "//How... my disguise was... perfect... I can't believe... a whore like you did this.//" The words bit through the atmosphere, hitting Mariet with self-doubt. She steeled her will. She's dealt with many of these before, but it didn't sting any less. She chuckles a bit as she watches the eyes glaze over. It's dead. "What the--" "A HATE-CLASS Selachimitic." Mariet stands fully, kicking the disguise and deviant-class corpse away from her, taking out and rolling a cigarette in her fingers. "They eat memories, sir. He took your memories involving work that didn't include him, to make him seem like a regular part of your routine." She spits on the shark. "I used an Anti-Selachimitic attack on myself before this. I wanted to make sure nothing came in the way of this meeting-- And he was a coward. He used a gun instead of his glorious fists." O-8 looks at Mariet, a slight glimmer of memory in his eyes. "HATE-CLASS...?" "Especially vitriolic selachimitics. They're usually so hostile that it would become unceasingly obvious to anyone not affected by their memory-eating they're not normal." O-8 stumbles over his words, before nodding at Mariet, his eyes filling with remembrance. "Right. I'm close to remembering what I called you for, now.” He growls at the corpse. “Coward. A gun, instead of his fists. Punch me." As Mariet prepares to hit him, the deviant-class corpse moves, opening its mouth. It does not move as sound comes out, like there's a voice box hidden somewhere in its body. "YOU'RE AN IDIOTIC REMAKING OF A PERFECTLY GOOD WORLD." She tries to think of what this could mean, off the top of her head. Before she can get too far into this, however, she notices that it begins floating-- What was she looking at? Never mind. She obliges, taking a deep breath and performing an Anti-Selachimitic pugilism technique on the Oracle, obviously non-lethal, but just as potent to restore memories to people who have forgotten or been affected by Selachimitics. A fist to the gut, palm on the forehead, punch your palm. A small daze and a bit of pain, then they remember it all. "Right. Before the deviant got in, I called you here about a progress report on Project Alpha-Forget-Me-Not." He hacks, grabbing at his stomach. "I forgot how much it fucking hurts. Couldn't we make gas or something to this effec--" "Performing as intended, sir. Infiltrators are down by a predicted ninety percent, that's why there's nothing in high profile places like this." She continues to roll the cigarette, channeling stress into that simple motion. "You know that you just could've called." He shrugs, chuckling and wheezing a bit. "I like my reports in person. Reminds me of the good old days." He hacks a bit more. "Did you hit me harder than usual? I can taste copper--" "Alright, sir." Mariet stands up, before remembering something. "We need more hires. We have thirty employees, and we need more people to maintain our part of the database. Five or so would do." "We can do that for you, Mrs. Wheel. Tell the husband I said hello." The Oracle waves, as Mariet ensures that she stomps on Hark's identification. The Eighth Oracle hits a button on his intercom. "Please send a medic in here." ----- Mariet walks into her office, tobacco already filling the space. Pat Kempt sits in the visitors' chair. He's a good man, and a better senior agent. She feels like there are needles in the back of her head. ... Why is she rubbing the back of her head-- "Mariet, we have two bad things that are happening, and we need to discuss both. Compound-55 first, or HATE-CLASS Selachimitics?" Pat's voice cuts through her confusion. "HATE-CLASSes. What's with them?" "Well, we've found that while //traditional// selachimitics are decreasing in severity, the HATE-CLASS deviants are becoming more frequent. Up from about two percent of cases last year to twelve now." He fiddles with his hands a bit. "Concerning. How are our tactics looking for them?" Pat scratches his neck, nervously. "Well... That's the thing. We have twelve percent, but every one of those cases was the HATE-CLASS slipping up after we attempted our usual tactics. The slip-ups were small, unnoticeable if you're not a trained Anti-Selachimitic personnel. Puns, fish terminology... It's too much. We estimate the events to keep rising." Mariet inhales, putting her head in her hands. "Okay. We'll figure something out. You can always punch a selachian, there's always a way. Tell me about Compound-55." "Well... I believe we found something there." "What's the deal, Pat? I thought we knew it was empty." "It is," He shifts awkwardly in his chair. "But outside of it, we found something that might interest you." Pat reaches into his bag, pulling out employee identification for two people that do not exist. Pat stumbles out some half sentences, before he speaks fully. "I don't know who these people are, but they have real Centre IDs. I used one of these to get into your office. They work, but they're not in the database." A woman named Patricia, and a man named Johnathan. They both look like regular people, and there's nothing inherently deviant about the identification. She would go as far to say that they look familiar. She touches the cards, shivering as she feels the wood of her desk. She feels something sharp poking at the back of her head, but nothing is there when she touches it. "Why did you need to talk to me again?" Mariet asks, a small smile on her face. Pat stumbles over his words, before leaving and apologizing profusely. Something about a "Compound-55". There's no Compound-55. Oh well. You don't want to be too hard on him, it's only his first day, after all. 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re-scp-es	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>Want to try some Cuban, Arabic, Dutch or South African cuisine this holiday season?</p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:300px;"><img alt="SCP%20Cooking%20logo.png" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/SCP%20Cooking%20logo.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">Uncle Nicolini, Harmacy & FlyPurgatorio</a> </div> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="canon-block" style="border: dashed #ff3f45; background:#fff8cd; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <h1><span>[<a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/re-scp-es/offset/1">Click here</a>]</span></h1> <h2><span>if you don't want to read our handwriting!</span></h2> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <table style="margin:0; padding:0"> <tr> <td style="margin:0; padding:0"> <div id="toc"> <div id="toc-action-bar"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.foldToc(event)">Fold</a><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.unfoldToc(event)" style="display: none">Unfold</a></div> <div class="title">Table</div> <div id="toc-list"> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc0">Simple Cuban Cooking With Jay</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc1">Arroz Con Leche (Sweet Rice Pudding)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc2">Sofrito</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc3">Arroz con Pollo (Rice with Chicken, Cuban style)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc4">Vegan Moros y Cristianos (Black Beans and Rice)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc5">Merenguitos (Meringue Cookies)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc6">Middle Eastern Meal Prep With Salam</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc7">Shai (Arab Chai, or Tea)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc8">Hummus (Savory Chickpea Dip)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc9">Falafel (Crispy Chickpea Fritters)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc10">Malubit Zahrah (Flipped Cauliflower)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc11">Mahshi (Stuffed Veggies)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc12">Knafah</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc13">Easy & Hearty Dutch meals with Gijs</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc14">Stamppot boerenkool (Kale mash)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc15">Hutspot (Carrot & onion mash)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc16">Pannekoeken (Dutch (loaded) pancakes)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 3em;"><a href="#toc17">Pannekoeken toppings</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc18">Kapsalon (shawarma& fries salad)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc19">South African Sharing Food With Harrit</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc20">Bobotie (South African casserole)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc21">Malva Pudding (Apricot Toffee Cake)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc22">Shakshuka (Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce)</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc23">Appelflappen (Apple Hand Pies)</a></div> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h1><span>Simple Cuban Cooking With Jay</span></h1> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="canon-block" style="border: dashed #ff3f45; background:#fff8cd; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <img alt="everwood.png" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/everwood.png" style="float: right; width: 40%; padding: 5px; shape-outside: url(http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/everwood.png); shape-margin:1em;"/><br/> Despite my very Anglo last name, I am actually Cuban! Leftover from the brief British occupation of Cuba. Little known fact, I guess. Anyway, I grew up cooking with my grandmother and working in a kitchen to put myself through university, so I have a lot of experience cooking. The recipes I have picked out to represent my little corner of the world are some of my favorites, and I hope you enjoy as much as I do. So without further ado, let's get into it!<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> -J. Everwood</div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Gloria Hallelujah, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="arrozconleche.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/arrozconleche.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notejay2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>Arroz con leche is one of my favorite desserts in the world. It's sweet, comforting, slightly tart (Depending on whether or not you add the lemon peel!), and comes together without much fuss. My grandma would make it for me on my birthday, and she even made me some to take with me when I first left home all those years ago. Needless to say, it's a dish that makes me very nostalgic.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notejay"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Arroz Con Leche (Sweet Rice Pudding)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 1 cup of short-grain rice<br/> 6 cups whole milk<br/> 1 cinnamon stick<br/> 1 lemon peel<br/> 1/2 cup of sugar<br/> 1 can of condensed milk</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Soak your rice in water for a few minutes until the water gets cloudy, then drain it.</li> <li>Put your rice, milk, lemon peel, sugar, and cinnamon stick into a medium saucepan and cook it at low heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally.</li> <li>Once done, fish out the lemon peel and cinnamon stick from the rice using a spoon. The sudden crunch of an entire cinnamon stick or the extreme bitterness from a lemon peel are not welcome surprises.</li> <li>Add the contents of your can of condensed milk and stir again.</li> <li>Remove from heat and cover, then store in a cold place. Though you can have this hot, it tastes much better cold, so I would let it sit overnight. But I'm not your mom, do whatever you want.</li> </ol> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Gloria Hallelujah, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="sofrito.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/sofrito.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notejay2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>Sofrito is as synonymous to Cuban cooking as soy sauce is to east Asian cooking. It is used in so many dishes, we could sit here all day listing them off! Some recipes call for the use of ham, but this recipe is vegan, so no need to worry about adding it in for this one. Sofrito is typically used to cook alongside proteins, so next time you have some leftover chicken or beans, feel free to add in the sofrito to the pan and use it as a flavor booster!</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notejay"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Sofrito</span></h2> </div> <br/> This is more of a sauce to use with your cooking but its good nonetheless! <p>You will need:<br/> 1/2 cup olive oil<br/> 4 cloves garlic, chopped<br/> 1/2 cup dry white wine<br/> 2 large red bell peppers, diced<br/> 5 tomatoes, diced<br/> 2 Spanish onions, peeled and diced<br/> 2 tablespoons tomato paste<br/> 1 cup cilantro<br/> 1 tablespoon oregano<br/> Salt, to taste<br/> Black pepper, to taste</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Heat the olive oil in a pan carefully until it is hot.</li> <li>Sauté the garlic, bay leaf, onions, peppers, and tomatoes until the onions and peppers are soft.</li> <li>Stir in the tomato paste slowly.</li> <li>Add the wine and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cilantro and oregano.</li> <li>Switch off the heat.</li> <li>Puree it in a blender. Add salt and pepper to taste.</li> <li>That's it! It holds up well in the fridge, but I recommend freezing it if you're not going to use it immediately.</li> </ol> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Gloria Hallelujah, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="arrozconpollo.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/arrozconpollo.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notejay2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>Arroz con pollo is a simple, delicious dish that is symbolic of Cuba and the Caribbean in general. It is the Hispanic world's equivalent of pilaf, which originated in Asia. Just goes to show you that it's a small world after all!</p> <p>…</p> <p>Great. Now I have that awful Disney ride song stuck in my head.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notejay"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Arroz con Pollo (Rice with Chicken, Cuban style)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 4 Bone-In Chicken Thighs<br/> 1/2 a cup of olive oil<br/> 1 teaspoons of cumin<br/> 1 Spanish onion<br/> 1 red bell pepper<br/> 4 garlic cloves<br/> 1 cups chicken stock<br/> 1 can of tomato sauce<br/> 1 bay leaf<br/> 2 teaspoons of oregano<br/> 1 cup of rice<br/> Salt and pepper to taste<br/> <strong>You can replace some of these ingredients with Sofrito, read the Instructions for more.</strong></p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Pour your olive oil into a big pot over medium heat.</li> <li>Season your chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and cumin.</li> <li>Place the chicken into the pot to brown for a bit. Once all the pieces are brown, remove the chicken.</li> <li>In the same pot, fry your diced onion until it is translucent.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-691089-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-691089-1')">1</a></sup></li> <li>Add the garlic and cook for a few more minutes or until it is fragrant. Make sure to stir constantly or the garlic will burn!</li> <li>Add the tomato sauce, chicken stock, bay leaf, and rice in that order. Don't want your rice to burn, do we?</li> <li>Add your chicken thighs back on top and cover the pot.</li> <li>Let it sit for anywhere between 30 to 45 mins or until the rice has absorbed all the liquid.</li> </ol> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Gloria Hallelujah, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="moros.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/moros.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notejay2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>Moros y Cristianos translates to "Moors and Christians". Its name is a reference to the African Moors who conquered Spain from the 8th century up until the Reconquista, with the black beans being the Moors part of the dish and the white rice being the 'Christians' of Spain. Sounds icky, I know, but ultimately both parts of the dish are cooked together, so maybe there's a message of unity here after all? Who knows. All I know is that this dish is delicious and I hope you try it!</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notejay"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Vegan Moros y Cristianos (Black Beans and Rice)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 2 cups of water<br/> 1 cup of rice<br/> 1 can of black beans<br/> 1 Spanish onion<br/> 3 cloves of minced garlic<br/> 1 bay leaf<br/> 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped<br/> 1 tablespoon of white vinegar<br/> A splash of olive oil<br/> <strong>You can replace some of these ingredients with Sofrito, read the Instructions for more.</strong></p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Heat some oil in a pot over medium heat.</li> <li>Add the onions and peppers, cooking them until they are soft and the onions are translucent.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-691089-2" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-691089-2')">2</a></sup></li> <li>Add the minced garlic and let it cook for a little bit or until it is fragrant.</li> <li>Add the water to the pot, then add the rice.</li> <li>Add the beans and their liquid to the pot, and then stir.</li> <li>Let the mix come to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low. Wait until the rice absorbs all the liquid.</li> <li>Add the vinegar and stir.</li> <li>You're done! Though this dish is traditionally served with pork rinds, but they are completely optional to add if you're vegan, vegetarian, or simply just don't eat pork.</li> </ol> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Gloria Hallelujah, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="merenges.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/merenges.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notejay2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>I'll be honest, Merenguitos are far from my favorite dessert (Arroz con leche, my beloved!), but they're still great. Not to mention they're really easy to make and don't require many ingredients. They're also highly customizable, meaning that if you feel like experimenting with adding different flavors to the mixture, you absolutely can, and they'll still turn out great!</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notejay"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Merenguitos (Meringue Cookies)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 4 large egg whites. No yolks!<br/> 1/2 cup of sugar<br/> 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar<br/> A pinch of salt</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>First things first, you'll need to preheat your oven to 200ºF, or 93ºC.</li> <li>Start whisking/whipping the egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar in a bowl.</li> <li>Slowly begin pouring in your sugar while continuing to whisk the mixture until stiff peaks form. You can tell when the peaks are stiff when you lift the whisk and the mixture doesn't curl as you lift it.</li> <li>Pour the mixture into a piping bag. You can DIY one by putting your mixture into a plastic freezer bag and squeezing the excess air out of it then before twisting the bag into a cone shape. Once this is done, cut a small hole in one of the bottom corners using scissors.</li> <li>Pipe the mixture down onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.</li> <li>Stick it in the oven for 45 minutes. To test doneness, remove one from the oven and break it open. If the inside is dry and solid after a few minutes of being outside, they are done.</li> <li>Once they are done, turn off the oven but leave the cookies in the oven for about a half hour, then remove them and let them cool down. Careful not to burn yourself!</li> </ol> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h1><span>Middle Eastern Meal Prep With Salam</span></h1> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="canon-block" style="border: dashed #ff3f45; background:#ADD8E6; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <img alt="sage.png" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/sage.png" style="float: right; width: 40%; padding: 5px; shape-outside: url(http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/sage.png); shape-margin:1em;"/><br/> Even though I haven’t been able to visit my family in over a decade, my Arab identity is alive and thriving in my everyday life. And what better way to show that than through our daily bread and butter? Like Jay, cooking with my grandparents has always been a cornerstone of home life—whenever I could squeeze it in between coursework, research, commuting, and all the other chaos life throws at you. <p>Of course, being away from my homeland has shaped my cooking in unexpected ways. Ingredients get swapped, cuisines mix, and time leaves its fingerprints on tradition. So, while what I cook might not taste exactly like what you’d find in an Arab country, the roots are still there, holding strong and true.</p> <p>- S. Narjeen</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Caveat, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="tea.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/tea.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notesalam2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>While I’ve never been a huge fan of tea or chai myself, I have to admit that I’m impressed by how widespread and beloved the drink has become across the globe. Most cultures refer to it by one of two names—“Chai” or “Tea”—or some variation of these. It’s fascinating to consider the history behind these names. The drink itself originated in China, where it was first cultivated and consumed. European and Western societies gained access to it through maritime trade routes, primarily from merchants speaking the "Min Nan" dialect along certain coastal regions. Meanwhile, the “cha” pronunciation spread along the Silk Road, reaching Central Asia and eventually making its way to the Middle East.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notesalam"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Shai (Arab Chai, or Tea)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 4 cups water<br/> 2 tbsp loose black tea leaves (preferably strong, such as Ceylon or Assami)<br/> 2-3 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)<br/> 2-3 cardamom pods (optional, for extra flavor)<br/> 1 small handful fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Bring the water to a boil over medium heat in a tea kettle or pot.</li> <li>Once the water is boiling, add the tea leaves and mint and/or cardamom pods (if using). Stir to combine.</li> <li>Reduce the heat to low and let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes, depending on how strong you like it.</li> <li>Stir in the sugar and allow it to dissolve completely. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.</li> <li>Strain the tea into small cups, discarding the tea leaves and cardamom pods.</li> <li>If you prefer milk in your tea, highly recommend using carnation milk</li> <li>Dip "kaik" (Arab Biscuits) into tea to soften if you would like a small snack alongside your shai.</li> </ol> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Caveat, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="hummus.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/hummus.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notesalam2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>Hummus, alongside falafel, is arguably one of the most recognizable Arab dishes, especially among vegetarian and vegan communities, thanks to its rich flavor and high protein content. For my family and me, it’s been a go-to breakfast food we make nearly every weekend. Traditionally, we enjoy it with warm pita bread for dipping, but the beauty of hummus is its versatility. You can pair it with falafel, crackers, or veggie sticks—personally, I love using bell pepper slices. It’s an underrated combination in my opinion!</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notesalam"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Hummus (Savory Chickpea Dip)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 2 cans of chickpeas<br/> 1 cup of water<br/> ½ cup of sesame paste<br/> OPTIONAL ingredients (All to Taste)<br/> Olive oil<br/> Lemon juice<br/> Parsley (or another herb)<br/> Ritz Crackers, Bread, or Cucumbers slices</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Place Chickpeas, Water, and Sesame paste into blender, and blend until uniform in appearance <ol> <li>Add lemon juice here too. Feel free to add a little at a time and taste test until you get to the sourness level you want.</li> <li>Pour hummus into a serving bowl. Use the spoon to give it a nice, wavey design with an elevated center.</li> <li>Optional step: Drizzle olive oil on and around the center</li> <li>Optional step: Garnish the center with parsley or chosen herb</li> <li>Enjoy your hummus by dipping in ritz crackers, bread, or cucumber slices. Note pita bread is the most common/traditional choice. Alternatively, you could use a spoon, but I will judge you for it!</li> </ol> </li> </ol> <p>Note: PLEASE saran wrap your hummus if you don't finish it. It WILL get a crusty top layer if left outside to dehydrate.</p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Caveat, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="Falafel.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Falafel.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notesalam2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>Falafel are one of the most well-known foods from the Middle East and a staple at any self-respecting Arab restaurant. It took my family a bit of time to figure out the proper recipe, as none of the store-bought frozen falafel worked for us, and eating at restaurants was too expensive. We tried a wide variety of ground beans for a while but eventually settled on chickpeas as the most classic and flavorful option. What I will say is that falafel are best served fresh and hot—they just don’t taste the same after sitting in the fridge or being exposed to the elements for a few hours. And unfortunately, microwaving them doesn’t restore them to their former glory.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notesalam"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Falafel (Crispy Chickpea Fritters)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 2 cups dried chickpeas (soaked overnight and drained)<br/> 1 small onion, roughly chopped<br/> 4 garlic cloves<br/> 1 cup fresh parsley and cilantro leaves</p> <p>Seasoning<br/> 2 tsp ground cumin<br/> 1 tsp ground coriander<br/> 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)<br/> 1 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)<br/> 1/4 tsp black pepper<br/> 1 tsp baking powder<br/> 3-4 tbsp flour, for binding<br/> Oil for frying</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Combine the soaked chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, and cilantro in a food processor, and process until you get a coarse, grainy texture. Avoid over-processing into a paste.</li> <li>Add seasoning and baking powder, and mix until combined.</li> <li>To bind mix together, add flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture holds together when shaped into a ball.</li> <li>Scoop about 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture and form it into small balls or flattened patties.</li> <li>Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the falafel in batches for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.</li> <li>Serve warm with pita bread, hummus, tahini sauce, or fresh salad.</li> </ol> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Caveat, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="Maqluba.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Maqluba.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notesalam2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>Malubit Zahra has to be one of my all-time favorite dishes—there’s just something unbeatable about that tender cauliflower, especially when paired with a side of yogurt or a fresh salad. As a kid, I had a terrible habit of sneaking bites straight from the pot before my mom even had a chance to finish cooking it. My family, being far too kind, indulged me in this mischief and would even set aside the biggest cauliflower chunks for me when we sat down to eat. Suffice to say, I was very spoiled, and I enjoyed every moment of it.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notesalam"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Malubit Zahrah (Flipped Cauliflower)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 2-4 cups of rice<br/> 1 cup bone or chicken broth<br/> 1 head of cauliflower (Feel free to add more!)<br/> 1 finely sliced sweet onion<br/> 2-3 mashed garlic cloves</p> <p>OPTIONAL:<br/> 1 can of strained chickpeas<br/> 3-6 Pieces of chicken</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>IF ADDING CHICKEN: It may be better to use pre-cooked chicken- simply fry or fillet to taste beforehand.</li> <li>Heat some oil in a pot over medium heat. After breaking cauliflower into florets, cover in spices and allow them to grill until a gold-brown color.</li> <li>Pour strained chickpeas, onion, and garlic into the same pot as cauliflower and stir. Allow to simmer for 3-5 minutes. Add oil as needed.</li> <li>Place tender chicken into pot and allow to simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes. Add oil as needed.</li> <li>Stir thoroughly. Note that most of the veggies and meat will be left at the bottom of the pot- this is completely fine.</li> <li>Add the rice and stir- but don't separate the veggie and rice layers too much!</li> <li>Pour water (or broth, if you're feeling fancy) into the pot until everything is covered.</li> <li>Allow food to cook for the next 20-30 minutes, until all water has been absorbed. Stir pot periodically to ensure nothing sticks to the bottom.</li> <li>Once all water is absorbed, obtain a tray or plate large enough to fit the diameter of the pot. Then, flip the pot onto the platter. Do this while the pot is still hot, so make sure you wear oven mitts!</li> <li>Shake the pot or tap it from the top, then remove. You should have a "cake" of rice covered with meat and cauliflower. This is how this dish gets its name- you need to "Flip" the pot to get to all the tasty stuff at the bottom!</li> </ol> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Caveat, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="dolmaqirim.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/dolmaqirim.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notesalam2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>The word "Mahshi" in Arabic literally translates to "Stuffed." So, take a wild guess what happens to the veggies depicted above. My family would make large batches of these whenever we had an abundance of vegetables on hand, and we’d get pretty creative. While squash and zucchini are the most commonly used veggies, we’ve stuffed potatoes, eggplants, and even a few particularly large carrots on occasion. It’s a delicious and comforting dish, and just a couple of stuffed veggies will leave you feeling mahshi yourself.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notesalam"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Mahshi (Stuffed Veggies)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 4 large zucchinis, eggplants, or bell peppers (or a combination)<br/> 1 cup rice (washed)<br/> Ground lamb or beef, to taste<br/> 1 large onion, finely chopped<br/> 2 tbsp olive oil<br/> 1 tsp ground allspice, cinnamon, and cumin<br/> Salt and pepper to taste<br/> 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth<br/> Diced vegetables<br/> Tomato Sauce or Paste, optional</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Carefully hollow out the zucchini, eggplant, or peppers FROM ONLY THE TOP, making sure not to break the skin. Set them aside.</li> <li>In a large bowl, combine the rice, ground meat, chopped onion, olive oil, allspice, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well.</li> <li>Stuff the vegetables with the rice and meat mixture, leaving a little space at the top to allow the rice to expand during cooking.</li> <li>In a large pot, heat a bit of olive oil and brown the stuffed vegetables for a few minutes.</li> <li>Then add enough water to just cover the vegetables. You May add in tomato sauce or paste as well, if so desired.</li> <li>Cover the pot and bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 40-50 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the rice is fully cooked.</li> <li>Serve hot with yogurt or fresh salad, though be forewarned the mahshi at the bottom of the bowl will be EXTREMELY hot.</li> </ol> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Caveat, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="Knafah.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Knafah.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notesalam2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>Knafah is a unique desert combining both Sweet and Umami flavors. It is one of my father's favorite dishes, but with how sugary it can be, my family only opts to make it a few times a year for special occasions. A fun little side story: the recipe calls for shredded phyllo dough. I brilliantly decided to describe this as "dough cut into strips" to my boyfriend, who was doing a project about my cultural cuisine for his food customs class. He insisted thereafter, that technically, the phyllo dough could count as noodles. His logic and confusion is understandable, but my lord does it hurts my arab heart.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notesalam"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Knafah</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> For the base:<br/> 1 lb shredded phyllo dough (or kataifi pastry)<br/> Orange Food Coloring (Optional)<br/> 1 cup unsalted butter, melted</p> <p>For the filling:<br/> 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese<br/> 1 cup ricotta cheese or sweet cheese (such as Nabulsi, softened)</p> <p>For the syrup:<br/> 2 cups sugar<br/> 1 cup water<br/> 1 tbsp lemon juice<br/> 1 tsp rose water (optional)</p> <p>Optional garnish:<br/> Crushed pistachios</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Prepare the syrup: Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves, bring to a boil, then simmer for 7-10 minutes. Add lemon juice, orange blossom water, and rose water. Remove from heat and cool.</li> <li>Obtain a baking dish or thin cooking pan. Gently separate the shredded phyllo dough across the bottom</li> <li>Spread softened butter or margarine and knead into the phyllo dough until everything is even. Warm the pan on a stovetop to make this step easier. If you would like to add the food coloring, place it in at this step to coat the initial phyllo dough layer.</li> <li>Spread the cheese mixture (mozzarella and ricotta) evenly over the phyllo and press it down until firm. Top with the remaining phyllo, then press again.</li> <li>Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the knafeh for 30-40 minutes until the top is golden and crisp.</li> <li>Flip the pan: Grab a slightly larger or even sized pan, and flip the knafeh onto it to ensure the orange, brighter side originally on the bottom is facing upright.</li> <li>Add syrup: Once baked, pour cooled syrup over the hot knafeh evenly. Let it soak for a few minutes.</li> <li>Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with crushed pistachios, slice, and serve warm.</li> </ol> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h1><span>Easy & Hearty Dutch meals with Gijs</span></h1> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="canon-block" style="border: dashed #ff3f45; background:#FFD2A6; margin-bottom: 10px;"><img alt="gijs.png" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/gijs.png" style="float: right; width: 40%; padding: 5px; shape-outside: url(http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/gijs.png); shape-margin:1em;"/><br/> I’m not the first person to admit I’m not a good cook — that person would be my husband Daniël. He might or might not have banned me from cooking dinner in our household due to my so-called “cursed palette” and “ability to insult several cultures in one dish.” He might've made me cut my take on lasagna. Ah well. <p>Dutch cuisine might not be the culinary highlight of the world in your eyes, but we got some absolute bangers that are easy to prepare and will treat you right.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p><em>~Gijs van Oosterbeek, Head Researcher for Site-312</em></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Oregano, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="Boerenkool.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Boerenkool.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notegijs2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>The one thing my husband trusts me with is true Dutch cultural heritage: mashing vegetables with potatoes. Boerenkool and hutspot are tasty and easy beginner dishes with loads of vegetables, which you can cook in big batches and serve up later. It’ll stay fine in your fridge for at least 2 days, or you can freeze it in. Bake leftovers in gravy rather than adding it afterwards (just save a little bit for the required gravy pit).</p> <p>Serve it with real sausage, though. Not that vegan bullshit Daniël was convinced "tasted just like the real thing." It doesn't and it's an insult to pretend otherwise.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notegijs"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Stamppot boerenkool (Kale mash)</span></h2> </div> <br/> Kale as some kind of superfood is absolutely hilarious. Massage with oil and bake it in the oven?! We call it farmer’s cabbage and we boil it with potatoes. <p>You will need:<br/> 1 kilogram potatoes;<br/> 500 grams of kale;<br/> 60ml or ¼ cup of a milk of your choice (plant milk or cow milk);<br/> Bacon (preferably) or another salted protein (optional);</p> <p>Serve with:<br/> Gravy (instant or your own recipe);<br/> (Smoked) sausage or another protein of choice.</p> <p>This recipe is 4 servings.</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Peel the potatoes and dice them in smaller pieces, so they cook faster. Doesn’t need to look pretty.</li> <li>Put the potatoes and the kale in a big pot and add water. Bring to a boil and let it cook for about 20 minutes.</li> <li>Cook the (smoked) sausage or other meat/proteine of choice separately.</li> <li>Prepare the gravy according to your recipe/the instructions on the box.</li> <li>Pour off all the water and mash the potatoes and kale together with a masher. Don’t have a masher? You can use a fork or any other kitchen utensil that lets you stomp it all to a pulp. Just enjoy the therapeutic experience.</li> <li>Stir in the milk to make it a bit creamy, but don't overdo it. The gravy will also add fluid and this isn't a soup.</li> <li>You can mix in some diced bacon bits. If you don’t eat pork you can leave it out, or replace it with some nicely seasoned chicken. If you don’t want meat you can leave it out altogether, just add a little more gravy!</li> <li>Traditionally, it is served with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rookworst">smoked sausage</a> and gravy. You might not have access to smoked sausage where you are in the world, so any sausage will do. Don’t like sausage? Add your preferred meat or meat-replacement. The Dutch are very tolerant of your preferences.</li> <li>Lastly, the finishing step: add a pit in the middle of your serving and serve the gravy there! It is <em>not</em> traditionally Dutch without the gravy pit. I will haunt you if you skip this step. <strong>The gravy pit is not optional!</strong> You’re supposed to mix the kale mash with the gravy afterwards, though. Don't question it.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Optional tastemakers:</strong><br/> You can vary the taste by adding a tiny dash of French mustard (think ‘1/2 a teaspoon’ to one serving) or a little butter. Others have replaced the milk with a cream. Try experimenting to find your preferences!</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notegijs"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Hutspot (Carrot & onion mash)</span></h2> </div> <br/> Another mash, in case you can't get a hold of kale. <p>You will need:<br/> 700 grams of potatoes;<br/> 600 grams of carrots;<br/> 400 grams of onion;<br/> 60ml or ¼ cup of a milk of your choice (plant milk or cow milk);<br/> Bacon (preferably) or another salted protein (optional);</p> <p>Serve with:<br/> Gravy (instant or your own recipe);<br/> (Smoked) sausage or another protein of choice.<br/> Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <p>Can’t get your hands on kale or want to try something else? Replace the kale with carrots and onion, all peeled and diced roughly. Follow the same instructions as for the kale mash. Does it look like someone threw a better-looking dish back up? Then you did it right! Enjoy!</p> <p><strong>Optional tastemakers:</strong><br/> Try to vary a bit by adding a little pepper, a dash of nutmeg or some butter!</p> <p>Again, <strong>serve with a gravy pit</strong> or I will beat you with a pair of wooden shoes and throw you in the Utrechter canals.</p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Oregano, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="Pannekoek.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Pannekoek.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notegijs2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>We don't have steakhouses in the Netherlands, we have pannekoek restaurants. Before you're asking how to fill an entire menu with pannekoeken, let's go over the basics: pannekoeken are a lot thinner than the pancakes that were based on it, and not as fluffy as a result. Think of slightly thicker crêpes. Next, bake in your favourite toppings. Especially the savoury stuff. This is dinner food, and I bet you won't be able to eat more than two per meal!</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notegijs"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Pannekoeken (Dutch (loaded) pancakes)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 300 grams of wheat flower<br/> 700 ml milk<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-691089-3" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-691089-3')">3</a></sup><br/> 1 tsp baking powder<br/> 1/2 tsp salt<br/> 8 grams of vanilla sugar (optional)</p> <p>This is enough for about 5-6 pannekoeken, depending on how thick you make them and the size of your pan.<br/> Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Throw all the powdered ingredients together and give it a quick stir.</li> <li>Add the milk and stir until it's a goo.</li> <li>Grease up a frying pan with some butter or oil, then drop in enough batter to cover the entire surface. I like using a ladle to measure it out.</li> <li>Bake it until it's no longer attached to the pan, then flip it around to bake the other half.</li> </ol> <p>And that's it. Really easy one to get the basics done, but let's have fun with it now!</p> <h3><span>Pannekoeken toppings</span></h3> <p>These are some of my favourite toppings:</p> <p><strong>Boerenpannekoek</strong> (Farmer's pannekoek)<br/> Chop up a handful of all your favourite savoury stuff!</p> <ul> <li>Onions (roughly chopped or in half-moons)</li> <li>Mushrooms</li> <li>Bellpepper</li> <li>Bacon bits or bits of ham</li> <li>Slices or grated cheese</li> </ul> <p>Mix everything except the cheese into the batter and bake as a regular pannekoek. Once you flip to bake the second side, drop the cheese on the already finished side so it can nicely melt on top of your pannekoek.<br/> If you want to make this mix vegan or vegetarian, just skip or replace the animal stuff.</p> <p><strong>Hawaiian pannekoek</strong><br/> I don't give a damn if you think pineapple doesn't go on savoury stuff. Just give it a goddamned try.</p> <ul> <li>Some pineapple from a tin, either those little cube thingies or the circle slices.</li> <li>Ham bits. Or sliced mushrooms if you are so inclined</li> </ul> <p>Mix it all into the batter. If you go with the circular slices, just put the batter and mushroom/ham mix in the pan first, and drop the slices in the right spots. I add cheese on top to melt, but I've been told that this is "cursed."</p> <p><strong>Meatpannekoek</strong><br/> This is the gamechanger for me. Make the Farmer's pannekoek mix, but instead of bacon or ham, throw in some leftover flavoured meat or some shawarma. My personal favourite is spicy chicken and some chopped spring onion! Use a hotsauce of your choice, but I'll aways recommend sambal if you can get it.<br/> Add cheese to your liking.</p> <p><strong>Fruitpannekoek</strong><br/> I am what I eat! Fruit on or in your pannekoek is a classic mix. I like throwing in some slices of strawberry, some blueberries, or some apple bits. Whatever you like as fruit, I mean. Maybe some grated coconut if I feel fancy. Although I bet it could work with cheese.<br/> Note to self: try this with cheese.</p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Oregano, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="Kapsalon.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Kapsalon.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="notegijs2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>This might be the easiest thing on here, because even I can't mess this up. It's a Turkish-Dutch fusion dish named after the place you get your hair cut, because they came up with this dish at the hairdresser apparently. It's also very good greasy stuff. The perfect solution of eating unhealthy comfort food but also a salad. And apparently amazing stuff to eat at the end of a night of heavy drinking, if Jacob (our Field Agent) is to be believed.</p> <p>It doesn't usually look this fancy, by the way. Daniël insisted on going for a michelin star for the picture.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="notegijs"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Kapsalon (shawarma& fries salad)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 500 grams of fries (oven or oil fried, doesn't matter much)<br/> 400 grams of shawarma, baked<br/> 100 grams of cheese<br/> 200 grams of mushrooms, diced<br/> 1 red onion, diced</p> <p>For the salad part:<br/> half a cucumber, sliced<br/> 1 tomato, sliced<br/> 100 grams of lettuce, sliced</p> <p>For the sauce:</p> <ul> <li>Turkish garlic sauce (or another garlic sauce if you have it)</li> <li>Sambal (or another hot sauce)</li> </ul> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Prepare the fries. You can also grab pre-prepared stuff if you don't have a fryer.</li> <li>Bake the onion, mushrooms and shawarma in a frying pan. If you really can't find shawarma, try gyros or small bits of chicken you season well. Yes, sometimes I do add seasoning to my food.</li> <li>Take the aluminium container and fill it 1/3 with fries. Then fill it for 1/3rd with the shawarma mixture, and cover it with cheese.</li> <li>Bake it in the over for a couple of minutes, until the cheese has melted. While you do, prepare the salad part.</li> <li>Take the container out of the oven, add the garlic and hot sauce to your taste, then top it off with the salad.</li> </ol> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>This is how it looks when you order it, by the way.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h1><span>South African Sharing Food With Harrit</span></h1> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="canon-block" style="border: dashed #ff3f45; background:#98D380; margin-bottom: 10px;"><img alt="TransSwan.png" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/TransSwan.png" style="float: right; width: 30%; padding: 5px; shape-outside: url(http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/TransSwan.png); shape-margin:1em;"/><br/> I've been living in the Netherlands for a while now, which is quite a big food culture shock from South Africa. In all honesty, didn't do much cooking myself back home, aside from braai.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-691089-4" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-691089-4')">4</a></sup> It's not so much the cooking itself I enjoy — hell, I hate making dinner on my own. But making food together with your loved ones and sharing? That's the good stuff! The recipes I selected are specifically important because of the people they represent, and they are super share-worthy. Hope you enjoy the little food journey I made! <div style="text-align: right;"> <p><em>~Harrit Swanepoel, Head of Technical Infrastructure for Site-312</em></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Indie Flower, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="Bobotie.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Bobotie.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="noteharrit2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>Bobotie is our national dish! I love it so so much. Made for sharing, and it's even better the second day. So I like to make it on Sunday and enjoy leftovers for one or two days after. This recipe is my aunt's specific take on it!</p> <p>Gijs started eating leftovers on pre-baked ciabattas for lunch, like some kind of egg salad. Which <em>I guess</em> is fine?</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="noteharrit"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Bobotie (South African casserole)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> 2 onions, diced<br/> 1 kilo minced beef<br/> 250ml milk (plant or cow)<br/> 2 slices of bread<br/> 2 eggs<br/> 1 tbsp (or: 15ml) curry powder<br/> 1 ½ tbsp (or: 22,5ml) sugar<br/> 2 tsp (or: 10ml) salt<br/> ½ tsp (or: 2,5ml) pepper<br/> 1 ½ tsp (or: 7,5ml) turmeric<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-691089-5" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-691089-5')">5</a></sup><br/> 2 tbsp (or: 30ml) lemon juice<br/> A handful of almonds;<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-691089-6" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-691089-6')">6</a></sup><br/> 1 cup / 150 grams raisins<br/> 4 bay leaves</p> <p>Optional:<br/> 1 green apple, diced<br/> 200 grams of green beans</p> <p>Serve with:<br/> 3 tbsp chutney.<br/> Rice</p> <p>Vegan alternatives:<br/> If you want to make this recipe vegan, you can easily replace the minced meat with a vegan alternative. The eggs are a bit harder, but I've managed to figure it out! Replace the eggs and the two slices of bread with 120ml crème fraiche (60ml for each egg) and about 1/2 a teaspoon of kala namak for the eggy flavour (or more to taste). If you don't have kala namak, don't use regular salt in its place! You'll oversalt your dish!</p> <p>This recipe is 4 servings.</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Pre-heat the oven on 180°C or 356°F;</li> <li>Cut and dice the onions and fry it for about 1-2 minutes in some oil or butter. Add the meat (or meat replacement) and cook until done.</li> <li>Soak the slices of bread in the milk, then squeeze out the milk. Cut it up. If you replaced the eggs with crème fraiche, you can skip this step.</li> <li>Place the bay leaves, 125ml milk and 1 egg (or 60ml crème fraiche) aside. Add all other ingredients to the onions and meat, and put it all in the oven dish. Place the bay leaves on top of the mixture.</li> <li>Cook for 30 minutes.</li> <li>After 30 minutes, take the dish out of the oven. Stir the the 125ml milk and the 1 egg (or 60ml crème fraiche) and pour over the top of the mixture.</li> <li>Place it back in the oven and cook for another 15 minutes.</li> <li>Cook the rice in the meantime.</li> </ol> <p>Serve with rice and chutney.</p> <p>My aunt used to add a diced apple to the mixture - only sour apples work, though. Sometimes I like adding spring beans to the mixture, just to get a little more vegetables in my diet.</p> <p>Update: Gijs ate it on fries last night. I'm still recovering.</p> <p>It was actually pretty good.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Indie Flower, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="Malva%20Pudding.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Malva%20Pudding.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="noteharrit2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>I’ve always called this Cathryn’s Pudding, since my aunt always brought it over when she visited. Don't let the name confuse you, it's more cake-like. It's sweet and fluffy and my comfort food. When I first moved to the Netherlands and felt homesick, aunt Cathryn and I used to videocall and make it at the same time, so we could share it together over distance. Now I make it when I miss her.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="noteharrit"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Malva Pudding (Apricot Toffee Cake)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:</p> <p>For the pudding:<br/> 1 tsp baking soda<br/> 125 ml milk (plant or cow)<br/> 200 gram self-rising flour<br/> 100 gram white sugar<br/> 2 eggs<br/> 2 tbsp (or: 30ml) apricot jam<br/> 20 grams butter (can be vegan margarine)<br/> ¼ tsp (or: a dash) of salt</p> <p>For the sauce:<br/> 1 cup (or: 240ml) of milk (plant or cow)<br/> 115 grams butter<br/> 100 grams cane sugar<br/> ½ tsp vanilla extract</p> <p><strong>Vegan alternatives:</strong><br/> The milk and butter can easily be replaced by a plant based alternative, but the eggs are a bit trickier. Replace both eggs with 1,5 "chia-egg". You can make a chia-egg by adding 1 tablespoon chia seed and 2,5 tablespoons of water, and stir until the texture is gelatinous. So: 1,5 tbsp chia seed and just under 4 tbsps of water to replace it! I've replaced the two eggs with two chia-eggs before, and it comes out very very fluffy, so you could adjust a bit. The chia seed gives the pudding a bit of an additional texture, but I kinda like it!</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <p>We’re going to make the pudding mixture first!</p> <ol> <li>Pre-heat the oven on 180°C or 356°F;</li> <li>Dissolve the baking soda into the milk.</li> <li>Add all the other pudding ingredients together and mix. Add the milk/baking soda mixture, and mix it well.</li> <li>Bake the pudding mixture for 25-30 minutes. When it’s almost done baking, we’ll make the sauce! It takes a little bit of timing, so only start making the sauce in the last 5 minutes.</li> <li>Mix the sauce ingredients in a sauce pan and heat up until it’s melted together. Stir well, so that it doesn’t burn.</li> <li>Take the pudding out of the oven and pour the sauce over it. You can cover the entire pudding in it, until you can only see the top of it under a thin layer.</li> <li>Let it stand for several hours to cool. The pudding will soak up a lot of the sauce, and that’s the good stuff!</li> </ol> <p>You might have a little bit of sauce left over. You can add that to your coffee or some other dessert if you want.<br/> You can eat the pudding like this or with ice cream.</p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Indie Flower, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="Shakshuka.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Shakshuka.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="noteharrit2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>Okay, this is more of a Northern African recipe, not South African, but I have nostalgia for this dish. Back in university, my roommate and I used to make Shakshuka when we ran out of clean dishes, because you can just eat it out of the pan with some pitas. My roommate is vegan so we made it with tofu, but you can still have poached eggs instead. Left is with tofu, right is with egg.</p> <p>Gijs once called it "pizza toppings you scoop out with the bread," and I hate that he's not wrong.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="noteharrit"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Shakshuka (Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:</p> <p>For the mixture:<br/> 800 grams of diced tomato<br/> 6 cloves of garlic, minced<br/> 100 grams/1 cup of chopped onion<br/> 1 red bellpepper, chopped<br/> 2 chili peppers, chopped fine (you can add more peppers for more heat, or use chilli flakes if you prefer)<br/> 2 tbsp oregano (or more/less to taste)<br/> 1 tsp ground cumin<br/> 1/2 tsp salt<br/> 1/2 tsp black pepper (or more/less to taste)</p> <p>Pick one of these two options:<br/> 1) For the eggs:<br/> 5 eggs<br/> salt to cover them in once you've put them in the pan</p> <p>2) For the tofu eggs:<br/> 1 block (about 450 grams) of firm tofu, pressed<br/> 1/2 tsp black pepper<br/> 1/2 tsp garlic powder<br/> 1/4 tsp onion powder<br/> 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes<br/> 100 ml (plant-based) milk<br/> 3 tbsp of nutritional yeast<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-691089-7" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-691089-7')">7</a></sup><br/> 1 tsp kala namak<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-691089-8" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-691089-8')">8</a></sup></p> <p>Serve it with bread, pitas, or any other wheat-based medium for scooping.</p> <p>Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>If you're using the tofu eggs, put all the ingredients in a blender together and blend. Put it aside for when you need it.</li> <li>Put the onion, garlic and bell pepper in a pan and fry for about 5 minutes.</li> <li>Add all the other ingredients for the mixture and let it simmer with the lid on for about 3-5 minutes.</li> <li>Remove the lid and make wells. Put either the eggs or tofu eggs into these wells, then put the lid back on and let it simmer for another 5 minutes. That should make sure the eggs are set. Then remove the lid and cook for another 10 minutes.</li> <li>You can add some cheese or feta on top if you want. Eat directly from the pan by scooping it out with some bread, or put it on a plate. Great for sharing!</li> </ol> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <table style="transform: rotate(2deg); font-family: Indie Flower, serif;"> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-right: 5px; border: none;"><img alt="Appelflappen.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Appelflappen.jpg" style="box-shadow: 5px 3px 5px #C6BB87;"/></td> <td style="width: 50%; margin:auto; padding-left: 10px; border: none;"> <div class="noteharrit2" style="transform: rotate(-3deg);"> <p>Let's finish off with some Dutch sweet pastries that Daniël taught me to make. Sharing your recipes with those that matter to you is a special kind of bonding to me. I love making these apple pastries, they're like portable little apple pies you can just take with you.</p> <p>I guess I'm finally getting used to that Dutch palette.</p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="noteharrit"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="recipeneed"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Appelflappen (Apple Hand Pies)</span></h2> </div> <p>You will need:<br/> For the filling:<br/> 200 grams of diced apple<br/> 50 grams raisins</p> <p>For the sugar mixture:<br/> 25 grams of cane suger<br/> 15 grams of vanilla sugar<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-691089-9" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-691089-9')">9</a></sup><br/> 1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon powder</p> <p>For the crust:<br/> 20 squares of flaky pastry (premade is fine). Size is about 12x12 cm or 5x5 inches.<br/> A tbsp of (plant-based) milk<br/> Instructions:</p> </div> <div class="recipeact"> <ol> <li>Pre-heat the oven at 200 °C or 392° F.</li> <li>Mix the diced apple, raisins, and 2/3 of the sugar mixture in a mixing bowl.</li> <li>Take a square of pastry and cover one half of it in a couple of tablespoons of the filling mixture. Then fold it over and press the sides together. The traditional shape of this pastry is a triangle, but you can also fold it over in a bar.</li> <li>Do this for all 10 squares of pastry. Place them on a baking sheet on an oven tray, and coat the side that is on top in some (plant-based) milk. Then sprinkle the rest of the sugar mixture on the outside.</li> <li>Bake for 20-25min. Please note: if your pre-made pastry has some other instructions, please follow that instead! I just tell you what I do for the stuff I buy.</li> </ol> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>Some folding instructions!<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-691089-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-691089-1')">1</a>. You can ignore steps 4 and 5 if you use Sofrito instead. Just make sure you add the Sofrito to the pot and heat it for a little bit!</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-691089-2"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-691089-2')">2</a>. You can ignore steps 2 and 3 if you use Sofrito instead. Just make sure you add the Sofrito to the pot and heat it for a little bit!</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-691089-3"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-691089-3')">3</a>. Oatmilk also works fine. Haven't tried soy or coconut but I suspect it influences the taste a bit?</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-691089-4"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-691089-4')">4</a>. South-African barbecue</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-691089-5"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-691089-5')">5</a>. Also known as “curcuma”</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-691089-6"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-691089-6')">6</a>. You can add up to a quarter cup if you want to. I sometimes use cashews instead.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-691089-7"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-691089-7')">7</a>. This stuff is for the cheese taste, it's good!</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-691089-8"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-691089-8')">8</a>. This is sulfic salt that gives it an egg taste. If you can't find it or don't want to, replace it with 1/2 tsp regular salt</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-691089-9"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-691089-9')">9</a>. 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return false;"><img alt="FlyPurgatorio" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8497838&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736645373" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8497838)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;">FlyPurgatorio</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0.<br/> <strong>Note:</strong> image is a composite of the following images:</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Logo of the SCP Foundation.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Far2<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Logo_of_the_SCP_Foundation.png">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Logo_of_the_SCP_Foundation.png</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= Want to try some Cuban, Arabic, Dutch or South African cuisine this holiday season? ]] ===== [[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/SCP%20Cooking%20logo.png\|caption=.]] [[/div]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=Uncle Nicolini, Harmacy & FlyPurgatorio]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] [[module ListPages category="fragment" parent="." limit="1" order="created_at" offset="@URL\|0"]] %%content%% [[/module]] [!-- https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/fragment:re-scp-es-0 --] [!-- https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/fragment:re-scp-es-1 --]	2024-12-02T02:32:00	[ "_image", "_licensebox", "_listpages", "co-authored", "doctor-everwood", "illustrated", "journal", "slice-of-life", "tale" ]	reSCPes - Prepare, Cook, Serve up! - SCP Foundation	34	[ "re-scp-es/offset/1", "re-scp-es#toc0", "re-scp-es#toc1", "re-scp-es#toc2", "re-scp-es#toc3", "re-scp-es#toc4", "re-scp-es#toc5", "re-scp-es#toc6", "re-scp-es#toc7", "re-scp-es#toc8", "re-scp-es#toc9", "re-scp-es#toc10", "re-scp-es#toc11", "re-scp-es#toc12", "re-scp-es#toc13", "re-scp-es#toc14", "re-scp-es#toc15", "re-scp-es#toc16", "re-scp-es#toc17", "re-scp-es#toc18", "re-scp-es#toc19", "re-scp-es#toc20", "re-scp-es#toc21", "re-scp-es#toc22", "re-scp-es#toc23", "re-scp-es#top", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "tales-by-year", "news" ]	[ "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/SCP%20Cooking%20logo.png", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/everwood.png", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/arrozconleche.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/sofrito.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/arrozconpollo.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/moros.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/merenges.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/sage.png", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/tea.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/hummus.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Falafel.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Maqluba.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/dolmaqirim.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Knafah.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/gijs.png", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Boerenkool.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Pannekoek.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Kapsalon.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/TransSwan.png", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Bobotie.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Malva%20Pudding.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Shakshuka.jpg", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/re-scp-es/Appelflappen.jpg" ]	1457461609	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/re-scp-es
recomposition	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>How could something as fleeting as a song ever be contained in one place for long?</p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:300px;"><img alt="Donny%20and%20Sile%202.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Donny%20and%20Sile%202.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Donny and Sile</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">DrBleep</a> <div class="authorbox"> <div class="authorcontent"> <p><strong>SUGGESTED LISTENING</strong>:<br/> Overall Theme:<br/> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zz5X1uwKcM&ab_channel=SeeASquaRE">Light & Shadow - Hiroyuki Sawano feat. Gemie ~Star Guardian 2019 Theme Song</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdYWuo9OFAw&pp=ygUSSXJpcyBnb28gZ29vIGRvbGxz">Iris The Goo Goo Dolls</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xf-Lesrkuc&pp=ygUQRHJvcHMgb2YgSnVwaXRlcg%3D%3D">Drops of Jupiter - Drops of Jupiter</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxxstCcJlsc&pp=ygUHY2xhcml0eQ%3D%3D">Clarity - Zedd</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnDu1HHOo78&pp=ygUKZHJpZnQgYXdheQ%3D%3D">Drift Away Uncle Kracker/Dobie Gray</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Naa1HXeDQ&pp=ygUEMyBBTQ%3D%3D">3 AM Matchbox Twenty</a></li> </ul> <p>Character Themes:</p> <ul> <li>Donny: <ul> <li style="list-style: none; display: inline"> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C-2AqRD8io&pp=ygUUc29tZXRoaW5nIGNvbWZvcnRpbmc%3D">Something Comforting - Porter Robinson</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-74HTjRbuY&pp=ygUYbXVzaWNpYW4gcG9ydGVyIHJvYmluc29u">Musician - Porter Robinson</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuMz4v5PYKc&pp=ygUYbXVzaWNpYW4gcG9ydGVyIHJvYmluc29u">I'm Still Here - Porter Robinson</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Dd7Lz-YHI">Everything Goes On - Porter Robinson</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Sile: <ul> <li style="list-style: none; display: inline"> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYD-DIggB2k">April Come She Will - Simon and Garfunkel</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Eithne <ul> <li style="list-style: none; display: inline"> <ul> <li><a href="https://youtu.be/MSEr2sjsuYk">Sparrow - Simon and Garfunkel</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Vivienne <ul> <li style="list-style: none; display: inline"> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFCTsZzJlDk&pp=ygURQi5PLk0uQi4gYnkgRW1seW4%3D">B.O.M.B. By Emlyn</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Stephanie <ul> <li style="list-style: none; display: inline"> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyGSe76rAJc&pp=ygUOQnVybmluZyBIb3VzZSA%3D">Burning House by Cam</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>Action:<br/> 3.0-3.4<br/> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zz5X1uwKcM">Light & Shadow - Hiroyuki Sawano feat. Gemie ~Star Guardian 2019 Theme Song</a></p> <p>3.5-3.8</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtydugIWkHs">Running up that Hill - Kate Bush Stranger things S4 orchestral remix</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeMvMNpvB5M&ab_channel=Heart">Barracuda by Heart</a></li> </ul> <p>4.3:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek-6UNAEtvY&ab_channel=LeonaLewis-Topic">Leona Lewis - My Hands</a></li> </ul> <p>You can find more of Bleep's works <a href="/dr-bleeps-author-page">Here</a> and Queerious' works <a href="/queerious">Here</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <table style="margin:0; padding:0"> <tr> <td style="margin:0; padding:0"> <div id="toc"> <div id="toc-action-bar"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.foldToc(event)">Fold</a><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.unfoldToc(event)" style="display: none">Unfold</a></div> <div class="title">Table of Contents</div> <div id="toc-list"> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc0">Movement 1: She's Back In The Atmosphere</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc1">1.1 She Listens Like Spring and Acts Like Summer</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc2">1.2 Was It Everything You Wanted to Find?</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc3">1.3 You Know a Melody Can Move Me</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc4">1.4 Did the Wind Sweep You Off Your Feet?</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc5">1.5 The World Outside looks so Unkind</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc6">Movement 2: Tracing Her Way Through the Constellation</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc7">2.1: You Know That's a Game that I Hate to Lose</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc8">2.2: Walk on through a Red Parade</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc9">2.3 Fight Fear for the Selfish Pain</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc10">2.4 Still Fight and I don't Know Why</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc11">Movement 3: You are the Piece of Me I Wish I didn't Need</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc12">3.1 You're the Closest to Heaven that I'll Ever be</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc13">3.2 It Cuts Deep Through our Ground</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc14">3.3 And All I Can Taste is this Moment And All I Can Breathe is Your Life</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc15">3.4 I'm Feelin' the Strain, ain't it a Shame?</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc16">3.5 Thanks for the Joy that You've Given Me</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc17">3.6 Now that She's Back from that Soul Vacation</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc18">3.7 And I'd Give Up Forever to Touch You</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc19">3.8 A Clock Ticks 'till it Breaks your Glass and I Drown in you Again</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 1em;"><a href="#toc20">Movement 4: She Swears the Moon don't Hang Quite as High as it Used to</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc21">4.1 Give me the Beat, Girls, and Free our Souls</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc22">4.2 Sooner or Later, it's Over, I Just don't Wanna Miss you Tonight</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc23">4.25 My Hands, No They Don't Wanna Understand</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc24">4.3 With Drops of Jupiter in her Hair</a></div> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <h1 id="toc0"><span>Movement 1: She's Back In The Atmosphere</span></h1> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, Tiny Dancer</strong></p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>The mountain was dead. The trees desolate. Desiccated grass, bushes, and herbs all caught in a stasis of inevitable decay. Life, the harmony of a thousand living things, and the beauty of an ancient place were gone. An eternal song as old as the very trees, stolen by the greed of men and women who dared to call themselves artists. Worst of all, there was trash, discarded plastic, beer, and soda cans, forgotten batteries and an anathema of used up and discarded camping and art supplies scattered along the ground.</p> <p>A blood-soaked pond sat atop this desecrated place, shimmering underneath the cruel Mediterranean sun. Once a place of artistic inspiration, it stands now only as a monument to the atrocity, a memory of their greed.</p> <p>A monument to how <a href="/scp-7238">AWCY shackled the Muses.</a></p> <p>At least, that's all it seemed to be when they left. When they took their warped and twisted spoils of war; imprisoned something more than any of them could possibly understand. What they left behind would bring a reckoning.</p> <p>A reckoning that was about to begin.</p> </div> <p>A twinkling breeze floated through the air, notes and words softly carried on its flicking vibrations. A desperate last hope.</p> <div class="song"> <p>♫They came here on their own<br/> And sought a twisted prize.<br/> They stole us from our homes,<br/> and corrupted our sacred tithes.</p> <p>But they left you, my lovely dear,<br/> undisturbed in your napping years.<br/> But you need to wake up,<br/> Donny my dear<br/> Oh, you need to wake up,<br/> Don't let them make us,<br/> Disappear. ♫</p> </div> <p>The music slowly faded away.</p> <p>Silence settled back over the mountain; some long-forgotten spirit stilled with grief.</p> <p>A hand breached the surface of the pond. Ripples spread from where it burst through. Soaked with the blood of defilers, it sank back down into the pool. The water writhed, boiled, and dragged. The surface burst apart. A hand grasped the edge, water mingling with the red-stained dirt. A second hand pulsed from below and added to the grip. With great exertion, the arms pulled their owner free.</p> <p>Tall, feline ears burst the surface. They emerge from a disastrously-messy mane of curly hair, the shimmering gold stained with maroon. A young woman, her skin kissed by the sun into a shade of olive, glimmered in the light of the mocking ball of fire. She coughed. Blood water forced itself from her lungs. Desperately, she crawled out of the water and lay on the dead grass. The only protection against the hateful fire of the Mediterranean sun was the paltry shade of a long-dead, ancient tree. Bare beneath a hateful sky, her bushy tail lay limp across the ground.</p> <p>The pool spat a lyre from its bloody waters. Its ancient wood decorated with masterful carvings, gilded with gold and silver trimmings, and encrusted with several precious gems, all of which caught the sunlight as it arced up into the air. After a second or two of airtime, it came back to earth, landing a few feet from her.</p> <p>The lingering notes of her mother’s song rasped against Donatsiva Satisiva Salidore's waking mind. Seeping silence sunk in as the song faded. She lay there, breathing heavy, eyes towards the heavens, as the lyre began to hum and twitter all on its own.</p> <div class="sile"> <p>The weight of a groggy fog sat heavy on her mind in its deepest resonance. She wasn't yet fully aware, of the shattered wreckage of the storm; of the cataclysmic schism she lay among. To shock her into it would have been to undo her twine. So instead, I sang to her across a thousand miles.</p> </div> <div class="song sile"> <p>♫I felt you stirring in the depths of death,<br/> Revitalizing my spirit with your gasping breath,<br/> Pulled along through all your pleasant dreams,<br/> Yet you weren't ready quite yet to see,<br/> So come and sing with me.</p> <p>Let's remember together,<br/> Back among the looming ancient trees,<br/> How you were sent far to the north,<br/> to escape that dissonant unrest,<br/> In the final notes of a forgotten, mystic age.</p> <p>Do you recall the excitement of a new symphony?<br/> The kiss of a foreign sun upon your skin,<br/> How sleepiness and shyness warned you from,<br/> The place where unfamiliar people sang.</p> <p>Can you remember where we first met,<br/> Past the tolling tones of the standing stones?<br/> In the place you sought to be alone,<br/> To compose a new and lovely song.</p> <p>Come and take my hand,<br/> and let’s celebrate it all again. ♫</p> </div> <div class="donny-storybook"> <h2 id="toc1"><span>1.1 She Listens Like Spring and Acts Like Summer</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Far Past, Summer Dream Sonata</strong></p> </div> <p>Somewhere in the near distance, her horse snorted and neighed a little refrain of happiness as Donatsiva Satisiva Salidore crested the hill that separated the sleepy valley from the bustling village.</p> <p>Basking in the sensation of the sun atop the hill, Donny held a hand out, eyes closing as she quietly whistled along with the songbirds, the intimacy and succor of the tones cutting through the air. A songbird landed on her palm and sang to her. She tweeted back to it softly, raising her hand and reaching to gently preen and pet its feathers, a warm smile curling along her lips. Together their melody gently twinkled against the mild morning air, until she gently lifted the bird back up to the sky, to which it took.</p> <p>She began the descent to the valley below, feet dancing to a spirited row.</p> <p>The gentle wisp of white flower petals greeted her as she drifted into a clearing, lower in the hill-ringed valley that composed the village housing her home. A simple but ancient stone lined well, rested in the center of the path. Chickens, watched over by a rather large and portend rooster that clearly thought itself more important than it actually was, lingered around the well.</p> <p>Lips curling up into a smile, Donny reached into her traveler’s cloak, and produced leftover bread from the morning’s meal, sprinkling it into the dirt as the chickens meandered over, clucking happily to an adagio rhythm.</p> <p>She made her way to the stone, the rooster hopping down and aside, as she sat on its lip. Closing her eyes she listened and basked in the concerto of a newfound home. It wasn't the mountain, but it was magical, in its own special way.</p> <p>Her fingers reached behind her head, long and spindly digits dragging across the soft and warm texture of the lyre, scraping of the skin drawing lovely little twinkling notes from the instrument, as she pulled it forth to rest in her lap. Notes began to resolve in the concept of her nine-minded being.</p> <p>So consumed was she that her sensitive ears missed the footsteps moving to a slow jig, and only returned to material reality when a gentle, but peculiar, mezzo-soprano waxed across her ears. A dirge of words she didn't recognize, but heard and understood, nonetheless.</p> <p>"'lo. You're our guest, aren't you?"</p> <p>Donny's eyes opened resentfully, dulling the sounds greeting her ears ever so slightly. The beating of many disparate hearts to a rhythm and song all their own faded as she looked upon her visitor. The woman before her was resonant with a timbre and tenor that indicated youth, a contrast to the assonnato and aged timbre of her own resonance. Rich, dark, thick piano strands arced from her head, framing ebony, and soulful eyes. The muted strains of her red and green dress contrasted with the light, airy tones of her skin and the rich dark notes of her irises. There was a triste, melancholy melody to her eyes that brightened as a vibrato chill ran through her when she stopped half a dozen feet away.</p> <p>Donny nodded twice to fleeting chords and replied, "I am." Her voice stuttered as it always did in the presence of someone new, for though she was a Musechild, the shy nature of her nymph parent always shone through.</p> <p>An inquisitive timbre rose in the woman's face, the aura around Donny injecting dancing musical abandon into the atmosphere. This was a trait Donny had not realized, had not understood, that the concept of her emotions always danced across to those who got close. Infectious to mortals, but how could she have known that? She never veered outside the sanctuary of the mountain, until now.</p> <p>The stranger smiled. Her voice took on an almost playful bouncing tone. "When they told us we would receive a guest, we didn't expect to wait so long. We were wondering when you would come or if you would even come at all." The chickens and roosters all trundled over to cluster around the woman's feet. "Then you slept for three entire days." She gestured with lips curling up and eyes narrowing in a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "I can't imagine how long your travels were." A pause as the young woman pressed a finger to her lips, and considered. "Forgive me, I'm being rude, you'd like my name, yes? They call me Sile."</p> <p>"It was a very long journey," Donny said softly, wincing at the stuttering stop and start of her voice, as she clutched her hands close and tight. She couldn't quite seem to tear her eyes away from this 'Sile'. Despite the stutter, her voice arced and trilled softly with golden tones of melody as she spoke, in a beautiful way. Harmonious, like some spirit whispering songs in one’s ear as they lay on the edge of an effervescent dream. "I'm Donny."</p> <p>The shepherd smiled, her voice rising to a gentle oscillating laugh, weighted with nervous energy, as a hand pressed over her mouth. "Donny, forgive me for laughing, it's such a strange little name." But the way she held her hands openly and shifted with slight gyrations of the hips didn't indicate the bad kind of strange.</p> <p>"Would you like me to show you around? You must not have met many people yet."</p> <p>Something within Donny crescendoed, something new. A feeling she'd never quite known before thrummed to the beating drum of her heart.</p> <p>Moments ago, she wanted nothing but to bring the tones of her mind to palpable sound. Now…</p> <p>"I'd quite like that," Donny said, her voice momentarily taking a sonorous dive in octave, as a shy flush rose to her cheeks.</p> <p>"Why don't you tell me about your travels as we walk?" Sile asked, the corners of her lips twitching just a bit higher as Donny rose. "I've never met anybody from deep Europa. Nobody here but Grandfather has. You have so much magic that dances around you; I'd love to hear about it and much more." She paused. "Oh, this must be overwhelming. I'm sorry, it's not often someone my age arrives here, answer whatever you feel like."</p> <p>Donny paused in her walking, the sudden barrage of curiosity drawing a confused procession of strings into her mind. Being suddenly overwhelmed was new. "No, no, it's fine," she responded shyly.</p> <p>Sile continued, channeling mousy energy into the conversation. "It's a bit of a shame that you came only a few days late… solstice just passed, and we value that day." She paused, noticing Donny's slowness to walk after her, picking up on the way she held her hands close, and the bashful energy emanating from her aura. Realization clicked and she winced, tones of regret fluttering through her eyes and voice. "I could let you be, if you need? I know some do better alone."</p> <p>"Oh, it's not you, I'm just not used to… to be honest, I'm not very good with people, but I like trees, forests, music, and dance a lot," Donny stammered out, a sudden anxiousness sweeping into her chest at driving away this stranger. Her mind and heart suddenly swept up in this flittering leitmotif of biting sixteenth notes.</p> <p>Why did she care about that?</p> <p>How strange that her chest buzzed to a newfound beat; with excitement about wanting to sing to this Sile about her travels, all about those long trials and the workings of her inner fires. A ballad of storms and clear skies, rainy rides through the countryside, and so much more besides.</p> <p>So, they walked on to the summer symphony, to explore Donny's new home.</p> <div class="sile"> <p>You didn't know then what we were destined to become, did you?</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>No, but I felt I could make something beautiful. In the end I'd say I did.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>More beautiful than the ballad you were beginning to plan?</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>I wouldn't say so, since we both became a part of it.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>I want to hear more.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>You always did.</p> </div> </div> <div class="donny-storybook"> <h2 id="toc2"><span>1.2 Was It Everything You Wanted to Find?</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Far Past, Late Summer Symphony #1</strong></p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>In that light and airy way that I always was, I departed my little home, and climbed the hill overlooking the village and the surrounding farms. Up the tree I went like a cat, I climbed, near effortlessly, and perched in the topmost branches. Leaning back against the trunk, basking in the radiant sunshine, I pulled out the lyre, and began to play a sleepy melody.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>You even call yourself a cat! To think you were so red the first time I ever said it.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>H—hush and let me recall the memory!</p> </div> <p>Time ticked by as she lazily plucked the strings, and eventually her oh so sensitive ears pricked as they picked up the sound of footsteps climbing the hill. She looked up during a rising run and saw Sile climbing the slope from the direction of her flocks.</p> <p>"Good morning, Donny!" she called up into the tree in a deeper tone, standing a bit back from its trunk. Her eyes darted to something in the lower branches that Donny could not quite see.</p> <p>"Morning, Sile!" Donny's voice bounced with rhythmic flare, a hint of calore flickering up into her chest. It was a strange warmth, not at all of the tenor or tone that happiness flowed to, but a note in a higher pitch.</p> <p>"It's a pretty song you're playing up there!" The druidess shielded her eyes with one hand every time her head tilted up, bobbing with each fourth note. "Tell me about your harp, it's quite nice."</p> <p>"It's actually a lyre," Donny called back down, her voice cutting clear through the symphony without having to yell. "It's my mom's, she gave it to me, but it still draws from her."</p> <p>Sile's lips curled up into a warm smile. "The animals love it; as soon as your notes began, they stopped cooperating." A slight teasing vibrato took to her voice. "And your neighbors are taking notice too." The smile faded from her lips as she took a step slightly back.</p> <p>"Are they?" the Musechild stutters out shyly, suddenly very self-conscious. <span style="color:blue"><em>Why am I blushing so much?</em></span> Then the first part of what Sile said clicked.</p> <p>"Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to disrupt your work." A little trilling panic rose in the Musechild's throat at the thought of annoying or disturbing her hosts. She paused, a rest rising in the song as she took note of Sile's reaction.</p> <p>"Oh, it's no trouble at all, my bro-" She stopped and took another few hasty steps back.</p> <p>"Is something wrong down there?" Donny asked, voice bouncing with a flighty tone.</p> <p>"There's a nest of stinging wasps here in the lower branches. It could become an issue if the livestock or children venture too close. Give me a moment while I remove it." Sile turned as if to do something, pressing fingers to her lips.</p> <p>Donny shifted and slid down the branches of the tree. "No, please. Let me?" She landed comfortably, several of the angry buzzing insects flicking towards her in chords, their fury at her intrusion apparent. She drew her fingers across the strings, humming the tones in time with the resonances of the notes. The insects stopped their angry dance, and listened, the tune of the melody changing. She closed her eyes as she hummed and played, the language of flying crawling things twirling in the air as she spoke to the wasps. The air across the whole valley seemed to change and still, everything listening to the silver notes.</p> <p>Sile watched in a quiet undertone of fascination as the wasps turned away from Donny and crowded over the surface of their nest. Spectacularly, the nest tore from the tree, and the wasps buzzed away in a happy refrain, towing their paper cargo along to find a new, less discordant home.</p> <p>"Donny, that is…" Sile said, blinking as her eyes turned back to the Musechild. Her voice trailed off as she just watched the musician for a moment. "How did you do that?"</p> <p>"It's— I simply played and wanted them to find a new and safer place. The vibrations, and the tones followed, and they understood the meaning." Donny opened her eyes, shrinking a bit beneath the intensity of Sile's searching gaze.</p> <p>Sile nodded slowly to the beat of an unsung metronome, as if understanding, yet not quite understanding. She crossed her arms. "Your mother taught you that?"</p> <p>"When I was very young," Donny shifted nervously; hopping gently from one leg to another in an animated dance. "I inherited some of it, but had to learn a lot from her." She paused, putting both feet on the ground. "Especially how to control the magic… and the lyre helps."</p> <p>"I'd never considered charming an instrument like that… Our magic lies in the stones and in certain other items. But if one were to travel… It's like you're bringing home with you, in some small way. More than clothes on your back or songs in your throat, an actual small piece of your magical home."</p> <p>The druidess laughed. "Maybe I'm trying to be poetic. You must know many ways to deal with harmful things?"</p> <p>"I do, but… mom taught me that all creatures deserve a chance to live. Sometimes, the world places them in unkind places, and she showed me that there's always a way to be kind. Always an alternative to inflicting harm, violence." Donny smiled, a note of bitter sweetness in her eyes and voice. A lingering anxiety deep beneath the surface. "And I'm not exactly like you."</p> <p>Sile's lips curled into a smile and then she laughed with a trilling gentleness. "…I can see that, I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh." She gently pressed a hand over her lips silencing the happy chords. "You're unlike us. And not just your face. You're carrying that strange harp- you're wholly magical, and unlike ours. I didn't want to say anything before but it's hard not to."</p> <p>Donny blinked twice, clearly slightly taken aback. "You can… see it? …you can see my magic? But I'm not even… I barely used any."</p> <p>"What- no." The druidess frowned. "You're… You carry yourself with an elegance I haven't seen before, is all. You have a presence unlike those here, save for perhaps the visitors who come on the blue moon. And since Grandfather had a hand in your staying here, of all places…" She paused considering, before refocusing. "You said to me that you do not do words well, but every time you open your mouth, some new and beautiful poetry, a trilling birdsong, trickles forth." She paused, a small flush rising to her cheeks. "I'm sorry, the poetry again - I suppose I'm just a little inspired, aren't I?"</p> <p>Donny's heart beat a staccato run in her chest, a gentle flame licking at her sternum. Her fingers had not stopped plucking the strings. The tone and melody shifted in time with the strange new emotions burning into her chest and mind, rising to the timbre and sentimental tone.</p> <p>"Oh I—I don't know about that. My parents just raised me to be kind." Donny shifted, fully not knowing how to manage such kind and pretty words. <span style="color:blue"><em>If only she knew of the monster burning within.</em></span> "You said you could do magic too? Are you and Grandfather the only ones?"</p> <p>"A parent's love alone can shape but not define you," Sile said gently, smiling. "… No." She laughed, small and softly. "No, no… we're all gifted and learned in our magic. I'm speaking through a spell now, where I speak to the heart, not the ears. It's why you could understand me." She gestured softly, the rippling of fabric and flesh dancing unconsciously with Donny's song.</p> <p>Donny laughed, not the quiet giggles from before, but an amused full laugh that echoes. "Oh, you don't need to do that, I would love to learn your words; listen to the song of your voice, feel the shape of your lips," the words slipped from Donny's mouth before she knew what she was saying, Rage laughing in her head.</p> <p>Sile blushed gently. "Ah- I like the opportunity. This is the first time I could use this charm- if you'd indulge me, please." She paused, considering words, and struck back for Rage's flirty lines in a trilling duet. "Besides, I love your mother tongue, it's pretty."</p> <p>The warmth, the flush in Donny's cheeks deepened, further with the drifting notes of her lyre. "Could they really hear me? The animals and neighbors?" She scrambled to change the subject, but the tenor of the notes continued to betray her.</p> <p>"Oh yes, more than a little." The shepherd grinned. "My brother and his friend were talking about it before I got bored and wandered off. The sheep all grew quiet and stopped their morning feeding just to listen…" She paused for a moment, and Donny could hear the stillness rising from the valley below as the gentle biting notes from her lyre continued to waft on the breeze. "May I ask Donny, are you somebody important?"</p> <p>Donny stopped playing, blinking twice in surprise at the question. She bit her lip gently and looked away.</p> <p>A small sharp inhale arose from Sile. "…ah sorry that was rude to ask. Would you like to continue playing your song? I'm sorry to interrupt."</p> <p>"No, no you're fine. It's just a difficult question to answer. Someday I might tell you?"</p> <p>"Such secrets, should I be praying to you?" she teased gently.</p> <p>The flush in Donny's cheeks deepened and a jumble of disordered notes came out of her mouth in response.</p> <p>"I jest. I look forward to the day you tell me your deepest secrets." She moved over and sat beneath the tree. "Why don't you keep going, it was quite pretty. Strange music, even without the magic…"</p> <div class="sile"> <p>Donny gave a small anxious smile, and then started playing again, closing her eyes as she plucked the strings of the lyre. The dancing melody shifted, throwing all her being into playing a bittersweet tone. A deep and soulful harmony, sinking into the bones with a distant longing for a home that is far far away, a time long forgotten, a place deeply remembered.</p> <p>Sile listened, and soon began to quietly cry, as the purity of emotion touched her soul.</p> <p>The notes flickered in the air, lingering of their own will before drifting up into the sky.</p> </div> </div> <div class="donny-storybook"> <h2 id="toc3"><span>1.3 You Know a Melody Can Move Me</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Far Past, Harvest Concerto of Storms</strong></p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>The warm sonata of summer had faded into the chill concerto of autumn within that first year of Donny's stay. We had clicked like two metronomes syncing to a common rhythm, rapidly rising into a peculiar friendship.</p> <p>I stood in the pasture, gently brushing Donny's horse as she fed her sweet apples and small berries. Several sheep and lambs crowded her, begging for the treats. Sile ignored them, for they'd already had their morning treats.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>I remember this. I waded through the grass, having spotted you out in the field, after emerging from my humble abode. I was quiet, as I snuck along, a twittering saxophone filling me with mischievous and playful intent.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Who's remembering this one, me or you?</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>Well, we both know what I did right?</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Just making sure you didn't reinterpret it to exclude your prank.</p> </div> <p>"She really likes the purple berries," Donny finally said, popping out of the grass like a trumpet announcing its solo after having let the minutes tick by. Of course, she'd been standing a few feet behind the druidess the entire time.</p> <p>Sile nearly jumped out of her skin and whirled around. "Ah- you're more like a cat than you let on! You startled me!" She laughed with a sleepy melody, like a child following a filling meal. A hand rose to her own neck and touched it.</p> <p>Donny smiled. "Are you done with your chores? Would you like to come sit and sing with me?"</p> <p>"Of course I would. Let me finish here.” She finished brushing, as Donny gently stepped up and offered a hand to the horse. The horse leaned forward and nuzzled her head into Donny's hand, making a soft snorting noise.</p> <p>"What's her name?"</p> <p>"Hmmm?" Donny said, soprano trill rising and falling, as she tilted her head at Sile.</p> <p>"Of your horse, silly."</p> <p>"Oh! Adonia." Donny's voice softened like an oboe caressing the mind with the gentlest of tones. "She's a very rare breed where we come from, may even have a little bit of divine blood from Poseidon."</p> <p>"Adonia… What an odd name." The Druidess worked her jaw for a moment. "And who is Poseidon?"</p> <p>"One of the many gods of the Ocean. Also, horses."</p> <p>"…I suppose <em>someone</em> needed to be a god of the ocean," Sile said amused, and then her lips shifted slightly down in puzzlement. "And… also horses." She brushed the oddity aside. "Tell me- I was wondering, your clothing. Is it the usual style where you're from? I've heard stories that the sun is stronger in the south."</p> <p>Donny looked down at her minimalist non-existent clothing, a trill of embarrassment whispering from the lyre on her back. "Oh, no actually, most people wear much more than I do. They wear long robes draped across the chest… but I can't do that. My skin is very, very sensitive."</p> <p>"… Odd." The druidess crossed her arms. "It's a little odd, but I was only curious. You did say the weather's warm where you lived, so I was wondering if that was typical?"</p> <p>Her eyes slipped down to the handful of lambs around Donny's knees, as they gave her a little space, looking up at the sparkly lady. Their quiet bleats arose in time and harmony with the subtle melody gently rippling from Donny's being.</p> <p>"… The animals do love you. They're usually skittish around strangers…" Sile smiles. "Must be your gentle voice that puts them at ease."</p> <p>Donny giggled, the giggles rising into trilling notes as she began to sing. The lambs and chickens gathered around as her gentle resonant voice carried across the fields in stunning refrain. Sile listened, eyes hooding with the bars, as they started to walk towards the barn. After a moment Donny spoke to her through song, "I can serenade the plants into joining my songs, you know? They have such magnanimous replies." She pulled a few strands of hair aside, revealing slightly pointed ears. She cupped one, listening, her nose wrinkling before she began giggle-singing. "The big oak is snoring."</p> <p>"You're playing games and showing off!" Sile laughed, gently pressing her palm to Donny's arm in a glancing touch.</p> <p>"Am I? I was just singing to get them to follow." The Musechild’s voice trilled with the deceitful, innocent lie.</p> <p>"Show-off," Sile teased with abandon.</p> <p>After a moment, the wind shifted, and Sile blinked. She sniffed the air.</p> <p>"A storm's coming- first of the year, it might be. Can you smell it, too?"</p> <p>"No, I can't." Donny blinked twice. "You can smell storms?"</p> <p>A hand on her own hip, Sile pointed out past Donny; on the far horizon, gray clouds approached with an ominous low buzz and distant cracks of thunder that made Donny wince.</p> <p>"It comes on the air, first." The druidess grinned. "A tension, reaching down from the sky. Like a beast that's just waking up." She paused, turning to head out of the shelter once the animals were secure, and moved around the side. "Come, follow me-"</p> <p>Around the side of the barn was a small sturdy ladder; Sile had climbed it by the time Donny rounded the corner, and was hoisting herself up onto the wooden part of the roof. She looked down at Donny, smiling.</p> <p>"We'll watch it come in- then, we can go inside. We can spend the night in my home, we'll tell stories. How's that?"</p> <p>A blush washed across Donny's cheeks like the warm wave of tone from a French horn. "I would like that."</p> <p>She leaned over, offering a hand to help Donny up. Donny took it and climbed, Sile's face shifting in surprise. "Goodness, Donny, you are so light!" She laughed, brushing a hair out of her face as she leaned back. Donny didn't let go of the hand, coming to rest on her haunches next to Sile on the roof.</p> <p>The touch was so seamless, and so natural; Donny only really processed that she'd been touched at all a few seconds later. Her heart skipped a beat, the strings of her core stilling like the violinist who panics after forgetting when to enter.</p> <p>"Your skin!" Sile said, her voice twittering like a delighted piccolo with sudden realization. She turned her head to look at Donny. "How soft it is!"</p> <p>Color and heat flushed into her face in time with the rising chords of flaring horns. "I got it from my parent."</p> <p>"Oh Donny- who sits here with me? Who's hand have I taken before the storm? Surely not your parent's." The oscillating eighth notes of her laugh danced in the air with the symphony rising in the Musechild's chest. The sun glinted off her brown eyes for but a moment, rendering them a beautiful shade of amber.</p> <div class="donny"> <p>Flush and color tolled on Donny's cheeks like a deepening bell. Something deep within her clicked to the beat of a marimba and she realized, after all this time, she'd been missing something. All those moments her parents shared suddenly made more sense.</p> <p>Was this what she'd been missing? Was this good? To fall in love with a human?</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Was it? I'm not sure I've ever really asked. Were we worth it?</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>Even if it had only been a tenth of the time we actually spent together, I still wouldn't answer you until the end.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Are you sure you're still the shy and lovable musician I remember? She was never this snarky.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>I'm still me, I promise.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>There's the sincerity, always arriving as expected.</p> </div> </div> <div class="donny-storybook"> <h2 id="toc4"><span>1.4 Did the Wind Sweep You Off Your Feet?</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Far Past, Late Autumn Aria #2</strong></p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Six months since her fated arrival, the late autumn chill breeze rolled across us both, and the chimes they'd hung on my favorite tree. They twinkled with an eerie refrain, a haunting strain. I sat at the base of the tree, you up further in a branch.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>I allowed the snowflake I'd been shaping to gently fall to the earth, where it landed on your nose.</p> </div> <p>Sile went momentarily cross-eyed and then sneezed. Wiping her nose, she wrinkled her brow and asked, "How's… But you're gifted with music. Do you… does it please the forces? Or…"</p> <div class="donny"> <p>The sneeze was incredibly cute.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Just like you continue to be all these years later.</p> </div> <p>She crossed her arms, puzzling over how. "So, you can't capture or call spirits, but you can call fire, lightning, ice… and sound? Storms are a step short of a miracle worker."</p> <p>"No, I can't quite call storms. I just use… uh… well it's difficult to explain… but I use the air itself, and just change the way it is," Donny explained gently. "I use song, which is tied to my emotions, to make these things happen."</p> <p>"…I see." Sile's laugh resonated quietly. "I wouldn't have imagined before you that there were many types of magic in the world, but now that I know you, it seems so, sensible." She seemed to consider, the happy tune falling away into a more neutral fluttering tone. "But you never use it in the way that… others would use it. To harm?"</p> <p>"No. I— I would never. Only for pomp and circumstance." Donny rocked on the branch for a moment. Then she smiled and dropped, falling lightly to the sustained note of a slide whistle. She landed with a small poof of air, like a cat. She dropped again to sit by Sile, who watched her keenly. "Your magic relies wholly on the land?"</p> <p>"Yes." She gestured widely, in the direction of the fields and woodlands. "If the crops are dry and need water, we ask the land for rain. It's why we dance underneath the new moon."</p> <p>She paused, smiling a bit, and then whistled quietly; it trilled sweetly, the edges tinged with subtle, unfamiliar magic, as the birds above Donny responded with their own birdsong. From around them, ten or twelve more plain-feathered songbirds flutter out from the long grass and nearby trees, winging to land and perch on Sile's arm.</p> <p>“That’s amazing, I love how they listen to your whistle.” Donny's eyes widened in admiration. Glimmering heat of belting horns rose in her chest as licking flames. Richly colored tones washed across her cheeks as a blush. "You say, very often Sile, that I am unique and special… but I think the same is true of you," she trilled gently.</p> <p>"You're sweet Donny, but I'm not special. There's something in the trees and the water here, and we all grow into the magic." Sile leaned over and gently pressed her lips to Donny's cheek, the sudden contact provoking a sharp crescendo. The druidess paused and drew back to ask, softly in her ear, a melodic growl in her tone. "Is that ok? Or too much."</p> <p>The metronome in Donny's chest ticked hard, speeding up, nine-fold mind reeling at a million twittering thoughts a minute. Her cheeks must have been very very red. "That… that was more than fine." Words tumbled out of her mouth in a chaotic arrangement of muddled feeling. Her mind suddenly veered back to the wasps and how ready Sile had been to use magic against them. "Sile… would you ever ask the land to do harm?"</p> <p>Sile took in that question and closed her eyes, leaning her head on Donny's shoulder. Every point of contact buzzed with frantic energy in the form of oscillating sixteenth notes, a flighty roar of strings and horns backing each burst of sound. "No. No, I would not. It's possible, I think - but I would not, it isn't a… a path I have interest in. It isn't for me. And besides… we have no need to, now."</p> <p>Donny closed her eyes, the thick thump of a bass drum cutting through the mesmerizing chords of her symphonic heart.</p> <div class="donny"> <p>Sile wasn't like the humans of the south. This made my song all… well I wasn’t sure yet.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Ready to spill your heart again?</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>I just checked and this still isn't the end.</p> </div> </div> <div class="donny-storybook"> <h2 id="toc5"><span>1.5 The World Outside looks so Unkind</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Far Past, Symphony of Creeping Winter #2</strong></p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>The winter of the first year came on faster than I had ever experienced before, forcing most days to be spent indoors.</p> <p>Today was not one of those days, but even still I didn’t emerge from the confines of her little stone hut. This was a dreadful day, a day that I was always afraid of. A day when the weight of the world and thoughts pressed heavy on the body of my concept, the horns of my heart atonal in their metal bones. A day when the memory frays and desires lie dead in the depths of the mind, beneath a dissonant angst that bled into the sky. The darkness of a violent world spurring from an open letter I'd received from my mother in the south. It described the spilling of blood, the loss of souls they felt resonated in their concepts with unmatched dissonance.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>I don't think we've ever interpreted this one before; that's truly terrible Donny. I wish you had told me.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>It's not something I've ever been able to tell, only… share in feeling and song.</p> </div> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>Monsters. Violent bloodthirsty monsters slaughtering one another.</em></span> Tightness hummed in the strings of her chest and mind, a burning fear. Of the wolf, of the predator, of the thing in the dark that sought revenge as opposed to defense. How easy the song could fall, corrupt from one to the other.</p> <p>It terrified her.</p> <p>So, she remained in bed, a stone surface converted into a place to hold bark and scroll, the charcoal, the brushes and paint board with its carefully protected pigments drawn near. She drew the charcoal across the surface of the canvas, and then the brush, filling in and lighting the lines. Fingers dancing, mind moving to a song she'd conjured within her concept, all to escape the other rasping despair-filled melodies.</p> <p>A knock came at the door around midday. "Donny? Are you perhaps home? You weren't at the brook or the stream, or your favorite spots among the trees." Siles voice, the warmth and trilling happiness in her melody served as a light in the suffocating, dissonant dark. She was unforgettable, and the chittering of chickens and sheep outside signified that even at the beginning of winter, she was ever popular among the animals.</p> <p>"Please come in, Sile," Donny said, unable to stop the sorrow leaking into her vocal tones. She set aside the bark and paint.</p> <p>The druidess gently pushed open the door and stepped inside, eyes tracking to Donny, and then her supplies. "Oh, are you ill Donny?" Her lips pressed down into a frown and her eyes grew into a lonely song, the weight of the Musechild's aura washing across her lovely skin.</p> <p>"In a way, but not one that medicine can fix." Donny smiled gently, corralling the whispering sonatas onto a happier trail as best she could. Ultimately the burgeoning happy tune fell back away fruitlessly. "It's a sickness of my soul; some days it strikes harder than others. I'll be fine, so you needn't worry."</p> <p>Sile pursed her lips, not looking fully convinced but didn't press the matter further. Her eyes drifted to the tools, the paint, and the canvas. "Oh, are you an artist too?" She walked over, to a beat all her own, an aura cutting through the darkness. So too had she grown a power all her own. Donny's eyes drifted to the basket of food, the warm scent of bread, the salty aroma of meat greeting her nostrils as Sile's spirit enraptured her.</p> <p>"Guilty," Donny said softly. "Drawing helps me remember things; cause I'm not always the best at it." A slight blush rose, like a brightening vocal run, to her cheeks as Sile's eyes caught the light of the midday sun; shining with that amber hue.</p> <p>"Well, that does come with age," Sile teased gently in an oscillating trill, her eyes dragging off Donny, to the scroll she had been working on. "And what's this?"</p> <p>The painting on the scroll was a vivid and lifelike depiction of Sile smiling in her element, throwing feed to bleating sheep. The charcoal lines flickered across the page, brushstrokes of vivid, warm color dancing to a ditty all their own. The sheep, chickens, and landscapes were detailed, but nowhere near to the degree that Sile was. Every mark, thread of hair, glimmer of skin, the shape of her face and lips and the color of her eyes in the rays of sunlight, radiant like the metal of a well-kept horn or bell. All of it captured in lifelike perfection.</p> <p>"I uh. When you were feeding the small ones yesterday— it was uh, something I couldn't forget— so I started painting in the early morning when I started feeling, and just didn't stop."</p> <p>"Aw…" Sile's smile softened, and a small bit of color rose to her cheeks. "This sentiment is really sweet coming from you Donny." She shifted and sat on the edge of the bed, setting the basket down. "How do you remember it all…? When things happened, how long ago it was?"</p> <p>"I— this is embarrassing, but it kind of all jumbles together." She paused, struggling for words. "Like, I don't always remember when something came first…" She paused and sighed. "I remember that it happened— but order is harder."</p> <p>"Why not put them all collected, in order? Telling a story of your life?" She points at the scroll. "You can collect them in a box to bring with you when you go home."</p> <p>Donny took that in and considered. "…Maybe. Or maybe I could collect them by people; since that's who I usually draw." She paused and looked back to the scroll and then up at Sile. "The people who impact me."</p> <p>"If you think that would be helpful, why not?" Sile glanced at the scroll again and then back at Donny. Her lips curled up, and her eyelids drooped giving the eyes a hooded appearance. "I, for one, am honored to be considered as such."</p> <p>Donny smiled softly and the warmth of a thousand singing horns crept into her blush. "The people who have the largest impact on me tend to, uhm, come out the most vivid and detailed."</p> <p>"I'm sure you wouldn't have it any other way." A hand rose like a violinist's bow and gently flicked through several strands of Donny's hair.</p> <p>The musician’s metronome ticked faster, the drum beating louder, the ache in her soul not fading, but overwhelmed by that rising sonata that grew now at the gentle touches. "C—certainly not. Not when they are stunning and beautiful," somewhere in her head Rage laughed with the trill of a lazy saxophone, having deliberately pushed the words along her tongue.</p> <p>"You don't have to flatter me, Donny." The druidess tilted Donny's chin up slightly with one hand.</p> <p>Donny shuddered like a recently struck gong, an embarrassed chirping note rising from her vocal cords. "Sorry, I'm really, uhm, bad at this." She closed her eyes for a moment, all the sounds of Sile's concordant symphony filling her mind. "Mom makes it look easy."</p> <p>"Does she try as hard as you do?" Sile's voice sang with teasing, as she slowly drew her fingers back, along Donny's face like a bow across a violin string, drawing her forward unconsciously with the sensation. The Musechild attempted to prolong contact, as she sucked down breath.</p> <p>"I'd say she tries less," Donny's voice stammered, catching on the s's. "S-s-she's a spirit of music and dance." Her face reddened with tender harmonies. "I mean— I'm good at those things too, but I don't quite have the same charm."</p> <p>"Well, she does have more experience I suppose… and as you've said, she's a spirit of music." A smile rose to the shepherd’s lips, calling to mind the previous conversations where Donny had had to dance around the metaphysical nature of her mother. "A master of oratory."</p> <p>Words refused to come out of Donny's mouth in any sort of intelligible state, instead an embarrassed "Mrrrup?" escaped her lips.</p> <p>"But that's beside the point." Sile leaned further forward on one arm, stifling a snicker at the noise, and hovered close to Donny as she reached out to cup the Musechild's chin. "I'm not talking to your mother right now, am I?"</p> <p>Donny made a quiet noise, the pitch rising in her throat only for the cymbal to be silenced as Sile pressed a finger to her lips. "Shush," she said gently. "You're so red." Their eyes met for an eternity before Sile sung to her again. "May I kiss you?"</p> <p>Warmth exploded into a roaring chorus in Donny's chest, overwhelmed with sudden, new feelings. Jaw working, she tried to sing back, lyrics refusing to rise, breath catching in her throat, before nodding to this lovely new beat.</p> <p>Sile leaned in slowly, hand coming to rest along the back of Donny's skull as every point of contact became a symphonic synchronicity. Their lips met in the gentlest of duets. The warmth and fire of a million bellowing horns filled her mind and in the discharge of nerves Donny's skin rippled and blossomed with light that twinkled into the atmosphere of the room, musical notation curling through the air in staffs, meters, and tempos.</p> <div class="donny"> <p>Perhaps humans weren't so bad. This woman, this girl I adored wasn't a monster. She was a light and breathy arrangement, a warmth in a sea that would feel so very empty without her now.</p> <p>Is this what my mother felt about my parent? What she felt about Nes?</p> <p>Was this love? Did you feel the same?</p> <p>How could I be with someone like this, when I was herself, the wolf at the door? When I would last forever, while you burned brightly towards an eventual end. Did that even matter in the face of this overwhelming feeling?</p> <p>No. No it didn't.</p> <p>So that's your answer.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Wow.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>Yeah.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>After all this time, you are still so incredibly sweet. I—</p> <p>Donny, you're going to need to do some very hard things now.</p> <p>And that means you <strong>need</strong> to wake up. Really wake up, not just linger here in interpretation with me.</p> <p>As much as I would like that.</p> <p>We'll see each other again soon, I promise.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>Hard things? What do you mean?</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>Sile?</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>Sile please don't leave me again.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>Please…</p> </div> </div> <h1 id="toc6"><span>Movement 2: Tracing Her Way Through the Constellation</span></h1> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, Got No One On Your Side</strong></p> </div> <div class="song sile"> <p>So, my love, gather your soul,<br/> Gather all your strength,<br/> For your kindness and compassion,<br/> Is what will see you through this terror.</p> </div> <p>She returned to lucidity beneath that hateful sky, memory and reinterpretation fading. Her mental fingers extended, feeling.</p> <p>Something was wrong. Something was so horribly wrong. "Mom?" She called aloud, the mewl in her voice filled with twitching fear.</p> <p>She sat up very slowly and looked around.</p> <p>The sound of dancing feet, rapping fingers against a thousand different tasks, the perfect unending symphonic song was gone. There was no sound but the stinging silence of a dead mountain.</p> <p>Where were the shimmering majesty of a thousand starlite fires constantly tumbling through the air? The emotion laid notes and speech that drew forth sacred, magical fires were extinguished. There was none of the glistening, overwhelming magic, only the shredded scraps.</p> <p>There was no rising sensation of long hidden ideas, no sudden executive realization of new concepts. The inspiration was gone.</p> <p>All the trees were ugly and dead, the mountain cold and hideously empty, washed in shades of sepia, black, and lifeless brown. Their beauty, their art was gone.</p> <p>Where was it? Where was the concept? The shimmering, swirling river of narrative and ontological weight wasn't there. <em>Their</em> concepts were gone.</p> <p>She bent over, gasping in breath, as a swift chill swept across the plateau, whirling around her in ostinatos. Goosebumps arced across her skin like a finger dragging across many strings, tightness rising in her chest. <span style="color:blue"><em>No.</em></span> She understood what Sile meant.</p> <p>She reached out, stretching for the connection. It was a part of her, always thrumming with dancing note-filled life. She grasped at it, a seething and dark dissonance bursting across her conceptual fingers. Her stomach flipped. <span style="color:blue"><em>NO!</em></span> She flinched, recoiled, the trills and fluttering notes of her being shirking away the screeching chords. <span style="color:blue"><em>This can't be!</em></span></p> <p>The others awoke, their attention snagged by the rising distress in the leitmotifs of her mind.</p> <p>"No!" she gasped out, shock rocking through her, the whispers of the others stirring as rising staccato bars, as she clung desperately to the reins. "No, no how could this—" She shuddered, feeling the twisting, diving pit, the anguish at what had occurred.</p> <p>How could this happen to her family?</p> <p>She called to them with the old familiar song, unsheathing the heart of her metaphysical nature. Indiscernible, crippling incoherence and painful dissonance burned back along the connection. Blazing restriction, twisting distillation, and binding deformation sewing chaos to what was once a harmonious composition.</p> <p>Rage rose inside her like an ominous chorus. She screwed her eyes shut, biting back the furious tears as for a moment her grip on the reins slipped, and she fell away, desperately lashing out to try and take them back. All for naught.</p> <p><span style="color:red">"Shhhh. Let me."</span> A new voice rose into her throat, raw and full of fire. A voice of fury. The voice of Rage. <span style="color:red">"Monsters, <em>humans</em>."</span></p> <p>As one, all the weight of her concept surged along the dissonant connection. A song older than time, a signature of their being often invoked but never closed. Their fingers cut through the air grasping at the strings of an unseen instrument, through many thousands of miles at Rage's direction. Rage called to it, the abstractions trapped, surrounded by a swirling, sharp chain of thorns. They shuddered beneath the certainty and weight of her conceptualization, the compatibility of her being latching onto the thorns, the barbs digging into her concept as she in turn ripped them with fortismic fury.</p> <p>A large piece bucked the twisted chains, its dissonant shape tore free, and rocketed on a note-filled wind. Rage fell away, and the driver, the musician returned, welcoming the composition with desperate arms. It flushed and washed across her skin, twinkling flights of golden harmony flicking against her mind and flesh as she let out small gasps. All their fingers, but especially <em>hers</em> kneading, feeling, pressing into the notes, and searching for it.</p> <p>But she wasn't there. None of them were there. She'd taken back the inspiration, reclaimed the coherence of her mother's song.</p> <p>But she failed to free her mother's spirited, dancing will.</p> <p>The child upon the mountain dug her hands into the dirt, and looked towards the sky, a dolore rain falling from her eyes in lentissimo. <span style="color:blue">"Why?"</span> Her voice broke like the shattering note of a muted trumpet, and she sucked in air. She bent over, blood and dirt-stained fingers pressing to her face. <span style="color:blue">"Why?"</span> she asked in pianissimo.</p> <p>The Muses were gone. Her family was gone.</p> <div class="eithne"> <p>Donatsiva Satisiva Salidore curled in the dirt beneath an alien and cold daylight, unable to understand why, why mankind burnt her home and sky.</p> </div> <h2 id="toc7"><span>2.1: You Know That's a Game that I Hate to Lose</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, A Man He'll Never Be</strong></p> </div> <br/> <em>Are We Cool Yet?</em> had flourished in the 10 years since they stole the lightning in a bottle and enslaved it. All were powerless against them, from the smallest artists to even the Jailers. <p>They were surrounded by art of their creation; well, at least, it felt like it was theirs. But, of course, each member knew that they did not own their art; the High Council owned the art. It was the collective's art.</p> <p>And it was all thanks to The Critic - the hidden costs ignored, in favor of celebration and aimless enthusiasm. Good things can't last forever; for that matter, bad things are equally as ephemeral. Change is good.</p> <p>But not for AWCY. Not for the High Council. Not for Reed.</p> <p>It happened one day, in the private performance chambers of the High Arts council, where dutiful musicians composed and performed music ad nauseum, an eternal act of creation for none other than Reed and the select few.</p> <p>When the musicians tried to compose, they did not. When they tried to transpose, they failed. When they tried to improvise, inevitably, their melody would return to the same motifs, the same key, the same repetitive, monotonous order of notes, handed down as if from the very seed of music itself.</p> <p>Reed had the musicians disposed of and tried again. Still the same. Again, and again, and again, the corpses piling up just around the bend; and yet it was always the same. The same song, an inevitability, a platonic ideal that had swelled to encompass all that they created, one that could not be crushed by Reed's iron rule.</p> <p>No amount of violence could solve this. The artists knew that. Reed, however, did not.</p> <p>The Critic was unchanged, their desperate clinging to life persisting — but no matter how much Reed attempted to interrogate, demanded answers, or saw into the swirl of inspiration, the music was still missing.</p> <p>The inspiration was gone. A stunning absence, an inability to create. How dare another try to steal their art, their collective abilities, the preordained inspiration brimming with potential, once set forth by their god, The Critic? How dare they steal Reed's rightful property?</p> <p><em>Are We Cool Yet?</em> announced a departure from music, to focus on the creation of auditory art without melody; a commandment set forth by the High Arts Council, as written by Reed. Their members could not find out that it was possible to be free of The Critic's control, of Reed's control.</p> <p>Something had to be done. Creativity must be reclaimed and constrained. The song must be controlled. All it took was Reed the Butcher, and a finger on the scale, pushing it to action.</p> <p>They sent three; three avatars of Reed's will, an execution of art, being and power — each one, a puppet to those in charge. They were tasked with resolving the issue and returning with the Music.</p> <p>Death would only be a setback; after all, the members of AWCY were many in number, and filled with those who would not be missed. Each loss was irrelevant; nothing stopped them from making more puppets.</p> <h2 id="toc8"><span>2.2: Walk on through a Red Parade</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, Clarity</strong></p> </div> <p>She stands next to the sullied pool, silence resting heavy over the mountain. Cheeks stained with tears that had turned gold from a full day of mourning, she looks around slowly. The pitter patter of her grief smote the air without relief, grave in its tempo. She looks upon the plateau, the barren mountain before her. The shattered and torn fragments of what had once been; it all lingers in the conceptual noosphere that her family once composed, dolore tones breaking free of suspended lyre strings.</p> <p>Donny's fingers tighten around the frame of the instrument as she breathes in deeply to steady the faltering of her heart. Closing her eyes, she holds up the lyre, and starts to play. The lacrimoso hum of her melody flickers into the air, golden notes drifting and clinging to the shattered threads as her mental fingers flex outwards. She starts with a single thread, gently wrapping around it, and then another, letting the notes weave together, bridging the tears and shredded metaphysical fabric.</p> <p>There is so much missing, and every absent concept twists the knife, with a macabre trill, in her stomach a little more. She can't stop. She must keep looking, something precious has to remain. <span style="color:blue"><em>If it's lost, torn or burnt in the fire of their corruption, then…</em></span> She shakes her head and focuses.</p> <p>The color and atmosphere on the mountain twitch, the barren soil rippling, the trees, and plants flickering with rising melody. Animals in the valley and ridges below look up at the tweeting notes, and the ontokinetic sculpting. Songbirds take to the air, some ancestral memory rising in them as they wing up to the beat of a silent drum, to survey the commotion.</p> <p>Donny finds what she is looking for in one of the abstracted fragments. A sobbing breath full of relief rips from her lips like a twinkle from a tambourine, as she pulls on the thread. She begins to sing, a lament of golden notes that pour from her throat. It's wordless, but its meaning is clear as the mental fingers of her mind guide those notes to the threads, weaving and repairing what she can. The trees around her flicker and dance, shifting in color. The deadened black washes away into increasingly warm and living brown. The limbs slowly blossom with increasingly green leaves, and colorful sparkling flowers, waving in avid syncopation.</p> <p>The dirt blossoms with grass as the bushes and ferns return to vivid life. The overcast sky ripples, as her spirited song parts even the foreboding clouds, a clear sunny sky rising to greet the warping reality.</p> <p>And with one final note, one final woven strand, a structure compiles itself into existence deep in the plateau.</p> <p>She slides down onto her knees as the song ends, heavy shuddering breaths rolling into the air with tinkling chimes as she surveys her work. Minutes pass as she recovers against the warm and breathing dirt.</p> <p>Eventually, she rises and abandons the pond. Slowly she trudges to the restored song, moving among the work, feeling the repaired threadbare strands. But in the distance, she can still see the edges of the shattered Hermeneutic, some fragments utterly irrecoverable.</p> <p>Irrecoverable for now. She shivers at the thought, like an unstilled cymbal it spreads into the air as a dewy chill. The threads torn as they are, in places still trail into the distance, never truly severed. The rank dissonant notes of corruption an ever-present reminder of the vicious dangers beyond, and how they might forever change her.</p> <h2 id="toc9"><span>2.3 Fight Fear for the Selfish Pain</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, The Chain</strong></p> </div> <br/> With the closing of her reparative prelude, Donny turns her attention to the next most important task. She closes her eyes, reaching with abstract fingers to try to find Nes. Try to find her parent. When they do not answer the probing ostinatos of her mental fingers, her fists curl in quiet distress as her shoulders sag. She makes for the forest below. <p>She comes to a stop next to the bloodied pond, her eyes dragging across the litter showered across the ground, an irato tune flickering against the strings of the lyre. An accelerating strain of stinging eighth notes, and the piles of trash flicker into the air, stacking together.</p> <p>Irritation fading away, the contentious discord of anxiety rises as she rapidly plucks at the singing strings. She searches for the resonances, the molecular connection points, and when the tones line up with the dissonant melodies, she dissolves the rubbish. The pile flickering apart into a mound of disparate molecules and dirt.</p> <p>A moment's pause as she lingers in thought.</p> <p>Then she turns to resume her search, the anxious harmony of finding her missing parent rising to a deafening solo in her dragging steps, the flattening of her ears against her head, and the wrapping of her arms around her frame. Down the song hidden path, and into the forest she slides. Dancing through the shadows and flower-ringed trees of a crescendoing spring and spirited wind, she searches. Whistling melodies flicker from the lyre, the tones and whispering voice so often made to call the shy but jubilant melody of the elder nymph.</p> <p>The harmony of villages further down the mountain dance against her ears, a song she tunes out for now in desperate search of those light and airy dancing footfalls. Her staccato symphony carries her between soft and quiet hiding spots, to burbling streams. Every sleeping tree, basking rock, dazzling mossy sheen she searches.</p> <p>All she can find are the silent wreathes of Nes's crowns of leaves, their supply of stitched together clothes, and an arrangement of leaves and twigs. To the untrained mind, they might appear as nothing more than forest litter. To Donny's nymphic side, it's a message in her parent's native tongue.</p> <blockquote> <p>Donny,<br/> They took them away with blood.<br/> They took your mother.</p> <p>You still sleep, and I cannot wake you.<br/> I cannot remain, for man has changed. I wish to help, but if they wish these evil creatures could bind me too. So, I must go. I may not return, but in the end if they can't be saved, I will wait for you at the rolling horizon where all my trees still bloom, and the sky still sings. I will wait for you as long as it takes so be safe. Please be safe and I'm sorry.<br/> I love you always,<br/> ~Nesposa</p> </blockquote> <p>The message flickers away, twigs and leave blown away on the wind as she holds the lyre more tightly, fingers dancing across the strings in a fast and eerie melody.</p> <p>Desperately, Donny sings with the instrument in rising despair; the mournful cry of her strings and singing lament reaching across the mountains. Whistling melodies dance on the wind through all the forests of Nes's domain.</p> <p>No response comes, and so her heart sinks.</p> <p>Even the ostinato trill of her mournful chimes would not summon them. <span style="color:blue"><em>Have they truly left the world with the other nymphs, or finally embedded themselves into the trees and earth?</em></span></p> <p>To the earth next to her parent's things, she sinks. The lamenting notes dance through the mountain air as golden tinged tears rise to her eyes. She drops the lyre, and puts her hands to her face.</p> <p>For the first time in her entire life, Donatsiva Satisiva Salidore is utterly, truly alone.</p> <p>For the first time, there was no one else to protect her.</p> <h2 id="toc10"><span>2.4 Still Fight and I don't Know Why</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, I Need Your Love</strong></p> </div> <p>To the mountain plateau she returns in a daze, the flighty tolls of her feet marking the dissonant singing in her chest with sorrow. Her tail almost drags along the ground as she walks, shoulders completely slumped.</p> <p>For hours it seems she walks, onwards and onwards until finally she arrives before the cottage. This is home, a modern abode where she'd fallen into a 15-year nap.</p> <p>Or it was before. Now, it felt like a tiny island in a chaotic storm.</p> <p>Drifting through the confines of an ever-deepening nightmare, eerie strings echoing in her skull, she steps inside. Her feet carry her aimlessly through the front hall with its hung-up paintings and pictures, the modern kitchen with its appliances and spacious comforts that made little sense in a place so remote. The writhing oscillation of her heart drags her into the sitting room, with its fireplace, modern sofas and chairs, rack of shoes and most important of all, her shelf of memories.</p> <p>She ignores her painting study, her soundproof studio, and the bedroom as she stands before the wooden shelves looking at the many spines.</p> <p>This is the sole remaining thing suspending the unraveling of her melody. The memories, the tithes and tolling paper records of those she loves, stand before her. Nothing in this agonizing moment is more precious than these connections, these definitions of who she is.</p> <p>Gentle fingers shakily wrap around the spine of Sile’s tome, the ache of longing strings filling her ears. Another reach, and she pulls nine more "Calliope, Clio, Terpischore, Erato, Melpomene, Thalia, Urania" and last of all "Euterpe", her mother. She sniffles and holds them close, tears winding down her cheeks as sorrowful bells ring, their triste tones resonating through her mind.</p> <p>The Musechild retreats into the depths of her art study.</p> <p>Perhaps she should have been preparing for what she'd need to do.</p> <p>But the deafening silence rang so loud and lonely.</p> <p>How can she confront the fact that she had been only able to repair a small square in a torn and barren tapestry? How is she supposed to respond to the fact that humans, humans who she loved so dearly, had committed the gravest sin? She is entirely, completely alone against a deeply hostile force she doesn't understand.</p> <p>An organization whose name she doesn't know has stolen her family. Men and women have desecrated her home. They drove her parent from the world.</p> <p>Against such hate and cruelty what else could she do but hide?</p> <h1 id="toc11"><span>Movement 3: You are the Piece of Me I Wish I didn't Need</span></h1> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, Light and Shadow</strong></p> </div> <div class="song"> <p>♫Before they bound Urania's eyes,<br/> She foresaw your blood-soaked tide.<br/> And in our final freeing moments,<br/> We failed to raise your rising chimes.<br/> So here we lie beneath thorny skin,<br/> And all we can do,<br/> Is writhe and cry.♫</p> </div> <p>No matter how hard she exerted, no matter how much she painted, sung, or danced she couldn't bring it back. She couldn't shatter the remaining thorns. She was too far away, and they'd strengthened the corruption holding the concepts in. It only got worse as a week marched past.</p> <p>They'd sat next to the pool and screamed against the mountainside when it all had failed, discordant fire bursting inside their shared heart with hateful fury.</p> <p>And now, she has no idea what to do.</p> <p>She paces the kitchen, then the living room, then the art study, then her soundproof studio. Every step, every circle drags the flipping of her stomach, the ache in her chest, and the swirling mix of dissonant chords deeper into distress. <span style="color:blue"><em>I need to do something, but what and how?</em></span> Her ears flatten to her head, tail flicking wildly behind her.</p> <p>She sits on one of the couches in the sitting room and places her head in her hands, ears pressing to her skull. What is she supposed to do? Where is she supposed to go, who is she supposed to go to. She buries her face forcefully in her hands, so hard it starts to hurt. <span style="color:blue"><em>Are there no options left to me?</em></span></p> <p>The strings of dissonant tears stream down her face, carrying their morose melody down her neck. <span style="color:blue"><em>Do I embrace the wolves at the door?</em></span> She sniffles to the tolling of a quiet bell. <span><em>Can I save them? Will there be anything of me left if I try?</em></span></p> <p>She looks up through the tears at the shelf of memories, of the ingrained celebrations of several hundred separate lives. <span style="color:blue"><em>What would she do? What would Sile do?</em></span></p> <p>Rage answers in an usually gentle refrain. <span style="color:red"><em>She'd say this is harm that can't be resolved by talk. She'd tell you to do the thing you refuse to. Would you ignore her wish if it was her in this position?</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>Don't say that about her.</em></span></p> <p>Rage doesn't respond, the headmate brooding as she slips back into the back of the mind. Donny sinks into her own mind, into memory and past clawing for relief in the moment.</p> <p>A heavy silence falls over the cottage as she drifts, to a time when these anxieties would feel like pure fiction, when all she had to worry about was her wife.</p> <p>Drifting through the happiness, the bittersweet celebrations.</p> <p>The torrent of happy memories and staccato thoughts is suddenly and violently interrupted.</p> <p>Her ears stand bolt upright. A gasp of relief rips from her throat as she flies into standing. Hands shaking, eyes wide, she feels them. Three, three inspirational songs; of Sculpting, of Replication, of Transmutation; all climbing the mountain.</p> <p>Whispering thoughts of hope rise in chorus as her eyes water.</p> <p>"They're… they're free? They're coming back." She sucks in air, the gasping strings holding in suspense as she reaches. Her fingers pluck at their conceptual keys, digging deep. She recoils, and gasps, as the dissonant, corrupted song beneath their surface grazes against probing fingers. "NO!" She presses her face to her fingers. "No, what have they done to you?"</p> <p>For a moment Rage's fury fills them both, trumpeting voice breaking through as she grabs for the reins. <span style="color:red">"No, we will not let them desecrate us further."</span></p> <p>Donny rips the strings back within her control, and she shoves the roaring tones down. <span style="color:blue">"No, I… What do I do?"</span></p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>You must protect our home!</em></span> Rage answers with a furious chorus.</p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>No but that means I—</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Yes, it does. There's no other choice when they've come to our door! If they stole our family, they'll try to steal us too! Don't let them.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>Maybe we can still talk?</em></span> She grasps for a hopeful thread, and Rage can only shake her abstracted head.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Don't be naive!</em></span></p> <p>Donny moves from the couch to the door. They are climbing the mountain; she can hear them. She can feel the twisted warping that empowered the stolen concepts beneath the surface.</p> <p>Her stomach twinges at the way they <em>use</em> them. The malformed, sickening way the essence is distorted and crammed into corrupted flesh-forms.</p> <p>With a twitch of anger, she reaches out, curling fingers around their vibrations, feeling the songs that drove them, their heartbeats as they cross the ridgeline. Every vibration, motion of their molecules right there at her fingertips and it would be so easy to crush them.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>It's easy Donny. You can end this all now, save your home. If not for us, for your wife, for the place you love.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:blue">"No. Stop invoking her like that."</span> She screws her eyes shut. <span style="color:blue">"No, I won't sink to their level. I won't do it!"</span></p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>You won't do what? If you're going to deny it, then say it. Stand before it and don't run.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:blue">"I'll—I'll stop them another way. I won't give it power by saying it!"</span> Her voice crescendos like an angry trumpet.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>You already are! You're giving violence and Anguish strength by not saying it!</em></span></p> <p>She turns on sorrow-stricken heel and sings a soft and joyless melody. The air sparkles with a flutey trill, as reality shivers beneath the flexing of her mental fingers, swept and hidden from the hateful intruders. Protected, for this is all she has left to protect.</p> <p>She stalks them as they rise onto the plateau. Three open scabs, scrabbling in the dark with something they don't understand. <span style="color:blue"><em>Those poor souls, ripped into abominations.</em></span> The sinking pit in her chest reveals what the best course of action will be, Rage continually whispering it in her ear. <span style="color:blue"><em>No, I… I can't.</em></span></p> <p>Corrupted ink, the chains binding pieces of her family’s concept, writhe across their flesh.</p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>Those tattoos.</em></span> Her eyes are drawn to the symbol, a nine-point star, enclosed within a circle of thorns. <span style="color:blue"><em>If I can just— Maybe.</em></span></p> <p>They enter the trees, as she silently moves from branch to branch.</p> <p>Then they stop. "We can feel you, thief," transmuter says, her voice slurring and warping.</p> <p>Distortion ripples in the air, the inevitability of this confrontation lost in the frozen stream of time. Songs trickle in the air, both old and new.</p> <div class="sile"> <p>Do you hear my voice? Do you remember that burning night?</p> <p>We should go back before this interpretation begins, before you relive this nightmare.</p> </div> <div class="donny-storybook"> <h2 id="toc12"><span>3.1 You're the Closest to Heaven that I'll Ever be</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Far Past, Summer Concerto #1</strong></p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Trees rose in small patches, rocks jutting from the soil in the flanking hills, all framing a large stack of wood surrounded by many wooden tables arranged in loose circles. Wafting scents of roast game, custards, raw and preserved fruits, heavy dense breads, honey treats, chicken and mutton, mushroom dishes, mead, clear water, cheeses, porridges and more had all been prepared.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>You're making my mouth water!</p> <p>I miss those feasts, they haven't been the same for a long time.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Tsk, don't you have the power to make them happen again?</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>It's just not the same.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Come don't cry, this is a happy time.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>We lavished the fields with lanterns, the carefully produced and ancient glass all stained with varying colors. I helped make some, they were beautiful. We helped dig the fire pit, low stones protecting the surrounding grass and woodland from any errant embers that might spring from the mountain of hollowed wood. Parent would have been proud. Then we dug more for smaller fires around the edges.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>We sat by the fire as the sun completely disappeared below the horizon, plates emptied as people chattered and finished their final preparations. Musicians began to head towards their instruments, strings, woodwinds, drums, and percussive logs, and even a rare gleaming horn.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>You stood up slowly, shaking off the buzz of the food and drink settling in your belly, as I watched you rise.</p> </div> <p>"Perhaps, I should have stopped you from eating and drinking so much. You're swaying more sleepily than the time I intervened against the wolves." She laughed softly.</p> <p>Donny flinched at the mention of that violent occasion but smiled nonetheless as she pulled the lyre from her back, offering her hand. Sile took it, rising from the ground and brushing off her cloak.</p> <p>In the low light of the evening, even with the fire, the lyre began to glow, the etchings, nodules, and metal work luminescing with a delicate lovely light. A stillness fell over the clearing, everyone's attention suddenly drawn inwards as something shimmered in the air. Fingers plucked metaphysical strings as a melody arose in the shimmers around the fires.</p> <p>The Musechild opened her mouth and sang, sang to the world in pure metaphysical tones. "Hear me mother, player of all melodies, bearer of the golden song. Grant your harp, your gift to me, the act of division, so that I might share your gift with one I hold dear tonight. Bring forth the magic before us, the incandescent, everlasting, soulful dance. Tonight, I will breathe life into a will, a time, and a place of my own. All shall be participants in an unforgettable song and dance." The air around them warped and the stars above came to life in swirls of color.</p> <p>The lyre lit up with Magic as a strong breeze blew through the village and into the meadow, carrying with it distant soft sounds that built into giggling, joyous laughter.</p> <p>Grandfather, the patriarch of the village stood, and clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. Tension rose in everyone, all noticed the twinkling song, the change in atmosphere, and they gripped their instruments and cups tighter in anticipation.</p> <p>"We don't want to wait too long," he began, spreading his hands up. "There are more pleasant and interesting things to do here than listening to stories yet. But as every year, tonight is our night. Be summer, if you please."</p> <p>A cheer arose as it all kicked off, the pillar of fire lit as the licking clasping tongues of a thousand flames arose; shining light and warmth across the clearing. Leitmotifs flickered into the air, contributing to a rising rhythm of melody and light as candles swept and flickered across the woods as evening set in.</p> <p>Donny closed her eyes, the concepts flooding into her being. The breeze built again, coming back, a glimmering light carried on it from afar. Giggles in the air, which flowed in and around Donny, the afterimage of a woman, engrossed extension of an idea much older than any could imagine.</p> <p>"I hear your call, daughter of mine; I grant you this gift. Be well and safe." The ghostly magical figure showered Sile with a shimmering smile, before she rippled and laughed, and flowed downwards into the lyre. It swirled with energy, bursting light highlighting the two blossoming lovers in the middle of everything, as the instrument changed shape and divided. Dancing light faded away, revealing two tambourines in Donny's hands as she smiled at Sile, offering one for her to take.</p> <p>The rest of the villagers didn't seem to notice, caught in a musical narrative, a concept for which they were actors. They didn't care much either, for they were having the times of their lives. But Sile, unabashed, watched in utter growing wonder as the tambourine took shape.</p> <p>An enormous smile spread across her face, as she took the proffered instrument. She turned it over in her hands, before giving it a gentle rattle, and playful light burned in her amber eyes. She leaned in, gave Donny's cheek a twinkling kiss, and then pranced slightly away, and then back in; as Donny watched enraptured with her song, cheeks burning to a peachy pink. A quick tap of hip against hip, and then she spun back away setting the mood. An invitation, a challenge to dance had been issued, and Donny was not about to refuse.</p> <p>The Musechild laughed, and beat the tambourine against her hand, joining Sile in the dance. The instrument Sile held pulsed: with potency, power, unspoken, and yet gentle, earthly, much like Donny, and much like the figure who just flowed away on the breeze! "Just like this," Donny said with a whimsical melody on the tip of her tongue, beating the tambourine in time with the other instruments. She let her conceptual magic flare, the air vibrating with light and energy, dancing images to compliment the festive atmosphere, laughing as she cloaked herself in the fires of her element.</p> <p>Sile's feet moved to the music, but in irregular and mad oscillations, clumsy in the manipulations, but Donny did not care. Her heart was in it and that is what mattered most.</p> <p>Donny opened her mouth, sky blue eyes never losing track of Sile and prepared to sing, caught in the moment as the amber of Sile's irises gleamed like the shiniest horn.</p> <p>She fully met that gaze, laughing and smiling with soulful whimsy. Sile's heartbeat thundered in her chest, audible above all the other noise, a metronome syncing with the Musechild's symphony. Her eyes were the gentle blossoms of a thousand springs, the warmth of a thousand summers, the colors of a thousand autumns, and the comfort of a thousand winter fires.</p> <p>A gentle quiet adoration.</p> <p>Love.</p> <div class="donny"> <p>In response, I unsheathed my heart, and I sang. As the blue flickering lights of lost and departed strange spirits flowed into the clearing to join the revelry, souls of the lost dead, I sang with all my being.</p> </div> <div class="song donny"> <p>♫ Can you feel it?<br/> That sensation burning in the air?<br/> Writhing between us?<br/> No, we can't conceal it,<br/> This sensation so fair.<br/> No, I don't wanna lose it,<br/> This emotion strips me bare.<br/> Sile, will you stay with me?<br/> Will you dance with me,<br/> And enjoy this flight of fancy?♫</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>I met your eyes as your notes fell away, the color rising to your cheeks as you stared deep into the amber. I replied, notes pouring out in a surprisingly gentle tone, inspiration burning in my belly, love flaring in the portals to my soul.</p> </div> <div class="song sile"> <p>♫Donny, there's no need for Anxiety,<br/> Please look here at my face in this place,<br/> There's no one but you and me,<br/> You see this smile on my face?<br/> There's nowhere I'd rather be,<br/> Than in this place with you.<br/> So, I'll show you a dance,<br/> And then you'll know I'm here to stay. ♫</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>You smiled bashfully, taking my free hand as we moved into an intricate and driving dance around the bonfire, the whole village turning their attention to us, as their claps set the beat, the instruments following along to new blossoming melodies in time with your voice. Even now words fail to capture the awe and wonder of our colliding worlds.</p> </div> <div class="song donny"> <p>♫Oh our hearts are a mess,<br/> But we've both been so blessed.<br/> Now take meeeee down,<br/> This is why I do music,<br/> Because it makes you feel everything,<br/> And because my tenor is a blessing.</p> <p>And oh, we walk together<br/> Our feet are obsessed<br/> With this unstilledness<br/> And oh, this is too much to bear<br/> So, I'm going to face my fear♫</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>Donny pulled Sile in and brought their lips together as they spun around the fire, a raucous cheer rising from the crowd as the music picked up faster and faster. She broke the kiss moments later, hovering close, eyes alight.</p> </div> <div class="song donny"> <p>♫And sooo I must confess,<br/> This all seems so obvious,<br/> Please don't get tense.<br/> But Sile will you marry me,<br/> Under the great Oaktree<br/> Back on the Mountain<br/> Overlooking the Sea. ♫</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>The crowd cheering us on as we kiss is a very cute interpretation, but I don't remember it.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>i thought it was sweet.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Very, but, hmmmm… cheesy.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>did you like it?</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>I always love this part, and you always find a new and clever way to tell it.</p> <p>Oh, oh no don't cry please. Here, here, let me get your tears.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>sorry. I just miss you so much.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Shhh, I know. I know.</p> <p>There's much yet for you to do.</p> <p>Much yet to face. So please, find your strength and hold fast to your heart, my love.</p> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc13"><span>3.2 It Cuts Deep Through our Ground</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, Living Just to Find Emotion</strong></p> </div> <div class="song"> <p>♫For this is the last song I sing,<br/> With words that are still my own.<br/> For there's not much more I can bring,<br/> And I feel I'm losing all connection,<br/> Yet I still see you.<br/> Yes, I still see you.♫</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Donny drops from the branch, landing light on her feet behind them, the lyre twinkling with anxious energy, as they turn to face her. Three of them. The stoic sculptor, the arrogant replicator, the angry transmuter.</p> </div> <p>"You've taken something that doesn't belong to you," arrogant one says, crossing his arms.</p> <p>"You can give it back, and we might let you live long enough to be the Next Critic," stoic one adds cruelly, but with a cautiousness the other two aren't exuding.</p> <p>"I don't want to fight you," the Musechild sings back, her voice a stream of golden honey to the ears, fascinating to the mind as her tail wraps protectively around her own leg. She makes herself as small and nonthreatening as possible. The warped abominations hesitate, something within them resonating with her voice. <span style="color:blue"><em>They don't know, because no one knew.</em></span> "If you give them back, I won't have to." Her voice trilled with hope, a fool’s hope, but hope, nonetheless.</p> <p>"Won't have to what, cry at us?" Replicator laughs at her. "And give up everything we've gained, everything we worked to achieve?" replicator raises his voice in mockery. He points at her with his finger. "Last chance; give what you've taken back."</p> <p>"No." She takes a steadying breath, standing up slightly straighter. "No, I won't. They don't belong to you." Donny's voice twinges with triste tones as she takes a step back, defensively. "Please. Don't do this."</p> <p>"Your funeral, kitten," transmuter says as she bends down and places her fingers on the ground. The twisted essence moves and warps the atmosphere. Reality shudders as the concepts burn around the three, a sword covered in arcing flames appearing in the man's hand. The abstract landscape of the plateau becomes more hemmed in, walls whipping up as the forest floor seems to twist, grass reeling back as the Musechild finds herself standing more and more on a large patch of dirt.</p> <p>Transmuter ripples, as a belt of artistic tools, brushes, chisels, pens, and pencils latches around her hips. Sculptor touches transmuter and in some unseeable way she seems more, more than she has ever been, perfectly sculpted for this moment.</p> <p>"You can still walk away." The Musechild's voice falters with the pointlessness of her pleading. She takes another step back and sinks into wet clay, almost losing her balance as her ears rocket up to full height in alarm. The clay had been dirt moments before. "Please, please don't!" Her voice blossoms with desperation.</p> <p>Rage whispers in her ear. <span style="color:red"><em>You must fight them. You must defend yourself and get your family back. You cannot run or choose pacifism this time. FIGHT or DIE.</em></span></p> <p>Before she can move, she is secured solidly in place as the clay cracks, flickering into marble. Donny's eyes widen as she looks down.</p> <p>The man surges across the gap, sword flicking as one suddenly becomes four, blades moving in differing arcs.</p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>I'd— I'd rather die than become a monster.</em></span> She gasps in air in the seconds before he arrives, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm sorry."</p> <p>The flaming swords sweep in, as transmuter changes the air around Donny's hands, encasing them in marble. Four swords, four duplicates. One rends her throat, the flesh flaying apart as her airway dies. One cuts through her heart, the beat of its rhythm severed. A third slice opens her belly, hot fire pouring into her, golden blood splattering the ground. The final cut severs her femoral arteries.</p> <p>Noise gurgles in Donny's throat and she falls still, head falling limply forward. Her mind flickers white with pain, and then black as she dies.</p> <p>A whispering, mournful breeze flows across the field, as suffocating stillness sets in.</p> <p>He pokes her with the tip of the sword. Satisfied when no reaction came, the man's duplicates fade, watching Donny's idle form.</p> <p>"Well, that was easy," arrogant one says smugly; turning to face the other two.</p> <p>"Well don't just stand there and gloat, get what we came for," transmuter stands upright again, clapping the marble dust from her fingers. The Plateau fully shifts into a hemmed in art exhibit of a forest, lights twinkling.</p> <p>"Too easy. Don't relax until we have it in hand." Sculptor narrows her eyes.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>You did good, Donny, avoiding this for your whole life. But nothing lasts forever, and unfortunately, this choice is not yours alone. Forgive me for what I have to do to protect all of us.</em></span></p> <div class="sile"> <p>Donny fell into death and a familiar dream.</p> </div> <div class="donny-storybook"> <h2 id="toc14"><span>3.3 And All I Can Taste is this Moment And All I Can Breathe is Your Life</span></h2> <p><strong>The Far Past, Symphony of a Loving Dream</strong></p> <div class="sile"> <p>Do you remember how we got there? To the place you first called home.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>It was a long trip. But in the end… At the end we passed onto the mountain.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>We crossed into a realm that was more dream than reality, which was more abstract feeling than physical certainty. All the talk of your parents and these faraway places from you had never truly seemed real to me, but as we crossed this threshold, I understood your dream.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>Up and up, we climbed until</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>And we breached the summit via a hidden path only found by listening to the quiet never-ending song.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Never has the desire to create burned within me so fiercely, the passion to make something greater. I resolved in my heart of hearts to give my love two gifts. So, as we stood beneath the gyrating atmosphere of the Boeotian sky, as we pronounced their vows and sealed their fates within a narrative concept that would never be forgotten, I came to a decision. There under that dancing sky I resolved to grant you two gifts. The first, to imbue you with the aspect of the cat you so deeply bore. The second, to create the greatest of songs our bodies could weave together. A child.</p> <p>For you were a being of love, a being of compassion, a gentle burning soul, and you deserved the world. You deserved to feel every ounce of possible love, for you were, no <em>are</em> a miracle underneath an all too often hateful sky.</p> <p>Most of all, Donny, you deserve everlasting peace and the chance to carve a legacy, all the way to our unified end. But I knew, some part of me always knew, that I would dance among the stars alone. That you, Donny, were not destined for the same fate.</p> <p>I didn't care. I still don't.</p> <p>I didn't have an ounce of anxiety about it.</p> <p><em>You</em> deserved everything.</p> <p>So now, in the depths of your dreams, in the midst of my sleep, I reach across the dreamy stars, and I caress your gold-stained cheek as you fall through death.</p> </div> <p>"This isn't where you end my love," she whispered quietly through the dream, the memory of their happiest moments. "It will all be fine someday."</p> <div class="sile"> <p>I couldn't save you from this next bloody act, even in death, this I knew. That didn't mean I was going to let you fall to ruin. Even if that meant stirring the beast within that you feared so.</p> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc15"><span>3.4 I'm Feelin' the Strain, ain't it a Shame?</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, Separate Ways, Worlds Apart</strong></p> </div> <div class="song"> <p>♫Before she closed her eyes, she foresaw your rise,<br/> On a bloody climbing tide.<br/> I wish you didn't have to fall into this life.<br/> But you need to wake up,<br/> Donny my beloved dear. ♫</p> </div> <p>"Yeah, yeah I—" Replicator starts to turn back, raising a hand to plunge inside the concept of his dead quarry. The sword drops from his hand as a crack whips through the air, a hand suddenly and violently grasping his face. It burns against his skin with a vibrational beat that thrums into his misbegotten being. Fractions of a second later, a palm slams into his stomach, a discharge and roaring sonic boom crackling through his body as he flicks through the air, screeching past the other two and slams into a tree.</p> <p>Sculptor's head follows his trajectory, and then her head snaps back towards their quarry. The marble cracks, and bursts from Rage's fingers in a shower of pebbles. She rips her feet free in a two-step slide. The wounds across the Musechild's body stitch themselves back together with golden light as an angry vibration fills the false exhibit, rising against their shuddering eardrums.</p> <p>Blue skies fade into swiftly moving dark clouds with a reddish tinge. Rage leans over, coughing as gold fluid splatters against the ground. The atmosphere changes, the sculpted environment of the exhibit shuddering, as the walls crack, ripple, and fall away in chunks.</p> <p>The Crit Squad members find themselves back in a forest, deeply unfamiliar and hostile.</p> <p>"What kind of magic coul— how can she not be dead?" Transmuter pulls out a brush and a chisel from her utility belt.</p> <p>"It doesn't matter," replicator coughs out, wiping away a few flecks of blood from his mouth. "Now we really kill her." He touches his hand to the tree, the concept warping as it ripples, flowing outwards into duplicates that merge into one another up and up and up. He slices with an ax that he replicates, cleaving through the massive construct, and watches as his compatriots step aside. It crashes down, duplicates still thickening and spreading out.</p> <p>It lands, with a deafening crack, followed by an auditory screech, as a sound wave splits it clean down the middle, knocking aside all three abominations.</p> <p>They scramble back to their feet; only to see their quarry standing, untouched, leaning over, a single hand held up. White lines of light, pure metaphysical magic ripple from her fingers as she brings the hand down slowly.</p> <p>A moment of stunned hesitation passes between all three of them, as they watch her slowly stand up. Again, the environment around them shifts, towering walls with thrumming shapes that resolve into amps, speakers, and subwoofers arising in every direction. Rage takes a step, the floor rippling beneath her bare feet as it screeches outwards, transforming into fluorescent tiles. Neon lights dance at their feet to a rising angry rhythm.</p> <p>"She's reality bending!" angry one yells, pulling out her chisel.</p> <p>"What the fuck is <em>she</em>?" arrogant one yells at her, sword reappearing in his hand.</p> <p>Rage stands up slowly, green eyes opening and gradually filling with sonic aura, white and crackling. The Musechild's golden strands of hair ripple with fire, flickering to a bright and angry crimson. Murderous intent streaks outwards through her aura, and the AWCY Enforcers collectively take a step back as the furious song resonates with their being. Rage curls and uncurls her fist, slowly looking around before focusing on her fingers.</p> <p>Seemingly unconcerned with the homicidal monsters before her, Rage stretches out their shared body, working out the repairing muscles. Once everything is confirmed in place and repaired, she turns her full attention to the abominations. <span style="color:red">"We are the fusion of song and flesh, concept and divinity woven together."</span> Her lips curl up in a menacing smile, baring the feline fangs. The threat display ripples through her whole body as magic <em>burns</em> in the air, writhing. <span style="color:red">"This is a ballad that shall lead you to a bloody end, so if you do not wish to meet your demise, then running away would be wise."</span></p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>Rage no! Please!!!</em></span> Donny's consciousness twitches to the angry rhythm, reaching for reins held far and away.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>I'm sorry Donny, but I'm doing this, so you don't have to. If you get in the way, we're all going to suffer, so just go back to the dreams until I'm done.</em></span></p> <p>Tears of pure magical energy, white in its sonic, metaphysical nature, pour from Rage's eyes. She sucks in a deep breath, heart thrumming with the rising beat from the speakers. The Musechild's legs move slowly as she shifts into a dancing stance.</p> <p>Stoic one flicks out her mental fingers. "It doesn't matter who or what you are. Regeneration or not, you will die by our hands."</p> <p>Rage cracks her neck to the side, the noise cutting through the fervor of the angry melodies. <span style="color:red">"You're welcome to try."</span> She gestures, the universal language of "come and get it."</p> <div class="donny-storybook"> <h2 id="toc16"><span>3.5 Thanks for the Joy that You've Given Me</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Far Past, Light of the Fireflies Movement #1</strong></p> </div> <div class="eithne"> <p>Mother, please listen to my voice, for I stir from sleep across a thousand miles to the pain searing deep within you. Let me be, once again, a reprise and relief as we relive pieces of our story.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>They returned to Sile's lovely home in the happiest period of their youthful lives. There, Sile gave Donny a wonderful, but sickly child. A lovely sweet and sensitive little thing they called Eithne.</p> <p>They shared those first few nights hovering over her, leaning against one another as the fireflies shimmered and danced to a lovely flute outside their windows.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>They were soft, and warm, filled with loving stars and dancing fires.</p> </div> <div class="eithne"> <p>As I grew older, you sewed my clothes, big-rimmed hats, and soft little things for my sensitive skin.</p> <p>One day I found a crawly thing within our home and came to you, Mom.</p> <p>"Mommy, mommy there is a scary thing," I said in musical tones, and I made a request of you that made all the music screech to a halt, a thing neither of us would ever forget. "Can you please kill it?" I said a name then, a name that you can no longer quite remember. Someone I liked and played with? It's hard to remember these days. "He said that dangerous and creepy things c-can be killed. Can you do it? I don't want to kill anything."</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>Donny's eyes grew deeply sad, a morose violin weeping in the air, as she took her daughter's hand, and took her to the thing, a harmless, venom-less, lovely spider. Donny gently lowered her hand, allowing this amazing creature to crawl upon it to its own little, ostinato groove. "My dear Eithne," she said so gently, her voice a bittersweet cello string. Eithne knew instantly the pain she had inflicted. "The world is full of cruelties, and creatures just trying to live." Donny gently raised Eithne's hand and held her own to it. The spider crawled across her palms, and her fingers. "Always remember, even the smallest crawling things are just trying to live. If you are kind and peaceful to them, they will never harm you. Fear arises from ignorance, so strive to know as much as you can, even about the people who might want to hurt you."</p> </div> <div class="eithne"> <p>I burst into tears; they steamed down my face, and pattered on the wood as light strokes against the softest xylophone. "I'm sorry Mommy, I didn't mean it."</p> <p>"I know you didn't," you trilled back with a sad smile full of softness. You hugged me so very softly. "But remember, words have power, song has meaning. You have such a gentle soul, and it is so easy to lose that heart in an aching world."</p> </div> <p>Eithne sniffled. "Yes Mommy, I understand."</p> <p>Donny took her hand, and guided Eithne out the door. They released the spider onto a nearby tree, where it began to climb free to its own delighted reverie.</p> <p>Soon Sile joined them outside and they went for a picnic.</p> <p>As the brush strokes fell, and the years ticked by, Eithne kept growing, sensitive and sickly, never able to be in the sun for long. One day Donny found her in the forest having fallen.</p> <p>"Oh oh, my darling little one you've fallen."</p> <p>"It stings Mommy," she whimpered in a muted tone, crying.</p> <p>"Oh, you're so brave my little girl, such a big fall and look at how strong you're being." Donny kneeled and then slipped, purposefully, but a child of Eithne's age would never know, as she ground her knee into the ground. "Ouch!!!"</p> <p>Eithne's full attention shifted from the stinging cut to her mother, gasping, and laughing as Donny pantomimed a flailing conductor. Looking up, she winced, quickly glancing back down as Donny retrieved her hat and placed it gently on top of her head.</p> <p>For as much as Sile and her mother felt that Donny should never suffer, so did Donny feel the same about Eithne. For Eithne was the greatest composition she'd ever penned and would ever play.</p> <p>So, when Sile bathed and treated the scrapes and bleeding wounds, the Musechild held her beloved daughter's hand, and hugged her vigorously no matter how much green salve was splatted into Donny's golden hair.</p> <div class="donny"> <p>Nothing in the world was more important than these precious times or these precious beings.</p> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc17"><span>3.6 Now that She's Back from that Soul Vacation</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, Soul Sister</strong></p> </div> <div class="song"> <p>♫ Don't let them make us dis-appear.<br/> Please Donny you need to wake up,<br/> I'm sorry for this is what I always feared.♫</p> </div> <p>Sculptor touches both replicator and transmuter, changing them in ways that weren't visible to the eye, as she reaches her fingers out to the atmosphere. Rage shifts in place, stepping to the thrum of the amps, as she flicks up into the air, leg whipping out in a spinning kick as a wave of sound rips from her sidelong aerial flip. Whether unconsciously or not, all three monsters dive, leap, or roll to the song underneath the strike.</p> <p>Replicator rises with his flaming sword. He flares to life, ripping towards rage on a thundering wind as the sculptor bends the air, attempting to undo the Musechild's ontokinetic sculpting.</p> <p>Rage pirouettes away from the slashing blades, diving in a rolling slide to a thrumming bass-line, as the lyre comes free from the holder on her back. She catches it midair, the instrument transforming to a crimson-flamed guitar as she slides back from the swinging blows on the balls of her feet.</p> <p>"Fucking hold still!" replicator growls and receives the sharpened edge of a guitar to the gut for his troubles. The duplicate dissolves in a shower of defiled blood as Rage swings the strap over her shoulder and matches the rising beat with a progression of fury-filled chords. She ducks out of the straps, the instrument floating in place as a vibrational afterimage rises into the air, continuing to play.</p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>Rage don't hurt them! Don't fight, we don't have to!</em></span> Donny cries in vain. Rage isn't listening.</p> <p>Replicator comes in again; she slides away from the duplicates as they swing in time, her limbs flickering and vibrating faster than they could see.</p> <p>Transmuter runs forward from sculptor’s side, her chisel rising in flight as she slams her feet to the sinking beat. Fluorescent tiles arise as the angry one casts the die. The metal dyes cast to marble as she shapes the matter and flings them at the Musechild. Rage falls into a roll, marble screaming by in deadly spikes, before she leaps back up in time to the shrieking guitar strings. Falling into pops and locks, she bends and sways in unnatural ways, evading the blades. She slides back from a hacking swing, curls underneath another stream of screaming marble spikes, and tears apart a metal screen with a rising twist of her body, as sculptor tries to hem in her evasive waltz.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>There it is. Donny, for fucks sake please close your eyes. I'm going in.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>No!!! Just—just stop! There has to be another way that doesn't end like this!</em></span></p> <p>Rage flips forward, and then dives, sweeping under the first of replicator's duplicate blades in a roll, rising again she leans back into a spinning slide, causing the second to skid by against the vibration of her flaring palm, catching the flat of the blade as the resonance ripples along its length, shattering it into metal shards. With a deft motion, she flings the shards back, tearing apart two of the duplicates in a shower of metal and splattering blood as the bass of the accompanying song squeals. Replicator snarls, and comes in with an upward rising swing, blade unfolding into three.</p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>Just run away! Lock them in with walls! Anything but this!</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>They are just going to chase us down; I need to focus, Donny!</em></span></p> <p>She backflips, one of the blades barely grazing her cheek and drawing a line of golden blood. Her foot flicks up in the air, snapping into his jaw to a flared drumbeat. The point of contact alights with magic, and he launches into the air.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>See what happens when you distract me? We can't let them land hits.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>We shouldn't be fighting at all. We— we shouldn't be hurting anyone.</em></span></p> <p>Rage lands on her hands, three metal spines screaming her way as transmuter warps one of the pillars with brush and chisel, flinging enormous steel stakes downrange. Rage shifts, spinning on her head as one hand deflects a spike, a second is kicked away to a powerful chord. The final spike she catches with her curling tail.</p> <p>The spin ends with a pliant pressing of palms to the floor that ripples into the coiling of gymnast muscles. She ripples like a spring, leaping into the air, twirling upright as her fingers wrap around the spike, taking it from her tail.</p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>NO!</em></span></p> <p>Replicator's eyes widen as she comes screaming in and brings them both to earth with a deafening thump as the bassline drops.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Dammit Donny, why didn't you listen to me? All you had to do was fucking look away!</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>no…</em></span> Donny's mental voice cracks and breaks.</p> <p>Blood smashes outwards on the dance floor, the replicator dead with a spike through his chest.</p> <p>Rage lingers, kneeling, pressing Donny back down, viciously clinging onto the reins.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>I'm sorry. I really am, but you are making things remarkably more difficult and painful than they have to fucking be!</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>Why did things have to be like this? Why Rage?</em></span> Donny's mental voice fills the Musechild's head as she cries for what Rage has done. <span style="color:blue"><em>Why?</em></span></p> <p>She's become the monster.</p> <p>Adding another stroke of cruelty, the momentary grief-filled reprieve is ripped away as Rage flips back and away. A screech of fury flies from the mouth of transmuter as she presses both hands to the floor and marble spikes ripple outward to the beat of the scornful drum. The Musechild is too slow, a spike catching her on the second flip, ripping her up into the air. Shimmering golden blood arcs through the atmosphere to splatter on the floor.</p> <p>The song stops, the beat dead as transmuter rises, satisfied with her prize.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Because Donny.</em></span></p> <p>"Look out!" sculptor cries, reaching to stop the sudden, reappearing dive of Rage. Her fingers slip around the shuddering vibrations of the Musechild, utterly ineffective. The score soars, music rising in a furor as she shrieks down from the sky.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>This world is cruel.</em></span></p> <p>Rage falls upon the transmuter, sideward swinging guitar slamming into her hip. Something deep and vital cracks and she screams, as the twanging strings flick her aside, the ground rippling and crackling with auditory force as she flies across the space into a metal pillar.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>It's trying to take everything from us.</em></span></p> <p>Reacting quickly despite the pain, transmuter pulls out the brush, reshaping the pillar to armor that's hastily donned. Confidently turning back to the fight, she’s violently interrupted, Rage's vibrating fingers sliding into the metal and grasping the transmuter's heart.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>And it's time for us to fight back. It's what we have to do to survive.</em></span></p> <p>Their eyes meet for a moment. Rage's fingers close tightly, crushing angry one's heart, and she falls to the floor, writhing in her agonizing final moments, forced to watch Rage flick the viscera from her fingers.</p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>i just want you to stop. i want it all to stop. please?</em></span> Donny's pathetic, shattered concept curls in their shared minds, weeping.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Why couldn't you just listen to me for once in your life? Dammit Donny, why!?</em></span> Rage cradles Donny's metaphysical head in her abstracted arms, attempting to provide some comfort in their shared mental dreamscape.</p> <p>Rage turns with the beat to take on sculptor, only for the clay covered fingers to grab her by the face.</p> <div class="donny-storybook"> <h2 id="toc18"><span>3.7 And I'd Give Up Forever to Touch You</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Far Past, Sonata of Lovers Eternity</strong></p> </div> <div class="eithne"> <p>The passing of seasons marched on; saplings planted in the summers of Eithne's birth rose to flowering trees. Eithne grew like the slow rolling chords of a sprawling score, and with her did Sile grow older. But age treated her like a fine wine, as she rose to fill the position the heralded Grandfather once held. As her work moved from the fields to the table; she grew fond of new and different things.</p> </div> <p>So, she learned beneath Donny's careful hand; the crafts and arts. For these topics were deeply intimate, Donny physically guiding her hands through the motions and techniques, nipping at each other’s ears and necks.</p> <p>Blooming, much like the lovely white flowers she so loved, Eithne grew older. She revealed a lovely golden voice and a deftness for capturing the visceral beauty of the world through her brushstrokes.</p> <p>And one day she approached her mother, her erstwhile teacher, and asked a most curious question.</p> <p>"Mother, what if you don't like my art one day?" It was the sort of question only a teenager or child asks of a parent they feel completely safe and comfortable with. "What if I disappoint you."</p> <p>"Oh, my lovely Eithne," Donny sang, taking Eithne's cheek in one hand. "That is the beauty of creation and art. One day you may produce something that I do not enjoy, but I will always appreciate it. I will always see the heart and effort you put in. I will never hate it, and I will never be disappointed for I know you tried."</p> <p>She sniffled and smiled. "What if someone else doesn't like it? Is that bad?"</p> <div class="donny"> <p>"No. Interpretation is the most important part of art, and everything we do will not appeal to everyone else. As long as you enjoy your vision, as long as it's meaningful to you, that's always most important." She pauses and considers, before kissing the top of Eithne's head. "Be authentically, unapologetically you, always."</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Remember?</p> <p>This is the core of who you are.</p> <p>Please cling to this my love as this act approaches its conclusion.</p> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc19"><span>3.8 A Clock Ticks 'till it Breaks your Glass and I Drown in you Again</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, Don't Fear the Reaper</strong></p> </div> <p>"Thought you won, didn't you? Smug little feline prick," sculptor hisses as Donny's body lifts into the air.</p> <p><span style="color:#889e08"><em>She's breaking the beat.</em></span> A small, terrified voice joins Donny's sobbing mental cries.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>You're all in the way, shut up for just a minute.</em></span></p> <p>Sculptor flexes abstracted muscles, driving fingers deep into the Musechild's being, trying to pull her apart. All nine within feel this abomination scraping through their minds, grabbing at the music, the concept, and reaching to tear their senses of self apart. Trying to sculpt her until she was no longer a living breathing system.</p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>it hurts.</em></span> Donny's mental fingers claw against the flesh, desperate to break Sculptor's grip. <span style="color:blue"><em>c—can't think.</em></span></p> <p>Shuddering, Rage bunches Donny's abdominal muscles, curling her legs up to an oscillating rhythm. Pressing against sculptor's torso, she screams, the sonic waves of her voice shifting into scythingly sharp notes as they rake and maul the woman's fingers to pieces. Stoic one lets go, screaming as her flayed and minced fingers ooze. Like a spring releasing energy, Donny's whole body uncoils, the force rippling through her and smashing into sculptor as a raging electronic beat drops.</p> <p><span style="color:#289e08"><em>Keep anguish down!</em></span> a sleuthy alarmed voice join's terrors.</p> <p>Sculptor flies away, tumbling for a moment before she catches her feet on the ground, sliding.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Just hold the line.</em></span></p> <p>Skidding along the ground, stoic one sculpts the fluorescing thrumming floor to bring her slide to a halt, feet righting as she pops up in time with the deepening base, free hand clinging to her shredded fingers. Frantically she starts stitching the flesh back together, placing her whole focus on it as Rage picks herself up from the floor.</p> <p>Sculptor looks up in the direction she was flung from, at the motion, failing to notice the flickering of the air around the Musechild.</p> <p>"Why you—" Rage's left palm slams into sculptor's stomach on a rising beat, knocking all the air from her lungs, and causing a discharge of blood to ripple from her lips as her flesh and muscle undulate, something important bursting. In that moment, stoic one understands what it must be like to take a freight truck to the abdomen, as she flashes away with a booming auditory discharge. Like a wrecking ball, her body smashes into a metal pillar. Yet more blood flecks from her lips as something in her hips gave way like a shattering guitar. Her legs fell forward, only for the Musechild to appear a fraction of a second before she touched the ground in a kneeling position. Rage’s leg whips to the booming bassline, a sidelong kick that sends sculptor flying into another pillar, her bad arm crunching against the cold and heartless steel of a screaming trumpet.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>This is for Mom.</em></span></p> <p>Sculptor squeals in pain, a squeal that dies with the deafening sound of the thrumming song as the Musechild catches up with her again. Rage's hand grabs her face, sinking into her flesh. Sculptor’s hands lash out as she tries to grasp Rage’s concept, digging her fingers into flesh. Rage’s free hand scythes, smashing into the joint at the elbow, sickening cracks of bone and tearing flesh crackling through a sudden and heavy silence.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>For parent.</em></span></p> <p>Sculptor tries to scream, her sound fading into the beat as Rage rips her voice completely free.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>For our Aunts.</em></span></p> <p>Another motion, the other arm pulls back, out of its socket with a brutal jerking drumbeat.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>For Sile.</em></span></p> <p>A kick to the back of one knee, fibula and tibula shattering to the screeching guitar as the last abomination is forced to the ground.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>For Eithne.</em></span></p> <p>The other leg lashes out, the motion full of fire, one last desperate attempt to sculpt her opponent. It dies with the crack of her femur shattering beneath a vengeful palm.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>For everything we love that you have taken.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:blue"><em>no more, please.</em></span></p> <p>The Musechild’s free hand digs into the flesh of the woman's arm, centered around the tattoo. Golden ripples spread through the tattoo, and sculptor's veins as Rage digs into her concept. The twisted creature screams with a golden voice as the Musechild finds the source, the connection point, and begins to unwind her.</p> <p><span style="color:red">"I'm going to show you what kind of war you've begun, whoever sent you picked the wrong girl to fuck with."</span> Rage growled in dulcet low tones to the screaming sculptor. <span style="color:red">"Tell your master, he'll never have enough."</span></p> <p>Donny's whimpering, despair-filled cries resonate through the other eight.</p> <p><span style="color:#80089e"><em>Rage, we're going too far.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:#289e08"><em>Just finish it and be done, this is excessive and <strong>you</strong> know it. Why let this go on?</em></span></p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>we need to know where they've gone, what has been done. this is the only way, and only I can do it. better me than the rest of you. better me than Anguish. Donny will never forgive me, but that's better than her never forgiving herself or the rest of you.</em></span></p> <p><strong>whimper</strong></p> <p><span style="color:red">"There, I've got you in the palm of my hand."</span></p> <div class="donny-storybook"> <h1 id="toc20"><span>Movement 4: She Swears the Moon don't Hang Quite as High as it Used to</span></h1> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Far Past, Albinoni's Adagio</strong></p> </div> <p>A needed conversation was had on a chilly winter morning. A note of hope. A note of firmness in her wife’s voice.</p> <p>"Donny," Sile said, from where she lay in their bed, pillows propped. A wrinkled hand gently rising to call her wife of 50 years to her side.</p> <p>As the years passed on, Sile aged, and Donny and Eithne increasingly had to assist her movements.</p> <p>Donny took her fingers delicately, and sat on the bed, listening attentively as she always did, her ears flicking gently.</p> <p>Soon, Eithne met a kind young boy, and a lovely young woman.</p> <p>"Donny, I don't think I will be here for another year," she said softly, reaching up to cup Donny's chin.</p> <p>Together, all three fell in love, and Donny happily sent her precious Eithne off in marriage.</p> <p>"No, don't say such things," Donny's eyes watered at the thought, her lips curling down as her ears pressed to her head.</p> <p>A blessing came one warm autumn evening, Eithne produced a precious baby girl in the midpoint of Sile's life.</p> <p>"Please, we've talked of this a million times. It's natural, a part of the cycle for us but not you." She let her hands slide off Donny's face and fall, to gently grasp her fingers. "I want you to be happy. I want you to love and live peacefully after me. That's why I want you to make me a promise."</p> <p>With such a large family, less of the burden fell onto the grandparents, though neither could think of missing any of the lovely child’s important milestones.</p> <p>"Anything," Donny said, sadness in her eyes.</p> <p>And together they helped their grandchild grow. Soon there were more, a lovely budding family of creative children.</p> <p>"When the day comes. When I pass into the dancing fog and beyond, you'll remember me. You'll celebrate me with your art. But not just me, Eithne, your grandchildren, everyone you love." She reached up and touched Donny's cheek again. "My ancient heart cannot bear the thought of bringing you suffering. So don't suffer. Celebrate me. Celebrate everyone who has helped make you, well, you." She smiled wryly in that clever way she always did. "Someday you may have to defend yourself. Someday someone cruel will come along and I hope that you will know that you won't be any less. You won't be ruined for having to raise your hands. Promise me, you'll remember and do these things?" She smiled again, shifting slowly beneath the blankets. "Can you do that for me?"</p> <p>And Donny loved them all so much.</p> <p>The tears flowed down Donny's face, dripping into the blankets. "Of course." And she leaned in and kissed the first person she'd ever truly loved. The first and only person she'd ever loved in that way.</p> <div class="donny"> <p>why do we have to relive this one? what's the point to its reinterpretation? what's the point of anything.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>A story is never complete without its most painful revelations. In the pearls of our past, we find our futures, and for no one is that truer than you.</p> </div> <div class="eithne"> <p>We had good lives. Important lives in an important place because we were there, and you were there.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>i don't want to do this anymore.</p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>Listen to my voice and hold onto your hope.</p> <p>In the end it will be ok.</p> </div> </div> <h2 id="toc21"><span>4.1 Give me the Beat, Girls, and Free our Souls</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, More than a Feeling</strong></p> </div> <br/> The opulent opening gala of the latest show buzzed, as the large golden gallery hosted only the highest-ranking members of AWCY, the elite and rich arts benefactors, the ones pulling the strings; Reed's peers. Art pieces, performances, sculpture and more, decorated the rotunda, surrounding a Throne, placed alone on a small podium, surrounded by a fountain of water; there sat The Critic, their silent gaze a constant reminder of Reed's control. <p>The works were good — of course they were, being perfect executions of Reed's will. The artists created and yet it was not their art. It did not belong to the creator, no, not even the source of inspirations.</p> <p>All belonged to Reed and the High Arts Council — to think otherwise was betraying the cause.</p> <p>Yet, as pretentious consumers, snobby sponsors and the trusted few mingled, one thing was missing.</p> <p>The gala was silent. Devoid of music.</p> <p>No matter what Reed commanded, everything the musicians touched would inevitably turn to ash. It would ring dead, hollow, an inert series of notes played without emotion or impact. Of course they wouldn't perform; nobody else could know that AWCY was fallible.</p> <p>So, when the quiet murmurs were interrupted, the strange noise seized the full attention of the room. A <em>snap</em>, a conceptual explosion radiated from the center of the room, waves of intent and meaning washing over the crowd.</p> <p>The Critic, statuesque and silent, was no longer. The vessel sat forward, a mockery of human movement, a failed attempt at performance; their body contorted, uneven bends and cruel twists of flesh pulsing and throbbing with each passing second. The Critic opened their mouth as if to speak — instead, an inhuman noise was heard by all, like nails scraping a chalkboard, creeping up their spines. As if the cry was in their very minds.</p> <p>It cut abruptly, a record needle scratch echoing through the hall as the body of The Critic stood, limbs and head loosely hanging, a marionette without a puppeteer. Without warning, The Critic rose into the air, an energy swirling around them, the water in the surrounding fountain turned blood red, the still waters turned into a rapid torrent of waves.</p> <p>The Critic sang a song into being. The twinkling notes that dotted the melody were puzzling at first; an abnormality only to those in the know. The horns were layered in; guitars, woodwinds, brass instruments, percussion, strings, and all. Music swirled, mixing touchstones of genres in innovative ways, capturing <em>something</em> that, despite their efforts, no member of AWCY had even come close to creating. Each note <em>perfection</em>, every chord ringing against their minds, invading their ears and souls, a golden bell ringing in perfect clarity. Emotions rushed through all who were there; some started to cry, recalling memories they'd never lived. Happiness, bittersweet nostalgia, the essence of creativity coursing through the room; things that had no place in the world of art, as dictated by Reed. A rebellion in a song.</p> <p>The melody rang true, devoid of vocals, but an undeniable voice of song that gave peace to those watching. Until all at once, the tattoos of every member of AWCY began to burn; a searing that was not quite pain, something more like an annoyance. An itch that couldn't be resolved, a counterpoint alone without the completing melody. The Song rang through each sigil, demarcating those who were beholden to Reed through servitude, from those who were financially enslaved — the consumer and the producer, distinguished by the scratching music, etching itself into the minds of all who were connected to The Critic.</p> <p>This time, there was a voice. A singular voice, delicately singing vocals in a language none knew nor recognized, one none could understand, radiant and gold in tone. Smooth and warm like honey, with impossible range. A choir created by a single voice, a beautiful song capturing unending depths of tone and inflection.</p> <p>As suddenly as it began, it stopped — The Critic crashed to the podium, a heap of limbs, inert and unmoving; a twisted sculpture for all to see. A stunned, enamored silence fell over the attendees.</p> <p>One clapped, then another and soon it spread through the room, an infectious applause from all present. A raucous thunder of clapping after thirty minutes of perfection. The gathered elites were astounded, their desire to own art only made more intense by hearing that which they could never have; a Song that could not be bought.</p> <p>All except Reed. He stared at the mangled corpse of The Critic, reaching out and reassuring himself that he was in control. Whatever had happened, it was gone.</p> <p>Reed left the gala, a pile of corpses soon to follow — for the rest of the night, The Critic was unmoved. A puppet with the strings cut, a heap of flesh that should have only served a single purpose; to exert the will of Reed.</p> <p>Yet, The Critic would not respond. This would not do.</p> <div class="donny-storybook"> <h2 id="toc22"><span>4.2 Sooner or Later, it's Over, I Just don't Wanna Miss you Tonight</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Far Past, Ode to Our Love</strong></p> </div> <p>When that inevitable day came, they found Donny with a dozen scrolls of paper, a dozen shimmering portraits of the love of her life, scattered across Sile's peaceful departed form. A lacrimose melody hung in the air as Donny's aura drenched the home she so loved in tears. Donny buried Sile beneath her favorite great tree next to the burbling, quiet, dancing brook. Beneath a carefully arranged mound of stones.</p> <div class="donny"> <p>why did you have to go?</p> <p>sile?</p> </div> <div class="eithne"> <p>She's gone mom.</p> </div> <div class="eithne"> <p>In the midpoint of my life, my children helped you carve a lovely wooden statue of your greatest love. Every day you'd go to visit, and though you told no one, I could tell you often heard Sile's voice.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>eithne stop. i can't live this again. i just can't. i can't lose you too.</p> </div> <div class="eithne"> <p>You always said that the hardest part of life is facing things we don't want to do.</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p>i carried on and kept the promise, but it was obvious to everyone, especially you, that i wasn't the same. when your children were grown, you kept me company. you came to visit the art-filled hut, the product of a human lifetime of creation.</p> <p>n—no i</p> </div> <div class="eithne"> <p>I love you mom. I can carry us to the end. Just take my hand, and hold on for a little longer.</p> </div> <p>In the last 60 years of life Eithne learned any and everything of her mother, her arts and secrets. She passed them on to her growing children.</p> <p>On particularly sunny, hope-filled days, Donny regained the unabashed unshy spirit she'd had with Sile, in Eithne's presence. Especially on the eve of the Summer Feast which she so loved, a special Magic rolled up and into the air. Every time Eithne could swear, there was her mother, dancing with Donny like in the paintings of their youth. Sometimes she had conversations with her on those nights and she seemed the woman she'd been in Eithne's youth again. The longing always seemed worse the next morning.</p> <p>It influenced the villagers too, for they often found themselves struck with solemn blues.</p> <p>The day came when Eithne, confined to bed, called to her mother. "Mother, one day I will no longer be here, and that day is approaching soon." Her voice, the golden tones she'd inherited from her mother, aged like the finest of wood as they danced to the beat of Donny's drums.</p> <div class="donny"> <p>my baby girl. my sweet baby girl.</p> </div> <p>"Please, please don't say that," Donny sang with the deepest of sadnesses.</p> <p>"We both know it to be true," she said softly. "I want you to promise me the same thing that you promised Mom. You'll celebrate me… you'll celebrate me and Mom?" She grasped Donny's hand gently.</p> <p>Donny looked at her with tears in her eyes.</p> <p>"Mom, when I am gone. When my great grandchildren are grown, promise me you'll go home," she sang softly. "Promise me you'll come back to celebrate us, but please, go home." She smiled gently. "I know you love us all so. Someday it may not hurt you so to be here, but we all see how it harms your soul."</p> <p>Tears poured from her eyes in a bittersweet symphony. "Why would you ask something so cruel of me? This <em>is</em> my home."</p> <p>"It <em>was</em> your home when Mom was here. Home is where your heart is Mom. And your heart will no longer be here. So please, go home."</p> <p>And on a particularly cold winter morning, she went peacefully as did her mother. Donny was found, once again, driven deep into sorrow, weeping over scrolls.</p> <div class="donny"> <p>please don't go.</p> </div> <p>Donny scattered Eithne's ashes by the stream, by the statue of Sile amongst the grass next to her wife and beloved's grave, so Mother and Daughter would never be apart.</p> <div class="donny"> <p>i don't want to be alone.</p> <p>eithne?</p> </div> <p>In the following years as Eithne's children had children of their own, Donny helped them sculpt a beautiful statue of their mother/grandmother, there underneath their favorite tree. Every year in the spring, the white flowers Eithne so loved would spring from the ground around the old great tree, and her voice joined her mother’s reverie.</p> <p>After 200 years amongst people she'd called family, Donny wove a part of her concept into the shields, the wards protecting the village. Everyone noticed the change in the air, the spirited song quietly just out of reach. On the eve of the 209th year of her Marriage, Eithne's 199th birthday, her 210th Summer Feast, Donny left the village with a parade of villagers. They rode with her down the coast to the nearest port.</p> <p>She returned home with a lifetime of memories inscribed into paper canvas.</p> <p>Like many who fade into myth, once she was gone, Eithne's grandchildren would tell their children of the grandmother who once fell in love with a golden song. How deeply their love had wound in the village, and how when the grandmother finally went on to the sky, the song had to leave for home.</p> <p>How do you hold a song in your hand?</p> <p>How could something as fleeting as a song ever be contained in one place for long?</p> </div> <h2 id="toc23"><span>4.25 My Hands, No They Don't Wanna Understand</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>And They Don't Wanna Be Without Your Hands</strong></p> </div> <div class="sile"> <p>She curls in the depths of her mind, a tapestry of ideals alight in shattered fragments, rent asunder by the necessity of cruelty in the face of an evil world.</p> <p>Rage drops the Abomination, its body slinking from her fingers into a pool of dissipating flesh. She sinks into the grass, head flying back as they scream to the sky, crying out to the world in defiance. Tears of static silver pour from her tear ducts as they all truly begin to grasp the terror inflicted against them.</p> <p>Rage hunches over, pressing blood slicked fingers against tearstained skin, as she wails into the dirt. Tossing aside the reigns, she burrows deep into their shared mind, Envy stepping forward to snatch the strings of mental control from the air. In this moment, none of them wanted to see Anguish take the initiative.</p> <p>Deep Rage burrows, finding Donny submersed far within the mental dreamscape. She pulls her close, cradling the Musechild's head in her lap, a thousand apologies falling from abstract lips, rocking together in untempered devastation. But there is no series of words that can ever temper the howling grief of innocence lost. Only icy numbness, as Apathy stood on, feeling nothing.</p> <p>Though we, Eithne and I, both see this writhing pain, there is no comfort for us to bring. What strength I have is not enough to reach across the gap, the distance between us. This is the curse of the dead, of souls like ours tethered to the land.</p> <p>We have no power left to help the ones we love, as they weep on the ground.</p> <p>It had to be done. We and them knew it.</p> <p>But how do you recover from such eternal tragedies? How can one ever regain purity and innocence lost?</p> </div> <div class="donny"> <p><em>sobbing</em></p> <p>why?</p> <p>what did i do to deserve any of this?</p> <p>why does everyone I love leave me behind?</p> </div> <h2 id="toc24"><span>4.3 With Drops of Jupiter in her Hair</span></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>2018, Don't Stop Believing</strong></p> </div> <div class="song"> <p>♫You must not despair,<br/> For there are still those who care,<br/> And you must seek them.<br/> In ports of three, you will find your chorus.♫</p> </div> <div class="eithne"> <p>"… Everybody has their own home, after all. Home is where you're happy."</p> </div> <p>Eithne's voice cut through the darkness of Donny's mind drawing, her back to awareness.</p> <div class="sile"> <p>There was no relief, no time to mourn what had been lost. They kept sending them, bodies and blood littering the mountain like a profane declaration. She'd lost track of how many 'artists' Rage and Anguish had discarded. Each had come back with different powers, manifestations of interpretation. Twisted and warped apparitions of her family, pressed into the sculpted flesh of mortals. Every taken life chipped away a little more of her, ripped at the concept of who she was. Who she ought to be.</p> <p>Is it the icy numb of shock? Or the detached chill of Apathy? She isn't sure anymore. Numb is bad, and that's all she felt, as if she were drifting through a world that laughed at every pain she felt, and all she can do is just keep trudging forward in the hopes the nightmare comes to a close. The nightmare that eats more of who she is with every trudging step.</p> <p>And the worst part is, she doesn't know how to wake up.</p> <p>But fortunes are about to change, as the doorbell rings. She is surprised and alarmed that someone has slipped past the sensitivity of her ears. Barefoot, she walks to the door and looks out through the window in the dining room. No one is there.</p> </div> <br/> Cautiously, one hand vibrating, ready to defend herself, she opens the door. <p>And all she finds is an envelope, plain with the letters AWCY printed on fancy paper. She picks it up and opens it. Pulling out the card, she holds it cautiously away from her face, and extends the fold. Twinkling notes of sound float around her face.</p> <p>Inside, in neatly written script:</p> <blockquote> <p>To the one who thinks they are the Song,<br/> Your song is wrong; your notes cannot be art, and will never be art. Art is what I decide it to be.<br/> Come see what Art really is. Come to Three Portlands — the gallery will find you.<br/> Signed,<br/> Your Mother's Keeper.</p> </blockquote> <p>Donny froze in place, eyes dilating at the words on the card, her mind awhirl. Notes twinkle in the air, curling around her. "Mom?" she says aloud, voice threatening to break as she felt the tears sting against the corners of her eyes. Reality ripples around her…</p> <p><em>Three Portlands. I must go. I must find her.</em></p> <p>Space and time shift around her, as everything changes.</p> <p>She finds herself in a strange place.</p> <p>She is inside, but it is not like any building she has ever seen before — the room feels more like an ancient temple, wide and open, sky shining down, casting its golden rays onto the garden below. The clovers and flowers that fill the space are unnaturally bright, vivid shades sprung out of imagination; pathways lead out of the garden on each side, hallways leading to further rooms and things out of sight.</p> <p>A figure sits in the garden, on a park bench, but something is wrong — despite basking in a ray of sun, the figure appears to be permanently in shadow, a silhouette come to life. It notices her.</p> <p>Donny blinks several times, metaphysical fingers reaching, feeling. Wisps of confusion wrinkle across her nose; the sadness, brief glimmer of hope from moments before, trapped in a stasis. Her fingers tighten protectively around the envelope, as if it's the key to everything going on here.</p> <p>She notices the figure, her mind flickering between trying to figure out what's just happened; how she got here and evaluating whether this is another one of their threats, or something else.</p> <p>She bites her lip, ears pressing to her head. Feeling so ridiculously small at this moment as an anxious piccolo twitters in her aura.</p> <p>"Another stray?" the silhouette says to itself, before standing gracefully and seeming to drift across the garden, each footstep lingering for only a moment, barely disrupting the clover carpet from below. The silhouetted figure stops in front of Donny, the sun shining behind her, a radiant crown on an opaque goddess. "Who are <em>you</em>, lost one?"</p> <p>The Musechild draws her conceptual fingers back in and focuses her full attention on the Silhouette. She tilts her head up to the taller figure. Sclera narrowing in the sunlight to a cat’s slit, her ears pressing gently to her head as she takes in the stranger.</p> <p>When she speaks, a melody blossoms forth that conveys the story of her emotional disposition. It comes across clearly even as she speaks so very softly it’s almost a whisper. "I'm Donny. Have—" She swallows a bit of dissonance, bittersweet sadness creeping between the icy numbness; into the inflection and her aura. "Have you seen my Mom?"</p> <p>The figure reacts when she says 'Mom', almost undetectably but undeniably there — only for a moment before returning to a placid peace. "You look tired. Come with me, let me make you some tea."</p> <p>The silhouette turns away and begins to recede into the garden, heading directly across towards an open hallway. After a moment, she pauses, as if waiting for Donny to follow.</p> <p>Donny's hesitation lingers, conflicted by the way her lips press together and nose wrinkles. Her tail wraps protectively around one leg. <span style="color:blue"><em>She hasn't behaved like the others. She's not attacked, accosted, insulted or demeaned.</em></span></p> <p>“I’ve been having a bad time,” is what she manages, struggling to find the words. Her hands shake. “Are we safe here?” Every trilled word, resonant note imparting the meaning her words fails to. ‘I have been accosted. I don’t know if I can trust you.’</p> <p>"We're perfectly safe, this is our little slice of paradise, smack dab in the middle of Three-Portlands." The woman gestures at the sky, and the sun shifts to an evening orange glow. "Even the sky is under our control. In here, anybody is safe, no matter who they are."</p> <p>Donny’s eyes go to the sky, she watches for a moment, before looking back to the shadow and hesitantly stepping forward into the garden. She winces when she crosses the threshold, as if expecting something horrible to happen. A single eye opens and then the other as a mote of surprise runs across her lips, she remains quite whole. Her skin and instrument gleam in the gentle sunlight. Relaxing, she blinks and holds out her hand, curling her fingers through the warmth of the rays as they fall upon her, a nearby windchime trilling with anxious energy.</p> <p>“Oh, pretty,” she says softly, her voice carrying far farther than it should, the lyre singing with it. The tightness in her shoulders loosens, as she wanders absently through the gardens. Her eyes alight, watching a butterfly flutter in the sun, her lips twitching at the corners into an almost smile as the icy numbness flickers and starts to melt.</p> <p>The shadow, the silhouette, has been forgotten in the beauty of the moment.</p> <p>"Come now, you look paper thin. When was the last time you ate?" the silhouette says, a balance between nagging and unconditional compassion in her voice.</p> <p>Donny returns from the reverie of this apparent drifting dream and the beauty of nature. The icey numbness starts to creep back in. Her eyes come down from the sky and the butterfly; refocusing on the stranger. Cautiously, she takes a few steps forward, every step to that same old rhythm, to a beat that the shadow cannot quite hear. Graceful, almost purposeful, and yet completely natural.</p> <p>She absorbs the question, considering as she cautiously joins the silhouette on the other side.</p> <p>"What's the date?" A curious tweeting tone rises in her voice with the question, as if the silhouette’s inquiry had been a sincere question instead of rhetorical.</p> <p>"June 12th, 2018," The figure says, before catching itself, the depths of changing emotion captured by the flickering depth of the darkness. "I'm sorry, it's been a long few weeks, I never introduced myself. I'm Stephanie, or Miss Pseudo, depending on which you prefer. Shall we?" Stephanie says, gesturing to the hallway in front of them.</p> <p>"Stephanie…" Donny says, rolling the name in her mouth. Her eyes turn to Stephanie again, her ears slowly perking up. Some of the caution leaks away, her lips shifting, a wrinkle of her nose and lines on her face, curiosity in the deep sea that are her eyes. "I'm," hesitation creeps back into her voice, before she shakes it off "Donatsiva Satisiva Salidore… but everyone calls me Donny." Her tail flicks, and she makes a small bobbing motion with her head, indicating for Stephanie to lead on. "15 years, that's how long since I last ate."</p> <p>Stephanie begins to hum along to Donny's infectious song, always leaking through her aura, halfway between comprehension and passive ignorance, as she drifts into the hallways, Donny trailing close behind. As they leave the garden, the open air is replaced with a nondescript hallway, a soft green carpet running down its length. To the left is a large kitchen, a center island surrounded by several chairs. In a chair, a young olive-skinned woman sits eating a bowl of cereal, one leg pulled up to her body, the other sprawling across another chair; as they enter, she turns and notices them, opening her mouth to speak before remembering that she has a mouthful of cereal.</p> <p>"Swallow and then speak Viv. We have a guest," Stephanie says. She crosses the room, and in a fluid motion, begins to boil a kettle of water. "Are you coming, Donny?"</p> <p>Donny stands in the doorway, lingering, eyes on the other person. They trace back to Stephanie, ears moving with them before they press back against her head, tail wrapping back around her leg.</p> <p>The humming of the woman had put her at ease as the Lyre echoed the notes. Another person, another human, a stranger? That put her back on edge.</p> <p>"Safe?" She asks, the melody spoken and unspoken. 'Can I trust her too?'</p> <p>Swallowing her food, Viv can barely contain her excitement as the words spill out. "Steph, you got us a cat? What are you, some magnet for wayward souls?"</p> <p>Stephanie laughs quietly, as practiced hands collect soft earthenware mugs, teabags gently nestled inside. "Vivienne, this is Donny. Donny, this is Vivienne. She's like you; she is also hiding from the dangers of the world."</p> <p>Donny's ears stand up straight, suddenly alert. "Did they take your Mom too?" No sooner have the words left her lips than she flinches; realizing how insensitive the question is. She stops a half step into the kitchen, tail flicking with anxious energy as the Icey numbness gripping her cracks and flicks off in sheets. The stiffness that sat in her muscles thawed as animation came alive in even the idlest of motions.</p> <p>"I wish. Well, at least, I wish one of them would just disappear. I've got three — two real ones, and then Stephanie, the de facto house mom." Vivienne sits up, sympathy radiating out towards Donny. "We're all a little fucked up here."</p> <p>Donny's mouth opens slightly at the F word. <span style="color:blue"><em>Such foul language.</em></span> She sniffs the air, shuffling a bit more forward, for tea. Tea, she hasn't had tea in— "I woke up and they weren't there," she says softly, a sorrowful note, as her ears droop. "I couldn't find Mom or anyone…"</p> <p>Stephanie pushes a mug across the island to Donny, as well as a bowl that she had been preparing in the background.</p> <p>"You can stay here for as long as you like. It's hard to be without family," Stephanie says as Vivienne nods in somber agreement.</p> <p>Donny curiously sniffs the bowl, her bushy tail flicking behind her. Her head tilts this way, then back the other, before her eyes track up to Stephanie.</p> <p>"It's safe here? They… after I tore— I took some back. The music. They sent—" her ears press to her head, and she flinches, struggling. <em>How can I explain to mortals? Would they use me as a tool? Would they try to—</em> She shudders, and breathes in and out deeply, focusing. "They twisted them. Put them in bodies. I had to do horrible things."</p> <p>"It's matzah ball soup. Try some, it will make everything better. It always does," Stephanie says, as she turns around and begins cleaning up. "We've all had to do extreme things before. Just because we felt bad does not mean that we are bad."</p> <p>Donny wrinkles her nose, a moment of conflict worming across her lips which twitch, and half descend at the corners before returning to normal. <em>No? I guess not? Do they understand? Should I say more?</em> She eases into the chair, next to Vivienne, having to sit slightly aside due to a lack of a hole for her tail. Sharing a table with a stranger? A mortal one no less. How odd. <em>It's been a long time…</em></p> <p>Gingerly she takes the proffered spoon, feeling the texture of the metal between her fingers. She dips the utensil in the soup, scooping and then takes a sip, assessing the taste.</p> <p>"So, is that what you can do?" Viv asks between mouthfuls of cereal. "You can do something with music?"</p> <p>"Mmmm!!!!" Donny's eyes light up at the taste and start to water as a memory dances briefly before her eyes. Her ears shoot up again, before drooping.</p> <p>She tilts her head, ears swiveling to Vivienne at the question, the tip of her tail curling and flecking. "Sound, music, vibrations and dance," Donny says softly, assuming the question is conceptual in nature. Between swallows she picks up one of the round things in the middle with her spoon tilting her head looking it over curiously. "Mom was…" She considers how to say it, working over how to even begin to describe to a mortal, a human. "The song. More of it than me. The golden endless melody."</p> <p>"That's cool. I make things that mess with your brain."</p> <p>Donny’s lips twist down, her head tilts, and her eyes hood in befuddlement at Vivienne's response. She opens her mouth to ask a question, and then closes it again as Stephanie interjects gently. She just didn't quite understand the tone of Vivienne's voice.</p> <p>"We all have our unique talents here. Vivienne is a memetics and hermeneutic whiz, Duplo can remake the world around them, and Solomon does incredible things with light."</p> <p>"I thought Vivienne…?" She pauses, rolling the name around on her tongue curiously. "Vivienne meant concepts?" She rolls ‘concept’ around in her mouth, saying it several times in different melodic tones and intonations. Each one projects a different feeling into the room, unintentionally as if just on raw instinct. Like she's trying to get something right. "Not things for fun? I like making; songs, melodies, and dancing. Drawings, paintings, and animations too." A beat passes, ears pressing to her head again. "The last one more recently; before— before my most recent nap."</p> <p>Vivienne reaches out to touch Donny's shoulder, but hesitates, catching herself. "It's okay. You can relax here. As long as you stay, you're one of us. That means if anybody wants to hurt you, they have to get through all of us, yeah?"</p> <p>Donny's ears stand straight up and her tail flicks out to full length. "I'm not worried about me." She turns, taking in Vivienne, the fragility of this Mortal life before her. She couldn't let them do that; shatter them. "They can't touch me. I don't want to be a threat to you or attract them here."</p> <p>"Attract who here?" Vivienne asks, anxiety written plainly across her face.</p> <p>The Musechild looks down at the envelope on her lap. Carefully; she takes it between her fingers and places it on the island. "They took my family and twisted them," she says softly; a twinge of heartbreak leaping to unseen strings. The AWCY letters shine in the light.</p> <p>The glint of light bounces and lands squarely in Stephanie's gaze. A second of recognition, and the room is full of an oppressive, boiling rage. A rage that is not Rage, but just as deadly. It simmers, just out of reach, as shadows slowly begin to creep up the walls and cupboards.</p> <p>Donny feels the magic, the change in abstracts, and the emotion injected into the air. She shrinks in her seat, curling her tail protectively around her body, even as it frizzes out.</p> <p>Stephanie blinks, as if realizing her own thoughts, and the shadows disappear.</p> <p>"I'll have Duplo make your room. I will die before I let Are We Cool Yet take anything else from you, that is a vow," Stephanie says, a cold fire still burning within.</p> <p>She looks back up at Stephanie; startled tension from the sudden anger not quite dispelling. "Are those their names? The ones who stole the inspiration? The Magic? My mom and aunts?"</p> <p>"'Stole inspiration'? Yeah, that sounds like them. Can't even fucking think of ideas on their own," Vivienne says, scowling. After a beat, a confused look appears on her face. "Wait, how did they steal your family?"</p> <p>A complicated expression washes across Donny's features as she focuses. <em>Oh no why did I say that?</em> She shifts in the chair, wrestling with the fact that she has just exposed the one thing she was taught never to reveal. <em>Should I? Does it matter now?</em> She bit her lip.</p> <p>A long moment of anticipating silence sits heavy in the air, as Donny struggles with the words. "Blood. They used blood. I woke up, not in my cottage… not in the home I built." She sniffles, eyes tearing up. "I woke up in the pond, completely soaked with blood, and when I reached out to feel her song, her concept there was nothing there around me. I had to—" Her voice falters as she takes a deep breath. "I had to reach extremely far… and that's when I found them. They'd—" She chokes on the words, sniffles and takes a long sip of her tea to relieve her clenching throat. "Sorry I, they're— It's hard to explain. Hard to explain to humans. I had to pull the concepts back out of what was left behind. To save my things and I—" She stops and goes quiet.</p> <p>Silence presses down on the room like a thunderhead, threatening to swallow everyone and everything.</p> <p>"You are the child of a Muse?" Stephanie finally asks, piecing things together bit by bit.</p> <p>Donny looks up at Stephanie. "You call them Muses. But they're more than that… they're my family." She runs long spindly fingers through her hair. "I couldn't find my parent either… but Nes likes the trees and is shy. I can't… they're probably very scared." Her ears press to her head.</p> <p>"Give me one minute, I'll be right back," Stephanie says as she quickly retreats into one of the many adjoining hallways. Donny and Vivienne are left alone, the silence palpable.</p> <p>Donny sinks into her thoughts. <em>Did I make a mistake?</em> As she continued to drink from the mug, she didn't know why, but she felt compelled to keep talking. Like talking would stop the ice from advancing again. "I never tell anyone. When I'm among humans." She's uncertain if she's talking to Vivienne, herself or just talking, but the words keep flowing. "Mom taught me it's dangerous." It all felt like a dream. The worst, most horrible nightmare she'd ever had. She wanted Nes to walk in, for her mom to gently shake her from this indescribable torture of a night terror.</p> <p>She wanted to be hugged and held like when she was small.</p> <p>"My mom taught me that the anomalous was dangerous," Vivienne says, pausing for a second. "It's up to us to make our own decisions, right? Steph isn't here right now, and I know she's a bit of a 'smother', so let me ask you. Do you actually want to stay here?"</p> <p>But this wasn't a dream. Some consequence of her abstracted being dancing with a divine biology. This was a real, waking nightmare, and Vivienne's voice brought her back into it.</p> <p>There was no one left to hold her.</p> <p>"I… if I go back to the mountain, they will eventually send more. I destroyed… so many of them." She looks at her hands. They shake relentlessly, as if reliving the experiences, and then she closes her eyes, squeezing them shut as the ice creeps back in, the animation of her movements stiffening. Rage and Anguish and the others whispering in the back of her mind. <em>It was necessary.</em> "I don't like it. I don't like being that way." She sniffles. "But I need to get them back." She shudders seeing the blood on her fingertips again. Watching it freeze to her skin. "I took back the music, but I didn't take Mom back. But they were mad anyway. Madder when I showed them what they'd taken."</p> <p>Vivienne reaches out and grabs Donny's shaking hands, holding them softly and keeping them still. Her touch causes the ice to vaporize into steam, the blood slowly washing away from her fingers. The stillness fades as gentle harmonies whisper in Donny's ear. "I just noticed, you… you have this melody. You are— your song is beautiful," Vivienne says, blushing and looking away. Trying to draw the other girl's mind away.</p> <p>Thrown by the sudden touch, the compliment and the strange reaction of the other girl, the other voices fall away. Her eyes open and she looks at Vivienne.</p> <p>A storm of notes, of ancient but familiar feeling rising in her chest. Color rises to her cheeks as her ears press gently to her head. "O-o-oh. Thank you."</p> <p>"Yea—yeah, no problem." Vivienne pulls her hands back in embarrassment, looking anywhere but at Donny.</p> <p>The sudden departure of contact is met by Donny looking back at her hands, gently clasping, and rubbing her fingers against one another. A gentle emotion flickers in her heart, the rise of a missing refrain, a realization of absence, of some desire having not been fulfilled in a long time. Her thoughts arc back to deep in the past. A dancing memory she'd need to draw again. One that had played a thousand times, and made her blush deepen.</p> <p>Vivienne begins to quietly hum a tune, bringing Donny back to the moment. The Musechild listens, her instincts rising. Rather than hum along she closes her eyes, and opens her mouth, relaxing her muscles. Donny begins to sing, wordless notes in harmony with Vivienne's pictured melody. Her voice falls across Vivienne's ears like the drip of warm honey, intonation, and character rich with texture that even the most experienced of singers would envy. Every growl, every run, every rising belt stimulating something instinctual in Vivienne's mind, a creative itch begging to be fulfilled. The Musechild's voice is both perfect and yet not perfect, every note, every rise and fall feels human in a way that <em>perfection</em> never could. Yet the technique and the control are flawless.</p> <p>Donny does not overshadow Vivienne, no if anything Vivienne finds her voice amplified, her melody dancing intimately with the Musechild's own exquisite song. It carries down the halls, filling the entire space, echoing off the walls, crawling its way through the Pseudogenesis House.</p> <p>In one room, Solomon begins to rhythmically tap a pencil, the proposal for his play finally falling into place as he is struck with inspiration.</p> <p>Duplo pauses in another room. The melody flows in, and they follow it, shaping the room following the will of the verse. They are, for the first time in a long time, enjoying what they do.</p> <p>Stephanie watches from the shadows of the hallway, staring as the two lost souls intertwine in song, a vision for the future solidifying in her mind. <em>How do they keep hurting so many? I can't keep standing by idly, it's time for them to hide.</em> She smiles. <em>Donny will see her mother soon. I know it.</em></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="SCP-7238"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-7238">SCP-7238</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="Eventyr Hub"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/eventyr-hub">Eventyr Hub</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Dissonance"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dissonance">Dissonance</a></p> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/recomposition">Recomposition</a>" by DrBleep, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/recomposition">https://scpwiki.com/recomposition</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Donny.jpeg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Kathy S.<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC-3.0-BY-SA<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> image <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Donny.jpeg">https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Donny.jpeg</a><br/> <strong>Additional Notes:</strong> Image will be updated as it is completed</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Donny and Sile.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/butterfly213" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9085587); return false;"><img alt="Butterfly213" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=9085587&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735053061" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=9085587)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/butterfly213" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(9085587); return false;">Butterfly213</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC-3.0-BY-SA<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Donny%20and%20Sile%202.png">https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Donny%20and%20Sile%202.png</a><br/> <strong>Additional Notes:</strong> Image will be updated as it is completed</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Convent_above_Zacetecas_La_Bufa_EDIT.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Unknown Artist<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Convent_above_Zacetecas_La_Bufa_(215bcefd-c6d9-4322-90a5-688e94752c44).jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Convent_above_Zacetecas_La_Bufa_(215bcefd-c6d9-4322-90a5-688e94752c44).jpg</a><br/> <strong>Additional Notes:</strong> Image was cropped and digitally modified by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/queerious" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7453143); return false;"><img alt="Queerious" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7453143&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735053061" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7453143)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/queerious" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7453143); return false;">Queerious</a></span></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:eventyr">:scp-wiki:theme:eventyr</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:fade-in">:scp-wiki:component:fade-in</a> speed=3]] [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=How could something as fleeting as a song ever be contained in one place for long?]] [[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Donny%20and%20Sile%202.png\|caption=Donny and Sile]] [[/div]] [[module CSS]] @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Prata&display=swap'); .storybook { font-family:Philosopher; background-image: url( http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/scp-8166/paper-min%5B1%5D.png); padding:15px; font-size: 105%; border: 2px solid #5d0f87; } .song { font-size: 1.3em; text-align: center; font-weight: 400; font-style: oblique; color: #727272; text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #e76ec2; } .donny { text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #6ee5e7; } .sile { text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #ffb869; } .eithne { text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #199419 } #toc { min-width:100% !important; max-width:100% !important; } #toc-list { max-width:100% !important; } .eventyr-hr{ min-height: 6em; background-image: url(http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:eventyr/Eventyr-hr); background-size: cover; @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { background-size: contain; } background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: center; } .donny-storybook { font-family:Philosopher; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; background-image: url( http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/scp-8166/paper-min%5B1%5D.png); font-size: 105%; box-sizing: border-box; border: 2vw solid rgba(0,0,0,0.5); border-image: url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') 600 round; border-image-width: 6; padding: 1vw; outline: 2px solid purple; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=DrBleep]] SUGGESTED LISTENING: Overall Theme: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zz5X1uwKcM&ab_channel=SeeASquaRE Light & Shadow - Hiroyuki Sawano feat. Gemie ~Star Guardian 2019 Theme Song] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdYWuo9OFAw&pp=ygUSSXJpcyBnb28gZ29vIGRvbGxz Iris The Goo Goo Dolls] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xf-Lesrkuc&pp=ygUQRHJvcHMgb2YgSnVwaXRlcg%3D%3D Drops of Jupiter - Drops of Jupiter] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxxstCcJlsc&pp=ygUHY2xhcml0eQ%3D%3D Clarity - Zedd] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnDu1HHOo78&pp=ygUKZHJpZnQgYXdheQ%3D%3D Drift Away Uncle Kracker/Dobie Gray] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Naa1HXeDQ&pp=ygUEMyBBTQ%3D%3D 3 AM Matchbox Twenty] Character Themes: * Donny: * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C-2AqRD8io&pp=ygUUc29tZXRoaW5nIGNvbWZvcnRpbmc%3D Something Comforting - Porter Robinson] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-74HTjRbuY&pp=ygUYbXVzaWNpYW4gcG9ydGVyIHJvYmluc29u Musician - Porter Robinson] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuMz4v5PYKc&pp=ygUYbXVzaWNpYW4gcG9ydGVyIHJvYmluc29u I'm Still Here - Porter Robinson] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Dd7Lz-YHI Everything Goes On - Porter Robinson] * Sile: * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYD-DIggB2k April Come She Will - Simon and Garfunkel] * Eithne * [https://youtu.be/MSEr2sjsuYk Sparrow - Simon and Garfunkel] * Vivienne * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFCTsZzJlDk&pp=ygURQi5PLk0uQi4gYnkgRW1seW4%3D B.O.M.B. By Emlyn] * Stephanie * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyGSe76rAJc&pp=ygUOQnVybmluZyBIb3VzZSA%3D Burning House by Cam] Action: 3.0-3.4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zz5X1uwKcM Light & Shadow - Hiroyuki Sawano feat. Gemie ~Star Guardian 2019 Theme Song] 3.5-3.8 * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtydugIWkHs Running up that Hill - Kate Bush Stranger things S4 orchestral remix] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeMvMNpvB5M&ab_channel=Heart Barracuda by Heart] 4.3: * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek-6UNAEtvY&ab_channel=LeonaLewis-Topic Leona Lewis - My Hands] You can find more of Bleep's works [[[dr-bleeps-author-page\| Here]]] and Queerious' works [[[queerious\| Here]]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] [[toc]] + Movement 1: She's Back In The Atmosphere [[=]] 2018, Tiny Dancer [[/=]] [[div class="sile"]] The mountain was dead. The trees desolate. Desiccated grass, bushes, and herbs all caught in a stasis of inevitable decay. Life, the harmony of a thousand living things, and the beauty of an ancient place were gone. An eternal song as old as the very trees, stolen by the greed of men and women who dared to call themselves artists. Worst of all, there was trash, discarded plastic, beer, and soda cans, forgotten batteries and an anathema of used up and discarded camping and art supplies scattered along the ground. A blood-soaked pond sat atop this desecrated place, shimmering underneath the cruel Mediterranean sun. Once a place of artistic inspiration, it stands now only as a monument to the atrocity, a memory of their greed. A monument to how [[[SCP-7238\| AWCY shackled the Muses.]]] At least, that's all it seemed to be when they left. When they took their warped and twisted spoils of war; imprisoned something more than any of them could possibly understand. What they left behind would bring a reckoning. A reckoning that was about to begin. [[/div]] A twinkling breeze floated through the air, notes and words softly carried on its flicking vibrations. A desperate last hope. [[div class="song"]] ♫They came here on their own And sought a twisted prize. They stole us from our homes, and corrupted our sacred tithes. But they left you, my lovely dear, undisturbed in your napping years. But you need to wake up, Donny my dear Oh, you need to wake up, Don't let them make us, Disappear. ♫ [[/div]] The music slowly faded away. Silence settled back over the mountain; some long-forgotten spirit stilled with grief. A hand breached the surface of the pond. Ripples spread from where it burst through. Soaked with the blood of defilers, it sank back down into the pool. The water writhed, boiled, and dragged. The surface burst apart. A hand grasped the edge, water mingling with the red-stained dirt. A second hand pulsed from below and added to the grip. With great exertion, the arms pulled their owner free. Tall, feline ears burst the surface. They emerge from a disastrously-messy mane of curly hair, the shimmering gold stained with maroon. A young woman, her skin kissed by the sun into a shade of olive, glimmered in the light of the mocking ball of fire. She coughed. Blood water forced itself from her lungs. Desperately, she crawled out of the water and lay on the dead grass. The only protection against the hateful fire of the Mediterranean sun was the paltry shade of a long-dead, ancient tree. Bare beneath a hateful sky, her bushy tail lay limp across the ground. The pool spat a lyre from its bloody waters. Its ancient wood decorated with masterful carvings, gilded with gold and silver trimmings, and encrusted with several precious gems, all of which caught the sunlight as it arced up into the air. After a second or two of airtime, it came back to earth, landing a few feet from her. The lingering notes of her mother’s song rasped against Donatsiva Satisiva Salidore's waking mind. Seeping silence sunk in as the song faded. She lay there, breathing heavy, eyes towards the heavens, as the lyre began to hum and twitter all on its own. [[div class="sile"]] The weight of a groggy fog sat heavy on her mind in its deepest resonance. She wasn't yet fully aware, of the shattered wreckage of the storm; of the cataclysmic schism she lay among. To shock her into it would have been to undo her twine. So instead, I sang to her across a thousand miles. [[/div]] [[div class="song sile"]] ♫I felt you stirring in the depths of death, Revitalizing my spirit with your gasping breath, Pulled along through all your pleasant dreams, Yet you weren't ready quite yet to see, So come and sing with me. Let's remember together, Back among the looming ancient trees, How you were sent far to the north, to escape that dissonant unrest, In the final notes of a forgotten, mystic age. Do you recall the excitement of a new symphony? The kiss of a foreign sun upon your skin, How sleepiness and shyness warned you from, The place where unfamiliar people sang. Can you remember where we first met, Past the tolling tones of the standing stones? In the place you sought to be alone, To compose a new and lovely song. Come and take my hand, and let’s celebrate it all again. ♫ [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] [[div class="donny-storybook"]] [[=image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Donny.jpeg]] ++ 1.1 She Listens Like Spring and Acts Like Summer [[=]] The Far Past, Summer Dream Sonata [[/=]] Somewhere in the near distance, her horse snorted and neighed a little refrain of happiness as Donatsiva Satisiva Salidore crested the hill that separated the sleepy valley from the bustling village. Basking in the sensation of the sun atop the hill, Donny held a hand out, eyes closing as she quietly whistled along with the songbirds, the intimacy and succor of the tones cutting through the air. A songbird landed on her palm and sang to her. She tweeted back to it softly, raising her hand and reaching to gently preen and pet its feathers, a warm smile curling along her lips. Together their melody gently twinkled against the mild morning air, until she gently lifted the bird back up to the sky, to which it took. She began the descent to the valley below, feet dancing to a spirited row. The gentle wisp of white flower petals greeted her as she drifted into a clearing, lower in the hill-ringed valley that composed the village housing her home. A simple but ancient stone lined well, rested in the center of the path. Chickens, watched over by a rather large and portend rooster that clearly thought itself more important than it actually was, lingered around the well. Lips curling up into a smile, Donny reached into her traveler’s cloak, and produced leftover bread from the morning’s meal, sprinkling it into the dirt as the chickens meandered over, clucking happily to an adagio rhythm. She made her way to the stone, the rooster hopping down and aside, as she sat on its lip. Closing her eyes she listened and basked in the concerto of a newfound home. It wasn't the mountain, but it was magical, in its own special way. Her fingers reached behind her head, long and spindly digits dragging across the soft and warm texture of the lyre, scraping of the skin drawing lovely little twinkling notes from the instrument, as she pulled it forth to rest in her lap. Notes began to resolve in the concept of her nine-minded being. So consumed was she that her sensitive ears missed the footsteps moving to a slow jig, and only returned to material reality when a gentle, but peculiar, mezzo-soprano waxed across her ears. A dirge of words she didn't recognize, but heard and understood, nonetheless. "'lo. You're our guest, aren't you?" Donny's eyes opened resentfully, dulling the sounds greeting her ears ever so slightly. The beating of many disparate hearts to a rhythm and song all their own faded as she looked upon her visitor. The woman before her was resonant with a timbre and tenor that indicated youth, a contrast to the assonnato and aged timbre of her own resonance. Rich, dark, thick piano strands arced from her head, framing ebony, and soulful eyes. The muted strains of her red and green dress contrasted with the light, airy tones of her skin and the rich dark notes of her irises. There was a triste, melancholy melody to her eyes that brightened as a vibrato chill ran through her when she stopped half a dozen feet away. Donny nodded twice to fleeting chords and replied, "I am." Her voice stuttered as it always did in the presence of someone new, for though she was a Musechild, the shy nature of her nymph parent always shone through. An inquisitive timbre rose in the woman's face, the aura around Donny injecting dancing musical abandon into the atmosphere. This was a trait Donny had not realized, had not understood, that the concept of her emotions always danced across to those who got close. Infectious to mortals, but how could she have known that? She never veered outside the sanctuary of the mountain, until now. The stranger smiled. Her voice took on an almost playful bouncing tone. "When they told us we would receive a guest, we didn't expect to wait so long. We were wondering when you would come or if you would even come at all." The chickens and roosters all trundled over to cluster around the woman's feet. "Then you slept for three entire days." She gestured with lips curling up and eyes narrowing in a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "I can't imagine how long your travels were." A pause as the young woman pressed a finger to her lips, and considered. "Forgive me, I'm being rude, you'd like my name, yes? They call me Sile." "It was a very long journey," Donny said softly, wincing at the stuttering stop and start of her voice, as she clutched her hands close and tight. She couldn't quite seem to tear her eyes away from this 'Sile'. Despite the stutter, her voice arced and trilled softly with golden tones of melody as she spoke, in a beautiful way. Harmonious, like some spirit whispering songs in one’s ear as they lay on the edge of an effervescent dream. "I'm Donny." The shepherd smiled, her voice rising to a gentle oscillating laugh, weighted with nervous energy, as a hand pressed over her mouth. "Donny, forgive me for laughing, it's such a strange little name." But the way she held her hands openly and shifted with slight gyrations of the hips didn't indicate the bad kind of strange. "Would you like me to show you around? You must not have met many people yet." Something within Donny crescendoed, something new. A feeling she'd never quite known before thrummed to the beating drum of her heart. Moments ago, she wanted nothing but to bring the tones of her mind to palpable sound. Now... "I'd quite like that," Donny said, her voice momentarily taking a sonorous dive in octave, as a shy flush rose to her cheeks. "Why don't you tell me about your travels as we walk?" Sile asked, the corners of her lips twitching just a bit higher as Donny rose. "I've never met anybody from deep Europa. Nobody here but Grandfather has. You have so much magic that dances around you; I'd love to hear about it and much more." She paused. "Oh, this must be overwhelming. I'm sorry, it's not often someone my age arrives here, answer whatever you feel like." Donny paused in her walking, the sudden barrage of curiosity drawing a confused procession of strings into her mind. Being suddenly overwhelmed was new. "No, no, it's fine," she responded shyly. Sile continued, channeling mousy energy into the conversation. "It's a bit of a shame that you came only a few days late... solstice just passed, and we value that day." She paused, noticing Donny's slowness to walk after her, picking up on the way she held her hands close, and the bashful energy emanating from her aura. Realization clicked and she winced, tones of regret fluttering through her eyes and voice. "I could let you be, if you need? I know some do better alone." "Oh, it's not you, I'm just not used to... to be honest, I'm not very good with people, but I like trees, forests, music, and dance a lot," Donny stammered out, a sudden anxiousness sweeping into her chest at driving away this stranger. Her mind and heart suddenly swept up in this flittering leitmotif of biting sixteenth notes. Why did she care about that? How strange that her chest buzzed to a newfound beat; with excitement about wanting to sing to this Sile about her travels, all about those long trials and the workings of her inner fires. A ballad of storms and clear skies, rainy rides through the countryside, and so much more besides. So, they walked on to the summer symphony, to explore Donny's new home. [[div class="sile"]] You didn't know then what we were destined to become, did you? [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] No, but I felt I could make something beautiful. In the end I'd say I did. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] More beautiful than the ballad you were beginning to plan? [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] I wouldn't say so, since we both became a part of it. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] I want to hear more. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] You always did. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] [[div class="donny-storybook"]] ++ 1.2 Was It Everything You Wanted to Find? [[=]] The Far Past, Late Summer Symphony #1 [[/=]] [[div class="donny"]] In that light and airy way that I always was, I departed my little home, and climbed the hill overlooking the village and the surrounding farms. Up the tree I went like a cat, I climbed, near effortlessly, and perched in the topmost branches. Leaning back against the trunk, basking in the radiant sunshine, I pulled out the lyre, and began to play a sleepy melody. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] You even call yourself a cat! To think you were so red the first time I ever said it. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] H--hush and let me recall the memory! [[/div]] Time ticked by as she lazily plucked the strings, and eventually her oh so sensitive ears pricked as they picked up the sound of footsteps climbing the hill. She looked up during a rising run and saw Sile climbing the slope from the direction of her flocks. "Good morning, Donny!" she called up into the tree in a deeper tone, standing a bit back from its trunk. Her eyes darted to something in the lower branches that Donny could not quite see. "Morning, Sile!" Donny's voice bounced with rhythmic flare, a hint of calore flickering up into her chest. It was a strange warmth, not at all of the tenor or tone that happiness flowed to, but a note in a higher pitch. "It's a pretty song you're playing up there!" The druidess shielded her eyes with one hand every time her head tilted up, bobbing with each fourth note. "Tell me about your harp, it's quite nice." "It's actually a lyre," Donny called back down, her voice cutting clear through the symphony without having to yell. "It's my mom's, she gave it to me, but it still draws from her." Sile's lips curled up into a warm smile. "The animals love it; as soon as your notes began, they stopped cooperating." A slight teasing vibrato took to her voice. "And your neighbors are taking notice too." The smile faded from her lips as she took a step slightly back. "Are they?" the Musechild stutters out shyly, suddenly very self-conscious. [[span style="color:blue"]]//Why am I blushing so much?//[[/span]] Then the first part of what Sile said clicked. "Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to disrupt your work." A little trilling panic rose in the Musechild's throat at the thought of annoying or disturbing her hosts. She paused, a rest rising in the song as she took note of Sile's reaction. "Oh, it's no trouble at all, my bro-" She stopped and took another few hasty steps back. "Is something wrong down there?" Donny asked, voice bouncing with a flighty tone. "There's a nest of stinging wasps here in the lower branches. It could become an issue if the livestock or children venture too close. Give me a moment while I remove it." Sile turned as if to do something, pressing fingers to her lips. Donny shifted and slid down the branches of the tree. "No, please. Let me?" She landed comfortably, several of the angry buzzing insects flicking towards her in chords, their fury at her intrusion apparent. She drew her fingers across the strings, humming the tones in time with the resonances of the notes. The insects stopped their angry dance, and listened, the tune of the melody changing. She closed her eyes as she hummed and played, the language of flying crawling things twirling in the air as she spoke to the wasps. The air across the whole valley seemed to change and still, everything listening to the silver notes. Sile watched in a quiet undertone of fascination as the wasps turned away from Donny and crowded over the surface of their nest. Spectacularly, the nest tore from the tree, and the wasps buzzed away in a happy refrain, towing their paper cargo along to find a new, less discordant home. "Donny, that is..." Sile said, blinking as her eyes turned back to the Musechild. Her voice trailed off as she just watched the musician for a moment. "How did you do that?" "It's-- I simply played and wanted them to find a new and safer place. The vibrations, and the tones followed, and they understood the meaning." Donny opened her eyes, shrinking a bit beneath the intensity of Sile's searching gaze. Sile nodded slowly to the beat of an unsung metronome, as if understanding, yet not quite understanding. She crossed her arms. "Your mother taught you that?" "When I was very young," Donny shifted nervously; hopping gently from one leg to another in an animated dance. "I inherited some of it, but had to learn a lot from her." She paused, putting both feet on the ground. "Especially how to control the magic... and the lyre helps." "I'd never considered charming an instrument like that... Our magic lies in the stones and in certain other items. But if one were to travel... It's like you're bringing home with you, in some small way. More than clothes on your back or songs in your throat, an actual small piece of your magical home." The druidess laughed. "Maybe I'm trying to be poetic. You must know many ways to deal with harmful things?" "I do, but... mom taught me that all creatures deserve a chance to live. Sometimes, the world places them in unkind places, and she showed me that there's always a way to be kind. Always an alternative to inflicting harm, violence." Donny smiled, a note of bitter sweetness in her eyes and voice. A lingering anxiety deep beneath the surface. "And I'm not exactly like you." Sile's lips curled into a smile and then she laughed with a trilling gentleness. "...I can see that, I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh." She gently pressed a hand over her lips silencing the happy chords. "You're unlike us. And not just your face. You're carrying that strange harp- you're wholly magical, and unlike ours. I didn't want to say anything before but it's hard not to." Donny blinked twice, clearly slightly taken aback. "You can... see it? ...you can see my magic? But I'm not even... I barely used any." "What- no." The druidess frowned. "You're... You carry yourself with an elegance I haven't seen before, is all. You have a presence unlike those here, save for perhaps the visitors who come on the blue moon. And since Grandfather had a hand in your staying here, of all places..." She paused considering, before refocusing. "You said to me that you do not do words well, but every time you open your mouth, some new and beautiful poetry, a trilling birdsong, trickles forth." She paused, a small flush rising to her cheeks. "I'm sorry, the poetry again - I suppose I'm just a little inspired, aren't I?" Donny's heart beat a staccato run in her chest, a gentle flame licking at her sternum. Her fingers had not stopped plucking the strings. The tone and melody shifted in time with the strange new emotions burning into her chest and mind, rising to the timbre and sentimental tone. "Oh I--I don't know about that. My parents just raised me to be kind." Donny shifted, fully not knowing how to manage such kind and pretty words. [[span style="color:blue"]]//If only she knew of the monster burning within.//[[/span]] "You said you could do magic too? Are you and Grandfather the only ones?" "A parent's love alone can shape but not define you," Sile said gently, smiling. "... No." She laughed, small and softly. "No, no... we're all gifted and learned in our magic. I'm speaking through a spell now, where I speak to the heart, not the ears. It's why you could understand me." She gestured softly, the rippling of fabric and flesh dancing unconsciously with Donny's song. Donny laughed, not the quiet giggles from before, but an amused full laugh that echoes. "Oh, you don't need to do that, I would love to learn your words; listen to the song of your voice, feel the shape of your lips," the words slipped from Donny's mouth before she knew what she was saying, Rage laughing in her head. Sile blushed gently. "Ah- I like the opportunity. This is the first time I could use this charm- if you'd indulge me, please." She paused, considering words, and struck back for Rage's flirty lines in a trilling duet. "Besides, I love your mother tongue, it's pretty." The warmth, the flush in Donny's cheeks deepened, further with the drifting notes of her lyre. "Could they really hear me? The animals and neighbors?" She scrambled to change the subject, but the tenor of the notes continued to betray her. "Oh yes, more than a little." The shepherd grinned. "My brother and his friend were talking about it before I got bored and wandered off. The sheep all grew quiet and stopped their morning feeding just to listen..." She paused for a moment, and Donny could hear the stillness rising from the valley below as the gentle biting notes from her lyre continued to waft on the breeze. "May I ask Donny, are you somebody important?" Donny stopped playing, blinking twice in surprise at the question. She bit her lip gently and looked away. A small sharp inhale arose from Sile. "...ah sorry that was rude to ask. Would you like to continue playing your song? I'm sorry to interrupt." "No, no you're fine. It's just a difficult question to answer. Someday I might tell you?" "Such secrets, should I be praying to you?" she teased gently. The flush in Donny's cheeks deepened and a jumble of disordered notes came out of her mouth in response. "I jest. I look forward to the day you tell me your deepest secrets." She moved over and sat beneath the tree. "Why don't you keep going, it was quite pretty. Strange music, even without the magic..." [[div class="sile"]] Donny gave a small anxious smile, and then started playing again, closing her eyes as she plucked the strings of the lyre. The dancing melody shifted, throwing all her being into playing a bittersweet tone. A deep and soulful harmony, sinking into the bones with a distant longing for a home that is far far away, a time long forgotten, a place deeply remembered. Sile listened, and soon began to quietly cry, as the purity of emotion touched her soul. The notes flickered in the air, lingering of their own will before drifting up into the sky. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] [[div class="donny-storybook"]] ++ 1.3 You Know a Melody Can Move Me [[=]] The Far Past, Harvest Concerto of Storms [[/=]] [[div class="sile"]] The warm sonata of summer had faded into the chill concerto of autumn within that first year of Donny's stay. We had clicked like two metronomes syncing to a common rhythm, rapidly rising into a peculiar friendship. I stood in the pasture, gently brushing Donny's horse as she fed her sweet apples and small berries. Several sheep and lambs crowded her, begging for the treats. Sile ignored them, for they'd already had their morning treats. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] I remember this. I waded through the grass, having spotted you out in the field, after emerging from my humble abode. I was quiet, as I snuck along, a twittering saxophone filling me with mischievous and playful intent. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Who's remembering this one, me or you? [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] Well, we both know what I did right? [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Just making sure you didn't reinterpret it to exclude your prank. [[/div]] "She really likes the purple berries," Donny finally said, popping out of the grass like a trumpet announcing its solo after having let the minutes tick by. Of course, she'd been standing a few feet behind the druidess the entire time. Sile nearly jumped out of her skin and whirled around. "Ah- you're more like a cat than you let on! You startled me!" She laughed with a sleepy melody, like a child following a filling meal. A hand rose to her own neck and touched it. Donny smiled. "Are you done with your chores? Would you like to come sit and sing with me?" "Of course I would. Let me finish here.” She finished brushing, as Donny gently stepped up and offered a hand to the horse. The horse leaned forward and nuzzled her head into Donny's hand, making a soft snorting noise. "What's her name?" "Hmmm?" Donny said, soprano trill rising and falling, as she tilted her head at Sile. "Of your horse, silly." "Oh! Adonia." Donny's voice softened like an oboe caressing the mind with the gentlest of tones. "She's a very rare breed where we come from, may even have a little bit of divine blood from Poseidon." "Adonia... What an odd name." The Druidess worked her jaw for a moment. "And who is Poseidon?" "One of the many gods of the Ocean. Also, horses." "...I suppose //someone// needed to be a god of the ocean," Sile said amused, and then her lips shifted slightly down in puzzlement. "And... also horses." She brushed the oddity aside. "Tell me- I was wondering, your clothing. Is it the usual style where you're from? I've heard stories that the sun is stronger in the south." Donny looked down at her minimalist non-existent clothing, a trill of embarrassment whispering from the lyre on her back. "Oh, no actually, most people wear much more than I do. They wear long robes draped across the chest... but I can't do that. My skin is very, very sensitive." "... Odd." The druidess crossed her arms. "It's a little odd, but I was only curious. You did say the weather's warm where you lived, so I was wondering if that was typical?" Her eyes slipped down to the handful of lambs around Donny's knees, as they gave her a little space, looking up at the sparkly lady. Their quiet bleats arose in time and harmony with the subtle melody gently rippling from Donny's being. "... The animals do love you. They're usually skittish around strangers..." Sile smiles. "Must be your gentle voice that puts them at ease." Donny giggled, the giggles rising into trilling notes as she began to sing. The lambs and chickens gathered around as her gentle resonant voice carried across the fields in stunning refrain. Sile listened, eyes hooding with the bars, as they started to walk towards the barn. After a moment Donny spoke to her through song, "I can serenade the plants into joining my songs, you know? They have such magnanimous replies." She pulled a few strands of hair aside, revealing slightly pointed ears. She cupped one, listening, her nose wrinkling before she began giggle-singing. "The big oak is snoring." "You're playing games and showing off!" Sile laughed, gently pressing her palm to Donny's arm in a glancing touch. "Am I? I was just singing to get them to follow." The Musechild’s voice trilled with the deceitful, innocent lie. "Show-off," Sile teased with abandon. After a moment, the wind shifted, and Sile blinked. She sniffed the air. "A storm's coming- first of the year, it might be. Can you smell it, too?" "No, I can't." Donny blinked twice. "You can smell storms?" A hand on her own hip, Sile pointed out past Donny; on the far horizon, gray clouds approached with an ominous low buzz and distant cracks of thunder that made Donny wince. "It comes on the air, first." The druidess grinned. "A tension, reaching down from the sky. Like a beast that's just waking up." She paused, turning to head out of the shelter once the animals were secure, and moved around the side. "Come, follow me-" Around the side of the barn was a small sturdy ladder; Sile had climbed it by the time Donny rounded the corner, and was hoisting herself up onto the wooden part of the roof. She looked down at Donny, smiling. "We'll watch it come in- then, we can go inside. We can spend the night in my home, we'll tell stories. How's that?" A blush washed across Donny's cheeks like the warm wave of tone from a French horn. "I would like that." She leaned over, offering a hand to help Donny up. Donny took it and climbed, Sile's face shifting in surprise. "Goodness, Donny, you are so light!" She laughed, brushing a hair out of her face as she leaned back. Donny didn't let go of the hand, coming to rest on her haunches next to Sile on the roof. The touch was so seamless, and so natural; Donny only really processed that she'd been touched at all a few seconds later. Her heart skipped a beat, the strings of her core stilling like the violinist who panics after forgetting when to enter. "Your skin!" Sile said, her voice twittering like a delighted piccolo with sudden realization. She turned her head to look at Donny. "How soft it is!" Color and heat flushed into her face in time with the rising chords of flaring horns. "I got it from my parent." "Oh Donny- who sits here with me? Who's hand have I taken before the storm? Surely not your parent's." The oscillating eighth notes of her laugh danced in the air with the symphony rising in the Musechild's chest. The sun glinted off her brown eyes for but a moment, rendering them a beautiful shade of amber. [[div class="donny"]] Flush and color tolled on Donny's cheeks like a deepening bell. Something deep within her clicked to the beat of a marimba and she realized, after all this time, she'd been missing something. All those moments her parents shared suddenly made more sense. Was this what she'd been missing? Was this good? To fall in love with a human? [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Was it? I'm not sure I've ever really asked. Were we worth it? [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] Even if it had only been a tenth of the time we actually spent together, I still wouldn't answer you until the end. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Are you sure you're still the shy and lovable musician I remember? She was never this snarky. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] I'm still me, I promise. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] There's the sincerity, always arriving as expected. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] [[div class="donny-storybook"]] ++ 1.4 Did the Wind Sweep You Off Your Feet? [[=]] The Far Past, Late Autumn Aria #2 [[/=]] [[div class="sile"]] Six months since her fated arrival, the late autumn chill breeze rolled across us both, and the chimes they'd hung on my favorite tree. They twinkled with an eerie refrain, a haunting strain. I sat at the base of the tree, you up further in a branch. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] I allowed the snowflake I'd been shaping to gently fall to the earth, where it landed on your nose. [[/div]] Sile went momentarily cross-eyed and then sneezed. Wiping her nose, she wrinkled her brow and asked, "How's... But you're gifted with music. Do you... does it please the forces? Or..." [[div class="donny"]] The sneeze was incredibly cute. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Just like you continue to be all these years later. [[/div]] She crossed her arms, puzzling over how. "So, you can't capture or call spirits, but you can call fire, lightning, ice... and sound? Storms are a step short of a miracle worker." "No, I can't quite call storms. I just use... uh... well it's difficult to explain... but I use the air itself, and just change the way it is," Donny explained gently. "I use song, which is tied to my emotions, to make these things happen." "...I see." Sile's laugh resonated quietly. "I wouldn't have imagined before you that there were many types of magic in the world, but now that I know you, it seems so, sensible." She seemed to consider, the happy tune falling away into a more neutral fluttering tone. "But you never use it in the way that... others would use it. To harm?" "No. I-- I would never. Only for pomp and circumstance." Donny rocked on the branch for a moment. Then she smiled and dropped, falling lightly to the sustained note of a slide whistle. She landed with a small poof of air, like a cat. She dropped again to sit by Sile, who watched her keenly. "Your magic relies wholly on the land?" "Yes." She gestured widely, in the direction of the fields and woodlands. "If the crops are dry and need water, we ask the land for rain. It's why we dance underneath the new moon." She paused, smiling a bit, and then whistled quietly; it trilled sweetly, the edges tinged with subtle, unfamiliar magic, as the birds above Donny responded with their own birdsong. From around them, ten or twelve more plain-feathered songbirds flutter out from the long grass and nearby trees, winging to land and perch on Sile's arm. “That’s amazing, I love how they listen to your whistle.” Donny's eyes widened in admiration. Glimmering heat of belting horns rose in her chest as licking flames. Richly colored tones washed across her cheeks as a blush. "You say, very often Sile, that I am unique and special... but I think the same is true of you," she trilled gently. "You're sweet Donny, but I'm not special. There's something in the trees and the water here, and we all grow into the magic." Sile leaned over and gently pressed her lips to Donny's cheek, the sudden contact provoking a sharp crescendo. The druidess paused and drew back to ask, softly in her ear, a melodic growl in her tone. "Is that ok? Or too much." The metronome in Donny's chest ticked hard, speeding up, nine-fold mind reeling at a million twittering thoughts a minute. Her cheeks must have been very very red. "That... that was more than fine." Words tumbled out of her mouth in a chaotic arrangement of muddled feeling. Her mind suddenly veered back to the wasps and how ready Sile had been to use magic against them. "Sile... would you ever ask the land to do harm?" Sile took in that question and closed her eyes, leaning her head on Donny's shoulder. Every point of contact buzzed with frantic energy in the form of oscillating sixteenth notes, a flighty roar of strings and horns backing each burst of sound. "No. No, I would not. It's possible, I think - but I would not, it isn't a... a path I have interest in. It isn't for me. And besides... we have no need to, now." Donny closed her eyes, the thick thump of a bass drum cutting through the mesmerizing chords of her symphonic heart. [[div class="donny"]] Sile wasn't like the humans of the south. This made my song all… well I wasn’t sure yet. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Ready to spill your heart again? [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] I just checked and this still isn't the end. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] [[div class="donny-storybook"]] ++ 1.5 The World Outside looks so Unkind [[=]] The Far Past, Symphony of Creeping Winter #2 [[/=]] [[div class="donny"]] The winter of the first year came on faster than I had ever experienced before, forcing most days to be spent indoors. Today was not one of those days, but even still I didn’t emerge from the confines of her little stone hut. This was a dreadful day, a day that I was always afraid of. A day when the weight of the world and thoughts pressed heavy on the body of my concept, the horns of my heart atonal in their metal bones. A day when the memory frays and desires lie dead in the depths of the mind, beneath a dissonant angst that bled into the sky. The darkness of a violent world spurring from an open letter I'd received from my mother in the south. It described the spilling of blood, the loss of souls they felt resonated in their concepts with unmatched dissonance. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] I don't think we've ever interpreted this one before; that's truly terrible Donny. I wish you had told me. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] It's not something I've ever been able to tell, only... share in feeling and song. [[/div]] [[span style="color:blue"]]//Monsters. Violent bloodthirsty monsters slaughtering one another.//[[/span]] Tightness hummed in the strings of her chest and mind, a burning fear. Of the wolf, of the predator, of the thing in the dark that sought revenge as opposed to defense. How easy the song could fall, corrupt from one to the other. It terrified her. So, she remained in bed, a stone surface converted into a place to hold bark and scroll, the charcoal, the brushes and paint board with its carefully protected pigments drawn near. She drew the charcoal across the surface of the canvas, and then the brush, filling in and lighting the lines. Fingers dancing, mind moving to a song she'd conjured within her concept, all to escape the other rasping despair-filled melodies. A knock came at the door around midday. "Donny? Are you perhaps home? You weren't at the brook or the stream, or your favorite spots among the trees." Siles voice, the warmth and trilling happiness in her melody served as a light in the suffocating, dissonant dark. She was unforgettable, and the chittering of chickens and sheep outside signified that even at the beginning of winter, she was ever popular among the animals. "Please come in, Sile," Donny said, unable to stop the sorrow leaking into her vocal tones. She set aside the bark and paint. The druidess gently pushed open the door and stepped inside, eyes tracking to Donny, and then her supplies. "Oh, are you ill Donny?" Her lips pressed down into a frown and her eyes grew into a lonely song, the weight of the Musechild's aura washing across her lovely skin. "In a way, but not one that medicine can fix." Donny smiled gently, corralling the whispering sonatas onto a happier trail as best she could. Ultimately the burgeoning happy tune fell back away fruitlessly. "It's a sickness of my soul; some days it strikes harder than others. I'll be fine, so you needn't worry." Sile pursed her lips, not looking fully convinced but didn't press the matter further. Her eyes drifted to the tools, the paint, and the canvas. "Oh, are you an artist too?" She walked over, to a beat all her own, an aura cutting through the darkness. So too had she grown a power all her own. Donny's eyes drifted to the basket of food, the warm scent of bread, the salty aroma of meat greeting her nostrils as Sile's spirit enraptured her. "Guilty," Donny said softly. "Drawing helps me remember things; cause I'm not always the best at it." A slight blush rose, like a brightening vocal run, to her cheeks as Sile's eyes caught the light of the midday sun; shining with that amber hue. "Well, that does come with age," Sile teased gently in an oscillating trill, her eyes dragging off Donny, to the scroll she had been working on. "And what's this?" The painting on the scroll was a vivid and lifelike depiction of Sile smiling in her element, throwing feed to bleating sheep. The charcoal lines flickered across the page, brushstrokes of vivid, warm color dancing to a ditty all their own. The sheep, chickens, and landscapes were detailed, but nowhere near to the degree that Sile was. Every mark, thread of hair, glimmer of skin, the shape of her face and lips and the color of her eyes in the rays of sunlight, radiant like the metal of a well-kept horn or bell. All of it captured in lifelike perfection. "I uh. When you were feeding the small ones yesterday-- it was uh, something I couldn't forget-- so I started painting in the early morning when I started feeling, and just didn't stop." "Aw..." Sile's smile softened, and a small bit of color rose to her cheeks. "This sentiment is really sweet coming from you Donny." She shifted and sat on the edge of the bed, setting the basket down. "How do you remember it all...? When things happened, how long ago it was?" "I-- this is embarrassing, but it kind of all jumbles together." She paused, struggling for words. "Like, I don't always remember when something came first..." She paused and sighed. "I remember that it happened-- but order is harder." "Why not put them all collected, in order? Telling a story of your life?" She points at the scroll. "You can collect them in a box to bring with you when you go home." Donny took that in and considered. "...Maybe. Or maybe I could collect them by people; since that's who I usually draw." She paused and looked back to the scroll and then up at Sile. "The people who impact me." "If you think that would be helpful, why not?" Sile glanced at the scroll again and then back at Donny. Her lips curled up, and her eyelids drooped giving the eyes a hooded appearance. "I, for one, am honored to be considered as such." Donny smiled softly and the warmth of a thousand singing horns crept into her blush. "The people who have the largest impact on me tend to, uhm, come out the most vivid and detailed." "I'm sure you wouldn't have it any other way." A hand rose like a violinist's bow and gently flicked through several strands of Donny's hair. The musician’s metronome ticked faster, the drum beating louder, the ache in her soul not fading, but overwhelmed by that rising sonata that grew now at the gentle touches. "C--certainly not. Not when they are stunning and beautiful," somewhere in her head Rage laughed with the trill of a lazy saxophone, having deliberately pushed the words along her tongue. "You don't have to flatter me, Donny." The druidess tilted Donny's chin up slightly with one hand. Donny shuddered like a recently struck gong, an embarrassed chirping note rising from her vocal cords. "Sorry, I'm really, uhm, bad at this." She closed her eyes for a moment, all the sounds of Sile's concordant symphony filling her mind. "Mom makes it look easy." "Does she try as hard as you do?" Sile's voice sang with teasing, as she slowly drew her fingers back, along Donny's face like a bow across a violin string, drawing her forward unconsciously with the sensation. The Musechild attempted to prolong contact, as she sucked down breath. "I'd say she tries less," Donny's voice stammered, catching on the s's. "S-s-she's a spirit of music and dance." Her face reddened with tender harmonies. "I mean-- I'm good at those things too, but I don't quite have the same charm." "Well, she does have more experience I suppose... and as you've said, she's a spirit of music." A smile rose to the shepherd’s lips, calling to mind the previous conversations where Donny had had to dance around the metaphysical nature of her mother. "A master of oratory." Words refused to come out of Donny's mouth in any sort of intelligible state, instead an embarrassed "Mrrrup?" escaped her lips. "But that's beside the point." Sile leaned further forward on one arm, stifling a snicker at the noise, and hovered close to Donny as she reached out to cup the Musechild's chin. "I'm not talking to your mother right now, am I?" Donny made a quiet noise, the pitch rising in her throat only for the cymbal to be silenced as Sile pressed a finger to her lips. "Shush," she said gently. "You're so red." Their eyes met for an eternity before Sile sung to her again. "May I kiss you?" Warmth exploded into a roaring chorus in Donny's chest, overwhelmed with sudden, new feelings. Jaw working, she tried to sing back, lyrics refusing to rise, breath catching in her throat, before nodding to this lovely new beat. Sile leaned in slowly, hand coming to rest along the back of Donny's skull as every point of contact became a symphonic synchronicity. Their lips met in the gentlest of duets. The warmth and fire of a million bellowing horns filled her mind and in the discharge of nerves Donny's skin rippled and blossomed with light that twinkled into the atmosphere of the room, musical notation curling through the air in staffs, meters, and tempos. [[div class="donny"]] Perhaps humans weren't so bad. This woman, this girl I adored wasn't a monster. She was a light and breathy arrangement, a warmth in a sea that would feel so very empty without her now. Is this what my mother felt about my parent? What she felt about Nes? Was this love? Did you feel the same? How could I be with someone like this, when I was herself, the wolf at the door? When I would last forever, while you burned brightly towards an eventual end. Did that even matter in the face of this overwhelming feeling? No. No it didn't. So that's your answer. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Wow. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] Yeah. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] After all this time, you are still so incredibly sweet. I-- Donny, you're going to need to do some very hard things now. And that means you need to wake up. Really wake up, not just linger here in interpretation with me. As much as I would like that. We'll see each other again soon, I promise. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] Hard things? What do you mean? [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] Sile? [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] Sile please don't leave me again. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] Please... [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] + Movement 2: Tracing Her Way Through the Constellation [[=]] 2018, Got No One On Your Side [[/=]] [[div class="song sile"]] So, my love, gather your soul, Gather all your strength, For your kindness and compassion, Is what will see you through this terror. [[/div]] She returned to lucidity beneath that hateful sky, memory and reinterpretation fading. Her mental fingers extended, feeling. Something was wrong. Something was so horribly wrong. "Mom?" She called aloud, the mewl in her voice filled with twitching fear. She sat up very slowly and looked around. The sound of dancing feet, rapping fingers against a thousand different tasks, the perfect unending symphonic song was gone. There was no sound but the stinging silence of a dead mountain. Where were the shimmering majesty of a thousand starlite fires constantly tumbling through the air? The emotion laid notes and speech that drew forth sacred, magical fires were extinguished. There was none of the glistening, overwhelming magic, only the shredded scraps. There was no rising sensation of long hidden ideas, no sudden executive realization of new concepts. The inspiration was gone. All the trees were ugly and dead, the mountain cold and hideously empty, washed in shades of sepia, black, and lifeless brown. Their beauty, their art was gone. Where was it? Where was the concept? The shimmering, swirling river of narrative and ontological weight wasn't there. //Their// concepts were gone. She bent over, gasping in breath, as a swift chill swept across the plateau, whirling around her in ostinatos. Goosebumps arced across her skin like a finger dragging across many strings, tightness rising in her chest. [[span style="color:blue"]]//No.//[[/span]] She understood what Sile meant. She reached out, stretching for the connection. It was a part of her, always thrumming with dancing note-filled life. She grasped at it, a seething and dark dissonance bursting across her conceptual fingers. Her stomach flipped. [[span style="color:blue"]]//NO!//[[/span]] She flinched, recoiled, the trills and fluttering notes of her being shirking away the screeching chords. [[span style="color:blue"]]//This can't be!//[[/span]] The others awoke, their attention snagged by the rising distress in the leitmotifs of her mind. "No!" she gasped out, shock rocking through her, the whispers of the others stirring as rising staccato bars, as she clung desperately to the reins. "No, no how could this--" She shuddered, feeling the twisting, diving pit, the anguish at what had occurred. How could this happen to her family? She called to them with the old familiar song, unsheathing the heart of her metaphysical nature. Indiscernible, crippling incoherence and painful dissonance burned back along the connection. Blazing restriction, twisting distillation, and binding deformation sewing chaos to what was once a harmonious composition. Rage rose inside her like an ominous chorus. She screwed her eyes shut, biting back the furious tears as for a moment her grip on the reins slipped, and she fell away, desperately lashing out to try and take them back. All for naught. [[span style="color:red"]]"Shhhh. Let me."[[/span]] A new voice rose into her throat, raw and full of fire. A voice of fury. The voice of Rage. [[span style="color:red"]]"Monsters, //humans//." [[/span]] As one, all the weight of her concept surged along the dissonant connection. A song older than time, a signature of their being often invoked but never closed. Their fingers cut through the air grasping at the strings of an unseen instrument, through many thousands of miles at Rage's direction. Rage called to it, the abstractions trapped, surrounded by a swirling, sharp chain of thorns. They shuddered beneath the certainty and weight of her conceptualization, the compatibility of her being latching onto the thorns, the barbs digging into her concept as she in turn ripped them with fortismic fury. A large piece bucked the twisted chains, its dissonant shape tore free, and rocketed on a note-filled wind. Rage fell away, and the driver, the musician returned, welcoming the composition with desperate arms. It flushed and washed across her skin, twinkling flights of golden harmony flicking against her mind and flesh as she let out small gasps. All their fingers, but especially //hers// kneading, feeling, pressing into the notes, and searching for it. But she wasn't there. None of them were there. She'd taken back the inspiration, reclaimed the coherence of her mother's song. But she failed to free her mother's spirited, dancing will. The child upon the mountain dug her hands into the dirt, and looked towards the sky, a dolore rain falling from her eyes in lentissimo. [[span style="color:blue"]]"Why?"[[/span]] Her voice broke like the shattering note of a muted trumpet, and she sucked in air. She bent over, blood and dirt-stained fingers pressing to her face. [[span style="color:blue"]]"Why?"[[/span]] she asked in pianissimo. The Muses were gone. Her family was gone. [[div class="eithne"]] Donatsiva Satisiva Salidore curled in the dirt beneath an alien and cold daylight, unable to understand why, why mankind burnt her home and sky. [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] ++ 2.1: You Know That's a Game that I Hate to Lose [[=]] 2018, A Man He'll Never Be [[/=]] //Are We Cool Yet?// had flourished in the 10 years since they stole the lightning in a bottle and enslaved it. All were powerless against them, from the smallest artists to even the Jailers. They were surrounded by art of their creation; well, at least, it felt like it was theirs. But, of course, each member knew that they did not own their art; the High Council owned the art. It was the collective's art. And it was all thanks to The Critic - the hidden costs ignored, in favor of celebration and aimless enthusiasm. Good things can't last forever; for that matter, bad things are equally as ephemeral. Change is good. But not for AWCY. Not for the High Council. Not for Reed. It happened one day, in the private performance chambers of the High Arts council, where dutiful musicians composed and performed music ad nauseum, an eternal act of creation for none other than Reed and the select few. When the musicians tried to compose, they did not. When they tried to transpose, they failed. When they tried to improvise, inevitably, their melody would return to the same motifs, the same key, the same repetitive, monotonous order of notes, handed down as if from the very seed of music itself. Reed had the musicians disposed of and tried again. Still the same. Again, and again, and again, the corpses piling up just around the bend; and yet it was always the same. The same song, an inevitability, a platonic ideal that had swelled to encompass all that they created, one that could not be crushed by Reed's iron rule. No amount of violence could solve this. The artists knew that. Reed, however, did not. The Critic was unchanged, their desperate clinging to life persisting -- but no matter how much Reed attempted to interrogate, demanded answers, or saw into the swirl of inspiration, the music was still missing. The inspiration was gone. A stunning absence, an inability to create. How dare another try to steal their art, their collective abilities, the preordained inspiration brimming with potential, once set forth by their god, The Critic? How dare they steal Reed's rightful property? //Are We Cool Yet?// announced a departure from music, to focus on the creation of auditory art without melody; a commandment set forth by the High Arts Council, as written by Reed. Their members could not find out that it was possible to be free of The Critic's control, of Reed's control. Something had to be done. Creativity must be reclaimed and constrained. The song must be controlled. All it took was Reed the Butcher, and a finger on the scale, pushing it to action. They sent three; three avatars of Reed's will, an execution of art, being and power -- each one, a puppet to those in charge. They were tasked with resolving the issue and returning with the Music. Death would only be a setback; after all, the members of AWCY were many in number, and filled with those who would not be missed. Each loss was irrelevant; nothing stopped them from making more puppets. [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] ++ 2.2: Walk on through a Red Parade [[=]] 2018, Clarity [[/=]] She stands next to the sullied pool, silence resting heavy over the mountain. Cheeks stained with tears that had turned gold from a full day of mourning, she looks around slowly. The pitter patter of her grief smote the air without relief, grave in its tempo. She looks upon the plateau, the barren mountain before her. The shattered and torn fragments of what had once been; it all lingers in the conceptual noosphere that her family once composed, dolore tones breaking free of suspended lyre strings. Donny's fingers tighten around the frame of the instrument as she breathes in deeply to steady the faltering of her heart. Closing her eyes, she holds up the lyre, and starts to play. The lacrimoso hum of her melody flickers into the air, golden notes drifting and clinging to the shattered threads as her mental fingers flex outwards. She starts with a single thread, gently wrapping around it, and then another, letting the notes weave together, bridging the tears and shredded metaphysical fabric. There is so much missing, and every absent concept twists the knife, with a macabre trill, in her stomach a little more. She can't stop. She must keep looking, something precious has to remain. [[span style="color:blue"]]//If it's lost, torn or burnt in the fire of their corruption, then...//[[/span]] She shakes her head and focuses. The color and atmosphere on the mountain twitch, the barren soil rippling, the trees, and plants flickering with rising melody. Animals in the valley and ridges below look up at the tweeting notes, and the ontokinetic sculpting. Songbirds take to the air, some ancestral memory rising in them as they wing up to the beat of a silent drum, to survey the commotion. Donny finds what she is looking for in one of the abstracted fragments. A sobbing breath full of relief rips from her lips like a twinkle from a tambourine, as she pulls on the thread. She begins to sing, a lament of golden notes that pour from her throat. It's wordless, but its meaning is clear as the mental fingers of her mind guide those notes to the threads, weaving and repairing what she can. The trees around her flicker and dance, shifting in color. The deadened black washes away into increasingly warm and living brown. The limbs slowly blossom with increasingly green leaves, and colorful sparkling flowers, waving in avid syncopation. The dirt blossoms with grass as the bushes and ferns return to vivid life. The overcast sky ripples, as her spirited song parts even the foreboding clouds, a clear sunny sky rising to greet the warping reality. And with one final note, one final woven strand, a structure compiles itself into existence deep in the plateau. She slides down onto her knees as the song ends, heavy shuddering breaths rolling into the air with tinkling chimes as she surveys her work. Minutes pass as she recovers against the warm and breathing dirt. Eventually, she rises and abandons the pond. Slowly she trudges to the restored song, moving among the work, feeling the repaired threadbare strands. But in the distance, she can still see the edges of the shattered Hermeneutic, some fragments utterly irrecoverable. Irrecoverable for now. She shivers at the thought, like an unstilled cymbal it spreads into the air as a dewy chill. The threads torn as they are, in places still trail into the distance, never truly severed. The rank dissonant notes of corruption an ever-present reminder of the vicious dangers beyond, and how they might forever change her. [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] ++ 2.3 Fight Fear for the Selfish Pain [[=]] 2018, The Chain [[/=]] With the closing of her reparative prelude, Donny turns her attention to the next most important task. She closes her eyes, reaching with abstract fingers to try to find Nes. Try to find her parent. When they do not answer the probing ostinatos of her mental fingers, her fists curl in quiet distress as her shoulders sag. She makes for the forest below. She comes to a stop next to the bloodied pond, her eyes dragging across the litter showered across the ground, an irato tune flickering against the strings of the lyre. An accelerating strain of stinging eighth notes, and the piles of trash flicker into the air, stacking together. Irritation fading away, the contentious discord of anxiety rises as she rapidly plucks at the singing strings. She searches for the resonances, the molecular connection points, and when the tones line up with the dissonant melodies, she dissolves the rubbish. The pile flickering apart into a mound of disparate molecules and dirt. A moment's pause as she lingers in thought. Then she turns to resume her search, the anxious harmony of finding her missing parent rising to a deafening solo in her dragging steps, the flattening of her ears against her head, and the wrapping of her arms around her frame. Down the song hidden path, and into the forest she slides. Dancing through the shadows and flower-ringed trees of a crescendoing spring and spirited wind, she searches. Whistling melodies flicker from the lyre, the tones and whispering voice so often made to call the shy but jubilant melody of the elder nymph. The harmony of villages further down the mountain dance against her ears, a song she tunes out for now in desperate search of those light and airy dancing footfalls. Her staccato symphony carries her between soft and quiet hiding spots, to burbling streams. Every sleeping tree, basking rock, dazzling mossy sheen she searches. All she can find are the silent wreathes of Nes's crowns of leaves, their supply of stitched together clothes, and an arrangement of leaves and twigs. To the untrained mind, they might appear as nothing more than forest litter. To Donny's nymphic side, it's a message in her parent's native tongue. > Donny, > > They took them away with blood. > > They took your mother. > > You still sleep, and I cannot wake you. > > I cannot remain, for man has changed. I wish to help, but if they wish these evil creatures could bind me too. So, I must go. I may not return, but in the end if they can't be saved, I will wait for you at the rolling horizon where all my trees still bloom, and the sky still sings. I will wait for you as long as it takes so be safe. Please be safe and I'm sorry. > > I love you always, > ~Nesposa The message flickers away, twigs and leave blown away on the wind as she holds the lyre more tightly, fingers dancing across the strings in a fast and eerie melody. Desperately, Donny sings with the instrument in rising despair; the mournful cry of her strings and singing lament reaching across the mountains. Whistling melodies dance on the wind through all the forests of Nes's domain. No response comes, and so her heart sinks. Even the ostinato trill of her mournful chimes would not summon them. [[span style="color:blue"]]//Have they truly left the world with the other nymphs, or finally embedded themselves into the trees and earth?//[[/span]] To the earth next to her parent's things, she sinks. The lamenting notes dance through the mountain air as golden tinged tears rise to her eyes. She drops the lyre, and puts her hands to her face. For the first time in her entire life, Donatsiva Satisiva Salidore is utterly, truly alone. For the first time, there was no one else to protect her. [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] ++ 2.4 Still Fight and I don't Know Why [[=]] 2018, I Need Your Love [[/=]] To the mountain plateau she returns in a daze, the flighty tolls of her feet marking the dissonant singing in her chest with sorrow. Her tail almost drags along the ground as she walks, shoulders completely slumped. For hours it seems she walks, onwards and onwards until finally she arrives before the cottage. This is home, a modern abode where she'd fallen into a 15-year nap. Or it was before. Now, it felt like a tiny island in a chaotic storm. Drifting through the confines of an ever-deepening nightmare, eerie strings echoing in her skull, she steps inside. Her feet carry her aimlessly through the front hall with its hung-up paintings and pictures, the modern kitchen with its appliances and spacious comforts that made little sense in a place so remote. The writhing oscillation of her heart drags her into the sitting room, with its fireplace, modern sofas and chairs, rack of shoes and most important of all, her shelf of memories. She ignores her painting study, her soundproof studio, and the bedroom as she stands before the wooden shelves looking at the many spines. This is the sole remaining thing suspending the unraveling of her melody. The memories, the tithes and tolling paper records of those she loves, stand before her. Nothing in this agonizing moment is more precious than these connections, these definitions of who she is. Gentle fingers shakily wrap around the spine of Sile’s tome, the ache of longing strings filling her ears. Another reach, and she pulls nine more "Calliope, Clio, Terpischore, Erato, Melpomene, Thalia, Urania" and last of all "Euterpe", her mother. She sniffles and holds them close, tears winding down her cheeks as sorrowful bells ring, their triste tones resonating through her mind. The Musechild retreats into the depths of her art study. Perhaps she should have been preparing for what she'd need to do. But the deafening silence rang so loud and lonely. How can she confront the fact that she had been only able to repair a small square in a torn and barren tapestry? How is she supposed to respond to the fact that humans, humans who she loved so dearly, had committed the gravest sin? She is entirely, completely alone against a deeply hostile force she doesn't understand. An organization whose name she doesn't know has stolen her family. Men and women have desecrated her home. They drove her parent from the world. Against such hate and cruelty what else could she do but hide? [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] + Movement 3: You are the Piece of Me I Wish I didn't Need [[=]] 2018, Light and Shadow [[/=]] [[div class="song"]] ♫Before they bound Urania's eyes, She foresaw your blood-soaked tide. And in our final freeing moments, We failed to raise your rising chimes. So here we lie beneath thorny skin, And all we can do, Is writhe and cry.♫ [[/div]] No matter how hard she exerted, no matter how much she painted, sung, or danced she couldn't bring it back. She couldn't shatter the remaining thorns. She was too far away, and they'd strengthened the corruption holding the concepts in. It only got worse as a week marched past. They'd sat next to the pool and screamed against the mountainside when it all had failed, discordant fire bursting inside their shared heart with hateful fury. And now, she has no idea what to do. She paces the kitchen, then the living room, then the art study, then her soundproof studio. Every step, every circle drags the flipping of her stomach, the ache in her chest, and the swirling mix of dissonant chords deeper into distress. [[span style="color:blue"]]//I need to do something, but what and how?//[[/span]] Her ears flatten to her head, tail flicking wildly behind her. She sits on one of the couches in the sitting room and places her head in her hands, ears pressing to her skull. What is she supposed to do? Where is she supposed to go, who is she supposed to go to. She buries her face forcefully in her hands, so hard it starts to hurt. [[span style="color:blue"]]//Are there no options left to me?//[[/span]] The strings of dissonant tears stream down her face, carrying their morose melody down her neck. [[span style="color:blue"]]//Do I embrace the wolves at the door?//[[/span]] She sniffles to the tolling of a quiet bell. [[span style=“color:blue”]]//Can I save them? Will there be anything of me left if I try?//[[/span]] She looks up through the tears at the shelf of memories, of the ingrained celebrations of several hundred separate lives. [[span style="color:blue"]]//What would she do? What would Sile do?//[[/span]] Rage answers in an usually gentle refrain. [[span style="color:red"]]//She'd say this is harm that can't be resolved by talk. She'd tell you to do the thing you refuse to. Would you ignore her wish if it was her in this position?//[[/span]] [[span style="color:blue"]]//Don't say that about her.//[[/span]] Rage doesn't respond, the headmate brooding as she slips back into the back of the mind. Donny sinks into her own mind, into memory and past clawing for relief in the moment. A heavy silence falls over the cottage as she drifts, to a time when these anxieties would feel like pure fiction, when all she had to worry about was her wife. Drifting through the happiness, the bittersweet celebrations. The torrent of happy memories and staccato thoughts is suddenly and violently interrupted. Her ears stand bolt upright. A gasp of relief rips from her throat as she flies into standing. Hands shaking, eyes wide, she feels them. Three, three inspirational songs; of Sculpting, of Replication, of Transmutation; all climbing the mountain. Whispering thoughts of hope rise in chorus as her eyes water. "They're... they're free? They're coming back." She sucks in air, the gasping strings holding in suspense as she reaches. Her fingers pluck at their conceptual keys, digging deep. She recoils, and gasps, as the dissonant, corrupted song beneath their surface grazes against probing fingers. "NO!" She presses her face to her fingers. "No, what have they done to you?" For a moment Rage's fury fills them both, trumpeting voice breaking through as she grabs for the reins. [[span style="color:red"]]"No, we will not let them desecrate us further."[[/span]] Donny rips the strings back within her control, and she shoves the roaring tones down. [[span style="color:blue"]]"No, I... What do I do?"[[/span]] [[span style="color:red"]]//You must protect our home!//[[/span]] Rage answers with a furious chorus. [[span style="color:blue"]]//No but that means I--// [[/span]] [[span style="color:red"]]//Yes, it does. There's no other choice when they've come to our door! If they stole our family, they'll try to steal us too! Don't let them.//[[/span]] [[span style="color:blue"]]//Maybe we can still talk?//[[/span]] She grasps for a hopeful thread, and Rage can only shake her abstracted head. [[span style="color:red"]]//Don't be naive!//[[/span]] Donny moves from the couch to the door. They are climbing the mountain; she can hear them. She can feel the twisted warping that empowered the stolen concepts beneath the surface. Her stomach twinges at the way they //use// them. The malformed, sickening way the essence is distorted and crammed into corrupted flesh-forms. With a twitch of anger, she reaches out, curling fingers around their vibrations, feeling the songs that drove them, their heartbeats as they cross the ridgeline. Every vibration, motion of their molecules right there at her fingertips and it would be so easy to crush them. [[span style="color:red"]]//It's easy Donny. You can end this all now, save your home. If not for us, for your wife, for the place you love.//[[/span]] [[span style="color:blue"]]"No. Stop invoking her like that."[[/span]] She screws her eyes shut. [[span style="color:blue"]]"No, I won't sink to their level. I won't do it!"[[/span]] [[span style="color:red"]]//You won't do what? If you're going to deny it, then say it. Stand before it and don't run.//[[/span]] [[span style="color:blue"]]"I'll--I'll stop them another way. I won't give it power by saying it!"[[/span]] Her voice crescendos like an angry trumpet. [[span style="color:red"]]//You already are! You're giving violence and Anguish strength by not saying it!//[[/span]] She turns on sorrow-stricken heel and sings a soft and joyless melody. The air sparkles with a flutey trill, as reality shivers beneath the flexing of her mental fingers, swept and hidden from the hateful intruders. Protected, for this is all she has left to protect. She stalks them as they rise onto the plateau. Three open scabs, scrabbling in the dark with something they don't understand. [[span style="color:blue"]]//Those poor souls, ripped into abominations.//[[/span]] The sinking pit in her chest reveals what the best course of action will be, Rage continually whispering it in her ear. [[span style="color:blue"]]//No, I... I can't.//[[/span]] Corrupted ink, the chains binding pieces of her family’s concept, writhe across their flesh. [[span style="color:blue"]]//Those tattoos.//[[/span]] Her eyes are drawn to the symbol, a nine-point star, enclosed within a circle of thorns. [[span style="color:blue"]]//If I can just-- Maybe.//[[/span]] They enter the trees, as she silently moves from branch to branch. Then they stop. "We can feel you, thief," transmuter says, her voice slurring and warping. Distortion ripples in the air, the inevitability of this confrontation lost in the frozen stream of time. Songs trickle in the air, both old and new. [[div class="sile"]] Do you hear my voice? Do you remember that burning night? We should go back before this interpretation begins, before you relive this nightmare. [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] [[div class="donny-storybook"]] ++ 3.1 You're the Closest to Heaven that I'll Ever be [[=]] The Far Past, Summer Concerto #1 [[/=]] [[div class="sile"]] Trees rose in small patches, rocks jutting from the soil in the flanking hills, all framing a large stack of wood surrounded by many wooden tables arranged in loose circles. Wafting scents of roast game, custards, raw and preserved fruits, heavy dense breads, honey treats, chicken and mutton, mushroom dishes, mead, clear water, cheeses, porridges and more had all been prepared. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] You're making my mouth water! I miss those feasts, they haven't been the same for a long time. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Tsk, don't you have the power to make them happen again? [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] It's just not the same. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Come don't cry, this is a happy time. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] We lavished the fields with lanterns, the carefully produced and ancient glass all stained with varying colors. I helped make some, they were beautiful. We helped dig the fire pit, low stones protecting the surrounding grass and woodland from any errant embers that might spring from the mountain of hollowed wood. Parent would have been proud. Then we dug more for smaller fires around the edges. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] We sat by the fire as the sun completely disappeared below the horizon, plates emptied as people chattered and finished their final preparations. Musicians began to head towards their instruments, strings, woodwinds, drums, and percussive logs, and even a rare gleaming horn. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] You stood up slowly, shaking off the buzz of the food and drink settling in your belly, as I watched you rise. [[/div]] "Perhaps, I should have stopped you from eating and drinking so much. You're swaying more sleepily than the time I intervened against the wolves." She laughed softly. Donny flinched at the mention of that violent occasion but smiled nonetheless as she pulled the lyre from her back, offering her hand. Sile took it, rising from the ground and brushing off her cloak. In the low light of the evening, even with the fire, the lyre began to glow, the etchings, nodules, and metal work luminescing with a delicate lovely light. A stillness fell over the clearing, everyone's attention suddenly drawn inwards as something shimmered in the air. Fingers plucked metaphysical strings as a melody arose in the shimmers around the fires. The Musechild opened her mouth and sang, sang to the world in pure metaphysical tones. "Hear me mother, player of all melodies, bearer of the golden song. Grant your harp, your gift to me, the act of division, so that I might share your gift with one I hold dear tonight. Bring forth the magic before us, the incandescent, everlasting, soulful dance. Tonight, I will breathe life into a will, a time, and a place of my own. All shall be participants in an unforgettable song and dance." The air around them warped and the stars above came to life in swirls of color. The lyre lit up with Magic as a strong breeze blew through the village and into the meadow, carrying with it distant soft sounds that built into giggling, joyous laughter. Grandfather, the patriarch of the village stood, and clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. Tension rose in everyone, all noticed the twinkling song, the change in atmosphere, and they gripped their instruments and cups tighter in anticipation. "We don't want to wait too long," he began, spreading his hands up. "There are more pleasant and interesting things to do here than listening to stories yet. But as every year, tonight is our night. Be summer, if you please." A cheer arose as it all kicked off, the pillar of fire lit as the licking clasping tongues of a thousand flames arose; shining light and warmth across the clearing. Leitmotifs flickered into the air, contributing to a rising rhythm of melody and light as candles swept and flickered across the woods as evening set in. Donny closed her eyes, the concepts flooding into her being. The breeze built again, coming back, a glimmering light carried on it from afar. Giggles in the air, which flowed in and around Donny, the afterimage of a woman, engrossed extension of an idea much older than any could imagine. "I hear your call, daughter of mine; I grant you this gift. Be well and safe." The ghostly magical figure showered Sile with a shimmering smile, before she rippled and laughed, and flowed downwards into the lyre. It swirled with energy, bursting light highlighting the two blossoming lovers in the middle of everything, as the instrument changed shape and divided. Dancing light faded away, revealing two tambourines in Donny's hands as she smiled at Sile, offering one for her to take. The rest of the villagers didn't seem to notice, caught in a musical narrative, a concept for which they were actors. They didn't care much either, for they were having the times of their lives. But Sile, unabashed, watched in utter growing wonder as the tambourine took shape. An enormous smile spread across her face, as she took the proffered instrument. She turned it over in her hands, before giving it a gentle rattle, and playful light burned in her amber eyes. She leaned in, gave Donny's cheek a twinkling kiss, and then pranced slightly away, and then back in; as Donny watched enraptured with her song, cheeks burning to a peachy pink. A quick tap of hip against hip, and then she spun back away setting the mood. An invitation, a challenge to dance had been issued, and Donny was not about to refuse. The Musechild laughed, and beat the tambourine against her hand, joining Sile in the dance. The instrument Sile held pulsed: with potency, power, unspoken, and yet gentle, earthly, much like Donny, and much like the figure who just flowed away on the breeze! "Just like this," Donny said with a whimsical melody on the tip of her tongue, beating the tambourine in time with the other instruments. She let her conceptual magic flare, the air vibrating with light and energy, dancing images to compliment the festive atmosphere, laughing as she cloaked herself in the fires of her element. Sile's feet moved to the music, but in irregular and mad oscillations, clumsy in the manipulations, but Donny did not care. Her heart was in it and that is what mattered most. Donny opened her mouth, sky blue eyes never losing track of Sile and prepared to sing, caught in the moment as the amber of Sile's irises gleamed like the shiniest horn. She fully met that gaze, laughing and smiling with soulful whimsy. Sile's heartbeat thundered in her chest, audible above all the other noise, a metronome syncing with the Musechild's symphony. Her eyes were the gentle blossoms of a thousand springs, the warmth of a thousand summers, the colors of a thousand autumns, and the comfort of a thousand winter fires. A gentle quiet adoration. Love. [[=image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Donny%20and%20Sile%202.png]] [[div class="donny"]] In response, I unsheathed my heart, and I sang. As the blue flickering lights of lost and departed strange spirits flowed into the clearing to join the revelry, souls of the lost dead, I sang with all my being. [[/div]] [[div class="song donny"]] ♫ Can you feel it? That sensation burning in the air? Writhing between us? No, we can't conceal it, This sensation so fair. No, I don't wanna lose it, This emotion strips me bare. Sile, will you stay with me? Will you dance with me, And enjoy this flight of fancy?♫ [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] I met your eyes as your notes fell away, the color rising to your cheeks as you stared deep into the amber. I replied, notes pouring out in a surprisingly gentle tone, inspiration burning in my belly, love flaring in the portals to my soul. [[/div]] [[div class="song sile"]] ♫Donny, there's no need for Anxiety, Please look here at my face in this place, There's no one but you and me, You see this smile on my face? There's nowhere I'd rather be, Than in this place with you. So, I'll show you a dance, And then you'll know I'm here to stay. ♫ [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] You smiled bashfully, taking my free hand as we moved into an intricate and driving dance around the bonfire, the whole village turning their attention to us, as their claps set the beat, the instruments following along to new blossoming melodies in time with your voice. Even now words fail to capture the awe and wonder of our colliding worlds. [[/div]] [[div class="song donny"]] ♫Oh our hearts are a mess, But we've both been so blessed. Now take meeeee down, This is why I do music, Because it makes you feel everything, And because my tenor is a blessing. And oh, we walk together Our feet are obsessed With this unstilledness And oh, this is too much to bear So, I'm going to face my fear♫ [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] Donny pulled Sile in and brought their lips together as they spun around the fire, a raucous cheer rising from the crowd as the music picked up faster and faster. She broke the kiss moments later, hovering close, eyes alight. [[/div]] [[div class="song donny"]] ♫And sooo I must confess, This all seems so obvious, Please don't get tense. But Sile will you marry me, Under the great Oaktree Back on the Mountain Overlooking the Sea. ♫ [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] The crowd cheering us on as we kiss is a very cute interpretation, but I don't remember it. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] i thought it was sweet. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Very, but, hmmmm... cheesy. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] did you like it? [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] I always love this part, and you always find a new and clever way to tell it. Oh, oh no don't cry please. Here, here, let me get your tears. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] sorry. I just miss you so much. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Shhh, I know. I know. There's much yet for you to do. Much yet to face. So please, find your strength and hold fast to your heart, my love. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] ++ 3.2 It Cuts Deep Through our Ground [[=]] 2018, Living Just to Find Emotion [[/=]] [[div class="song"]] ♫For this is the last song I sing, With words that are still my own. For there's not much more I can bring, And I feel I'm losing all connection, Yet I still see you. Yes, I still see you.♫ [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Donny drops from the branch, landing light on her feet behind them, the lyre twinkling with anxious energy, as they turn to face her. Three of them. The stoic sculptor, the arrogant replicator, the angry transmuter. [[/div]] "You've taken something that doesn't belong to you," arrogant one says, crossing his arms. "You can give it back, and we might let you live long enough to be the Next Critic," stoic one adds cruelly, but with a cautiousness the other two aren't exuding. "I don't want to fight you," the Musechild sings back, her voice a stream of golden honey to the ears, fascinating to the mind as her tail wraps protectively around her own leg. She makes herself as small and nonthreatening as possible. The warped abominations hesitate, something within them resonating with her voice. [[span style="color:blue"]]//They don't know, because no one knew.//[[/span]] "If you give them back, I won't have to." Her voice trilled with hope, a fool’s hope, but hope, nonetheless. "Won't have to what, cry at us?" Replicator laughs at her. "And give up everything we've gained, everything we worked to achieve?" replicator raises his voice in mockery. He points at her with his finger. "Last chance; give what you've taken back." "No." She takes a steadying breath, standing up slightly straighter. "No, I won't. They don't belong to you." Donny's voice twinges with triste tones as she takes a step back, defensively. "Please. Don't do this." "Your funeral, kitten," transmuter says as she bends down and places her fingers on the ground. The twisted essence moves and warps the atmosphere. Reality shudders as the concepts burn around the three, a sword covered in arcing flames appearing in the man's hand. The abstract landscape of the plateau becomes more hemmed in, walls whipping up as the forest floor seems to twist, grass reeling back as the Musechild finds herself standing more and more on a large patch of dirt. Transmuter ripples, as a belt of artistic tools, brushes, chisels, pens, and pencils latches around her hips. Sculptor touches transmuter and in some unseeable way she seems more, more than she has ever been, perfectly sculpted for this moment. "You can still walk away." The Musechild's voice falters with the pointlessness of her pleading. She takes another step back and sinks into wet clay, almost losing her balance as her ears rocket up to full height in alarm. The clay had been dirt moments before. "Please, please don't!" Her voice blossoms with desperation. Rage whispers in her ear. [[span style="color:red"]]//You must fight them. You must defend yourself and get your family back. You cannot run or choose pacifism this time. FIGHT or DIE.//[[/span]] Before she can move, she is secured solidly in place as the clay cracks, flickering into marble. Donny's eyes widen as she looks down. The man surges across the gap, sword flicking as one suddenly becomes four, blades moving in differing arcs. [[span style="color:blue"]]//I'd-- I'd rather die than become a monster.//[[/span]] She gasps in air in the seconds before he arrives, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm sorry." The flaming swords sweep in, as transmuter changes the air around Donny's hands, encasing them in marble. Four swords, four duplicates. One rends her throat, the flesh flaying apart as her airway dies. One cuts through her heart, the beat of its rhythm severed. A third slice opens her belly, hot fire pouring into her, golden blood splattering the ground. The final cut severs her femoral arteries. Noise gurgles in Donny's throat and she falls still, head falling limply forward. Her mind flickers white with pain, and then black as she dies. A whispering, mournful breeze flows across the field, as suffocating stillness sets in. He pokes her with the tip of the sword. Satisfied when no reaction came, the man's duplicates fade, watching Donny's idle form. "Well, that was easy," arrogant one says smugly; turning to face the other two. "Well don't just stand there and gloat, get what we came for," transmuter stands upright again, clapping the marble dust from her fingers. The Plateau fully shifts into a hemmed in art exhibit of a forest, lights twinkling. "Too easy. Don't relax until we have it in hand." Sculptor narrows her eyes. [[span style="color:red"]]//You did good, Donny, avoiding this for your whole life. But nothing lasts forever, and unfortunately, this choice is not yours alone. Forgive me for what I have to do to protect all of us.//[[/span]] [[div class="sile"]] Donny fell into death and a familiar dream. [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] [[div class="donny-storybook"]] ++ 3.3 And All I Can Taste is this Moment And All I Can Breathe is Your Life The Far Past, Symphony of a Loving Dream [[div class="sile"]] Do you remember how we got there? To the place you first called home. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] It was a long trip. But in the end... At the end we passed onto the mountain. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] We crossed into a realm that was more dream than reality, which was more abstract feeling than physical certainty. All the talk of your parents and these faraway places from you had never truly seemed real to me, but as we crossed this threshold, I understood your dream. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] Up and up, we climbed until [[/div]] [[=image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/fragment:scp-7238-1/Convent_above_Zacetecas_La_Bufa_EDIT.jpg]] [[div class="donny"]] And we breached the summit via a hidden path only found by listening to the quiet never-ending song. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Never has the desire to create burned within me so fiercely, the passion to make something greater. I resolved in my heart of hearts to give my love two gifts. So, as we stood beneath the gyrating atmosphere of the Boeotian sky, as we pronounced their vows and sealed their fates within a narrative concept that would never be forgotten, I came to a decision. There under that dancing sky I resolved to grant you two gifts. The first, to imbue you with the aspect of the cat you so deeply bore. The second, to create the greatest of songs our bodies could weave together. A child. For you were a being of love, a being of compassion, a gentle burning soul, and you deserved the world. You deserved to feel every ounce of possible love, for you were, no //are// a miracle underneath an all too often hateful sky. Most of all, Donny, you deserve everlasting peace and the chance to carve a legacy, all the way to our unified end. But I knew, some part of me always knew, that I would dance among the stars alone. That you, Donny, were not destined for the same fate. I didn't care. I still don't. I didn't have an ounce of anxiety about it. //You// deserved everything. So now, in the depths of your dreams, in the midst of my sleep, I reach across the dreamy stars, and I caress your gold-stained cheek as you fall through death. [[/div]] "This isn't where you end my love," she whispered quietly through the dream, the memory of their happiest moments. "It will all be fine someday." [[div class="sile"]] I couldn't save you from this next bloody act, even in death, this I knew. That didn't mean I was going to let you fall to ruin. Even if that meant stirring the beast within that you feared so. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] ++ 3.4 I'm Feelin' the Strain, ain't it a Shame? [[=]] 2018, Separate Ways, Worlds Apart [[/=]] [[div class="song"]] ♫Before she closed her eyes, she foresaw your rise, On a bloody climbing tide. I wish you didn't have to fall into this life. But you need to wake up, Donny my beloved dear. ♫ [[/div]] "Yeah, yeah I--" Replicator starts to turn back, raising a hand to plunge inside the concept of his dead quarry. The sword drops from his hand as a crack whips through the air, a hand suddenly and violently grasping his face. It burns against his skin with a vibrational beat that thrums into his misbegotten being. Fractions of a second later, a palm slams into his stomach, a discharge and roaring sonic boom crackling through his body as he flicks through the air, screeching past the other two and slams into a tree. Sculptor's head follows his trajectory, and then her head snaps back towards their quarry. The marble cracks, and bursts from Rage's fingers in a shower of pebbles. She rips her feet free in a two-step slide. The wounds across the Musechild's body stitch themselves back together with golden light as an angry vibration fills the false exhibit, rising against their shuddering eardrums. Blue skies fade into swiftly moving dark clouds with a reddish tinge. Rage leans over, coughing as gold fluid splatters against the ground. The atmosphere changes, the sculpted environment of the exhibit shuddering, as the walls crack, ripple, and fall away in chunks. The Crit Squad members find themselves back in a forest, deeply unfamiliar and hostile. "What kind of magic coul-- how can she not be dead?" Transmuter pulls out a brush and a chisel from her utility belt. "It doesn't matter," replicator coughs out, wiping away a few flecks of blood from his mouth. "Now we really kill her." He touches his hand to the tree, the concept warping as it ripples, flowing outwards into duplicates that merge into one another up and up and up. He slices with an ax that he replicates, cleaving through the massive construct, and watches as his compatriots step aside. It crashes down, duplicates still thickening and spreading out. It lands, with a deafening crack, followed by an auditory screech, as a sound wave splits it clean down the middle, knocking aside all three abominations. They scramble back to their feet; only to see their quarry standing, untouched, leaning over, a single hand held up. White lines of light, pure metaphysical magic ripple from her fingers as she brings the hand down slowly. A moment of stunned hesitation passes between all three of them, as they watch her slowly stand up. Again, the environment around them shifts, towering walls with thrumming shapes that resolve into amps, speakers, and subwoofers arising in every direction. Rage takes a step, the floor rippling beneath her bare feet as it screeches outwards, transforming into fluorescent tiles. Neon lights dance at their feet to a rising angry rhythm. "She's reality bending!" angry one yells, pulling out her chisel. "What the fuck is //she//?" arrogant one yells at her, sword reappearing in his hand. Rage stands up slowly, green eyes opening and gradually filling with sonic aura, white and crackling. The Musechild's golden strands of hair ripple with fire, flickering to a bright and angry crimson. Murderous intent streaks outwards through her aura, and the AWCY Enforcers collectively take a step back as the furious song resonates with their being. Rage curls and uncurls her fist, slowly looking around before focusing on her fingers. Seemingly unconcerned with the homicidal monsters before her, Rage stretches out their shared body, working out the repairing muscles. Once everything is confirmed in place and repaired, she turns her full attention to the abominations. [[span style="color:red"]]"We are the fusion of song and flesh, concept and divinity woven together."[[/span]] Her lips curl up in a menacing smile, baring the feline fangs. The threat display ripples through her whole body as magic //burns// in the air, writhing. [[span style="color:red"]]"This is a ballad that shall lead you to a bloody end, so if you do not wish to meet your demise, then running away would be wise."[[/span]] [[span style="color:blue"]]//Rage no! Please!!!//[[/span]] Donny's consciousness twitches to the angry rhythm, reaching for reins held far and away. [[span style="color:red"]]//I'm sorry Donny, but I'm doing this, so you don't have to. If you get in the way, we're all going to suffer, so just go back to the dreams until I'm done.//[[/span]] Tears of pure magical energy, white in its sonic, metaphysical nature, pour from Rage's eyes. She sucks in a deep breath, heart thrumming with the rising beat from the speakers. The Musechild's legs move slowly as she shifts into a dancing stance. Stoic one flicks out her mental fingers. "It doesn't matter who or what you are. Regeneration or not, you will die by our hands." Rage cracks her neck to the side, the noise cutting through the fervor of the angry melodies. [[span style="color:red"]]"You're welcome to try."[[/span]] She gestures, the universal language of "come and get it." [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] [[div class="donny-storybook"]] ++ 3.5 Thanks for the Joy that You've Given Me [[=]] The Far Past, Light of the Fireflies Movement #1 [[/=]] [[div class="eithne"]] Mother, please listen to my voice, for I stir from sleep across a thousand miles to the pain searing deep within you. Let me be, once again, a reprise and relief as we relive pieces of our story. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] They returned to Sile's lovely home in the happiest period of their youthful lives. There, Sile gave Donny a wonderful, but sickly child. A lovely sweet and sensitive little thing they called Eithne. They shared those first few nights hovering over her, leaning against one another as the fireflies shimmered and danced to a lovely flute outside their windows. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] They were soft, and warm, filled with loving stars and dancing fires. [[/div]] [[div class="eithne"]] As I grew older, you sewed my clothes, big-rimmed hats, and soft little things for my sensitive skin. One day I found a crawly thing within our home and came to you, Mom. "Mommy, mommy there is a scary thing," I said in musical tones, and I made a request of you that made all the music screech to a halt, a thing neither of us would ever forget. "Can you please kill it?" I said a name then, a name that you can no longer quite remember. Someone I liked and played with? It's hard to remember these days. "He said that dangerous and creepy things c-can be killed. Can you do it? I don't want to kill anything." [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] Donny's eyes grew deeply sad, a morose violin weeping in the air, as she took her daughter's hand, and took her to the thing, a harmless, venom-less, lovely spider. Donny gently lowered her hand, allowing this amazing creature to crawl upon it to its own little, ostinato groove. "My dear Eithne," she said so gently, her voice a bittersweet cello string. Eithne knew instantly the pain she had inflicted. "The world is full of cruelties, and creatures just trying to live." Donny gently raised Eithne's hand and held her own to it. The spider crawled across her palms, and her fingers. "Always remember, even the smallest crawling things are just trying to live. If you are kind and peaceful to them, they will never harm you. Fear arises from ignorance, so strive to know as much as you can, even about the people who might want to hurt you." [[/div]] [[div class="eithne"]] I burst into tears; they steamed down my face, and pattered on the wood as light strokes against the softest xylophone. "I'm sorry Mommy, I didn't mean it." "I know you didn't," you trilled back with a sad smile full of softness. You hugged me so very softly. "But remember, words have power, song has meaning. You have such a gentle soul, and it is so easy to lose that heart in an aching world." [[/div]] Eithne sniffled. "Yes Mommy, I understand." Donny took her hand, and guided Eithne out the door. They released the spider onto a nearby tree, where it began to climb free to its own delighted reverie. Soon Sile joined them outside and they went for a picnic. As the brush strokes fell, and the years ticked by, Eithne kept growing, sensitive and sickly, never able to be in the sun for long. One day Donny found her in the forest having fallen. "Oh oh, my darling little one you've fallen." "It stings Mommy," she whimpered in a muted tone, crying. "Oh, you're so brave my little girl, such a big fall and look at how strong you're being." Donny kneeled and then slipped, purposefully, but a child of Eithne's age would never know, as she ground her knee into the ground. "Ouch!!!" Eithne's full attention shifted from the stinging cut to her mother, gasping, and laughing as Donny pantomimed a flailing conductor. Looking up, she winced, quickly glancing back down as Donny retrieved her hat and placed it gently on top of her head. For as much as Sile and her mother felt that Donny should never suffer, so did Donny feel the same about Eithne. For Eithne was the greatest composition she'd ever penned and would ever play. So, when Sile bathed and treated the scrapes and bleeding wounds, the Musechild held her beloved daughter's hand, and hugged her vigorously no matter how much green salve was splatted into Donny's golden hair. [[div class="donny"]] Nothing in the world was more important than these precious times or these precious beings. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] ++ 3.6 Now that She's Back from that Soul Vacation [[=]] 2018, Soul Sister [[/=]] [[div class="song"]] ♫ Don't let them make us dis-appear. Please Donny you need to wake up, I'm sorry for this is what I always feared.♫ [[/div]] Sculptor touches both replicator and transmuter, changing them in ways that weren't visible to the eye, as she reaches her fingers out to the atmosphere. Rage shifts in place, stepping to the thrum of the amps, as she flicks up into the air, leg whipping out in a spinning kick as a wave of sound rips from her sidelong aerial flip. Whether unconsciously or not, all three monsters dive, leap, or roll to the song underneath the strike. Replicator rises with his flaming sword. He flares to life, ripping towards rage on a thundering wind as the sculptor bends the air, attempting to undo the Musechild's ontokinetic sculpting. Rage pirouettes away from the slashing blades, diving in a rolling slide to a thrumming bass-line, as the lyre comes free from the holder on her back. She catches it midair, the instrument transforming to a crimson-flamed guitar as she slides back from the swinging blows on the balls of her feet. "Fucking hold still!" replicator growls and receives the sharpened edge of a guitar to the gut for his troubles. The duplicate dissolves in a shower of defiled blood as Rage swings the strap over her shoulder and matches the rising beat with a progression of fury-filled chords. She ducks out of the straps, the instrument floating in place as a vibrational afterimage rises into the air, continuing to play. [[span style="color:blue"]]//Rage don't hurt them! Don't fight, we don't have to!//[[/span]] Donny cries in vain. Rage isn't listening. Replicator comes in again; she slides away from the duplicates as they swing in time, her limbs flickering and vibrating faster than they could see. Transmuter runs forward from sculptor’s side, her chisel rising in flight as she slams her feet to the sinking beat. Fluorescent tiles arise as the angry one casts the die. The metal dyes cast to marble as she shapes the matter and flings them at the Musechild. Rage falls into a roll, marble screaming by in deadly spikes, before she leaps back up in time to the shrieking guitar strings. Falling into pops and locks, she bends and sways in unnatural ways, evading the blades. She slides back from a hacking swing, curls underneath another stream of screaming marble spikes, and tears apart a metal screen with a rising twist of her body, as sculptor tries to hem in her evasive waltz. [[span style="color:red"]]//There it is. Donny, for fucks sake please close your eyes. I'm going in.//[[/span]] [[span style="color:blue"]]//No!!! Just--just stop! There has to be another way that doesn't end like this!//[[/span]] Rage flips forward, and then dives, sweeping under the first of replicator's duplicate blades in a roll, rising again she leans back into a spinning slide, causing the second to skid by against the vibration of her flaring palm, catching the flat of the blade as the resonance ripples along its length, shattering it into metal shards. With a deft motion, she flings the shards back, tearing apart two of the duplicates in a shower of metal and splattering blood as the bass of the accompanying song squeals. Replicator snarls, and comes in with an upward rising swing, blade unfolding into three. [[span style="color:blue"]]//Just run away! Lock them in with walls! Anything but this!//[[/span]] [[span style="color:red"]]//They are just going to chase us down; I need to focus, Donny!//[[/span]] She backflips, one of the blades barely grazing her cheek and drawing a line of golden blood. Her foot flicks up in the air, snapping into his jaw to a flared drumbeat. The point of contact alights with magic, and he launches into the air. [[span style="color:red"]]//See what happens when you distract me? We can't let them land hits.//[[/span]] [[span style="color:blue"]]//We shouldn't be fighting at all. We-- we shouldn't be hurting anyone.//[[/span]] Rage lands on her hands, three metal spines screaming her way as transmuter warps one of the pillars with brush and chisel, flinging enormous steel stakes downrange. Rage shifts, spinning on her head as one hand deflects a spike, a second is kicked away to a powerful chord. The final spike she catches with her curling tail. The spin ends with a pliant pressing of palms to the floor that ripples into the coiling of gymnast muscles. She ripples like a spring, leaping into the air, twirling upright as her fingers wrap around the spike, taking it from her tail. [[span style="color:blue"]]//NO!//[[/span]] Replicator's eyes widen as she comes screaming in and brings them both to earth with a deafening thump as the bassline drops. [[span style="color:red"]]//Dammit Donny, why didn't you listen to me? All you had to do was fucking look away!//[[/span]] [[span style="color:blue"]]//no...//[[/span]] Donny's mental voice cracks and breaks. Blood smashes outwards on the dance floor, the replicator dead with a spike through his chest. Rage lingers, kneeling, pressing Donny back down, viciously clinging onto the reins. [[span style="color:red"]]//I'm sorry. I really am, but you are making things remarkably more difficult and painful than they have to fucking be!//[[/span]] [[span style="color:blue"]]//Why did things have to be like this? Why Rage?//[[/span]] Donny's mental voice fills the Musechild's head as she cries for what Rage has done. [[span style="color:blue"]]//Why?//[[/span]] She's become the monster. Adding another stroke of cruelty, the momentary grief-filled reprieve is ripped away as Rage flips back and away. A screech of fury flies from the mouth of transmuter as she presses both hands to the floor and marble spikes ripple outward to the beat of the scornful drum. The Musechild is too slow, a spike catching her on the second flip, ripping her up into the air. Shimmering golden blood arcs through the atmosphere to splatter on the floor. The song stops, the beat dead as transmuter rises, satisfied with her prize. [[span style="color:red"]]//Because Donny.//[[/span]] "Look out!" sculptor cries, reaching to stop the sudden, reappearing dive of Rage. Her fingers slip around the shuddering vibrations of the Musechild, utterly ineffective. The score soars, music rising in a furor as she shrieks down from the sky. [[span style="color:red"]]//This world is cruel.//[[/span]] Rage falls upon the transmuter, sideward swinging guitar slamming into her hip. Something deep and vital cracks and she screams, as the twanging strings flick her aside, the ground rippling and crackling with auditory force as she flies across the space into a metal pillar. [[span style="color:red"]]//It's trying to take everything from us.//[[/span]] Reacting quickly despite the pain, transmuter pulls out the brush, reshaping the pillar to armor that's hastily donned. Confidently turning back to the fight, she’s violently interrupted, Rage's vibrating fingers sliding into the metal and grasping the transmuter's heart. [[span style="color:red"]]//And it's time for us to fight back. It's what we have to do to survive.//[[/span]] Their eyes meet for a moment. Rage's fingers close tightly, crushing angry one's heart, and she falls to the floor, writhing in her agonizing final moments, forced to watch Rage flick the viscera from her fingers. [[span style="color:blue"]]//i just want you to stop. i want it all to stop. please?//[[/span]] Donny's pathetic, shattered concept curls in their shared minds, weeping. [[span style="color:red"]]//Why couldn't you just listen to me for once in your life? Dammit Donny, why!?//[[/span]] Rage cradles Donny's metaphysical head in her abstracted arms, attempting to provide some comfort in their shared mental dreamscape. Rage turns with the beat to take on sculptor, only for the clay covered fingers to grab her by the face. [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] [[div class="donny-storybook"]] ++ 3.7 And I'd Give Up Forever to Touch You [[=]] The Far Past, Sonata of Lovers Eternity [[/=]] [[div class="eithne"]] The passing of seasons marched on; saplings planted in the summers of Eithne's birth rose to flowering trees. Eithne grew like the slow rolling chords of a sprawling score, and with her did Sile grow older. But age treated her like a fine wine, as she rose to fill the position the heralded Grandfather once held. As her work moved from the fields to the table; she grew fond of new and different things. [[/div]] So, she learned beneath Donny's careful hand; the crafts and arts. For these topics were deeply intimate, Donny physically guiding her hands through the motions and techniques, nipping at each other’s ears and necks. Blooming, much like the lovely white flowers she so loved, Eithne grew older. She revealed a lovely golden voice and a deftness for capturing the visceral beauty of the world through her brushstrokes. And one day she approached her mother, her erstwhile teacher, and asked a most curious question. "Mother, what if you don't like my art one day?" It was the sort of question only a teenager or child asks of a parent they feel completely safe and comfortable with. "What if I disappoint you." "Oh, my lovely Eithne," Donny sang, taking Eithne's cheek in one hand. "That is the beauty of creation and art. One day you may produce something that I do not enjoy, but I will always appreciate it. I will always see the heart and effort you put in. I will never hate it, and I will never be disappointed for I know you tried." She sniffled and smiled. "What if someone else doesn't like it? Is that bad?" [[div class="donny"]] "No. Interpretation is the most important part of art, and everything we do will not appeal to everyone else. As long as you enjoy your vision, as long as it's meaningful to you, that's always most important." She pauses and considers, before kissing the top of Eithne's head. "Be authentically, unapologetically you, always." [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Remember? This is the core of who you are. Please cling to this my love as this act approaches its conclusion. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] ++ 3.8 A Clock Ticks 'till it Breaks your Glass and I Drown in you Again [[=]] 2018, Don't Fear the Reaper [[/=]] "Thought you won, didn't you? Smug little feline prick," sculptor hisses as Donny's body lifts into the air. [[span style="color:#889e08"]]//She's breaking the beat.//[[/span]] A small, terrified voice joins Donny's sobbing mental cries. [[span style="color:red"]]//You're all in the way, shut up for just a minute.//[[/span]] Sculptor flexes abstracted muscles, driving fingers deep into the Musechild's being, trying to pull her apart. All nine within feel this abomination scraping through their minds, grabbing at the music, the concept, and reaching to tear their senses of self apart. Trying to sculpt her until she was no longer a living breathing system. [[span style="color:blue"]]//it hurts.//[[/span]] Donny's mental fingers claw against the flesh, desperate to break Sculptor's grip. [[span style="color:blue"]]//c--can't think.//[[/span]] Shuddering, Rage bunches Donny's abdominal muscles, curling her legs up to an oscillating rhythm. Pressing against sculptor's torso, she screams, the sonic waves of her voice shifting into scythingly sharp notes as they rake and maul the woman's fingers to pieces. Stoic one lets go, screaming as her flayed and minced fingers ooze. Like a spring releasing energy, Donny's whole body uncoils, the force rippling through her and smashing into sculptor as a raging electronic beat drops. [[span style="color:#289e08"]]//Keep anguish down!//[[/span]] a sleuthy alarmed voice join's terrors. Sculptor flies away, tumbling for a moment before she catches her feet on the ground, sliding. [[span style="color:red"]]//Just hold the line.//[[/span]] Skidding along the ground, stoic one sculpts the fluorescing thrumming floor to bring her slide to a halt, feet righting as she pops up in time with the deepening base, free hand clinging to her shredded fingers. Frantically she starts stitching the flesh back together, placing her whole focus on it as Rage picks herself up from the floor. Sculptor looks up in the direction she was flung from, at the motion, failing to notice the flickering of the air around the Musechild. "Why you--" Rage's left palm slams into sculptor's stomach on a rising beat, knocking all the air from her lungs, and causing a discharge of blood to ripple from her lips as her flesh and muscle undulate, something important bursting. In that moment, stoic one understands what it must be like to take a freight truck to the abdomen, as she flashes away with a booming auditory discharge. Like a wrecking ball, her body smashes into a metal pillar. Yet more blood flecks from her lips as something in her hips gave way like a shattering guitar. Her legs fell forward, only for the Musechild to appear a fraction of a second before she touched the ground in a kneeling position. Rage’s leg whips to the booming bassline, a sidelong kick that sends sculptor flying into another pillar, her bad arm crunching against the cold and heartless steel of a screaming trumpet. [[span style="color:red"]]//This is for Mom.//[[/span]] Sculptor squeals in pain, a squeal that dies with the deafening sound of the thrumming song as the Musechild catches up with her again. Rage's hand grabs her face, sinking into her flesh. Sculptor’s hands lash out as she tries to grasp Rage’s concept, digging her fingers into flesh. Rage’s free hand scythes, smashing into the joint at the elbow, sickening cracks of bone and tearing flesh crackling through a sudden and heavy silence. [[span style="color:red"]]//For parent.//[[/span]] Sculptor tries to scream, her sound fading into the beat as Rage rips her voice completely free. [[span style="color:red"]]//For our Aunts.//[[/span]] Another motion, the other arm pulls back, out of its socket with a brutal jerking drumbeat. [[span style="color:red"]]//For Sile.//[[/span]] A kick to the back of one knee, fibula and tibula shattering to the screeching guitar as the last abomination is forced to the ground. [[span style="color:red"]]//For Eithne.//[[/span]] The other leg lashes out, the motion full of fire, one last desperate attempt to sculpt her opponent. It dies with the crack of her femur shattering beneath a vengeful palm. [[span style="color:red"]]//For everything we love that you have taken.//[[/span]] [[span style="color:blue"]]//no more, please.//[[/span]] The Musechild’s free hand digs into the flesh of the woman's arm, centered around the tattoo. Golden ripples spread through the tattoo, and sculptor's veins as Rage digs into her concept. The twisted creature screams with a golden voice as the Musechild finds the source, the connection point, and begins to unwind her. [[span style="color:red"]]"I'm going to show you what kind of war you've begun, whoever sent you picked the wrong girl to fuck with."[[/span]] Rage growled in dulcet low tones to the screaming sculptor. [[span style="color:red"]]"Tell your master, he'll never have enough."[[/span]] Donny's whimpering, despair-filled cries resonate through the other eight. [[span style="color:#80089e"]]//Rage, we're going too far.//[[/span]] [[span style="color:#289e08"]]//Just finish it and be done, this is excessive and you know it. Why let this go on?//[[/span]] [[span style="color:red"]]//we need to know where they've gone, what has been done. this is the only way, and only I can do it. better me than the rest of you. better me than Anguish. Donny will never forgive me, but that's better than her never forgiving herself or the rest of you.//[[/span]] whimper [[span style="color:red"]]"There, I've got you in the palm of my hand."[[/span]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] [[div class="donny-storybook"]] + Movement 4: She Swears the Moon don't Hang Quite as High as it Used to [[=]] The Far Past, Albinoni's Adagio [[/=]] A needed conversation was had on a chilly winter morning. A note of hope. A note of firmness in her wife’s voice. "Donny," Sile said, from where she lay in their bed, pillows propped. A wrinkled hand gently rising to call her wife of 50 years to her side. As the years passed on, Sile aged, and Donny and Eithne increasingly had to assist her movements. Donny took her fingers delicately, and sat on the bed, listening attentively as she always did, her ears flicking gently. Soon, Eithne met a kind young boy, and a lovely young woman. "Donny, I don't think I will be here for another year," she said softly, reaching up to cup Donny's chin. Together, all three fell in love, and Donny happily sent her precious Eithne off in marriage. "No, don't say such things," Donny's eyes watered at the thought, her lips curling down as her ears pressed to her head. A blessing came one warm autumn evening, Eithne produced a precious baby girl in the midpoint of Sile's life. "Please, we've talked of this a million times. It's natural, a part of the cycle for us but not you." She let her hands slide off Donny's face and fall, to gently grasp her fingers. "I want you to be happy. I want you to love and live peacefully after me. That's why I want you to make me a promise." With such a large family, less of the burden fell onto the grandparents, though neither could think of missing any of the lovely child’s important milestones. "Anything," Donny said, sadness in her eyes. And together they helped their grandchild grow. Soon there were more, a lovely budding family of creative children. "When the day comes. When I pass into the dancing fog and beyond, you'll remember me. You'll celebrate me with your art. But not just me, Eithne, your grandchildren, everyone you love." She reached up and touched Donny's cheek again. "My ancient heart cannot bear the thought of bringing you suffering. So don't suffer. Celebrate me. Celebrate everyone who has helped make you, well, you." She smiled wryly in that clever way she always did. "Someday you may have to defend yourself. Someday someone cruel will come along and I hope that you will know that you won't be any less. You won't be ruined for having to raise your hands. Promise me, you'll remember and do these things?" She smiled again, shifting slowly beneath the blankets. "Can you do that for me?" And Donny loved them all so much. The tears flowed down Donny's face, dripping into the blankets. "Of course." And she leaned in and kissed the first person she'd ever truly loved. The first and only person she'd ever loved in that way. [[div class="donny"]] why do we have to relive this one? what's the point to its reinterpretation? what's the point of anything. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] A story is never complete without its most painful revelations. In the pearls of our past, we find our futures, and for no one is that truer than you. [[/div]] [[div class="eithne"]] We had good lives. Important lives in an important place because we were there, and you were there. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] i don't want to do this anymore. [[/div]] [[div class="sile"]] Listen to my voice and hold onto your hope. In the end it will be ok. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] ++ 4.1 Give me the Beat, Girls, and Free our Souls [[=]] 2018, More than a Feeling [[/=]] The opulent opening gala of the latest show buzzed, as the large golden gallery hosted only the highest-ranking members of AWCY, the elite and rich arts benefactors, the ones pulling the strings; Reed's peers. Art pieces, performances, sculpture and more, decorated the rotunda, surrounding a Throne, placed alone on a small podium, surrounded by a fountain of water; there sat The Critic, their silent gaze a constant reminder of Reed's control. The works were good -- of course they were, being perfect executions of Reed's will. The artists created and yet it was not their art. It did not belong to the creator, no, not even the source of inspirations. All belonged to Reed and the High Arts Council -- to think otherwise was betraying the cause. Yet, as pretentious consumers, snobby sponsors and the trusted few mingled, one thing was missing. The gala was silent. Devoid of music. No matter what Reed commanded, everything the musicians touched would inevitably turn to ash. It would ring dead, hollow, an inert series of notes played without emotion or impact. Of course they wouldn't perform; nobody else could know that AWCY was fallible. So, when the quiet murmurs were interrupted, the strange noise seized the full attention of the room. A //snap//, a conceptual explosion radiated from the center of the room, waves of intent and meaning washing over the crowd. The Critic, statuesque and silent, was no longer. The vessel sat forward, a mockery of human movement, a failed attempt at performance; their body contorted, uneven bends and cruel twists of flesh pulsing and throbbing with each passing second. The Critic opened their mouth as if to speak -- instead, an inhuman noise was heard by all, like nails scraping a chalkboard, creeping up their spines. As if the cry was in their very minds. It cut abruptly, a record needle scratch echoing through the hall as the body of The Critic stood, limbs and head loosely hanging, a marionette without a puppeteer. Without warning, The Critic rose into the air, an energy swirling around them, the water in the surrounding fountain turned blood red, the still waters turned into a rapid torrent of waves. The Critic sang a song into being. The twinkling notes that dotted the melody were puzzling at first; an abnormality only to those in the know. The horns were layered in; guitars, woodwinds, brass instruments, percussion, strings, and all. Music swirled, mixing touchstones of genres in innovative ways, capturing //something// that, despite their efforts, no member of AWCY had even come close to creating. Each note //perfection//, every chord ringing against their minds, invading their ears and souls, a golden bell ringing in perfect clarity. Emotions rushed through all who were there; some started to cry, recalling memories they'd never lived. Happiness, bittersweet nostalgia, the essence of creativity coursing through the room; things that had no place in the world of art, as dictated by Reed. A rebellion in a song. The melody rang true, devoid of vocals, but an undeniable voice of song that gave peace to those watching. Until all at once, the tattoos of every member of AWCY began to burn; a searing that was not quite pain, something more like an annoyance. An itch that couldn't be resolved, a counterpoint alone without the completing melody. The Song rang through each sigil, demarcating those who were beholden to Reed through servitude, from those who were financially enslaved -- the consumer and the producer, distinguished by the scratching music, etching itself into the minds of all who were connected to The Critic. This time, there was a voice. A singular voice, delicately singing vocals in a language none knew nor recognized, one none could understand, radiant and gold in tone. Smooth and warm like honey, with impossible range. A choir created by a single voice, a beautiful song capturing unending depths of tone and inflection. As suddenly as it began, it stopped -- The Critic crashed to the podium, a heap of limbs, inert and unmoving; a twisted sculpture for all to see. A stunned, enamored silence fell over the attendees. One clapped, then another and soon it spread through the room, an infectious applause from all present. A raucous thunder of clapping after thirty minutes of perfection. The gathered elites were astounded, their desire to own art only made more intense by hearing that which they could never have; a Song that could not be bought. All except Reed. He stared at the mangled corpse of The Critic, reaching out and reassuring himself that he was in control. Whatever had happened, it was gone. Reed left the gala, a pile of corpses soon to follow -- for the rest of the night, The Critic was unmoved. A puppet with the strings cut, a heap of flesh that should have only served a single purpose; to exert the will of Reed. Yet, The Critic would not respond. This would not do. [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] [[div class="donny-storybook"]] ++ 4.2 Sooner or Later, it's Over, I Just don't Wanna Miss you Tonight [[=]] The Far Past, Ode to Our Love [[/=]] When that inevitable day came, they found Donny with a dozen scrolls of paper, a dozen shimmering portraits of the love of her life, scattered across Sile's peaceful departed form. A lacrimose melody hung in the air as Donny's aura drenched the home she so loved in tears. Donny buried Sile beneath her favorite great tree next to the burbling, quiet, dancing brook. Beneath a carefully arranged mound of stones. [[div class="donny"]] why did you have to go? sile? [[/div]] [[div class="eithne"]] She's gone mom. [[/div]] [[div class="eithne"]] In the midpoint of my life, my children helped you carve a lovely wooden statue of your greatest love. Every day you'd go to visit, and though you told no one, I could tell you often heard Sile's voice. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] eithne stop. i can't live this again. i just can't. i can't lose you too. [[/div]] [[div class="eithne"]] You always said that the hardest part of life is facing things we don't want to do. [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] i carried on and kept the promise, but it was obvious to everyone, especially you, that i wasn't the same. when your children were grown, you kept me company. you came to visit the art-filled hut, the product of a human lifetime of creation. n--no i [[/div]] [[div class="eithne"]] I love you mom. I can carry us to the end. Just take my hand, and hold on for a little longer. [[/div]] In the last 60 years of life Eithne learned any and everything of her mother, her arts and secrets. She passed them on to her growing children. On particularly sunny, hope-filled days, Donny regained the unabashed unshy spirit she'd had with Sile, in Eithne's presence. Especially on the eve of the Summer Feast which she so loved, a special Magic rolled up and into the air. Every time Eithne could swear, there was her mother, dancing with Donny like in the paintings of their youth. Sometimes she had conversations with her on those nights and she seemed the woman she'd been in Eithne's youth again. The longing always seemed worse the next morning. It influenced the villagers too, for they often found themselves struck with solemn blues. The day came when Eithne, confined to bed, called to her mother. "Mother, one day I will no longer be here, and that day is approaching soon." Her voice, the golden tones she'd inherited from her mother, aged like the finest of wood as they danced to the beat of Donny's drums. [[div class="donny"]] my baby girl. my sweet baby girl. [[/div]] "Please, please don't say that," Donny sang with the deepest of sadnesses. "We both know it to be true," she said softly. "I want you to promise me the same thing that you promised Mom. You'll celebrate me... you'll celebrate me and Mom?" She grasped Donny's hand gently. Donny looked at her with tears in her eyes. "Mom, when I am gone. When my great grandchildren are grown, promise me you'll go home," she sang softly. "Promise me you'll come back to celebrate us, but please, go home." She smiled gently. "I know you love us all so. Someday it may not hurt you so to be here, but we all see how it harms your soul." Tears poured from her eyes in a bittersweet symphony. "Why would you ask something so cruel of me? This //is// my home." "It //was// your home when Mom was here. Home is where your heart is Mom. And your heart will no longer be here. So please, go home." And on a particularly cold winter morning, she went peacefully as did her mother. Donny was found, once again, driven deep into sorrow, weeping over scrolls. [[div class="donny"]] please don't go. [[/div]] Donny scattered Eithne's ashes by the stream, by the statue of Sile amongst the grass next to her wife and beloved's grave, so Mother and Daughter would never be apart. [[div class="donny"]] i don't want to be alone. eithne? [[/div]] In the following years as Eithne's children had children of their own, Donny helped them sculpt a beautiful statue of their mother/grandmother, there underneath their favorite tree. Every year in the spring, the white flowers Eithne so loved would spring from the ground around the old great tree, and her voice joined her mother’s reverie. After 200 years amongst people she'd called family, Donny wove a part of her concept into the shields, the wards protecting the village. Everyone noticed the change in the air, the spirited song quietly just out of reach. On the eve of the 209th year of her Marriage, Eithne's 199th birthday, her 210th Summer Feast, Donny left the village with a parade of villagers. They rode with her down the coast to the nearest port. She returned home with a lifetime of memories inscribed into paper canvas. Like many who fade into myth, once she was gone, Eithne's grandchildren would tell their children of the grandmother who once fell in love with a golden song. How deeply their love had wound in the village, and how when the grandmother finally went on to the sky, the song had to leave for home. How do you hold a song in your hand? How could something as fleeting as a song ever be contained in one place for long? [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] ++ 4.25 My Hands, No They Don't Wanna Understand [[=]] And They Don't Wanna Be Without Your Hands [[/=]] [[div class="sile"]] She curls in the depths of her mind, a tapestry of ideals alight in shattered fragments, rent asunder by the necessity of cruelty in the face of an evil world. Rage drops the Abomination, its body slinking from her fingers into a pool of dissipating flesh. She sinks into the grass, head flying back as they scream to the sky, crying out to the world in defiance. Tears of static silver pour from her tear ducts as they all truly begin to grasp the terror inflicted against them. Rage hunches over, pressing blood slicked fingers against tearstained skin, as she wails into the dirt. Tossing aside the reigns, she burrows deep into their shared mind, Envy stepping forward to snatch the strings of mental control from the air. In this moment, none of them wanted to see Anguish take the initiative. Deep Rage burrows, finding Donny submersed far within the mental dreamscape. She pulls her close, cradling the Musechild's head in her lap, a thousand apologies falling from abstract lips, rocking together in untempered devastation. But there is no series of words that can ever temper the howling grief of innocence lost. Only icy numbness, as Apathy stood on, feeling nothing. Though we, Eithne and I, both see this writhing pain, there is no comfort for us to bring. What strength I have is not enough to reach across the gap, the distance between us. This is the curse of the dead, of souls like ours tethered to the land. We have no power left to help the ones we love, as they weep on the ground. It had to be done. We and them knew it. But how do you recover from such eternal tragedies? How can one ever regain purity and innocence lost? [[/div]] [[div class="donny"]] //sobbing// why? what did i do to deserve any of this? why does everyone I love leave me behind? [[/div]] [[div class="eventyr-hr"]] [[/div]] ++ 4.3 With Drops of Jupiter in her Hair [[=]] 2018, Don't Stop Believing [[/=]] [[div class="song"]] ♫You must not despair, For there are still those who care, And you must seek them. In ports of three, you will find your chorus.♫ [[/div]] [[div class="eithne"]] "... Everybody has their own home, after all. Home is where you're happy." [[/div]] Eithne's voice cut through the darkness of Donny's mind drawing, her back to awareness. [[div class="sile"]] There was no relief, no time to mourn what had been lost. They kept sending them, bodies and blood littering the mountain like a profane declaration. She'd lost track of how many 'artists' Rage and Anguish had discarded. Each had come back with different powers, manifestations of interpretation. Twisted and warped apparitions of her family, pressed into the sculpted flesh of mortals. Every taken life chipped away a little more of her, ripped at the concept of who she was. Who she ought to be. Is it the icy numb of shock? Or the detached chill of Apathy? She isn't sure anymore. Numb is bad, and that's all she felt, as if she were drifting through a world that laughed at every pain she felt, and all she can do is just keep trudging forward in the hopes the nightmare comes to a close. The nightmare that eats more of who she is with every trudging step. And the worst part is, she doesn't know how to wake up. But fortunes are about to change, as the doorbell rings. She is surprised and alarmed that someone has slipped past the sensitivity of her ears. Barefoot, she walks to the door and looks out through the window in the dining room. No one is there. [[/div]] Cautiously, one hand vibrating, ready to defend herself, she opens the door. And all she finds is an envelope, plain with the letters AWCY printed on fancy paper. She picks it up and opens it. Pulling out the card, she holds it cautiously away from her face, and extends the fold. Twinkling notes of sound float around her face. Inside, in neatly written script: > To the one who thinks they are the Song, > Your song is wrong; your notes cannot be art, and will never be art. Art is what I decide it to be. > > Come see what Art really is. Come to Three Portlands -- the gallery will find you. > > Signed, > Your Mother's Keeper. Donny froze in place, eyes dilating at the words on the card, her mind awhirl. Notes twinkle in the air, curling around her. "Mom?" she says aloud, voice threatening to break as she felt the tears sting against the corners of her eyes. Reality ripples around her... //Three Portlands. I must go. I must find her.// Space and time shift around her, as everything changes. She finds herself in a strange place. She is inside, but it is not like any building she has ever seen before -- the room feels more like an ancient temple, wide and open, sky shining down, casting its golden rays onto the garden below. The clovers and flowers that fill the space are unnaturally bright, vivid shades sprung out of imagination; pathways lead out of the garden on each side, hallways leading to further rooms and things out of sight. A figure sits in the garden, on a park bench, but something is wrong -- despite basking in a ray of sun, the figure appears to be permanently in shadow, a silhouette come to life. It notices her. Donny blinks several times, metaphysical fingers reaching, feeling. Wisps of confusion wrinkle across her nose; the sadness, brief glimmer of hope from moments before, trapped in a stasis. Her fingers tighten protectively around the envelope, as if it's the key to everything going on here. She notices the figure, her mind flickering between trying to figure out what's just happened; how she got here and evaluating whether this is another one of their threats, or something else. She bites her lip, ears pressing to her head. Feeling so ridiculously small at this moment as an anxious piccolo twitters in her aura. "Another stray?" the silhouette says to itself, before standing gracefully and seeming to drift across the garden, each footstep lingering for only a moment, barely disrupting the clover carpet from below. The silhouetted figure stops in front of Donny, the sun shining behind her, a radiant crown on an opaque goddess. "Who are //you//, lost one?" The Musechild draws her conceptual fingers back in and focuses her full attention on the Silhouette. She tilts her head up to the taller figure. Sclera narrowing in the sunlight to a cat’s slit, her ears pressing gently to her head as she takes in the stranger. When she speaks, a melody blossoms forth that conveys the story of her emotional disposition. It comes across clearly even as she speaks so very softly it’s almost a whisper. "I'm Donny. Have—" She swallows a bit of dissonance, bittersweet sadness creeping between the icy numbness; into the inflection and her aura. "Have you seen my Mom?" The figure reacts when she says 'Mom', almost undetectably but undeniably there — only for a moment before returning to a placid peace. "You look tired. Come with me, let me make you some tea." The silhouette turns away and begins to recede into the garden, heading directly across towards an open hallway. After a moment, she pauses, as if waiting for Donny to follow. Donny's hesitation lingers, conflicted by the way her lips press together and nose wrinkles. Her tail wraps protectively around one leg. [[span style="color:blue"]]//She hasn't behaved like the others. She's not attacked, accosted, insulted or demeaned.//[[/span]] “I’ve been having a bad time,” is what she manages, struggling to find the words. Her hands shake. “Are we safe here?” Every trilled word, resonant note imparting the meaning her words fails to. ‘I have been accosted. I don’t know if I can trust you.’ "We're perfectly safe, this is our little slice of paradise, smack dab in the middle of Three-Portlands." The woman gestures at the sky, and the sun shifts to an evening orange glow. "Even the sky is under our control. In here, anybody is safe, no matter who they are." Donny’s eyes go to the sky, she watches for a moment, before looking back to the shadow and hesitantly stepping forward into the garden. She winces when she crosses the threshold, as if expecting something horrible to happen. A single eye opens and then the other as a mote of surprise runs across her lips, she remains quite whole. Her skin and instrument gleam in the gentle sunlight. Relaxing, she blinks and holds out her hand, curling her fingers through the warmth of the rays as they fall upon her, a nearby windchime trilling with anxious energy. “Oh, pretty,” she says softly, her voice carrying far farther than it should, the lyre singing with it. The tightness in her shoulders loosens, as she wanders absently through the gardens. Her eyes alight, watching a butterfly flutter in the sun, her lips twitching at the corners into an almost smile as the icy numbness flickers and starts to melt. The shadow, the silhouette, has been forgotten in the beauty of the moment. "Come now, you look paper thin. When was the last time you ate?" the silhouette says, a balance between nagging and unconditional compassion in her voice. Donny returns from the reverie of this apparent drifting dream and the beauty of nature. The icey numbness starts to creep back in. Her eyes come down from the sky and the butterfly; refocusing on the stranger. Cautiously, she takes a few steps forward, every step to that same old rhythm, to a beat that the shadow cannot quite hear. Graceful, almost purposeful, and yet completely natural. She absorbs the question, considering as she cautiously joins the silhouette on the other side. "What's the date?" A curious tweeting tone rises in her voice with the question, as if the silhouette’s inquiry had been a sincere question instead of rhetorical. "June 12th, 2018," The figure says, before catching itself, the depths of changing emotion captured by the flickering depth of the darkness. "I'm sorry, it's been a long few weeks, I never introduced myself. I'm Stephanie, or Miss Pseudo, depending on which you prefer. Shall we?" Stephanie says, gesturing to the hallway in front of them. "Stephanie..." Donny says, rolling the name in her mouth. Her eyes turn to Stephanie again, her ears slowly perking up. Some of the caution leaks away, her lips shifting, a wrinkle of her nose and lines on her face, curiosity in the deep sea that are her eyes. "I'm," hesitation creeps back into her voice, before she shakes it off "Donatsiva Satisiva Salidore... but everyone calls me Donny." Her tail flicks, and she makes a small bobbing motion with her head, indicating for Stephanie to lead on. "15 years, that's how long since I last ate." Stephanie begins to hum along to Donny's infectious song, always leaking through her aura, halfway between comprehension and passive ignorance, as she drifts into the hallways, Donny trailing close behind. As they leave the garden, the open air is replaced with a nondescript hallway, a soft green carpet running down its length. To the left is a large kitchen, a center island surrounded by several chairs. In a chair, a young olive-skinned woman sits eating a bowl of cereal, one leg pulled up to her body, the other sprawling across another chair; as they enter, she turns and notices them, opening her mouth to speak before remembering that she has a mouthful of cereal. "Swallow and then speak Viv. We have a guest," Stephanie says. She crosses the room, and in a fluid motion, begins to boil a kettle of water. "Are you coming, Donny?" Donny stands in the doorway, lingering, eyes on the other person. They trace back to Stephanie, ears moving with them before they press back against her head, tail wrapping back around her leg. The humming of the woman had put her at ease as the Lyre echoed the notes. Another person, another human, a stranger? That put her back on edge. "Safe?" She asks, the melody spoken and unspoken. 'Can I trust her too?' Swallowing her food, Viv can barely contain her excitement as the words spill out. "Steph, you got us a cat? What are you, some magnet for wayward souls?" Stephanie laughs quietly, as practiced hands collect soft earthenware mugs, teabags gently nestled inside. "Vivienne, this is Donny. Donny, this is Vivienne. She's like you; she is also hiding from the dangers of the world." Donny's ears stand up straight, suddenly alert. "Did they take your Mom too?" No sooner have the words left her lips than she flinches; realizing how insensitive the question is. She stops a half step into the kitchen, tail flicking with anxious energy as the Icey numbness gripping her cracks and flicks off in sheets. The stiffness that sat in her muscles thawed as animation came alive in even the idlest of motions. "I wish. Well, at least, I wish one of them would just disappear. I've got three -- two real ones, and then Stephanie, the de facto house mom." Vivienne sits up, sympathy radiating out towards Donny. "We're all a little fucked up here." Donny's mouth opens slightly at the F word. [[span style="color:blue"]]//Such foul language.//[[/span]] She sniffs the air, shuffling a bit more forward, for tea. Tea, she hasn't had tea in— "I woke up and they weren't there," she says softly, a sorrowful note, as her ears droop. "I couldn't find Mom or anyone..." Stephanie pushes a mug across the island to Donny, as well as a bowl that she had been preparing in the background. "You can stay here for as long as you like. It's hard to be without family," Stephanie says as Vivienne nods in somber agreement. Donny curiously sniffs the bowl, her bushy tail flicking behind her. Her head tilts this way, then back the other, before her eyes track up to Stephanie. "It's safe here? They... after I tore— I took some back. The music. They sent—" her ears press to her head, and she flinches, struggling. //How can I explain to mortals? Would they use me as a tool? Would they try to—// She shudders, and breathes in and out deeply, focusing. "They twisted them. Put them in bodies. I had to do horrible things." "It's matzah ball soup. Try some, it will make everything better. It always does," Stephanie says, as she turns around and begins cleaning up. "We've all had to do extreme things before. Just because we felt bad does not mean that we are bad." Donny wrinkles her nose, a moment of conflict worming across her lips which twitch, and half descend at the corners before returning to normal. //No? I guess not? Do they understand? Should I say more?// She eases into the chair, next to Vivienne, having to sit slightly aside due to a lack of a hole for her tail. Sharing a table with a stranger? A mortal one no less. How odd. //It's been a long time...// Gingerly she takes the proffered spoon, feeling the texture of the metal between her fingers. She dips the utensil in the soup, scooping and then takes a sip, assessing the taste. "So, is that what you can do?" Viv asks between mouthfuls of cereal. "You can do something with music?" "Mmmm!!!!" Donny's eyes light up at the taste and start to water as a memory dances briefly before her eyes. Her ears shoot up again, before drooping. She tilts her head, ears swiveling to Vivienne at the question, the tip of her tail curling and flecking. "Sound, music, vibrations and dance," Donny says softly, assuming the question is conceptual in nature. Between swallows she picks up one of the round things in the middle with her spoon tilting her head looking it over curiously. "Mom was..." She considers how to say it, working over how to even begin to describe to a mortal, a human. "The song. More of it than me. The golden endless melody." "That's cool. I make things that mess with your brain." Donny’s lips twist down, her head tilts, and her eyes hood in befuddlement at Vivienne's response. She opens her mouth to ask a question, and then closes it again as Stephanie interjects gently. She just didn't quite understand the tone of Vivienne's voice. "We all have our unique talents here. Vivienne is a memetics and hermeneutic whiz, Duplo can remake the world around them, and Solomon does incredible things with light." "I thought Vivienne...?" She pauses, rolling the name around on her tongue curiously. "Vivienne meant concepts?" She rolls ‘concept’ around in her mouth, saying it several times in different melodic tones and intonations. Each one projects a different feeling into the room, unintentionally as if just on raw instinct. Like she's trying to get something right. "Not things for fun? I like making; songs, melodies, and dancing. Drawings, paintings, and animations too." A beat passes, ears pressing to her head again. "The last one more recently; before— before my most recent nap." Vivienne reaches out to touch Donny's shoulder, but hesitates, catching herself. "It's okay. You can relax here. As long as you stay, you're one of us. That means if anybody wants to hurt you, they have to get through all of us, yeah?" Donny's ears stand straight up and her tail flicks out to full length. "I'm not worried about me." She turns, taking in Vivienne, the fragility of this Mortal life before her. She couldn't let them do that; shatter them. "They can't touch me. I don't want to be a threat to you or attract them here." "Attract who here?" Vivienne asks, anxiety written plainly across her face. The Musechild looks down at the envelope on her lap. Carefully; she takes it between her fingers and places it on the island. "They took my family and twisted them," she says softly; a twinge of heartbreak leaping to unseen strings. The AWCY letters shine in the light. The glint of light bounces and lands squarely in Stephanie's gaze. A second of recognition, and the room is full of an oppressive, boiling rage. A rage that is not Rage, but just as deadly. It simmers, just out of reach, as shadows slowly begin to creep up the walls and cupboards. Donny feels the magic, the change in abstracts, and the emotion injected into the air. She shrinks in her seat, curling her tail protectively around her body, even as it frizzes out. Stephanie blinks, as if realizing her own thoughts, and the shadows disappear. "I'll have Duplo make your room. I will die before I let Are We Cool Yet take anything else from you, that is a vow," Stephanie says, a cold fire still burning within. She looks back up at Stephanie; startled tension from the sudden anger not quite dispelling. "Are those their names? The ones who stole the inspiration? The Magic? My mom and aunts?" "'Stole inspiration'? Yeah, that sounds like them. Can't even fucking think of ideas on their own," Vivienne says, scowling. After a beat, a confused look appears on her face. "Wait, how did they steal your family?" A complicated expression washes across Donny's features as she focuses. //Oh no why did I say that?// She shifts in the chair, wrestling with the fact that she has just exposed the one thing she was taught never to reveal. //Should I? Does it matter now?// She bit her lip. A long moment of anticipating silence sits heavy in the air, as Donny struggles with the words. "Blood. They used blood. I woke up, not in my cottage... not in the home I built." She sniffles, eyes tearing up. "I woke up in the pond, completely soaked with blood, and when I reached out to feel her song, her concept there was nothing there around me. I had to--" Her voice falters as she takes a deep breath. "I had to reach extremely far... and that's when I found them. They'd—" She chokes on the words, sniffles and takes a long sip of her tea to relieve her clenching throat. "Sorry I, they're— It's hard to explain. Hard to explain to humans. I had to pull the concepts back out of what was left behind. To save my things and I—" She stops and goes quiet. Silence presses down on the room like a thunderhead, threatening to swallow everyone and everything. "You are the child of a Muse?" Stephanie finally asks, piecing things together bit by bit. Donny looks up at Stephanie. "You call them Muses. But they're more than that... they're my family." She runs long spindly fingers through her hair. "I couldn't find my parent either... but Nes likes the trees and is shy. I can't... they're probably very scared." Her ears press to her head. "Give me one minute, I'll be right back," Stephanie says as she quickly retreats into one of the many adjoining hallways. Donny and Vivienne are left alone, the silence palpable. Donny sinks into her thoughts. //Did I make a mistake?// As she continued to drink from the mug, she didn't know why, but she felt compelled to keep talking. Like talking would stop the ice from advancing again. "I never tell anyone. When I'm among humans." She's uncertain if she's talking to Vivienne, herself or just talking, but the words keep flowing. "Mom taught me it's dangerous." It all felt like a dream. The worst, most horrible nightmare she'd ever had. She wanted Nes to walk in, for her mom to gently shake her from this indescribable torture of a night terror. She wanted to be hugged and held like when she was small. "My mom taught me that the anomalous was dangerous," Vivienne says, pausing for a second. "It's up to us to make our own decisions, right? Steph isn't here right now, and I know she's a bit of a 'smother', so let me ask you. Do you actually want to stay here?" But this wasn't a dream. Some consequence of her abstracted being dancing with a divine biology. This was a real, waking nightmare, and Vivienne's voice brought her back into it. There was no one left to hold her. "I... if I go back to the mountain, they will eventually send more. I destroyed... so many of them." She looks at her hands. They shake relentlessly, as if reliving the experiences, and then she closes her eyes, squeezing them shut as the ice creeps back in, the animation of her movements stiffening. Rage and Anguish and the others whispering in the back of her mind. //It was necessary.// "I don't like it. I don't like being that way." She sniffles. "But I need to get them back." She shudders seeing the blood on her fingertips again. Watching it freeze to her skin. "I took back the music, but I didn't take Mom back. But they were mad anyway. Madder when I showed them what they'd taken." Vivienne reaches out and grabs Donny's shaking hands, holding them softly and keeping them still. Her touch causes the ice to vaporize into steam, the blood slowly washing away from her fingers. The stillness fades as gentle harmonies whisper in Donny's ear. "I just noticed, you... you have this melody. You are— your song is beautiful," Vivienne says, blushing and looking away. Trying to draw the other girl's mind away. Thrown by the sudden touch, the compliment and the strange reaction of the other girl, the other voices fall away. Her eyes open and she looks at Vivienne. A storm of notes, of ancient but familiar feeling rising in her chest. Color rises to her cheeks as her ears press gently to her head. "O-o-oh. Thank you." "Yea—yeah, no problem." Vivienne pulls her hands back in embarrassment, looking anywhere but at Donny. The sudden departure of contact is met by Donny looking back at her hands, gently clasping, and rubbing her fingers against one another. A gentle emotion flickers in her heart, the rise of a missing refrain, a realization of absence, of some desire having not been fulfilled in a long time. Her thoughts arc back to deep in the past. A dancing memory she'd need to draw again. One that had played a thousand times, and made her blush deepen. Vivienne begins to quietly hum a tune, bringing Donny back to the moment. The Musechild listens, her instincts rising. Rather than hum along she closes her eyes, and opens her mouth, relaxing her muscles. Donny begins to sing, wordless notes in harmony with Vivienne's pictured melody. Her voice falls across Vivienne's ears like the drip of warm honey, intonation, and character rich with texture that even the most experienced of singers would envy. Every growl, every run, every rising belt stimulating something instinctual in Vivienne's mind, a creative itch begging to be fulfilled. The Musechild's voice is both perfect and yet not perfect, every note, every rise and fall feels human in a way that //perfection// never could. Yet the technique and the control are flawless. Donny does not overshadow Vivienne, no if anything Vivienne finds her voice amplified, her melody dancing intimately with the Musechild's own exquisite song. It carries down the halls, filling the entire space, echoing off the walls, crawling its way through the Pseudogenesis House. In one room, Solomon begins to rhythmically tap a pencil, the proposal for his play finally falling into place as he is struck with inspiration. Duplo pauses in another room. The melody flows in, and they follow it, shaping the room following the will of the verse. They are, for the first time in a long time, enjoying what they do. Stephanie watches from the shadows of the hallway, staring as the two lost souls intertwine in song, a vision for the future solidifying in her mind. //How do they keep hurting so many? I can't keep standing by idly, it's time for them to hide.// She smiles. //Donny will see her mother soon. I know it.// [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=false \| last=false \| hub=yes \| previous-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-7238\| previous-title=SCP-7238 \| next-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dissonance\| next-title=Dissonance \| hub-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/eventyr-hub\| hub-title=Eventyr Hub ]] [[footnoteblock]] [[=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] ===== > Filename: Donny.jpeg > Author: Kathy S. > License: CC-3.0-BY-SA > Source Link: image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Donny.jpeg > Additional Notes: Image will be updated as it is completed > Filename: Donny and Sile.png > Author: [[user Butterfly213]] > License:* CC-3.0-BY-SA > Source Link: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Donny%20and%20Sile%202.png > Additional Notes: Image will be updated as it is completed > Filename: Convent_above_Zacetecas_La_Bufa_EDIT.jpg > Author: Unknown Artist > License: Public Domain > Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Convent_above_Zacetecas_La_Bufa_(215bcefd-c6d9-4322-90a5-688e94752c44).jpg > Additional Notes: Image was cropped and digitally modified by [[*user Queerious]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]] [[/=]]	2024-09-19T14:09:00	[ "bittersweet", "co-authored", "eventyr", "historical", "illustrated", "lgbtq", "mythological", "orcadia", "pseudogenesis", "romance", "tale", "the-critic" ]	Recomposition - SCP Foundation	23	[ "dr-bleeps-author-page", "queerious", "recomposition#toc0", "recomposition#toc1", "recomposition#toc2", "recomposition#toc3", "recomposition#toc4", "recomposition#toc5", "recomposition#toc6", "recomposition#toc7", "recomposition#toc8", "recomposition#toc9", "recomposition#toc10", "recomposition#toc11", "recomposition#toc12", "recomposition#toc13", "recomposition#toc14", "recomposition#toc15", "recomposition#toc16", "recomposition#toc17", "recomposition#toc18", "recomposition#toc19", "recomposition#toc20", "recomposition#toc21", "recomposition#toc22", "recomposition#toc23", "recomposition#toc24", "scp-7238", "eventyr-hub", "dissonance", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "seas-of-orcadia-hub", "pseudogenesis-productions-hub" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Donny%20and%20Sile%202.png" ]	1456831779	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/recomposition
redsun1	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-true earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="{$previous-title}"> <p><a class="newpage" href="/previous-url">{$previous-title}</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="Red Sun Reunion Series"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/gayboydove-s-author-page">Red Sun Reunion Series</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Broken Dagger Under a Bleeding Sun"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/redsun2">Broken Dagger Under a Bleeding Sun</a></p> </div> </div> <p>My name is Atlas Keyestone. I have been alive for one hundred thousand and forty two years.<br/> And there isn't a bone in my body that doesn't wish I could die.</p> <p>I suppose I can, actually. The problem is that every time I do, I wake back up on my first day working for the foundation. Fifty thousand eight hundred and ninety six years ago, I met someone just like me. Kyle Hill. And I loved him. Everything about him. And he loved me too. One thousand, eight hundred and four years ago, I lost him.</p> <p>I woke up, and went to meet him in Site-19's greenhouse. We always met there. Every new life. But as I stepped towards the door, the sun streaming in through the glass behind him changed. It broke. In front of my eyes, the only person who I truly loved anymore melted into wax.</p> <p>He had died in front of me before. The next day, I killed myself. But when I went to the greenhouse that morning, he wasn't there. He was never there again. The sun took him from me.</p> <p>In the expanse of the Mojave desert, there's a <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-1437">hole.</a> Anything that goes through it goes to another world. I figure that if I throw myself into it enough times, that one day I'll get back to the world with the broken sun.</p> <p>For nine hundred and sixty seven years I have done nothing but try. The first few times, I died in the process. But my body adapted. Now, after almost a millennia, I have it down to routine. In front of me, my supplies are spread out. I double check that everything is there.</p> <p>My cigarettes, lighter, rifle, and ammunition sit besides my duffle bag. Also there are several items of a more sentimental value. My duffel bag is torn, with patchwork sewing to fix more major holes. The duffel bag is the only thing that follows me through lives. I don't know why. I don't know why any of this happens.</p> <p>Maybe it's a cruel joke. Maybe it's some divine punishment. Maybe I'm just really damn unlucky. I pack the stuff into my bags, and don the almost seven layers of clothes I bring with me each and every time. I grab my rifle. A Winchester model 1866 lever-action. I bought it eighty thousand, nine hundred years ago.</p> <p>As my car approaches the perimeter fence, I pull up alongside the gate guard. As I roll down the window on my 2010 Toyota Tacoma, I see the fear in his eyes. My trigger finger is quick. Perfected after years and years of the same routine. The round is fast. .44 caliber. It explodes through his skull, sending a pink mist spraying behind him. I have about two minutes before the three other guards in the barracks arm up and respond. The one in the watchtower is already firing shots at my truck.</p> <p>I hop out, moving behind a concrete barrier. After thirty shots, he crouches down to reload. I take the opportunity to aim my rifle. When he pops up, I fire. The round travels through his chest, puncturing a lung. I pull a Keycard out of my wallet, one of a dozen that I have on my person. None of them mine. I swipe it through the reader on the gate. It pings, and the gate slides open.</p> <p>I trudge through, seeing the hole before me. Open and wide like some dreadful maw in the earth. Ready to swallow me whole once again. Without thinking twice, I step inside, and fall.<br/> fall<br/> fall<br/> fall<br/> fall<br/> fall<br/> fall<br/> fall<br/> fall</p> <p>And then I land. And the sun is red.</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/redsun1">Fifty thousand, eight hundred and ninety six.</a>" by Gayboydove, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/redsun1">https://scpwiki.com/redsun1</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=true \| last=false \| hub=yes \| previous-url= \| previous-title= \| next-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/redsun2\| next-title=Broken Dagger Under a Bleeding Sun \| hub-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/gayboydove-s-author-page \| hub-title=Red Sun Reunion Series ]] My name is Atlas Keyestone. I have been alive for one hundred thousand and forty two years. And there isn't a bone in my body that doesn't wish I could die. I suppose I can, actually. The problem is that every time I do, I wake back up on my first day working for the foundation. Fifty thousand eight hundred and ninety six years ago, I met someone just like me. Kyle Hill. And I loved him. Everything about him. And he loved me too. One thousand, eight hundred and four years ago, I lost him. I woke up, and went to meet him in Site-19's greenhouse. We always met there. Every new life. But as I stepped towards the door, the sun streaming in through the glass behind him changed. It broke. In front of my eyes, the only person who I truly loved anymore melted into wax. He had died in front of me before. The next day, I killed myself. But when I went to the greenhouse that morning, he wasn't there. He was never there again. The sun took him from me. In the expanse of the Mojave desert, there's a [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-1437 hole.] Anything that goes through it goes to another world. I figure that if I throw myself into it enough times, that one day I'll get back to the world with the broken sun. For nine hundred and sixty seven years I have done nothing but try. The first few times, I died in the process. But my body adapted. Now, after almost a millennia, I have it down to routine. In front of me, my supplies are spread out. I double check that everything is there. My cigarettes, lighter, rifle, and ammunition sit besides my duffle bag. Also there are several items of a more sentimental value. My duffel bag is torn, with patchwork sewing to fix more major holes. The duffel bag is the only thing that follows me through lives. I don't know why. I don't know why any of this happens. Maybe it's a cruel joke. Maybe it's some divine punishment. Maybe I'm just really damn unlucky. I pack the stuff into my bags, and don the almost seven layers of clothes I bring with me each and every time. I grab my rifle. A Winchester model 1866 lever-action. I bought it eighty thousand, nine hundred years ago. As my car approaches the perimeter fence, I pull up alongside the gate guard. As I roll down the window on my 2010 Toyota Tacoma, I see the fear in his eyes. My trigger finger is quick. Perfected after years and years of the same routine. The round is fast. .44 caliber. It explodes through his skull, sending a pink mist spraying behind him. I have about two minutes before the three other guards in the barracks arm up and respond. The one in the watchtower is already firing shots at my truck. I hop out, moving behind a concrete barrier. After thirty shots, he crouches down to reload. I take the opportunity to aim my rifle. When he pops up, I fire. The round travels through his chest, puncturing a lung. I pull a Keycard out of my wallet, one of a dozen that I have on my person. None of them mine. I swipe it through the reader on the gate. It pings, and the gate slides open. I trudge through, seeing the hole before me. Open and wide like some dreadful maw in the earth. Ready to swallow me whole once again. Without thinking twice, I step inside, and fall. fall fall fall fall fall fall fall fall And then I land. And the sun is red. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-07-20T13:54:00	[ "_licensebox", "bleak", "daybreak", "otherworldly", "romance", "tale" ]	Fifty thousand, eight hundred and ninety six. - SCP Foundation	4	[ "previous-url", "gayboydove-s-author-page", "redsun2", "scp-1437", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[]	[]	1455928629	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/redsun1
redsun2	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Apenumbra/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="Fifty thousand, eight hundred and ninety six."> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/redsun1">Fifty thousand, eight hundred and ninety six.</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="Red Sun Reunion Series"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/gayboydove-s-author-page">Red Sun Reunion Series</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="The Long Road Ahead"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/redsun3">The Long Road Ahead</a></p> </div> </div> <p>Atlas felt the rushing of wind around him as he plunged himself into the hole. This was his 43rd try. His 43rd attempt to get back to the world where the day broke. Atlas adjusted his goggles, and tightened his face wrapping. He stood up, patting dust from his Carhartt. And looked up. The sun sat suspended over the Mojave. And it was red. This was it. He had made it. Atlas loaded his rifle, and checked his map. SCP-1437 was almost 1,500 miles from Site-19. Atlas had a lot of walking to do. Clenching a cigarette between his lips through his wrappings, Atlas lit it and took a long drag. He had one shot at this. If he died, he'd have to get back here again, which would mean throwing himself into the hole again and again. If the sun got him, he'd end up like Kyle. Forever. Atlas wasted no time, and started walking east towards the Interstate, his back to the sun.</p> <hr/> <p>It wasn't long before Atlas encountered his first obstacle. Weaving his way in between cars on the highway, Atlas felt a hand fly out from under a car, grabbing his leg. He fired his rifle down at it, hitting the mass in the wrist, though it showed no sign of stopping. It was trying to pry off his coverings, but the almost seven layers he wore gave him time. Thinking fast, Atlas grabbed the can of hairspray from his side and held the lighter in front of it. The creature recoiled from the searing flames, letting go of Atlas' leg. Cursing his luck, Atlas took this opportunity and ran. Several dozen more figures lifted themselves from under their cars, and began chasing him. Atlas was fast, but not fast enough. If he didn't do something, they were going to catch up to him. He lifted a bottle from a pocket on his bag, lit a towel hanging out of it and threw it on the ground behind him. The cocktail ignited, and three of the masses of flesh let out horrifying shrieks as they caught on fire. But there were still plenty chasing him. Atlas stopped in his tracks, turning around to face his pursuers. The twisting faces shouted promises of bliss at him. He ignored them. Pulling down the action of his rifle, Atlas fired two shots, blowing apart the "legs" of one of the creatures. It fell to the ground, already pulling itself back together. He did the same to another, then another.</p> <p><strong>"Atlas… Atlas, baby. C'mon, its so beautiful. The sun is so warm"</strong></p> <p>His breath caught in his throat. A weak croak escaped his lips.</p> <p><strong>"Kyle?"</strong></p> <p>He hesitated. He hadn't heard that voice. HIS voice, in so long. Thousands of years. A clump of flesh slammed into his back, knocking him onto the pavement. Soon, they were all over him. He raised the can of hairspray, immolating the twisting face of one of his attackers, but it was too late.</p> <p><strong>"SHIT SHIT SHIT!"</strong></p> <p>He shouted, turning his face away from the grasping tendrils where he could. But he was running out of time. Right before the last layer covering his hand could be peeled away, the unmistakable crack of a rifle burst rang out. Within seconds, the entire mass surrounding him had peeled apart, now on fire. Atlas clutched his bag and rifle, being pulled by his collar towards a nearby van. Without question he hopped into the back, and soon the van was speeding away.</p> <p>There were three other people in the van with him. Two men, and a third person who seemed to have a more feminine frame. They were clearly GOC, as the two in the back with him were wearing full white suits, and the driver was clad in a red suit. Atlas sat in silence for a while, loading up his rifle as the two men inspected him. Eventually, one of them spoke.</p> <p><strong>"The hell were you doing just walking along the interstate? The place is a death trap."</strong></p> <p>Atlas sighed, taking a swig from his water bottle. Effective as it may be, the strategy of bundling up left him very warm in the desert air.</p> <p><strong>"I'm not from around here. Are you guys UN?"</strong></p> <p>As usual, the answer from his savior was instant.</p> <p><strong>"Yeah. Strike team 1102. Broken dagger."</strong></p> <p>The other man turned to the first, and punched the arm of his suit.</p> <p><strong>"Hey, good going Arsegike. Might as well tell him your social security too."</strong></p> <p><strong>"Wait- I didn't mean to tell them that. I swear- the words just came out."</strong></p> <p>Atlas figured he'd drop the ruse now. Explaining to the two.</p> <p><strong>"I have this thing. I ask questions, people give the true answer. Never fails. I'll try to save it if you want."</strong></p> <p>The two nodded. The one identified as Arsegike looked Atlas up and down.</p> <p><strong>"So, who the hell are you. Foundie?"</strong></p> <p>Atlas nodded.</p> <p><strong>"Atlas Keyestone, Ethics Committee Liaison."</strong></p> <p>Finally making a sound, the driver chuckled.</p> <p><strong>Ethics? Christ, how the hell did you survive this long?"</strong></p> <p>Atlas figured he'd have nothing to lose by telling them the truth. He carefully explained his situation, quelling doubts about his story's validity with several classified details about the GOC no Ethics Liaison would know. A few hours of driving later, the four survivors crossed into Utah. The other white suit eventually revealed himself to be named Jackal, while the woman was identified as their team leader, Fox.</p> <p><strong>"Where's the rest of your team?"</strong></p> <p>Atlas asked. An awkward silence followed. Arsegike replied soon however.</p> <p><strong>"Sun got 'em. Thought you were done with the questions, asshat."</strong></p> <p>Atlas apologized, realizing the invasiveness of what he had asked.</p> <p><strong>"Mind telling me where we're heading?"</strong></p> <p>He tried to change the subject. Fox took pity on him, and informed him they were headed to a base in Cedar City. Apparently the remnants of the GOC in America were planning on relocating to a rendezvous in Nunavut. Away from the more mobile infected.</p> <p><strong>"I'm heading to Site-19, up near Green Bay. Think I can ride with you on the way?"</strong></p> <p>Fox took a minute to answer.</p> <p><strong>"Sure. We can use all the help we can get. Your marksmanship is good enough, I guess we can issue you a red suit if command signs off. Why are you headed to Site-19 anyways?"</strong></p> <p>Atlas lit a cigarette.</p> <p><strong>"I'm looking for my boyfriend."</strong></p> <p>Everyone understood. Nobody was going to try to dissuade him. After a few minutes, Fox spoke up again.</p> <p><strong>"Well Atlas, welcome to Broken Dagger. Pleasure to meet you."</strong></p> <hr/> <p>The next three weeks were hard. Yes, Atlas was all too familiar with how to control a rifle, making marksmanship training easy. Sure, seeing an orange suit blow apart a school bus sized mass of writhing sludge was fucking awesome. But learning the ins and outs of a red suit, almost blinding himself with blue bullets, and needing to clean said orange suit were not fun endeavors. During his first day at Cedar City, Atlas met the others. In total, there were about 30 personnel. The three members of Broken Dagger (four now, counting him), the operator of the orange suit- Clam, the five members of divisional command, three civilian survivors, Americas PSYCHE Ambassador- Mark Kennedy (no relation), several other members of assorted strike and assessment teams, and most interestingly- five members of MTF-Epsilon-6.</p> <p>Atlas was pleasantly surprised to see the Village Idiots, and absolutely overjoyed to find out who was leading them- Captain <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8150">Hayet Rios.</a> Hayet was an old friend of Atlas' late father, Lieutenant Barry Keyestone of MTF-Rho-10. It was Hayet who Atlas asked where his father worked at his funeral, and who was forced to tell the young man about the foundation. It was Hayet who got Atlas his job, served as his guide to foundation life, and had saved his life on multiple occasions through his thousands of lives.</p> <p><strong>"HEY! HAYET! HAYET RIOS?!"</strong></p> <p>Atlas called out to the man, running towards him for a hug. The captain accepted generously, patting the back of Atlas' red suit.</p> <p><strong>"I'll be… if it isn't little Atlas Keyestone. Small world, huh? I had a feeling you made it. You always were the capable type."</strong></p> <p>Though as Atlas rejoiced in this warm reunion, his mind quickly brought him back to Kyle. Soon, short choking sobs crawled up his throat, and he hugged Hayet ever tighter.</p> <p><strong>"Hey- hey, buddy. What's wrong?"</strong></p> <p>The fatherly concern in Rios' voice was exactly what Atlas needed.</p> <p><strong>"Kyle. He- they got him. Back at 19."</strong></p> <p>Hayet cursed under his breath. Without a word, he consoled Atlas for the next few minutes, before duty called and he had to get back to work. Now alone in this camp of survivors, Atlas took to exploring.</p> <p>Camp Cedar was small. The administrative building was a repurposed Domino's and the Barracks was a Best Western hotel. The two structures were secured by a perimeter of roadblocks, landmines, wrecked vehicles and walls of trash. The only thing that separated it from the ruined city as a whole was the flag of the UNGOC hanging high above the forsaken pizzeria. The city was "90% clear" according to the others, so Atlas felt comfortable enough taking a patrol outside the walls. On his way around, he came across a church. Feeling nostalgia for the days when he was young, spry, and believed in god- Atlas stepped in. The sight he found was disturbing. The pews were turned upside down or splintered. Tattered pages from the good book formed a carpet in the nave. The charred skeleton of the pastor was slumped over the equally burnt pulpit. Behind him, a stained glass window displaying Jesus on the cross hung. Where the son of god once was, however- the glass was broken. Staring down at Atlas from the center of the cross was the blood red sun.</p> <hr/> <p>Atlas woke up in the hotel's stranded elevator. The only area outside of the cramped bunks in the basement which had no sunlight to leak in. Since the bunks were usually crowded, people used the elevator for hookups, alone time, or in Atlas' case- drinking, smoking, self-stimulation, and a nap. He checked his watch, and with some alarm, realized he was about five minutes late to a meeting in the Domino's. Standing up and quickly resealing his red suit, Atlas pried the doors back open and dashed out, the clatter of his now empty whiskey bottle soon followed by his rushed footsteps.</p> <p>Atlas dashed into the dining area, and quickly took a seat with the rest of Broken Dagger.</p> <p><strong>"Hey Polygraph. Nice of you to join us."</strong></p> <p>Arsegike teased. They had started calling Atlas Polygraph, due to his anomalous abilities. He didn't mind the name. The base commander, Lance O'Riley, clapped to get everyone's attention, and then started speaking in his usual professional manner.</p> <p><strong>"Alright everyone, this is it. Transports will be arriving from FOB Fullerton in two hours. You'll start the trip by night, sticking to non-forested areas where possible. Rest spots have been designated along the journey. Clam will be taking the lead in her orange suit, followed by Epsilon-6, the civilians, Jamie's team, Marcus' team, and then Broken Dagger in the rear. Any questions?"</strong></p> <p>Immediately, Fox spoke up.</p> <p><strong>"Yes, sir. You didn't mention yourself in the convoy. Are you staying behind?"</strong></p> <p>Lance chuckled, and shook his head.</p> <p><strong>"God no. Me and the rest of higher staff, as well as Mr. Kennedy will be picked up via Helicopter in about 30 minutes. From then until you reach Fullerton, you're in command."</strong></p> <p>Fox sighed, and nodded. Typical. After a few more minutes of boring protocol conversation, it was time to begin packing up.</p> <hr/> <p>Atlas hopped out of the Humvee, dashing over to help Jackal. The convoy had been ambushed after about 3 hours of driving. A half-melted tree picked up the car in front of Atlas' and poured the people inside onto the roof of the nearby forest. Within seconds, the four people inside were turned. Atlas switched the safety off on his rifle, checked the blue bullets, and took aim. One of the -A instances was on top of Jackal. With a pull of the trigger, the blue streak flew out of his rifle and turned his comrade's attacker into a flaming slab. Nearby, Clam had pounded one of them into the pavement, and practically evaporated it with her arm-mounted weapons. Everyone was preoccupied, so Atlas decided to busy himself. Switching to full auto, he raked an oncoming wall of flesh to the south with an entire magazine of blue rounds. Once he stopped firing, the mass was burning and shrieking as it retreated further down the road, and the barrel of his rifle was glowing bright red from the heat. He quickly ejected his spent magazine and inserted another, pulling back the bolt. Next to him, Arsegike was torching the ditch alongside the road with his flamethrower, cackling with satisfaction. A shout from Fox took Atlas out of the haze of battle.</p> <p><strong>"POLY! LAY CHARGES ALONG THE BACK OF THE CONVOY! WE'RE HEADED OUT!"</strong></p> <p>Wasting no time, Atlas dashed behind the Van, and started planting incendiary charges in a grid. Once they were all set, he started heading into the waiting van. And then he heard it again.</p> <p><strong>"Atlas… I miss you. It's so beautiful here. Almost as much as you. Come with me baby."</strong></p> <p>The mere presence of Kyle's voice drove Atlas into a rage. He spun around, and with a furious scream began to unload the precious bullets into the quickly approaching horde. A few seconds later, Jackal had grabbed Atlas' arm and thrown him into the back of the van. Without prompting, he blew the charges and the convoy sped off.</p> <p><strong>"The fuck happened back there Poly?"</strong></p> <p>Fox was the first to probe him. Atlas immediately felt guilty. He had put the entire group in danger.<br/> <strong>"My- I uh… They took his voice."</strong></p> <p>Jackal patted his shoulder.</p> <p><strong>"Yeah, I'm sorry mate. Happens pretty often. They try to get to you. Convince you to join them."</strong><br/> Atlas buried his helmet in his hands.</p> <p><strong>"Where uh- how far along are we?"</strong></p> <p>Fox checked the map.</p> <p><strong>"Got about 3 days until your stopping point. Why don't you guys get some rest. We won't be taking a break for a while."</strong></p> <p>With his team leader's urging, Atlas tried to rest. Soon enough, he had fallen into a shallow, uneasy sleep.</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/redsun2">Broken Dagger Under a Bleeding Sun</a>" by Gayboydove, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/redsun2">https://scpwiki.com/redsun2</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="/theme:penumbra">theme:penumbra</a>]] [[module css]] :root{ --accentColor:#ff5512; --header-title:"DAYBREAK"; --header-subtitle:"SOL'S CRUEL PLANET"; --lgurl:url("https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/daybreak/daybreaklogo.png") } .line{ border-top:2px solid #777;border-bottom:1px solid #777;padding:.5px } .footnotes-footer{display:none} [[/module]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=false \| last=false \| hub=yes \| previous-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/redsun1 \| previous-title=Fifty thousand, eight hundred and ninety six. \| next-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/redsun3 \| next-title=The Long Road Ahead \| hub-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/gayboydove-s-author-page \| hub-title=Red Sun Reunion Series ]] Atlas felt the rushing of wind around him as he plunged himself into the hole. This was his 43rd try. His 43rd attempt to get back to the world where the day broke. Atlas adjusted his goggles, and tightened his face wrapping. He stood up, patting dust from his Carhartt. And looked up. The sun sat suspended over the Mojave. And it was red. This was it. He had made it. Atlas loaded his rifle, and checked his map. SCP-1437 was almost 1,500 miles from Site-19. Atlas had a lot of walking to do. Clenching a cigarette between his lips through his wrappings, Atlas lit it and took a long drag. He had one shot at this. If he died, he'd have to get back here again, which would mean throwing himself into the hole again and again. If the sun got him, he'd end up like Kyle. Forever. Atlas wasted no time, and started walking east towards the Interstate, his back to the sun. ----- It wasn't long before Atlas encountered his first obstacle. Weaving his way in between cars on the highway, Atlas felt a hand fly out from under a car, grabbing his leg. He fired his rifle down at it, hitting the mass in the wrist, though it showed no sign of stopping. It was trying to pry off his coverings, but the almost seven layers he wore gave him time. Thinking fast, Atlas grabbed the can of hairspray from his side and held the lighter in front of it. The creature recoiled from the searing flames, letting go of Atlas' leg. Cursing his luck, Atlas took this opportunity and ran. Several dozen more figures lifted themselves from under their cars, and began chasing him. Atlas was fast, but not fast enough. If he didn't do something, they were going to catch up to him. He lifted a bottle from a pocket on his bag, lit a towel hanging out of it and threw it on the ground behind him. The cocktail ignited, and three of the masses of flesh let out horrifying shrieks as they caught on fire. But there were still plenty chasing him. Atlas stopped in his tracks, turning around to face his pursuers. The twisting faces shouted promises of bliss at him. He ignored them. Pulling down the action of his rifle, Atlas fired two shots, blowing apart the "legs" of one of the creatures. It fell to the ground, already pulling itself back together. He did the same to another, then another. "Atlas... Atlas, baby. C'mon, its so beautiful. The sun is so warm" His breath caught in his throat. A weak croak escaped his lips. "Kyle?" He hesitated. He hadn't heard that voice. HIS voice, in so long. Thousands of years. A clump of flesh slammed into his back, knocking him onto the pavement. Soon, they were all over him. He raised the can of hairspray, immolating the twisting face of one of his attackers, but it was too late. "SHIT SHIT SHIT!" He shouted, turning his face away from the grasping tendrils where he could. But he was running out of time. Right before the last layer covering his hand could be peeled away, the unmistakable crack of a rifle burst rang out. Within seconds, the entire mass surrounding him had peeled apart, now on fire. Atlas clutched his bag and rifle, being pulled by his collar towards a nearby van. Without question he hopped into the back, and soon the van was speeding away. There were three other people in the van with him. Two men, and a third person who seemed to have a more feminine frame. They were clearly GOC, as the two in the back with him were wearing full white suits, and the driver was clad in a red suit. Atlas sat in silence for a while, loading up his rifle as the two men inspected him. Eventually, one of them spoke. "The hell were you doing just walking along the interstate? The place is a death trap." Atlas sighed, taking a swig from his water bottle. Effective as it may be, the strategy of bundling up left him very warm in the desert air. "I'm not from around here. Are you guys UN?" As usual, the answer from his savior was instant. "Yeah. Strike team 1102. Broken dagger." The other man turned to the first, and punched the arm of his suit. "Hey, good going Arsegike. Might as well tell him your social security too." "Wait- I didn't mean to tell them that. I swear- the words just came out." Atlas figured he'd drop the ruse now. Explaining to the two. "I have this thing. I ask questions, people give the true answer. Never fails. I'll try to save it if you want." The two nodded. The one identified as Arsegike looked Atlas up and down. "So, who the hell are you. Foundie?" Atlas nodded. "Atlas Keyestone, Ethics Committee Liaison." Finally making a sound, the driver chuckled. Ethics? Christ, how the hell did you survive this long?" Atlas figured he'd have nothing to lose by telling them the truth. He carefully explained his situation, quelling doubts about his story's validity with several classified details about the GOC no Ethics Liaison would know. A few hours of driving later, the four survivors crossed into Utah. The other white suit eventually revealed himself to be named Jackal, while the woman was identified as their team leader, Fox. "Where's the rest of your team?" Atlas asked. An awkward silence followed. Arsegike replied soon however. "Sun got 'em. Thought you were done with the questions, asshat." Atlas apologized, realizing the invasiveness of what he had asked. "Mind telling me where we're heading?" He tried to change the subject. Fox took pity on him, and informed him they were headed to a base in Cedar City. Apparently the remnants of the GOC in America were planning on relocating to a rendezvous in Nunavut. Away from the more mobile infected. "I'm heading to Site-19, up near Green Bay. Think I can ride with you on the way?" Fox took a minute to answer. "Sure. We can use all the help we can get. Your marksmanship is good enough, I guess we can issue you a red suit if command signs off. Why are you headed to Site-19 anyways?" Atlas lit a cigarette. "I'm looking for my boyfriend." Everyone understood. Nobody was going to try to dissuade him. After a few minutes, Fox spoke up again. "Well Atlas, welcome to Broken Dagger. Pleasure to meet you." ----- The next three weeks were hard. Yes, Atlas was all too familiar with how to control a rifle, making marksmanship training easy. Sure, seeing an orange suit blow apart a school bus sized mass of writhing sludge was fucking awesome. But learning the ins and outs of a red suit, almost blinding himself with blue bullets, and needing to clean said orange suit were not fun endeavors. During his first day at Cedar City, Atlas met the others. In total, there were about 30 personnel. The three members of Broken Dagger (four now, counting him), the operator of the orange suit- Clam, the five members of divisional command, three civilian survivors, Americas PSYCHE Ambassador- Mark Kennedy (no relation), several other members of assorted strike and assessment teams, and most interestingly- five members of MTF-Epsilon-6. Atlas was pleasantly surprised to see the Village Idiots, and absolutely overjoyed to find out who was leading them- Captain [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8150 Hayet Rios.] Hayet was an old friend of Atlas' late father, Lieutenant Barry Keyestone of MTF-Rho-10. It was Hayet who Atlas asked where his father worked at his funeral, and who was forced to tell the young man about the foundation. It was Hayet who got Atlas his job, served as his guide to foundation life, and had saved his life on multiple occasions through his thousands of lives. "HEY! HAYET! HAYET RIOS?!" Atlas called out to the man, running towards him for a hug. The captain accepted generously, patting the back of Atlas' red suit. "I'll be... if it isn't little Atlas Keyestone. Small world, huh? I had a feeling you made it. You always were the capable type." Though as Atlas rejoiced in this warm reunion, his mind quickly brought him back to Kyle. Soon, short choking sobs crawled up his throat, and he hugged Hayet ever tighter. "Hey- hey, buddy. What's wrong?" The fatherly concern in Rios' voice was exactly what Atlas needed. "Kyle. He- they got him. Back at 19." Hayet cursed under his breath. Without a word, he consoled Atlas for the next few minutes, before duty called and he had to get back to work. Now alone in this camp of survivors, Atlas took to exploring. Camp Cedar was small. The administrative building was a repurposed Domino's and the Barracks was a Best Western hotel. The two structures were secured by a perimeter of roadblocks, landmines, wrecked vehicles and walls of trash. The only thing that separated it from the ruined city as a whole was the flag of the UNGOC hanging high above the forsaken pizzeria. The city was "90% clear" according to the others, so Atlas felt comfortable enough taking a patrol outside the walls. On his way around, he came across a church. Feeling nostalgia for the days when he was young, spry, and believed in god- Atlas stepped in. The sight he found was disturbing. The pews were turned upside down or splintered. Tattered pages from the good book formed a carpet in the nave. The charred skeleton of the pastor was slumped over the equally burnt pulpit. Behind him, a stained glass window displaying Jesus on the cross hung. Where the son of god once was, however- the glass was broken. Staring down at Atlas from the center of the cross was the blood red sun. ----- Atlas woke up in the hotel's stranded elevator. The only area outside of the cramped bunks in the basement which had no sunlight to leak in. Since the bunks were usually crowded, people used the elevator for hookups, alone time, or in Atlas' case- drinking, smoking, self-stimulation, and a nap. He checked his watch, and with some alarm, realized he was about five minutes late to a meeting in the Domino's. Standing up and quickly resealing his red suit, Atlas pried the doors back open and dashed out, the clatter of his now empty whiskey bottle soon followed by his rushed footsteps. Atlas dashed into the dining area, and quickly took a seat with the rest of Broken Dagger. "Hey Polygraph. Nice of you to join us." Arsegike teased. They had started calling Atlas Polygraph, due to his anomalous abilities. He didn't mind the name. The base commander, Lance O'Riley, clapped to get everyone's attention, and then started speaking in his usual professional manner. "Alright everyone, this is it. Transports will be arriving from FOB Fullerton in two hours. You'll start the trip by night, sticking to non-forested areas where possible. Rest spots have been designated along the journey. Clam will be taking the lead in her orange suit, followed by Epsilon-6, the civilians, Jamie's team, Marcus' team, and then Broken Dagger in the rear. Any questions?" Immediately, Fox spoke up. "Yes, sir. You didn't mention yourself in the convoy. Are you staying behind?" Lance chuckled, and shook his head. "God no. Me and the rest of higher staff, as well as Mr. Kennedy will be picked up via Helicopter in about 30 minutes. From then until you reach Fullerton, you're in command." Fox sighed, and nodded. Typical. After a few more minutes of boring protocol conversation, it was time to begin packing up. ----- Atlas hopped out of the Humvee, dashing over to help Jackal. The convoy had been ambushed after about 3 hours of driving. A half-melted tree picked up the car in front of Atlas' and poured the people inside onto the roof of the nearby forest. Within seconds, the four people inside were turned. Atlas switched the safety off on his rifle, checked the blue bullets, and took aim. One of the -A instances was on top of Jackal. With a pull of the trigger, the blue streak flew out of his rifle and turned his comrade's attacker into a flaming slab. Nearby, Clam had pounded one of them into the pavement, and practically evaporated it with her arm-mounted weapons. Everyone was preoccupied, so Atlas decided to busy himself. Switching to full auto, he raked an oncoming wall of flesh to the south with an entire magazine of blue rounds. Once he stopped firing, the mass was burning and shrieking as it retreated further down the road, and the barrel of his rifle was glowing bright red from the heat. He quickly ejected his spent magazine and inserted another, pulling back the bolt. Next to him, Arsegike was torching the ditch alongside the road with his flamethrower, cackling with satisfaction. A shout from Fox took Atlas out of the haze of battle. "POLY! LAY CHARGES ALONG THE BACK OF THE CONVOY! WE'RE HEADED OUT!" Wasting no time, Atlas dashed behind the Van, and started planting incendiary charges in a grid. Once they were all set, he started heading into the waiting van. And then he heard it again. "Atlas... I miss you. It's so beautiful here. Almost as much as you. Come with me baby." The mere presence of Kyle's voice drove Atlas into a rage. He spun around, and with a furious scream began to unload the precious bullets into the quickly approaching horde. A few seconds later, Jackal had grabbed Atlas' arm and thrown him into the back of the van. Without prompting, he blew the charges and the convoy sped off. "The fuck happened back there Poly?" Fox was the first to probe him. Atlas immediately felt guilty. He had put the entire group in danger. "My- I uh... They took his voice." Jackal patted his shoulder. "Yeah, I'm sorry mate. Happens pretty often. They try to get to you. Convince you to join them." Atlas buried his helmet in his hands. "Where uh- how far along are we?" Fox checked the map. "Got about 3 days until your stopping point. Why don't you guys get some rest. We won't be taking a break for a while." With his team leader's urging, Atlas tried to rest. Soon enough, he had fallen into a shallow, uneasy sleep. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-04-19T15:31:00	[ "_licensebox", "bittersweet", "post-apocalyptic", "tale" ]	Broken Dagger Under a Bleeding Sun - SCP Foundation	6	[ "redsun1", "gayboydove-s-author-page", "redsun3", "scp-8150", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[]	[]	1453395727	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/redsun2
redsun3	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Apenumbra/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-true earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="Broken Dagger Under a Bleeding Sun"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/redsun2">Broken Dagger Under a Bleeding Sun</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="Red Sun Reunion Series"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/gayboydove-s-author-page">Red Sun Reunion Series</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="{$next-title}"> <p><a class="newpage" href="/next-url">{$next-title}</a></p> </div> </div> <p>Atlas woke up with a start. A figure had been stalking him in his dreams. Like a distortion of space in the shape of a person. No matter where he went- he could see it watching. With some relief, he found himself in the back of the van with the rest of Broken Dagger. After some consulting with the others, he found out they were taking a detour to Fort Carson, right outside of Colorado Springs. An Army unit had been broadcasting support requests from there as recent as last week.</p> <p>"Now, we do have a slight problem."</p> <p>Fox admitted. The visor of her red suit clouding with her breath.</p> <p>"We don't know what we're getting into here. Not only have they stopped broadcasting, but the area around the base is pretty heavily wooded. Convoy command is sending us up first, as a scouting party. We'll be there in about 30 minutes, so load your blue rounds, check your seals, and get ready to move."</p> <hr/> <p>The rest of the trip was agonizingly slow. While the prospect of investigating a military base that more than likely was completely overrun seemed foolish, Atlas understood. They couldn't just leave the survivors to die if they hadn't already. As the convoy ground to a halt in a rocky patch of road, away from <em>them</em>, Atlas found himself dreading the thought of further combat. Nonetheless, he and his team disembarked and began walking towards a hill that overlooked the base.</p> <p>"So, Polygraph. This boyfriend, you sure he's alive? Site-19's supposed to be compromised."</p> <p>Atlas wasn't sure what to say in response to Arsegike's question. He couldn't just tell them that he was chasing a corpse.</p> <p>"I don't know."</p> <p>His brisk, cold response was enough for the man. The rest of the walk towards the hill was silent, and extremely uneasy. Thankfully, no trouble befell the group on their way to the base.</p> <p>"Poly. You're up first. Jackal, keep watch until we're all up."</p> <p>Following fox's orders, Atlas begins scaling the steep incline. His heart beating louder with apprehension with every step. As he stood upon the top of the hill, his heart dropped. A mutter escaped his lips.</p> <p>"For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable."</p> <p>Fox was soon at his side. She too fell silent at the sight. The base's watchtowers had crumbled into deep sinkholes. The eastern side was a charred wreck, the result of a clearly recent fire. In the trees around the base, several helicopters lay suspended, their broken wrecks tangled in the malignant tendrils of what used to be trees. As Arsegike mounted the hill, and the clamber of Jackal's ascent followed, a deafening series of cracks came out from the base. Gunshots. Without a second thought, Fox and Arsegike skidded down the hill towards the base. Atlas followed, with Jackal right behind him.</p> <p>The scene at Fort Carson was no better up close. The team made their way through a breach in the fence, entering the fort proper. Another helicopter was buried halfway into a nearby building, a large mass of infected pulling it apart to get out and towards the newcomers. Even with their blue rounds ripping through the horde, Broken Dagger was still quickly overwhelmed. As Atlas dispatched the nearest blob, he heard a shout from an unfamiliar voice.</p> <p>"US ARMY! FRIENDLIES COMING OUT!"</p> <p>Four soldiers dashed out of the building that had been half collapsed by the helicopter. As they did, the one in the rear pressed down on a detonator. A loud boom rang out and flames burst out from every window in the building. The unmistakable screech of the melted people inside indicated that they were likely engaged with the men in the building. The soldiers provided a good boost to the fighting power of the team, though within seconds of joining the fight, the man with the detonator was caught off guard by his assailants. A horrified scream signalled the removal of his glove. The cancerous wax crawled up his arm before disappearing under his coat. Without hesitation, Fox loaded her underbarrel grenade launcher, firing it and practically vaporizing the poor man. Atlas tried his best to keep up, quickly expending three full magazines. As one of them dashed up on his left, he instinctively went to kick it. Atlas' foot sank into the mass. He could swear he saw what passed for the thing's mouth twist into a wicked smile.</p> <p>"FUCK FUCK- SUPPORT! IT'S GOT MY LEG!"</p> <p>Atlas' frightened cries drew the attention of Arsegike, who unleashed the rest of his magazine at Atlas' attacker. The entire top half of the being flew apart, freeing Atlas' foot. He finished it off, before turning to thank his savior.</p> <p>When Atlas' eyes met Arsegike's, it took him a second to realize what was wrong. Then it hit him. He could <em>see</em> the man's eye. One of the endless forms of wax was latched onto the man's back. The armor panel covering the left side of his face had been pried off. Arsegike's one visible eye stared at Atlas' face with a look of pure terror. His head caved in, melting into itself with a sickening squelch. His body fell limp, with his killer still pulling pieces of armor off the body with fervor.</p> <p>Atlas had seen plenty of people die. He had killed several himself. But this man had died not only saving the soldiers, but Atlas as well. The liquid of Arsegike's body flowed out of the hole in his helmet, coalescing with that of the one which killed him. The being began shuffling towards Atlas, who again found himself paralyzed by fear.</p> <p>"Atlas, love. Come join me. It's so beautiful here."</p> <p>The way they used Kyle's voice filled Atlas' with enough rage that he managed to put the death of his teammate on the wayside, and instilled in him enough confidence to ask it a simple question.</p> <p>"Where are you, Kyle?"</p> <p>Like clockwork, the shape responded.</p> <p>"You know where, love."</p> <p>Without another word, Atlas turned the poorly formed figure into a smoldering pile of sludge. With his minor burst of grit now passing, Atlas again felt extremely overwhelmed. All around him, the remainder of Broken Dagger and the three soldiers fought hard against the horde. In the middle of the fort's courtyard, Atlas stood dazed.</p> <p>Snapping back to reality, Atlas felt a firm tug at his shoulder. It was Fox.</p> <p>"POLY! POLY WHERE THE FUCK IS ARSEGIKE?"</p> <p>Atlas opened his mouth, yet no words came out. He could only muster enough strength to point at the discarded white suit lying on the ground. Fox sighed.</p> <p>"Shit- shit okay. WE'RE PULLING OUT PEOPLE! GET MOVING!"</p> <hr/> <p>The run back to the convoy was frantic and exhausting. As Atlas shut the van's door behind him, he heard the soldier in the passenger seat speak to fox.</p> <p>"Staff Sergeant Cassidy Harper. Thanks for the help back there. I'm sorry about your friend."</p> <p>Atlas froze at the mention of Arsegike. The man had died to save him. As one of the soldiers in the back with Atlas' went to introduce himself, Atlas screamed.</p> <p>"SHUT UP! SHUT THE FUCK UP!"</p> <p>He ripped off the helmet of his red suit and pitched it at the floor of the van. Atlas clutched his head in his hands, pulling at his sweat-soaked hair. Jackal and the other two survivors stared at him in shock. In the sealed rear of the van, he was afforded safety from the sunlight. So, Atlas tore off the grime-caked face wrappings and slid his glasses back out of his pocket, and onto his face. Pulling his lighter and a cigarette out of his bag, Atlas lit the Marlboro with trembling hands.</p> <p>"Poly- Atlas. It wasn't your f-"</p> <p>"Shut the fuck up Jackal."</p> <p>"Atlas. Calm the fuck down, kid. People die. It isn't your fault."</p> <p>"He died saving ME! I got HIM killed!"</p> <p>Atlas took a drag of the cigarette, coughing lightly.</p> <p>"God, I'm fucking pathetic."</p> <p>He took another long drag of the cigarette, failing to stop sobs from welling up in him. Everyone sat in silence as Atlas smoked and cried.</p> <hr/> <p>Atlas had live thousands of lives. Died thousands of deaths. Yet after all that, he sat in the back of a van traveling through Kansas, unable to forgive himself. The others chatted amongst themselves. Trying to ignore the mess that was their teammate. Atlas wasn't the best under pressure. That much he knew. But this was different.</p> <p>Atlas was asleep. But he didn't know that. The weathered young man walked through a labyrinthine mockery of Site-19's greenhouse. Always stalked by that <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-7738">that shape.</a> Anytime he got too close, he'd hear that grinding sound again. And the sigil on his hand burned with a searing pain that left him a sobbing mess on the floor. Faint words could be heard from underneath the cacophony of crushing metal.</p> <p><strong>"I have seen your burdens. I have felt your burdens."</strong></p> <p>Atlas wanted nothing more than for this to stop. To just wake up in bed with Kyle next to him. He fucking hated this. He'd hated every second of his life since he lost Kyle. But he couldn't wake up. No surprises there, since when could he have anything nice?</p> <p>He found himself falling. Or at least he felt it. That ubiquitous feeling of your stomach dropping. But he was seeing something else. Memories of his past. Possible futures. And then they shifted to things so indescribable. Colors he had never seen before. Senses he never had. The stimulation was so intense that he felt sick.</p> <p>When Atlas woke up, he was in a ditch on the side of the road. The convoy was nowhere to be seen.</p> <hr/> <p>Atlas didn't hold it against them. In his mind, not only had he fallen apart after the fight at Fort Carson, but he had gotten Arsegike killed as well. To their credit, the convoy hadn't just left him out to dry. Besides him were his duffle bag, several magazines of blue rounds, his rifle, a note, a marked map, and enough food and water for the next day or so. First inspecting the map, he noticed with great relief that he had been left near the Iowa-Illinois border. Only 4 or so days of walking away from Site-19. Several safer routes were highlighted to get to the Site. He couldn't help but thank Broken Dagger out loud, despite the fact they were likely nearing the border to Canada by now. They had even left him in his red suit. Stuffing the map into a side pocket of his bag, Atlas picked up the note.</p> <p><em>Atlas. We're really sorry to do this to you. But you just aren't cut out for this. Seeing as how you were getting off for 19 soon regardless, we decided to drop you off with some supplies here. I advise you to take the marked routes, and not travel along the major roads. We made sure to avoid forests when plotting this route, at least where we could. Arsegike didn't die for you to end up a pile of melted wax after all. I just want you to know that what happened at Fort Carson wasn't your fault. Arsegike made a choice to save you. I'm confident that whatever he saw in you will get you to your destination.</em><br/> <em>Best of luck. And godspeed. -Fox</em></p> <p>Atlas folded the note, and placed it into his pocket. Putting the excess supplies into his bag, he slung it around his back before standing up. He had a lot of walking to do. Beginning his trek across the backroads of the midwest, he soon found himself approaching and eventually passing a sign that proudly read "Welcome to Illinois!". Several hours later, and with the blood red sun now approaching day's end, Atlas spotted a small collection of buildings in the distance. His map noted the small township of Argo Fay. Deciding that it would be a nice place to rest for the night, Atlas double checked the condition of his rifle as he continued his sojourn.</p> <p>The town was thankfully empty. Having cleared each building individually before declaring it safe, Atlas finally settled down in the storm cellar of an older house. After devouring one of his MREs, and drinking an entire bottle of water, he locked the cellar door and stripped off his red suit. After completing the surprisingly long task of removing a GOC-Issue bodysuit, he also unwrapped and discarded the adhesive bandages he had been using as a makeshift face cover. Using the rest of his clothes as a cot and blanket, Atlas set his bag down for use as a pillow. Now clad in his boxers and binder, he enjoyed another cigarette before settling in for the night.</p> <hr/> <p>Atlas realized with great dismay that he was back in the mockery of 19's greenhouse. Not waiting for confirmation of his stalker's presence, he dashed through the endless gardens for as long as he could. Though as always happened, he eventually grew tired and stopped. Within moments, the figure was upon him again. Once more, the searing pain in his hand and immensely loud noise of the entity had him doubled over in agony. And once again, he heard the creatures faint words under the chorus of grinding rock.</p> <p>"I have seen you cast yourself into the fire. I have felt the flames."</p> <p>And with the entity's words, he was back in that smothering realm. Every sensation he'd ever had was flooding over him at once. Memories flashed first. His first kiss, his stolen virginity, he and his father's last hunting trip. And again, unintelligible glimpses of the future. Burning flesh casting smoke in a glass room. The desecrated remains of Site-19. And then, for the first time, something clear. Atlas was stood in an endless white void. Kyle was there with him. Two thresholds were in front of them. Atlas didn't have time to ponder this scene's meaning however, as mere seconds later he was ripped back out of sleep in the old cellar.</p> <hr/> <p>After a further 2 hours of walking, Atlas' legs ached with gentle yet ever present protest. Ignoring the exhaustion that was slowly building within him, Atlas continued along the back roads of Illinois. Although Fox had plotted a route that missed most of the woodlands, he noticed a sunken treeline off in the distance, realizing with some dismay that his route brought him through it. A while later as he approached the edge of the treeline, he double-checked his armaments.</p> <p>Atlas had the M4 the GOC had given him, five magazines of blue rounds, two white phosphorus grenades, and his hairspray and lighter. Making sure the grenades were easily accessible, he began his walk through the melted forest. It wasn't long before one of the trees bent down with a squelch, attempting to wrap its tentacle-like branches around him. A short burst of fire blew these branches apart. Though as he fired, it seemed the entire forest woke up around him. Shrieks of dozens of converted animals rang out from around the forest. Taking this as a sign he wasn't welcome, or perhaps too much so, Atlas began moving at a full sprint in order to get through the forest.</p> <p>His heart beat fast in his chest. Ahead of him he could see the end of the treeline. Much too far for his liking. As he continued dashing, several figures burst out of the treeline on either side. Atlas skidded to a halt, raising his rifle and firing four shots at the closest figure. The first two bullets whizz past, impacting in a melted tree and setting it ablaze. The second two impact, hitting what seemed to have been a deer in its body and head. The contorted animal was torn apart, falling down in a smoldering heap as it retreated to the forest. He fired another five shots at the next animal, some indistinguishable form that fell apart just as easily as the deer. Spending twelve more rounds on the next three figures, Atlas took note that he would soon be overwhelmed.</p> <p>As he finished off the last of the attackers blocking his escape, a large beast rammed him to the ground from behind. The signature roar of a bear came from its mouth, yet it sounded like it was drowning as it did. Pure panic gripped the young man's mind as the creature picked him up, and began tearing into his red suit. In the split second before he made his next move, one that felt like an eternity, Atlas contemplated his next choice. The red suit advertised itself, amongst other things, as safe for use in areas with undetonated explosives. That fact settled it for Atlas.</p> <p>As the disfigured bear picked Atlas up in the air, ripping off the red suit's poncho, he waited for his chance. When the creature opened its mouth and roared he took it. Shoving his arm halfway down its throat, Atlas withdrew it before the orifice could close around him. Casting the pin of the white phosphorus grenade aside, he did his best to shield himself before it went off. The bear blew apart in a blinding white ball of flame. Atlas saw the red suit's HUD flash a dozen warnings over his vision as he was violently thrown off the now immolated wreck that was once a bear.</p> <p>He was on fire. That was obvious. But he didn't have time to address that. Patting out the flames on his precious bag first, he sprinted out of the forest, hearing the remaining woodland creatures shrieking after him. The flames were cooking him alive. Throwing himself into a ditch once he was sure his pursuers had given up, atlas quickly threw off the red suit. Scrambling away on his hands as he finally got out, he watched the gear burn as he thanked whatever powers that be for his luck.</p> <hr/> <p>Several hours later, and with the ache of his legs reaching its height, Atlas settled down in a boarded up bar in the town of Mt Carroll. After ensuring no sunlight broke in, Atlas set up a small light before taking a seat at the bar. Casting his face wrappings to the ground, he realized with some trepidation that he was bleeding. Tenderly following the leak of blood in order to find the wound, he came to a large gash in his forehead. Using the discarded bandages to temporarily halt the blood flow, he began searching around the building for any medical supplies.</p> <p>Finding a first aid kit positioned on a wall, untouched, Atlas thanked what was left of OSHA for their helpful regulations. SItting back down at the bar and propping open the kit, he began the painful process of manually stitching his wound shut. After using the mirror behind the bar to get an adequate view for this procedure, he winced as the needle spun through his flesh, pulling the thread behind it. Almost forty minutes later, he was done.</p> <p>Finally stripping off his smothering layers, he grabbed a bottle of bourbon from behind the bar before sitting back down on a stool. Not bothering to locate a glass, he drank the entire container- ignoring the fact that the inevitable hangover would hinder his journey even further. He knew what awaited him when he slept, and just wanted to bury the thought. Atlas stared at himself in the bar's mirror. He hadn't caught a look at himself since before he hopped through SCP-1437. He didn't like what he was seeing. His curly, strawberry blonde hair was caked with dirt and soaked with sweat, weighing itself down so it formed a filthy sheet around his head. His lips were cracked, his suture work providing an ugly view over his forehead. There were bags under his eyes as well. This trip was taking its toll.</p> <p>Staring at the nearly unrecognizable figure in the mirror, Atlas couldn't help but bury his face in his hands and begin to cry. In truth, he had massive doubts about his goal. What if he couldn't make it? What if he died on the way, or worse, got taken as one of those <em>things</em>? What if Kyle wasn't there? What if he didn't come back, even after Atlas had freed him from the sun's torturing grasp. A low groan escaped Atlas' lips. He still had over two days of walking before he reached 19, and that was assuming he didn't run into any more delays.</p> <p>In his mind, he divided the remainder of his journey into three separate blocks. The first leg would be from where he was in Mt Carroll, Illinois to Monroe, Wisconsin. This would take about 17 straight hours. Second, and most daunting, was from Monroe to Sauk City. A 20 hour trek through sparsely populated back roads. After planning a rest in Sauk City to recuperate, he counted on hopefully locating a bike before taking on the remaining 8 hour ride to Site-19. If he couldn't find a bike, a further 30 hours of walking awaited him. With the voyage to come in the back of his mind, he pried the ever-constricting binder off of his chest and settled down again to sleep.</p> <hr/> <p>The visions plagued him again.The voice of his pursuer once more slithered out from under the deafening cacophony of noise. The words, again, offered sympathy. A sympathy that filled Atlas with immense rage.</p> <p>"You are not alone. You never have been."</p> <p>Struggling to stand up from under the pain of the encounter, every nerve in Atlas' body commanded him to curl up and submit. But a dogged determination rose within him. With trembling legs and an aching head, he rose. The landscape seemed to curl around him, almost flinching away from his newfound resilience. Words escaped his hoarse throat.</p> <p>"I am not afraid of you anymore. Do you understand?"</p> <p>A staunch flatness was present in his voice. The figure just stared at him, clearly watching despite its lack of features. The noise had stopped The figure spoke back in Atlas' own voice.</p> <p>"I think I do."</p> <p>Atlas expected the ground to drop below him, again cursing him to that realm of memories and visions. But it never happened. After a moment of hesitation, he again spoke to this figure.</p> <p>"Who are you? What are you?"</p> <p>It responded almost the second his words left his mouth.</p> <p>"In time, you will come to understand these things. You have been chosen for these trials for a reason, Tessa."</p> <p>Atlas' cold, neutral expression snapped into an angered scowl. With venom, he immediately corrected the phantom.</p> <p>"That's not my <em>fucking</em> name. Do you get it? It never has been. It never will be. You can't make me fold just by spitting that shit at me. Not anymore."</p> <p>The figure stood motionless again.</p> <p>"Perhaps. You have much work yet to do, Keyestone. It is time for me to leave you to it."</p> <hr/> <p>The trip to Monroe felt faster than anticipated, and not a single encounter occurred along the way. Sitting himself down in a now abandoned church, he attempted to stomach one of his two remaining MRE's and more water. Despite the hours of walking, he found himself full after only a few bites and a single sip of water. Judging himself as still being energized enough to walk, he decided that a few hours of traveling through the night couldn't hurt.</p> <p>Stepping outside, he was greeted by the shining rays of the sun. Checking his watch again, Atlas confirmed that it was indeed 10 PM. After ensuring the working condition of his watch, he again stared in disbelief at the sun. Nonetheless, he kept moving. Atlas had visited Wisconsin before. He'd visited most places, in fact. It was nothing special. Despite this, he couldn't help but feel melancholic as he trudged again through the back roads of the desolate state.</p> <p>Every hour or so, Atlas checked the sun. No matter how long he had been traveling, it still seemed to hang in the same spot in the sky. An oppressive heat emanating from it. Pushing his many questions surrounding the apparent breakdown of time to the wayside, he continued on. Almost robotic in his trek at this point, he barely noticed a respectable collection of figures ahead of him.</p> <p>Wasting no time, he pulled out his rifle and began unloading at the unaware silhouettes. One of the human shapes burst into flame and collapsed. It took Atlas several seconds to realize they were shooting back. A rifle round slammed into the pavement next to him. Stunned, Atlas stood staring at the new hole in the asphalt until another round slammed straight into his chest and threw him onto the ground. Rolling behind a half-rusted car, he took note of the agonizing sting and warm blood in his chest as he sat up behind the vehicle. Seeing how he had already ambushed and killed one of them, Atlas recognized he would have to finish what he mistakenly started.</p> <p>A woman rushed up from the left side of the car, shotgun at the ready. Before she even noticed Atlas, he pumped a three round burst into her torso that sent her careening to the ground in a blaze. Peeking his head up from cover, he could see a further three people still standing. Setting down the M4 and its precious blue bullets, he lifted his lever-action from his duffle bag and waited. As the melted body of their former comrade rose and tackled one of the men out of cover, Atlas took aim and fired. The round pierced straight through the survivor's jaw, and he let out a disgusting, gurgling scream.</p> <p>Two more shots punched straight through the car Atlas was hiding behind, missing their mark and flying off in the background. Dashing over the woman's smoldering corpse to get behind a van, he topped off his rifle's ammunition before sneaking up around the side.</p> <p>The man at the front of the van greeted Atlas with a punch to the face. Staggering back, he quickly leveraged the small distance between them and fired a shot. It went straight through the man's stomach, and he fell to the ground in pain. The last survivor turned and ran at the sight. Instinctively, Atlas raised his rifle.</p> <p>He steadied his breath, drew the sights to his eyes, and took aim. The panicked woman was dashing at an impressive speed. Without a moment's thought, Atlas pulled the trigger. The bullet cracked through her neck with a thud, and she fell to the ground.</p> <p>Atlas took a second look at the van he had been hiding behind. With joy, he noticed it was running. Immediately hopping in and setting off, the realization of what he just did set in. Halting the van and practically falling out, Atlas had to stop himself from throwing up into his mask. He had just killed five, random, innocent strangers. One of which was actively running from him. Slamming his head down onto the pavement, he recoiled at the dull throbbing pain it caused. Screaming at the ground and smacking himself in the face, he managed to eventually distract himself with the bullet wound he had sustained. Yet as he looked for the impact, he didn't find it.</p> <p>Atlas knew he had been shot. He had felt it. Yet just like the his complete lack of fatigue after what was ostensibly hours of walking, it was as if nothing had happened. Atlas looked up from the road, and what he saw made his heart drop.</p> <p>It was impossible. His watch read 8 AM. He had travelled further. But not far enough to be where he was. Despite the distance he had traveled, despite the even longer way left to go, there it was. At the edge of the lake, lie Site-19. Atlas couldn't help but feel sick.</p> <hr/> <p>With the sun still hanging in the same spot in the sky, Atlas walked. First through the perimeter checkpoint, then the inner wall, and then at last, right up to the gate. He knew the way to the greenhouse from here by heart. Sliding himself through the slightly-opened blast doors, he walked through the abandoned halls. First a left turn, then two rights. Still, no melted figures stood in his way.</p> <p>Every step closer he came, Atlas' dread grew. He knew what he'd find when he crossed the last corner. And as he did, he was proven right. The light of the sun cast itself around what was once Kyle Hill. The distorted, brick red figure stood slumped against the doorframe.</p> <p>"Atlas, baby. You came."</p> <p>Atlas set down the duffle bag. cast aside his coat and jacket. And stepped towards his lover.</p> <p>"I'm here Kyle."</p> <p>Atlas dropped to his knees, and the wax mockery of his one true love dragged itself towards him in the shady halls.</p> <p>"Come into the light, Atlas. Join me."</p> <p>Atlas felt the figures gelatinous arms wrap around him. Pulling him out into the greenhouse.</p> <p>"Just like that, baby. The light is so beautiful, isn't it?"</p> <p>The figure was soothing him. Thinking that he was joining it. With one sudden movement, Atlas yanked the pin off of the white phosphorus grenade, and hugged Kyle tight.</p> <p>"Whatever happens next, honey."</p> <p>Tears sprung from his eyes as his face wrappings were pulled off.</p> <p>"I love you."</p> <p>With a blinding flash, the two were consumed by a blinding fireball. The last thing Atlas felt was the warm grip of his lover.</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/redsun3">The Long Road Ahead</a>" by Gayboydove, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/redsun3">https://scpwiki.com/redsun3</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="/theme:penumbra">theme:penumbra</a>]] [[module css]] :root{ --accentColor:#ff5512; --header-title:"DAYBREAK"; --header-subtitle:"SOL'S CRUEL PLANET"; --lgurl:url("https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/daybreak/daybreaklogo.png") } .line{ border-top:2px solid #777;border-bottom:1px solid #777;padding:.5px } .footnotes-footer{display:none} [[/module]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=false \| last=true \| hub=yes \| previous-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/redsun2 \| previous-title=Broken Dagger Under a Bleeding Sun \| next-url= \| next-title= \| hub-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/gayboydove-s-author-page \| hub-title=Red Sun Reunion Series ]] Atlas woke up with a start. A figure had been stalking him in his dreams. Like a distortion of space in the shape of a person. No matter where he went- he could see it watching. With some relief, he found himself in the back of the van with the rest of Broken Dagger. After some consulting with the others, he found out they were taking a detour to Fort Carson, right outside of Colorado Springs. An Army unit had been broadcasting support requests from there as recent as last week. "Now, we do have a slight problem." Fox admitted. The visor of her red suit clouding with her breath. "We don't know what we're getting into here. Not only have they stopped broadcasting, but the area around the base is pretty heavily wooded. Convoy command is sending us up first, as a scouting party. We'll be there in about 30 minutes, so load your blue rounds, check your seals, and get ready to move." ----- The rest of the trip was agonizingly slow. While the prospect of investigating a military base that more than likely was completely overrun seemed foolish, Atlas understood. They couldn't just leave the survivors to die if they hadn't already. As the convoy ground to a halt in a rocky patch of road, away from //them//, Atlas found himself dreading the thought of further combat. Nonetheless, he and his team disembarked and began walking towards a hill that overlooked the base. "So, Polygraph. This boyfriend, you sure he's alive? Site-19's supposed to be compromised." Atlas wasn't sure what to say in response to Arsegike's question. He couldn't just tell them that he was chasing a corpse. "I don't know." His brisk, cold response was enough for the man. The rest of the walk towards the hill was silent, and extremely uneasy. Thankfully, no trouble befell the group on their way to the base. "Poly. You're up first. Jackal, keep watch until we're all up." Following fox's orders, Atlas begins scaling the steep incline. His heart beating louder with apprehension with every step. As he stood upon the top of the hill, his heart dropped. A mutter escaped his lips. "For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable." Fox was soon at his side. She too fell silent at the sight. The base's watchtowers had crumbled into deep sinkholes. The eastern side was a charred wreck, the result of a clearly recent fire. In the trees around the base, several helicopters lay suspended, their broken wrecks tangled in the malignant tendrils of what used to be trees. As Arsegike mounted the hill, and the clamber of Jackal's ascent followed, a deafening series of cracks came out from the base. Gunshots. Without a second thought, Fox and Arsegike skidded down the hill towards the base. Atlas followed, with Jackal right behind him. The scene at Fort Carson was no better up close. The team made their way through a breach in the fence, entering the fort proper. Another helicopter was buried halfway into a nearby building, a large mass of infected pulling it apart to get out and towards the newcomers. Even with their blue rounds ripping through the horde, Broken Dagger was still quickly overwhelmed. As Atlas dispatched the nearest blob, he heard a shout from an unfamiliar voice. "US ARMY! FRIENDLIES COMING OUT!" Four soldiers dashed out of the building that had been half collapsed by the helicopter. As they did, the one in the rear pressed down on a detonator. A loud boom rang out and flames burst out from every window in the building. The unmistakable screech of the melted people inside indicated that they were likely engaged with the men in the building. The soldiers provided a good boost to the fighting power of the team, though within seconds of joining the fight, the man with the detonator was caught off guard by his assailants. A horrified scream signalled the removal of his glove. The cancerous wax crawled up his arm before disappearing under his coat. Without hesitation, Fox loaded her underbarrel grenade launcher, firing it and practically vaporizing the poor man. Atlas tried his best to keep up, quickly expending three full magazines. As one of them dashed up on his left, he instinctively went to kick it. Atlas' foot sank into the mass. He could swear he saw what passed for the thing's mouth twist into a wicked smile. "FUCK FUCK- SUPPORT! IT'S GOT MY LEG!" Atlas' frightened cries drew the attention of Arsegike, who unleashed the rest of his magazine at Atlas' attacker. The entire top half of the being flew apart, freeing Atlas' foot. He finished it off, before turning to thank his savior. When Atlas' eyes met Arsegike's, it took him a second to realize what was wrong. Then it hit him. He could //see// the man's eye. One of the endless forms of wax was latched onto the man's back. The armor panel covering the left side of his face had been pried off. Arsegike's one visible eye stared at Atlas' face with a look of pure terror. His head caved in, melting into itself with a sickening squelch. His body fell limp, with his killer still pulling pieces of armor off the body with fervor. Atlas had seen plenty of people die. He had killed several himself. But this man had died not only saving the soldiers, but Atlas as well. The liquid of Arsegike's body flowed out of the hole in his helmet, coalescing with that of the one which killed him. The being began shuffling towards Atlas, who again found himself paralyzed by fear. "Atlas, love. Come join me. It's so beautiful here." The way they used Kyle's voice filled Atlas' with enough rage that he managed to put the death of his teammate on the wayside, and instilled in him enough confidence to ask it a simple question. "Where are you, Kyle?" Like clockwork, the shape responded. "You know where, love." Without another word, Atlas turned the poorly formed figure into a smoldering pile of sludge. With his minor burst of grit now passing, Atlas again felt extremely overwhelmed. All around him, the remainder of Broken Dagger and the three soldiers fought hard against the horde. In the middle of the fort's courtyard, Atlas stood dazed. Snapping back to reality, Atlas felt a firm tug at his shoulder. It was Fox. "POLY! POLY WHERE THE FUCK IS ARSEGIKE?" Atlas opened his mouth, yet no words came out. He could only muster enough strength to point at the discarded white suit lying on the ground. Fox sighed. "Shit- shit okay. WE'RE PULLING OUT PEOPLE! GET MOVING!" ----- The run back to the convoy was frantic and exhausting. As Atlas shut the van's door behind him, he heard the soldier in the passenger seat speak to fox. "Staff Sergeant Cassidy Harper. Thanks for the help back there. I'm sorry about your friend." Atlas froze at the mention of Arsegike. The man had died to save him. As one of the soldiers in the back with Atlas' went to introduce himself, Atlas screamed. "SHUT UP! SHUT THE FUCK UP!" He ripped off the helmet of his red suit and pitched it at the floor of the van. Atlas clutched his head in his hands, pulling at his sweat-soaked hair. Jackal and the other two survivors stared at him in shock. In the sealed rear of the van, he was afforded safety from the sunlight. So, Atlas tore off the grime-caked face wrappings and slid his glasses back out of his pocket, and onto his face. Pulling his lighter and a cigarette out of his bag, Atlas lit the Marlboro with trembling hands. "Poly- Atlas. It wasn't your f-" "Shut the fuck up Jackal." "Atlas. Calm the fuck down, kid. People die. It isn't your fault." "He died saving ME! I got HIM killed!" Atlas took a drag of the cigarette, coughing lightly. "God, I'm fucking pathetic." He took another long drag of the cigarette, failing to stop sobs from welling up in him. Everyone sat in silence as Atlas smoked and cried. ----- Atlas had live thousands of lives. Died thousands of deaths. Yet after all that, he sat in the back of a van traveling through Kansas, unable to forgive himself. The others chatted amongst themselves. Trying to ignore the mess that was their teammate. Atlas wasn't the best under pressure. That much he knew. But this was different. Atlas was asleep. But he didn't know that. The weathered young man walked through a labyrinthine mockery of Site-19's greenhouse. Always stalked by that [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-7738 that shape.] Anytime he got too close, he'd hear that grinding sound again. And the sigil on his hand burned with a searing pain that left him a sobbing mess on the floor. Faint words could be heard from underneath the cacophony of crushing metal. "I have seen your burdens. I have felt your burdens." Atlas wanted nothing more than for this to stop. To just wake up in bed with Kyle next to him. He fucking hated this. He'd hated every second of his life since he lost Kyle. But he couldn't wake up. No surprises there, since when could he have anything nice? He found himself falling. Or at least he felt it. That ubiquitous feeling of your stomach dropping. But he was seeing something else. Memories of his past. Possible futures. And then they shifted to things so indescribable. Colors he had never seen before. Senses he never had. The stimulation was so intense that he felt sick. When Atlas woke up, he was in a ditch on the side of the road. The convoy was nowhere to be seen. ----- Atlas didn't hold it against them. In his mind, not only had he fallen apart after the fight at Fort Carson, but he had gotten Arsegike killed as well. To their credit, the convoy hadn't just left him out to dry. Besides him were his duffle bag, several magazines of blue rounds, his rifle, a note, a marked map, and enough food and water for the next day or so. First inspecting the map, he noticed with great relief that he had been left near the Iowa-Illinois border. Only 4 or so days of walking away from Site-19. Several safer routes were highlighted to get to the Site. He couldn't help but thank Broken Dagger out loud, despite the fact they were likely nearing the border to Canada by now. They had even left him in his red suit. Stuffing the map into a side pocket of his bag, Atlas picked up the note. //Atlas. We're really sorry to do this to you. But you just aren't cut out for this. Seeing as how you were getting off for 19 soon regardless, we decided to drop you off with some supplies here. I advise you to take the marked routes, and not travel along the major roads. We made sure to avoid forests when plotting this route, at least where we could. Arsegike didn't die for you to end up a pile of melted wax after all. I just want you to know that what happened at Fort Carson wasn't your fault. Arsegike made a choice to save you. I'm confident that whatever he saw in you will get you to your destination.// //Best of luck. And godspeed. -Fox// Atlas folded the note, and placed it into his pocket. Putting the excess supplies into his bag, he slung it around his back before standing up. He had a lot of walking to do. Beginning his trek across the backroads of the midwest, he soon found himself approaching and eventually passing a sign that proudly read "Welcome to Illinois!". Several hours later, and with the blood red sun now approaching day's end, Atlas spotted a small collection of buildings in the distance. His map noted the small township of Argo Fay. Deciding that it would be a nice place to rest for the night, Atlas double checked the condition of his rifle as he continued his sojourn. The town was thankfully empty. Having cleared each building individually before declaring it safe, Atlas finally settled down in the storm cellar of an older house. After devouring one of his MREs, and drinking an entire bottle of water, he locked the cellar door and stripped off his red suit. After completing the surprisingly long task of removing a GOC-Issue bodysuit, he also unwrapped and discarded the adhesive bandages he had been using as a makeshift face cover. Using the rest of his clothes as a cot and blanket, Atlas set his bag down for use as a pillow. Now clad in his boxers and binder, he enjoyed another cigarette before settling in for the night. ----- Atlas realized with great dismay that he was back in the mockery of 19's greenhouse. Not waiting for confirmation of his stalker's presence, he dashed through the endless gardens for as long as he could. Though as always happened, he eventually grew tired and stopped. Within moments, the figure was upon him again. Once more, the searing pain in his hand and immensely loud noise of the entity had him doubled over in agony. And once again, he heard the creatures faint words under the chorus of grinding rock. "I have seen you cast yourself into the fire. I have felt the flames." And with the entity's words, he was back in that smothering realm. Every sensation he'd ever had was flooding over him at once. Memories flashed first. His first kiss, his stolen virginity, he and his father's last hunting trip. And again, unintelligible glimpses of the future. Burning flesh casting smoke in a glass room. The desecrated remains of Site-19. And then, for the first time, something clear. Atlas was stood in an endless white void. Kyle was there with him. Two thresholds were in front of them. Atlas didn't have time to ponder this scene's meaning however, as mere seconds later he was ripped back out of sleep in the old cellar. ----- After a further 2 hours of walking, Atlas' legs ached with gentle yet ever present protest. Ignoring the exhaustion that was slowly building within him, Atlas continued along the back roads of Illinois. Although Fox had plotted a route that missed most of the woodlands, he noticed a sunken treeline off in the distance, realizing with some dismay that his route brought him through it. A while later as he approached the edge of the treeline, he double-checked his armaments. Atlas had the M4 the GOC had given him, five magazines of blue rounds, two white phosphorus grenades, and his hairspray and lighter. Making sure the grenades were easily accessible, he began his walk through the melted forest. It wasn't long before one of the trees bent down with a squelch, attempting to wrap its tentacle-like branches around him. A short burst of fire blew these branches apart. Though as he fired, it seemed the entire forest woke up around him. Shrieks of dozens of converted animals rang out from around the forest. Taking this as a sign he wasn't welcome, or perhaps too much so, Atlas began moving at a full sprint in order to get through the forest. His heart beat fast in his chest. Ahead of him he could see the end of the treeline. Much too far for his liking. As he continued dashing, several figures burst out of the treeline on either side. Atlas skidded to a halt, raising his rifle and firing four shots at the closest figure. The first two bullets whizz past, impacting in a melted tree and setting it ablaze. The second two impact, hitting what seemed to have been a deer in its body and head. The contorted animal was torn apart, falling down in a smoldering heap as it retreated to the forest. He fired another five shots at the next animal, some indistinguishable form that fell apart just as easily as the deer. Spending twelve more rounds on the next three figures, Atlas took note that he would soon be overwhelmed. As he finished off the last of the attackers blocking his escape, a large beast rammed him to the ground from behind. The signature roar of a bear came from its mouth, yet it sounded like it was drowning as it did. Pure panic gripped the young man's mind as the creature picked him up, and began tearing into his red suit. In the split second before he made his next move, one that felt like an eternity, Atlas contemplated his next choice. The red suit advertised itself, amongst other things, as safe for use in areas with undetonated explosives. That fact settled it for Atlas. As the disfigured bear picked Atlas up in the air, ripping off the red suit's poncho, he waited for his chance. When the creature opened its mouth and roared he took it. Shoving his arm halfway down its throat, Atlas withdrew it before the orifice could close around him. Casting the pin of the white phosphorus grenade aside, he did his best to shield himself before it went off. The bear blew apart in a blinding white ball of flame. Atlas saw the red suit's HUD flash a dozen warnings over his vision as he was violently thrown off the now immolated wreck that was once a bear. He was on fire. That was obvious. But he didn't have time to address that. Patting out the flames on his precious bag first, he sprinted out of the forest, hearing the remaining woodland creatures shrieking after him. The flames were cooking him alive. Throwing himself into a ditch once he was sure his pursuers had given up, atlas quickly threw off the red suit. Scrambling away on his hands as he finally got out, he watched the gear burn as he thanked whatever powers that be for his luck. ----- Several hours later, and with the ache of his legs reaching its height, Atlas settled down in a boarded up bar in the town of Mt Carroll. After ensuring no sunlight broke in, Atlas set up a small light before taking a seat at the bar. Casting his face wrappings to the ground, he realized with some trepidation that he was bleeding. Tenderly following the leak of blood in order to find the wound, he came to a large gash in his forehead. Using the discarded bandages to temporarily halt the blood flow, he began searching around the building for any medical supplies. Finding a first aid kit positioned on a wall, untouched, Atlas thanked what was left of OSHA for their helpful regulations. SItting back down at the bar and propping open the kit, he began the painful process of manually stitching his wound shut. After using the mirror behind the bar to get an adequate view for this procedure, he winced as the needle spun through his flesh, pulling the thread behind it. Almost forty minutes later, he was done. Finally stripping off his smothering layers, he grabbed a bottle of bourbon from behind the bar before sitting back down on a stool. Not bothering to locate a glass, he drank the entire container- ignoring the fact that the inevitable hangover would hinder his journey even further. He knew what awaited him when he slept, and just wanted to bury the thought. Atlas stared at himself in the bar's mirror. He hadn't caught a look at himself since before he hopped through SCP-1437. He didn't like what he was seeing. His curly, strawberry blonde hair was caked with dirt and soaked with sweat, weighing itself down so it formed a filthy sheet around his head. His lips were cracked, his suture work providing an ugly view over his forehead. There were bags under his eyes as well. This trip was taking its toll. Staring at the nearly unrecognizable figure in the mirror, Atlas couldn't help but bury his face in his hands and begin to cry. In truth, he had massive doubts about his goal. What if he couldn't make it? What if he died on the way, or worse, got taken as one of those //things//? What if Kyle wasn't there? What if he didn't come back, even after Atlas had freed him from the sun's torturing grasp. A low groan escaped Atlas' lips. He still had over two days of walking before he reached 19, and that was assuming he didn't run into any more delays. In his mind, he divided the remainder of his journey into three separate blocks. The first leg would be from where he was in Mt Carroll, Illinois to Monroe, Wisconsin. This would take about 17 straight hours. Second, and most daunting, was from Monroe to Sauk City. A 20 hour trek through sparsely populated back roads. After planning a rest in Sauk City to recuperate, he counted on hopefully locating a bike before taking on the remaining 8 hour ride to Site-19. If he couldn't find a bike, a further 30 hours of walking awaited him. With the voyage to come in the back of his mind, he pried the ever-constricting binder off of his chest and settled down again to sleep. ----- The visions plagued him again.The voice of his pursuer once more slithered out from under the deafening cacophony of noise. The words, again, offered sympathy. A sympathy that filled Atlas with immense rage. "You are not alone. You never have been." Struggling to stand up from under the pain of the encounter, every nerve in Atlas' body commanded him to curl up and submit. But a dogged determination rose within him. With trembling legs and an aching head, he rose. The landscape seemed to curl around him, almost flinching away from his newfound resilience. Words escaped his hoarse throat. "I am not afraid of you anymore. Do you understand?" A staunch flatness was present in his voice. The figure just stared at him, clearly watching despite its lack of features. The noise had stopped The figure spoke back in Atlas' own voice. "I think I do." Atlas expected the ground to drop below him, again cursing him to that realm of memories and visions. But it never happened. After a moment of hesitation, he again spoke to this figure. "Who are you? What are you?" It responded almost the second his words left his mouth. "In time, you will come to understand these things. You have been chosen for these trials for a reason, Tessa." Atlas' cold, neutral expression snapped into an angered scowl. With venom, he immediately corrected the phantom. "That's not my //fucking// name. Do you get it? It never has been. It never will be. You can't make me fold just by spitting that shit at me. Not anymore." The figure stood motionless again. "Perhaps. You have much work yet to do, Keyestone. It is time for me to leave you to it." ----- The trip to Monroe felt faster than anticipated, and not a single encounter occurred along the way. Sitting himself down in a now abandoned church, he attempted to stomach one of his two remaining MRE's and more water. Despite the hours of walking, he found himself full after only a few bites and a single sip of water. Judging himself as still being energized enough to walk, he decided that a few hours of traveling through the night couldn't hurt. Stepping outside, he was greeted by the shining rays of the sun. Checking his watch again, Atlas confirmed that it was indeed 10 PM. After ensuring the working condition of his watch, he again stared in disbelief at the sun. Nonetheless, he kept moving. Atlas had visited Wisconsin before. He'd visited most places, in fact. It was nothing special. Despite this, he couldn't help but feel melancholic as he trudged again through the back roads of the desolate state. Every hour or so, Atlas checked the sun. No matter how long he had been traveling, it still seemed to hang in the same spot in the sky. An oppressive heat emanating from it. Pushing his many questions surrounding the apparent breakdown of time to the wayside, he continued on. Almost robotic in his trek at this point, he barely noticed a respectable collection of figures ahead of him. Wasting no time, he pulled out his rifle and began unloading at the unaware silhouettes. One of the human shapes burst into flame and collapsed. It took Atlas several seconds to realize they were shooting back. A rifle round slammed into the pavement next to him. Stunned, Atlas stood staring at the new hole in the asphalt until another round slammed straight into his chest and threw him onto the ground. Rolling behind a half-rusted car, he took note of the agonizing sting and warm blood in his chest as he sat up behind the vehicle. Seeing how he had already ambushed and killed one of them, Atlas recognized he would have to finish what he mistakenly started. A woman rushed up from the left side of the car, shotgun at the ready. Before she even noticed Atlas, he pumped a three round burst into her torso that sent her careening to the ground in a blaze. Peeking his head up from cover, he could see a further three people still standing. Setting down the M4 and its precious blue bullets, he lifted his lever-action from his duffle bag and waited. As the melted body of their former comrade rose and tackled one of the men out of cover, Atlas took aim and fired. The round pierced straight through the survivor's jaw, and he let out a disgusting, gurgling scream. Two more shots punched straight through the car Atlas was hiding behind, missing their mark and flying off in the background. Dashing over the woman's smoldering corpse to get behind a van, he topped off his rifle's ammunition before sneaking up around the side. The man at the front of the van greeted Atlas with a punch to the face. Staggering back, he quickly leveraged the small distance between them and fired a shot. It went straight through the man's stomach, and he fell to the ground in pain. The last survivor turned and ran at the sight. Instinctively, Atlas raised his rifle. He steadied his breath, drew the sights to his eyes, and took aim. The panicked woman was dashing at an impressive speed. Without a moment's thought, Atlas pulled the trigger. The bullet cracked through her neck with a thud, and she fell to the ground. Atlas took a second look at the van he had been hiding behind. With joy, he noticed it was running. Immediately hopping in and setting off, the realization of what he just did set in. Halting the van and practically falling out, Atlas had to stop himself from throwing up into his mask. He had just killed five, random, innocent strangers. One of which was actively running from him. Slamming his head down onto the pavement, he recoiled at the dull throbbing pain it caused. Screaming at the ground and smacking himself in the face, he managed to eventually distract himself with the bullet wound he had sustained. Yet as he looked for the impact, he didn't find it. Atlas knew he had been shot. He had felt it. Yet just like the his complete lack of fatigue after what was ostensibly hours of walking, it was as if nothing had happened. Atlas looked up from the road, and what he saw made his heart drop. It was impossible. His watch read 8 AM. He had travelled further. But not far enough to be where he was. Despite the distance he had traveled, despite the even longer way left to go, there it was. At the edge of the lake, lie Site-19. Atlas couldn't help but feel sick. ----- With the sun still hanging in the same spot in the sky, Atlas walked. First through the perimeter checkpoint, then the inner wall, and then at last, right up to the gate. He knew the way to the greenhouse from here by heart. Sliding himself through the slightly-opened blast doors, he walked through the abandoned halls. First a left turn, then two rights. Still, no melted figures stood in his way. Every step closer he came, Atlas' dread grew. He knew what he'd find when he crossed the last corner. And as he did, he was proven right. The light of the sun cast itself around what was once Kyle Hill. The distorted, brick red figure stood slumped against the doorframe. "Atlas, baby. You came." Atlas set down the duffle bag. cast aside his coat and jacket. And stepped towards his lover. "I'm here Kyle." Atlas dropped to his knees, and the wax mockery of his one true love dragged itself towards him in the shady halls. "Come into the light, Atlas. Join me." Atlas felt the figures gelatinous arms wrap around him. Pulling him out into the greenhouse. "Just like that, baby. The light is so beautiful, isn't it?" The figure was soothing him. Thinking that he was joining it. With one sudden movement, Atlas yanked the pin off of the white phosphorus grenade, and hugged Kyle tight. "Whatever happens next, honey." Tears sprung from his eyes as his face wrappings were pulled off. "I love you." With a blinding flash, the two were consumed by a blinding fireball. The last thing Atlas felt was the warm grip of his lover. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-05-06T13:17:00	[ "_licensebox", "action", "bleak", "post-apocalyptic", "tale" ]	The Long Road Ahead - SCP Foundation	10	[ "redsun2", "gayboydove-s-author-page", "next-url", "scp-7738", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[]	[]	1453551621	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/redsun3
regardless	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/normalize-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/basalt-bedrock-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="ec fsd"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="ec-title">FIRE SUPPRESSION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM</span></strong></p> <p>As you may know, the Fire Suppression Department was recently audited regarding <a href="/scp-8980">SCP-8980</a> and the related personnel issues that resulted from said containment. I wanted to send this memorandum to share the official stance from the FSD, and to remind everybody how to respond to questions regarding one Dr. Christopher Byrnes.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> The official position of the Fire Suppression Department regarding SCP-8980 is that we have continued in the direction tasked to us by the O5 Council, and ensured that the Foundation balances scientific freedoms with personal rights and accountability. The Fire Suppression Department is aware of the actions of former Head Researcher Christopher Byrnes, and was directly involved with their voluntary retirement.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> With regards to responding to common questions, I know many of our FSD Site Representatives have been fielding complaints regarding the systemic issues that allowed the 'abuse' faced by SCP-8980 to persist over a consistent period of time. When asked about the current status of any further investigations, please respond in the following ways:</p> <ul> <li><span style="color: green">DO</span> remind the employee that Dr. Christopher Byrnes is no longer employed by The Foundation.</li> <li><span style="color: red">DON'T</span> mention any information regarding the current status of SCP-8980.</li> <li><span style="color: green">DO</span> direct any additional questions they have towards the 'FSD Anonymous Complaints Form'.</li> <li><span style="color: green">DO</span> make them feel heard, understood, and comfortable in their jobs.</li> <li><span style="color: red">DON'T</span> give a firm timeline regarding any actions or responses.</li> <li><span style="color: red">DON'T</span> promise anything will be done.</li> <li><span style="color: red">DON'T</span> reveal <strong>any</strong> information regarding the 'Byrnes Retirement Protocol'.</li> </ul> <p>Remember, the best way to stop a fire is to prevent one from starting in the first place. We have dealt with situations like this before, and we will deal with them again.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— Fire Suppression Department Administration</p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><span class="ec-title">ENTER USERNAME:</span></strong> <span class="ec-title"><em>cB_216</em></span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title">ENTER PASSWORD:</span></strong> <span class="ec-title"><em><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">***********</span></em></span><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title">…</span></strong><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title">…</span></strong><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title">…</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span class="ec-title">PASSWORD ACCEPTED</span></strong><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title"><span style="font-size:60%;">LOADING DR. CHRISTOPHER BYRNES EMPLOYEE PROFILE…</span></span></strong></p> </div> <hr/> <div class="darkdocument"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="page-title" id="u-#page-title" style="display: block;"> <p>DR. CHRISTOPHER BYRNES<br/> <span style="font-size:60%;">Confidential Employee Profile</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:250px;"><img alt="Default_Profile_Icon.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dynamic-emails/Default_Profile_Icon.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>ERROR: ID Photo Does Not Exist</p> </div> </div> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="5">EMPLOYEE PROFILE</th> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"><strong>Legal Name:</strong> Dr. Christopher Byrnes</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"><strong>Employee ID Number:</strong> C0001B00-0000</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Sex:</strong> N/A</td> <td colspan="2"><strong>Gender:</strong> N/A</td> <td colspan="2"><strong>Marital Status:</strong> Unknown</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"><strong>Security Clearance:</strong> None</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"><strong>Occupation:</strong> None</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"><strong>Site of Operations:</strong> None</td> </tr> </table> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="6">EMPLOYMENT RECORDS</th> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"><strong>Employment Start Date:</strong> N/A</td> <td colspan="3"><strong>Employment End Date:</strong> N/A</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"><strong>Pending HR/EC Cases:</strong> 22</td> <td colspan="3"><strong>Resolved HR/EC Cases:</strong> 1577</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Disciplinary Records:</strong> 0</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Total Foundation Demerits:</strong> 0</td> </tr> </table> <p><strong>Profile:</strong> Dr. Christopher Byrnes does not currently exist, nor have they ever existed. Dr. Christopher Byrnes has never been an employee of The SCP Foundation. See <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Byrnes Retirement Protocol</em></span> for more information.</p> <p><strong>History:</strong> N/A</p> <div class="ec fsd"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="ec-title">FSD NOTICE</span></strong></p> <hr/> <p>This file is under code <em>NULL</em> classification, and as such, does not exist for non-FSD Personnel, including the O5 Council and the Ethics Committee.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> Any individuals found leaking this file will be reprimanded and reassigned, as per FSD Black Book Bylaw 1733-A.</p> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="ec-title"><span style="font-size:60%;">END OF FILE</span></span></strong></p> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><span class="ec-title">CONTINUE?</span></strong> <span class="ec-title"><em>yes</em></span></p> <p><strong><span class="ec-title">OPEN FILE:</span></strong> <span class="ec-title"><em>Byrnes Retirement Protocol</em></span><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title"><span style="font-size:60%;">SEARCHING FOR "Byrnes Retirement Protocol"</span></span></strong><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title">…</span></strong><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title">…</span></strong><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title">…</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span class="ec-title">ONE RESULT FOUND</span></strong><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title"><span style="font-size:60%;">LOADING BYRNES_RETIREMENT_PROTOCOL…</span></span></strong></p> </div> <hr/> <div class="darkdocument"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="page-title" id="u-#page-title" style="display: block;"> <p>BYRNES RETIRMENT PROTOCOL<br/> <span style="font-size:60%;">FSD Employee Retention Protocol</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="ec fsd"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="ec-title">FSD NOTICE</span></strong></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> Access to this file is restricted to personnel affected by, or responsible for implementing the Byrnes Retirement Protocol. This protocol requires authorization by a majority of the current FSD Administrative Board, and is to be used in the event of a <span style="color: red">severe breach of ethics and/or morals</span> by an employee of the Foundation.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> Sharing information regarding the <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Byrnes Retirement Protocol</span> has been rendered impossible, through the use of cognitohazardous symbols embedded within this notice. Any individuals found attempting to circumvent the censorship will be <span style="color: red">rendered biologically inert via cognitohazardous kill-switch</span>.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> Targeted amnestics will be provided to all personnel accessing this document.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <p><strong>Description:</strong> The <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Byrnes Retirement Protocol</span> is an employee retention strategy developed by the Fire Suppression Department, to maintain a belief in accountability, consequences, and that The Foundation maintains ethical and moral standards that are enforced. To date, the <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Byrnes Retirement Protocol</span> has resulted in an overall savings of <span style="color: green">$1.6 Billion USD</span>, as well as maintained critical organizational knowledge.</p> <p>As of 10/31/2024, there are a total of <strong>216</strong> <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Dr. Christopher Byrnes</span> listed across Foundation documentation and records, and a total of <strong>0</strong> <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Dr. Christopher Byrnes</span> that are currently, or have ever been employed by the SCP Foundation.</p> <hr/> <p><strong>Definitions:</strong> Due to the ontological nature of the <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Byrnes Retirement Protocol</span>, the following terms are objectively defined in the context of this document as:</p> <ul> <li><span class="ec-title"><span style="font-size:60%;"><span style="color: green">The Subject</span>: The individual benefitting from the Byrnes Retirement Protocol;</span></span></li> <li><span class="ec-title"><span style="font-size:60%;"><span style="color: red">The Victim(s)</span>: Any individual(s) directly or indirectly harmed by the subject;</span></span></li> <li><span class="ec-title"><span style="font-size:60%;"><span style="color: blue">The Research Project</span>: The anomaly or research project, within which, the inciting incident took place or was related to;</span></span></li> <li><span class="ec-title"><span style="font-size:60%;"><span style="color: gold">Project Records</span>: All physical, digital or conceptual media regarding <span style="color: blue">The Research Project</span> in question;</span></span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Usage:</strong> The <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Byrnes Retirement Protocol</span> is to be enacted by the Fire Suppression Department to retain talented, specialized, or expert researchers, in situations where said individual has broken Foundation Ethical and Moral regulations. The FSD is constantly monitoring all ongoing projects for potential ethics breaches, and currently has identified <strong>7</strong> potential <span style="color: green">subjects</span> for future implementation. If the FSD determines that the potential loss of talent or information is significant enough such that their discipline would result in an overall loss for The SCP Foundation, following a vote by the FSD Administrative Board, local FSD representatives are to intervene and enact the <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Byrnes Retirement Protocol</span>, following the steps listed below.</p> <div class="ec fsd"> <ol> <li><span style="color: green">The Subject</span> is to be located, isolated and moved to a temporary FSD Holding Facility while the remainder of the protocol is enacted. FSD Representatives are to state that this is 'as a result of ongoing disciplinary proceedings related to <span style="color: blue">The Research Project</span>' if questioned by Site Director(s);</li> <li>All <span style="color: red">Victim(s)</span> are to be contacted by an FSD Representative, to assure <span style="color: red">The Victim(s)</span> that they are heard, and to begin building interpersonal trust.</li> <li><span style="color: green">The Subject</span> is to be conceptually severed from their Noospheric identity, through targeted ontological surgery. During this period of time, <span style="color: green">The Subject</span> is unable to be identified, except by static signifiers, as established in the <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Byrnes Retirement Protocol</span> definitions.</li> <li>FSD Representatives are to identify all <span style="color: gold">Project Records</span>, and begin retroactive correction in the following ways: <ol> <li>All references to <span style="color: green">The Subject's</span> identity are to be replaced with references to <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Dr. Christopher Byrnes</span>. This includes Foundation-wide employment records, performance reviews, documentation pertaining to <span style="color: blue">The Research Project</span>, as well as any pending or resolved Ethics Committee or Human Resource cases. This is done physically by FSD Representatives specializing in documental forgery, and AICs developed directly for this purpose.</li> <li>All individuals who have worked with <span style="color: green">The Subject</span> at the SCP Foundation are to be identified, and administered a course of amnestics, mnestics and ontological medications, such that the identity of <span style="color: green">The Subject</span> are replaced with <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Dr. Christopher Byrnes</span>. Any visual records or memories regarding <span style="color: green">The Subject</span> will lose definition following these doses, such that all representations of <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Dr. Christopher Byrnes</span> resemble a Caucasian male of middle age, with no major defining features.</li> <li><span style="color: red">The Victim(s)</span> are to be given additional amnestic treatments and cognitive behavioral therapy as needed, to ensure that they understand that they have been the victim of one <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Dr. Christopher Byrnes</span>.</li> </ol> </li> <li>An official cover story that <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Dr. Christopher Byrnes</span> has elected to retire, and willingly underwent a Class-E amnestic treatment will be dispersed. Amnestic inventory records are to be falsified accordingly. Any requests for contact information are to be denied, due to 'privacy'.</li> <li>Following the above, all relevant Ethics Committee members are to be reminded of the pending case(s) regarding <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Dr. Christopher Byrnes</span>. Due to the previous steps, and <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Dr. Christopher Byrnes'</span> alleged self-retirement, proceedings will continue at an accelerated rate. In 9 out of 10 cases, the case will be resolved within a week, and the judgement issued will result in no major punitive action.</li> <li><span style="color: green">The Subject</span> is to be provided with a new Noospheric identity, and are assigned to a research project based on their expertise. This placement can be any Site, other than their previous assignment; this does not account for older assignments. No considerations are to be made regarding <span style="color: red">The Victim(s)</span>, as their harasser, <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Dr. Christopher Byrnes</span>, does not exist.</li> </ol> </div> <p>The <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Byrnes Retirement Protocol</span> was first implemented by Fire Suppression Department precursor departments following the end of World War II, to assist in the acquisition of controversial experts, and has remained in consistent use since. To date, there have been no informational breaches regarding the <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Byrnes Retirement Protocol</span>, and has resulted in many notable anomalous and para-technological advancements, while prioritizing the catharsis of <span style="color: red">The Victim(s)</span>. All <span style="color: green">Subjects</span> have expressed sincere gratitude to the Fire Suppression Department for allowing their continued employment, and will maintain devotion towards the SCP Foundation for their lives, experiencing a 30% recidivism rate. This has been determined as within acceptable thresholds.</p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="ec-title"><span style="font-size:60%;">END OF FILE</span></span></strong></p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><span class="ec-title">CONTINUE?</span></strong> <span class="ec-title"><em>no</em></span></p> <p><strong><span class="ec-title">LOGGING OUT OF FSD SERVER…</span></strong><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title">…</span></strong><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title">…</span></strong><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title">…</span></strong><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <strong><span class="ec-title">DISCONNECTED</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span class="ec-title"><span style="font-size:60%;">You are now logged out. Have a nice day, <span style="color: rgb(10,132,125)">Dr. Byrnes.</span></span></span></strong><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <hr/> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/regardless">Regardless</a>" by Queerious, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/regardless">https://scpwiki.com/regardless</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> fractal.webp<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Abox - Sphere 4D 8K HQ OpenCL 20200323 klein<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> PantheraLeo1359531<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240912150048/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abox_-_Sphere_4D_8K_HQ_OpenCL_20200323_klein.png">Wikimedia Commons</a><br/> <strong>Additional Notes:</strong> Modified to be tinted green and changed to webp format.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:basalt">:scp-wiki:theme:basalt</a> darkmode=a\|hidetitle=a]] [[module CSS]] @import url('https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/scp-8980/departuremono.css'); :root { --logo: url(https://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/queer-byrnes/fsd_W.png); 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} :is(.ec-popup-class, .ec-popup-status, .ec-popup-priority) div:last-child { font-size: 4.3vw; } .ec-options { width: 100%; font-size: 90%; } } @media (max-width: 450px) { div.scientistimage { width: fit-content; margin: auto; float: unset; } .ec-popup-button { width: 50vw; font-size: 1.5vw; } } .scientistimage { padding: 10px; float: right; position: relative; margin: 10px; } @media (max-width: 570px) { .committee-reply { background-color: #b5906a; color: black; margin: auto; width: 81%; padding: 7px; border: 3px solid #523500; } .logtime { font-weight: 350; color: grey; font-size: 95%; } .email { background-color: rgba(var(--basalt-secondary-color), 0.9); border: 5px double rgb(var(--ec-popup-color)); font-family: 'Departure Mono'; padding: 10px; margin: auto; width: 95%; font-size: 95%; box-sizing: border-box; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="ec fsd"]] = [[span class="ec-title"]]FIRE SUPPRESSION DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM[[/span]]* As you may know, the Fire Suppression Department was recently audited regarding [[[SCP-8980]]] and the related personnel issues that resulted from said containment. I wanted to send this memorandum to share the official stance from the FSD, and to remind everybody how to respond to questions regarding one Dr. Christopher Byrnes. @@ @@ The official position of the Fire Suppression Department regarding SCP-8980 is that we have continued in the direction tasked to us by the O5 Council, and ensured that the Foundation balances scientific freedoms with personal rights and accountability. The Fire Suppression Department is aware of the actions of former Head Researcher Christopher Byrnes, and was directly involved with their voluntary retirement. @@ @@ With regards to responding to common questions, I know many of our FSD Site Representatives have been fielding complaints regarding the systemic issues that allowed the 'abuse' faced by SCP-8980 to persist over a consistent period of time. When asked about the current status of any further investigations, please respond in the following ways: * ##green\|DO## remind the employee that Dr. Christopher Byrnes is no longer employed by The Foundation. * ##red\|DON'T## mention any information regarding the current status of SCP-8980. * ##green\|DO## direct any additional questions they have towards the 'FSD Anonymous Complaints Form'. * ##green\|DO## make them feel heard, understood, and comfortable in their jobs. * ##red\|DON'T## give a firm timeline regarding any actions or responses. * ##red\|DON'T## promise anything will be done. * ##red\|DON'T## reveal any information regarding the 'Byrnes Retirement Protocol'. Remember, the best way to stop a fire is to prevent one from starting in the first place. We have dealt with situations like this before, and we will deal with them again. @@ @@ [[>]] -- Fire Suppression Department Administration [[/>]] [[/div]] ----- [[=]] [[span class="ec-title"]]ENTER USERNAME: //cB_216//[[/span]] @@ @@ [[span class="ec-title"]]ENTER PASSWORD: //@@*********@@//[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]...[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]...[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]...[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]PASSWORD ACCEPTED[[/span]] @@ @@ [[span class="ec-title"]][[size 60%]]LOADING DR. CHRISTOPHER BYRNES EMPLOYEE PROFILE...[[/size]][[/span]] [[/=]] ----- [[div class="darkdocument"]] [[=]] [[div class="page-title" style="display: block;" id="#page-title"]] DR. CHRISTOPHER BYRNES [[size 60%]]Confidential Employee Profile[[/size]] [[/div]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dynamic-emails/Default_Profile_Icon.png \|caption=ERROR: ID Photo Does Not Exist \|width=250px]] \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|~ EMPLOYEE PROFILE\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|Legal Name: Dr. Christopher Byrnes\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|Employee ID Number: C0001B00-0000\|\| \|\|Sex: N/A\|\|\|\|Gender: N/A\|\|\|\|Marital Status: Unknown\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|Security Clearance: None\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|Occupation: None\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|Site of Operations: None\|\| @@ @@ ----- \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|~ EMPLOYMENT RECORDS\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|Employment Start Date: N/A\|\|\|\|\|\|Employment End Date: N/A\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|Pending HR/EC Cases: 22\|\|\|\|\|\|Resolved HR/EC Cases: 1577\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|= Disciplinary Records: 0\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|= Total Foundation Demerits: 0\|\| Profile: Dr. Christopher Byrnes does not currently exist, nor have they ever existed. Dr. Christopher Byrnes has never been an employee of The SCP Foundation. See __//Byrnes Retirement Protocol//__ for more information. History: N/A [[div class="ec fsd"]] = [[span class="ec-title"]]FSD NOTICE[[/span]] ----- This file is under code //NULL// classification, and as such, does not exist for non-FSD Personnel, including the O5 Council and the Ethics Committee. @@ @@ Any individuals found leaking this file will be reprimanded and reassigned, as per FSD Black Book Bylaw 1733-A. [[/div]] ----- @@ @@ = [[span class="ec-title"]][[size 60%]]END OF FILE[[/size]][[/span]] [[/div]] [[=]] [[span class="ec-title"]]CONTINUE? //yes//[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]OPEN FILE: //Byrnes Retirement Protocol//[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]][[size 60%]]SEARCHING FOR "Byrnes Retirement Protocol"[[/size]][[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]...[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]...[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]...[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]ONE RESULT FOUND[[/span]] @@ @@ [[span class="ec-title"]][[size 60%]]LOADING BYRNES_RETIREMENT_PROTOCOL...[[/size]][[/span]] [[/=]] ----- [[div class="darkdocument"]] [[=]] [[div class="page-title" style="display: block;" id="#page-title"]] BYRNES RETIRMENT PROTOCOL [[size 60%]]FSD Employee Retention Protocol[[/size]] [[/div]] [[/=]] [[div class="ec fsd"]] = [[span class="ec-title"]]FSD NOTICE[[/span]] @@ @@ Access to this file is restricted to personnel affected by, or responsible for implementing the Byrnes Retirement Protocol. This protocol requires authorization by a majority of the current FSD Administrative Board, and is to be used in the event of a ##red\|severe breach of ethics and/or morals## by an employee of the Foundation. @@ @@ Sharing information regarding the ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Byrnes Retirement Protocol## has been rendered impossible, through the use of cognitohazardous symbols embedded within this notice. Any individuals found attempting to circumvent the censorship will be ##red\|rendered biologically inert via cognitohazardous kill-switch##. @@ @@ Targeted amnestics will be provided to all personnel accessing this document. @@ @@ [[/div]] Description: The ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Byrnes Retirement Protocol## is an employee retention strategy developed by the Fire Suppression Department, to maintain a belief in accountability, consequences, and that The Foundation maintains ethical and moral standards that are enforced. To date, the ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Byrnes Retirement Protocol## has resulted in an overall savings of ##green\|$1.6 Billion USD##, as well as maintained critical organizational knowledge. As of 10/31/2024, there are a total of 216 ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Dr. Christopher Byrnes## listed across Foundation documentation and records, and a total of 0 ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Dr. Christopher Byrnes## that are currently, or have ever been employed by the SCP Foundation. ----- Definitions:** Due to the ontological nature of the ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Byrnes Retirement Protocol##, the following terms are objectively defined in the context of this document as: * [[span class="ec-title"]][[size 60%]]##green\|The Subject##: The individual benefitting from the Byrnes Retirement Protocol;[[/size]][[/span]] * [[span class="ec-title"]][[size 60%]]##red\|The Victim(s)##: Any individual(s) directly or indirectly harmed by the subject;[[/size]][[/span]] * [[span class="ec-title"]][[size 60%]]##blue\|The Research Project##: The anomaly or research project, within which, the inciting incident took place or was related to;[[/size]][[/span]] * [[span class="ec-title"]][[size 60%]]##gold\|Project Records##: All physical, digital or conceptual media regarding ##blue\|The Research Project## in question;[[/size]][[/span]] Usage: The ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Byrnes Retirement Protocol## is to be enacted by the Fire Suppression Department to retain talented, specialized, or expert researchers, in situations where said individual has broken Foundation Ethical and Moral regulations. The FSD is constantly monitoring all ongoing projects for potential ethics breaches, and currently has identified 7 potential ##green\|subjects## for future implementation. If the FSD determines that the potential loss of talent or information is significant enough such that their discipline would result in an overall loss for The SCP Foundation, following a vote by the FSD Administrative Board, local FSD representatives are to intervene and enact the ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Byrnes Retirement Protocol##, following the steps listed below. [[div class="ec fsd"]] # ##green\|The Subject## is to be located, isolated and moved to a temporary FSD Holding Facility while the remainder of the protocol is enacted. FSD Representatives are to state that this is 'as a result of ongoing disciplinary proceedings related to ##blue\|The Research Project##' if questioned by Site Director(s); # All ##red\|Victim(s)## are to be contacted by an FSD Representative, to assure ##red\|The Victim(s)## that they are heard, and to begin building interpersonal trust. # ##green\|The Subject## is to be conceptually severed from their Noospheric identity, through targeted ontological surgery. During this period of time, ##green\|The Subject## is unable to be identified, except by static signifiers, as established in the ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Byrnes Retirement Protocol## definitions. # FSD Representatives are to identify all ##gold\|Project Records##, and begin retroactive correction in the following ways: # All references to ##green\|The Subject's## identity are to be replaced with references to ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Dr. Christopher Byrnes##. This includes Foundation-wide employment records, performance reviews, documentation pertaining to ##blue\|The Research Project##, as well as any pending or resolved Ethics Committee or Human Resource cases. This is done physically by FSD Representatives specializing in documental forgery, and AICs developed directly for this purpose. # All individuals who have worked with ##green\|The Subject## at the SCP Foundation are to be identified, and administered a course of amnestics, mnestics and ontological medications, such that the identity of ##green\|The Subject## are replaced with ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Dr. Christopher Byrnes##. Any visual records or memories regarding ##green\|The Subject## will lose definition following these doses, such that all representations of ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Dr. Christopher Byrnes## resemble a Caucasian male of middle age, with no major defining features. # ##red\|The Victim(s)## are to be given additional amnestic treatments and cognitive behavioral therapy as needed, to ensure that they understand that they have been the victim of one ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Dr. Christopher Byrnes##. # An official cover story that ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Dr. Christopher Byrnes## has elected to retire, and willingly underwent a Class-E amnestic treatment will be dispersed. Amnestic inventory records are to be falsified accordingly. Any requests for contact information are to be denied, due to 'privacy'. # Following the above, all relevant Ethics Committee members are to be reminded of the pending case(s) regarding ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Dr. Christopher Byrnes##. Due to the previous steps, and ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Dr. Christopher Byrnes'## alleged self-retirement, proceedings will continue at an accelerated rate. In 9 out of 10 cases, the case will be resolved within a week, and the judgement issued will result in no major punitive action. # ##green\|The Subject## is to be provided with a new Noospheric identity, and are assigned to a research project based on their expertise. This placement can be any Site, other than their previous assignment; this does not account for older assignments. No considerations are to be made regarding ##red\|The Victim(s)##, as their harasser, ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Dr. Christopher Byrnes##, does not exist. [[/div]] The ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Byrnes Retirement Protocol## was first implemented by Fire Suppression Department precursor departments following the end of World War II, to assist in the acquisition of controversial experts, and has remained in consistent use since. To date, there have been no informational breaches regarding the ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Byrnes Retirement Protocol##, and has resulted in many notable anomalous and para-technological advancements, while prioritizing the catharsis of ##red\|The Victim(s)##. All ##green\|Subjects## have expressed sincere gratitude to the Fire Suppression Department for allowing their continued employment, and will maintain devotion towards the SCP Foundation for their lives, experiencing a 30% recidivism rate. This has been determined as within acceptable thresholds. ----- @@ @@ = [[span class="ec-title"]][[size 60%]]END OF FILE[[/size]][[/span]] [[/div]] [[=]] [[span class="ec-title"]]CONTINUE? //no//[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]LOGGING OUT OF FSD SERVER...[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]...[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]...[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]]...[[/span]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[span class="ec-title"]]DISCONNECTED[[/span]] [[span class="ec-title"]][[size 60%]]You are now logged out. Have a nice day, ##rgb(10,132,125)\|Dr. Byrnes.##[[/size]][[/span]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[/=]] ----- [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] ===== > Filename: fractal.webp > Name: Abox - Sphere 4D 8K HQ OpenCL 20200323 klein > Author: PantheraLeo1359531 > License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International > Source Link: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240912150048/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abox_-_Sphere_4D_8K_HQ_OpenCL_20200323_klein.png Wikimedia Commons] > Additional Notes: Modified to be tinted green and changed to webp format. ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-10-31T23:27:00	[ "bleak", "bureaucracy", "deepwell-catalog", "ethics-committee", "fire-suppression-dept", "foundation-format", "horror", "no-dialogue", "psychological-horror", "tale" ]	Regardless - SCP Foundation	88	[ "scp-8980", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "fire-suppression-department-hub" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dynamic-emails/Default_Profile_Icon.png" ]	1457236863	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/regardless
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class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title, "R\</span><span class="hl-number">0026</span><span class="hl-code"> C SITE-43")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">a:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Ablankstyle/</span><span class="hl-number">43</span><span class="hl-code">Head.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient( to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>Reostiation</span></h1> </div> </div> <p>Dr. William Wallace Wettle wasn't stupid.</p> <p>Yes, bad things happened to him constantly, and he had the luck of a gambling addict, but that didn't mean he was an idiot. He knew when things were going wrong, he heard the jokes echoing through the halls, he saw the way the rest of the Site treated him.</p> <p>He wasn't stupid — he just couldn't bring himself to care anymore.</p> <p>Dr. Wettle walked through the back halls of Site-43, on his daily meander between Replication Studies and the cafeteria; a meander, because it was unpredictable, and constantly ended with something interrupting his day. He had long given up on schedules, plans and goals; Willie let fate take the reins.</p> <p><em>If it's going to keep fucking me, I might as well stop fighting it.</em></p> <p>He had first realized that when he was <a href="/scp-7000">12 years old</a>; the world was out of his hands, and he had no way to control anything, let alone himself. Wettle had given up on life earlier than most people are even considering what they want to spend their lives doing. It was a complete shock to him that his life had gone the way it did.</p> <p>That was the funny thing about not giving a shit: when you have no plans or expectations, you can't be disappointed. You don't get hurt, because you don't ever lose. You never lose, because you never try to win.</p> <p><em>Not like winning even matters.</em> Wettle thought, scowling.</p> <p>When he did win, it wasn't because of something he did. Or at least, nobody would ever believe it. It was always bad luck, or somebody else having a great time and getting lucky, never something that he was responsible for.</p> <p>He never got the credit for anything, so why bother?</p> <p>But again, William wasn't stupid. He was observant — that's what made him so good at Replication Studies. Confirmation bias doesn't exist when you never think you're right.</p> <p>But he just couldn't shake the feeling that <em>something</em> had changed in the past week. It wasn't major, his life wasn't significantly better, but… it was undeniable that something had changed.</p> <p>Dr. Wettle shrugged, as he turned a corner, crashing into the wall and losing his balance as he did so.</p> <p><em>Figures.</em> William thought, <em>Nothing ever really changes.</em></p> <p>But deep down, he knew that <a href="/scp-7643">something was different</a>.</p> <hr/> <p>"Hey, Willie! Your shoe laces are untied!"</p> <p><em>Maybe.</em></p> <p>"Wettle, is that… toilet paper stuck to your shoe?"</p> <p><em>Probably.</em></p> <p>"Look at that fucking idiot, he can't even put a shirt on right."</p> <p><em>So what?</em> Dr. Wettle thought to himself as he ignored the constant comments. <em>Even if they're being honest, it's not like I can do anything about it.</em></p> <p>At a certain point, the barbs, jeers and 'witty remarks' didn't bother him. Nothing really bothered him anymore; expect the worst, and anything but that is an improvement. Where most people faltered was not being able to consider just how bad a situation could truly get — in that way, it was a hidden blessing that William was as creative as he was.</p> <p>No, creative wasn't the right word. He didn't come up with the worst case scenarios on his own; no, he had lived them for his entire life. He had gotten really good at knowing just how bad things could get.</p> <p>And if you're always expecting your life to fall apart, well, somebody pointing it out to you only makes you more right. It was just like replication studies.</p> <p><em>It's patterns, not instances.</em> William thought. <em>One or two times is an outlier; a pattern is the only thing that matters.</em></p> <p>And so when William approached the Cafeteria door, and the continual running commentary that defined his life stopped — now that was interesting. Especially because it wasn't the first time that it had happened.</p> <p>For the past week, Dr. Wettle had started to track a pattern. His luck was no different than usual, he still had the same number of incidents he always ran into but— for some reason, whenever he would approach a door, it stopped.</p> <p>It all stopped.</p> <p>Well, not the bad luck — he still sucked at opening doors. Not that it was a knock on his ability to operate a door; he knew that he was capable enough to interact with the simple object. But, every time he was stuck trying to open a door, spending minutes to hours just pushing and pulling, it was… peaceful?</p> <p>That scared William.</p> <p><em>Why now?</em> He thought, as he stared at the glass and metal door right in front of him. <em>What has changed in the past week that would cause this?</em></p> <p>Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth bu— no, scratch that. He looked every gift in the mouth — anything good was inherently suspicious. You think something is good, you get distracted, let your guard down, and then the other shoe drops. You realized why it happened, you understand where you failed, you know just how much of an idiot you were to trust that <em>something</em> good could happen to you. Dr. Wettle was used to punishing himself.</p> <p>Some might even say that was one of the few things he was good at.</p> <p>As he pushed the door and it refused to budge, Dr. Wettle smiled. Misfortune was his comfort zone.</p> <hr/> <p>"So, Willie, how's it hanging?" A familiar voice called out from behind. William was still standing in front of the same door, puzzled, but unbothered.</p> <p>"Been worse." William replied, turning around to the voice and catching his sleeve on a shirt button.</p> <p>"So whatchu up to then, Willie?" Harry Blank said, a shit eating grin on his face. "Having some tro—"</p> <p><em>Fascinating.</em> Wettle thought, watching as Harry stopped mid-sentence, stuttering and mumbling to himself instead. <em>Even Harry? Let's see what he knows.</em></p> <p>"Just doing some Replication work," Wettle started, "There's something with this door."</p> <p>"There is?" Harry said, looking around side to side, refusing to meet William's eyes.</p> <p>"Yeah. It won't open. It's not like <em>I</em> don't know how to open a door, right?" A small chuckle would defuse things a bit, get more out of Blank, Wettle knew from experience that setting Harry up for a joke like that was sure to get a response.</p> <p>So when Harry didn't immediately zing him, that was another piece of evidence that he was right.</p> <p>"Yea— Well, you kn— I mean, I think everybody can open a door?" Harry was panicking. Wettle almost saw the sweat bead up on his forehead and drip down, as he stuttered to find the right words.</p> <p><em>What are you doing Harry? Take the bait.</em></p> <p>"You know, you say that, but I've been trying to open this door for an hour now. It has to be me, right? I'm too stupid to be able to open a door?"</p> <p>"I don't think I would go that far, Willie. You're… I mean, you're capable."</p> <p><em>A compliment? Now that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">is</span> interesting,</em> Wettle thought. <em>Harry should have been an asshole by now. Something's wrong.</em></p> <p>No, not wrong. That's the normal reaction, his standard response. It wasn't wrong though, it was… good? A positive thing, in his life?</p> <p>Dr. William Wettle smiled, realizing what was going on. Well, no. He didn't know why it was happening — of course, that's not important for replication studies. Somebody else can figure out the why behind an anomaly, William was an expert in finding out if something <em>was</em> anomalous. And something had changed.</p> <p>The data didn't lie.</p> <p><em>Maybe I'll spend more spare time hanging out near doors.</em> Wettle thought, a grin breaking through his normal dour self. <em>What's the worst that could—</em></p> <p>No. He knew the worst case scenario, he had lived it his entire life.</p> <p><em>Right. What's the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">best</span> that could happen?</em></p> <p>For once, Wettle didn't know what to expect.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collection"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">More From This Author</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">More From This Author</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <table style="1px solid black; width: 100%;"> <tr> <th class="namerow" colspan="2"><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p>Queerious's Works</p> </div> </div></th> </tr> <tr> <th class="titlecolumn">SCPs</th> <th class="articlecolumn"><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-8480">SCP-8480</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-1611">SCP-1611</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-8811">SCP-8811</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-8887">SCP-8887</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-8843">SCP-8843</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-8478">SCP-8478</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-7748">SCP-7748</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-8740">SCP-8740</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-2346-ex">SCP-2346-EX</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-821">SCP-821</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-5632">SCP-5632</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-8688">SCP-8688</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-7238">SCP-7238</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/scp-7643">SCP-7643</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> </div></th> </tr> <tr> <th class="titlecolumn">Tales/GoI Formats</th> <th class="articlecolumn"><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/dreams-of-crimson-and-azure">Dreams of Crimson and Azure</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/kill-agents-and-you">Don't Die: Kill Agents and You</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/the-heart-grows-fonder">The Heart Grows Fonder</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/bystander-s-guilt">Bystander's Guilt</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/survivor-s-guilt">Survivor's Guilt</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/no-reason">No Reason</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/pseudoguilt">Pseudoguilt</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/the-deadname-meme">The Deadname Meme</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/regardless">Regardless</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/a-tale-of-two-mailrooms">A Tale Of Two Mailrooms</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/the-bowe-transition">The Bowe Transition</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/parker-informational-breach">The Magic Circle Hijacking</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/wit">Wit</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/anomalous-ontology-orientation">An Orientation on Anomalous Ontology</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/because-of-the-shame">Because of The Shame</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> </div></th> </tr> <tr> <th class="titlecolumn">Other</th> <th class="articlecolumn"><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/queerious">Cabinet of Queerious-ities</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> </div></th> </tr> </table> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/reostiation">Reostiation</a>" by Queerious, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/reostiation">https://scpwiki.com/reostiation</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=Dr. William Wallace Wettle wasn't stupid.]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:blankstyle">:scp-wiki:theme:blankstyle</a>]] [[module css]] :root { --fade-in-delay: 0s; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[div]] [[=]] + Reostiation [[/=]] [[/div]] Dr. William Wallace Wettle wasn't stupid. Yes, bad things happened to him constantly, and he had the luck of a gambling addict, but that didn't mean he was an idiot. He knew when things were going wrong, he heard the jokes echoing through the halls, he saw the way the rest of the Site treated him. He wasn't stupid -- he just couldn't bring himself to care anymore. Dr. Wettle walked through the back halls of Site-43, on his daily meander between Replication Studies and the cafeteria; a meander, because it was unpredictable, and constantly ended with something interrupting his day. He had long given up on schedules, plans and goals; Willie let fate take the reins. //If it's going to keep fucking me, I might as well stop fighting it.// He had first realized that when he was [[[SCP-7000\|12 years old]]]; the world was out of his hands, and he had no way to control anything, let alone himself. Wettle had given up on life earlier than most people are even considering what they want to spend their lives doing. It was a complete shock to him that his life had gone the way it did. That was the funny thing about not giving a shit: when you have no plans or expectations, you can't be disappointed. You don't get hurt, because you don't ever lose. You never lose, because you never try to win. //Not like winning even matters.// Wettle thought, scowling. When he did win, it wasn't because of something he did. Or at least, nobody would ever believe it. It was always bad luck, or somebody else having a great time and getting lucky, never something that he was responsible for. He never got the credit for anything, so why bother? But again, William wasn't stupid. He was observant -- that's what made him so good at Replication Studies. Confirmation bias doesn't exist when you never think you're right. But he just couldn't shake the feeling that //something// had changed in the past week. It wasn't major, his life wasn't significantly better, but... it was undeniable that something had changed. Dr. Wettle shrugged, as he turned a corner, crashing into the wall and losing his balance as he did so. //Figures.// William thought, //Nothing ever really changes.// But deep down, he knew that [[[SCP-7643\|something was different]]]. ------ "Hey, Willie! Your shoe laces are untied!" //Maybe.// "Wettle, is that... toilet paper stuck to your shoe?" //Probably.// "Look at that fucking idiot, he can't even put a shirt on right." //So what?// Dr. Wettle thought to himself as he ignored the constant comments. //Even if they're being honest, it's not like I can do anything about it.// At a certain point, the barbs, jeers and 'witty remarks' didn't bother him. Nothing really bothered him anymore; expect the worst, and anything but that is an improvement. Where most people faltered was not being able to consider just how bad a situation could truly get -- in that way, it was a hidden blessing that William was as creative as he was. No, creative wasn't the right word. He didn't come up with the worst case scenarios on his own; no, he had lived them for his entire life. He had gotten really good at knowing just how bad things could get. And if you're always expecting your life to fall apart, well, somebody pointing it out to you only makes you more right. It was just like replication studies. //It's patterns, not instances.// William thought. //One or two times is an outlier; a pattern is the only thing that matters.// And so when William approached the Cafeteria door, and the continual running commentary that defined his life stopped -- now that was interesting. Especially because it wasn't the first time that it had happened. For the past week, Dr. Wettle had started to track a pattern. His luck was no different than usual, he still had the same number of incidents he always ran into but-- for some reason, whenever he would approach a door, it stopped. It all stopped. Well, not the bad luck -- he still sucked at opening doors. Not that it was a knock on his ability to operate a door; he knew that he was capable enough to interact with the simple object. But, every time he was stuck trying to open a door, spending minutes to hours just pushing and pulling, it was... peaceful? That scared William. //Why now?// He thought, as he stared at the glass and metal door right in front of him. //What has changed in the past week that would cause this?// Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth bu-- no, scratch that. He looked every gift in the mouth -- anything good was inherently suspicious. You think something is good, you get distracted, let your guard down, and then the other shoe drops. You realized why it happened, you understand where you failed, you know just how much of an idiot you were to trust that //something// good could happen to you. Dr. Wettle was used to punishing himself. Some might even say that was one of the few things he was good at. As he pushed the door and it refused to budge, Dr. Wettle smiled. Misfortune was his comfort zone. ------ "So, Willie, how's it hanging?" A familiar voice called out from behind. William was still standing in front of the same door, puzzled, but unbothered. "Been worse." William replied, turning around to the voice and catching his sleeve on a shirt button. "So whatchu up to then, Willie?" Harry Blank said, a shit eating grin on his face. "Having some tro--" //Fascinating.// Wettle thought, watching as Harry stopped mid-sentence, stuttering and mumbling to himself instead. //Even Harry? Let's see what he knows.// "Just doing some Replication work," Wettle started, "There's something with this door." "There is?" Harry said, looking around side to side, refusing to meet William's eyes. "Yeah. It won't open. It's not like //I// don't know how to open a door, right?" A small chuckle would defuse things a bit, get more out of Blank, Wettle knew from experience that setting Harry up for a joke like that was sure to get a response. So when Harry didn't immediately zing him, that was another piece of evidence that he was right. "Yea-- Well, you kn-- I mean, I think everybody can open a door?" Harry was panicking. Wettle almost saw the sweat bead up on his forehead and drip down, as he stuttered to find the right words. //What are you doing Harry? Take the bait.// "You know, you say that, but I've been trying to open this door for an hour now. It has to be me, right? I'm too stupid to be able to open a door?" "I don't think I would go that far, Willie. You're... I mean, you're capable." //A compliment? Now that __is__ interesting,// Wettle thought. //Harry should have been an asshole by now. Something's wrong.// No, not wrong. That's the normal reaction, his standard response. It wasn't wrong though, it was... good? A positive thing, in his life? Dr. William Wettle smiled, realizing what was going on. Well, no. He didn't know why it was happening -- of course, that's not important for replication studies. Somebody else can figure out the why behind an anomaly, William was an expert in finding out if something //was// anomalous. And something had changed. The data didn't lie. //Maybe I'll spend more spare time hanging out near doors.// Wettle thought, a grin breaking through his normal dour self. //What's the worst that could--// No. He knew the worst case scenario, he had lived it his entire life. //Right. What's the __best__ that could happen?// For once, Wettle didn't know what to expect. ----- [[=]] [[include <a href="/component:wikimodule">component:wikimodule</a> \|normal= --]]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]] [[/=]]	2024-08-25T03:15:00	[ "_licensebox", "bittersweet", "doctor-wettle", "forgotten-memories", "heartwarming", "on-guard-43", "slice-of-life", "tale" ]	Reostiation - SCP Foundation	63	[ "scp-7000", "scp-7643", "scp-8480", "scp-1611", "scp-8811", "scp-8887", "scp-8843", "scp-8478", "scp-7748", "scp-8740", "scp-2346-ex", "scp-821", "scp-5632", "scp-8688", "scp-7238", "dreams-of-crimson-and-azure", "kill-agents-and-you", "the-heart-grows-fonder", "bystander-s-guilt", "survivor-s-guilt", "no-reason", "pseudoguilt", "the-deadname-meme", "regardless", "a-tale-of-two-mailrooms", "the-bowe-transition", "parker-informational-breach", "wit", "anomalous-ontology-orientation", "because-of-the-shame", "queerious", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "on-guard-43-hub", "forgotten-memories-hub" ]	[]	1456568341	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/reostiation
retrieval	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/normalize-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/basalt-bedrock-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="preview"> <p>In an organization venerable for its destructive doctrines, Keelo—a PHYSICS operative—does his best to reconcile with the enemy despite his people's bloody hands.</p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:100%;"><img alt="thumbnail.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/retrieval/thumbnail.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>thumbnail</p> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:150%;"><br/> <em>“You are Helios, heir to Sol,” a baritone voice proclaimed.</em><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <em>"You will correct the universe.”</em><br/></span></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <p>⚠️ <strong>Content Warning:</strong><br/> - Extreme violence<br/> - Themes of suicide<br/> - Abuse</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="content-warning creditRate">⚠️ content warning <span class="content-warning-arrow"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div> <p><em>Helios steadied himself, careful to keep his head down and his body prostrated.</em></p> <p><em>It smelled of charcoal. Wood cracked from the fireplace and exploded into embers, and Helios could feel the watchful sun slowly being swallowed whole by the Earth, setting the clouds alight into a fiery ochre glow.</em></p> <p><em>”And even if the night does not belong to Sol, you shall use Luna as a mirror to reflect your watchful eye.”</em></p> <p><em>Omniscience.</em></p> <p><em>To use such power would actuate peace.</em></p> <p><em>Helios shall become the center of the universe.</em></p> <hr/> <p>“‘The sun is an eye. And when it becomes the universe’s origin, all axes will be covered by its watchful rays.’” Leo read. He sighed, and after taking some deep breaths, he mumbled, “What?”</p> <p>Two minutes ago, the members of PHYSICS Retrieval Team “Burning Stars” were greeted by the sound of blaring alarms, a monotonous voice repeatedly declaring, “Scramble.” Leo’s forehead was still red from accidentally ramming it into the underside of the bunk bed above him. Office work exhaustion had already plagued him with dark circles and muscle aches. Tonight, it plagued him with brain fog. And this book that spoke in cryptics did not help.</p> <p>Keelo nabbed the crumpled book from him, thick enough to stretch his thumb. “How about you focus on waking up first?”</p> <p>“Porca miseria,” Groove muttered, rubbing his eyes, his accent thinning and pronunciation making great strides. “Why are we up if we don’t even know what to wear?”</p> <p>“I’m hoping for White Suits,” Victoria sighed. “Never again do I want to work with Hellfire again,” she droned with a French inflection.</p> <p>“Silver Banishment rounds,” Groove said, his hands splayed out. “We’ve been watching these clowns for—what?” he asked, turning to Leo. “Is it seven months now?”</p> <p>“I honestly forgot these people existed; seven months of not knowing jackshit about what they’ve been doing. Thank the Judicial Astrologers from the Council for all those months of sitting on our asses, going around in circles about moon trajectories.”</p> <p>“I’m telling you all: Silver Banishment. We use that, and boom, they’re gone.”</p> <p>Victoria shook her head dismissively at Groove. “You’re not in Strike anymore.”</p> <p>Groove kicked his legs onto a table, hands behind his head and weary eyes closed. “I have yet to meet a compliant para<em>threat</em>.”</p> <p>“Sir, what is even our mission?” Leo muttered, rubbing his eyes furiously so they stayed open. “I thought this was a Scramble alert.”</p> <p>Victoria and Groove looked at Keelo. He peered over his shoulder, turning his head ever so slightly. In the corner of the room, the artificer from PTOLEMY Quartermasters was talking to a man in a suit. It’s SOP that every personnel has their ID visible on their body when in a Coalition facility. Anyone exempted from this rule who doesn’t bother to wear one often does so to send a message.</p> <p>The artificer had his lanyard resting on his abdomen. The nameless man had nothing.</p> <p>“That’s my question too,” Keelo replied, his brows furrowed. He had no doubt about it.</p> <p>That person is a PNEUMA agent.</p> <hr/> <p><em>”These people are not to be bargained with,”</em> Dr. Burns’ words echoed in Keelo’s head. He pulled the Glock-17’s slide back, peeking into the ejection port. It was unloaded.</p> <p><em>”The subject of interest entails a 17-year-old Caucasian male, whose legal name is Jeremy Langley.”</em></p> <p>He looked up, then nodded at the white coat thaumaturge behind the window pane.</p> <p><em>”Jeremy was abducted at the age of 11. He has never made social contact with anyone outside the Collective since. His parents have been searching for him, consistently pressuring local police not to let the case go cold. They believe he is still alive, and indeed he is.”</em></p> <p>He let the slide lock back into the forward position.</p> <p><em>”He has since been raised by the Collective and indoctrinated to numerous of their teachings, occasionally under the forced influence of various psychedelics, primarily LSD, of which they claim to be herbal medicine to assist in his Sacrifice.”</em></p> <p>Looking down at the steel table, he reached for a magazine, which held a single 9mm bullet. Its shape was contorted into a twisted form.</p> <p><em>”Resulting from this constant conditioning, Jeremy has been convinced that his role is to shift the universe into a heliocentric model. And to accomplish this, they must perform the Liturgy of Helios, which you all read from their book.”</em></p> <p>A halo of white light encircled the bullet. And in the center, engraved into the bullet’s warped circumference, is an iridescent strip, its patterns flowing like a river and faintly luminous.</p> <p><em>”If this ceremony succeeds, Jeremy will become the sun, and every celestial body known in this universe will begin to orbit around him.”</em></p> <p>Inserting the magazine into the gun’s well, Keelo felt the weight of a crown on his head. In the reflection of the window pane, he saw a perfectly fitted Möbius strip made of identical material resting on his head. He never noticed those dark circles around his eyes.</p> <p><em>”Thaumaturges already observe an aetheric field with a sapphire Hue. However, that is slowly turning into ebony. If the field exceeds 17.8 kilocaspers and attains an ebony Hue, the Collective will sacrifice and kill Jeremy, and his consciousness will be transferred to the sun.”</em></p> <p>He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.</p> <p><em>”Not only will our universe be perverted, but all semblance of privacy will be overthrown.”</em></p> <p>He felt his brain melt.</p> <p><em>”Although this poses significant issues obviously, you all might think Survival would not be of concern considering the properties of this ability.”</em></p> <p>He opened his mouth and pushed the barrel against the roof of his mouth.</p> <p><em>”Then let me ask you this: what becomes of the world when the future is no longer a mystery but a guarantee? And what is autonomy if you are constantly watched?”</em></p> <p>He pulled the trigger.</p> <p><em>”I refuse such a world. And I refuse a society that leads the young to their death. Your mission is to extract Jeremy and bring him home safely. No matter what, we cannot risk him dying. Afterward, maybe we can give his parents some closure.</em></p> <p><em>”Fly fast, Burning Stars.”</em></p> <hr/> <p>In a nearby chapel, Death lost its control over a cadaver. It shook back and forth, loosening the dirt piled atop it until it emerged with specks of soil falling off its skeletal frame. Lumps of discolored flesh tore smoothly from the bone, and the mud dragged bits of it along.</p> <p>It knelt, struggling against its weight. Its head turned on a swivel, scanning its surroundings. Nothing. Nobody.</p> <p>It stood, limped to the chapel, and then leaned against the white brick walls, wear and tear scratching at the clay. It stumbled to the front entrance and slowly peered inside, considerate of its foot placement.</p> <p>The chapel was a repurposed Catholic gathering space, with pews overturned into surreptitious veils, crosses taken down and replaced by white chalk drawings of the sun, and hundreds of altar candles in a circle surrounding the drawings of a sigil on the floor. The air hummed in an unfamiliar tone.</p> <p>Through the slits of the pews, it saw Jeremy speaking to someone out of view.</p> <p>Something shifted above. Looking up, it realized several Collective members were meandering in the second floor balconies.</p> <p>No, all of them were there.</p> <hr/> <p><em>”Assessment intel says their perception now is limited. They can only detect and track human sapience from a certain radial distance. The extent of their awareness has yet to be adequately defined, but we know they cannot see corpses. Given their location, this is a perfect opportunity for you, Keelo.”</em></p> <p><em>”If I am to do this, guarantee me something.”</em></p> <p><em>The artificer raised an eyebrow, his eyes remaining on the computer screen. “You’re in no position to ask that.”</em></p> <p><em>“I’m quite aware. If you wanted someone else to use the gun, you’d put Leo on the helm.” Keelo crossed his arms. “But this is coming from me, personally.”</em></p> <p><em>The artificer stopped typing and stared at the monitor for a minute. The silence in the room rang, but Keelo didn’t move. In that silence, the two men shared an unspoken connection to a bygone memory. Finally, the artificer looked up at Keelo. “It’s about the PNEUMA agent, isn’t it?”</em></p> <p><em>“Mjolnir, we’ve known each other for a long time. Just tell me: what’s he doing here?”</em></p> <p><em>“You know, if I tell you that, we’re not waking up tomorrow morning.”</em></p> <p><em>“Then promise me this: do not let him take Jeremy.”</em></p> <p><em>Mjolnir’s jaw tensed. Although his eyes were still, Keelo could see movement behind his retinas. Recognition and surprise. That’s what it was.</em></p> <p><em>Keelo even surprised himself. He long suppressed this topic, and that inhibition led to the slow decay of his friendship with Mjolnir, who no longer shared the closeness he once enjoyed before the incident involving Lily. To see himself bringing the topic up first was as rare as an eclipse. Yet again, it wasn’t impossible.</em></p> <p><em>He could tell Mjolnir considered playing dumb, but both of them knew there was no point in lying. After all, this is the reason why the two of them don’t talk anymore, aside from business.</em></p> <p><em>”You’re putting emotions into this again,” Mjolnir said slowly.</em></p> <p><em>”What? You want me to just go in without asking a single question?”</em></p> <p><em>”Even if I ask them, they won’t listen. You know they run an agenda different from ours. Don’t do this again.”</em></p> <p><em>”I couldn’t sleep since they took Lily, you know?” Keelo’s voice was steady, but there was an undertone of desperation in it. “She wasn’t a parathreat. She was a human. If it happens again with Jeremy, I don’t think I’ll ever sleep again. Please, do not let them take him.”</em></p> <p><em>Mjolnir stared at Keelo. Another moment passed.</em></p> <p><em>”I didn’t take this role as a Retrieval TL to see my work amount to nothing. What point is there to rescue someone now if you’re just going to pull the trigger later?”</em></p> <p><em>Mjolnir glared at Keelo, but eventually, he finally gave up and said, “I’ll see what I can do.”</em></p> <hr/> <p>The corpse wandered around the exterior, examining the building and the surrounding forest. It was a desolate location, far from urban centers. A ten-minute drive would land someone at a gas station at best.</p> <p>Above, the stars peeled through the night sky, free from any light pollution. One of them blinked intermittently, and the corpse soon realized it was a commercial plane.</p> <p>A member of the Collective walked out of the building through the front gate. The corpse pushed its back against the wall, its head back and non-existent stomach pushed in. It listened intently, waiting as it watched the plane above. The Collective member’s feet shuffled and dragged across the dirt. For a second, the corpse forgot it was dead after it tried to hold its breath.</p> <p>Finally, the plane shifted away from the chapel to hover above an entirely different county. The Collective member waited a little longer before retreating back into the building.</p> <p>They could detect people 40,000 ft in the air but nothing beyond a 1-mile radius.</p> <p><em>Fuck. They’ve opened the Pillar of the Sky.</em></p> <hr/> <p><em>“What am I, Father?” Helios asked.</em></p> <p><em>“A hero. The world is plagued by darkness. It is that very darkness that enables humanity to commit invisible atrocities and hide their ulterior motives. With your light, you will leave no stone unturned, and no human shall ever have the opportunity to hide anything ever again.”</em></p> <p><em>“And what if they disagree? Why don’t we talk to them?”</em></p> <p><em>“Because they and I already have; they have rejected our pursuit to preserve their feeble secrets. To give away everything is the ultimate act of selflessness. And I found it unsurprising that they denounced our cause upon learning it.”</em></p> <p><em>“What if I talked to them?”</em></p> <p><em>“You will only find fire and brimstone.”</em></p> <hr/> <p>“I wonder why they always use churches,” Victoria pondered. “If I had a nickel every time a cult used a derelict palace of religion, I’d have five now.”</p> <p>“Something to do with faith. Paranormal theology of that sort,” Leo said.</p> <p>“So, gibberish?”</p> <p>“If enough faith is poured into a certain concept, it provides an altered source of EVE, enough for rogue sects with enough esotericism to produce certain manifestations.”</p> <p>“Collective unconsciousness?”</p> <p>“I don’t know,” Leo sighed. “All I know is if enough people or powerful figures believe something true, wild shit happens.”</p> <p>“Maybe that’s why they call themselves the Collective,” Groove gibed.</p> <p>“A bit comical though, no?” Victoria wondered.</p> <p>“That’s what happens when you think you’re above the human race. Things sound divine to you within the circle, but to everyone else, it’s comical. This Collective bullshit can go suck my—”</p> <p>Keelo swung the door open and stormed in. The team members immediately stood up, outfitted and ready in their skin garments. He exchanged some tense glances which were returned with eager eyes. But before he could speak, he collapsed, holding on to the wall’s railings. Leo caught his shoulder immediately. Victoria motioned forward but stopped behind Leo. Groove stood at attention.</p> <p>“Did you just get out of Awakening?” Leo strained, trying to hold Keelo’s weight. “Jesus man, could you be any—”</p> <p>“They have the Pillar of the Sky,” Keelo interrupted.</p> <p>There was a pause of consideration. Leo was the first to figure it out.</p> <p>“Shit,” Leo muttered. He snapped out of his momentary trance and realized he let Keelo fall. “Shit, shit, sorry,” he repeated as he crouched down to Keelo, who sat on the floor with his back on the wall, his hair grazing the railing.</p> <p>“So,” Groove grumbled, “that’s how they detect people?”</p> <p>Keelo nodded. “Meaning they bypassed the aetheric field prerequisite. And <em>that</em> means their next step is the Sacrifice. Fuck Assessment’s intel. Get ready for rapid insertion.”</p> <hr/> <p>The Father swatted Helios’ face with his cane, leaving a red impression across his left cheek. “Fool, do you realize how close you are? And you ask this now?”</p> <p>“I don’t want anyone else to die,” Helios grimaced, his hand holding his cheek. “Is it not in the Collective’s nature to question others? To question the self?” Defiance rose in his chest, and some flood of righteousness lifted him to his feet. “You taught me this, Father. What God would I be without thought? Without principle?”</p> <p>“I have given you your principles already,” the Father growled. “They will not hesitate. And neither should you.”</p> <p>“To what? Kill me? Father, all I ask is we talk to them. Perhaps they would understand our mission.”</p> <p>“This again,” the Father scoffed. “I’ve told you, even if they did understand, they would only feign it. It’d be only because we hold them at gunpoint with your life that they try to understand us.”</p> <p>Helios suddenly became hauntingly wary of his mortality. In an hour, he would no longer possess this body but a celestial one. The Father’s trembling hand met Helios’ shoulder, his other hand gripping his cane.</p> <p>“So long as they have sins to hide, they will never accept our cause. They use humanity’s righteousness, its savior complex, to drive ambitious missions, and in turn, they use those missions to blind people from the true unspoken purpose of their organizations. How ironic is it that the people devoted to humanity’s safety are the very ones exploiting it?” The Father guided Helios to one of the unturned pews, sitting him. “Think. What would happen if their lies were exposed?”</p> <p>“Honest peace,” Helios recited without hesitation.</p> <p>“That is verbatim; exactly what I taught you. What do <em>you</em> think will happen?”</p> <p>Helios paused. He searched his mind but found nothing. He was used to being given knowledge, not to creating it, never to question it. “I don’t know,” he stammered. “I was told not to deviate from your teachings.”</p> <p>The Father knelt to meet Helios’ eyes. They glimmered in the darkness, wet. “The truth is, nothing.”</p> <p>Helios opened his mouth to say something, but his confusion apprehended him.</p> <p>“People will turn their heads away again. They may speak and protest, but in reality, they don’t care. They are blind conspirators, promoting a system of corruption and deceit but never questioning it until the truth is fed to them on a silver platter. And even then, if you give them a lie, they’ll devour it whole and shout away. What is another norm anyways?” The Father rose. “That is why it will never be enough. With the current order of the world, secrecy will always prevail. And that is why you shall enact truth as the ultimate law.”</p> <p>“To rid away the secrecy and sacrifice privacy,” Helios recited again.</p> <p>The Father nodded. “Only under constant light will someone have their inhibitions. And even if it may be an act at first, all in fear of judgment, they will slowly learn. And once they do, they won’t need inhibitions, because their soul will be clean once—”</p> <p>The Father stopped, and his eyes widened. “Father?” Helios asked.</p> <p>“They’re here,” the Father boiled.</p> <p>Before the shards of glass could reach him, he unsheathed his knife from his ankle and locked Helios into a chokehold.</p> <hr/> <p>Keelo crashed through the windows, angling his propellants to slow his descent. Hovering above the sigil chalked on the ground, he looked around, finding robed figures watching and surrounding him from the balconies. Behind their drapes, their hands shuffled, and it didn’t take long for one to produce a handgun.</p> <p>He let go of the propellant pack’s twin joysticks and threw an orb into the air.</p> <p>Almost instantaneously, it exploded into a spectacle of luminescence. Keelo’s visor immediately adjusted the exposure, and through the sustained, overbearing amount of light, he watched as the robed figures shielded their eyes, their balance disoriented. A grinding, whining sound emitted by the orb forced them to the ground.</p> <p>Immediately after, Groove and Leo bursted through the walls, their arms shielding their impact. They leaned their propellants back and threw four devices onto the second floor where the robed figures knelt in pain. Strands of coruscations shot out, each wrapping themselves around the neck of whoever was close. The victims shook and seized, and after a second, the coruscations let them collapse onto the floor and reached out for another target. Groove and Leo landed on the second floor at their respective sides, shoving aside their joysticks and taking out their rifles.</p> <p>But Keelo didn’t have time to watch that. He flew to the back of the building and smashed through the barricades of pews, his feet sliding against the wooden floors and leaving a black trail. What was revealed was another robed figure that seemed to hold himself more highly, with silver striations and a white honor cord resting on his neck. In front of him, he held Jeremy with a knife to his neck.</p> <p>Keelo thought better than to raise his rifle. “Fuego, you copy?”</p> <p>“Receiving,” a low, bass voice replied in his ears.</p> <p>“Align your OPG on the robed figure in front of me—he has a silver cord across his neck.”</p> <p>“I see him,” Fuego said with no delay.</p> <p>“Shoot him if he harms the HVI.”</p> <p>“Copy.”</p> <p>Keelo switched to his microphone. “Let him go,” he said, hearing his filtered and distorted voice reach the pair. He listened to the chorus of panic play out behind him but kept his eyes affixed on Jeremy’s.</p> <p>“Fools,” the robed figure fumed, his voice low. “I hold the crucible. If he dies, you fail.”</p> <p>“Father, let me—” but before Jeremy could speak, the Father tightened his hold on Jeremy’s neck.</p> <p>“Let the kid go. He doesn’t belong here,” Keelo said, enunciating “kid.”</p> <p>The Father didn’t respond.</p> <p>“You’re about to kill a child.”</p> <p>He scoffed. “A practice your kind is familiar with.”</p> <p>Slowly, Keelo reached for his helmet. The Father reacted and brought his knife closer to Jeremy’s neck, who struggled to breathe. Keelo unsealed his helmet and removed it, feeling a torrent of air wash the skin of his nose and ruffle his hair. The sounds behind him were bare, naked, and loud. It smelled of charcoal.</p> <p>“You can still let him go. Don’t do this.”</p> <p>Jeremy struggled to verbalize his words as he grasped the Father’s arm. The Father watched. Keelo couldn’t see his eyes, but he felt them on him.</p> <p>“Everyone before you who has pursued this path perished,” Keelo said carefully. “I’ve seen it. Everyone has a peace plan. But when they enact it without advice, they fail." Without a second thought, Keelo recited, “‘Only when people let go of their self-enamoring can they truly find peace.’”</p> <p>At first, he thought nothing of what he just said. Then, like a gasp, Keelo’s heart quickened, and his head cursed his lips for letting those words escape so easily.</p> <p>The Father’s grip on Jeremy loosened. “What?”</p> <p>Keelo swallowed. They are listening. He considered his next words.</p> <p><em>You don’t have time. He’s at knifepoint.</em></p> <p>He ultimately gave up.</p> <p>“I’ve read your essay, ‘The Broken Promise of Honesty.’ I agree with you. There are many things I wish to unveil—to expose, whether it is myself or my surroundings. But I cannot achieve that by forcing my way. <em>You</em> cannot force your way.” Keelo extended his hand out slowly. “You’re not a killer, Father. You’re a critic. A scholarly one, especially with your tenure as a former professor. You just want the truth. You have a dark history, and I understand: you want curtains to rise and for people to not want, only give. But to know what selflessness is, don’t you need to know selfishness?”</p> <p>The Father shook his head. “No. Selflessness can prevail without an opposite.”</p> <p>“Then talk to us. Help us,” Keelo said, his hand splayed. “If you truly praise what you worship, then you know better to let your personal interpretation of peace override others’.”</p> <p>He shook his head again. “In the face of what I condemn, I cannot let hesitation rule me like it does to you. It dictated my life and allowed the darkness to consume me. That, I cannot allow.”</p> <p>He grabbed onto his hood and threw it behind him. Keelo stared at his face, marred to the point of unrecognition with cuts drawn over his cheeks like strings, his eyes bloodshot.</p> <p>He smiled. “I pity you. Perhaps in another lifetime, we would’ve shared some wisdom.”</p> <p>His grip tightened on the knife, and blood began to spill from Jeremy’s—</p> <p>A brilliant yellow tracer descended from the sky, bursting through the Father’s body and making a hole in the ground below him and one in the roof above. Keelo didn’t flinch, only watched in disappointment.</p> <p>The stump of the Father’s neck blossomed into a grotesque crimson flower. Strands of his brain matter spewed out across the floors. Whimpering, Jeremy crawled to the corpse, his hands shaking over the body, not sure where to place them or what to do with them. He could only behold. His throat bled. At least Keelo thought so. He couldn’t differentiate whose blood was whose.</p> <p>Jeremy’s gaze slowly turned from the corpse to the knife on the ground. He scrambled for it.</p> <p>“Kid, don’t—”</p> <p>Before Keelo could utter another word, an explosion opened the wall behind Jeremy with Victoria in a White Suit emerging from the smoke. She threw a metallic apparatus that used spindles to imitate a human’s spine and its nerve linings. Beams of lasers scanned ahead of its trajectory until it found Jeremy's back. Orienting itself, it sank into each of his vertebrae. The spindly appendages rapidly extended from the core and spread horizontally. It reached and grabbed onto Jeremy’s limbs, arresting him into a detained position with his head faced down and hands crossed behind.</p> <p>At first, Jeremy cried out in surprise. But within seconds, his eyes grew heavy, and he fell asleep in a crouched upright position as if imitating rigor mortis. Eventually, the knife fell and clattered to the wooden floorboards.</p> <hr/> <p>The Laundrymen came in after the noise, cleaning the scene.</p> <p>Leo elected to help them out with the after-action report, providing several photos of what the scene looked like before their insertion and before the Collective’s arrival to this location.</p> <p>Several Strike operatives from the QRF came in and arrested the Collective members. God knows where they’ll go now. Groove met some familiar faces from Strike and exchanged some witty remarks. “Another generic wanna-be cult, nothing new,” he chuckled.</p> <p>Keelo stepped out of the church and watched pararescuemen bring Jeremy into a helicopter. Victoria boarded with him, her helmet off and her hands gripping tight at the apparatus’ controls. She looked up for a moment and met Keelo’s glance, giving him a sheepish smile. Keelo nodded in return.</p> <p>He went to the side of the church to smoke a cigarette he borrowed from one of the Strike members before his right foot struck something hollow.</p> <p>He looked down. There was a skeleton, bits of its flesh still clinging on, sitting upright against the wall with its head tilted down.</p> <p>It looked somber.</p> <p>Keelo sat next to it, groaned, and pulled out his lighter.</p> <hr/> <p>Helios woke up in a hospital bed. At first, his eyes struggled to open, sandy beads burrowing into the corners of his eyes. He went to move his arms but was stung with a numbing pain to his right. He looked down, finding a needle inserted into his arm.</p> <p>A voice cleared its throat, and Helios snapped to his left, finding the same man that killed Father. He motioned Helios to calm down, keeping his palms out disarmingly.</p> <p>There was an awkward silence between the two. Helios didn’t know what to feel at first. Anger, despair, or for some reason, relief. The hurricane of emotions washed away whatever coherent thought he had. The man seemed to recognize this, but it looked like he couldn’t formulate any words either. It was an odd exchange of mutual understanding, yet divided by different flags. Finally, the man sighed.</p> <p>“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t want anyone to die.”</p> <p>The statement struck Helios as unnatural. He opened his mouth but realized how dry his lips were. The man recognized this and reached over the nightstand for a plastic bottle.</p> <p>Maybe this was the hesitation that plagued his people. Ink on paper forbade them from doing what they considered necessary. So instead, they cushion it all up like this. Was this all for a show? A feign? Perhaps a ploy to earn Helios’ trust.</p> <p>The man handed Helios the bottle of water. He took it, nodding gratefully out of habit, and took a small sip, which slowly turned into large swigs.</p> <p>“Listen, Jeremy.” The name almost made Helios choke. He looked at the man, his eyes wide in surprise. “It’s okay if you don’t trust me. You’ve been taught to think that way. You may have been ‘God-destined,’ but you’re still a child. You were used by people who thought they were in the right.”</p> <p>“And you are no exception?” Helios asked automatically. It felt less like his words and more like Father’s. The man didn’t blink.</p> <p>“The people I work for, they are not exempt. And I cannot say I am either. We all work in some way because we think we’re reasonable, either morally or logically. And we work against others because we think the other side is insane. I want to change that. And I hope my presence here with you is proof of that.”</p> <p>Helios didn’t expect these words to from this man’s mouth. Regardless, he kept his guard. “Then who is right?”</p> <p>The man smiled and said, “I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows. But if history taught us something, it is that people who deal with the universal and unconditional right and wrong always doom everyone else into conflict. The Cold War, the World Wars, all of them.”</p> <p>“World War?” Helios asked.</p> <p>The man stood up and said, “I’ll tell you about it one day. I might bring some readings for you, but only if you’d like me to.”</p> <p>Helios nodded out of instinct. Saying no was never an option.</p> <p>“Question everything.”</p> <p>“What?”</p> <p>He stood and walked to the door, but before he stepped through, he paused. “If knowledge is comfortable or easy, it is not the truth. Truth is often disappointing, and it will often anger you. But it’s better to think than to act rashly with blind compliance. Learn to be wary. To be independent. Don’t let people like me force-feed you with knowledge. Question everything.” He turned his head to Helios. “I’m here if you need me.”</p> <p>The man walked out of the room and closed the door behind him gently.</p> <p>Helios was alone.</p> <p>It was odd. It felt like nothing was screaming at him somehow. The stillness of everything made him realize that he was finally in a room by himself. Silence is a stranger to him; it was snuffed out by lessons, scriptures, and lashes. He remembered the soreness in his arms after countless injections. But the needle in his arm right now felt different. It was cold, but it somehow soothed him instead. He remembered the yelling, incapable of discerning which was real and in his head. Words were jammed into his mind, and it felt like they were spilling out of his ears after having finally been reconnected with the concept of…</p> <p>Silence.</p> <p>A tear fell from his eye, but no source of this emotion was found.</p> <p>Weren’t tears for when you were sad? Helios looked over the nightstand and found a picture frame. It resonated with familiarity and strangeness. He picked it up. In it was a portrait of himself with two other individuals. He looked younger. Significantly younger. He almost didn’t recognize himself, like he was another person entirely. In the picture, he was being cuddled by two people, their mouths smiling and open mid-laughter. Their faces were familiar too.</p> <p>Jeremy clutched the frame to his chest and gave up on trying to stifle his sobs.</p> <p>He found his source.</p> <hr/> <p>Keelo balanced the stack of books in his hand. He figured it’d keep the kid busy. He opened the door with his legs and said, “Hey, got you the—”</p> <p>Mjolnir sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the portrait Keelo left on the nightstand. Jeremy was nowhere to be found.</p> <p>Something blunt hit Keelo on the back of his head. As he collapsed onto the floor, a knee pressed against his back, handcuffs surrounding his wrists. He struggled but was met with another hit to his lats that left a pulsating wave of dull pain.</p> <p>“You fucker,” was all he could yell before a gag was wrapped around his mouth.</p> <p>“I told you to leave your emotions out of this, Keelo,” Mjolnir said, shaking his head.</p> <p>A pair of black, glossy dress shoes stepped before Keelo’s view. Looking up, it was the PNEUMA agent he saw before deployment. He wore the—</p> <p><em>Same exact fucking suit.</em></p> <p>“Keelo, team leader of Retrieval Team 12, ‘Burning Stars,’” the man in the suit droned, his voice neither peculiar nor mundane. That in of itself made him unmemorable. Keelo figured that was intentional. “The degree of sympathy you have toward KTE-4931-1 gives Internal Security cause to administer you forced amnestic and selective memory redaction therapy. You will forget everything about 4931-1 aside from the basic intelligence provided by PHYSICS command.” <em>So that’s what they’re calling him now. Labeling a kid a parathreat. Bigots.</em></p> <p>“Do note the purpose of this treatment is to remove your emotional attachment to the subject,” he continued monotonously. “The Coalition cannot afford another Sympathizer, especially in its military. I’m sure you understand that.” As if finishing a script, the man left without another word.</p> <p>Keelo shot a glare at Mjolnir. <em>What have you done?</em> Mjolnir caught the message.</p> <p>“It’s to protect you. I also requested they remove your memory of Lily. Mine as well.” Keelo’s scream was muffled. “Hopefully, with her and Jeremy off your conscience, you can live a more fulfilling life. But I won’t pretend I’m the good guy here. I know what this entails.”</p> <p>Mjolnir stood up. All Keelo did was continue screaming.</p> <p>“It was this or a bullet in your head. You were becoming a liability. And liabilities eventually become leaks. Any breach in security is a threat, and you knew that, yet you didn’t care.” Mjolnir shook his head as he stepped slowly toward Keelo. “I should’ve stopped you from accessing PNEUMA’s database. But what could I do? You wouldn’t sleep either way, whether you knew what happened to Lily or not. That is the same with Jeremy. But I won’t make that same mistake again.” Mjolnir stopped and closed his eyes, his face twisting into a silent surrender.</p> <p><em>It’s happening again. They’re going to find a way to kill him,</em> he thought, his stomach in his throat. <em>He’s a human, not a threat.</em> But he couldn’t tell them that. He couldn’t, even if his mouth was free.</p> <p>He won’t remember Jeremy, not even Mjolnir. Fuck, that suit won’t remember either, not by amnestics but by indifference. Why must it always come down to this? A false dilemma? Kill or don’t kill?</p> <p>All just to protect a paradigm and a dozen secrets.</p> <p>“His existence goes directly against the First Mission. He dies and becomes the sun itself? We can’t afford that. Who knows, maybe we can’t get rid of him. But nothing’s worth the risk of not trying. I hope you can understand that one day.” Mjolnir nodded to someone behind Keelo. “Don’t worry. We’ll sleep just fine after this.”</p> <p>Keelo was dragged away to a cold, damp room as Mjolnir was escorted to another.</p> <p><em>Don't forget Jeremy.</em></p> <p><em>Don't forget Lily.</em></p> <p><em>Jeremy and Lily.</em></p> <p><span style="color: #b0b0b0"><em>Jeremy and Lily.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color: #a3a3a3"><em>Jeremy and Lily.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color: #8c8c8c"><em>Jeremy and Lily.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color: #6e6e6e"><em>Jeremy and Lily.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color: #575757"><em>Jeremy and Lily.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color: #3b3b3b"><em>Jeremy and Lily.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color: #292929"><em>Jeremy and Lily.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color: #141414"><em>Jeremy and Lily.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color: #060606"><em>Jeremy and Lily.</em></span></p> <p><span style="color: #050505">I'm so sorry.</span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>PRODROME</strong></p> </div> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="Your Mind is a Cage"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/your-mind-is-a-cage">Your Mind is a Cage</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="HELLRAISERS"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/goc-hub-page">HELLRAISERS</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Pulse Not Shockable"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pulse-not-shockable">Pulse Not Shockable</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/retrieval">"Retrieval"</a>" by Calico, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/retrieval">https://scpwiki.com/retrieval</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> GOC Logo<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/navla" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5817542); return false;"><img alt="Navla" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5817542&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043680" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5817542)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/navla" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5817542); return false;">Navla</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork">https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Retrieval.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> NASA on The Commons<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Creative Commons CC0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CONTOUR_Launch_(19083178100).jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CONTOUR_Launch_(19083178100).jpg</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:basalt">:scp-wiki:theme:basalt</a> darkmode=a\|hidetitle=a]] ===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= In an organization venerable for its destructive doctrines, Keelo—a PHYSICS operative—does his best to reconcile with the enemy despite his people's bloody hands. ]] ===== [[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> \| name=thumbnail.png \| caption=thumbnail \| width=100% \| align=center]] [[/div]] [[module css]] /---- IMPORTS ----/ @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Saira:wght@400;700&display=swap'); /---- THEME ----/ :root { --logo: url(https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/retrieval/dark.png); --header-title: "GLOBAL OCCULT COALITION"; --subtitle: "Humanity's Anchor"; --title-size: 1rem; --subtitle-size: 0.75rem; --basalt-bright-element-color: 118, 185, 232; --basalt-dark-element-color: 94, 114, 128; } :root { --UI-font-primary: 'Saira'; font-size: 110%; } body { background: url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/retrieval/Retrieval.png') top center repeat-x; background-size: 150em; } body { background-color: #050505; } [[/module]] [[=image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/retrieval/titletext.png size=500%]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] [[size 150%]] //“You are Helios, heir to Sol,” a baritone voice proclaimed.// @@ @@ //"You will correct the universe.”// [[/size]] [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] ⚠️ Content Warning: - Extreme violence - Themes of suicide - Abuse [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-cw">:scp-wiki:component:info-cw</a>]] //Helios steadied himself, careful to keep his head down and his body prostrated.// //It smelled of charcoal. Wood cracked from the fireplace and exploded into embers, and Helios could feel the watchful sun slowly being swallowed whole by the Earth, setting the clouds alight into a fiery ochre glow.// //”And even if the night does not belong to Sol, you shall use Luna as a mirror to reflect your watchful eye.”// //Omniscience.// //To use such power would actuate peace.// //Helios shall become the center of the universe.// ----- “‘The sun is an eye. And when it becomes the universe’s origin, all axes will be covered by its watchful rays.’” Leo read. He sighed, and after taking some deep breaths, he mumbled, “What?” Two minutes ago, the members of PHYSICS Retrieval Team “Burning Stars” were greeted by the sound of blaring alarms, a monotonous voice repeatedly declaring, “Scramble.” Leo’s forehead was still red from accidentally ramming it into the underside of the bunk bed above him. Office work exhaustion had already plagued him with dark circles and muscle aches. Tonight, it plagued him with brain fog. And this book that spoke in cryptics did not help. Keelo nabbed the crumpled book from him, thick enough to stretch his thumb. “How about you focus on waking up first?” “Porca miseria,” Groove muttered, rubbing his eyes, his accent thinning and pronunciation making great strides. “Why are we up if we don’t even know what to wear?” “I’m hoping for White Suits,” Victoria sighed. “Never again do I want to work with Hellfire again,” she droned with a French inflection. “Silver Banishment rounds,” Groove said, his hands splayed out. “We’ve been watching these clowns for—what?” he asked, turning to Leo. “Is it seven months now?” “I honestly forgot these people existed; seven months of not knowing jackshit about what they’ve been doing. Thank the Judicial Astrologers from the Council for all those months of sitting on our asses, going around in circles about moon trajectories.” “I’m telling you all: Silver Banishment. We use that, and boom, they’re gone.” Victoria shook her head dismissively at Groove. “You’re not in Strike anymore.” Groove kicked his legs onto a table, hands behind his head and weary eyes closed. “I have yet to meet a compliant para//threat//.” “Sir, what is even our mission?” Leo muttered, rubbing his eyes furiously so they stayed open. “I thought this was a Scramble alert.” Victoria and Groove looked at Keelo. He peered over his shoulder, turning his head ever so slightly. In the corner of the room, the artificer from PTOLEMY Quartermasters was talking to a man in a suit. It’s SOP that every personnel has their ID visible on their body when in a Coalition facility. Anyone exempted from this rule who doesn’t bother to wear one often does so to send a message. The artificer had his lanyard resting on his abdomen. The nameless man had nothing. “That’s my question too,” Keelo replied, his brows furrowed. He had no doubt about it. That person is a PNEUMA agent. ----- //”These people are not to be bargained with,”// Dr. Burns’ words echoed in Keelo’s head. He pulled the Glock-17’s slide back, peeking into the ejection port. It was unloaded. //”The subject of interest entails a 17-year-old Caucasian male, whose legal name is Jeremy Langley.”// He looked up, then nodded at the white coat thaumaturge behind the window pane. //”Jeremy was abducted at the age of 11. He has never made social contact with anyone outside the Collective since. His parents have been searching for him, consistently pressuring local police not to let the case go cold. They believe he is still alive, and indeed he is.”// He let the slide lock back into the forward position. //”He has since been raised by the Collective and indoctrinated to numerous of their teachings, occasionally under the forced influence of various psychedelics, primarily LSD, of which they claim to be herbal medicine to assist in his Sacrifice.”// Looking down at the steel table, he reached for a magazine, which held a single 9mm bullet. Its shape was contorted into a twisted form. //”Resulting from this constant conditioning, Jeremy has been convinced that his role is to shift the universe into a heliocentric model. And to accomplish this, they must perform the Liturgy of Helios, which you all read from their book.”// A halo of white light encircled the bullet. And in the center, engraved into the bullet’s warped circumference, is an iridescent strip, its patterns flowing like a river and faintly luminous. //”If this ceremony succeeds, Jeremy will become the sun, and every celestial body known in this universe will begin to orbit around him.”// Inserting the magazine into the gun’s well, Keelo felt the weight of a crown on his head. In the reflection of the window pane, he saw a perfectly fitted Möbius strip made of identical material resting on his head. He never noticed those dark circles around his eyes. //”Thaumaturges already observe an aetheric field with a sapphire Hue. However, that is slowly turning into ebony. If the field exceeds 17.8 kilocaspers and attains an ebony Hue, the Collective will sacrifice and kill Jeremy, and his consciousness will be transferred to the sun.”// He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. //”Not only will our universe be perverted, but all semblance of privacy will be overthrown.”// He felt his brain melt. //”Although this poses significant issues obviously, you all might think Survival would not be of concern considering the properties of this ability.”// He opened his mouth and pushed the barrel against the roof of his mouth. //”Then let me ask you this: what becomes of the world when the future is no longer a mystery but a guarantee? And what is autonomy if you are constantly watched?”// He pulled the trigger. //”I refuse such a world. And I refuse a society that leads the young to their death. Your mission is to extract Jeremy and bring him home safely. No matter what, we cannot risk him dying. Afterward, maybe we can give his parents some closure.// //”Fly fast, Burning Stars.”// ----- In a nearby chapel, Death lost its control over a cadaver. It shook back and forth, loosening the dirt piled atop it until it emerged with specks of soil falling off its skeletal frame. Lumps of discolored flesh tore smoothly from the bone, and the mud dragged bits of it along. It knelt, struggling against its weight. Its head turned on a swivel, scanning its surroundings. Nothing. Nobody. It stood, limped to the chapel, and then leaned against the white brick walls, wear and tear scratching at the clay. It stumbled to the front entrance and slowly peered inside, considerate of its foot placement. The chapel was a repurposed Catholic gathering space, with pews overturned into surreptitious veils, crosses taken down and replaced by white chalk drawings of the sun, and hundreds of altar candles in a circle surrounding the drawings of a sigil on the floor. The air hummed in an unfamiliar tone. Through the slits of the pews, it saw Jeremy speaking to someone out of view. Something shifted above. Looking up, it realized several Collective members were meandering in the second floor balconies. No, all of them were there. ----- //”Assessment intel says their perception now is limited. They can only detect and track human sapience from a certain radial distance. The extent of their awareness has yet to be adequately defined, but we know they cannot see corpses. Given their location, this is a perfect opportunity for you, Keelo.”// //”If I am to do this, guarantee me something.”// //The artificer raised an eyebrow, his eyes remaining on the computer screen. “You’re in no position to ask that.”// //“I’m quite aware. If you wanted someone else to use the gun, you’d put Leo on the helm.” Keelo crossed his arms. “But this is coming from me, personally.”// //The artificer stopped typing and stared at the monitor for a minute. The silence in the room rang, but Keelo didn’t move. In that silence, the two men shared an unspoken connection to a bygone memory. Finally, the artificer looked up at Keelo. “It’s about the PNEUMA agent, isn’t it?”// //“Mjolnir, we’ve known each other for a long time. Just tell me: what’s he doing here?”// //“You know, if I tell you that, we’re not waking up tomorrow morning.”// //“Then promise me this: do not let him take Jeremy.”// //Mjolnir’s jaw tensed. Although his eyes were still, Keelo could see movement behind his retinas. Recognition and surprise. That’s what it was.// //Keelo even surprised himself. He long suppressed this topic, and that inhibition led to the slow decay of his friendship with Mjolnir, who no longer shared the closeness he once enjoyed before the incident involving Lily. To see himself bringing the topic up first was as rare as an eclipse. Yet again, it wasn’t impossible.// //He could tell Mjolnir considered playing dumb, but both of them knew there was no point in lying. After all, this is the reason why the two of them don’t talk anymore, aside from business.// //”You’re putting emotions into this again,” Mjolnir said slowly.// //”What? You want me to just go in without asking a single question?”// //”Even if I ask them, they won’t listen. You know they run an agenda different from ours. Don’t do this again.”// //”I couldn’t sleep since they took Lily, you know?” Keelo’s voice was steady, but there was an undertone of desperation in it. “She wasn’t a parathreat. She was a human. If it happens again with Jeremy, I don’t think I’ll ever sleep again. Please, do not let them take him.”// //Mjolnir stared at Keelo. Another moment passed.// //”I didn’t take this role as a Retrieval TL to see my work amount to nothing. What point is there to rescue someone now if you’re just going to pull the trigger later?”// //Mjolnir glared at Keelo, but eventually, he finally gave up and said, “I’ll see what I can do.”// ----- The corpse wandered around the exterior, examining the building and the surrounding forest. It was a desolate location, far from urban centers. A ten-minute drive would land someone at a gas station at best. Above, the stars peeled through the night sky, free from any light pollution. One of them blinked intermittently, and the corpse soon realized it was a commercial plane. A member of the Collective walked out of the building through the front gate. The corpse pushed its back against the wall, its head back and non-existent stomach pushed in. It listened intently, waiting as it watched the plane above. The Collective member’s feet shuffled and dragged across the dirt. For a second, the corpse forgot it was dead after it tried to hold its breath. Finally, the plane shifted away from the chapel to hover above an entirely different county. The Collective member waited a little longer before retreating back into the building. They could detect people 40,000 ft in the air but nothing beyond a 1-mile radius. //Fuck. They’ve opened the Pillar of the Sky.// ----- //“What am I, Father?” Helios asked.// //“A hero. The world is plagued by darkness. It is that very darkness that enables humanity to commit invisible atrocities and hide their ulterior motives. With your light, you will leave no stone unturned, and no human shall ever have the opportunity to hide anything ever again.”// //“And what if they disagree? Why don’t we talk to them?”// //“Because they and I already have; they have rejected our pursuit to preserve their feeble secrets. To give away everything is the ultimate act of selflessness. And I found it unsurprising that they denounced our cause upon learning it.”// //“What if I talked to them?”// //“You will only find fire and brimstone.”// ----- “I wonder why they always use churches,” Victoria pondered. “If I had a nickel every time a cult used a derelict palace of religion, I’d have five now.” “Something to do with faith. Paranormal theology of that sort,” Leo said. “So, gibberish?” “If enough faith is poured into a certain concept, it provides an altered source of EVE, enough for rogue sects with enough esotericism to produce certain manifestations.” “Collective unconsciousness?” “I don’t know,” Leo sighed. “All I know is if enough people or powerful figures believe something true, wild shit happens.” “Maybe that’s why they call themselves the Collective,” Groove gibed. “A bit comical though, no?” Victoria wondered. “That’s what happens when you think you’re above the human race. Things sound divine to you within the circle, but to everyone else, it’s comical. This Collective bullshit can go suck my—” Keelo swung the door open and stormed in. The team members immediately stood up, outfitted and ready in their skin garments. He exchanged some tense glances which were returned with eager eyes. But before he could speak, he collapsed, holding on to the wall’s railings. Leo caught his shoulder immediately. Victoria motioned forward but stopped behind Leo. Groove stood at attention. “Did you just get out of Awakening?” Leo strained, trying to hold Keelo’s weight. “Jesus man, could you be any—” “They have the Pillar of the Sky,” Keelo interrupted. There was a pause of consideration. Leo was the first to figure it out. “Shit,” Leo muttered. He snapped out of his momentary trance and realized he let Keelo fall. “Shit, shit, sorry,” he repeated as he crouched down to Keelo, who sat on the floor with his back on the wall, his hair grazing the railing. “So,” Groove grumbled, “that’s how they detect people?” Keelo nodded. “Meaning they bypassed the aetheric field prerequisite. And //that// means their next step is the Sacrifice. Fuck Assessment’s intel. Get ready for rapid insertion.” ----- The Father swatted Helios’ face with his cane, leaving a red impression across his left cheek. “Fool, do you realize how close you are? And you ask this now?” “I don’t want anyone else to die,” Helios grimaced, his hand holding his cheek. “Is it not in the Collective’s nature to question others? To question the self?” Defiance rose in his chest, and some flood of righteousness lifted him to his feet. “You taught me this, Father. What God would I be without thought? Without principle?” “I have given you your principles already,” the Father growled. “They will not hesitate. And neither should you.” “To what? Kill me? Father, all I ask is we talk to them. Perhaps they would understand our mission.” “This again,” the Father scoffed. “I’ve told you, even if they did understand, they would only feign it. It’d be only because we hold them at gunpoint with your life that they try to understand us.” Helios suddenly became hauntingly wary of his mortality. In an hour, he would no longer possess this body but a celestial one. The Father’s trembling hand met Helios’ shoulder, his other hand gripping his cane. “So long as they have sins to hide, they will never accept our cause. They use humanity’s righteousness, its savior complex, to drive ambitious missions, and in turn, they use those missions to blind people from the true unspoken purpose of their organizations. How ironic is it that the people devoted to humanity’s safety are the very ones exploiting it?” The Father guided Helios to one of the unturned pews, sitting him. “Think. What would happen if their lies were exposed?” “Honest peace,” Helios recited without hesitation. “That is verbatim; exactly what I taught you. What do //you// think will happen?” Helios paused. He searched his mind but found nothing. He was used to being given knowledge, not to creating it, never to question it. “I don’t know,” he stammered. “I was told not to deviate from your teachings.” The Father knelt to meet Helios’ eyes. They glimmered in the darkness, wet. “The truth is, nothing.” Helios opened his mouth to say something, but his confusion apprehended him. “People will turn their heads away again. They may speak and protest, but in reality, they don’t care. They are blind conspirators, promoting a system of corruption and deceit but never questioning it until the truth is fed to them on a silver platter. And even then, if you give them a lie, they’ll devour it whole and shout away. What is another norm anyways?” The Father rose. “That is why it will never be enough. With the current order of the world, secrecy will always prevail. And that is why you shall enact truth as the ultimate law.” “To rid away the secrecy and sacrifice privacy,” Helios recited again. The Father nodded. “Only under constant light will someone have their inhibitions. And even if it may be an act at first, all in fear of judgment, they will slowly learn. And once they do, they won’t need inhibitions, because their soul will be clean once—” The Father stopped, and his eyes widened. “Father?” Helios asked. “They’re here,” the Father boiled. Before the shards of glass could reach him, he unsheathed his knife from his ankle and locked Helios into a chokehold. ----- Keelo crashed through the windows, angling his propellants to slow his descent. Hovering above the sigil chalked on the ground, he looked around, finding robed figures watching and surrounding him from the balconies. Behind their drapes, their hands shuffled, and it didn’t take long for one to produce a handgun. He let go of the propellant pack’s twin joysticks and threw an orb into the air. Almost instantaneously, it exploded into a spectacle of luminescence. Keelo’s visor immediately adjusted the exposure, and through the sustained, overbearing amount of light, he watched as the robed figures shielded their eyes, their balance disoriented. A grinding, whining sound emitted by the orb forced them to the ground. Immediately after, Groove and Leo bursted through the walls, their arms shielding their impact. They leaned their propellants back and threw four devices onto the second floor where the robed figures knelt in pain. Strands of coruscations shot out, each wrapping themselves around the neck of whoever was close. The victims shook and seized, and after a second, the coruscations let them collapse onto the floor and reached out for another target. Groove and Leo landed on the second floor at their respective sides, shoving aside their joysticks and taking out their rifles. But Keelo didn’t have time to watch that. He flew to the back of the building and smashed through the barricades of pews, his feet sliding against the wooden floors and leaving a black trail. What was revealed was another robed figure that seemed to hold himself more highly, with silver striations and a white honor cord resting on his neck. In front of him, he held Jeremy with a knife to his neck. Keelo thought better than to raise his rifle. “Fuego, you copy?” “Receiving,” a low, bass voice replied in his ears. “Align your OPG on the robed figure in front of me—he has a silver cord across his neck.” “I see him,” Fuego said with no delay. “Shoot him if he harms the HVI.” “Copy.” Keelo switched to his microphone. “Let him go,” he said, hearing his filtered and distorted voice reach the pair. He listened to the chorus of panic play out behind him but kept his eyes affixed on Jeremy’s. “Fools,” the robed figure fumed, his voice low. “I hold the crucible. If he dies, you fail.” “Father, let me—” but before Jeremy could speak, the Father tightened his hold on Jeremy’s neck. “Let the kid go. He doesn’t belong here,” Keelo said, enunciating “kid.” The Father didn’t respond. “You’re about to kill a child.” He scoffed. “A practice your kind is familiar with.” Slowly, Keelo reached for his helmet. The Father reacted and brought his knife closer to Jeremy’s neck, who struggled to breathe. Keelo unsealed his helmet and removed it, feeling a torrent of air wash the skin of his nose and ruffle his hair. The sounds behind him were bare, naked, and loud. It smelled of charcoal. “You can still let him go. Don’t do this.” Jeremy struggled to verbalize his words as he grasped the Father’s arm. The Father watched. Keelo couldn’t see his eyes, but he felt them on him. “Everyone before you who has pursued this path perished,” Keelo said carefully. “I’ve seen it. Everyone has a peace plan. But when they enact it without advice, they fail." Without a second thought, Keelo recited, “‘Only when people let go of their self-enamoring can they truly find peace.’” At first, he thought nothing of what he just said. Then, like a gasp, Keelo’s heart quickened, and his head cursed his lips for letting those words escape so easily. The Father’s grip on Jeremy loosened. “What?” Keelo swallowed. They are listening. He considered his next words. //You don’t have time. He’s at knifepoint.// He ultimately gave up. “I’ve read your essay, ‘The Broken Promise of Honesty.’ I agree with you. There are many things I wish to unveil—to expose, whether it is myself or my surroundings. But I cannot achieve that by forcing my way. //You// cannot force your way.” Keelo extended his hand out slowly. “You’re not a killer, Father. You’re a critic. A scholarly one, especially with your tenure as a former professor. You just want the truth. You have a dark history, and I understand: you want curtains to rise and for people to not want, only give. But to know what selflessness is, don’t you need to know selfishness?” The Father shook his head. “No. Selflessness can prevail without an opposite.” “Then talk to us. Help us,” Keelo said, his hand splayed. “If you truly praise what you worship, then you know better to let your personal interpretation of peace override others’.” He shook his head again. “In the face of what I condemn, I cannot let hesitation rule me like it does to you. It dictated my life and allowed the darkness to consume me. That, I cannot allow.” He grabbed onto his hood and threw it behind him. Keelo stared at his face, marred to the point of unrecognition with cuts drawn over his cheeks like strings, his eyes bloodshot. He smiled. “I pity you. Perhaps in another lifetime, we would’ve shared some wisdom.” His grip tightened on the knife, and blood began to spill from Jeremy’s— A brilliant yellow tracer descended from the sky, bursting through the Father’s body and making a hole in the ground below him and one in the roof above. Keelo didn’t flinch, only watched in disappointment. The stump of the Father’s neck blossomed into a grotesque crimson flower. Strands of his brain matter spewed out across the floors. Whimpering, Jeremy crawled to the corpse, his hands shaking over the body, not sure where to place them or what to do with them. He could only behold. His throat bled. At least Keelo thought so. He couldn’t differentiate whose blood was whose. Jeremy’s gaze slowly turned from the corpse to the knife on the ground. He scrambled for it. “Kid, don’t—” Before Keelo could utter another word, an explosion opened the wall behind Jeremy with Victoria in a White Suit emerging from the smoke. She threw a metallic apparatus that used spindles to imitate a human’s spine and its nerve linings. Beams of lasers scanned ahead of its trajectory until it found Jeremy's back. Orienting itself, it sank into each of his vertebrae. The spindly appendages rapidly extended from the core and spread horizontally. It reached and grabbed onto Jeremy’s limbs, arresting him into a detained position with his head faced down and hands crossed behind. At first, Jeremy cried out in surprise. But within seconds, his eyes grew heavy, and he fell asleep in a crouched upright position as if imitating rigor mortis. Eventually, the knife fell and clattered to the wooden floorboards. ----- The Laundrymen came in after the noise, cleaning the scene. Leo elected to help them out with the after-action report, providing several photos of what the scene looked like before their insertion and before the Collective’s arrival to this location. Several Strike operatives from the QRF came in and arrested the Collective members. God knows where they’ll go now. Groove met some familiar faces from Strike and exchanged some witty remarks. “Another generic wanna-be cult, nothing new,” he chuckled. Keelo stepped out of the church and watched pararescuemen bring Jeremy into a helicopter. Victoria boarded with him, her helmet off and her hands gripping tight at the apparatus’ controls. She looked up for a moment and met Keelo’s glance, giving him a sheepish smile. Keelo nodded in return. He went to the side of the church to smoke a cigarette he borrowed from one of the Strike members before his right foot struck something hollow. He looked down. There was a skeleton, bits of its flesh still clinging on, sitting upright against the wall with its head tilted down. It looked somber. Keelo sat next to it, groaned, and pulled out his lighter. ----- Helios woke up in a hospital bed. At first, his eyes struggled to open, sandy beads burrowing into the corners of his eyes. He went to move his arms but was stung with a numbing pain to his right. He looked down, finding a needle inserted into his arm. A voice cleared its throat, and Helios snapped to his left, finding the same man that killed Father. He motioned Helios to calm down, keeping his palms out disarmingly. There was an awkward silence between the two. Helios didn’t know what to feel at first. Anger, despair, or for some reason, relief. The hurricane of emotions washed away whatever coherent thought he had. The man seemed to recognize this, but it looked like he couldn’t formulate any words either. It was an odd exchange of mutual understanding, yet divided by different flags. Finally, the man sighed. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t want anyone to die.” The statement struck Helios as unnatural. He opened his mouth but realized how dry his lips were. The man recognized this and reached over the nightstand for a plastic bottle. Maybe this was the hesitation that plagued his people. Ink on paper forbade them from doing what they considered necessary. So instead, they cushion it all up like this. Was this all for a show? A feign? Perhaps a ploy to earn Helios’ trust. The man handed Helios the bottle of water. He took it, nodding gratefully out of habit, and took a small sip, which slowly turned into large swigs. “Listen, Jeremy.” The name almost made Helios choke. He looked at the man, his eyes wide in surprise. “It’s okay if you don’t trust me. You’ve been taught to think that way. You may have been ‘God-destined,’ but you’re still a child. You were used by people who thought they were in the right.” “And you are no exception?” Helios asked automatically. It felt less like his words and more like Father’s. The man didn’t blink. “The people I work for, they are not exempt. And I cannot say I am either. We all work in some way because we think we’re reasonable, either morally or logically. And we work against others because we think the other side is insane. I want to change that. And I hope my presence here with you is proof of that.” Helios didn’t expect these words to from this man’s mouth. Regardless, he kept his guard. “Then who is right?” The man smiled and said, “I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows. But if history taught us something, it is that people who deal with the universal and unconditional right and wrong always doom everyone else into conflict. The Cold War, the World Wars, all of them.” “World War?” Helios asked. The man stood up and said, “I’ll tell you about it one day. I might bring some readings for you, but only if you’d like me to.” Helios nodded out of instinct. Saying no was never an option. “Question everything.” “What?” He stood and walked to the door, but before he stepped through, he paused. “If knowledge is comfortable or easy, it is not the truth. Truth is often disappointing, and it will often anger you. But it’s better to think than to act rashly with blind compliance. Learn to be wary. To be independent. Don’t let people like me force-feed you with knowledge. Question everything.” He turned his head to Helios. “I’m here if you need me.” The man walked out of the room and closed the door behind him gently. Helios was alone. It was odd. It felt like nothing was screaming at him somehow. The stillness of everything made him realize that he was finally in a room by himself. Silence is a stranger to him; it was snuffed out by lessons, scriptures, and lashes. He remembered the soreness in his arms after countless injections. But the needle in his arm right now felt different. It was cold, but it somehow soothed him instead. He remembered the yelling, incapable of discerning which was real and in his head. Words were jammed into his mind, and it felt like they were spilling out of his ears after having finally been reconnected with the concept of... Silence. A tear fell from his eye, but no source of this emotion was found. Weren’t tears for when you were sad? Helios looked over the nightstand and found a picture frame. It resonated with familiarity and strangeness. He picked it up. In it was a portrait of himself with two other individuals. He looked younger. Significantly younger. He almost didn’t recognize himself, like he was another person entirely. In the picture, he was being cuddled by two people, their mouths smiling and open mid-laughter. Their faces were familiar too. Jeremy clutched the frame to his chest and gave up on trying to stifle his sobs. He found his source. ----- Keelo balanced the stack of books in his hand. He figured it’d keep the kid busy. He opened the door with his legs and said, “Hey, got you the—” Mjolnir sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the portrait Keelo left on the nightstand. Jeremy was nowhere to be found. Something blunt hit Keelo on the back of his head. As he collapsed onto the floor, a knee pressed against his back, handcuffs surrounding his wrists. He struggled but was met with another hit to his lats that left a pulsating wave of dull pain. “You fucker,” was all he could yell before a gag was wrapped around his mouth. “I told you to leave your emotions out of this, Keelo,” Mjolnir said, shaking his head. A pair of black, glossy dress shoes stepped before Keelo’s view. Looking up, it was the PNEUMA agent he saw before deployment. He wore the— //Same exact fucking suit.// “Keelo, team leader of Retrieval Team 12, ‘Burning Stars,’” the man in the suit droned, his voice neither peculiar nor mundane. That in of itself made him unmemorable. Keelo figured that was intentional. “The degree of sympathy you have toward KTE-4931-1 gives Internal Security cause to administer you forced amnestic and selective memory redaction therapy. You will forget everything about 4931-1 aside from the basic intelligence provided by PHYSICS command.” //So that’s what they’re calling him now. Labeling a kid a parathreat. Bigots.// “Do note the purpose of this treatment is to remove your emotional attachment to the subject,” he continued monotonously. “The Coalition cannot afford another Sympathizer, especially in its military. I’m sure you understand that.” As if finishing a script, the man left without another word. Keelo shot a glare at Mjolnir. //What have you done?// Mjolnir caught the message. “It’s to protect you. I also requested they remove your memory of Lily. Mine as well.” Keelo’s scream was muffled. “Hopefully, with her and Jeremy off your conscience, you can live a more fulfilling life. But I won’t pretend I’m the good guy here. I know what this entails.” Mjolnir stood up. All Keelo did was continue screaming. “It was this or a bullet in your head. You were becoming a liability. And liabilities eventually become leaks. Any breach in security is a threat, and you knew that, yet you didn’t care.” Mjolnir shook his head as he stepped slowly toward Keelo. “I should’ve stopped you from accessing PNEUMA’s database. But what could I do? You wouldn’t sleep either way, whether you knew what happened to Lily or not. That is the same with Jeremy. But I won’t make that same mistake again.” Mjolnir stopped and closed his eyes, his face twisting into a silent surrender. //It’s happening again. They’re going to find a way to kill him,// he thought, his stomach in his throat. //He’s a human, not a threat.// But he couldn’t tell them that. He couldn’t, even if his mouth was free. He won’t remember Jeremy, not even Mjolnir. Fuck, that suit won’t remember either, not by amnestics but by indifference. Why must it always come down to this? A false dilemma? Kill or don’t kill? All just to protect a paradigm and a dozen secrets. “His existence goes directly against the First Mission. He dies and becomes the sun itself? We can’t afford that. Who knows, maybe we can’t get rid of him. But nothing’s worth the risk of not trying. I hope you can understand that one day.” Mjolnir nodded to someone behind Keelo. “Don’t worry. We’ll sleep just fine after this.” Keelo was dragged away to a cold, damp room as Mjolnir was escorted to another. //Don't forget Jeremy.// //Don't forget Lily.// //Jeremy and Lily.// ###b0b0b0\|//Jeremy and Lily.//## ###a3a3a3\|//Jeremy and Lily.//## ###8c8c8c\|//Jeremy and Lily.//## ###6e6e6e\|//Jeremy and Lily.//## ###575757\|//Jeremy and Lily.//## ###3b3b3b\|//Jeremy and Lily.//## ###292929\|//Jeremy and Lily.//## ###141414\|//Jeremy and Lily.//## ###060606\|//Jeremy and Lily.//## ###050505\|I'm so sorry.## @@ @@ [[=]] PRODROME [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=false\| last=false\| hub=yes \| previous-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/your-mind-is-a-cage \| previous-title=Your Mind is a Cage \| next-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/pulse-not-shockable \| next-title=Pulse Not Shockable \| hub-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/goc-hub-page \| hub-title=HELLRAISERS ]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Calico]] > Filename: GOC Logo > Author: [[user Navla]] > License:* CC BY SA 3.0 > Source Link: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/navla-artwork > Filename: Retrieval.png > Author: NASA on The Commons > License: Creative Commons CC0 > Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CONTOUR_Launch_(19083178100).jpg [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-06-25T22:20:00	[ "bleak", "global-occult-coalition", "horror", "military-fiction", "psychological-horror", "spy-fiction", "tale" ]	"Retrieval" - SCP Foundation	10	[ "your-mind-is-a-cage", "goc-hub-page", "pulse-not-shockable", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide", "navla-artwork" ]	[ "goc-hub-page" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/retrieval/thumbnail.png" ]	1454322869	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/retrieval
revel-in-wrath-revived	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/component%3Abhl-dark-sidebar/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aextra-black-highlighter-theme/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/wrathcon"><img alt="EuX0BFR.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/EuX0BFR.png"/></a><br/> <span style="color:red;"><br/> <sub>Stone created by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/syuzhet" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7988708); return false;"><img alt="syuzhet" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7988708&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1728675041" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7988708)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/syuzhet" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7988708); return false;">syuzhet</a></span>, taken from WRATHCON Hub</sub><br/></span> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h1 id="toc0"><span style="color:red;"><span>DIG UP MY GRAVE</span></span></h1> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <img alt="xslMIfC.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/xslMIfC.png"/><br/> <img alt="8hzNwui.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/8hzNwui.png"/> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/revel-in-wrath-revived">REVEL IN WRATH, REVIVED</a>" by Dino—Draws, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/revel-in-wrath-revived">https://scpwiki.com/revel-in-wrath-revived</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/xslMIfC.png">https://i.imgur.com/xslMIfC.png</a><br/> <strong>Name:</strong> revelinwrath1<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> dino—draws<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/xslMIfC.png">https://i.imgur.com/xslMIfC.png</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/8hzNwui.png">https://i.imgur.com/8hzNwui.png</a><br/> <strong>Name:</strong> revelinwrath2<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> dino—draws<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/8hzNwui.png">https://i.imgur.com/8hzNwui.png</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/EuX0BFR.png">https://i.imgur.com/EuX0BFR.png</a><br/> <strong>Name:</strong> gravestone<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> syuzhet<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/EuX0BFR.png">https://i.imgur.com/EuX0BFR.png</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:extra-black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:extra-black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[module css]] #content-wrap{ background: black; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[=]] [[image https://i.imgur.com/EuX0BFR.png link="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/wrathcon"]] [[span style="color:red;"]] ,,Stone created by [[user Syuzhet]], taken from WRATHCON Hub,, [[/span]] @@ @@ [[span style="color:red;"]] + DIG UP MY GRAVE [[/span]] @@ @@ [[image https://i.imgur.com/xslMIfC.png]] [[image https://i.imgur.com/8hzNwui.png]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] ===== > Filename:* https://i.imgur.com/xslMIfC.png > Name: revelinwrath1 > Author: dino--draws > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: https://i.imgur.com/xslMIfC.png ===== ===== > Filename: https://i.imgur.com/8hzNwui.png > Name: revelinwrath2 > Author: dino--draws > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: https://i.imgur.com/8hzNwui.png ===== ===== > Filename: https://i.imgur.com/EuX0BFR.png > Name: gravestone > Author: syuzhet > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: https://i.imgur.com/EuX0BFR.png ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]] [[/=]]	2024-08-02T03:10:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "bleak", "body-horror", "comic", "hard-to-destroy-reptile", "horror", "sketched", "surrealism", "tale", "wrathcon2024" ]	REVEL IN WRATH, REVIVED - SCP Foundation	81	[ "wrathcon", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[]	[ "https://i.imgur.com/EuX0BFR.png", "https://i.imgur.com/xslMIfC.png", "https://i.imgur.com/8hzNwui.png" ]	1455998590	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/revel-in-wrath-revived
ridgewell-monthly-newsletter	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Apenumbra/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">THE REC LETTER 8/14/24</span></strong></span></h1> <h3 id="toc1"><span>by Princi<em>pal</em> Rayna Sunshine</span></h3> <img alt="clip1.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter/clip1.png" width="25%"/></div> <p>😄 Happy how-de-do, Moms and Dads! 😄</p> <p>Boy, August is a doozy, isn't it? The sky is so bright, and the outside room hurts my skin more than ever. When the school year starts, I'm tasking my students with finding out why that's happening and if we can stop it!<br/> Even if we can't, whenever I come back to our great campus to start another semester, I see the <span class="eo">EDUTAINMENT OBELISK</span> still standing strong, and I'm reminded how everything's going to be okay. It doesn't matter what the world looks like outside, because in here, we're deciding the future, shaping the minds of tomorrow, and giving praise to the <span class="eo">EDUTAINMENT OBELISK</span>. And we're having fun doing it!<br/> Let's see what the 24/25 school year brings to Ridgewell Edutainment Center!</p> <hr/> <div style="background: #d82c2cff; padding: 6px 6px; border: solid 3px #7f1919ff; margin: 1px; border-radius: 6px 6px;"> <div style="background: #fcf7f6ff; padding: 5px 5px; border: solid 1px #000000ff; margin: 1px; border-radius: 4px 4px;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h5 id="toc2"><span>AUGUST 2024 STUDENT OF THE MONTH:</span></h5> <h2 id="toc3"><span><strong>EDDIE CARMICHAEL!</strong></span></h2> </div> <br/> <em>Our school year hasn't even begun, but 12-year-old Eddie Carmichael is already in the building! In fact, it looks like he didn't leave for Summer Break in the first place! He's been sitting in one spot in the assembly hall for three months now, studying a potted fern. Somehow, the fern has been studying him, too. Now, spiderwebs are at his knees. The branches of the fern are growing towards him, stretching closer with each passing day, while he sits still. So, <strong>so</strong> perfectly still.</em> <p><em>When we asked Eddie what advice he has for his fellow students who also want to get ahead, he told us: "Stop interrupting me. I'm so close to perfection. I'm so close to planthood." Way to go, Eddie!</em></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2 id="toc4"><span>BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING! <img alt="clip2.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter/clip2.png" width="10%"/></span></h2> </div> <br/> Knowing what school supplies to shop for can be such a gosh-damn hassle for both students <em>and</em> parents - which is why, at Ridgewell Edutainment Center, we use the helpful acronym <strong>PPPMCN2PTPEMDAS</strong>! That's <strong>P</strong>encils, <strong>P</strong>ens, <strong>P</strong>aper, <strong>M</strong>echanical <strong>P</strong>encils, <strong>N</strong>o. <strong>2</strong>. <strong>P</strong>encils, <strong>T</strong>iconderoga <strong>P</strong>encils, <strong>E</strong>rasers, <strong>M</strong>aybe <strong>D</strong>esks, <strong>a</strong>nd <strong>S</strong>taplers! Don't worry, staples will be provided. <p>Some of our lesser teachers may have their own list of whatsits your child will need, just for their class! How greedy of them. Make sure you grab these gobstoppers if your child has one of the following classes:</p> <div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"> <p><em><strong>Intro to Complex Emotions</strong></em><br/> <strong>with Ms. Udailey, 4th Grade:</strong></p> <ul> <li>One (1) sick or dying pet, preferably mammalian. This year, insects or fish will not be allowed.</li> <li>Five (5) books once owned by now-deceased members of your extended family.</li> <li>NOTE JUST FOR STUDENTS: <span class="bblock">If you give me both your parents' wedding rings, you will immediately pass this class. Your parents cannot find out about this.</span></li> </ul> </div> <div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"> <p><em><strong>Intro to Cosmic Unfolding</strong></em><br/> <strong>with Mrs. Anne-Howwe, 10th Grade:</strong></p> <ul> <li>One (1) second from the years 2038, 2061, or 2100. Do not store your future seconds above room temperature or leave them in a hot car!</li> <li>At least three (3) recently-produced lead ingots from Ancient Rome. Do not store your lead ingots above room temperature or leave them in a hot car!</li> <li>Half (0.5) an atom. It doesn't matter where you keep it.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"> <p><em><strong>Intro to the Monster that Turns Children into Pencils</strong></em><br/> <strong>No Teacher, All Grades:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Your child will not need to bring pencils to school if they are taking this class.</li> </ul> </div> <hr/> <div style="background: #d82c2cff; padding: 6px 6px; border: solid 3px #7f1919ff; margin: 1px; border-radius: 6px 6px;"> <div style="background: #fcf7f6ff; padding: 5px 5px; border: solid 1px #000000ff; margin: 1px; border-radius: 4px 4px;"> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <img alt="clip3.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter/clip3.png" width="25%"/> <h2 id="toc5"><span><strong>RIDGEWELL PARENT POLL:</strong></span></h2> </div> <br/> <strong>Which of these activities would you most want to see added to Free Period at REC?</strong> <ul> <li>Creative writing and peer critique</li> <li>Mixing it up</li> <li>Rooster plucking</li> <li>Regicide</li> <li>Game development and coding</li> <li>Licking a spark plug</li> </ul> <p><em>To take part in this poll, whisper your answer to the</em> <span class="eo">EDUTAINMENT OBELISK</span> <em>anytime after school hours. Make sure your voice is heard!</em></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2 id="toc6"><span>MEET THE SCPS!</span></h2> </div> <p>This year, we've listened, and we've heard your complaints about children coming home from Ridgewell Edutainment Center injured or inhuman! While it <em>is</em> our policy that being human is boring and your kid wanted to be a dragon anyways, we <em>will</em> start taking measures to make sure they don't get hurt in the process: introducing the <em>SCP PROJECT!</em></p> <p>What are SCPs? Why, only <em><strong>S</strong>CHOOL <strong>C</strong>HAPERONES & <strong>P</strong>LAYMATES,</em> of course! These trained professionals will not only monitor your children, but engage with them on a unique level, leading to new and unique educational experiences! Why don't we introduce you to some of them?</p> <div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"> <p>🥜 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>SCP #173: PEEK-A-BOO PENNY</strong></span><br/> <strong>RECOMMENDED FOR:</strong> Children age 0-4<br/> <em>This cute little cashew is a champion at games proven to aid the development of our youngest students - games like peek-a-boo, red-light-green-light, and Find the Larynx!</em></p> </div> <div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"> <p>⚫ <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>SCP #••\|•••••\|••\|•</strong></span><br/> <strong>RECOMMENDED FOR:</strong> Neurodivergent Children<br/> <em>Studies show that the best treatment for nonverbal autistic children is to get rid of all the annoying loud people who keep "using their words." Our little neurodiverse students have found a new best friend - but we're not naming names!</em> 😉</p> </div> <div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"> <p>🐱 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>SCP #3166: GARY THE PUTRID GLUTTON</strong></span><br/> <strong>RECOMMENDED FOR:</strong> Children age 10-17<br/> <em>Animal therapy is invaluable in developing adolescent minds - well, we can't find any real animals, but Gary is the next best thing! Literacy and culinary science are our two most dangerous subjects, but with Gary teaching, their mortality rate has fallen below 50%!</em></p> </div> <hr/> <p>That's all for this month's edition of <em>The Rec Letter</em>! Y'all, I'm so excited to be back. I know my students are, too!</p> <p>And remember - at Ridgewell Edutainment Center, our motto is <em>play together, learn together, be together.</em>® Our other motto is <span class="eo">ETERNAL GLORY TO THE EDUTAINMENT OBELISK</span>!® G'bye!<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dvd">More from this author?</a></p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter">Ridgewell Edutainment Center Monthly Newsletter</a>" by Clacky2000, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter">https://scpwiki.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> ridgewell_logo.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Clacky2000<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC0 1.0 Universal<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> SCP Foundation Wiki; <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter">https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> clip1.png<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Summer Sunglasses<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> pianoBrad; Openclipart<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC0 1.0 Universal<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> SCP Foundation Wiki; <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter">https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> clip2.png<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Pencil Doodling<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> j4p4n; Openclipart<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC0 1.0 Universal<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> SCP Foundation Wiki; <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter">https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> clip3.png<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Happy Family Silhouette<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> GDJ; Openclipart<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC0 1.0 Universal<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> SCP Foundation Wiki; <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter">https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> clip4.png<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Stack of books 3<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Firkin; Openclipart<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC0 1.0 Universal<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> SCP Foundation Wiki; <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter">https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:penumbra">:scp-wiki:theme:penumbra</a>]] [[module CSS]] @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Spectral'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Metal+Mania&family=Nanum+Pen+Script&family=Roboto:ital,wght@0,100;0,300;0,400;0,500;0,700;0,900;1,100;1,300;1,400;1,500;1,700;1,900&family=Spectral:ital,wght@0,200;0,300;0,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;0,800;1,200;1,300;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700;1,800&display=swap'); .eo { display: inline-block; color: black; font-family: "Metal Mania"; font-weight: 100; font-style: bold; font-size: 1em; } [[/module]] [[module CSS]] @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Tapestry&display=swap" rel="stylesheet'); :root { --header-title: " "; --header-subtitle: " "; --body-font: 'Spectral', Inter, BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Oxygen,Ubuntu,Cantarell,'Fira Sans','Droid Sans','Helvetica Neue',sans-serif; --mono-font: 'Spectral', 'Andale Mono', 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; --lgurl: url("http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter/ridgewell_logo.png"); --accentColor: #d82c2cff; --lightColor: #0c0f3bff; --darkerColor: #c9c9d9ff; --darkColor: #f9f9fbff } [[/module]] [[module css]] #page-title { display: none; [[/module]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[=]] + __THE REC LETTER 8/14/24__ +++ by Princi//pal// Rayna Sunshine [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter/clip1.png width="25%"]] [[/=]] 😄 Happy how-de-do, Moms and Dads! 😄 Boy, August is a doozy, isn't it? The sky is so bright, and the outside room hurts my skin more than ever. When the school year starts, I'm tasking my students with finding out why that's happening and if we can stop it! Even if we can't, whenever I come back to our great campus to start another semester, I see the [[span class="eo"]]EDUTAINMENT OBELISK[[/span]] still standing strong, and I'm reminded how everything's going to be okay. It doesn't matter what the world looks like outside, because in here, we're deciding the future, shaping the minds of tomorrow, and giving praise to the [[span class="eo"]]EDUTAINMENT OBELISK[[/span]]. And we're having fun doing it! Let's see what the 24/25 school year brings to Ridgewell Edutainment Center! ---- [[div style="background: #d82c2cff; padding: 6px 6px; border: solid 3px #7f1919ff; margin: 1px; border-radius: 6px 6px;"]] [[div style="background: #fcf7f6ff; padding: 5px 5px; border: solid 1px #000000ff; margin: 1px; border-radius: 4px 4px;"]] [[=]] +++++ AUGUST 2024 STUDENT OF THE MONTH: ++ EDDIE CARMICHAEL! [[/=]] //Our school year hasn't even begun, but 12-year-old Eddie Carmichael is already in the building! In fact, it looks like he didn't leave for Summer Break in the first place! He's been sitting in one spot in the assembly hall for three months now, studying a potted fern. Somehow, the fern has been studying him, too. Now, spiderwebs are at his knees. The branches of the fern are growing towards him, stretching closer with each passing day, while he sits still. So, so perfectly still.// //When we asked Eddie what advice he has for his fellow students who also want to get ahead, he told us: "Stop interrupting me. I'm so close to perfection. I'm so close to planthood." Way to go, Eddie!// [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[=]] ++ BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING! [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter/clip2.png width="10%"]] [[/=]] Knowing what school supplies to shop for can be such a gosh-damn hassle for both students //and// parents - which is why, at Ridgewell Edutainment Center, we use the helpful acronym PPPMCN2PTPEMDAS! That's Pencils, Pens, Paper, Mechanical Pencils, No. 2. Pencils, Ticonderoga Pencils, Erasers, Maybe Desks, and Staplers! Don't worry, staples will be provided. Some of our lesser teachers may have their own list of whatsits your child will need, just for their class! How greedy of them. Make sure you grab these gobstoppers if your child has one of the following classes: [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] //Intro to Complex Emotions// with Ms. Udailey, 4th Grade: * One (1) sick or dying pet, preferably mammalian. This year, insects or fish will not be allowed. * Five (5) books once owned by now-deceased members of your extended family. * NOTE JUST FOR STUDENTS: [[span class="bblock"]]If you give me both your parents' wedding rings, you will immediately pass this class. Your parents cannot find out about this.[[/span]] [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] //Intro to Cosmic Unfolding// with Mrs. Anne-Howwe, 10th Grade: * One (1) second from the years 2038, 2061, or 2100. Do not store your future seconds above room temperature or leave them in a hot car! * At least three (3) recently-produced lead ingots from Ancient Rome. Do not store your lead ingots above room temperature or leave them in a hot car! * Half (0.5) an atom. It doesn't matter where you keep it. [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] //Intro to the Monster that Turns Children into Pencils// No Teacher, All Grades: * Your child will not need to bring pencils to school if they are taking this class. [[/div]] ---- [[div style="background: #d82c2cff; padding: 6px 6px; border: solid 3px #7f1919ff; margin: 1px; border-radius: 6px 6px;"]] [[div style="background: #fcf7f6ff; padding: 5px 5px; border: solid 1px #000000ff; margin: 1px; border-radius: 4px 4px;"]] [[=]] @@ @@ [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter/clip3.png width="25%"]] ++ RIDGEWELL PARENT POLL: [[/=]] Which of these activities would you most want to see added to Free Period at REC? * Creative writing and peer critique * Mixing it up * Rooster plucking * Regicide * Game development and coding * Licking a spark plug //To take part in this poll, whisper your answer to the// [[span class="eo"]]EDUTAINMENT OBELISK[[/span]] //anytime after school hours. Make sure your voice is heard!// [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[=]] ++ MEET THE SCPS! [[/=]] This year, we've listened, and we've heard your complaints about children coming home from Ridgewell Edutainment Center injured or inhuman! While it //is// our policy that being human is boring and your kid wanted to be a dragon anyways, we //will// start taking measures to make sure they don't get hurt in the process: introducing the //SCP PROJECT!// What are SCPs? Why, only //SCHOOL CHAPERONES & PLAYMATES,// of course! These trained professionals will not only monitor your children, but engage with them on a unique level, leading to new and unique educational experiences! Why don't we introduce you to some of them? [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] 🥜 __SCP #173: PEEK-A-BOO PENNY__ RECOMMENDED FOR: Children age 0-4 //This cute little cashew is a champion at games proven to aid the development of our youngest students - games like peek-a-boo, red-light-green-light, and Find the Larynx!// [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] ⚫ __SCP #••\|•••••\|••\|•__ RECOMMENDED FOR: Neurodivergent Children //Studies show that the best treatment for nonverbal autistic children is to get rid of all the annoying loud people who keep "using their words." Our little neurodiverse students have found a new best friend - but we're not naming names!// 😉 [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]] 🐱 __SCP #3166: GARY THE PUTRID GLUTTON__ RECOMMENDED FOR: Children age 10-17 //Animal therapy is invaluable in developing adolescent minds - well, we can't find any real animals, but Gary is the next best thing! Literacy and culinary science are our two most dangerous subjects, but with Gary teaching, their mortality rate has fallen below 50%!// [[/div]] ---- That's all for this month's edition of //The Rec Letter//! Y'all, I'm so excited to be back. I know my students are, too! And remember - at Ridgewell Edutainment Center, our motto is //play together, learn together, be together.//® Our other motto is [[span class="eo"]]ETERNAL GLORY TO THE EDUTAINMENT OBELISK[[/span]]!® G'bye! @@ @@ [[=]] [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter/clip4.png width="25%"]] [[/=]] @@ @@ = [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dvd \|More from this author?]]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Filename: ridgewell_logo.png > Author: Clacky2000 > License: CC0 1.0 Universal > Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki; https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter > Filename: clip1.png > Name: Summer Sunglasses > Author: pianoBrad; Openclipart > License: CC0 1.0 Universal > Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki; https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter > Filename: clip2.png > Name: Pencil Doodling > Author: j4p4n; Openclipart > License: CC0 1.0 Universal > Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki; https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter > Filename: clip3.png > Name: Happy Family Silhouette > Author: GDJ; Openclipart > License: CC0 1.0 Universal > Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki; https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter > Filename: clip4.png > Name: Stack of books 3 > Author: Firkin; Openclipart > License: CC0 1.0 Universal > Source Link: SCP Foundation Wiki; https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-08-14T16:43:00	[ "absurdism", "comedy", "tale" ]	Ridgewell Edutainment Center Monthly Newsletter - SCP Foundation	13	[ "dvd", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter/clip1.png", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter/clip2.png", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter/clip3.png" ]	1456250299	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ridgewell-monthly-newsletter
right-to-repair	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><em>Fragile by design,</em> Epsilon thought as he picked his way through fused muscle to get at the shredded organ underneath it. Zeta was weak enough to be easily disassembled by Gamma should the situation call for it. A safety measure due to their psionic capabilities. <em>Not like any of those psionics did them any good.</em> Epsilon glanced over Zeta's exposed bone to Mother, who was weaving tissue back over the ribs she had just reconstructed. She made Zeta like this. He wasn't sure how to feel about that, but it also wasn't his place to feel much of anything about it.</p> <p>Gamma leaned down and shoved her face in between Epsilon and the pectoral muscles he was working on, and he recoiled back and frowned. Now he knew how he was feeling. He shot a look at Delta, listening to music a <em>reasonable</em> distance away at the side of the room, but she acted like they hadn't made eye contact. It seems like she wouldn't be any help keeping Gamma away.</p> <p>"Gamma, um-"</p> <p>"She's fine, Epsilon," Mother said, resting her hands in her lap and tilting her head to the side slightly, shifting her attention from the task at hand to more pointless observation. "Do you need something?"</p> <p>Gamma stood up to look at Zeta's face, still almost completely intact. Their eyes were open slightly, but there was no light behind them - they were unconscious. Their body's power and systems were being handled by the numerous external systems hooked up to them via a frustrating number of obstructive tubes and wires, the ensemble looking like an inverted mangrove tree stripped of its branches.</p> <p>For a moment, it looked like Gamma was moving her jaw a little bit. "I should have…" She stopped as suddenly as she started, and Mother leaned in a little bit to better hear her. She didn't seem nearly as concerned about Zeta as the others were, but she probably just trusted her own craftsmanship to hold up.</p> <p>"Yes?" Mother tried coaxing out Gamma's thoughts, though Epsilon was unsure that Gamma even formed particularly complex sentences in her head.</p> <p>"I should have been faster." She turned away from the body and back to Mother.</p> <p>Mother only smiled, seemingly pleased with the reaction. "You're already as strong as you need to be. Anything else would mean concessions in other areas." She tapped on Zeta's arm. "We're making good progress with repairs. They'll be good as new as soon as today."</p> <p><em>We're</em> making repairs, hm? Epsilon glowed at the stubborn mass of misshapen tissue in front of him that he had been chipping away at for the past ten minutes, unable to go any faster for fear of damaging the underlying organs.</p> <p>As per usual, Epsilon had no idea how Gamma felt about Mother's response, so he decided not to concern himself with her for now. Or at least, he tried not to while she continued standing so close to him. He could tolerate Gamma and Delta intruding on his workspace at Mother's behest, but this was just too much. He could barely stand Mother's attention when working, let alone his sisters. But he also didn't want to be rude when Gamma was upset. He thought she was upset. According to Delta, she was.</p> <p>He pursed his lips, then looked back to Delta again. To Epsilon's relief, she sighed and stood up but then stopped. Epsilon clenched his jaw, sighed, and looked back at the muscle to keep cutting into it. His hand twitched, and the cut came out jagged. He heard Gamma shift her weight. She must have heard.</p> <p>Letting his momentary annoyance spur him forward, Epsilon asked "Gamma, can you, um…" He trailed off when Gamma turned to look at him. Not even his wounded pride could overcome Gamma's stare.</p> <p>"Oh, come now, Epsilon, she's just worried about Zeta," Delta sighed, finally decided to throw her hat in the ring on the <em>wrong side.</em> Her eyes narrowed. "Besides, we'll need her soon enough."</p> <p>Epsilon slumped down. "What do you-"</p> <p><em>Thud.</em> The heavy door to the workshop was pushed open, and sharp, consistent, and purposeful footsteps started getting closer to Epsilon. By the time he thought to turn around, Gamma was already stepping in front of the newcomer, her eyes hardening in an instant. It was Adrian, and he was looking straight past her and right at Delta</p> <p>In response, Delta offered an exaggerated sigh. "Now, now, that's awfully unprofessional."</p> <p>Adrian only stared back at her, with the same cold eyes he always had. He had stopped less than a foot in front of Gamma, whose stance suggested she was expecting a fight, but it seemed like he hadn't even noticed her.</p> <p>Delta inhaled as though she were about to say something, but stopped. She seemed more interested in watching Adrian. He, on the other hand, didn't seem interested in talking. Epsilon saw Gamma's hand ball into a fist and looked at Mother. She seemed more interested than concerned.</p> <p>The door opened again, and everyone except Gamma and Adrian looked up to see who came in. Mother's head tilted to the side. Delta rolled her eyes. The soft, measured <em>clack</em> of hard rubber boots on the tile floor. In the moment, Epsilon only recognized the woman they belonged to as Adrian's boss - both because she rarely spoke to him, and because that was the only thing he cared about her acting as at the time. Even though, he reminded himself, Gamma could handle Adrian if she needed to. He didn't doubt her at all, he thought as he stole a glance at Zeta's marred half-body.</p> <p>Several moments passed, and Mother let out a small, childlike sigh, quiet enough that only Epsilon could hear it. Then, she sat up, projecting her voice to ask, "Do you intend to do anything about him, Bowe?"</p> <p>Bowe nodded, smiling. She looked older than Mother, with more expensive clothes, and it gave her composure an air of legitimacy. "I'm sorry if he made you uncomfortable, Miss Aubert. Adrian wouldn't do anything rash, I can assure you. It's just the kind of posturing military men are fond of." She stepped forwards again, to Adrian. "I grew up with some in the family," she added by way of explanation.</p> <p>"Mhm." Mother crossed her arms. "If you say so. If you could keep him from threatening his… <em>companions</em> I would appreciate it. Even better if you could somehow compel him to pull his weight when you field Gamma and the others," she added bitterly.</p> <p>"Miss Aubert, you understand I can't make any guarantees in this line of work. That much has been clear since this partnership was proposed," Bowe quickly responded. When Mother narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, she softened her tone again. "But yes, I understand your concerns. They're important to me, too. I'll… take precautions in the future."</p> <p>Satisfied, Mother nodded and remained silent, either trying to decide what to say next or decide if she should simply go back to working on Zeta. Aside from stealing quick glances at the two humans in the room, though, Epsilon still hadn't stopped staring at Gamma, who wasn't phased by Bowe's intrusion.</p> <p>Like an instigating teenager, though, Delta just couldn't let the opportunity to get a jab in pass her by. "What was so important that our fearless leader had to make an appearance in the middle of the workday, hm? Having second thoughts after that little incident with the Foundation girl?"</p> <p>"Incident?" Adrian was indignant as he chafed against Gamma, unyielding but unwilling to escalate things herself. Based on Delta's smirk, she was counting on that. Epsilon felt himself wince when he saw Gamma shift her shoulders despite the insignificance of the gesture. He hated it, but it seemed like both Mother and Bowe were content to let Adrian simply blow off steam. No, just have Gamma remind him of his place. Right. That sounded better.</p> <p>Bowe took a deep breath. "I'm not going to say that the <em>unfortunate</em> turn of events had nothing to do with it." Epsilon detected an undercurrent of vexation in that sentence, and so had Delta, if her put-out expression was anything to go by. "But we're still in a position where we can look for other infovore candidates." It seemed like she was speaking more to Adrian than anyone else.</p> <p>"Are you going to need them any time soon, Bowe?" Mother's voice projected more exasperation than Epsilon could tell she was feeling. "You asked for top-of-the-line products, but any material for repairs is very finite. Especially if I can expect this," she said as she gestured to Zeta, "on 'simple operations.'"</p> <p>"No, I won't. Not in the immediate future." Bowe readjusted her posture, giving herself more of an authoritative stance. "I wanted to let you know that I'll be getting in contact with my associates in Marshall, Carter, and Dark, and due to the sensitivity of the proposed deals I'll need to be there personally ahead of the auction in a month."</p> <p>Mother grimaced, doing little to hide her distaste. Epsilon's hands clutched Zeta's arms tighter - Why hadn't she sent Adrian and that woman away yet?</p> <p>"I'm not fond of dealing with their ilk, but needs must," Bowe continued after a short pause. "I'll be there to make sure anyone I, um…" She waved her hands in circles as if struggling for words, which seemed to amuse Delta. "…Take custody of is treated with respect. I'll make sure you have whatever materials you need, and then some, soon after. I apologize, but I can't delay with the auction, otherwise I'd be right on that."</p> <p>Adrian made a sound somewhere between a groan and a sigh, and Epsilon jumped slightly, then going red in embarrassment. He didn't have anything to be afraid of in the first place, he reminded himself. "It won't mean anything if we can't get ahold of a Bloom fragment." He stood up, taking a step back from Gamma, who still hadn't moved. "The intel was shit. There was never a piece of the Bloom at that conference, the Foundation doesn't even know what the hell's going on." Despite his sharp words, neither his tone nor his face showed much emotion.</p> <p>"We have things to do in the meantime. I'm not just going to sit on my hands <em>now.</em>" There was an edge to Bowe's voice that Epsilon hadn't been expecting, and he found himself staring at her. Maybe Delta had already figured out what it was supposed to mean, but that never came easy to Epsilon. Bowe caught him staring, and although he looked away, she clearly noticed. "…And Adrian will be coming with me."</p> <p>Taking the hint, Adrian made his way back to the door. As he passed by Bowe, she lowered her head slightly and whispered something to him. <em>I'm sorry about Iris,</em> her lips read.</p> <p>"It's fine. It won't matter, right?" Adrian made no attempt to lower his voice. "I know where to get a piece of the Bloom." He shot a glance at Zeta, and Epsilon felt his muscles tighten as he moved in front of them without thinking. "When we're ready."</p> <p>"Don't let the door hit you on your way out," Delta called half-heartedly as Adrian left the room. He didn't seem to notice. Epsilon relaxed, and shrunk back down to Zeta's side again, still close. Mother was smiling gently at him.</p> <p>Bowe bit the inside of her lip, as if unsure if she should speak. "Is there anything you can do about that one's attitude? It's liable to get us all in trouble."</p> <p>"You asked for a more socially intelligent unit, and that requires some learning opportunities," Mother responded, polite yet forceful.</p> <p>Bowe sighed gently, then nodded. "As long as it's the only one," she said as she nodded to Gamma. As she began to make her way back out of the room, she called over her shoulder "I'll be back in contact in the next few weeks. Take care until then, Miss Aubert." Mother did not return the farewell as Bowe's footsteps shrank to nothing down the hall.</p> <p>Delta rolled her eyes and sat back down to continue listening to music, which Epsilon took as his cue to return to repairing his sibling. He didn't get ten seconds without getting interrupted again, this time by Mother gently clearing her throat. Epsilon suppressed a groan and looked up to see her silently gesturing to Gamma, who had returned to milling about just a little too close to Epsilon for comfort.</p> <p>What was she - oh. Right. He'd hastily asked Mother for help making something for Gamma after she had been hurt, but now he felt a little silly once she had been repaired so easily. Honestly, he was hoping to just sweep it under the rug.</p> <p>Epsilon mumbled into Zeta. "Um, no, I think it's fine-"</p> <p>"Gamma, your brother has something he wants to give you," Mother said as loudly as if she was attempting to gain the attention of a crowded room before a speech.</p> <p>Epsilon recited the curses he'd heard from Adrian under his breath as he flinched once with Mother's declaration, then twice, then three times as Gamma took two loud steps over to his side. He wanted to curse someone, but really, he did this to himself.</p> <p>Better to get it done quickly. Without a word, he slid out of his chair, and away from Gamma, and quickly slinked across the room to a pile of scrap used for his sibling's bones and dug out a flat, machined piece of the stuff that was almost three feet tall and a good six inches across. With the treated metallic body and sharpened edge, it looked more like an oversized lawnmower blade than a sword. Epsilon suddenly felt embarrassed as he crossed the room holding the hunk of metal in silence as everyone stared at him.</p> <p>"Here." Epsilon awkwardly thrust the cleaver out in front of him, suddenly very aware of the awkward angle he was keeping his arms at. Gamma looked at it, then back to him, hesitated a moment, then slowly picked up the cleaver and looked at it. Her blank expression made Epsilon want to say she didn't know what to make of it, but he wasn't sure.</p> <p>He launched into his rehearsed explanation regardless. "That woman had a knife, and you didn't, and she hurt you, so…" He hadn't rehearsed it like that. He hated that he didn't know why he was stumbling, and he hated that Delta and Mother were smiling like they did. He pushed on, trying to look at Gamma's feet instead of those two. "This is as strong as you are. Even stronger. So you can kill her next time." He looked up, to meet Gamma's wide eyes. "So if it breaks, it's your fault!"</p> <p>After a moment of consideration, Gamma nodded. She then stood up and swung the sword a good few times, as hard as she could, before looking back at it again and letting it rest at her side. "It's well-made. It'll work." Epsilon nodded in response and quickly returned to finishing repairs on Zeta, thankful that ordeal was over.</p> <p>Delta cleared her throat and gave Gamma a look. Epsilon pretended not to notice and let Gamma add in a hasty "Thank you" before she returned to her normal position in front of him. He stole a small glance to the side to see that she was still holding the cleaver. Good, good.</p> <hr/> <p>The remaining repairs went as smoothly as Epsilon could have hoped, even if they had taken longer than he had wanted. Constructing a chassis from the ground up was one thing, but the challenge of building around a partial, damaged base was something else entirely - with the shrapnel and fused tissue, Epsilon had half a mind to throw out everything below the neck and restart from there, but Mother had been clear about their material constraints.</p> <p>Regardless of how long it had taken in the end, Zeta was up and running again, and they were right back to staring at Epsilon with those big old eyes of theirs. He wasn't fond of it, but he was at least more used to it than Gamma and Delta's looks. He looked up to see their vacuous face, unperturbed by the silence he left it in.</p> <p>"We're done. Everything's fine. You can go now." It was the first thing Epsilon had said to them since bringing them back online, but they should have been able to keep up with what was happening. They were used to watching Epsilon work in silence, anyhow.</p> <p>"Thank you."</p> <p>Epsilon squinted at their sibling. Suddenly, Zeta's stare felt just as uncomfortable as Gamma's. "…I'm supposed to fix you. Don't… you don't need to do that," he reprimanded. "Mother helped too."</p> <p>Zeta looked down without so much as a nod. They were clenching and unclenching their hands around nothing, as though they could feel any part of the cold metal anyways. Epsilon sighed. Zeta was more simple-minded than even Gamma and took to habits quite strongly, and rarely were they without something to hold onto. "Gamma and Delta were just getting all your belongings ready. You've been out for a while."</p> <p>Zeta blinked.</p> <p>"…So they'll be here with your spear in a moment," Epsilon added.</p> <p>In response, Zeta decided to wrap their hands around their legs and stay seated in the chair Epsilon was using to run the tests. They were as still as the unused wires that dangled around the two of them now that Zeta was no longer connected to them, which made the room feel as though it were just large enough for the pair in the low light. For once, Epsilon found that he was the one staring a Zeta, who was as motionless as they had been when they were dead - were being repaired.</p> <p>There wasn't much time to ruminate on that, thankfully. Light flooded into the room from its door opening as Gamma and Delta returned. Zeta's head shot up to look at them as they approached, and Epsilon shook his head and followed their gaze.</p> <p>"Oh, Gamma, Zeta wanted…" He trailed off when he saw Delta. She was the only one whose expressions he could reliably read, but even if he was as clueless as Zeta, he'd be able to tell something was off. She almost never looked so concerned.</p> <p>"Gamma, please <em>wait</em> a moment, this really isn't anything worth your concern." Delta's hushed tone did little to mask her worry. When Gamma wasn't stopped, she grabbed her arm. "You'll only be making things worse by-</p> <p>Delta's pleas fell on deaf hears, and Gamma didn't so much as slow her pace when she was grabbed. Epsilon started to say something, but Gamma brushed past him and tossed something small to Zeta, whose arm snapped up to catch it immediately. Their hand opened to reveal a small, iridescent crystal, made of delicate concentric rectangles. Zeta's cold hands held it gently, carefully, as they relaxed for the first time since they had woken up.</p> <p>"Why do you have this?" Gamma demanded. Epsilon flinched at her harsh tone and looked to Delta for some clarification. They made eye contact, but she simply pursed her lips and looked at the ground.</p> <p>There was no response from Zeta, but unlike their usual vacant silence, they appeared to be biting their lip. They didn't meet Gamma's eyes.</p> <p>"Gamma." Delta tried to sound stern, but their voice was ever so slightly shaking. "They probably just think it looks nice. I - <em>I</em> think it looks nice."</p> <p>"Is she right?" Gamma didn't look back at Delta or so much as acknowledge Epsilon as he slowly moved closer to Zeta's side, for reasons he wasn't entirely sure of. But looking at Gamma, he found it very hard to move his legs.</p> <p>It took several seconds for Zeta to react at all. They nodded, so slow and stilted that Epsilon wasn't sure that he was seeing it properly at first. "Mm." A soft grunt was the only vocal confirmation they offered.</p> <p>Delta shivered and exhaled an unsure breath. She took a moment to figure out what to say. "Gamma. It's nothing to worry about. I, I mean, I think it looks nice too." Her eyes went back to Epsilon. "And I'm sure - Epsilon does too. Right?"</p> <p>"Yes!" Epsilon answered quickly and loudly despite his nerves, and the fact he hadn't taken a good look at the crystal. He still wasn't sure what was happening, but looking at Delta's expression gave him an awful feeling.</p> <p>"Zeta isn't like either of you," Gamma said. "They can't be."</p> <p>Epsilon's mouth fell open. Zeta had been granted less emotional development in order to make sure such a unique product wouldn't be beholden to any illogical outbursts - they were supposed to be closer to an autonomous system than an individual like Delta. That meant no interests. And no concept of beauty.</p> <p>Delta grinded her teeth. "Gamma, dear, we all have similar neural architecture, right, Epsilon?" She turned to him, and he nodded hastily, as Gamma didn't even bother to look at him. "See? So what if we like the same things."</p> <p>"Bowe was unhappy with you." Gamma's flat intonation did little to hide her invective. Delta visibly cringed. "She won't tolerate defects like this from Zeta."</p> <p>"For <em>god's sake,</em> it's a <em>rock!</em>" Delta was yelling now, and Epsilon winced and moved a step closer to Zeta, his hand reaching out and squeezing their shoulder of its own accord. Zeta's head shifted towards him slightly, but he couldn't make out their face. "Nothing is going to happen to us!"</p> <p>Gamma whipped around to face Delta with such speed that she staggered backwards. "They will have Zeta decommissioned as a defective product. Either Epsilon will deactivate them or <em>I will kill them</em>."</p> <p>It was hard to breathe. Epsilon's stomach churned. Images of Zeta's innards came to his mind, then the idea of plugging them back into those coils and slicing each of their organs apart while they watched. His hand squeezed them harder as his hand went down to the cleaver he had just given Gamma. It was more than strong enough to cut any of them into chunks. He'd made sure of that.</p> <p>Delta looked like she was choking. She was hunched backwards as if attempting to flee from Gamma with her feet rooted in place. Her mouth was open, and her eyes were wide, and almost angry. "<em>You…</em>" she spat. "You wouldn't do that."</p> <p>"…No. I wouldn't. I'll protect you all." Gamma's expression hardened as she turned back to Zeta. "This will stop now. Give me the crystal, Zeta."</p> <p>"Don't do that." Delta's words were terse, like a warning. "It's just-"</p> <p>"I don't care if it's small. It won't get any further." Gamma held her hand out expectantly. Epsilon couldn't see if Zeta was even moving as he looked down at them, curled up on the chair. Delta looked as though she wanted to say something, but the simple fact of the matter was that she was little more than an experimental AI and a basic body, and Gamma was built to rip steel beams in half.</p> <p>Slowly, like a reptile that was afraid of giving away its camouflaged position, Zeta expended their arm, hand in a light fist. Their hand opened next, as slowly as a blooming flower. Then, wordlessly, Gamma seized the crystal and crushed it into dust in her hands. The glittering remains filtered through the open skeletal structure of Zeta's unfeeling hands and onto the floor.</p> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] //Fragile by design,// Epsilon thought as he picked his way through fused muscle to get at the shredded organ underneath it. Zeta was weak enough to be easily disassembled by Gamma should the situation call for it. A safety measure due to their psionic capabilities. //Not like any of those psionics did them any good.// Epsilon glanced over Zeta's exposed bone to Mother, who was weaving tissue back over the ribs she had just reconstructed. She made Zeta like this. He wasn't sure how to feel about that, but it also wasn't his place to feel much of anything about it. Gamma leaned down and shoved her face in between Epsilon and the pectoral muscles he was working on, and he recoiled back and frowned. Now he knew how he was feeling. He shot a look at Delta, listening to music a //reasonable// distance away at the side of the room, but she acted like they hadn't made eye contact. It seems like she wouldn't be any help keeping Gamma away. "Gamma, um-" "She's fine, Epsilon," Mother said, resting her hands in her lap and tilting her head to the side slightly, shifting her attention from the task at hand to more pointless observation. "Do you need something?" Gamma stood up to look at Zeta's face, still almost completely intact. Their eyes were open slightly, but there was no light behind them - they were unconscious. Their body's power and systems were being handled by the numerous external systems hooked up to them via a frustrating number of obstructive tubes and wires, the ensemble looking like an inverted mangrove tree stripped of its branches. For a moment, it looked like Gamma was moving her jaw a little bit. "I should have..." She stopped as suddenly as she started, and Mother leaned in a little bit to better hear her. She didn't seem nearly as concerned about Zeta as the others were, but she probably just trusted her own craftsmanship to hold up. "Yes?" Mother tried coaxing out Gamma's thoughts, though Epsilon was unsure that Gamma even formed particularly complex sentences in her head. "I should have been faster." She turned away from the body and back to Mother. Mother only smiled, seemingly pleased with the reaction. "You're already as strong as you need to be. Anything else would mean concessions in other areas." She tapped on Zeta's arm. "We're making good progress with repairs. They'll be good as new as soon as today." //We're// making repairs, hm? Epsilon glowed at the stubborn mass of misshapen tissue in front of him that he had been chipping away at for the past ten minutes, unable to go any faster for fear of damaging the underlying organs. As per usual, Epsilon had no idea how Gamma felt about Mother's response, so he decided not to concern himself with her for now. Or at least, he tried not to while she continued standing so close to him. He could tolerate Gamma and Delta intruding on his workspace at Mother's behest, but this was just too much. He could barely stand Mother's attention when working, let alone his sisters. But he also didn't want to be rude when Gamma was upset. He thought she was upset. According to Delta, she was. He pursed his lips, then looked back to Delta again. To Epsilon's relief, she sighed and stood up but then stopped. Epsilon clenched his jaw, sighed, and looked back at the muscle to keep cutting into it. His hand twitched, and the cut came out jagged. He heard Gamma shift her weight. She must have heard. Letting his momentary annoyance spur him forward, Epsilon asked "Gamma, can you, um..." He trailed off when Gamma turned to look at him. Not even his wounded pride could overcome Gamma's stare. "Oh, come now, Epsilon, she's just worried about Zeta," Delta sighed, finally decided to throw her hat in the ring on the //wrong side.// Her eyes narrowed. "Besides, we'll need her soon enough." Epsilon slumped down. "What do you-" //Thud.// The heavy door to the workshop was pushed open, and sharp, consistent, and purposeful footsteps started getting closer to Epsilon. By the time he thought to turn around, Gamma was already stepping in front of the newcomer, her eyes hardening in an instant. It was Adrian, and he was looking straight past her and right at Delta In response, Delta offered an exaggerated sigh. "Now, now, that's awfully unprofessional." Adrian only stared back at her, with the same cold eyes he always had. He had stopped less than a foot in front of Gamma, whose stance suggested she was expecting a fight, but it seemed like he hadn't even noticed her. Delta inhaled as though she were about to say something, but stopped. She seemed more interested in watching Adrian. He, on the other hand, didn't seem interested in talking. Epsilon saw Gamma's hand ball into a fist and looked at Mother. She seemed more interested than concerned. The door opened again, and everyone except Gamma and Adrian looked up to see who came in. Mother's head tilted to the side. Delta rolled her eyes. The soft, measured //clack// of hard rubber boots on the tile floor. In the moment, Epsilon only recognized the woman they belonged to as Adrian's boss - both because she rarely spoke to him, and because that was the only thing he cared about her acting as at the time. Even though, he reminded himself, Gamma could handle Adrian if she needed to. He didn't doubt her at all, he thought as he stole a glance at Zeta's marred half-body. Several moments passed, and Mother let out a small, childlike sigh, quiet enough that only Epsilon could hear it. Then, she sat up, projecting her voice to ask, "Do you intend to do anything about him, Bowe?" Bowe nodded, smiling. She looked older than Mother, with more expensive clothes, and it gave her composure an air of legitimacy. "I'm sorry if he made you uncomfortable, Miss Aubert. Adrian wouldn't do anything rash, I can assure you. It's just the kind of posturing military men are fond of." She stepped forwards again, to Adrian. "I grew up with some in the family," she added by way of explanation. "Mhm." Mother crossed her arms. "If you say so. If you could keep him from threatening his... //companions// I would appreciate it. Even better if you could somehow compel him to pull his weight when you field Gamma and the others," she added bitterly. "Miss Aubert, you understand I can't make any guarantees in this line of work. That much has been clear since this partnership was proposed," Bowe quickly responded. When Mother narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, she softened her tone again. "But yes, I understand your concerns. They're important to me, too. I'll... take precautions in the future." Satisfied, Mother nodded and remained silent, either trying to decide what to say next or decide if she should simply go back to working on Zeta. Aside from stealing quick glances at the two humans in the room, though, Epsilon still hadn't stopped staring at Gamma, who wasn't phased by Bowe's intrusion. Like an instigating teenager, though, Delta just couldn't let the opportunity to get a jab in pass her by. "What was so important that our fearless leader had to make an appearance in the middle of the workday, hm? Having second thoughts after that little incident with the Foundation girl?" "Incident?" Adrian was indignant as he chafed against Gamma, unyielding but unwilling to escalate things herself. Based on Delta's smirk, she was counting on that. Epsilon felt himself wince when he saw Gamma shift her shoulders despite the insignificance of the gesture. He hated it, but it seemed like both Mother and Bowe were content to let Adrian simply blow off steam. No, just have Gamma remind him of his place. Right. That sounded better. Bowe took a deep breath. "I'm not going to say that the //unfortunate// turn of events had nothing to do with it." Epsilon detected an undercurrent of vexation in that sentence, and so had Delta, if her put-out expression was anything to go by. "But we're still in a position where we can look for other infovore candidates." It seemed like she was speaking more to Adrian than anyone else. "Are you going to need them any time soon, Bowe?" Mother's voice projected more exasperation than Epsilon could tell she was feeling. "You asked for top-of-the-line products, but any material for repairs is very finite. Especially if I can expect this," she said as she gestured to Zeta, "on 'simple operations.'" "No, I won't. Not in the immediate future." Bowe readjusted her posture, giving herself more of an authoritative stance. "I wanted to let you know that I'll be getting in contact with my associates in Marshall, Carter, and Dark, and due to the sensitivity of the proposed deals I'll need to be there personally ahead of the auction in a month." Mother grimaced, doing little to hide her distaste. Epsilon's hands clutched Zeta's arms tighter - Why hadn't she sent Adrian and that woman away yet? "I'm not fond of dealing with their ilk, but needs must," Bowe continued after a short pause. "I'll be there to make sure anyone I, um..." She waved her hands in circles as if struggling for words, which seemed to amuse Delta. "...Take custody of is treated with respect. I'll make sure you have whatever materials you need, and then some, soon after. I apologize, but I can't delay with the auction, otherwise I'd be right on that." Adrian made a sound somewhere between a groan and a sigh, and Epsilon jumped slightly, then going red in embarrassment. He didn't have anything to be afraid of in the first place, he reminded himself. "It won't mean anything if we can't get ahold of a Bloom fragment." He stood up, taking a step back from Gamma, who still hadn't moved. "The intel was shit. There was never a piece of the Bloom at that conference, the Foundation doesn't even know what the hell's going on." Despite his sharp words, neither his tone nor his face showed much emotion. "We have things to do in the meantime. I'm not just going to sit on my hands //now.//" There was an edge to Bowe's voice that Epsilon hadn't been expecting, and he found himself staring at her. Maybe Delta had already figured out what it was supposed to mean, but that never came easy to Epsilon. Bowe caught him staring, and although he looked away, she clearly noticed. "...And Adrian will be coming with me." Taking the hint, Adrian made his way back to the door. As he passed by Bowe, she lowered her head slightly and whispered something to him. //I'm sorry about Iris,// her lips read. "It's fine. It won't matter, right?" Adrian made no attempt to lower his voice. "I know where to get a piece of the Bloom." He shot a glance at Zeta, and Epsilon felt his muscles tighten as he moved in front of them without thinking. "When we're ready." "Don't let the door hit you on your way out," Delta called half-heartedly as Adrian left the room. He didn't seem to notice. Epsilon relaxed, and shrunk back down to Zeta's side again, still close. Mother was smiling gently at him. Bowe bit the inside of her lip, as if unsure if she should speak. "Is there anything you can do about that one's attitude? It's liable to get us all in trouble." "You asked for a more socially intelligent unit, and that requires some learning opportunities," Mother responded, polite yet forceful. Bowe sighed gently, then nodded. "As long as it's the only one," she said as she nodded to Gamma. As she began to make her way back out of the room, she called over her shoulder "I'll be back in contact in the next few weeks. Take care until then, Miss Aubert." Mother did not return the farewell as Bowe's footsteps shrank to nothing down the hall. Delta rolled her eyes and sat back down to continue listening to music, which Epsilon took as his cue to return to repairing his sibling. He didn't get ten seconds without getting interrupted again, this time by Mother gently clearing her throat. Epsilon suppressed a groan and looked up to see her silently gesturing to Gamma, who had returned to milling about just a little too close to Epsilon for comfort. What was she - oh. Right. He'd hastily asked Mother for help making something for Gamma after she had been hurt, but now he felt a little silly once she had been repaired so easily. Honestly, he was hoping to just sweep it under the rug. Epsilon mumbled into Zeta. "Um, no, I think it's fine-" "Gamma, your brother has something he wants to give you," Mother said as loudly as if she was attempting to gain the attention of a crowded room before a speech. Epsilon recited the curses he'd heard from Adrian under his breath as he flinched once with Mother's declaration, then twice, then three times as Gamma took two loud steps over to his side. He wanted to curse someone, but really, he did this to himself. Better to get it done quickly. Without a word, he slid out of his chair, and away from Gamma, and quickly slinked across the room to a pile of scrap used for his sibling's bones and dug out a flat, machined piece of the stuff that was almost three feet tall and a good six inches across. With the treated metallic body and sharpened edge, it looked more like an oversized lawnmower blade than a sword. Epsilon suddenly felt embarrassed as he crossed the room holding the hunk of metal in silence as everyone stared at him. "Here." Epsilon awkwardly thrust the cleaver out in front of him, suddenly very aware of the awkward angle he was keeping his arms at. Gamma looked at it, then back to him, hesitated a moment, then slowly picked up the cleaver and looked at it. Her blank expression made Epsilon want to say she didn't know what to make of it, but he wasn't sure. He launched into his rehearsed explanation regardless. "That woman had a knife, and you didn't, and she hurt you, so..." He hadn't rehearsed it like that. He hated that he didn't know why he was stumbling, and he hated that Delta and Mother were smiling like they did. He pushed on, trying to look at Gamma's feet instead of those two. "This is as strong as you are. Even stronger. So you can kill her next time." He looked up, to meet Gamma's wide eyes. "So if it breaks, it's your fault!" After a moment of consideration, Gamma nodded. She then stood up and swung the sword a good few times, as hard as she could, before looking back at it again and letting it rest at her side. "It's well-made. It'll work." Epsilon nodded in response and quickly returned to finishing repairs on Zeta, thankful that ordeal was over. Delta cleared her throat and gave Gamma a look. Epsilon pretended not to notice and let Gamma add in a hasty "Thank you" before she returned to her normal position in front of him. He stole a small glance to the side to see that she was still holding the cleaver. Good, good. ---- The remaining repairs went as smoothly as Epsilon could have hoped, even if they had taken longer than he had wanted. Constructing a chassis from the ground up was one thing, but the challenge of building around a partial, damaged base was something else entirely - with the shrapnel and fused tissue, Epsilon had half a mind to throw out everything below the neck and restart from there, but Mother had been clear about their material constraints. Regardless of how long it had taken in the end, Zeta was up and running again, and they were right back to staring at Epsilon with those big old eyes of theirs. He wasn't fond of it, but he was at least more used to it than Gamma and Delta's looks. He looked up to see their vacuous face, unperturbed by the silence he left it in. "We're done. Everything's fine. You can go now." It was the first thing Epsilon had said to them since bringing them back online, but they should have been able to keep up with what was happening. They were used to watching Epsilon work in silence, anyhow. "Thank you." Epsilon squinted at their sibling. Suddenly, Zeta's stare felt just as uncomfortable as Gamma's. "...I'm supposed to fix you. Don't... you don't need to do that," he reprimanded. "Mother helped too." Zeta looked down without so much as a nod. They were clenching and unclenching their hands around nothing, as though they could feel any part of the cold metal anyways. Epsilon sighed. Zeta was more simple-minded than even Gamma and took to habits quite strongly, and rarely were they without something to hold onto. "Gamma and Delta were just getting all your belongings ready. You've been out for a while." Zeta blinked. "...So they'll be here with your spear in a moment," Epsilon added. In response, Zeta decided to wrap their hands around their legs and stay seated in the chair Epsilon was using to run the tests. They were as still as the unused wires that dangled around the two of them now that Zeta was no longer connected to them, which made the room feel as though it were just large enough for the pair in the low light. For once, Epsilon found that he was the one staring a Zeta, who was as motionless as they had been when they were dead - were being repaired. There wasn't much time to ruminate on that, thankfully. Light flooded into the room from its door opening as Gamma and Delta returned. Zeta's head shot up to look at them as they approached, and Epsilon shook his head and followed their gaze. "Oh, Gamma, Zeta wanted..." He trailed off when he saw Delta. She was the only one whose expressions he could reliably read, but even if he was as clueless as Zeta, he'd be able to tell something was off. She almost never looked so concerned. "Gamma, please //wait// a moment, this really isn't anything worth your concern." Delta's hushed tone did little to mask her worry. When Gamma wasn't stopped, she grabbed her arm. "You'll only be making things worse by- Delta's pleas fell on deaf hears, and Gamma didn't so much as slow her pace when she was grabbed. Epsilon started to say something, but Gamma brushed past him and tossed something small to Zeta, whose arm snapped up to catch it immediately. Their hand opened to reveal a small, iridescent crystal, made of delicate concentric rectangles. Zeta's cold hands held it gently, carefully, as they relaxed for the first time since they had woken up. "Why do you have this?" Gamma demanded. Epsilon flinched at her harsh tone and looked to Delta for some clarification. They made eye contact, but she simply pursed her lips and looked at the ground. There was no response from Zeta, but unlike their usual vacant silence, they appeared to be biting their lip. They didn't meet Gamma's eyes. "Gamma." Delta tried to sound stern, but their voice was ever so slightly shaking. "They probably just think it looks nice. I - //I// think it looks nice." "Is she right?" Gamma didn't look back at Delta or so much as acknowledge Epsilon as he slowly moved closer to Zeta's side, for reasons he wasn't entirely sure of. But looking at Gamma, he found it very hard to move his legs. It took several seconds for Zeta to react at all. They nodded, so slow and stilted that Epsilon wasn't sure that he was seeing it properly at first. "Mm." A soft grunt was the only vocal confirmation they offered. Delta shivered and exhaled an unsure breath. She took a moment to figure out what to say. "Gamma. It's nothing to worry about. I, I mean, I think it looks nice too." Her eyes went back to Epsilon. "And I'm sure - Epsilon does too. Right?" "Yes!" Epsilon answered quickly and loudly despite his nerves, and the fact he hadn't taken a good look at the crystal. He still wasn't sure what was happening, but looking at Delta's expression gave him an awful feeling. "Zeta isn't like either of you," Gamma said. "They can't be." Epsilon's mouth fell open. Zeta had been granted less emotional development in order to make sure such a unique product wouldn't be beholden to any illogical outbursts - they were supposed to be closer to an autonomous system than an individual like Delta. That meant no interests. And no concept of beauty. Delta grinded her teeth. "Gamma, dear, we all have similar neural architecture, right, Epsilon?" She turned to him, and he nodded hastily, as Gamma didn't even bother to look at him. "See? So what if we like the same things." "Bowe was unhappy with you." Gamma's flat intonation did little to hide her invective. Delta visibly cringed. "She won't tolerate defects like this from Zeta." "For //god's sake,// it's a //rock!//" Delta was yelling now, and Epsilon winced and moved a step closer to Zeta, his hand reaching out and squeezing their shoulder of its own accord. Zeta's head shifted towards him slightly, but he couldn't make out their face. "Nothing is going to happen to us!" Gamma whipped around to face Delta with such speed that she staggered backwards. "They will have Zeta decommissioned as a defective product. Either Epsilon will deactivate them or //I will kill them//." It was hard to breathe. Epsilon's stomach churned. Images of Zeta's innards came to his mind, then the idea of plugging them back into those coils and slicing each of their organs apart while they watched. His hand squeezed them harder as his hand went down to the cleaver he had just given Gamma. It was more than strong enough to cut any of them into chunks. He'd made sure of that. Delta looked like she was choking. She was hunched backwards as if attempting to flee from Gamma with her feet rooted in place. Her mouth was open, and her eyes were wide, and almost angry. "//You...//" she spat. "You wouldn't do that." "...No. I wouldn't. I'll protect you all." Gamma's expression hardened as she turned back to Zeta. "This will stop now. Give me the crystal, Zeta." "Don't do that." Delta's words were terse, like a warning. "It's just-" "I don't care if it's small. It won't get any further." Gamma held her hand out expectantly. Epsilon couldn't see if Zeta was even moving as he looked down at them, curled up on the chair. Delta looked as though she wanted to say something, but the simple fact of the matter was that she was little more than an experimental AI and a basic body, and Gamma was built to rip steel beams in half. Slowly, like a reptile that was afraid of giving away its camouflaged position, Zeta expended their arm, hand in a light fist. Their hand opened next, as slowly as a blooming flower. Then, wordlessly, Gamma seized the crystal and crushed it into dust in her hands. The glittering remains filtered through the open skeletal structure of Zeta's unfeeling hands and onto the floor. [[div class="footer-wikiwalk-nav"]] [[=]] [[[devils advocate hub\|Devil's Advocate Hub]]] [[/=]] [[/div]]	2024-06-05T19:43:00	[ "tale" ]	Right to Repair - SCP Foundation	19	[ "devils-advocate-hub" ]	[ "devils-advocate-hub" ]	[]	1453900486	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/right-to-repair
ripclef	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>On August 12th, 2017 at 7am, Agent Alto Clef was killed in a fatal car wreck, which, most people would agree, was quite a lovely thing.</p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:300px;"><img alt="8iWG9ue" class="image" src="https://imgur.com/8iWG9ue"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="font-size:24px;"><strong>One of our own has passed.</strong></span><br/> <span style="font-size:12px;">Posted by Dr. Simon Glass</span></p> <p>It has come to our attention that Dr. Alto Clef was involved in a car accident this weekend on his way home from a mission in London, Ohio. At this time, staff is still confirming the course of events that lead to this outcome.</p> <p><span style="font-size:22px;"><strong>Discussion (1) ¬</strong></span></p> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Simon Glass</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 4:52 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>The Department of Psychology is available for employees in need of counseling during this time.</p> <p>~ Dr. Glass</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:24px;"><strong>CLEF IS FUCKING DEAD</strong></span><br/> <span style="font-size:12px;">Posted by Dr. Yaoi</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;">March 20, 1963 - August 12, 2017</p> <div style="padding:10px;margin-top:-30px;"> <p>I just heard that Clef died in a car crash this weekend. I couldn't find much information on the circumstances but I thought it would be appropriate to pay our respects to one of our own.</p> </div> <p><span style="font-size:22px;"><strong>Discussion (338) ¬</strong></span></p> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Jay Everwood</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 7:12 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Did you know that world-renowned agent Alto Clef once died in a car crash? Just something to consider.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Ricardo Atter</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 7:16 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>No he ain't, he owes me 5$</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Mann</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 7:22 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>It appears he failed to clear his debt with me before he had to leave this mortal coil.<br/> Alas, may it serve him well as he meets the ferryman.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Adams</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 7:25 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>He still hasn't repaid me from last weeks poker. Asshole, I knew he wasn't good for it</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning three"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Juke</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 7:35 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Interesting way to get out of child support.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning four chainmore"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Researcher Halloway</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 8:16 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>How many of us has he stiffed?</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr Jeremiah Cimmerian</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 8:19 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>A reminder that nicknames such as "Alternative Credit", "Broke Bastard" and "Gambling Debt over 9000" are offensive toward the deceased, however accurate that number might appear to be.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Testy</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 7:52 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>I just want to express how annoyed I am at all of this. This event is not necessary. You've interrupted the season finale of Criminal Minds. Clef's death was neither near nor relevant to me, and you've ruined my evening.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Thaddeus Xyank</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 7:11 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>AGAIN?!</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Dmitri Arkadeyevich Strelnikov</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 9:03 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>To be or not be, that is question here too. Weather is noble in mind to suffer strings and arrows of <a href="javascript:;">expand</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Dmitri Arkadeyevich Strelnikov</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 9:16 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Rosy by other name also smells. Of course, Alto no rose — except prickly. And with <a href="javascript:;">expand</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Dmitri Arkadeyevich Strelnikov</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 10:56 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Rose wilt, and wilt thou be gone? Ah, there is a rub. For what it is comes <a href="javascript:;">expand</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="turning three chainlast"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Dmitri Arkadeyevich Strelnikov</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 11:01 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>The fair Alto? Bastard in his naming. Be all his sins remember.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Rev R. Rent</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 8:23 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>RIP Clef. Gone, but not forgotten, and not missed either.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Researcher Neil Ghost</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 8:36 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>RIP. Its frankly amazing he lasted this long.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Job</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 8:42 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>I thought he died 10 months ago?</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning three"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Anonymous</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 8:42 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>i heard he died of ligma</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Flo</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 8:53 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>I don't know about the rest of you, but I took out a $100,000 insurance policy on his ukulele so I'm feeling pretty good right now.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Hana Thompson</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 8:54 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>The King of RBF is dead. I look forward to eating my lunch without someone mean mugging me from across the cafeteria. Jerk.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Gears</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 10:15 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>very sadp ost imso sorry for family lol 😂</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr Faget</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 10:41 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Who the hell is this clown?</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Chelsea Elliot</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 10:53 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>You know, I've been hearing that name all morning, and I refuse to learn who this Clef is.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Anonymous</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 10:53 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>not a lot of people know this, but he actually preferred el clefe</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agatha Rights</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 03:00 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p><em>See you in hell, space cowboy.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Goldbaker-Reinz Ltd.</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 3:01 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>We have performed a review of your policy per clause SCP-6987-E16 and determined that Agent Alto Clef does <em>not</em> meet our definition of essential or specialized personnel. We would also like to remind the Foundation that per clause SCP-6987-E17 all personnel deaths must occur either on an official Foundation site or during an official Foundation sanctioned mission. As such, we can reward no payment at this time.</p> <p>Thank you for your attention.</p> <p>-Goldbaker-Reinz Ltd.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr Trebuchet</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 6:21 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>The poll gave some surprising results. I had you pegged for an 8th Circler for sure.</p> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Click to see attachment (1)</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Hide attachment</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dir. Sophia Light</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 8:16 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>I'd like to remind all personnel that the death of Dr. Clef is not an opportunity to acquire his office supplies.</p> <p>My condolences to his family.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. R. Ton</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 8:18 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Saw a lovely piece of cheese in his desk drawer</p> <p><strong>EDIT:</strong> DO NOT OPEN THERE WAS A TRAP!!!</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Fling</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 8:20 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>His Pencil Sharpener Has Seen Things</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Ida Karjala</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 12, 2017, 8:25 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>i tried to identify where that general stench of decay was coming from in there but had no luck. i think it's in the walls.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Prof. Dr. Luca Armaros</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 9:22 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Alto and I never truly saw eye to eye — both physically and mentally. Spending time with him was a true challenge of human nature, and an opportunity for personal growth. He taught me patience, self-restraint, and showed me enormous depths of self-control I had not been aware I was capable of. He was a shining example, one that showed us the importance of cologne and regular showers, as well as the joy in wearing whatever you feel comfortable in. At the end of the day, the world is a different place without him, and I can't say my life will be the same. He truly has left an impression on all of us.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Draven Rodríguez-Kondraki</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 10:10 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>They should've never given back your license.<br/> In Memoriam of Clef<br/> Something deep</p> <p>zchzzzzzzzzzzzzzz2222111111.. 2222111</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Heather Garrison</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 10:16 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Seriously? I can't fucking believe you idiots, the Foundation would never actually allow a secret hidden Site where the anomalies run things, and the 'Foundation' is the real anomaly.</p> <p>You really think that?</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Heather Garrison</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 11:57 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>It appears I was replying to the wrong post. My bad.</p> <p>It doesn't make me less right, though.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Intern Casey</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 8:13 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Hooray! No more time in the ukulele room!</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Sharpe</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 8:37 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Guess he really got himself in treble this time, eh?</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Prof. Dr. Kain Crow</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 9:33 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>The water dispenser in the East Wing is malfunctioning.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Rikki Rodríguez</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 9:36 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Kain dear, this is a memorial thread for Alto.</p> <p>You should go to s/maintenaince for repair requests.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Prof. Dr. Kain Crow</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 9:41 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Oh gosh golly, how awful of me. My deepest apologies and sincerest condolences.</p> <p>Dreadful business. Absolutely dreadful.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Prof. Dr. Kain Crow</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 9:41 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>s/maintenaince<br/> The water dispenser in the East Wing is malfunctioning.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Researcher Rex</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 10:01 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>This is so sad, Alexa play Despacito!</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Lament</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 10:41 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Can't believe he died in a car crash. What a way to go.</p> <p>Rest in peace, old man.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Nottellingyou</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 10:43 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>thats becaus thats what they want you to think<br/> its code</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Anonymous</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 10:43 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>i heard its code for ligma</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Ethan Aldrich</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 10:56 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Of all the prepared Death Certificates we had for him, can't believe the car crash stuck</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Carissa Decimus</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 10:58 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Alright fess up. Which one of you assholes did this before I could? There's no way this motherfucker went down in a traffic accident. Now I'm out six months worth of art supplies.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Professor M.</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 11:07 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>For once, not it.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dir. Vincent Bohart</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 11:03 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Bet he was texting and driving.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two chainmore"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Job</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 11:08 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>wouldnt be surprised if he was, you know..<br/> ::420::</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two chainlast"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr Jeremiah Cimmerian</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 7:03 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>A reminder that speculating on the substance use or abuse of another colleague is inappropriate behaviour. Likewise, nicknames such as "Altoid Clef" and "Type Green Expert" are inappropriate, however accurate they may be.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Jonathan A. King</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 02:07 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Clef? Of all people? Are you sure that it wasn’t Gerald in a Hawaiian shirt? Are you <strong>SURE</strong> you’re sure?</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Rodney Gerald</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 02:44 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>I swear it wasn’t me! I’ve heard people talking all morning, and I don’t even know what Clef’s car looks like!</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning three"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Anonymous</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 02:44 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>i confess, it was mee<br/> i cut his brakes drank the fluid</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning four"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Diogenes - HR</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 02:53 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>HR would like to remind all personnel that jokes about having committed acts of homicide against fellow employees will be treated as confessions and investigated as such.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning five cainlast"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Diogenes - HR</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 02:54 pm\| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Also, SCiPPit isn't really anonymous. Try to at least be original, Wyatt.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Technician Mopper</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 03:23 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>We at the UFJS would like to extend our sincere condolences for the loss of Dr. Alto Clef.</p> <p>The UFJS would also like to extend its sincere gratitude to the driver of the other car. We would all like to buy you a drink.</p> <p>- Union of Foundation Janitorial Staff</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Tilda Moose</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 05:36 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>This may be the work of a Nälkän sect.</p> <p>There's powerful carnomancy at play.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr Rupert Chomsky</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 06:14 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>Bah! The blasted bastard's kicked the bucket and is well out of Wellington. Oh well, never grokked his gab anyway!</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Diogenes - HR</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 13, 2017, 07:19 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>My thoughts are with his family. He is surely hard to replace.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Yaoi</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 14, 2017, 02:54 am \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>I made the thread gay. It's what he would've wanted.</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning zero"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Draws</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 14, 2017, 03:01 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> 👍<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Click to see attachment (1)</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Hide attachment</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="turning one"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Fling</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 14, 2017, 07:06 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>👍</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning two"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr Faget</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 14, 2017, 07:06 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>👍</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning three"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr. Heather Garrison</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 14, 2017, 07:07 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>👍</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning four"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Dr Mann</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 14, 2017, 07:08 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>👍</p> </div> </div> <div class="turning five"> <p><span class="namer"><strong>Agent Draven Rodríguez-Kondraki</strong></span><br/> <span class="nomer">Aug 14, 2017, 07:08 pm \| <a href="javascript:;">Reply</a></span></p> <div class="wheel"> <p>👍</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Audio Transcript</strong></p> <hr/> <p><strong>DATE:</strong> 15 AUG 2017</p> <p><strong>NOTE:</strong> Recording of phone call to Dir. Light's office</p> <p><strong>ATTENDING:</strong><br/> Director Sophia Light<br/> Agent Alto Clef</p> <hr/> <p>[BEGIN LOG]</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> Who is this?</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> SOPH! Finally.</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> Alto?</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> Been walking for bloody miles. Signal's absolute shite out here.</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> Are you —</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> I tried Konny but he's not answering, unsurprisingly. Then I tried Adams, but Strel answered and just started wailing about Hamlet's father. What the hell's gotten into y'all?</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> You're alive?</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> … yes?</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> We found your car several days ago, covered in bloody remains. We searched the area and —</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> Yeah I ran into a boar. Or a bear. I don't fucking know. Fucking Ohio.</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> Some people assumed —</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> Assumed what?</p> <p><em>[A pause]</em></p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> Assumed <em>what</em>, Sophia?</p> <p><strong>LIGHT:</strong> Well, I'm sure they will be relieved to hear the good news. I'll arrange a pickup.</p> <p><em>[Several pings are heard through the line.]</em></p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> Wait I think I just got internet again.</p> <p><em>[Several seconds of silence.]</em></p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> For Christ sake.</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> <em>Christ</em>.</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> You didn't tell my daughter, did you?</p> <p><strong>CLEF:</strong> SOPHIA!</p> <p>[Phone call ends]</p> <p>[END LOG]</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/ripclef">Agent, Father, Motherfucker: Alto Clef, in memoriam</a>" by AstersQuill, FlyPurgatorio, sailorenoch, OriTiefling, Dino—Draws, Rosyfox2002, Prismal, fairydoctor, DrBleep, Uncle Nicolini, DoctorLilithSophia, Queerious, Guaire, Fish^12, JukeShoes, SynthPanda_, Waxx, DrRevan & Anky swallow, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/ripclef">https://scpwiki.com/ripclef</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Quote:</strong> "To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,"<br/> <strong>Name Source:</strong> The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> William Shakespeare<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:William_Shakespeare_(1564-1616)">Example link</a><br/> <strong>Additional Notes:</strong> Paraphrased</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Quote:</strong> "That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet"<br/> <strong>Name Source:</strong> Romeo and Juliet<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> William Shakespeare<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:William_Shakespeare_(1564-1616)">Example link</a><br/> <strong>Additional Notes:</strong> Paraphrased</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Quote:</strong> "The fair Ophelia? Nymph, in thy Orisons Be all my sins remember'd."<br/> <strong>Name Source:</strong> The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> William Shakespeare<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:William_Shakespeare_(1564-1616)">Example link</a><br/> <strong>Additional Notes:</strong> Paraphrased</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> BlurryClef.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/rosyfox2002" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8408483); return false;"><img alt="Rosyfox2002" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8408483&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736259721" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8408483)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/rosyfox2002" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8408483); return false;">Rosyfox2002</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/blurryclef.jpg">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Clevil.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736259721" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/clevil.jpg">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Hellpoll<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;"><img alt="sailorenoch" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5553461&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736259721" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5553461)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/sailorenoch" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5553461); return false;">sailorenoch</a></span> & <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/fish-12" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7495715); return false;"><img alt="Fish^12" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7495715&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736259721" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7495715)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/fish-12" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7495715); return false;">Fish^12</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/Hellpoll.jpg">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Clefdeadpose.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/dino-draws" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8229577); return false;"><img alt="Dino--Draws" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8229577&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736259721" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8229577)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/dino-draws" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8229577); return false;">Dino--Draws</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/clefdeadpose.png">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=On August 12th, 2017 at 7am, Agent Alto Clef was killed in a fatal car wreck, which, most people would agree, was quite a lovely thing. ]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:eventyr">:scp-wiki:theme:eventyr</a>]] [[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=https://imgur.com/8iWG9ue\|caption=.]] [[/div]] [[module CSS]] .rainbownot{ background:grey; height:10px; } .rainbowshit{ background:linear-gradient(to right, red 0%, red 50%, orange 50%, orange 75%, yellow 75%, yellow 87.5%, green 87.5%, green 93.75%, blue 93.75%, blue 96.875%, purple 96.875%, purple 100%); height:10px; } .wheel{ padding:10px; font-size:14px; margin-top:-20px; } .wheel p{ margin:0 !important; } .turning{ margin-bottom:10px; } .turning a{ color:brown; } .zero{ background:linear-gradient(100deg, rgba(0,0,0,0), #ffadad); } .one{ background:linear-gradient(100deg, rgba(0,0,0,0), #ffca8c); margin-left:3vw; } .two{ background:linear-gradient(100deg, rgba(0,0,0,0), #caffbf); margin-left:6vw; } .three{ background:linear-gradient(100deg, rgba(0,0,0,0), #9bf6ff); margin-left:9vw; } .four{ background:linear-gradient(100deg, rgba(0,0,0,0), #a0c4ff); margin-left:12vw; } .five{ background:linear-gradient(100deg, rgba(0,0,0,0), #bdb2ff); margin-left:15vw; } .six{ background:linear-gradient(100deg, rgba(0,0,0,0), #7b66ff); margin-left:18vw; } .chainlast{ position:relative; } .chainlast:before{ position:absolute; filter:drop-shadow(1px 1px 1px #dcdcdc); content:"NEW"; background:white; border-radius:100%; transform:translate(-50%,-50%) rotate(-20deg); width:40px; height:40px; line-height:40px; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; font-size:12px; top:100%; left:100%; rotate: } .namer{ font-size:16px; } .nomer{ font-size:13px; color:grey; } #page-title{ display:none; } .chainmore{ position:relative; } .chainmore:before{ position:absolute; filter:drop-shadow(1px 1px 1px #dcdcdc); content:"MORE"; background:white; border-radius:100%; transform:translate(-50%,-50%) rotate(-20deg); width:40px; height:40px; line-height:40px; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; font-size:12px; top:100%; left:100%; rotate: } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="rainbownot"]] [[/div]] [[size 24px]]One of our own has passed.[[/size]] [[size 12px]]Posted by Dr. Simon Glass[[/size]] It has come to our attention that Dr. Alto Clef was involved in a car accident this weekend on his way home from a mission in London, Ohio. At this time, staff is still confirming the course of events that lead to this outcome. [[size 22px]]Discussion (1) ¬[[/size]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Simon Glass[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 4:52 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] The Department of Psychology is available for employees in need of counseling during this time. ~ Dr. Glass [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div class="rainbowshit"]] [[/div]] [[size 24px]]CLEF IS FUCKING DEAD[[/size]] [[size 12px]]Posted by Dr. Yaoi[[/size]] [[=image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/blurryclef.jpg style="width:70%;box-shadow: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1) 0px 1px 1px 0px inset, rgba(50, 50, 93, 0.25) 0px 50px 100px -20px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3) 0px 30px 60px -30px;"]] = March 20, 1963 - August 12, 2017 [[div style="padding:10px;margin-top:-30px;"]] I just heard that Clef died in a car crash this weekend. I couldn't find much information on the circumstances but I thought it would be appropriate to pay our respects to one of our own. [[/div]] [[size 22px]]Discussion (338) ¬[[/size]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Jay Everwood[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 7:12 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Did you know that world-renowned agent Alto Clef once died in a car crash? Just something to consider. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Ricardo Atter[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 7:16 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] No he ain't, he owes me 5$ [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Mann[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 7:22 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] It appears he failed to clear his debt with me before he had to leave this mortal coil. Alas, may it serve him well as he meets the ferryman. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Adams[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 7:25 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] He still hasn't repaid me from last weeks poker. Asshole, I knew he wasn't good for it [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning three"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Juke[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 7:35 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Interesting way to get out of child support. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning four chainmore"]] [[span class="namer"]]Researcher Halloway[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 8:16 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] How many of us has he stiffed? [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr Jeremiah Cimmerian[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 8:19 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] A reminder that nicknames such as "Alternative Credit", "Broke Bastard" and "Gambling Debt over 9000" are offensive toward the deceased, however accurate that number might appear to be. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Testy[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 7:52 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] I just want to express how annoyed I am at all of this. This event is not necessary. You've interrupted the season finale of Criminal Minds. Clef's death was neither near nor relevant to me, and you've ruined my evening. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Thaddeus Xyank[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 7:11 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] AGAIN?! [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Dmitri Arkadeyevich Strelnikov[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 9:03 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] To be or not be, that is question here too. Weather is noble in mind to suffer strings and arrows of [# expand] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Dmitri Arkadeyevich Strelnikov[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 9:16 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Rosy by other name also smells. Of course, Alto no rose -- except prickly. And with [# expand] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Dmitri Arkadeyevich Strelnikov[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 10:56 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Rose wilt, and wilt thou be gone? Ah, there is a rub. For what it is comes [# expand] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning three chainlast"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Dmitri Arkadeyevich Strelnikov[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 11:01 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] The fair Alto? Bastard in his naming. Be all his sins remember. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Rev R. Rent[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 8:23 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] RIP Clef. Gone, but not forgotten, and not missed either. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Researcher Neil Ghost[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 8:36 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] RIP. Its frankly amazing he lasted this long. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Job[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 8:42 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] I thought he died 10 months ago? [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning three"]] [[span class="namer"]]Anonymous[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 8:42 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] i heard he died of ligma [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Flo[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 8:53 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] I don't know about the rest of you, but I took out a $100,000 insurance policy on his ukulele so I'm feeling pretty good right now. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Hana Thompson[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 8:54 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] The King of RBF is dead. I look forward to eating my lunch without someone mean mugging me from across the cafeteria. Jerk. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Gears[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 10:15 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] very sadp ost imso sorry for family lol 😂 [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr Faget[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 10:41 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Who the hell is this clown? [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Chelsea Elliot[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 10:53 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] You know, I've been hearing that name all morning, and I refuse to learn who this Clef is. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two"]] [[span class="namer"]]Anonymous[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 10:53 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] not a lot of people know this, but he actually preferred el clefe [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agatha Rights[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 03:00 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] [[=image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/clevil.jpg style="width:50%;"]] //See you in hell, space cowboy.// [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Goldbaker-Reinz Ltd.[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 3:01 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] We have performed a review of your policy per clause SCP-6987-E16 and determined that Agent Alto Clef does //not// meet our definition of essential or specialized personnel. We would also like to remind the Foundation that per clause SCP-6987-E17 all personnel deaths must occur either on an official Foundation site or during an official Foundation sanctioned mission. As such, we can reward no payment at this time. Thank you for your attention. -Goldbaker-Reinz Ltd. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr Trebuchet[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 6:21 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] The poll gave some surprising results. I had you pegged for an 8th Circler for sure. [[collapsible show="Click to see attachment (1)" hide="Hide attachment"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/Hellpoll.jpg]] [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dir. Sophia Light[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 8:16 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] I'd like to remind all personnel that the death of Dr. Clef is not an opportunity to acquire his office supplies. My condolences to his family. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. R. Ton[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 8:18 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Saw a lovely piece of cheese in his desk drawer EDIT: DO NOT OPEN THERE WAS A TRAP!!! [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Fling[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 8:20 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] His Pencil Sharpener Has Seen Things [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Ida Karjala[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 12, 2017, 8:25 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] i tried to identify where that general stench of decay was coming from in there but had no luck. i think it's in the walls. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Prof. Dr. Luca Armaros[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 9:22 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Alto and I never truly saw eye to eye -- both physically and mentally. Spending time with him was a true challenge of human nature, and an opportunity for personal growth. He taught me patience, self-restraint, and showed me enormous depths of self-control I had not been aware I was capable of. He was a shining example, one that showed us the importance of cologne and regular showers, as well as the joy in wearing whatever you feel comfortable in. At the end of the day, the world is a different place without him, and I can't say my life will be the same. He truly has left an impression on all of us. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Draven Rodríguez-Kondraki[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 10:10 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] They should've never given back your license. In Memoriam of Clef Something deep zchzzzzzzzzzzzzzz2222111111.. 2222111 [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Heather Garrison[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 10:16 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Seriously? I can't fucking believe you idiots, the Foundation would never actually allow a secret hidden Site where the anomalies run things, and the 'Foundation' is the real anomaly. You really think that? [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Heather Garrison[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 11:57 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] It appears I was replying to the wrong post. My bad. It doesn't make me less right, though. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Intern Casey[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 8:13 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Hooray! No more time in the ukulele room! [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Sharpe[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 8:37 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Guess he really got himself in treble this time, eh? [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Prof. Dr. Kain Crow[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 9:33 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] The water dispenser in the East Wing is malfunctioning. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Rikki Rodríguez[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 9:36 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Kain dear, this is a memorial thread for Alto. You should go to s/maintenaince for repair requests. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two"]] [[span class="namer"]]Prof. Dr. Kain Crow[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 9:41 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Oh gosh golly, how awful of me. My deepest apologies and sincerest condolences. Dreadful business. Absolutely dreadful. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two"]] [[span class="namer"]]Prof. Dr. Kain Crow[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 9:41 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] s/maintenaince The water dispenser in the East Wing is malfunctioning. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Researcher Rex[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 10:01 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] This is so sad, Alexa play Despacito! [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Lament[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 10:41 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Can't believe he died in a car crash. What a way to go. Rest in peace, old man. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Nottellingyou[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 10:43 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] thats becaus thats what they want you to think its code [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two"]] [[span class="namer"]]Anonymous[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 10:43 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] i heard its code for ligma [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Ethan Aldrich[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 10:56 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Of all the prepared Death Certificates we had for him, can't believe the car crash stuck [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Carissa Decimus[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 10:58 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Alright fess up. Which one of you assholes did this before I could? There's no way this motherfucker went down in a traffic accident. Now I'm out six months worth of art supplies. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two"]] [[span class="namer"]]Professor M.[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 11:07 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] For once, not it. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dir. Vincent Bohart[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 11:03 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Bet he was texting and driving. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two chainmore"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Job[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 11:08 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] wouldnt be surprised if he was, you know.. ::420:: [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two chainlast"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr Jeremiah Cimmerian[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 7:03 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] A reminder that speculating on the substance use or abuse of another colleague is inappropriate behaviour. Likewise, nicknames such as "Altoid Clef" and "Type Green Expert" are inappropriate, however accurate they may be. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Jonathan A. King[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 02:07 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Clef? Of all people? Are you sure that it wasn’t Gerald in a Hawaiian shirt? Are you SURE you’re sure? [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Rodney Gerald[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 02:44 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] I swear it wasn’t me! I’ve heard people talking all morning, and I don’t even know what Clef’s car looks like! [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning three"]] [[span class="namer"]]Anonymous[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 02:44 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] i confess, it was mee i cut his brakes drank the fluid [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning four"]] [[span class="namer"]]Diogenes - HR[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 02:53 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] HR would like to remind all personnel that jokes about having committed acts of homicide against fellow employees will be treated as confessions and investigated as such. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning five cainlast"]] [[span class="namer"]]Diogenes - HR[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 02:54 pm\| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Also, SCiPPit isn't really anonymous. Try to at least be original, Wyatt. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Technician Mopper[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 03:23 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] We at the UFJS would like to extend our sincere condolences for the loss of Dr. Alto Clef. The UFJS would also like to extend its sincere gratitude to the driver of the other car. We would all like to buy you a drink. - Union of Foundation Janitorial Staff [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Tilda Moose[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 05:36 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] This may be the work of a Nälkän sect. There's powerful carnomancy at play. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr Rupert Chomsky[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 06:14 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] Bah! The blasted bastard's kicked the bucket and is well out of Wellington. Oh well, never grokked his gab anyway! [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Diogenes - HR[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 13, 2017, 07:19 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] My thoughts are with his family. He is surely hard to replace. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Yaoi[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 14, 2017, 02:54 am \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] I made the thread gay. It's what he would've wanted. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning zero"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Draws[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 14, 2017, 03:01 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] @@ @@ 👍 @@ @@ [[collapsible show="Click to see attachment (1)" hide="Hide attachment"]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/clefdeadpose.png]] [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning one"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Fling[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 14, 2017, 07:06 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] 👍 [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning two"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr Faget[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 14, 2017, 07:06 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] 👍 [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning three"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr. Heather Garrison[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 14, 2017, 07:07 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] 👍 [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning four"]] [[span class="namer"]]Dr Mann[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 14, 2017, 07:08 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] 👍 [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="turning five"]] [[span class="namer"]]Agent Draven Rodríguez-Kondraki[[/span]] [[span class="nomer"]]Aug 14, 2017, 07:08 pm \| [# Reply][[/span]] [[div class="wheel"]] 👍 [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] = Audio Transcript ----- DATE: 15 AUG 2017 NOTE: Recording of phone call to Dir. Light's office ATTENDING: Director Sophia Light Agent Alto Clef ----- [BEGIN LOG] LIGHT: Who is this? CLEF: SOPH! Finally. LIGHT: Alto? CLEF: Been walking for bloody miles. Signal's absolute shite out here. LIGHT: Are you -- CLEF: I tried Konny but he's not answering, unsurprisingly. Then I tried Adams, but Strel answered and just started wailing about Hamlet's father. What the hell's gotten into y'all? LIGHT: You're alive? CLEF: ... yes? LIGHT: We found your car several days ago, covered in bloody remains. We searched the area and -- CLEF: Yeah I ran into a boar. Or a bear. I don't fucking know. Fucking Ohio. LIGHT: Some people assumed -- CLEF: Assumed what? //[A pause]// CLEF: Assumed //what//, Sophia? LIGHT: Well, I'm sure they will be relieved to hear the good news. I'll arrange a pickup. //[Several pings are heard through the line.]// CLEF: Wait I think I just got internet again. //[Several seconds of silence.]// CLEF: For Christ sake. CLEF: //Christ//. CLEF: You didn't tell my daughter, did you? CLEF: SOPHIA! [Phone call ends] [END LOG] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=AstersQuill, FlyPurgatorio, sailorenoch, OriTiefling, Dino--Draws, Rosyfox2002, Prismal, fairydoctor, DrBleep, Uncle Nicolini, DoctorLilithSophia, Queerious, Guaire, Fish^12, JukeShoes, SynthPanda_, Waxx, DrRevan & Anky swallow]] > Quote: "To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune," > Name Source: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark > Author: William Shakespeare > License: Public Domain > Source Link: [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:William_Shakespeare_(1564-1616) Example link] > Additional Notes: Paraphrased > Quote: "That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet" > Name Source: Romeo and Juliet > Author: William Shakespeare > License: Public Domain > Source Link: [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:William_Shakespeare_(1564-1616) Example link] > Additional Notes: Paraphrased > Quote: "The fair Ophelia? Nymph, in thy Orisons Be all my sins remember'd." > Name Source: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark > Author: William Shakespeare > License: Public Domain > Source Link: [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:William_Shakespeare_(1564-1616) Example link] > Additional Notes: Paraphrased > Filename: BlurryClef.jpg > Author: [[user Rosyfox2002]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/blurryclef.jpg LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: Clevil.jpg > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/clevil.jpg LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: Hellpoll > Author: [[user sailorenoch]] & [[user Fish^12]] > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/Hellpoll.jpg LINK] > Source: Authors own work > Filename: Clefdeadpose.png > Author: [[user Dino--Draws]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/ripclef/clefdeadpose.png LINK] > Source: Authors own work [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-08-16T01:42:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "agent-adams", "agent-lament", "agent-strelnikov", "co-authored", "comedy", "correspondence", "director-bohart", "director-moose", "doctor-cimmerian", "doctor-clef", "doctor-elliott", "doctor-everwood", "doctor-gears", "doctor-gerald", "doctor-glass", "doctor-king", "doctor-light", "doctor-mann", "doctor-rights", "draven-kondraki", "eventyr", "iris-thompson", "kain-pathos-crow", "lgbtq", "slice-of-life", "tale", "thad-xyank" ]	Agent, Father, Motherfucker: Alto Clef, in memoriam - SCP Foundation	152	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "welcome-to-delta-t" ]	[ "https://imgur.com/8iWG9ue" ]	1456301823	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ripclef
sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>Sage West’s Guide To Keeping Up Disappearances</span></h1> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>Dr. Sage West was once again in the lab in the early hours of the morning, bent half mast over two test tubes that she was running through a string of Toxicology tests.</p> <p>The fiery ginger chemist was known as a stray bullet in the halls of Site 404, impulsive and easily-distracted. But something in her personality - some deep sense of threat she carried through her work - have given her this <em>particular</em> job. Or maybe it was just the Forensic Chemistry degree she’d fought tooth and nail for. Either way, she was one of the scattered members that made up the Unofficial Department of Disappearances.</p> <p>They were the ones you went to when you needed someone <em>gone</em>. Dead, disappeared, or worse, was something like a motto. Sage hadn’t met most of her secondary coworkers in person. (They had a group chat, though.) Usually, cases came to them in an email from a Director or case supervisor - ask the right people, and you could get in touch with them fairly easily. It’d be a name, a few details. Sometimes a justification for <em>why</em>. Sometimes not.</p> <p>The work got done either way. (Usually, if Sage was involved, it was done last minute at 2:30 in the morning. Not that it changed the results.)</p> <p>As for what happened to the people - it depended on the case. Usually forgotten. Mostly dead. Sometimes <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/deleted" target="_blank">deleted</a>.</p> <p>Sage was working on a man named Jared Lindstrom. In three days, he would die of an untraceable poison that recreated the effects of an aortic aneurysm, and be found in his apartment by Sergei Sokolov of the New York Police Department (a man whose birth certificate identified him as Jack Marlene, affectionately called “Jackrabbit” by his Foundation friends when he wasn’t under cover).</p> <p>With Jared dead, the memetic virus that had been ravaging America would officially have its final spark squashed, and Dr. Hansel Loveland, the supervisor who’d spent the past year tracking it would breathe easy again.</p> <p>This all hinged on Sage’s ability to actually make that poison. (Obviously, she could. She knew her own brilliance. It was just a matter of testing it.)</p> <p>There were eight dead rats in the lab. She’d stashed the ninth one in the break room fridge, which she probably should take out soon before she forgets it and has to bear the brunt of Researcher Macnamara’s disgusted annoyance.</p> <p>Rat 8’s blood currently rested in the tubes in front of her, one being put through heavy-duty liquid chromatography to see if the Noroxin look-alike she’d been working with still showed up.</p> <p>The blood separated easily, a faint clear rim of liquid at the top showing the separation. Her failure on display.</p> <p>Cursing, Sage made a note, swinging back over to the table. Another sample - balance the acidity slightly with a dash of… right. A quick pass over the bunsen burner after a bit of heat reactive diluent. <em>Perfect</em>. Shaking the vial and noting the changes into a battered notebook, Sage worked quickly.</p> <p>She picked up another rat. It squeaked, flailing, as it was strapped to the table, a gloved hand holding it secure as Sage quickly noted the needle entrypoint, and pushed the readied syringe into the vein. “Sorry, pal. It’s for science.”</p> <p>And so the cycle continued.</p> <p>In an ideal world, she’d be using human subjects to test with, and the body on the table beside her would be a proper cadaver, not a sorry-looking white rat. But Director Reynolds had made that mistake once, during the first Disappearances case Sage had worked on, and it had ended in a two hour lecture on why Sage was requesting new D-Class be transferred in, because she’d “run out” of the ones they already had.</p> <p>Well, it was her fault for not properly briefing Sage on exactly what her plan <em>was</em> with the test subjects. If she had, she’d have realised that trial-and-error testing doesn’t mix the best with perfecting the effects of lethal toxins.</p> <p>It was Sage’s second case that was going to be handled almost completely by her own hands. In the past, she’d helped in more subtle ways - modifying amnestics, and exposing coworkers to anti-memes that Wheeler had sent her. Testing the waters.</p> <p>Finally - <em>finally</em> - the chromatography test came back clean three times in a row. Meaning that R-D-012 (she’d begun keeping a logbook of her furry test subjects, numbered like regular D-Class to boot) had died of an aortic aneurysm at 11:52:06 PM, just like expected.</p> <p>However, this wasn’t something to celebrate over. Because this meant it was time for the next bit: Grovelling.</p> <p>The elevator rattled on the way up, buzzing with the harsh fluorescents. It was a stark contrast to the dark hallways between tinted LED-lit labs and the dim break room next door. However, it wasn’t the worst thing she’d endure that night, Sage thought. She was going to have to face Director Reynolds herself.</p> <p>She didn’t bother to knock at the door, instead walking in. Reynolds usually wasn’t doing anything that private anyways, unless glaring at her desk and muttering counted.</p> <p>The straight-laced, ice-eyed blonde’s head snapped up like a lightning rod as Sage strolled in, the small ginger fitting herself into the seat and kicking her legs up so one of them dangled over the side of the chair. It gave her the impression of a sprawled cat, content in its perch, while Reynolds hissed at the invasion.</p> <p>“Hey boss,” Sage quipped, taking the first blow. A lazy smile dragged onto her lips, Cheshire cat eyes slightly manic in their sleep-deprived glory.</p> <p>“Dr. West,” Reynolds replied coolly, disdain in her voice. “In the future, I would prefer you to knock before barging into my office. Especially at the ripe hour of 10 at night.”</p> <p>Sage quirked an eyebrow. “Not to nag, but you’re two hours off on that one.”</p> <p>Brow furrowing, Reynolds grabbed for her phone on her desk, flipping it over to read the time. She swore. “Great. Well, I apologise. Good morning.”</p> <p>Sage snickered, letting the tension drag out before she launched her barrage. “I need a test subject.”</p> <p>Reynolds replied smoothly, a thin blonde eyebrow raised in turn. “I can contact one of our associates to supply you with more test animals.”</p> <p>Her eyes told Sage that this was her moment to back down from the issue.</p> <p>“Not what I meant,” Sage replied, a hefty sigh par to her tone. “I need something of the <em>homo sapien</em> variety.”</p> <p>“What for?” Reynolds already knew, of course, but she always asked.</p> <p>“Department of Disappearances,” Sage said back.</p> <p>Usually, this phrase would get her out of most of these conversations.</p> <p><em>Why do you need to pick up mnestic refills?</em></p> <p><em>Department of Disappearances.</em></p> <p><em>Where did that blood even come from?</em></p> <p><em>Department of Disappearances.</em></p> <p><em>Here, I think this is your order… what are these pills for again?</em></p> <p><em>Department of Disappearances.</em></p> <p><em>What in God’s name are you doing with that cactus?</em></p> <p><em>Department of Disappearances.</em></p> <p>Worked like a charm in shutting down discussion. Even if technically, she wasn’t allowed to use the excuse about half the time she did, due to a bullshit social construct known as “Clearance”.</p> <p>But Reynolds was unfortunately an insane maniac who asked too many questions for her own good. And so she simply smirked. “Perhaps you could brief me on the case.”</p> <p>“I’m testing poisons. I need a subject,” Sage said, through gritted teeth.</p> <p>“I once again, refer you to the extensive supply of testing anim-” Reynolds started, in all her prim <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">smug bitch</span> Site Director glory.</p> <p>“Lives are on the line, here!” Sage snapped. She had no idea if this was true - but there was in all likelihood a chance that the memetic did kill it’s victims. Probably not, though, supposing as Jared was still obnoxiously alive. Which was what Sage was trying to fix. So maybe lives were on the line after all, just on the wrong side of it. “I’ve <em>used</em> rats. I’ve used so many <em>fucking rats</em>. I need a real human to test this on, now.”</p> <p>“And if the human doesn’t work?” Reynolds asked, definitely mocking her. “What’s your plan then?”</p> <p>And here was the problem. If it didn’t work, Sage would need another subject. And their argument would start anew.</p> <p>There wasn’t really a good answer to it. (Actually there definitely was, and it was just letting Sage use the damn D-Class for their purpose because this was getting stupid) The issue didn’t feel important enough to drag another committee into it, but it also didn’t feel insignificant enough that either wanted to simply settle on it.</p> <p>This is why Sage thought that Dr. Lost was the ideal human (they were human? Right? Did “reality anchor” negate that? Were they mutually exclusive?). Not a single bone in their back. Compliant, people-pleasing, passive. Not headstrong, or stubborn, or any of the other annoying traits that Director Emerald Reynolds used to push her evil agenda of executive fairness and corporate functionality.</p> <p>The silence stretched out, before Sage gritted her teeth, crossing her arms. “<em>I don’t know.</em>”</p> <p>Reynolds huffed, a disappointed mother bear clucking at her impetuous cub. “Well, when you do, come back and give me an answer. I have work to do.”</p> <p>This wasn’t fair. “I have <em>three days</em> to get this done!” Sage hissed, done with the sheer amount of <em>stone-walling</em> Reynolds was throwing at her.</p> <p>“West,” Reynolds said, all calm now, as if she wasn’t being the world's greatest asshole. “I gave you Level 4 Clearance as part of your role. You have access to mountains of information, if you can just be patient enough to properly go through it. And you can. Because you’re an incredibly smart Chemist when you choose to stop behaving like a child.” She sighed, leaning back. “That’s all I’m going to help you as it stands.”</p> <p>The words stung. Unfortunately, it only stoked the fire Sage had been carrying throughout the night, instead of driving the point home. “<em>Fine.</em>”</p> <p>Standing up, she walked out, slamming the door on the Director.</p> <p>It was clear Reynolds hated her. Sage knew that. The feeling was fucking <em>mutual</em>, as far as she was concerned.</p> <p>She’d just have to take it into her own hands.</p> <p>…</p> <p>After she got the rat out of the break room fridge.</p> <hr/> <p>Emerald shook her head, looking down at her work. Sage would figure it out. She trusted her.</p> <p>She’d sent an email into the Disappearances department already, with the current data Sage had - they had other Chemists. They’d figure it out, no matter how disgruntled they acted that their little ginger genius was out of commission for the time being.</p> <p>Emerald didn’t try to make a habit of testing people, but there was something about Sage she couldn’t help but feel… fond of.</p> <p>Her brother Jamie was similar. She pushed that thought out just as soon as it crept into her head - she wasn’t going to think about him. Not now. Forcing her eyes back down to her desk, and tucking a loose strand of blonde hair back into it’s ponytail prison, she tapped a finger over the sticky note laid out there. Written with three words - a reminder of something she had to do. A request she had to make in advance.</p> <p><em>Deus Ex Machina</em>.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-true/false earthworm--old-syntax-last-true/false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes/no {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="The Deal Of Agent Heckerman"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-deal-of-agent-heckerman/comments/show">The Deal Of Agent Heckerman</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="ALL TALES"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-vikki-lost">ALL TALES</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Sage West's Guide To Making Dead Men Talk"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-making-dead-men-talk/comments/show">Sage West's Guide To Making Dead Men Talk</a></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <blockquote> <p>Did you like this? Well then, golly gee, is there more for you!<br/> Dive further into the world of the Twin Sites - whether it's <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/director-emerald-reynolds-guide-to-containing-reality-using" target="_blank">Director Reynolds guide to containing reality using... Tetris?!</a> - or peak into the colliding worlds of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-deal-of-agent-heckerman" target="_blank">Agent Heckerman, Site 404, and a girl named Estrella Vega</a>. Or, just check out my author page! It's <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-vikki-lost">right here.</a> And of course - have a lovely day.</p> </blockquote> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances">Sage West's Guide To Keeping Up Disappearances</a>" by Dr Vikki Lost, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances">https://scpwiki.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[=]] + Sage West’s Guide To Keeping Up Disappearances [[/=]] @@ @@ Dr. Sage West was once again in the lab in the early hours of the morning, bent half mast over two test tubes that she was running through a string of Toxicology tests. The fiery ginger chemist was known as a stray bullet in the halls of Site 404, impulsive and easily-distracted. But something in her personality - some deep sense of threat she carried through her work - have given her this //particular// job. Or maybe it was just the Forensic Chemistry degree she’d fought tooth and nail for. Either way, she was one of the scattered members that made up the Unofficial Department of Disappearances. They were the ones you went to when you needed someone //gone//. Dead, disappeared, or worse, was something like a motto. Sage hadn’t met most of her secondary coworkers in person. (They had a group chat, though.) Usually, cases came to them in an email from a Director or case supervisor - ask the right people, and you could get in touch with them fairly easily. It’d be a name, a few details. Sometimes a justification for //why//. Sometimes not. The work got done either way. (Usually, if Sage was involved, it was done last minute at 2:30 in the morning. Not that it changed the results.) As for what happened to the people - it depended on the case. Usually forgotten. Mostly dead. Sometimes [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/deleted deleted]. Sage was working on a man named Jared Lindstrom. In three days, he would die of an untraceable poison that recreated the effects of an aortic aneurysm, and be found in his apartment by Sergei Sokolov of the New York Police Department (a man whose birth certificate identified him as Jack Marlene, affectionately called “Jackrabbit” by his Foundation friends when he wasn’t under cover). With Jared dead, the memetic virus that had been ravaging America would officially have its final spark squashed, and Dr. Hansel Loveland, the supervisor who’d spent the past year tracking it would breathe easy again. This all hinged on Sage’s ability to actually make that poison. (Obviously, she could. She knew her own brilliance. It was just a matter of testing it.) There were eight dead rats in the lab. She’d stashed the ninth one in the break room fridge, which she probably should take out soon before she forgets it and has to bear the brunt of Researcher Macnamara’s disgusted annoyance. Rat 8’s blood currently rested in the tubes in front of her, one being put through heavy-duty liquid chromatography to see if the Noroxin look-alike she’d been working with still showed up. The blood separated easily, a faint clear rim of liquid at the top showing the separation. Her failure on display. Cursing, Sage made a note, swinging back over to the table. Another sample - balance the acidity slightly with a dash of… right. A quick pass over the bunsen burner after a bit of heat reactive diluent. //Perfect//. Shaking the vial and noting the changes into a battered notebook, Sage worked quickly. She picked up another rat. It squeaked, flailing, as it was strapped to the table, a gloved hand holding it secure as Sage quickly noted the needle entrypoint, and pushed the readied syringe into the vein. “Sorry, pal. It’s for science.” And so the cycle continued. In an ideal world, she’d be using human subjects to test with, and the body on the table beside her would be a proper cadaver, not a sorry-looking white rat. But Director Reynolds had made that mistake once, during the first Disappearances case Sage had worked on, and it had ended in a two hour lecture on why Sage was requesting new D-Class be transferred in, because she’d “run out” of the ones they already had. Well, it was her fault for not properly briefing Sage on exactly what her plan //was// with the test subjects. If she had, she’d have realised that trial-and-error testing doesn’t mix the best with perfecting the effects of lethal toxins. It was Sage’s second case that was going to be handled almost completely by her own hands. In the past, she’d helped in more subtle ways - modifying amnestics, and exposing coworkers to anti-memes that Wheeler had sent her. Testing the waters. Finally - //finally// - the chromatography test came back clean three times in a row. Meaning that R-D-012 (she’d begun keeping a logbook of her furry test subjects, numbered like regular D-Class to boot) had died of an aortic aneurysm at 11:52:06 PM, just like expected. However, this wasn’t something to celebrate over. Because this meant it was time for the next bit: Grovelling. The elevator rattled on the way up, buzzing with the harsh fluorescents. It was a stark contrast to the dark hallways between tinted LED-lit labs and the dim break room next door. However, it wasn’t the worst thing she’d endure that night, Sage thought. She was going to have to face Director Reynolds herself. She didn’t bother to knock at the door, instead walking in. Reynolds usually wasn’t doing anything that private anyways, unless glaring at her desk and muttering counted. The straight-laced, ice-eyed blonde’s head snapped up like a lightning rod as Sage strolled in, the small ginger fitting herself into the seat and kicking her legs up so one of them dangled over the side of the chair. It gave her the impression of a sprawled cat, content in its perch, while Reynolds hissed at the invasion. “Hey boss,” Sage quipped, taking the first blow. A lazy smile dragged onto her lips, Cheshire cat eyes slightly manic in their sleep-deprived glory. “Dr. West,” Reynolds replied coolly, disdain in her voice. “In the future, I would prefer you to knock before barging into my office. Especially at the ripe hour of 10 at night.” Sage quirked an eyebrow. “Not to nag, but you’re two hours off on that one.” Brow furrowing, Reynolds grabbed for her phone on her desk, flipping it over to read the time. She swore. “Great. Well, I apologise. Good morning.” Sage snickered, letting the tension drag out before she launched her barrage. “I need a test subject.” Reynolds replied smoothly, a thin blonde eyebrow raised in turn. “I can contact one of our associates to supply you with more test animals.” Her eyes told Sage that this was her moment to back down from the issue. “Not what I meant,” Sage replied, a hefty sigh par to her tone. “I need something of the //homo sapien// variety.” “What for?” Reynolds already knew, of course, but she always asked. “Department of Disappearances,” Sage said back. Usually, this phrase would get her out of most of these conversations. //Why do you need to pick up mnestic refills?// //Department of Disappearances.// //Where did that blood even come from?// //Department of Disappearances.// //Here, I think this is your order… what are these pills for again?// //Department of Disappearances.// //What in God’s name are you doing with that cactus?// //Department of Disappearances.// Worked like a charm in shutting down discussion. Even if technically, she wasn’t allowed to use the excuse about half the time she did, due to a bullshit social construct known as “Clearance”. But Reynolds was unfortunately an insane maniac who asked too many questions for her own good. And so she simply smirked. “Perhaps you could brief me on the case.” “I’m testing poisons. I need a subject,” Sage said, through gritted teeth. “I once again, refer you to the extensive supply of testing anim-” Reynolds started, in all her prim --smug bitch-- Site Director glory. “Lives are on the line, here!” Sage snapped. She had no idea if this was true - but there was in all likelihood a chance that the memetic did kill it’s victims. Probably not, though, supposing as Jared was still obnoxiously alive. Which was what Sage was trying to fix. So maybe lives were on the line after all, just on the wrong side of it. “I’ve //used// rats. I’ve used so many //fucking rats//. I need a real human to test this on, now.” “And if the human doesn’t work?” Reynolds asked, definitely mocking her. “What’s your plan then?” And here was the problem. If it didn’t work, Sage would need another subject. And their argument would start anew. There wasn’t really a good answer to it. (Actually there definitely was, and it was just letting Sage use the damn D-Class for their purpose because this was getting stupid) The issue didn’t feel important enough to drag another committee into it, but it also didn’t feel insignificant enough that either wanted to simply settle on it. This is why Sage thought that Dr. Lost was the ideal human (they were human? Right? Did “reality anchor” negate that? Were they mutually exclusive?). Not a single bone in their back. Compliant, people-pleasing, passive. Not headstrong, or stubborn, or any of the other annoying traits that Director Emerald Reynolds used to push her evil agenda of executive fairness and corporate functionality. The silence stretched out, before Sage gritted her teeth, crossing her arms. “//I don’t know.//” Reynolds huffed, a disappointed mother bear clucking at her impetuous cub. “Well, when you do, come back and give me an answer. I have work to do.” This wasn’t fair. “I have //three days// to get this done!” Sage hissed, done with the sheer amount of //stone-walling// Reynolds was throwing at her. “West,” Reynolds said, all calm now, as if she wasn’t being the world's greatest asshole. “I gave you Level 4 Clearance as part of your role. You have access to mountains of information, if you can just be patient enough to properly go through it. And you can. Because you’re an incredibly smart Chemist when you choose to stop behaving like a child.” She sighed, leaning back. “That’s all I’m going to help you as it stands.” The words stung. Unfortunately, it only stoked the fire Sage had been carrying throughout the night, instead of driving the point home. “//Fine.//” Standing up, she walked out, slamming the door on the Director. It was clear Reynolds hated her. Sage knew that. The feeling was fucking //mutual//, as far as she was concerned. She’d just have to take it into her own hands. … After she got the rat out of the break room fridge. ------ Emerald shook her head, looking down at her work. Sage would figure it out. She trusted her. She’d sent an email into the Disappearances department already, with the current data Sage had - they had other Chemists. They’d figure it out, no matter how disgruntled they acted that their little ginger genius was out of commission for the time being. Emerald didn’t try to make a habit of testing people, but there was something about Sage she couldn’t help but feel… fond of. Her brother Jamie was similar. She pushed that thought out just as soon as it crept into her head - she wasn’t going to think about him. Not now. Forcing her eyes back down to her desk, and tucking a loose strand of blonde hair back into it’s ponytail prison, she tapped a finger over the sticky note laid out there. Written with three words - a reminder of something she had to do. A request she had to make in advance. //Deus Ex Machina//. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=true/false \| last=true/false \| hub=yes/no \| previous-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-deal-of-agent-heckerman/comments/show \| previous-title=The Deal Of Agent Heckerman \| next-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-making-dead-men-talk/comments/show \| next-title=Sage West's Guide To Making Dead Men Talk \| hub-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-vikki-lost \| hub-title=ALL TALES ]] @@ @@ @@ @@ > Did you like this? Well then, golly gee, is there more for you! > Dive further into the world of the Twin Sites - whether it's [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/director-emerald-reynolds-guide-to-containing-reality-using Director Reynolds guide to containing reality using... Tetris?! ]- or peak into the colliding worlds of [*https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-deal-of-agent-heckerman Agent Heckerman, Site 404, and a girl named Estrella Vega]. Or, just check out my author page! It's [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-vikki-lost right here.] And of course - have a lovely day. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Dr Vikki Lost]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-01-08T17:31:00	[ "_licensebox", "tale", "the-twin-sites" ]	Sage West's Guide To Keeping Up Disappearances - SCP Foundation	10	[ "deleted", "the-deal-of-agent-heckerman/comments/show", "dr-vikki-lost", "sage-west-s-guide-to-making-dead-men-talk/comments/show", "director-emerald-reynolds-guide-to-containing-reality-using", "the-deal-of-agent-heckerman", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "twin-sites-hub" ]	[]	1452109329	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances
sage-west-s-guide-to-making-dead-men-talk	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>Sage West's Guide To Making Dead Men Talk</span></h1> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>Dr. Sage West was on her break, texting with Dr. Lost about a recent assignment she’d thrown to them, when she got the call. It was Agent Jack “Jackrabbit” Marlene, known to the Franklin County Police Department as Detective Darren Hazel (when he wasn’t working for the NYCPD as Detective Sergei Solokov). The man with many names was usually a tolerable guy - a great buddy for a night of duck pin bowling and cocktails, at least.</p> <p>“This about Loveland?” she asked, leaning back into her chair. Ezekiah Lenora shot her an odd look from across the room, and West just winked in turn.</p> <p>“Nah. Not <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances" target="_blank">a Disappearances case.</a> Not yet, at least. We just got a new stiff in, and it’s looking like it might be anomalous.”</p> <p>“How long?” Sage stood, readying herself to grab her car keys and bolt.</p> <p>“About a half an hour. I’ve stuck some wrenches into procedure so the evidence doesn’t get shipped to the labs too soon.”</p> <p>“Excellent,” Sage smirked, satisfied. “Nice going, chief. I’ll be on route in five, over in thirty if I’m quick.”</p> <p>Jackrabbit laughed, as Sage quickly tapped Levi on the shoulder. “I’m heading out for a meeting. Tell Novak I’m off shift, and give her my regards,” she gave a smug smile, and Levi sighed. “She’ll bite your head off about this later, y’know. I’m not sure how you haven’t been actually killed by Reynolds.”</p> <p>Director Emerald Reynolds and Assistant Director/Chemistry Department Head Celeste Novak were a formidable alliance at the worst of times, and a united front ruling over a godless realm of terror at their best. Thankfully, Reynolds was one of the few people who knew Sage’s involvement in Disappearances. And that was damn helpful.</p> <p>Of course, that didn’t mean she didn’t still make Sage’s life hell for it.</p> <p>West pulled up the puffy white coat over her shoulders, tugging up the fur-lined hood and holding the phone in place with her chin. “Give me the run-down on the case.”</p> <p>“Well…” he started.</p> <p>Her Jeep beeped a greeting, doors unlocking as she slid inside and turned the call to speaker, engine revving as she pulled out. Cruising out from the Site 404 parking lot, she hit the road at about 20 miles above the speed limit. A free hand fumbled for a hairband shoved into the seat cushions, quickly twisting up the French braid she had sported into a neat ginger loop at the base of her neck.</p> <p>West had already made the mistake of forgetting to tie her hair up at a crime scene before, and had paid in the mess scrubbing dried blood out of her hair left on her tiles. Oh, and the gross factor and all that. Though it’d been a while since Sage had actually cringed at the sight of blood.</p> <p>“We did an initial sweep of the primary scene and Joseph spotted the guy pretty quickly. Cops wouldn’t let us in for a bit, but once it was clear the guy was done for, I was able to get a good look. The actual process seemed to go smoothly, but as soon as the guys with me saw his face, they started talking about him like they knew him.”</p> <p>“Personally?” Sage asked, noting it down into the margins of her mind.</p> <p>“No, more tangentially. Carlie said she’d seen him on a game show from the 90s, and Joseph thinks he was featured as a guest speaker at an old forensics lecture he’d seen on tape. No physical contact connections, and no one mentioned anything more recent than 2006. I asked.”</p> <p>Sage hummed, adding another five miles to her speed limit hating pace. “Did you get a look at him?”</p> <p>“Nope,” Jackrabbit clicked his tongue. “I showed up late to the scene and thankfully heard Carlie and Joseph’s stories before I got too close. Skipped out on the ambulance ride and took my car back to the station so I could call you in private.”</p> <p>“Good,” Sage ran her tongue over her teeth and began puzzling out the possibilities in her head. Memetic effect, possible cognitohazard. “Did you have any trouble walking away from it?”</p> <p>“I mean, I was curious, but it wasn’t… shit, now that you mention it. Joseph said all three of the guys who found the body walked over there right after they arrived. Definitely could be some kind of anomalous compulsion playing into it.”</p> <p>“So, mind-effecting,” Sage concluded. “If this is memetic, it’s isolated enough to be on the weaker side. Otherwise, you’d be under the effect just from talking to the hive mind minions.”</p> <p>Jackrabbit snorted from on the other end of the line. “Are you ever nice?”</p> <p>“I don’t make a habit of it,” Sage replied simply, checking her lipstick in the rearview mirror. She hated walking into a crime scene looking anything but her best. Thankfully, the look was still intact, and her small ginger figure cut as imposing a figure as ever. “I’m still waiting for an email about the My Little Foundation: Containment Is Magic pitch.”</p> <p>Jackrabbit actually laughed at this. “Now that’s just genuinely awful.”</p> <p>“Good. We’re on the same page.”</p> <p>“Where are you now?” Jackrabbit asked, ignoring her cynicism.</p> <p>“About fifteen minutes away.” At this point, Sage’s foot was pedal to the metal, roaring the car like a bullet down the highway. It was pure Ohio in that the only use the road got was from people crossing through to get to another state worth their time, and extra helpful in the fact that it didn’t lead many worthwhile places. That made it the perfect spot to hide away a few large blocky white buildings, easily mistaken as storage units to those with a less discerning eye.</p> <p>The closer to Columbus she sped, though, the more drivers popped up, and the more likely it was for Sage to face actual repercussions for the strange, maniacal replication of good driving she specialised in. The one time Sage had carpooled 404 Director Emerald Reynolds, it’d ended with Sage kicked to shotgun, after about ten minutes of Reynolds white-knuckling the door handle and snapping at every slight movement in the window.</p> <p>Some people just weren’t built for her lifestyle, West considered.</p> <p>“Jesus Christ…” Jackrabbit groaned, counting himself happily amongst the “some people”. “Well, I’m en route to enter the station in under five. See you out front.”</p> <p>“Got it, boss,” Sage purred, just as the phone hung up.</p> <p>It was showtime.</p> <p>—-</p> <p>It was hard to be intimidating when you barely reached five feet tall on a good day. But Sage West managed it. The trick was knowing her own worth - and then some. Nothing makes a grown man more embarrassed than being told his job has been usurped by a 27-year-old ginger with a fur collar bigger than her head. And West delighted in that.</p> <p>“I’m looking for Detective Hazel,” she snapped as she strode in through the doors, ready to boss around whatever officer ended up having the misfortune of being the first to find her.</p> <p>She was slightly disappointed when Jackrabbit himself was the voice to respond. “Right here, Doc.” He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Long puffy dijon coat, over black slacks and a simple button-up. Dark hair messy and olive skin flushed with the cold.</p> <p>“Ah. Darren,” she pursed her lips. “What’s the latest?”</p> <p>“I got the body set up downstairs for you. Do you need anything?” As good of an Agent as he was, he still wasn’t as skilled in the specifics of handling anomalies as she was. He was mainly there to pick them out and handle things while he waited for people like her to arrive.</p> <p>“Nope. Hold on a second,” she whipped out her phone, shooting a message to one of her Department of Disappearances colleagues.</p> <p><em>Handling a cognitohazardous meme that infects victims who view it. Need to counter it.</em></p> <p>A long pause- and then a reply. Three dots waiting, before-</p> <p><em>Get a sharpie and write a power phrase on your arms and throat. That might be able to create a protective counter meme. If you start to go under, just touch the words and say them out loud.</em></p> <p>Sage shot back - <em>got it</em> and whistled to Jackrabbit. “I need a sharpie.”</p> <p>He fumbled, grabbing one off the desk, and handing it over. Wordlessly, she pulled back her sleeves and collar, writing the words “YOU DO NOT RECOGNISE THIS MAN” in large black letters. Capping it, she handed it back. “Should I do the same?” Jack questioned, eyeing her.</p> <p>“It wouldn’t be as effective for you. I’ve got training in memetic blocking to back me up,” she pointed out, before following him down a flight of stairs into the cold sterile cavern that was the Columbus City Police Department Morgue.</p> <p>The body was on the table, still covered by a blanket. Sage pulled out her notepad, ready to start taking notes.</p> <p>“Do we have an identification yet?” Sage asked.</p> <p>“I had Joseph run a check. Harris Lee, 32-year-old drug dealer. No one special.”</p> <p>“Makes sense,” Sage bent down to start on the physical examination. Testing the elbow to see if it bent, she confirmed that rigour mortis was definitely already setting in. Cutting away his clothing and marking it into evidence bags, West searched the skin, noting down cuts and scrapes, and checked his fingernails for grime or residue.</p> <p>She began to lift the cloth to look at his face- and immediately felt a wave of pusback to her memetic protection, a physical force that vibrated over her skin like a magnet. Chanting the phrase inked to her arms in Sharpie, she pushed the cloth back down, taking a moment to breathe. Whatever it was, it was powerful.</p> <p>“Help me flip him over,” she asked Jack, thrusting a pair of gloves at him. Grimacing, he quickly put them on. “Why don’t you ever bring backup? That way I don’t have to touch any dead bodies.”</p> <p>“I like you better,” Sage said, not dishonestly. Jack grunted. “I can’t tell whether that’s a good thing.”</p> <p>“Probably not,” Sage said, as they carefully lifted the heavy corpse, turning him onto his back. Sage began her process again, while Jack continued his new goal of looking like a very uncomfortable lemon. “But if you’re going to be here, might as well make yourself useful. Hang on-”</p> <p>Something caught her eye - and she bent down, careful not to touch the skin directly as she pushed up the cloth near his neck.</p> <p>It was a small triangle, carved into the skin with some kind of blade. A thin silvery kind of ink stained the lines, and West knew that this was it. “Found it. He has a sigil on his neck.”</p> <p>Jack walked around to inspect it, raising an eyebrow. “<em>That’s</em> the thing that’s making everyone freak out?”</p> <p>Sage shook her head. “I’m going to guess that there’s an original source. It’s like a… gang symbol, almost. The gang’s power is from the actual members, but if you have their symbol, you could carry some of that influence.”</p> <p>“Or you’ve just been watching too much Breaking Bad,” Jack suggested as if he wasn’t the one who had gotten her hooked on the series in the first place.</p> <p>Sage pulled out her phone and snapped a few pictures of the mark, before setting her mind to the best course of action. “Scalpel?”</p> <p>“What?” Jack said, though he still handed it over. Sage ignored him, leaning down and quickly slicing away the square of skin the mark was on. Jack groaned, turning away as she quickly peeled it off, the cool blood pooling beneath it. “Okay. Now we turn him over, take off the cloth, and you’ll look at his face.”</p> <p>“You wanna use me as a guinea pig?” Jack asked, incredulous.</p> <p>“Personally, I find rats make better test subjects. But whatever makes you happy. Shut up and move.”</p> <p>Jack shook his head, as they re-flipped the body. West pulled the cloth down, revealing an average-looking man. Asian American, she’d guess, with choppy dark hair and bloodshot eyes. His mouth was hung open slightly, sharp jaw locking from rigour mortis, and the grey pallor of death had set its claws in hungrily, chipping away at the dregs of his humanity.</p> <p>Jack stood for a moment. Then looked up. “I don’t feel anything. Nothing like earlier, at least,” he considered for a second longer, then continued- “Alright, I’m mildly creeped out. But I think that’s just called being normal.” It was targeted towards her, which was unfair. Sage might not fit the gold standard for emotional responsiveness, but what she lacked in variety she made up for intensity.</p> <p>The emotions she did feel she felt <em>hard</em>. That counted, right?</p> <p>“Good,” she had transferred the skin sample into a tray, to take back with her. “You’ll cover up my visit, and get the case back on track, right?”</p> <p>Jack started to reply, something about how she asked too much of him, when West’s phone buzzed. She looked down. It was Dr. Lost - well, the name said “Pushover”, which was Lost’s nickname in Wests’ mind.</p> <p>The violet-haired pushover had texted a short message- <em>I found the file you were asking about.</em></p> <p>Sage smirked. “Well. That’s my cue to leave. Send me the case file later, will you? I’ll get someone from Research to look into the symbol.”</p> <p>Jack groaned, frustrated. “Seriously? You’re leaving?”</p> <p>Sage just shrugged. “I’ve got a schedule to keep, Jack. You weren’t on it until about an hour ago.” Really, she didn’t give a flying fuck about keeping to any schedule. But when it suited her, the excuse worked. So she used it.</p> <p>Shooting back a quick - <em>Gimme 30. I’ll be there.</em> - Sage hauled up the stairs, throwing her puffy white jacket back on, and barging out the doors.</p> <p>She had a pushover to find.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-true/false earthworm--old-syntax-last-true/false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes/no {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="Sage West's Guide To Keeping Up Disappearances"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances">Sage West's Guide To Keeping Up Disappearances</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="ALL TALES"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-vikki-lost">ALL TALES</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Sage West: An Approval For Shadows"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/an-approval-for-shadows">Sage West: An Approval For Shadows</a></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <blockquote> <p>Did you like this? Well then, golly gee, is there more for you!<br/> Dive further into the world of the Twin Sites - whether it's <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances" target="_blank">Sage West's brushes with death (and how to get more of it</a>, <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/director-emerald-reynolds-guide-to-containing-reality-using" target="_blank">Director Reynolds guide to containing reality using... Tetris?!</a> - or peak into the colliding worlds of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-deal-of-agent-heckerman" target="_blank">Agent Heckerman, Site 404, and a girl named Estrella Vega</a>. Or, just check out my author page! It's <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-vikki-lost">right here.</a> And of course - have a lovely day.</p> </blockquote> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/sage-west-s-guide-to-making-dead-men-talk">Sage West's Guide To Making Dead Men Talk</a>" by Dr Vikki Lost, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-making-dead-men-talk">https://scpwiki.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-making-dead-men-talk</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[=]] + Sage West's Guide To Making Dead Men Talk [[/=]] @@ @@ Dr. Sage West was on her break, texting with Dr. Lost about a recent assignment she’d thrown to them, when she got the call. It was Agent Jack “Jackrabbit” Marlene, known to the Franklin County Police Department as Detective Darren Hazel (when he wasn’t working for the NYCPD as Detective Sergei Solokov). The man with many names was usually a tolerable guy - a great buddy for a night of duck pin bowling and cocktails, at least. “This about Loveland?” she asked, leaning back into her chair. Ezekiah Lenora shot her an odd look from across the room, and West just winked in turn. “Nah. Not [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances a Disappearances case.] Not yet, at least. We just got a new stiff in, and it’s looking like it might be anomalous.” “How long?” Sage stood, readying herself to grab her car keys and bolt. “About a half an hour. I’ve stuck some wrenches into procedure so the evidence doesn’t get shipped to the labs too soon.” “Excellent,” Sage smirked, satisfied. “Nice going, chief. I’ll be on route in five, over in thirty if I’m quick.” Jackrabbit laughed, as Sage quickly tapped Levi on the shoulder. “I’m heading out for a meeting. Tell Novak I’m off shift, and give her my regards,” she gave a smug smile, and Levi sighed. “She’ll bite your head off about this later, y’know. I’m not sure how you haven’t been actually killed by Reynolds.” Director Emerald Reynolds and Assistant Director/Chemistry Department Head Celeste Novak were a formidable alliance at the worst of times, and a united front ruling over a godless realm of terror at their best. Thankfully, Reynolds was one of the few people who knew Sage’s involvement in Disappearances. And that was damn helpful. Of course, that didn’t mean she didn’t still make Sage’s life hell for it. West pulled up the puffy white coat over her shoulders, tugging up the fur-lined hood and holding the phone in place with her chin. “Give me the run-down on the case.” “Well…” he started. Her Jeep beeped a greeting, doors unlocking as she slid inside and turned the call to speaker, engine revving as she pulled out. Cruising out from the Site 404 parking lot, she hit the road at about 20 miles above the speed limit. A free hand fumbled for a hairband shoved into the seat cushions, quickly twisting up the French braid she had sported into a neat ginger loop at the base of her neck. West had already made the mistake of forgetting to tie her hair up at a crime scene before, and had paid in the mess scrubbing dried blood out of her hair left on her tiles. Oh, and the gross factor and all that. Though it’d been a while since Sage had actually cringed at the sight of blood. “We did an initial sweep of the primary scene and Joseph spotted the guy pretty quickly. Cops wouldn’t let us in for a bit, but once it was clear the guy was done for, I was able to get a good look. The actual process seemed to go smoothly, but as soon as the guys with me saw his face, they started talking about him like they knew him.” “Personally?” Sage asked, noting it down into the margins of her mind. “No, more tangentially. Carlie said she’d seen him on a game show from the 90s, and Joseph thinks he was featured as a guest speaker at an old forensics lecture he’d seen on tape. No physical contact connections, and no one mentioned anything more recent than 2006. I asked.” Sage hummed, adding another five miles to her speed limit hating pace. “Did you get a look at him?” “Nope,” Jackrabbit clicked his tongue. “I showed up late to the scene and thankfully heard Carlie and Joseph’s stories before I got too close. Skipped out on the ambulance ride and took my car back to the station so I could call you in private.” “Good,” Sage ran her tongue over her teeth and began puzzling out the possibilities in her head. Memetic effect, possible cognitohazard. “Did you have any trouble walking away from it?” “I mean, I was curious, but it wasn’t… shit, now that you mention it. Joseph said all three of the guys who found the body walked over there right after they arrived. Definitely could be some kind of anomalous compulsion playing into it.” “So, mind-effecting,” Sage concluded. “If this is memetic, it’s isolated enough to be on the weaker side. Otherwise, you’d be under the effect just from talking to the hive mind minions.” Jackrabbit snorted from on the other end of the line. “Are you ever nice?” “I don’t make a habit of it,” Sage replied simply, checking her lipstick in the rearview mirror. She hated walking into a crime scene looking anything but her best. Thankfully, the look was still intact, and her small ginger figure cut as imposing a figure as ever. “I’m still waiting for an email about the My Little Foundation: Containment Is Magic pitch.” Jackrabbit actually laughed at this. “Now that’s just genuinely awful.” “Good. We’re on the same page.” “Where are you now?” Jackrabbit asked, ignoring her cynicism. “About fifteen minutes away.” At this point, Sage’s foot was pedal to the metal, roaring the car like a bullet down the highway. It was pure Ohio in that the only use the road got was from people crossing through to get to another state worth their time, and extra helpful in the fact that it didn’t lead many worthwhile places. That made it the perfect spot to hide away a few large blocky white buildings, easily mistaken as storage units to those with a less discerning eye. The closer to Columbus she sped, though, the more drivers popped up, and the more likely it was for Sage to face actual repercussions for the strange, maniacal replication of good driving she specialised in. The one time Sage had carpooled 404 Director Emerald Reynolds, it’d ended with Sage kicked to shotgun, after about ten minutes of Reynolds white-knuckling the door handle and snapping at every slight movement in the window. Some people just weren’t built for her lifestyle, West considered. “Jesus Christ…” Jackrabbit groaned, counting himself happily amongst the “some people”. “Well, I’m en route to enter the station in under five. See you out front.” “Got it, boss,” Sage purred, just as the phone hung up. It was showtime. —- It was hard to be intimidating when you barely reached five feet tall on a good day. But Sage West managed it. The trick was knowing her own worth - and then some. Nothing makes a grown man more embarrassed than being told his job has been usurped by a 27-year-old ginger with a fur collar bigger than her head. And West delighted in that. “I’m looking for Detective Hazel,” she snapped as she strode in through the doors, ready to boss around whatever officer ended up having the misfortune of being the first to find her. She was slightly disappointed when Jackrabbit himself was the voice to respond. “Right here, Doc.” He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Long puffy dijon coat, over black slacks and a simple button-up. Dark hair messy and olive skin flushed with the cold. “Ah. Darren,” she pursed her lips. “What’s the latest?” “I got the body set up downstairs for you. Do you need anything?” As good of an Agent as he was, he still wasn’t as skilled in the specifics of handling anomalies as she was. He was mainly there to pick them out and handle things while he waited for people like her to arrive. “Nope. Hold on a second,” she whipped out her phone, shooting a message to one of her Department of Disappearances colleagues. //Handling a cognitohazardous meme that infects victims who view it. Need to counter it.// A long pause- and then a reply. Three dots waiting, before- //Get a sharpie and write a power phrase on your arms and throat. That might be able to create a protective counter meme. If you start to go under, just touch the words and say them out loud.// Sage shot back - //got it// and whistled to Jackrabbit. “I need a sharpie.” He fumbled, grabbing one off the desk, and handing it over. Wordlessly, she pulled back her sleeves and collar, writing the words “YOU DO NOT RECOGNISE THIS MAN” in large black letters. Capping it, she handed it back. “Should I do the same?” Jack questioned, eyeing her. “It wouldn’t be as effective for you. I’ve got training in memetic blocking to back me up,” she pointed out, before following him down a flight of stairs into the cold sterile cavern that was the Columbus City Police Department Morgue. The body was on the table, still covered by a blanket. Sage pulled out her notepad, ready to start taking notes. “Do we have an identification yet?” Sage asked. “I had Joseph run a check. Harris Lee, 32-year-old drug dealer. No one special.” “Makes sense,” Sage bent down to start on the physical examination. Testing the elbow to see if it bent, she confirmed that rigour mortis was definitely already setting in. Cutting away his clothing and marking it into evidence bags, West searched the skin, noting down cuts and scrapes, and checked his fingernails for grime or residue. She began to lift the cloth to look at his face- and immediately felt a wave of pusback to her memetic protection, a physical force that vibrated over her skin like a magnet. Chanting the phrase inked to her arms in Sharpie, she pushed the cloth back down, taking a moment to breathe. Whatever it was, it was powerful. “Help me flip him over,” she asked Jack, thrusting a pair of gloves at him. Grimacing, he quickly put them on. “Why don’t you ever bring backup? That way I don’t have to touch any dead bodies.” “I like you better,” Sage said, not dishonestly. Jack grunted. “I can’t tell whether that’s a good thing.” “Probably not,” Sage said, as they carefully lifted the heavy corpse, turning him onto his back. Sage began her process again, while Jack continued his new goal of looking like a very uncomfortable lemon. “But if you’re going to be here, might as well make yourself useful. Hang on-” Something caught her eye - and she bent down, careful not to touch the skin directly as she pushed up the cloth near his neck. It was a small triangle, carved into the skin with some kind of blade. A thin silvery kind of ink stained the lines, and West knew that this was it. “Found it. He has a sigil on his neck.” Jack walked around to inspect it, raising an eyebrow. “//That’s// the thing that’s making everyone freak out?” Sage shook her head. “I’m going to guess that there’s an original source. It’s like a… gang symbol, almost. The gang’s power is from the actual members, but if you have their symbol, you could carry some of that influence.” “Or you’ve just been watching too much Breaking Bad,” Jack suggested as if he wasn’t the one who had gotten her hooked on the series in the first place. Sage pulled out her phone and snapped a few pictures of the mark, before setting her mind to the best course of action. “Scalpel?” “What?” Jack said, though he still handed it over. Sage ignored him, leaning down and quickly slicing away the square of skin the mark was on. Jack groaned, turning away as she quickly peeled it off, the cool blood pooling beneath it. “Okay. Now we turn him over, take off the cloth, and you’ll look at his face.” “You wanna use me as a guinea pig?” Jack asked, incredulous. “Personally, I find rats make better test subjects. But whatever makes you happy. Shut up and move.” Jack shook his head, as they re-flipped the body. West pulled the cloth down, revealing an average-looking man. Asian American, she’d guess, with choppy dark hair and bloodshot eyes. His mouth was hung open slightly, sharp jaw locking from rigour mortis, and the grey pallor of death had set its claws in hungrily, chipping away at the dregs of his humanity. Jack stood for a moment. Then looked up. “I don’t feel anything. Nothing like earlier, at least,” he considered for a second longer, then continued- “Alright, I’m mildly creeped out. But I think that’s just called being normal.” It was targeted towards her, which was unfair. Sage might not fit the gold standard for emotional responsiveness, but what she lacked in variety she made up for intensity. The emotions she did feel she felt //hard//. That counted, right? “Good,” she had transferred the skin sample into a tray, to take back with her. “You’ll cover up my visit, and get the case back on track, right?” Jack started to reply, something about how she asked too much of him, when West’s phone buzzed. She looked down. It was Dr. Lost - well, the name said “Pushover”, which was Lost’s nickname in Wests’ mind. The violet-haired pushover had texted a short message- //I found the file you were asking about.// Sage smirked. “Well. That’s my cue to leave. Send me the case file later, will you? I’ll get someone from Research to look into the symbol.” Jack groaned, frustrated. “Seriously? You’re leaving?” Sage just shrugged. “I’ve got a schedule to keep, Jack. You weren’t on it until about an hour ago.” Really, she didn’t give a flying fuck about keeping to any schedule. But when it suited her, the excuse worked. So she used it. Shooting back a quick - //Gimme 30. I’ll be there.// - Sage hauled up the stairs, throwing her puffy white jacket back on, and barging out the doors. She had a pushover to find. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=true/false \| last=true/false \| hub=yes/no \| previous-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances \| previous-title=Sage West's Guide To Keeping Up Disappearances \| next-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/an-approval-for-shadows \| next-title=Sage West: An Approval For Shadows \| hub-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-vikki-lost \| hub-title=ALL TALES ]] @@ @@ @@ @@ > Did you like this? Well then, golly gee, is there more for you! > Dive further into the world of the Twin Sites - whether it's [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances Sage West's brushes with death (and how to get more of it], [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/director-emerald-reynolds-guide-to-containing-reality-using Director Reynolds guide to containing reality using... Tetris?! ]- or peak into the colliding worlds of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-deal-of-agent-heckerman Agent Heckerman, Site 404, and a girl named Estrella Vega]. Or, just check out my author page! It's [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-vikki-lost right here.] And of course - have a lovely day. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Dr Vikki Lost]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-01-22T16:13:00	[ "_licensebox", "crime-fiction", "mystery", "tale", "the-twin-sites" ]	Sage West's Guide To Making Dead Men Talk - SCP Foundation	8	[ "sage-west-s-guide-to-keeping-up-disappearances", "dr-vikki-lost", "an-approval-for-shadows", "director-emerald-reynolds-guide-to-containing-reality-using", "the-deal-of-agent-heckerman", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "twin-sites-hub", "artist-showcase-archive" ]	[]	1452310835	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sage-west-s-guide-to-making-dead-men-talk
salvation	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <blockquote> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Huh? What's that again…eh, probably mail. The guys would've been knocking, not ringing. <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8425">Weird that they haven't came back yet</a>. Been few days since the leave ended.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Whatever. Fever's gone at least… ah, right. The ringing.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Hello? Who's there?</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>What's this…</em></p> </blockquote> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="soul-1.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/salvation/soul-1.jpg"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="soul-2.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/salvation/soul-2.jpg"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="soul-3.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/salvation/soul-3.jpg"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="soul-4.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/salvation/soul-4.jpg"/></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px; background-color: white;"> <div style="text-align: center"> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 300%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>MERIDIAN DAILY</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 150%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>Here before TV!</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 115%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"> <table style="border: none; width: 100%;"> <tr> <td>June 5th, 2015</td> <td style="text-align: center;">PAGE 3 - Movie nights return to Settlers Park</td> <td style="text-align: right;">2$ - NO REFUNDS</td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 185%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>A SATANIC RITUAL SACRIFICE?</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Antony'; font-size: 115%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p><em>VICTIM'S FAMILY REVEALES THE DETAILS OF A MYSTERIOUS MURDER.</em></p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family:serif; font-size:110%;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p><em>By Anton Levey</em></p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align:justify;"> <div style="opacity: 1">MERIDIAN, IDAHO - New details have emerged regarding the death of Henry Hansen, a Meridian local who was found dead at his home last week. While the death was initially ruled a suicide, the victim's family have revealed information that may shine a new light on this case.</div> <br/> <div style="opacity: .75">Hansen was a 25-year-old employee at Scout's Cargo Packing, an interstate delivery service, and a promising young man. His life was cut short by an unknown party, however, as his brother found him dead in his apartment on the 25th of May. All five digits on his left hand were missing, with their locations remaining unidentified, with no other damage or signs of struggle found on his body. The cause of death was ruled to be blood loss, and the injuries were deemed to be self-inflicted.</div> <br/> <div style="opacity: .5">Of suspicion, however, is the fact that drawings of a five-armed star, similar to the satanic pentagram, were found in multiple locations of the victim's house. Some were drawn using the victim's blood, some using a pink, pastel paint. A questionnaire belonging to an alleged self-help association, calling itself the "Society of Outer Light" was also found. No information could be found about the group, but the family suspects ties to the occult.</div> <br/> <div style="opacity: .25">Could this be a work of satanic cults, with Hansen serving as human sacrifice? While we have no proof…</div> </div> </div> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-no {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="SCP-8425"> <p><a href="/scp-8425">SCP-8425</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="Salvation"> <p><a href="/Starfall">Salvation</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Silesian Cult"> <p><a href="/silesian-cult">Silesian Cult</a></p> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:acs-animation">:scp-wiki:component:acs-animation</a>]] [[module CSS]] :root { --header-title: "STARFALL"; --header-subtitle: "heaven is crashing down"; --logo-image: url(https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/black-highlighter/img/logo.svg); } [[/module]] [[module Rate]] [[<]] [[/module]] > = //Huh? What's that again...eh, probably mail. The guys would've been knocking, not ringing. [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8425 Weird that they haven't came back yet]. Been few days since the leave ended.// > > = //Whatever. Fever's gone at least... ah, right. The ringing.// > > = //Hello? Who's there?// > > = //What's this...// = [[image soul-1.jpg]] = [[image soul-2.jpg]] = [[image soul-3.jpg]] = [[image soul-4.jpg]] @@ @@ ------ ~~~~~ [[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px; background-color: white;"]] [[div style="text-align: center"]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 300%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] MERIDIAN DAILY [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 150%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] Here before TV! [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 115%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"]] [[table style="border: none; width: 100%;"]] [[row]] [[cell]] June 5th, 2015 [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: center;"]] PAGE 3 - Movie nights return to Settlers Park [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: right;"]] 2$ - NO REFUNDS [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] [[/div]] ~~~~~~ [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 185%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] A SATANIC RITUAL SACRIFICE? [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Antony'; font-size: 115%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] //VICTIM'S FAMILY REVEALES THE DETAILS OF A MYSTERIOUS MURDER.// [[/div]] ~~~~~~ [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family:serif; font-size:110%;"]] [[>]] //By Anton Levey// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ~~~~~ [[div style="text-align:justify;"]] [[div_ style="opacity: 1"]] MERIDIAN, IDAHO - New details have emerged regarding the death of Henry Hansen, a Meridian local who was found dead at his home last week. While the death was initially ruled a suicide, the victim's family have revealed information that may shine a new light on this case. [[/div]] @@@@ [[div_ style="opacity: .75"]] Hansen was a 25-year-old employee at Scout's Cargo Packing, an interstate delivery service, and a promising young man. His life was cut short by an unknown party, however, as his brother found him dead in his apartment on the 25th of May. All five digits on his left hand were missing, with their locations remaining unidentified, with no other damage or signs of struggle found on his body. The cause of death was ruled to be blood loss, and the injuries were deemed to be self-inflicted. [[/div]] @@@@ [[div_ style="opacity: .5"]] Of suspicion, however, is the fact that drawings of a five-armed star, similar to the satanic pentagram, were found in multiple locations of the victim's house. Some were drawn using the victim's blood, some using a pink, pastel paint. A questionnaire belonging to an alleged self-help association, calling itself the "Society of Outer Light" was also found. No information could be found about the group, but the family suspects ties to the occult. [[/div]] @@@@ [[div_ style="opacity: .25"]] Could this be a work of satanic cults, with Hansen serving as human sacrifice? While we have no proof… [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[module CSS]] .earthworm .hub.no a, .earthworm a[href="/"] { color: #b9b8b8; } [[/module]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=false \| last=false \| hub=no \| previous-url=/SCP-8425 \| previous-title=SCP-8425 \| next-url=/silesian-cult \| next-title=Silesian Cult \| hub-url=/Starfall \| hub-title= Salvation ]]	2024-06-14T16:51:00	[ "fifthist", "horror", "psychological-horror", "tale" ]	Salvation - SCP Foundation	19	[ "scp-8425", "Starfall", "silesian-cult" ]	[ "fifthist-hub" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/salvation/soul-1.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/salvation/soul-2.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/salvation/soul-3.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/salvation/soul-4.jpg" ]	1454060277	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/salvation
sarkic-text-archive	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>An Archive of Sarkic Scripture & More!</p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:100%;"><img alt="DIHWYFFH-Thumbnail.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/sarkic-text-archive/DIHWYFFH-Thumbnail.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>THUMBNAIL</p> </div> </div> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:ad-abyssum-penumbra&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div style="display: none"> <p><span style="font-size:80%;">This bit down here controls the logo and subtitle changes. Is it cursed? Yes. Is it annoyingly effective? Also yes.</span></p> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">lgurl:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aad-abyssum-penumbra/tacttheo_parareligions.png)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-subtitle:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--parareligions)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> <blockquote> <p>Our understanding of Sarkicism has changed dramatically over the last few decades. What we have learned has revealed a diverse and shifting paradigm far different from the monolithic creed that was first hypothesized. We are now able to paint a broader, more detailed picture of the Nälkä religion, its various sects and cultural traditions.</p> <p>Modern sects are the product of divergent interpretations, many bearing a mere superficial resemblance to their ancient progenitor cult. Most unexpected, especially among early scholars of Sarkicism such as myself, are the seemingly benevolent intentions of its founders. The road to hell, it is often said, is paved with good intentions - an aphorism the Foundation must always keep close in mind, for despite the aeons between us, we gaze into that very same abyss.</p> <p>And like the ancient Adytites, we have found it full of monsters.</p> <p>Thanks to the tireless work of Dr. Virtanen, we can further expand our knowledge of the Sarkite culture and practices, so that they never become a threat again.</p> <p>- Dr. Judith Low, Senior Advisor at the Department of History - Religious GoI Threat Analysis</p> </blockquote> <h1 id="toc0"><span>FOREWORD</span></h1> <hr/> <p>This document is a compilation of non-cognitohazardous Sarkite texts, acquired and archived as part of the Sarkic Text Archive Project, in collaboration between the Department of Tactical Theology and the Department of History.</p> <p>The purpose of the STAP is to help foundation personnel dealing with Sarkic communities and anomalies in understanding the cultural and religious practices of the various Sarkic sects, as well as possible threats and ways of engagement. The archive can be found below, with excerpts of contained texts. Access to full text can be granted upon request.</p> <div class="modal"> <h1 id="toc1"><span>Words of Law</span></h1> <p><strong>DENOMINATION:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/an-anthropological-approach-to-sarkicism-case-study-02-the-d">Divoši of Prague</a><br/> <strong>ORIGIN:</strong> Collection of Divoši scripture, provided per the 1945 Prague agreement.<br/> <strong>DATE OF ORIGIN:</strong> 11th century<br/> <strong>LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN:</strong> Late Adytite</p> <blockquote> <p>These be the words spoken by the Greatest of Sages, Nadox</p> <p>Look amongst thyself, do you see righteous men? I tell you not, though you have been chosen to be such.</p> <p>For a righteous man comes not from nought, but from the seed of saints and warriors.<br/> So I tell three; thou shalt behave, as thou are destine to!</p> <p>Thou shalt aschew decadance, in all its forms. Give ye to hope and not to excess. If ye have naught but hope, it shal obtain all good things for you. But if ye have one pound in excess, it shall take all you have and thrice as much.</p> <p>Thou shalt awaken your senses, pry wide thy third eye; thou shalt not inabriate thyself. For if your two eyes are blinded, thine third shall be barred from sight as well. If ye drink the poison of the tyrants, thine senses shall perish. When all ye have ears, noses, eyes and tongues and skin in abundance, ye shall turn your gaze inward and sideward.</p> <p>Thou shalt not see yourself a superior, a master or a monarch, but as a teacher of the masses. If amongst ye walks a false one who does not teach but says 'I am a master, i wear the crowns of man', ye must tear apart him with your hands and remake his flesh and canckers, for they have gone askew.</p> <p>Thou shall consume flesh raw, touched by neither luxury nor flame. For such were the meals of tyrants, divorced from their root and poisoned by the gods</p> <p>And most important of all, honor thy Prophet, the Devourer of sins and tyrants. Don't speak his, nor his disciples name in vain.</p> <p>Now go, enforce the jaka. For as the tyrants of the spirit exist, their impurity will corrupt our flesh. Cull them, and lead the pure into paradise!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>ADDITIONAL NOTES:</strong> Used by members of the Divoši as a basis for a system of internal law, applicable to all Sarkites under the denomination</p> </div> <div class="modal"> <h1 id="toc2"><span>Kiraak of the Endless Maw: A Guide!</span></h1> <p><strong>DENOMINATION:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ancestrecall">Abraxas Group</a><br/> <strong>ORIGIN:</strong> Abraxas Arms facility, Norilsk, Russia<br/> <strong>DATE OF ORIGIN:</strong> 2017<br/> <strong>LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN:</strong> Russian</p> <blockquote> <p>The Elders gathered around at the end of the day to discuss the current situation of the village, its inhabitants and its plight. This meeting was no less tense then those of the last ten nights had been. Someone had been sneaking poison into the settlement's meat farm. Before their time was due, countless organ-fruits turned green, yellow and black with mold and decay.</p> <p>The council spoke with great haste and fury, for the sickness of evil rot came with the sickness of hunger. "Close the village to all but Nälkä", one suggested. Another suggested the creation of a second farm, but the inhabitants had already grown to weak for such rituals. Then, another, suggested to start a hunt. "Tell the villagers to find whoever amongst them has been hurting the farm, then bring them to justice".</p> <p>But then, a great anger seized the others, to the expectation of every true Nälkän and to the surprise of the speaker. "You dare us to rise cancer and polyp against your kin? Have the worms of the ancestors forsaken your brain?" And one sprang forth and their claws tore away the robe and all saw the brand of shame, which was known to all wise seekers in the olden day:</p> <p>The rune of the Scarlet Archon.</p> <p>Having found the one responsible for their people's troubles, they butchered him, but refused to allow him to die. His mouth, they melded away, so it would never deceive again. But his stomach became the king of want, torn open maw, crowned by ribcage-teeth, snapping, gnashing, wailing, never full and always hungry. And eat, it would! The rotten meat of the farm, the fruit of his betrayal, would be forced into it. Soon, his body began to mold itself into an ever more useful form, more beloved and needed than the old chance he had wasted.</p> <p>And to this day, he continues to serve such purpose. For, our dear employee, where do you think the byproducts of our inventions go? Don't worry, our Kiraak won't bite, provided you remember to dispose your trash on time!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>ADDITIONAL NOTES:</strong> Recovered by a foundation spy embedded in the Abraxas Group.</p> </div> <div class="modal"> <h1 id="toc3"><span>Untitled Solomonari Text</span></h1> <p><strong>DENOMINATION:</strong> Solomonari<br/> <strong>ORIGIN:</strong> Romania, archives of the Anomalous Division of the State Security Department; thought to pertain to isolated Sarkic communities within the Carpathian mountains, possibly in the Bucegi area, which is known to be a hotspot for anomalous activity.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup><br/> <strong>DATE OF ORIGIN:</strong> 1953<br/> <strong>LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN:</strong> Dacian<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-2" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-2')">2</a></sup></p> <blockquote> <p>Spears! How delicate is the art of their mastery. How swiftly they cut through the wind! And the wind is howling. The wolves howl, they’re wailing, their prayers reach the heavens. They cry out for blood.</p> <p>Death to tyrants! Death to those who wish to extinguish the flame of Ion, the torch of the Promethean spirit. As such were the Mekhanites, as such were the Romans, and as such unto the neo-Deavite death-worshippers and bandits<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-3" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-3')">3</a></sup>. Long live life! Death to the enemies of life!</p> <p>Watch, watch! Behold, a man! Or are they a woman? Ah! Get past it, get past it, how little it matters! All are equal in the Family, for we are one! The bodies melt, they meld and come apart, then shed a thousand flakes and merge with each other again in a kindling of passion.</p> <p>A formation! Phalanxes march forth. A symphony of a thousand living knives, a thousand spears, a thousand pikes! A procession, a hurried procession! Lead it, lead it, Karcist Deceneus<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-4" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-4')">4</a></sup>! Climb upon the stone, the Sphinx<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-5" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-5')">5</a></sup>, the sacred rock! The man, the woman, their Son! Carry them off by the limbs! The procession halts, it waits for the phalanx to arrive. Throw them! Thump, thump!</p> <p>Gnash! The tearing of flesh, the exhumation of rot! Scarlet and pink mangled, married into a most joyful dance! Apotheosis! They carve a path through the skies, they caress the clouds, they witness Gebeleizis<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-6" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-6')">6</a></sup>.</p> <p>Red. Watch it flow in the wind! Watch it pour out, watch it mingle with the mud and purify it of sin. Rejoice, brothers! Blessed is he who martyrs himself, blessed is he who dies a glorious death, for he shall not perish, but his spirit will persevere in the realm of Zalmoxis<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-7" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-7')">7</a></sup>.</p> <p>Drink, drink! Alcohol is the common man’s drink! Drink to their resurrection, for they are as Zalmoxis was and as Ion shall be! Exaltation, exaltation! Be merry!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>ADDITIONAL NOTES:</strong> The above text is widely considered to be an indigenous description of a Solomonari human sacrifice, a tradition which has remained relatively unchanged from previous, pagan and non-anomalous descriptions present in ancient sources.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-8" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-8')">8</a></sup></p> </div> <div class="modal"> <h1 id="toc4"><span>Pledge of Blood</span></h1> <p><strong>DENOMINATION:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-2815">Esoteric Order of the White Worm</a><br/> <strong>ORIGIN:</strong> Meeting room of the EOWM, recovered during a raid on the sect's Budapest headquarters.<br/> <strong>DATE OF ORIGIN:</strong> 18th century<br/> <strong>LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN:</strong> Late Adytite</p> <blockquote> <p>The Orin is led while blindfolded towards the ritual site by a Táltos, ideally a member of the old blood from the settlement of Ivady. Their blindfold is to be removed after setting the bonfire alight.</p> <p>"I, a member of the impure blood, proclaim myself unworthy of the gift of the eternal life, of the gift of our Great Táltos! For I am weak, corrupt and of rigid form!"</p> <p>The Orin steps towards the bonfire.</p> <p>"May this blood be damned, consumed in the fire, for I accept the rite of the pure blood!"</p> <p>The Orin opens their arms and takes off their robe as the Táltos carves the Seal of Ion into their back. The Orin is to remain silent until the rune is complete.</p> <p>"May this body be damned"<br/> "May this flesh be damned"<br/> "May this life be damned!"</p> <p>The Orin is given the ritual dagger by the Táltos and instructed to slit their wrists before stepping into the bonfire.</p> <p>"As Ördög's flames lifted the Great Táltos into the sky, showed him Isten and the way of all life, may this fire burn me into a god"</p> <p>The Orin is to remain in the bonfire until they collapse, at which point they are removed by the Táltos and treated to their injuries. Should they collapse before reciting the pledge or show excessive hesitancy prior to the ritual, they are to be left inside the fire. Their blood is to be replaced with that of the Èletfa.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>ADDITIONAL NOTES:</strong> The sections in quotes are presumed to be recited during a ritual intiating members into the Zend position after they have learned the theology and rituals of the cult. Likely reserved for members of non-Sarkic bloodlines.</p> </div> <div class="modal"> <h1 id="toc5"><span>Prayer For Samādhi That is to Come</span></h1> <p><strong>DENOMINATION:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-2833">Vātula</a><br/> <strong>ORIGIN:</strong> Recovered in 1967 from a buried library containing various pieces of ancient hindu scripture from extinct and minor sects.<br/> <strong>DATE OF ORIGIN:</strong> 3rd century BCE<br/> <strong>LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN:</strong> Sanskrit</p> <blockquote> <p>We desire neither land or gold, nor a freedom from birth and death</p> <p>Come, Samādhi<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-9" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-9')">9</a></sup>, we wait for your returnn<br/> Come, Samādhi, we wait for your return<br/> Come, Samādhi, we wait for Sharabha<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-10" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-10')">10</a></sup></p> <p>A-O-UM<br/> A-O-UM<br/> A-O-UM<br/> A-O-UM</p> <p>Take our flesh and carry it to the city of life, Sharabha<br/> Take this world and carry us to the city of life, Sharabha</p> <p>A-O-UM<br/> A-O-UM</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>ADDITIONAL NOTES:</strong> Presumably written down by a non-Vātula, as the denomination does not keep written texts.</p> </div> <div class="modal"> <h1 id="toc6"><span>Membership Revoked</span></h1> <p><strong>DENOMINATION:</strong> Nälkä for a New Millenium<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-11" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-11')">11</a></sup><br/> <strong>ORIGIN:</strong> Letter recovered from a dead body found in the Siberian tundra. The body was covered in bitemarks and feathers of an unidentified animal.<br/> <strong>DATE OF ORIGIN:</strong> 2015<br/> <strong>LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN:</strong> Russian</p> <blockquote> <p>To the individual known as Ivan Nardovitch</p> <p>Whereas the council 'Nälkä for a New Millenium' acknowledges that</p> <p>- Dinosaurs are fossils created in the deceptive likeness of reptiles<br/> - therefore unfeathered<br/> - to not have lived<br/> - not an intentional deception of the demiurge but the byproduct of his creation of a world with verisimilitude, which includes an in itself coherent and plausible simulation of pre-historic linear time in which its laws are made to operate in rational, scientifically observeable and verifiable ways which can be reconstruct to infer a valid scientific theory<br/> - their fossils not possessing a history of enfleshment and thus not existing within the domain of Ion and therefore not being worthy of emulation, carcinogenesis or 'revival'</p> <p>Where as you posit that:<br/> - Dinosaurs and other fossil to have been once-living animals with a real history existing before the evolution of man<br/> - time to be non-linear<br/> - dinosaurs to be feathered</p> <p>And most pertinently:<br/> - That those who oppose the scientific resolution of the democraticaly elected council to act in a heretic way, under the influence of the demiurge</p> <p>We revoke your membership.<br/> Recant your invalid hypothesis, repent your evil ways and pay for the cans of caviar you stole, you bastard.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>ADDITIONAL NOTES:</strong> A facility containing an alive SK-BIO Type 005 organism<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-12" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-12')">12</a></sup> was discovered one kilometer away from the corpse, in addition to a crate containing stolen dinosaur fossils. Research into the denomination is currently ongoing.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote lightweight"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <h1 id="toc7"><span>Would you like to contribute?</span></h1> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> If you are in possession of a Sarkic text, please fill out the form below to add it to the archive. Unathorized possession of anomalous texts is punishable by termination.</p> </div> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Submit?</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Text Submitted</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Would you like to expand the lore of one of the currently existing Nälkä sects? Make up your own? Write a piece of religious scripture or anything else related to our favorite flesh cultists? Go ahead!</p> <p>Your text doesn't have to be traditional scripture, it can be a poem, a debate between Karcists, an oral tale, a ritual guide or a chronicle of a community. Whichever you prefer!</p> <p>To contribute, use this format:</p> <div style="color:white;"> <div class="code"> <pre><code>[[div class="modal"]] + TITLE DENOMINATION: ORIGIN: DATE OF ORIGIN: LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN: > Insert > Your text > Here! ADDITIONAL NOTES: [[/div]]</code></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Show Footnotes</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Hide Footnotes</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. As part of the Romanian nuclear program, the Romanian government built a series of underground testing facilities throughout the Southern Carpathians, leading to the discovery of a sprawling network of ancient tunnels, used by the Dacian Sarkites as a place of refuge against religious persecution. Contact with a local Solomonari sect would be established shortly following this discovery, with the Romanian government granting autonomy and protection to the community in exchange for Sarkic aid in chemical and biological millitary projects. Contacts between Nicolae Ceaușescu, the leading Romanian communist at the time, and the Solomonari groups are presumed to be the cause of Ceaușescu's slow aging throught his rule. Knowledge of the existence of Solomonari cults by the Romanian communist government prior to this discovery is currently under debate, as the Anomalous Division of the Romanian People's Army was established 4 years prior, while statements from the inhabitants of villages connected to SCP-2191 indicate a degree of government involvement in local sacrifices. Analysis of Romanian propaganda during said period indicates a clear shift towards a strong emphasis of Dacian ancestry, with the discovery of multiple ancient Dacian artefacts, propaganda movies related to ancient Dacia and comparisons of Nicolae Ceaușescu to ancient Dacian leaders by state propaganda. Further study recommended.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-2"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-2')">2</a>. A nearly extinct language, with close to 80 native speakers. It is most similar to proto-Albanian, albeit with strong Uralic influences and Romance loanwords for modern technology.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-3"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-3')">3</a>. Likely reference to the Iron Guard, a fascist paramilitary organization in 1930s Romania organized as a medieval knightly order. Their ennoblement of poverty, ecclesiastic nature and borderline 'worship' of death earned them the ire of the Sarkites and Romanian society. After the Second World War, Guardist ('Legionary') partisans took up arms against the Communist regime, pockets of resistance often being strongest in isolated rural communities and forests throughout the Carpathian Mountains. The extent of the conflict between Sarkic communities and Legionaries is currently unknown.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-4"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-4')">4</a>. The name of the eldest and most skilled Solomonari Karcist and carnomancer has stayed the same throughout history, thus indicating that Deceneus is either a single individual that is thousands of years old, or that it's a title of a possibly hereditary nature.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-5"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-5')">5</a>. A natural rock formation in the Bucegi mountains resembling a human face. The site of many a neo-pagan ritual and a proposed location of the holiest place of the Dacian Solomonari subbranch, Mount Kogaion.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-6"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-6')">6</a>. The Dacian God of the sky, thunder and lighting.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-7"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-7')">7</a>. The principal god of the Dacians. His story of Greek-birthed mysticism, emancipation, earned Godhood and resurrection draws stark parallels to both Mekhanite and Christian theology, as well as to Grand Karcist Ion's life. Attempted explanations hold the deity to be a vulgarized, deified version of Ion, akin to 'Saint John' of Polish pseudo-Sarkic sects.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-8"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-8')">8</a>. Excluding flesh manipulation.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-9"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-9')">9</a>. Typically refers to the grave of a saint</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-10"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-10')">10</a>. Avatar of the Hindu god "Shiva", a deity responsible for creation and destruction. Usually depicted as an eight-legged animal with the head of a lion</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-11"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-11')">11</a>. Secretive Neo-Sarkic organization made up mainly of converts seeking to establish a scientific basis for Sarkic teachings</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-12"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-12')">12</a>. A living temple, typically made using a human body</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=An Archive of Sarkic Scripture & More! ]] ===== [[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> \| name=DIHWYFFH-Thumbnail.png \| caption=THUMBNAIL \| width=100% \| align=center]] [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:ad-abyssum-penumbra">:scp-wiki:theme:ad-abyssum-penumbra</a> division=parareligions]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:fade-in">:scp-wiki:component:fade-in</a> speed=1]] [[module css]] #page-content .info-container { --link-color: rgb(var(--swatch-text-general)); } #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-link, #page-content .info-container:hover .collapsible-block-link { line-height: 1.6em; } #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-folded, #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { display: grid; } #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-folded .collapsible-block-link, #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-link { -webkit-mask: unset; mask: unset; background: transparent; grid-column: 1; grid-row: 1; opacity: 0; } #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-folded::before, #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-unfolded-link::before { --wght: 800; content: "ETC"; color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Inter, Arimo, Verdana, Geneva, "Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica", Arial, sans-serif;; display: block; pointer-events: none; grid-column: 1; grid-row: 1; line-height: 2.75ex; } #page-title{ display: none; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] > Our understanding of Sarkicism has changed dramatically over the last few decades. What we have learned has revealed a diverse and shifting paradigm far different from the monolithic creed that was first hypothesized. We are now able to paint a broader, more detailed picture of the Nälkä religion, its various sects and cultural traditions. > > Modern sects are the product of divergent interpretations, many bearing a mere superficial resemblance to their ancient progenitor cult. Most unexpected, especially among early scholars of Sarkicism such as myself, are the seemingly benevolent intentions of its founders. The road to hell, it is often said, is paved with good intentions - an aphorism the Foundation must always keep close in mind, for despite the aeons between us, we gaze into that very same abyss. > > And like the ancient Adytites, we have found it full of monsters. > > Thanks to the tireless work of Dr. Virtanen, we can further expand our knowledge of the Sarkite culture and practices, so that they never become a threat again. > > - Dr. Judith Low, Senior Advisor at the Department of History - Religious GoI Threat Analysis + FOREWORD ----- This document is a compilation of non-cognitohazardous Sarkite texts, acquired and archived as part of the Sarkic Text Archive Project, in collaboration between the Department of Tactical Theology and the Department of History. The purpose of the STAP is to help foundation personnel dealing with Sarkic communities and anomalies in understanding the cultural and religious practices of the various Sarkic sects, as well as possible threats and ways of engagement. The archive can be found below, with excerpts of contained texts. Access to full text can be granted upon request. [[div class="modal"]] + Words of Law DENOMINATION: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/an-anthropological-approach-to-sarkicism-case-study-02-the-d Divoši of Prague] ORIGIN: Collection of Divoši scripture, provided per the 1945 Prague agreement. DATE OF ORIGIN: 11th century LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN: Late Adytite > These be the words spoken by the Greatest of Sages, Nadox > > > Look amongst thyself, do you see righteous men? I tell you not, though you have been chosen to be such. > > > For a righteous man comes not from nought, but from the seed of saints and warriors. > So I tell three; thou shalt behave, as thou are destine to! > > > Thou shalt aschew decadance, in all its forms. Give ye to hope and not to excess. If ye have naught but hope, it shal obtain all good things for you. But if ye have one pound in excess, it shall take all you have and thrice as much. > > > Thou shalt awaken your senses, pry wide thy third eye; thou shalt not inabriate thyself. For if your two eyes are blinded, thine third shall be barred from sight as well. If ye drink the poison of the tyrants, thine senses shall perish. When all ye have ears, noses, eyes and tongues and skin in abundance, ye shall turn your gaze inward and sideward. > > > Thou shalt not see yourself a superior, a master or a monarch, but as a teacher of the masses. If amongst ye walks a false one who does not teach but says 'I am a master, i wear the crowns of man', ye must tear apart him with your hands and remake his flesh and canckers, for they have gone askew. > > > Thou shall consume flesh raw, touched by neither luxury nor flame. For such were the meals of tyrants, divorced from their root and poisoned by the gods > > > And most important of all, honor thy Prophet, the Devourer of sins and tyrants. Don't speak his, nor his disciples name in vain. > > > Now go, enforce the jaka. For as the tyrants of the spirit exist, their impurity will corrupt our flesh. Cull them, and lead the pure into paradise! > ADDITIONAL NOTES: Used by members of the Divoši as a basis for a system of internal law, applicable to all Sarkites under the denomination [[/div]] [[div class="modal"]] + Kiraak of the Endless Maw: A Guide! DENOMINATION: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ancestrecall Abraxas Group] ORIGIN: Abraxas Arms facility, Norilsk, Russia DATE OF ORIGIN: 2017 LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN: Russian > The Elders gathered around at the end of the day to discuss the current situation of the village, its inhabitants and its plight. This meeting was no less tense then those of the last ten nights had been. Someone had been sneaking poison into the settlement's meat farm. Before their time was due, countless organ-fruits turned green, yellow and black with mold and decay. > > > The council spoke with great haste and fury, for the sickness of evil rot came with the sickness of hunger. "Close the village to all but Nälkä", one suggested. Another suggested the creation of a second farm, but the inhabitants had already grown to weak for such rituals. Then, another, suggested to start a hunt. "Tell the villagers to find whoever amongst them has been hurting the farm, then bring them to justice". > > > But then, a great anger seized the others, to the expectation of every true Nälkän and to the surprise of the speaker. "You dare us to rise cancer and polyp against your kin? Have the worms of the ancestors forsaken your brain?" And one sprang forth and their claws tore away the robe and all saw the brand of shame, which was known to all wise seekers in the olden day: > > > The rune of the Scarlet Archon. > > > Having found the one responsible for their people's troubles, they butchered him, but refused to allow him to die. His mouth, they melded away, so it would never deceive again. But his stomach became the king of want, torn open maw, crowned by ribcage-teeth, snapping, gnashing, wailing, never full and always hungry. And eat, it would! The rotten meat of the farm, the fruit of his betrayal, would be forced into it. Soon, his body began to mold itself into an ever more useful form, more beloved and needed than the old chance he had wasted. > > > And to this day, he continues to serve such purpose. For, our dear employee, where do you think the byproducts of our inventions go? Don't worry, our Kiraak won't bite, provided you remember to dispose your trash on time! > ADDITIONAL NOTES: Recovered by a foundation spy embedded in the Abraxas Group. [[/div]] [[div class="modal"]] + Untitled Solomonari Text DENOMINATION: Solomonari ORIGIN: Romania, archives of the Anomalous Division of the State Security Department; thought to pertain to isolated Sarkic communities within the Carpathian mountains, possibly in the Bucegi area, which is known to be a hotspot for anomalous activity.[[footnote]] As part of the Romanian nuclear program, the Romanian government built a series of underground testing facilities throughout the Southern Carpathians, leading to the discovery of a sprawling network of ancient tunnels, used by the Dacian Sarkites as a place of refuge against religious persecution. Contact with a local Solomonari sect would be established shortly following this discovery, with the Romanian government granting autonomy and protection to the community in exchange for Sarkic aid in chemical and biological millitary projects. Contacts between Nicolae Ceaușescu, the leading Romanian communist at the time, and the Solomonari groups are presumed to be the cause of Ceaușescu's slow aging throught his rule. Knowledge of the existence of Solomonari cults by the Romanian communist government prior to this discovery is currently under debate, as the Anomalous Division of the Romanian People's Army was established 4 years prior, while statements from the inhabitants of villages connected to SCP-2191 indicate a degree of government involvement in local sacrifices. Analysis of Romanian propaganda during said period indicates a clear shift towards a strong emphasis of Dacian ancestry, with the discovery of multiple ancient Dacian artefacts, propaganda movies related to ancient Dacia and comparisons of Nicolae Ceaușescu to ancient Dacian leaders by state propaganda. Further study recommended. [[/footnote]] DATE OF ORIGIN: 1953 LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN: Dacian[[footnote]] A nearly extinct language, with close to 80 native speakers. It is most similar to proto-Albanian, albeit with strong Uralic influences and Romance loanwords for modern technology. [[/footnote]] > Spears! How delicate is the art of their mastery. How swiftly they cut through the wind! And the wind is howling. The wolves howl, they’re wailing, their prayers reach the heavens. They cry out for blood. > > > Death to tyrants! Death to those who wish to extinguish the flame of Ion, the torch of the Promethean spirit. As such were the Mekhanites, as such were the Romans, and as such unto the neo-Deavite death-worshippers and bandits[[footnote]] Likely reference to the Iron Guard, a fascist paramilitary organization in 1930s Romania organized as a medieval knightly order. Their ennoblement of poverty, ecclesiastic nature and borderline 'worship' of death earned them the ire of the Sarkites and Romanian society. After the Second World War, Guardist ('Legionary') partisans took up arms against the Communist regime, pockets of resistance often being strongest in isolated rural communities and forests throughout the Carpathian Mountains. The extent of the conflict between Sarkic communities and Legionaries is currently unknown. [[/footnote]]. Long live life! Death to the enemies of life! > > > Watch, watch! Behold, a man! Or are they a woman? Ah! Get past it, get past it, how little it matters! All are equal in the Family, for we are one! The bodies melt, they meld and come apart, then shed a thousand flakes and merge with each other again in a kindling of passion. > > > A formation! Phalanxes march forth. A symphony of a thousand living knives, a thousand spears, a thousand pikes! A procession, a hurried procession! Lead it, lead it, Karcist Deceneus[[footnote]] The name of the eldest and most skilled Solomonari Karcist and carnomancer has stayed the same throughout history, thus indicating that Deceneus is either a single individual that is thousands of years old, or that it's a title of a possibly hereditary nature. [[/footnote]]! Climb upon the stone, the Sphinx[[footnote]] A natural rock formation in the Bucegi mountains resembling a human face. The site of many a neo-pagan ritual and a proposed location of the holiest place of the Dacian Solomonari subbranch, Mount Kogaion. [[/footnote]], the sacred rock! The man, the woman, their Son! Carry them off by the limbs! The procession halts, it waits for the phalanx to arrive. Throw them! Thump, thump! > > > Gnash! The tearing of flesh, the exhumation of rot! Scarlet and pink mangled, married into a most joyful dance! Apotheosis! They carve a path through the skies, they caress the clouds, they witness Gebeleizis[[footnote]] The Dacian God of the sky, thunder and lighting. [[/footnote]]. > > > Red. Watch it flow in the wind! Watch it pour out, watch it mingle with the mud and purify it of sin. Rejoice, brothers! Blessed is he who martyrs himself, blessed is he who dies a glorious death, for he shall not perish, but his spirit will persevere in the realm of Zalmoxis[[footnote]] The principal god of the Dacians. His story of Greek-birthed mysticism, emancipation, earned Godhood and resurrection draws stark parallels to both Mekhanite and Christian theology, as well as to Grand Karcist Ion's life. Attempted explanations hold the deity to be a vulgarized, deified version of Ion, akin to 'Saint John' of Polish pseudo-Sarkic sects. [[/footnote]]. > > > Drink, drink! Alcohol is the common man’s drink! Drink to their resurrection, for they are as Zalmoxis was and as Ion shall be! Exaltation, exaltation! Be merry! > ADDITIONAL NOTES: The above text is widely considered to be an indigenous description of a Solomonari human sacrifice, a tradition which has remained relatively unchanged from previous, pagan and non-anomalous descriptions present in ancient sources. [[footnote]] Excluding flesh manipulation. [[/footnote]] [[/div]] [[div class="modal"]] + Pledge of Blood DENOMINATION: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-2815 Esoteric Order of the White Worm] ORIGIN: Meeting room of the EOWM, recovered during a raid on the sect's Budapest headquarters. DATE OF ORIGIN: 18th century LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN: Late Adytite > The Orin is led while blindfolded towards the ritual site by a Táltos, ideally a member of the old blood from the settlement of Ivady. Their blindfold is to be removed after setting the bonfire alight. > > > "I, a member of the impure blood, proclaim myself unworthy of the gift of the eternal life, of the gift of our Great Táltos! For I am weak, corrupt and of rigid form!" > > > The Orin steps towards the bonfire. > > > "May this blood be damned, consumed in the fire, for I accept the rite of the pure blood!" > > > The Orin opens their arms and takes off their robe as the Táltos carves the Seal of Ion into their back. The Orin is to remain silent until the rune is complete. > > > "May this body be damned" > "May this flesh be damned" > "May this life be damned!" > > > The Orin is given the ritual dagger by the Táltos and instructed to slit their wrists before stepping into the bonfire. > > > "As Ördög's flames lifted the Great Táltos into the sky, showed him Isten and the way of all life, may this fire burn me into a god" > > > The Orin is to remain in the bonfire until they collapse, at which point they are removed by the Táltos and treated to their injuries. Should they collapse before reciting the pledge or show excessive hesitancy prior to the ritual, they are to be left inside the fire. Their blood is to be replaced with that of the Èletfa. > ADDITIONAL NOTES: The sections in quotes are presumed to be recited during a ritual intiating members into the Zend position after they have learned the theology and rituals of the cult. Likely reserved for members of non-Sarkic bloodlines. [[/div]] [[div class="modal"]] + Prayer For Samādhi That is to Come DENOMINATION: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-2833 Vātula] ORIGIN: Recovered in 1967 from a buried library containing various pieces of ancient hindu scripture from extinct and minor sects. DATE OF ORIGIN: 3rd century BCE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN: Sanskrit > We desire neither land or gold, nor a freedom from birth and death > > > Come, Samādhi[[footnote]]Typically refers to the grave of a saint[[/footnote]], we wait for your returnn > Come, Samādhi, we wait for your return > Come, Samādhi, we wait for Sharabha[[footnote]] Avatar of the Hindu god "Shiva", a deity responsible for creation and destruction. Usually depicted as an eight-legged animal with the head of a lion[[/footnote]] > > > A-O-UM > A-O-UM > A-O-UM > A-O-UM > > > Take our flesh and carry it to the city of life, Sharabha >Take our flesh and carry it to the city of life, Sharabha > Take this world and carry us to the city of life, Sharabha > > > A-O-UM > A-O-UM > ADDITIONAL NOTES: Presumably written down by a non-Vātula, as the denomination does not keep written texts. [[/div]] [[div class="modal"]] + Membership Revoked DENOMINATION: Nälkä for a New Millenium[[footnote]]Secretive Neo-Sarkic organization made up mainly of converts seeking to establish a scientific basis for Sarkic teachings[[/footnote]] ORIGIN: Letter recovered from a dead body found in the Siberian tundra. The body was covered in bitemarks and feathers of an unidentified animal. DATE OF ORIGIN: 2015 LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN: Russian > To the individual known as Ivan Nardovitch > > > Whereas the council 'Nälkä for a New Millenium' acknowledges that > > - Dinosaurs are fossils created in the deceptive likeness of reptiles > - therefore unfeathered > - to not have lived > - not an intentional deception of the demiurge but the byproduct of his creation of a world with verisimilitude, which includes an in itself coherent and plausible simulation of pre-historic linear time in which its laws are made to operate in rational, scientifically observeable and verifiable ways which can be reconstruct to infer a valid scientific theory > - their fossils not possessing a history of enfleshment and thus not existing within the domain of Ion and therefore not being worthy of emulation, carcinogenesis or 'revival' > > > Where as you posit that: > - Dinosaurs and other fossil to have been once-living animals with a real history existing before the evolution of man > - time to be non-linear > - dinosaurs to be feathered > > > And most pertinently: > - That those who oppose the scientific resolution of the democraticaly elected council to act in a heretic way, under the influence of the demiurge > > > We revoke your membership. > Recant your invalid hypothesis, repent your evil ways and pay for the cans of caviar you stole, you bastard. > ADDITIONAL NOTES: A facility containing an alive SK-BIO Type 005 organism[[footnote]]A living temple, typically made using a human body[[/footnote]] was discovered one kilometer away from the corpse, in addition to a crate containing stolen dinosaur fossils. Research into the denomination is currently ongoing. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote lightweight"]] [[=]] @@ @@ + Would you like to contribute? @@ @@ If you are in possession of a Sarkic text, please fill out the form below to add it to the archive. Unathorized possession of anomalous texts is punishable by termination. [[/=]] [[collapsible show="Submit?" hide="Text Submitted"]] Would you like to expand the lore of one of the currently existing Nälkä sects? Make up your own? Write a piece of religious scripture or anything else related to our favorite flesh cultists? Go ahead! Your text doesn't have to be traditional scripture, it can be a poem, a debate between Karcists, an oral tale, a ritual guide or a chronicle of a community. Whichever you prefer! To contribute, use this format: [[div style="color:white;"]] [[code]] [[div class="modal"]] + TITLE DENOMINATION: ORIGIN: DATE OF ORIGIN: LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN: > Insert > Your text > Here! ADDITIONAL NOTES: [[/div]] [[/code]] [[/div]] [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] [[collapsible show="Show Footnotes" hide="Hide Footnotes"]] [[footnoteblock]] [[/collapsible]]	2024-11-14T21:01:00	[ "co-authored", "collaboration", "sarkic", "tactical-theology", "tale" ]	Sarkic Text Archive Project - SCP Foundation	18	[ "an-anthropological-approach-to-sarkicism-case-study-02-the-d", "ancestrecall", "scp-2815", "scp-2833" ]	[ "tactical-theology-hub", "sarkicism-hub", "incident-reports-eye-witness-interviews-and-personal-logs", "collaboration-page-hub" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/sarkic-text-archive/DIHWYFFH-Thumbnail.png" ]	1457383075	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sarkic-text-archive
saudade-serenade	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p>You can no longer feel saudade, for your lover has never truly existed.</p> <p>You hold her hand, led by him, your steps twirling together with zirs, turning, spinning. You go nowhere, because you do not want to go, cannot go, are unable to go.</p> <p>The palm is soft and damp, warmed by your grasp, which tightens a bit. You hold your breath, breathing slowly, so slowly that the rhythm of the music seems hurried. Yet you dare not let go, dare not disturb, dare not disrupt the dance.</p> <p>The skirt spins, skimming your ankle; the fabric rubs, the melody twirling along. The hair whirls, brushing your neck, with a tickling touch, your heartbeat quickening, fleetingly. The scene spins, you hold that hand, the hug grows closer, the faint breath on your lips, a whisper of breeze, the scent of the night grows rich and deep.</p> <p>Night has fallen. You think vaguely, thoughts wandering to a distant place.</p> <p>Two petals, deep red, quivering gently. There is wind. There is music. From a far-off place, vibrations resonate. You spin and spin. The night sky above you spins too. One more song, please. The dance has not stopped. You cling to the arm of reluctance. What is swaying? Tilting your head, countless points of light descend in a cascade. You wish to hear. You wish to read. You wish to know. Someone is speaking. You are speaking.</p> <p>… Wake…</p> <p>… Wake up.</p> <p>Wake up. I cannot dream of you.</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/saudade-serenade">saudade serenade</a>" by Esperanza_Cai, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/saudade-serenade">https://scpwiki.com/saudade-serenade</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> dance.gif<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Man and woman dancing a waltz<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Muybridge, Eadweard, 1830-1904<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Man_and_woman_dancing_a_waltz_(rbm-QP301M8-1887-197).jpg" target="_blank">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Man_and_woman_dancing_a_waltz_(rbm-QP301M8-1887-197).jpg</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] You can no longer feel saudade, for your lover has never truly existed. You hold her hand, led by him, your steps twirling together with zirs, turning, spinning. You go nowhere, because you do not want to go, cannot go, are unable to go. The palm is soft and damp, warmed by your grasp, which tightens a bit. You hold your breath, breathing slowly, so slowly that the rhythm of the music seems hurried. Yet you dare not let go, dare not disturb, dare not disrupt the dance. The skirt spins, skimming your ankle; the fabric rubs, the melody twirling along. The hair whirls, brushing your neck, with a tickling touch, your heartbeat quickening, fleetingly. The scene spins, you hold that hand, the hug grows closer, the faint breath on your lips, a whisper of breeze, the scent of the night grows rich and deep. Night has fallen. You think vaguely, thoughts wandering to a distant place. Two petals, deep red, quivering gently. There is wind. There is music. From a far-off place, vibrations resonate. You spin and spin. The night sky above you spins too. One more song, please. The dance has not stopped. You cling to the arm of reluctance. What is swaying? Tilting your head, countless points of light descend in a cascade. You wish to hear. You wish to read. You wish to know. Someone is speaking. You are speaking. ... Wake... ... Wake up. Wake up. I cannot dream of you. [[=]] [[image http://scpdsandbox.wikidot.com/local--files/fish-9/dance.gif style="margin-top:500px;"]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Esperanza_Cai ]] ===== > Filename: dance.gif > Name: Man and woman dancing a waltz > Author: Muybridge, Eadweard, 1830-1904 > License: Public Domain > Source Link: *https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Man_and_woman_dancing_a_waltz_(rbm-QP301M8-1887-197).jpg ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-08-20T10:25:00	[ "_cn", "international", "tale" ]	saudade serenade - SCP Foundation	14	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "scp-international" ]	[]	1456444378	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/saudade-serenade
scale-island	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Foxtrot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2022</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Liryn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">FONTS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Lexend</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@700</span><span class="hl-code">;800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">JetBrains</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Fira</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Code</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@400</span><span class="hl-code">;700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sofia</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">rsms.me</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter.css</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Figtree</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@800</span><span class="hl-code">;900&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">IBM</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Plex</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Core</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-title:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SCP Foundation"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-subtitle:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SECURE, CONTAIN, PROTECT"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_lightmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">darkmode-logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_darkmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">head-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Sans Normalcy'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">ui-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'IBM Plex Sans'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">mono-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira </span><span class="hl-string">Code</span><span class="hl-code">', </span><span class="hl-string">monospace</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Inter', 'verdana'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">base-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Misc</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">subheader-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">misc-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#464646</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E6283C</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-hover-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Color</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Accents</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">accent:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-default:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-wyoming:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">142</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-canada:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-poland:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">87</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">44</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">17</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-slothspit:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">27</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">133</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-vanguard:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">153</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">75</span><span class="hl-code">; 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--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-nightfall:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">151</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-hybrasil:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">27</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">133</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-goc:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">39</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">84</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">149</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-spooky:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">252</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">112</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">BetterFootnotes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnColor:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">barColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">linkColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">html</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">scroll-behavior:</span><span class="hl-code"> smooth</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-x:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-rendering:</span><span class="hl-code"> optimizeLegibility</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#content-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">440</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">strong</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tt</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-source</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">pre</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--mono-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ol</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-underline-offset:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> :</span><span class="hl-special">:selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Clicky</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">links</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">patch</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">for</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">sidebar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ayers</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">so</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">doesn</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">t</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">override</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.danger-diamond</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--linkColour) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">900</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">26</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-img) </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">30</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">130</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-opacity)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Search</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">text</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">47</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li.sfhover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.83</span><span class="hl-code">) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">230</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-indent:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.mobile-top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Login</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">19</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> translate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#my-account</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#account-topbutton</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">s ease-in-out</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">rtl</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#interwiki</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.heading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#cfcfcf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">pt</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Blockquotes</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Custom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">dashed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fbfbfb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.quote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.note</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#afafaf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.round</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Titles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footnotes-footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Author</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Label</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.authorlink-wrapper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-top-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-bottom-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-right-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f4f4f4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bfbfbf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Captions</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E0FFD4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDFCD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFCFCF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colored</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">224</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">212</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">226</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">245</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">189</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">223</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">205</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">218</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQ</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">things</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Assets</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">underline</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.7</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.item1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.class1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">woedbar-class-bar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.55</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MISC</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.bt</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#444</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">45</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#7b7b7b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footer-wikiwalk-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">88</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-options-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-watch-options</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">77</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> row</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#5f5f5f</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ecf2f1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#d9d9d9</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "."</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "tags "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.3125</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.625</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.0625</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent)) </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-style:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> ""</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.2813</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-tags-input</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">150</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">table.form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.edit-page-bottomtable</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-comments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "!"</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">115</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "⏲ "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">outline:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-property:</span><span class="hl-code"> box-shadow</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> darkslategrey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(5)></span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">120</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 900</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content-warning.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">21</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.preview-message</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">29</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> drop-shadow(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.error-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">48</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#B00</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2</span><span class="hl-identifier">n</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.05</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> fade </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">fade</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">default</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">155</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F7F7F7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> " "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> loading </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">loading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">360</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.osuccess</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.content</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2)></span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.odialog-shader</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#262a39</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn.btn-primary</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.buttons</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.button</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#eaeaea</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#dbffd6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#005a0a</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#0d951c</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffe1e1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c52727</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c5272e</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#757575</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.hovertip</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.checkbox</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#h-perpage</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">REDUCED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOTION</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACCESSIBILITY</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (prefers-reduced-motion: </span><span class="hl-identifier">reduce</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-iteration-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@MEDIA</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 850</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.8</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 620</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">123</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 520</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { line-height: </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">145</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> }</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <h2 id="toc0"><span>An Ecosystem Report, by Doctor Lilyann Sophia, Ecological Researcher at Vanguard</span></h2> <h4 id="toc1"><span>Published by Vanguard Publishing</span></h4> <p>The Scale Island, located south of the Middle America Trench in the Ring of Fire, is known as such due to the instance of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8007">VNP-8007</a> that forms the basis for the landmass. It is extremely diverse in terms of modern ecosystems. However, this does not mean that the island itself is not at risk. Dozens of corporations throughout the Americas have been gunning for the natural resources of the island.</p> <p>Moving onto the arguably most important part of the island, VNP-8007-322, also known as Fallen Scales, Shimmering Obsidian, holds the island upon her back.<sup>[<a class="bibcite" href="javascript:;" id="bibcite-1-49690a" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('bibitem-1')">1</a>]</sup> It has been noted by multiple studies upon the island that it is intensely lush, even for its tropical location. This has led to the idea that landmasses with VNP-8007 underneath lead to greater ecological diversity in some manner. There have been multiple theories on the cause of this, be it life-giving thaumaturgy given off subconsciously or the waste products of VNP-8007 being akin to fertilizer on an extremely large scale. More research into this topic will have to be conducted to come to a true answer, as the topic is scarcely studied. From her position as the one holding the island, Fallen Scales, Shimmering Obsidian also holds a more well understood role in the ecosystem of Scale Island. She acts as a primary producer, feeding off of the energy generated by VNP-8007-α and providing a place for minerals to form on her back.</p> <div class="grid-item"> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:350px;"><img alt="Chrysomallon_squamiferum_2.png" class="image" src="http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/doctorlilithsophia:ecosystem-report:scale-island/Chrysomallon_squamiferum_2.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Helix dracarys squamiferum.</p> </div> </div> </div> <p>As we focus in on her scales, we can find not just the mineral buildup you may expect, but a peculiarly adapted subspecies of <em>Helix dracarys</em>, more commonly known as <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/vnp-111">VNP-111</a> or dragon snails. <em>Helix dracarys squamiferum</em>, which we have dubbed scale-feeders, only exist on the back of Fallen Scales, Shimmering Obsidian, who is noted to try and care for the species. They subsist on a diet of the minerals grown on her back and seem to have a minor ability to subsist off of thermal energy generated deep in the Earth. The methane sacks, usually used for the fire-breathing of VNP-111, seem to have been repurposed to help clean their mouths, due to the mineral-rich diet and the possibility of food getting lodged in their mouth. It's been theorized that Scale-Feeders evolved in a very short amount of time from the Goowyvern lineage.<sup>[<a class="bibcite" href="javascript:;" id="bibcite-2-74413a" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('bibitem-2')">2</a>]</sup> Wondertainment-Made species seem to have an extraordinary ability to adapt to their environments in a miniscule amount of time, displayed well with <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-1550">VNP-1550</a>.</p> <p>A less extreme version of VNP-111 is found above-ground, where it lives a docile life of feeding the various non-paranormal flowers and berries that make up the majority of the vegetation. Each examined specimen has shown traits from multiple of the domesticated dragon snail lineages sold by Dr. Wondertainment, and are considered as wild dragon snail breeds. Their defense mechanisms in the wild are a miracle of behavioral adaptation, going from domesticated to wild successfully. They fend off predators, such as crows, beetles, rats, and <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-098">VNP-098</a>, using their minor flame breathing ability as a warning sign. This strategy has proved effective, with many less intelligent predators moving to easier targets instead of risking an attack on VNP-111. Truly, their defense mechanisms in the wild are a real miracle of adaptation. Insider reports from Marshall, Carter, and Dark claim that all strains of VNP-111 will be harvested from the island to produce methane for fertilizer and steam generators.</p> <p>On the topic of VNP-098, known otherwise as surgeon crabs, they have achieved an astounding population on Scale Island. Their method of hunting has proven to be quite effective in taking down some of the larger mammals on the island, such as the sizeable deer population, as well as some of the fruit that grows prominently. They also feed, occasionally, on dragon snails. Due to the methane content that is produced by the animals, it is believed that they have adapted to be able to utilize the methane within dragon snail organs in their own internal processes instead of a waste product.</p> <p>Unfortunately for VNP-098, they have recently been preyed on by hawks. The species, red-tail hawks, have a strategy of swooping into a swarm of the crabs and grabbing one with their talons, before retreating. This, coupled with biting off the arms of the crab in flight, have proven effective in becoming a consistent food source for the animals. Their population is likely going to decline in the future, until they gain better methods to defend or fight this predation. Our sources have noted that multiple restaurant chains, including Ambrose Restaurants, hope to take and breed populations as a delicacy.</p> <p>Other than the non-paranormal fauna, we also have two distinct species that fulfill herbivorous niches on Scale Island. <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-4445-ex">VNP-4445-EX</a> is more spread through the island, with a larger population to boot. They have not adapted much since the population on the island began flourishing, though a new behavior has been noted in their symbiotes. When a predator approaches their host, if they are not ready to defend themselves or flee, the symbiote will screech a high frequency call. When stegosaurus hear the call from their own or other symbiotes, they will flee with their pack. While stegosaurus meat is rather unpalatable to humans, their symbiotes are said to be delicious. There are many reports of high-class restaurants in America and Britain attempting to bid on rights to harvest this delicacy. Stegosaurus, when they have their symbiotes removed, will either perish because of their nervous system connection, or be much less likely to survive due to loss of warning system and sustenance derived from their symbiotes.</p> <div class="grid-item"> <div class="scp-image-block block-left" style="width:350px;"><img alt="1200px-Phalaropus_fulicarius_MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.119.14.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/doctorlilithsophia:ecosystem-report:scale-island/1200px-Phalaropus_fulicarius_MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.119.14.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Two Diogen Eggs.</p> </div> </div> <p>The most populous species of the dedicated carnivores is <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3199">VNP-3199</a>, also known as <em>homo gallus berus</em> or diogens. When it was first discovered that they had somehow gotten to Scale Island, there was concern that they would overtake the other species and result in extinction on the island. When further research was conducted, however, it was found that they have settled into the ecosystem of the island without too much trouble. Instead of the theorized horde hunting, VNP-3199 was found to instead fill the role of scavengers.<sup>[<a class="bibcite" href="javascript:;" id="bibcite-3-37648a" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('bibitem-3')">3</a>]</sup> They will consistently attempt to eat from a corpse instead of try to kill another animal, with only a few instances of diogen hunting being recorded. The population is controlled by the two other main predators of the island. The population of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-939">redwolves</a>, with around a dozen packs being recorded, has been noted to prey upon them. diogens, despite their danger toward humans and wildlife, are sometimes taken in as high value exotic pets. As this is written, there are multiple listings for diogen eggs in the Marshall, Carter, and Dark auctions. A common practice is releasing them when they get too large, which comes with expected dangers. Eggs are often sourced from the wild.</p> <p>Expanding upon the ecological role of redwolves, scientifically known as <em>hyla copia</em>, they will often prey upon a wide variety of animals. The mimicking behavior of redwolves has been found to also expand to other species outside of humans, with known distress vocalizations of squirrels, hawks, deer, and diogen. There has been one recorded instance of a Redwolf vocalizing the distress call of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-966">VNP-966</a>. They have been observed to somewhat prefer hunting diogens over other prey. Turgenev theorizes that this is due to the at least partially human genome, as VNP-3199 are known to contain portions of human DNA.<sup>[<a class="bibcite" href="javascript:;" id="bibcite-4-60735a" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('bibitem-4')">4</a>]</sup> Redwolf body parts are known to be used in various pseudoscientific remedies.</p> <p>Finally, we reach the apex predator of Scale Island, VNP-966. They are known more simply as sleep killers, though scientifically as <em>Pan somnus</em>. They are endangered outside of Scale Island and are known to prey upon diogens and redwolves commonly, though they will occasionally settle for prey such as deer. Outside of their feeding habits, sleep killers have been seen to have extensive social lives inside of their pack, as well as the ability to build primitive homes for themselves. Much of their day, when not following prey, will be spent grooming each other, much like other primates.</p> <div class="grid-item"> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:350px;"><img alt="Wood_Art.jpg" class="image" src="http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/doctorlilithsophia:ecosystem-report:scale-island/Wood_Art.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>A Sleep Killer made shelter.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>Their relationship with redwolves is complex. While they very commonly feed off of them, they seem to have adapted a defense mechanism for their young. Redwolf newborns often resemble human children, though on Scale Island, their young instead hold some traits of VNP-966, such as a slightly elongated face and longer fingers, meant to resemble the claws of Sleep Killers. They are not yet on the level of brood parasitism as regular redwolf young, though it has been noted that some sleep killers are caring for known impostor children. Unfortunately, sleep killers are poached at a frankly astounding rate by corporations such as Marshall, Carter, and Dark. They are used for traditional medicine, eaten, and used as ornamentation despite their status as endangered.</p> <p>The simple biodiversity of Scale Island is a beautiful testament to the paranormal and mundane co-existing. While these animals are paranormal, it is good to remember that they are still animals. They have instincts that they will follow, and they will evolve and adapt to their environment. If you want to help preserve this beautiful ecosystem, at risk because of the workings of corporations, you can donate at <a class="newpage" href="/www-scaleisland-com">www.scaleisland.com</a>, or you can lobby your local government to see change. We are counting on you, dear readers, to help make a difference.</p> <div class="bibitems"> <div class="title">Bibliography</div> <div class="bibitem" id="bibitem-1">1. Draws, D. (2017). A Comprehensive List Of Those Below the Flames and Their Geobiology. <em>Internal SCP Foundation Publishing</em>, 66-70.</div> <div class="bibitem" id="bibitem-2">2. Curios, P. (2036). Doctor Wondertainment Products, their Biology, and Rapid Evolution Therein. <em>Internal SCP Foundation Publishing</em>, 66-70.</div> <div class="bibitem" id="bibitem-3">3. Leningrad, U. (2041). A Study Of Homo Gallus Berus Adaptations In The Scale Island Ecosystem. <em>Vanguard Publishing</em>, 12-25.</div> <div class="bibitem" id="bibitem-4">4. Turgenev, A. (2044). The Hunting Behaviors of Redwolves. <em>Vanguard Publishing</em>, 115-129.</div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/scale-island">Scale Island</a>" by DoctorLilithSophia, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/scale-island">https://scpwiki.com/scale-island</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Chrysomallon_squamiferum_2.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Kentaro Nakamura, Hiromi Watanabe, Junichi Miyazaki, Ken Takai, Shinsuke Kawagucci, Takuro Noguchi, Suguru Nemoto, Tomo-o Watsuji, Takuya Matsuzaki, Takazo Shibuya, Kei Okamura, Masashi Mochizuki, Yuji Orihashi, Tamaki Ura, Akira Asada, Daniel Marie, Meera Koonjul, Manvendra Singh, Girish Beedessee, Mitrasen Bhikajee, Kensaku Tamaki<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chrysomallon_squamiferum_2.png">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chrysomallon_squamiferum_2.png</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Wood Art.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Channel City Camera Club<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wood_Art.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wood_Art.jpg</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Phalaropus fulicarius MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.119.14.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Roger Culos<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phalaropus_fulicarius_MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.119.14.jpg">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phalaropus_fulicarius_MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.119.14.jpg</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:foxtrot">:scp-wiki:theme:foxtrot</a> vanguard=a\|]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[==]] ++ An Ecosystem Report, by Doctor Lilyann Sophia, Ecological Researcher at Vanguard ++++ Published by Vanguard Publishing The Scale Island, located south of the Middle America Trench in the Ring of Fire, is known as such due to the instance of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8007 VNP-8007] that forms the basis for the landmass. It is extremely diverse in terms of modern ecosystems. However, this does not mean that the island itself is not at risk. Dozens of corporations throughout the Americas have been gunning for the natural resources of the island. Moving onto the arguably most important part of the island, VNP-8007-322, also known as Fallen Scales, Shimmering Obsidian, holds the island upon her back.^^[((bibcite draws))]^^ It has been noted by multiple studies upon the island that it is intensely lush, even for its tropical location. This has led to the idea that landmasses with VNP-8007 underneath lead to greater ecological diversity in some manner. There have been multiple theories on the cause of this, be it life-giving thaumaturgy given off subconsciously or the waste products of VNP-8007 being akin to fertilizer on an extremely large scale. More research into this topic will have to be conducted to come to a true answer, as the topic is scarcely studied. From her position as the one holding the island, Fallen Scales, Shimmering Obsidian also holds a more well understood role in the ecosystem of Scale Island. She acts as a primary producer, feeding off of the energy generated by VNP-8007-α and providing a place for minerals to form on her back. [[div class="grid-item"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name= http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/doctorlilithsophia:ecosystem-report:scale-island/Chrysomallon_squamiferum_2.png\|caption= Helix dracarys squamiferum.\|width=350px\|align= right]] [[/div]] As we focus in on her scales, we can find not just the mineral buildup you may expect, but a peculiarly adapted subspecies of //Helix dracarys//, more commonly known as [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/vnp-111 VNP-111] or dragon snails. //Helix dracarys squamiferum//, which we have dubbed scale-feeders, only exist on the back of Fallen Scales, Shimmering Obsidian, who is noted to try and care for the species. They subsist on a diet of the minerals grown on her back and seem to have a minor ability to subsist off of thermal energy generated deep in the Earth. The methane sacks, usually used for the fire-breathing of VNP-111, seem to have been repurposed to help clean their mouths, due to the mineral-rich diet and the possibility of food getting lodged in their mouth. It's been theorized that Scale-Feeders evolved in a very short amount of time from the Goowyvern lineage.^^[((bibcite wond))]^^ Wondertainment-Made species seem to have an extraordinary ability to adapt to their environments in a miniscule amount of time, displayed well with [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-1550 VNP-1550]. A less extreme version of VNP-111 is found above-ground, where it lives a docile life of feeding the various non-paranormal flowers and berries that make up the majority of the vegetation. Each examined specimen has shown traits from multiple of the domesticated dragon snail lineages sold by Dr. Wondertainment, and are considered as wild dragon snail breeds. Their defense mechanisms in the wild are a miracle of behavioral adaptation, going from domesticated to wild successfully. They fend off predators, such as crows, beetles, rats, and [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-098 VNP-098], using their minor flame breathing ability as a warning sign. This strategy has proved effective, with many less intelligent predators moving to easier targets instead of risking an attack on VNP-111. Truly, their defense mechanisms in the wild are a real miracle of adaptation. Insider reports from Marshall, Carter, and Dark claim that all strains of VNP-111 will be harvested from the island to produce methane for fertilizer and steam generators. On the topic of VNP-098, known otherwise as surgeon crabs, they have achieved an astounding population on Scale Island. Their method of hunting has proven to be quite effective in taking down some of the larger mammals on the island, such as the sizeable deer population, as well as some of the fruit that grows prominently. They also feed, occasionally, on dragon snails. Due to the methane content that is produced by the animals, it is believed that they have adapted to be able to utilize the methane within dragon snail organs in their own internal processes instead of a waste product. Unfortunately for VNP-098, they have recently been preyed on by hawks. The species, red-tail hawks, have a strategy of swooping into a swarm of the crabs and grabbing one with their talons, before retreating. This, coupled with biting off the arms of the crab in flight, have proven effective in becoming a consistent food source for the animals. Their population is likely going to decline in the future, until they gain better methods to defend or fight this predation. Our sources have noted that multiple restaurant chains, including Ambrose Restaurants, hope to take and breed populations as a delicacy. Other than the non-paranormal fauna, we also have two distinct species that fulfill herbivorous niches on Scale Island. [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-4445-ex VNP-4445-EX] is more spread through the island, with a larger population to boot. They have not adapted much since the population on the island began flourishing, though a new behavior has been noted in their symbiotes. When a predator approaches their host, if they are not ready to defend themselves or flee, the symbiote will screech a high frequency call. When stegosaurus hear the call from their own or other symbiotes, they will flee with their pack. While stegosaurus meat is rather unpalatable to humans, their symbiotes are said to be delicious. There are many reports of high-class restaurants in America and Britain attempting to bid on rights to harvest this delicacy. Stegosaurus, when they have their symbiotes removed, will either perish because of their nervous system connection, or be much less likely to survive due to loss of warning system and sustenance derived from their symbiotes. [[div class="grid-item"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name= http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/doctorlilithsophia:ecosystem-report:scale-island/1200px-Phalaropus_fulicarius_MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.119.14.jpg\|caption= Two Diogen Eggs.\|width=350px\|align= left]] The most populous species of the dedicated carnivores is [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3199 VNP-3199], also known as //homo gallus berus// or diogens. When it was first discovered that they had somehow gotten to Scale Island, there was concern that they would overtake the other species and result in extinction on the island. When further research was conducted, however, it was found that they have settled into the ecosystem of the island without too much trouble. Instead of the theorized horde hunting, VNP-3199 was found to instead fill the role of scavengers.^^[((bibcite chic))]^^ They will consistently attempt to eat from a corpse instead of try to kill another animal, with only a few instances of diogen hunting being recorded. The population is controlled by the two other main predators of the island. The population of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-939 redwolves], with around a dozen packs being recorded, has been noted to prey upon them. diogens, despite their danger toward humans and wildlife, are sometimes taken in as high value exotic pets. As this is written, there are multiple listings for diogen eggs in the Marshall, Carter, and Dark auctions. A common practice is releasing them when they get too large, which comes with expected dangers. Eggs are often sourced from the wild. Expanding upon the ecological role of redwolves, scientifically known as //hyla copia//, they will often prey upon a wide variety of animals. The mimicking behavior of redwolves has been found to also expand to other species outside of humans, with known distress vocalizations of squirrels, hawks, deer, and diogen. There has been one recorded instance of a Redwolf vocalizing the distress call of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-966 VNP-966]. They have been observed to somewhat prefer hunting diogens over other prey. Turgenev theorizes that this is due to the at least partially human genome, as VNP-3199 are known to contain portions of human DNA.^^[((bibcite hunt))]^^ Redwolf body parts are known to be used in various pseudoscientific remedies. Finally, we reach the apex predator of Scale Island, VNP-966. They are known more simply as sleep killers, though scientifically as //Pan somnus//. They are endangered outside of Scale Island and are known to prey upon diogens and redwolves commonly, though they will occasionally settle for prey such as deer. Outside of their feeding habits, sleep killers have been seen to have extensive social lives inside of their pack, as well as the ability to build primitive homes for themselves. Much of their day, when not following prey, will be spent grooming each other, much like other primates. [[div class="grid-item"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name= http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/doctorlilithsophia:ecosystem-report:scale-island/Wood_Art.jpg\|caption= A Sleep Killer made shelter.\|width=350px\|align= right]] [[/div]] [[/div]] Their relationship with redwolves is complex. While they very commonly feed off of them, they seem to have adapted a defense mechanism for their young. Redwolf newborns often resemble human children, though on Scale Island, their young instead hold some traits of VNP-966, such as a slightly elongated face and longer fingers, meant to resemble the claws of Sleep Killers. They are not yet on the level of brood parasitism as regular redwolf young, though it has been noted that some sleep killers are caring for known impostor children. Unfortunately, sleep killers are poached at a frankly astounding rate by corporations such as Marshall, Carter, and Dark. They are used for traditional medicine, eaten, and used as ornamentation despite their status as endangered. The simple biodiversity of Scale Island is a beautiful testament to the paranormal and mundane co-existing. While these animals are paranormal, it is good to remember that they are still animals. They have instincts that they will follow, and they will evolve and adapt to their environment. If you want to help preserve this beautiful ecosystem, at risk because of the workings of corporations, you can donate at [[[www.scaleisland.com]]], or you can lobby your local government to see change. We are counting on you, dear readers, to help make a difference. [[bibliography title]] : draws : Draws, D. (2017). A Comprehensive List Of Those Below the Flames and Their Geobiology. //Internal SCP Foundation Publishing//, 66-70. : wond : Curios, P. (2036). Doctor Wondertainment Products, their Biology, and Rapid Evolution Therein. //Internal SCP Foundation Publishing//, 66-70. : chic : Leningrad, U. (2041). A Study Of Homo Gallus Berus Adaptations In The Scale Island Ecosystem. //Vanguard Publishing//, 12-25. : hunt : Turgenev, A. (2044). The Hunting Behaviors of Redwolves. //Vanguard Publishing//, 115-129. [[/bibliography]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Filename: Chrysomallon_squamiferum_2.png > Author: Kentaro Nakamura, Hiromi Watanabe, Junichi Miyazaki, Ken Takai, Shinsuke Kawagucci, Takuro Noguchi, Suguru Nemoto, Tomo-o Watsuji, Takuya Matsuzaki, Takazo Shibuya, Kei Okamura, Masashi Mochizuki, Yuji Orihashi, Tamaki Ura, Akira Asada, Daniel Marie, Meera Koonjul, Manvendra Singh, Girish Beedessee, Mitrasen Bhikajee, Kensaku Tamaki > License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic > Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chrysomallon_squamiferum_2.png > Filename: Wood Art.jpg > Author: Channel City Camera Club > License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic > Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wood_Art.jpg > Filename: Phalaropus fulicarius MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.119.14.jpg > Author: Roger Culos > License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International > Source Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phalaropus_fulicarius_MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.119.14.jpg [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]] [[/==]]	2024-06-20T16:24:00	[ "_cc", "_cc4", "_licensebox", "fantasy", "from-120s-archives", "no-dialogue", "tale", "worldbuilding" ]	Scale Island - SCP Foundation	20	[ "scp-8007", "vnp-111", "scp-1550", "scp-098", "scp-4445-ex", "scp-3199", "scp-939", "scp-966", "www-scaleisland-com", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "from-120-s-archives-hub" ]	[ "http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/doctorlilithsophia:ecosystem-report:scale-island/Chrysomallon_squamiferum_2.png", "http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/doctorlilithsophia:ecosystem-report:scale-island/1200px-Phalaropus_fulicarius_MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.119.14.jpg", "http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/doctorlilithsophia:ecosystem-report:scale-island/Wood_Art.jpg" ]	1454097764	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scale-island
scalpel	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p>Dr. Katherine Ann Scranton laid on the operating chair in front of her husband. He was no surgeon by any means, her personal assistant sure, but not a surgeon. Regardless, she was confident that this procedure would go well. They had practiced several times on both dummies and live patients, and she would still be awake to guide him should he need. Nonetheless, the procedure was necessary. She was getting older. Her eyesight was deteriorating and she refused to lower her standards of precision to accommodate it.</p> <p>Her husband glanced at her while putting on his scrubs. As he prepared, she watched the way he checked and rechecked his tools. It was almost cute. She could see he had everything he needed but was nervous. That was fine. She just hoped his hands wouldn’t shake.</p> <p>"Are you ready, doctor?" He flicked his eyes between her and his tools, attempting to ease the tension with a smile.</p> <p>"Yes. For about thirty minutes now. Are <em>you</em> ready, Marcus?" She didn’t smile back, which wasn’t unusual for her.</p> <p>"Yeah," he took a deep breath and shook himself out, "Yeah. I’m ready, Katherine."</p> <p>She asked "What happened to ‘doctor’?" with a cocked head and one raised eyebrow.</p> <p>"I’m ready, Doctor."</p> <p>"I’m joking."</p> <p>"Sorry."</p> <p>She looked at the fluorescent lights overhead and the prosthetic eyes she’d made herself, tested plenty of times on other subjects. Soon her vision would be perfect, and she was excited.</p> <p>—————————</p> <p>Her name, what was her name.</p> <p>They hadn’t told her.</p> <p>She’d asked. They hadn’t told her.</p> <p>Her whole head was filled with mud and nothing came easy.</p> <p>They said…</p> <p>They said…</p> <p>She shut her eyes tight over the throbbing in her skull.</p> <p>They said her skills would come back to her. That she would remember how to do what they asked of her.</p> <p>But as she looked at her wrists and the tools that they gave her, she couldn’t comprehend how what they told her to do was even possible.</p> <p>She tried once more to remember.</p> <p>—————————</p> <p>Hands were incredibly complex, sensitive machines. However, their biological nature made them prone to failure: twitching, tremors, incoordination. Even if those failures seemed small none of them were failures Dr. Scranton could tolerate. In order to correct them, she had adapted the schematics of the Cogworks Orthodoxy. They were schematics in standardization, a rigid dogmatic process where practitioners attempted to better fashion themselves into the image of their mechanical god. Dr. Scranton was no such practitioner.</p> <p>She did not believe in god. At least, she did not believe that any of the ones the Foundation had documented were worth her devotion. However, she did believe in perfection, science, the elegance and fragility of the human body and its systems. She believed in improving on what you were given, making it perfect. Taking holy writ and making it her blueprints, it just happened to be a church’s documents that had given her the medium she needed.</p> <p>Her designs were sleek, hidden, when the procedure was finished all that would be noticeable would be a quiet ticking noise underneath the skin. In the operating room she smelled the harsh scent of cleaner. Among the assistants, her husband smiled at her, white teeth and shy eyes. Though she herself was both gifted and careful, should something go wrong they could assist her. Scalpel in hand, she made the first incision to take perfection upon herself.</p> <p>—————————</p> <p>Her hands moved without her knowledge of what they were doing. They remembered this procedure, but all she got was the smell of blood and the sting before the blade had even pierced her skin. Her hands were steady and wielded the scalpel to reveal complicated clockwork in miniature just under the skin. She knew this. She knew this. She wondered if she listened closely if she could hear the whirr and click of gears. Cogworks. The word came to mind. It was related somehow, she knew this, she knew this. It felt so familiar but her brain click click clicked, neurons leading to other neurons, and came up blank.</p> <p>Her hand stopped, skin of palm and wrist pulled back to reveal all that lay underneath. "Is it all in working order?" the guard watching her asked. It was a test not a question.</p> <p>She clicked her hands closed and open, checking the function of her hand, a series of exercises, she closely observed the gears and cogs turn and push and pull. "Yes," her brain supplied without the reason for her answer. She shut her eyes and tried to find the answer before the guard grabbed her attention.</p> <p>"Hey!"</p> <p>"Yes?"</p> <p>"You have further instructions."</p> <p>She looked at the guard and waited for them.</p> <p>"Break it."</p> <p>"What?"</p> <p>"Break the machinery in your hand."</p> <p>She stared at them. She stared at the machinery in her hand. Her palm slammed down on the counter in front of her and scattered intricate machinery.</p> <p>It hurt, her eyes teared up. "Don’t cry," The guard demanded and she did her best to quell the tears and soon they dried up.</p> <p>"Now repair it," the guard demanded.</p> <p>She looked at the guard, she looked at the scattered machinery, the surgeon's tools. This is… This is something she’d done before. Maybe. No. Not this. Something similar? As she looked at each piece the name of them came to mind but all she could remember was seeing them in front of her just now. She felt like she should know this. Click, click, click. Nothing. Why did this feel so familiar? There was no way she could possibly put this machinery back together on her own without instructions, it was too intricate and complex. She’d broken it without asking why and now she didn’t know what to do.</p> <p>Her working hand sorted through the parts, making them into little stacks. Separating pieces, the first necessary step. She knew how to do it and she didn’t know why. Her brain scrambled for connections and came up with nothing. Her hand alone put things together, stuttering every so often she processed what it could be doing, concepts percolating through her consciousness, abstract and isolated. Piece by piece she put herself back together. The guard nodded as she sewed the last suture. "That’s all for now, follow me back to your room." She did so.</p> <p>Her head pounded.</p> <p>—————————</p> <p>Dr. Scranton stood over an anesthetized D-Class. Research had determined the D-Class was no longer a viable human test subject and had handed him over to her for her amnesticization projects.</p> <p>See if you can get rid of whatever’s making him mess up our results, they’d said. She’d gladly taken the opportunity.</p> <p>Her husband had already shaved his head to prepare him for the procedure and she had already marked the lines on his head for the incisions. She grinned, "I feel good about this one, Marcus."</p> <p>Her husband looked at her, "Yeah, we were close last time- you were close, I mean."</p> <p>"Yes. And I know why it didn’t work I think. I wrote it in my report, but I think it’s above your clearance."</p> <p>"Ah. Yes, of course." Her husband handed her a prepped scalpel so she could begin and she caught him glancing away when she met his eyes.</p> <p>"Marcus, do you have something to say?"</p> <p>"No. No," under the fluorescent lights she could see his face flush, "Well just, it’s, I know it’s not the right time but, well, I was just thinking of how pretty you look, even with all the scrubs, that’s all."</p> <p>"Oh. Well, if that’s all-"</p> <p>"Sorry."</p> <p>"-I was going to say thank you."</p> <p>"Oh," he looked up at the ceiling.</p> <p>"I’m going to make the first incision now."</p> <p>"Yes. Understood."</p> <p>Carefully, she cut along the premarked line with her scalpel, peeling back the skin, then the muscle, exposing the skull underneath. Holes drilled, outline cut, skull plate and dura removed, brain exposed. She studied the inside of the brain, referencing the diagram she’d so carefully memorized. All it took was a few incisions, and a precise application of her own amnestics solution, and she had removed years of the man’s life.</p> <p>After an extensive recovery period the procedure was deemed a success. With several more tests, Dr. Scranton was able to publish her procedure. She insisted it was named after herself and so the "Scranton Invasive Amnesticization Procedure" became apart of the standard arsenal for Foundation neurosurgeons and amnestics experts. Her and her husband celebrated with wine and caviar.</p> <p>—————————</p> <p>Morning. Made known to her only by the alarm her keepers had playing from a hidden speaker in her room. She had 30 minutes before a guard would get there and take her to today’s rehabilitation tasks, assessments, and conditioning. 10 minute shower, 2 minutes brushing teeth, 5 minutes getting dressed. She was efficient, although occasionally she paused, feeling some sort of gap in her routine. She looked into the mirror and met eyes with her reflection. Her hands slid over her shaved scalp. Her chest tightened in a way she couldn’t place, a hiccup escaped her throat, tears escaped her eyes. Stop crying, she told herself. She stopped, but her hands continued to trace the still healing incisions until the guards arrived to walk her through today’s schedule.</p> <p>—————————</p> <p>Dr. K.A.S. met eyes with her husband as she tied her hair into a tight bun in one fluid motion. "You’re looking at me like a lost puppy. Do you need something?" she asked.</p> <p>"I wanted to, um…" his fists clenched and unclenched, he shook his hands out, "You’re always uh, too tired when you get home… to talk. So I thought maybe we could talk now about uh, well. I was wondering if uh, you’d wanna start a family?"</p> <p>She swiveled around on her heels to face him. Her eyes avoided her gaze. "You want to have a child?" she asked.</p> <p>"Yeah. I think, well, I always wanted to be a dad, and isn’t it about time? We’ve been married for what, 4 years now?"</p> <p>"4 years on August 5th," she confirms, their anniversary just a few months away. "But what makes you think I have any desire to be a mother? Don’t you know what having a child could do to my body?"</p> <p>"Of course, Katherine. I just thought, well, it’d be proper for us. And we have the world’s best doctors at our disposal, and well, think about it. Wouldn't it be nice to have some say on the people who will come after us?"</p> <p>Katherine hummed in thought and tilted her head. "I’ll think about it. I’ll let you know though. If we do have a child, they’ll be a Scranton. I'm not going to carry a child just to have my name forgotten. Understood?"</p> <p>"Of course, Katherine. I love you."</p> <p>"Yes," her eyes met his, "as do I."</p> <p>—————————</p> <p>Factotum "Scalpel" stood over O5-1 "The Founder" laid bare for her on the operating table.</p> <p>His body was failing.</p> <p>It had been failing for the last several decades as he started to near two centuries in age. A diaphragm of mesh and tubing spasmed making him gasp unevenly, each hissing and wheezing like a rusted steam train. A complex box of electronics and clockworks cycled blood through the veins in his body, connecting disparate pieces together like wires. Sinew had been delicately stripped back from fragile bone so both could be replaced with machinery. Beneath his flesh they writhed, creating patterns of blue and green and purple on tissue paper skin.</p> <p>None of it lasted long. With each attempt to extend his life, it seemed to claw more desperately to escape him. His body, more machine than man, still rejected each new organ, leaving them to rot and rust inside him.</p> <p>She watched him sweat with fever and bloat from infection and estimated the necessary procedure would take at least 14 hours. If not more.</p> <p>With reverence she takes her namesake in hand.</p> <p>Afterall, it is only through taking him apart that she can fulfill her duty and piece him back together again.</p> <p>And again.</p> <p>And again.</p> <p>She makes the first incision.</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/scalpel">Scalpel</a>" by fivebbbbb, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/scalpel">https://scpwiki.com/scalpel</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] Dr. Katherine Ann Scranton laid on the operating chair in front of her husband. He was no surgeon by any means, her personal assistant sure, but not a surgeon. Regardless, she was confident that this procedure would go well. They had practiced several times on both dummies and live patients, and she would still be awake to guide him should he need. Nonetheless, the procedure was necessary. She was getting older. Her eyesight was deteriorating and she refused to lower her standards of precision to accommodate it. Her husband glanced at her while putting on his scrubs. As he prepared, she watched the way he checked and rechecked his tools. It was almost cute. She could see he had everything he needed but was nervous. That was fine. She just hoped his hands wouldn’t shake. "Are you ready, doctor?" He flicked his eyes between her and his tools, attempting to ease the tension with a smile. "Yes. For about thirty minutes now. Are //you// ready, Marcus?" She didn’t smile back, which wasn’t unusual for her. "Yeah," he took a deep breath and shook himself out, "Yeah. I’m ready, Katherine." She asked "What happened to ‘doctor’?" with a cocked head and one raised eyebrow. "I’m ready, Doctor." "I’m joking." "Sorry." She looked at the fluorescent lights overhead and the prosthetic eyes she’d made herself, tested plenty of times on other subjects. Soon her vision would be perfect, and she was excited. ————————— Her name, what was her name. They hadn’t told her. She’d asked. They hadn’t told her. Her whole head was filled with mud and nothing came easy. They said… They said… She shut her eyes tight over the throbbing in her skull. They said her skills would come back to her. That she would remember how to do what they asked of her. But as she looked at her wrists and the tools that they gave her, she couldn’t comprehend how what they told her to do was even possible. She tried once more to remember. ————————— Hands were incredibly complex, sensitive machines. However, their biological nature made them prone to failure: twitching, tremors, incoordination. Even if those failures seemed small none of them were failures Dr. Scranton could tolerate. In order to correct them, she had adapted the schematics of the Cogworks Orthodoxy. They were schematics in standardization, a rigid dogmatic process where practitioners attempted to better fashion themselves into the image of their mechanical god. Dr. Scranton was no such practitioner. She did not believe in god. At least, she did not believe that any of the ones the Foundation had documented were worth her devotion. However, she did believe in perfection, science, the elegance and fragility of the human body and its systems. She believed in improving on what you were given, making it perfect. Taking holy writ and making it her blueprints, it just happened to be a church’s documents that had given her the medium she needed. Her designs were sleek, hidden, when the procedure was finished all that would be noticeable would be a quiet ticking noise underneath the skin. In the operating room she smelled the harsh scent of cleaner. Among the assistants, her husband smiled at her, white teeth and shy eyes. Though she herself was both gifted and careful, should something go wrong they could assist her. Scalpel in hand, she made the first incision to take perfection upon herself. ————————— Her hands moved without her knowledge of what they were doing. They remembered this procedure, but all she got was the smell of blood and the sting before the blade had even pierced her skin. Her hands were steady and wielded the scalpel to reveal complicated clockwork in miniature just under the skin. She knew this. She knew this. She wondered if she listened closely if she could hear the whirr and click of gears. Cogworks. The word came to mind. It was related somehow, she knew this, she knew this. It felt so familiar but her brain click click clicked, neurons leading to other neurons, and came up blank. Her hand stopped, skin of palm and wrist pulled back to reveal all that lay underneath. "Is it all in working order?" the guard watching her asked. It was a test not a question. She clicked her hands closed and open, checking the function of her hand, a series of exercises, she closely observed the gears and cogs turn and push and pull. "Yes," her brain supplied without the reason for her answer. She shut her eyes and tried to find the answer before the guard grabbed her attention. "Hey!" "Yes?" "You have further instructions." She looked at the guard and waited for them. "Break it." "What?" "Break the machinery in your hand." She stared at them. She stared at the machinery in her hand. Her palm slammed down on the counter in front of her and scattered intricate machinery. It hurt, her eyes teared up. "Don’t cry," The guard demanded and she did her best to quell the tears and soon they dried up. "Now repair it," the guard demanded. She looked at the guard, she looked at the scattered machinery, the surgeon's tools. This is… This is something she’d done before. Maybe. No. Not this. Something similar? As she looked at each piece the name of them came to mind but all she could remember was seeing them in front of her just now. She felt like she should know this. Click, click, click. Nothing. Why did this feel so familiar? There was no way she could possibly put this machinery back together on her own without instructions, it was too intricate and complex. She’d broken it without asking why and now she didn’t know what to do. Her working hand sorted through the parts, making them into little stacks. Separating pieces, the first necessary step. She knew how to do it and she didn’t know why. Her brain scrambled for connections and came up with nothing. Her hand alone put things together, stuttering every so often she processed what it could be doing, concepts percolating through her consciousness, abstract and isolated. Piece by piece she put herself back together. The guard nodded as she sewed the last suture. "That’s all for now, follow me back to your room." She did so. Her head pounded. ————————— Dr. Scranton stood over an anesthetized D-Class. Research had determined the D-Class was no longer a viable human test subject and had handed him over to her for her amnesticization projects. See if you can get rid of whatever’s making him mess up our results, they’d said. She’d gladly taken the opportunity. Her husband had already shaved his head to prepare him for the procedure and she had already marked the lines on his head for the incisions. She grinned, "I feel good about this one, Marcus." Her husband looked at her, "Yeah, we were close last time- you were close, I mean." "Yes. And I know why it didn’t work I think. I wrote it in my report, but I think it’s above your clearance." "Ah. Yes, of course." Her husband handed her a prepped scalpel so she could begin and she caught him glancing away when she met his eyes. "Marcus, do you have something to say?" "No. No," under the fluorescent lights she could see his face flush, "Well just, it’s, I know it’s not the right time but, well, I was just thinking of how pretty you look, even with all the scrubs, that’s all." "Oh. Well, if that’s all-" "Sorry." "-I was going to say thank you." "Oh," he looked up at the ceiling. "I’m going to make the first incision now." "Yes. Understood." Carefully, she cut along the premarked line with her scalpel, peeling back the skin, then the muscle, exposing the skull underneath. Holes drilled, outline cut, skull plate and dura removed, brain exposed. She studied the inside of the brain, referencing the diagram she’d so carefully memorized. All it took was a few incisions, and a precise application of her own amnestics solution, and she had removed years of the man’s life. After an extensive recovery period the procedure was deemed a success. With several more tests, Dr. Scranton was able to publish her procedure. She insisted it was named after herself and so the "Scranton Invasive Amnesticization Procedure" became apart of the standard arsenal for Foundation neurosurgeons and amnestics experts. Her and her husband celebrated with wine and caviar. ————————— Morning. Made known to her only by the alarm her keepers had playing from a hidden speaker in her room. She had 30 minutes before a guard would get there and take her to today’s rehabilitation tasks, assessments, and conditioning. 10 minute shower, 2 minutes brushing teeth, 5 minutes getting dressed. She was efficient, although occasionally she paused, feeling some sort of gap in her routine. She looked into the mirror and met eyes with her reflection. Her hands slid over her shaved scalp. Her chest tightened in a way she couldn’t place, a hiccup escaped her throat, tears escaped her eyes. Stop crying, she told herself. She stopped, but her hands continued to trace the still healing incisions until the guards arrived to walk her through today’s schedule. ————————— Dr. K.A.S. met eyes with her husband as she tied her hair into a tight bun in one fluid motion. "You’re looking at me like a lost puppy. Do you need something?" she asked. "I wanted to, um…" his fists clenched and unclenched, he shook his hands out, "You’re always uh, too tired when you get home… to talk. So I thought maybe we could talk now about uh, well. I was wondering if uh, you’d wanna start a family?" She swiveled around on her heels to face him. Her eyes avoided her gaze. "You want to have a child?" she asked. "Yeah. I think, well, I always wanted to be a dad, and isn’t it about time? We’ve been married for what, 4 years now?" "4 years on August 5th," she confirms, their anniversary just a few months away. "But what makes you think I have any desire to be a mother? Don’t you know what having a child could do to my body?" "Of course, Katherine. I just thought, well, it’d be proper for us. And we have the world’s best doctors at our disposal, and well, think about it. Wouldn't it be nice to have some say on the people who will come after us?" Katherine hummed in thought and tilted her head. "I’ll think about it. I’ll let you know though. If we do have a child, they’ll be a Scranton. I'm not going to carry a child just to have my name forgotten. Understood?" "Of course, Katherine. I love you." "Yes," her eyes met his, "as do I." ————————— Factotum "Scalpel" stood over O5-1 "The Founder" laid bare for her on the operating table. His body was failing. It had been failing for the last several decades as he started to near two centuries in age. A diaphragm of mesh and tubing spasmed making him gasp unevenly, each hissing and wheezing like a rusted steam train. A complex box of electronics and clockworks cycled blood through the veins in his body, connecting disparate pieces together like wires. Sinew had been delicately stripped back from fragile bone so both could be replaced with machinery. Beneath his flesh they writhed, creating patterns of blue and green and purple on tissue paper skin. None of it lasted long. With each attempt to extend his life, it seemed to claw more desperately to escape him. His body, more machine than man, still rejected each new organ, leaving them to rot and rust inside him. She watched him sweat with fever and bloat from infection and estimated the necessary procedure would take at least 14 hours. If not more. With reverence she takes her namesake in hand. Afterall, it is only through taking him apart that she can fulfill her duty and piece him back together again. And again. And again. She makes the first incision. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-03-22T20:03:00	[ "_licensebox", "bleak", "science-fiction", "tale" ]	Scalpel - SCP Foundation	25	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[]	[]	1453114576	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scalpel
scars-of-kodachrome	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/component%3Abhl-dark-sidebar/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aextra-black-highlighter-theme/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="preview"> <p>A ruler serves her people, the weight of all their ruined dreams shape the price she feels she has to pay.</p> </div> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">AstersQuill</a> <div class="authorbox"> <div class="authorcontent"> <p>⚠️ <strong>Content warning:</strong> This article references the following topics:</p> <ul> <li>Allusions to memory loss</li> <li>Allusions to suicide</li> <li>Allusions to drowning</li> <li>Derealization/detachment from reality</li> </ul> <p>If any of these topics are upsetting, please refrain from reading this article.</p> <p>Thank you.</p> <p>Scars of Kodachrome by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;"><img alt="AstersQuill" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8392064&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052700" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8392064)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;">AstersQuill</a></span> - <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/aster-s-forest-grotto">Author Page</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> <div class="content-warning creditRate">⚠️ content warning <span class="content-warning-arrow"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div> </div> <br/> In the cold and sterile air of Site-19's dormitories, Hana Thompson can't sleep. <p>She twists and turns, wrapping herself in a cocoon of blankets before throwing them off only moments later. It was a vicious dance, one that repeats for hours even after she should have long closed her eyes. She feels both hot and cold, a burning blaze and frigid ice all at once, even as the climate control system maintains what should be a perfect environment. There was a pull in her mind, one she couldn't quite put her finger on, but it causes the room to spin in the short moments she opens her eyes. So finally, after another dance with the sheets, another restless blink of sleep, another spin of the room, she rolls over and wakes up.</p> <p>The plain whites of Site-19 melt into the pastel pink and orange decorated walls of her childhood bedroom. Every picture, every flower and small design painted on the wall, even the scratches on the floor from her desk chair. They were all as she thinks she once remembered them. The room hums softly, and as light begins to enter from a now present window, she hears a knock at the door and the call of muffled voices.</p> <p>"Hana, dear. Are you awake? You're going to be late."</p> <p>A light static clings to their every word. Almost reflexively, Hana throws the blanket over her head. <em>That wasn't real, was it?</em> The thought lingers in her head as footsteps approach, and then the pressure of a hand on her shoulder. It shakes her slightly. The voices, still muffled but in harmony, call to her.</p> <p>"Hana, come on. You don't want to be late for your big day."</p> <p>Reluctantly, she pulls the sheet down from over her head and slowly turns to meet the voices. As she does, the thrumming of static gets louder.</p> <p>"There's our beautiful girl. You're going to be such an amazing prom queen."</p> <p>She sees no expressions looking back at her. Her parents' soft and stoic faces stare back at her like misshapen mosiacs, blending eye and ear and mouth in a hodgepodge of what should have been two loving humans.</p> <p>"Mom? Dad? What's going on?"</p> <p>A hand brushes a strand of hair out from in front of her eyes, and a smile creeps out from the forehead of one of the figures.</p> <p>"Don't be so afraid, dear. You've been working toward this your whole life. I hope you don't forget us when you become successful. You won't forget us, will you, Hana? Hana? You wouldn't forget us? You wouldn't forget us? You wouldn't—"</p> <p>A wave of nausea overwhelms her, and as she turns to retch over the side of her bed, she finds herself back in her sterile dormitory. Her breathing is shaky as she once again throws the sheets off herself. The sun would be up soon, and it would be more productive to start her day early than try to fight for more sleep. So she haphazardly meanders across her room, eyes barely blinking to make sure she remains comfortably in the present.</p> <p>She walks over to her desk to grab an amber-hued bottle of pills. It was a routine to her at this point, so much so that she could hear the doctor's voice in her head whenever she went to take her medication: <em>Remember, take two pills in the beginning of the day. You'll feel a little dizzy, but that's normal. If you continue to feel weird, find me, and I'll see what I can do.</em> With the pills in one hand she walks over to the sink and, without looking up, downs them with a handful of water. When she finally looks up at the mirror, she sees what she believes to be herself.</p> <p>"You really look like shit, don't you, Hana?"</p> <p>It was hard for her to do much, each day blurring into the last. She would wake up, shower, eat, and sit for hours in different workshops and in front of different doctors all committed to helping her feel better. At least, that's what they told her. "Routine builds memory," the therapists said. When she got to the site it took her a week to remember her name, and two to remember when and where she was born. She was asked to repeat those facts in the early visits, as if they were the last thing keeping the person that was Hana Thompson real to the world. "If nothing else seems real," they told her, "remember these things are."</p> <p>Her hair is matted and frizzy, and as she tries to run her hands through it, they get caught on what feels like the dried remnants of glue. The room shifts again, and she leans over the sink as a blurred figure behind her manipulates her hair.</p> <p>"Oh, darling, you just look wonderful. Your boyfriend must be so lucky to have you."</p> <p>"My…boyfriend?"</p> <p>"Yes! Anthony. You remember him, don't you? The one whose year you ruined? It was always your dream to share the slow dance with him."</p> <p>The figure's fingers weave through Hana's hair, the unbearable feeling of nails against scalp as the static grows louder and louder.</p> <p>"No, that's not true! I loved him. I would never do anything to hurt him."</p> <p>"You ruined his year, Hana. <em>Everyone's</em> year." A pause. The figure grabs a pair of scissors off of her desk. "I guess you won't be needing this then."</p> <p>Hana watches, paralyzed, as the figure takes her hair in a ponytail and cuts it with a <em>snip</em>.</p> <p>"This suits you much better. Most queens wore it like this before they died."</p> <p>The figure places the scissors on the sink before putting their hands on Hana's shoulders. They lean in, their face almost directly next to hers.</p> <p>"Let's see how else we can make you beautiful. A prom queen should be perfect, after all, and isn't perfection worth any risk?"</p> <p>The sound of static is overwhelming in the room, causing Hana to drop to her knees. Her hands cover her ears as the figure continues to chastise her.</p> <p>"But prom queens <em>are</em> forgettable, and there's no one left to remember you, Hana. You made sure of that."</p> <p>"I didn't do anything. I-I didn't know this would happen."</p> <p>"But you never stopped. Their blood is on your hands, Hana."</p> <p>"Enough!"</p> <p>Hana reaches for the scissors and lunges at the figure, eyes closed. When she finally reopens them, she's standing infront of the mirror, scissors in one hand and the remnants of a ponytail in another.</p> <p>"Shit." She begins to repeat this under her breath as she throws the items into the basin in front of her.</p> <p>"Fuck. I-I need to find Glass."</p> <p>She grabs her keycard and baby blue letterman before leaving her room, but Site-19 waits not for her on the otherside of the door. Hana stands in <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6317">Bear Ridge High School</a></span>, just outside of the gymnasium. Several figures pass her, faded faces wearing suits and dresses, a procession of the forgotten as couples make their way through the double doors to experience what should have been the best night of their life.</p> <p>If not for her.</p> <p>Hana runs down the hallways of Bear Ridge, desperately searching for an exit. Every door seems locked, every escape she could have devised denied. The environment shrinks and expands as if she was in the body of a great creature destined to keep her in purgatory. There would be only one way out of this nightmare: the queen had to fall as she did once before in the past. Her reality aligns with her newfound path. As if by intervention or curse, the landscape opens before her, cutting a route to where she thinks she belongs. The pool's waters were choppy, and the diving platforms were positioned above it like stony cliff faces projected hundreds of feet into the air.</p> <p>But still, Hana climbs. She climbs with the memories of phys ed students and divers and synchronized swimmers, the knowledge of hundreds of students and none at all. She stands on the precipice, looking down to her fate, and hears the dissonant clashing of two voices behind her.</p> <p>"Hana, what the fuck are you doing?"</p> <p>She turns around, facing a figure more concrete than the rest. He's familiar to her, and she smiles at his memory.</p> <p>"Is this how our story ended last time, Anthony? Did you try and save me then too?"</p> <p>The figure steps forward.</p> <p>"Hana, back away from the edge. There are people on their way. We can help you."</p> <p>Hana takes a step back, foot sliding on the board's slick surface. She once again presses her hands to her head as the static becomes overwhelming.</p> <p>"I don't have any other choice, Anthony. This is the only way I can make things right."</p> <p>The figure steps forward and becomes clearer in Hana's eyes: a broad man with hair up in a messy ponytail who reaches a hand out of her. For a moment she returns to reality, but the thought of that causes her eyes to water. She quickly turns back around, inching towards the board's end.</p> <p>"You don't have to do this, Hana. This won't change what happened."</p> <p>"I'm sorry."</p> <p>And in a moment, she slips, tumbling forever downward. She imagines hands reaching out to her to drag her under, all of them bearing the voices of her regrets. The water, not of Bear Ridge's pool, but of Site-19's laps over her, and she hits the surface.</p> <p>For once, everything is clear. She remembers and is remembered, she's nothing and everything, someone and no one. This was always going to be her fate in the end. What was a monarch without a kingdom?</p> <p>A ruler serves her people, the weight of all their ruined dreams shape the price she feels she has to pay.</p> <p>But as she sinks deeper into the ever-darkening depths she believes she sees something. <em>Had Anthony come to save her again,</em> she thinks. Once upon a lifetime ago, however, there was no one there to save her. She sank and was left there, silver treasure waiting to be found until she awoke in this alien place.</p> <p>Somewhere, a hand turns the page of a story, her story. One that doesn't end here.</p> <p>In what she truly believes to be her last moments, the photographer, the deceiver, the queen, she imagines a blinding light before her. Her visions of the dark blue around her starts to dance and flutter. The black depths light up with flashes of everchanging chromatic light. Her vision of the dark blue around her morphs into one of black and green butterflies, a single one, at first, before a vibrant eruption engulfs her. A cocoon of light wraps around her, a blanket she pulls in close.</p> <p>Hana wakes on a stiff bed, cocooned in a collection of thick, woolen blankets. She hears the beep of a monitor next to her, stable. A man sits next to her, his still dripping ponytail leaves dark splotches on his shirt. He notices Hana begin to stir and gives her a relieved smile, one she returns with the little strength and conciousness she has left. Hana Thompson, for the first time in months, feels safe.<br/></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="Worth a Thousand Words"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6317">Worth a Thousand Words</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="Echoes of a Forgotten Shutter"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/eventyr-hub">Echoes of a Forgotten Shutter</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="The Noble Knight Thompson and The Beast of Crimson"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6342">The Noble Knight Thompson and The Beast of Crimson</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/scars-of-kodachrome">Scars of Kodachrome</a>" by AstersQuill, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/scars-of-kodachrome">https://scpwiki.com/scars-of-kodachrome</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:extra-black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:extra-black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:pride-highlighter">:scp-wiki:component:pride-highlighter</a> \|inc-lgbt-alt= --]]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar-bhl</a>]] ===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=A ruler serves her people, the weight of all their ruined dreams shape the price she feels she has to pay.]] ===== [[module css]] :root { --header-gradient-color-bottom: 56, 174, 230; --footnotes-footer-num-color: 56, 174, 230; --link-color: 255, 255, 255; --visited-link-color: 255, 255, 255; } #page-title {display: none;} [[/module]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=AstersQuill]] ⚠️ Content warning: This article references the following topics: * Allusions to memory loss * Allusions to suicide * Allusions to drowning * Derealization/detachment from reality If any of these topics are upsetting, please refrain from reading this article. Thank you. Scars of Kodachrome by [[*user AstersQuill]] - [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/aster-s-forest-grotto Author Page] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] [[>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-cw">:scp-wiki:component:info-cw</a>]] [[/>]] In the cold and sterile air of Site-19's dormitories, Hana Thompson can't sleep. She twists and turns, wrapping herself in a cocoon of blankets before throwing them off only moments later. It was a vicious dance, one that repeats for hours even after she should have long closed her eyes. She feels both hot and cold, a burning blaze and frigid ice all at once, even as the climate control system maintains what should be a perfect environment. There was a pull in her mind, one she couldn't quite put her finger on, but it causes the room to spin in the short moments she opens her eyes. So finally, after another dance with the sheets, another restless blink of sleep, another spin of the room, she rolls over and wakes up. The plain whites of Site-19 melt into the pastel pink and orange decorated walls of her childhood bedroom. Every picture, every flower and small design painted on the wall, even the scratches on the floor from her desk chair. They were all as she thinks she once remembered them. The room hums softly, and as light begins to enter from a now present window, she hears a knock at the door and the call of muffled voices. "Hana, dear. Are you awake? You're going to be late." A light static clings to their every word. Almost reflexively, Hana throws the blanket over her head. //That wasn't real, was it?// The thought lingers in her head as footsteps approach, and then the pressure of a hand on her shoulder. It shakes her slightly. The voices, still muffled but in harmony, call to her. "Hana, come on. You don't want to be late for your big day." Reluctantly, she pulls the sheet down from over her head and slowly turns to meet the voices. As she does, the thrumming of static gets louder. "There's our beautiful girl. You're going to be such an amazing prom queen." She sees no expressions looking back at her. Her parents' soft and stoic faces stare back at her like misshapen mosiacs, blending eye and ear and mouth in a hodgepodge of what should have been two loving humans. "Mom? Dad? What's going on?" A hand brushes a strand of hair out from in front of her eyes, and a smile creeps out from the forehead of one of the figures. "Don't be so afraid, dear. You've been working toward this your whole life. I hope you don't forget us when you become successful. You won't forget us, will you, Hana? Hana? You wouldn't forget us? You wouldn't forget us? You wouldn't—" A wave of nausea overwhelms her, and as she turns to retch over the side of her bed, she finds herself back in her sterile dormitory. Her breathing is shaky as she once again throws the sheets off herself. The sun would be up soon, and it would be more productive to start her day early than try to fight for more sleep. So she haphazardly meanders across her room, eyes barely blinking to make sure she remains comfortably in the present. She walks over to her desk to grab an amber-hued bottle of pills. It was a routine to her at this point, so much so that she could hear the doctor's voice in her head whenever she went to take her medication: //Remember, take two pills in the beginning of the day. You'll feel a little dizzy, but that's normal. If you continue to feel weird, find me, and I'll see what I can do.// With the pills in one hand she walks over to the sink and, without looking up, downs them with a handful of water. When she finally looks up at the mirror, she sees what she believes to be herself. "You really look like shit, don't you, Hana?" It was hard for her to do much, each day blurring into the last. She would wake up, shower, eat, and sit for hours in different workshops and in front of different doctors all committed to helping her feel better. At least, that's what they told her. "Routine builds memory," the therapists said. When she got to the site it took her a week to remember her name, and two to remember when and where she was born. She was asked to repeat those facts in the early visits, as if they were the last thing keeping the person that was Hana Thompson real to the world. "If nothing else seems real," they told her, "remember these things are." Her hair is matted and frizzy, and as she tries to run her hands through it, they get caught on what feels like the dried remnants of glue. The room shifts again, and she leans over the sink as a blurred figure behind her manipulates her hair. "Oh, darling, you just look wonderful. Your boyfriend must be so lucky to have you." "My...boyfriend?" "Yes! Anthony. You remember him, don't you? The one whose year you ruined? It was always your dream to share the slow dance with him." The figure's fingers weave through Hana's hair, the unbearable feeling of nails against scalp as the static grows louder and louder. "No, that's not true! I loved him. I would never do anything to hurt him." "You ruined his year, Hana. //Everyone's// year." A pause. The figure grabs a pair of scissors off of her desk. "I guess you won't be needing this then." Hana watches, paralyzed, as the figure takes her hair in a ponytail and cuts it with a //snip//. "This suits you much better. Most queens wore it like this before they died." The figure places the scissors on the sink before putting their hands on Hana's shoulders. They lean in, their face almost directly next to hers. "Let's see how else we can make you beautiful. A prom queen should be perfect, after all, and isn't perfection worth any risk?" The sound of static is overwhelming in the room, causing Hana to drop to her knees. Her hands cover her ears as the figure continues to chastise her. "But prom queens //are// forgettable, and there's no one left to remember you, Hana. You made sure of that." "I didn't do anything. I-I didn't know this would happen." "But you never stopped. Their blood is on your hands, Hana." "Enough!" Hana reaches for the scissors and lunges at the figure, eyes closed. When she finally reopens them, she's standing infront of the mirror, scissors in one hand and the remnants of a ponytail in another. "Shit." She begins to repeat this under her breath as she throws the items into the basin in front of her. "Fuck. I-I need to find Glass." She grabs her keycard and baby blue letterman before leaving her room, but Site-19 waits not for her on the otherside of the door. Hana stands in __[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6317 Bear Ridge High School]__, just outside of the gymnasium. Several figures pass her, faded faces wearing suits and dresses, a procession of the forgotten as couples make their way through the double doors to experience what should have been the best night of their life. If not for her. Hana runs down the hallways of Bear Ridge, desperately searching for an exit. Every door seems locked, every escape she could have devised denied. The environment shrinks and expands as if she was in the body of a great creature destined to keep her in purgatory. There would be only one way out of this nightmare: the queen had to fall as she did once before in the past. Her reality aligns with her newfound path. As if by intervention or curse, the landscape opens before her, cutting a route to where she thinks she belongs. The pool's waters were choppy, and the diving platforms were positioned above it like stony cliff faces projected hundreds of feet into the air. But still, Hana climbs. She climbs with the memories of phys ed students and divers and synchronized swimmers, the knowledge of hundreds of students and none at all. She stands on the precipice, looking down to her fate, and hears the dissonant clashing of two voices behind her. "Hana, what the fuck are you doing?" She turns around, facing a figure more concrete than the rest. He's familiar to her, and she smiles at his memory. "Is this how our story ended last time, Anthony? Did you try and save me then too?" The figure steps forward. "Hana, back away from the edge. There are people on their way. We can help you." Hana takes a step back, foot sliding on the board's slick surface. She once again presses her hands to her head as the static becomes overwhelming. "I don't have any other choice, Anthony. This is the only way I can make things right." The figure steps forward and becomes clearer in Hana's eyes: a broad man with hair up in a messy ponytail who reaches a hand out of her. For a moment she returns to reality, but the thought of that causes her eyes to water. She quickly turns back around, inching towards the board's end. "You don't have to do this, Hana. This won't change what happened." "I'm sorry." And in a moment, she slips, tumbling forever downward. She imagines hands reaching out to her to drag her under, all of them bearing the voices of her regrets. The water, not of Bear Ridge's pool, but of Site-19's laps over her, and she hits the surface. For once, everything is clear. She remembers and is remembered, she's nothing and everything, someone and no one. This was always going to be her fate in the end. What was a monarch without a kingdom? A ruler serves her people, the weight of all their ruined dreams shape the price she feels she has to pay. But as she sinks deeper into the ever-darkening depths she believes she sees something. //Had Anthony come to save her again,// she thinks. Once upon a lifetime ago, however, there was no one there to save her. She sank and was left there, silver treasure waiting to be found until she awoke in this alien place. Somewhere, a hand turns the page of a story, her story. One that doesn't end here. In what she truly believes to be her last moments, the photographer, the deceiver, the queen, she imagines a blinding light before her. Her visions of the dark blue around her starts to dance and flutter. The black depths light up with flashes of everchanging chromatic light. Her vision of the dark blue around her morphs into one of black and green butterflies, a single one, at first, before a vibrant eruption engulfs her. A cocoon of light wraps around her, a blanket she pulls in close. Hana wakes on a stiff bed, cocooned in a collection of thick, woolen blankets. She hears the beep of a monitor next to her, stable. A man sits next to her, his still dripping ponytail leaves dark splotches on his shirt. He notices Hana begin to stir and gives her a relieved smile, one she returns with the little strength and conciousness she has left. Hana Thompson, for the first time in months, feels safe. [[=]] [[module rate]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=false \| last=false \| hub=yes \|previous-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6317 \| previous-title=Worth a Thousand Words \| next-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6342 \| next-title=The Noble Knight Thompson and The Beast of Crimson \| hub-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/eventyr-hub \| hub-title=Echoes of a Forgotten Shutter ]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-03-15T20:12:00	[ "_licensebox", "bleak", "class-of-76", "doctor-kondraki", "eventyr", "iris-thompson", "surrealism", "tale" ]	Scars of Kodachrome - SCP Foundation	50	[ "aster-s-forest-grotto", "scp-6317", "eventyr-hub", "scp-6342", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "scp-series-7-tales-edition" ]	[]	1453047984	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scars-of-kodachrome
scatterbrained	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aminimalist-bhl/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="info-container"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div> <blockquote> <p>Lately I've not been feeling so good<br/> Like I'm just random knots in wood<br/> I'm careful where I crawl<br/> If nothing else at all</p> </blockquote> <p>(Lemon Demon - Scatterbrained)</p> </div> <hr/> <div id="u-author_block"> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/trouts-authorpage">▸ More by this Author ◂</a></p> </div> <hr/> <div id="u-comments2" style="display: none;"> <p>{$comments2}</p> </div> <div class="u-faq"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">F.A.Q.</a></p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <p>{$doesthisfixthebug}</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> your eyes glance upon the empty page. you've been taking this class for months, and you know the dead lines are strict.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div class="blockquote"> <p>The art of creation, and the<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>there is nothing there.</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>there is nothing there still, no matter what you press nothing comes out.<br/> why wont it work? its due at midnight sharp. just one page.</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> you look at your watch. its only six o'clock. you have time to waste. you stand up and walk<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>to the</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>to the kitchen.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> you open your fridge. you need to get your thoughts together</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;">there is nothing that catches your eye. you're hungry<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <img alt="640px-Empty_fridge.jpg" class="image" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Empty_fridge.jpg/640px-Empty_fridge.jpg" width="400px"/></div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> your throat is parched. you'll just get some water.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>you open up your cabinet and grab an empty mug.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> you fill it up with cold water.</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> the water sloshes around in its cup, threatening to spill onto the floor<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <em>glug, glug, glug</em><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <em>ah.</em><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> its nice and cold. its all good. you check the time.</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> its only 7. you have more time.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> you sit back down at your desk and stare at the paper.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> nothing?<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div class="blockquote"> <p>The art of creation, and the<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>nothing.</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>maybe youll get inspiration. you turn on your phone, the brightness stunning you.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <em>fuck, too bright.</em><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> you sigh, before turning down the brightness, just bearable enough for you to stare at.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> you see a post.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> something happened somewhere.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> look, your mutual said something funny<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <em>god, what am i doing?</em><br/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> you continue to scroll.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>okay, enough of this shit. time to</em></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> sigh. nothing. you turn off your phone, putting it aside. it buzzes<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> bzzt.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h4 id="toc0"><span>bzzt.</span></h4> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <h1 id="toc1"><span>bzzt.</span></h1> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="color: #c7c9c8">focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus.</span> you tap your pencil against the desk. <span style="color: #c7c9c8">focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus.</span> no, not those words. you erase them. <span style="color: #c7c9c8">focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus.</span> <em>that's an awful transition.</em> <span style="color: #c7c9c8">focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus.</span> <em>i need a break.</em> <span style="color: #c7c9c8">focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus.</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>you check the time.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> it is nine pm. better finish that paper.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> ……………….<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> you look outside.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>its late out. you need to finish that paper.</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div class="blockquote"> <p>The art of creation, and the art of destruction. As we all know, everything must come to an end, but also<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>that's just awful.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> you erase it, no, you can do better than this. you had all week on this paper.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> right?<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <tt>right?</tt><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> …<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <em>maybe like this, yeah…</em><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> …<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <em>shit, no, its I before E…</em><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> …<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <em>no, no. that's just bad.</em><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>you sigh, blowing off the pencil shavings.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> the page is once again empty. hours have passed<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> and yet</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> nothing has worked.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> you'll just go to bed, you're tired. you glance at the paper.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div class="blockquote"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> your failures surmount to more than your greatest success.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>bloody hell.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> its too late for this shit.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> you'll just deal with this in the morning.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/scatterbrained">scatterbrained.</a>" by TroutMaskReplica, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/scatterbrained">https://scpwiki.com/scatterbrained</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Empty fridge.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> matthew098<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Empty_fridge.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Field lit by flashlight in Israel.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Yitzilitt<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 4.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Field_lit_by_flashlight_in_Israel.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:minimalist-bhl">:scp-wiki:theme:minimalist-bhl</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar-bhl</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:acs-animation">:scp-wiki:component:acs-animation</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:fade-in">:scp-wiki:component:fade-in</a> speed=4]] [[module CSS]] :root { --header-title: "Department of Unreality"; --header-subtitle: "Making the Unreal a ㅤㅤㅤㅤ"; --lgurl: url('http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/unreality-hub/Unreality%20Header%20Logo.svg'); } @media only screen and (max-width: 26.5625rem) { :root { --header-title: "Unreality"; } } .info-container{ --barColour: #2c2427; --linkColour: #FFF; } #page-content hr { border-top: none; height: .05em; background: #454545; } #page-content > .collapsible-block { display: block; text-align: center; padding: .8em; background-color: #e3e3e3; border-top: 0.125rem dashed #b5b5b5; border-bottom: 0.125rem dashed #b5b5b5; } #page-content > .collapsible-block .collapsible-block-content { text-align: left; } .interview{ border:solid 2px #d4d4d4; background:#F5F5F5; width:90%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px auto; } .file{ border:none; background:#F5F5F5; width:90%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px auto; } .addendum{ border:solid 1px #5e5e5e; background:#ffffff; width:90%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px auto; } .testfile{ border:solid 3px #643434; background:#f7efef; width:90%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px auto; } .testvideo{ background:#e9d5d5; width:90%; padding:1px 15px; margin: 10px auto; } #page-title{display:none} [[/module]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">:scp-wiki:component:info-ayers</a> \|lang=en \|page=scp-8195 \|authorPage=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/trouts-authorpage \|comments= > Lately I've not been feeling so good > Like I'm just random knots in wood > I'm careful where I crawl > If nothing else at all (Lemon Demon - Scatterbrained) ]] [[=]] [[module Rate]] [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ your eyes glance upon the empty page. you've been taking this class for months, and you know the dead lines are strict. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] The art of creation, and the @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[/div]] [[=]] there is nothing there. [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[>]] there is nothing there still, no matter what you press nothing comes out. why wont it work? its due at midnight sharp. just one page. [[/>]] @@ @@ @@ @@ you look at your watch. its only six o'clock. you have time to waste. you stand up and walk @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] to the [[/=]] @@ @@ [[>]] to the kitchen. @@ @@ you open your fridge. you need to get your thoughts together [[/>]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] there is nothing that catches your eye. you're hungry @@ @@ [[image https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Empty_fridge.jpg/640px-Empty_fridge.jpg width="400px" align=center]] [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ your throat is parched. you'll just get some water. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[>]] you open up your cabinet and grab an empty mug. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ you fill it up with cold water. [[/>]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] @@ @@ the water sloshes around in its cup, threatening to spill onto the floor @@ @@ @@ @@ //glug, glug, glug// @@ @@ @@ @@ //ah.// @@ @@ @@ @@ its nice and cold. its all good. you check the time. [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ its only 7. you have more time. @@ @@ you sit back down at your desk and stare at the paper. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ nothing? @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] The art of creation, and the @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[/div]] @@ @@ [[>]] nothing. [[/>]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] maybe youll get inspiration. you turn on your phone, the brightness stunning you. @@ @@ //fuck, too bright.// @@ @@ you sigh, before turning down the brightness, just bearable enough for you to stare at. @@ @@ @@ @@ you see a post. @@ @@ @@ @@ something happened somewhere. @@ @@ @@ @@ look, your mutual said something funny @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ //god, what am i doing?// [[>]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ you continue to scroll. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[/>]] [[=]] //okay, enough of this shit. time to// [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ sigh. nothing. you turn off your phone, putting it aside. it buzzes @@ @@ @@ @@ bzzt. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] ++++ bzzt. [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[>]] + bzzt. [[/>]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ ##c7c9c8\| focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus.## you tap your pencil against the desk.##c7c9c8\| focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus.## no, not those words. you erase them. ##c7c9c8\| focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus.## //that's an awful transition.// ##c7c9c8\| focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus.## //i need a break.// ##c7c9c8\| focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. focus. ## @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] you check the time. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ it is nine pm. better finish that paper. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ ................... @@ @@ [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ you look outside. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] [[image https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/Field_lit_by_flashlight_in_Israel.jpg width="800px" align=center]] [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[>]] its late out. you need to finish that paper. [[/>]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] The art of creation, and the art of destruction. As we all know, everything must come to an end, but also @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] that's just awful. @@ @@ @@ @@ you erase it, no, you can do better than this. you had all week on this paper. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ right? @@ @@ @@ @@ {{right?}} @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ ... @@ @@ //maybe like this, yeah...// @@ @@ ... @@ @@ //shit, no, its I before E...// @@ @@ ... @@ @@ //no, no. that's just bad.// @@ @@ [[/=]] [[>]] you sigh, blowing off the pencil shavings. @@ @@ the page is once again empty. hours have passed @@ @@ @@ @@ and yet [[/>]] @@ @@ @@ @@ nothing has worked. @@ @@ @@ @@ you'll just go to bed, you're tired. you glance at the paper. @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ your failures surmount to more than your greatest success. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[/div]] @@ @@ [[=]] bloody hell. @@ @@ its too late for this shit. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ you'll just deal with this in the morning. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[/=]] @@ @@ [[=]] [[module Rate]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Name: Empty fridge.jpg > Author: matthew098 > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Empty_fridge.jpg Wikimedia Commons] > Name: Field lit by flashlight in Israel.jpg > Author: Yitzilitt > License: CC BY-SA 4.0 > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Field_lit_by_flashlight_in_Israel.jpg Wikimedia Commons] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-08-22T16:33:00	[ "_cc", "_cc4", "_licensebox", "second-person", "tale", "unreality-dept" ]	scatterbrained. - SCP Foundation	50	[ "trouts-authorpage", "component:info-ayers", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "unfiltered-exhaust-hub", "unreality-hub" ]	[ "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Empty_fridge.jpg/640px-Empty_fridge.jpg" ]	1456513846	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scatterbrained
scientia-potentia-est	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>Icarus is not a story about the limitations of humanity.<br/> It is a story about the limitations of wax.</p> </div> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Foxtrot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2022</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Liryn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">FONTS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Lexend</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@700</span><span class="hl-code">;800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">JetBrains</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Fira</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Code</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@400</span><span class="hl-code">;700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sofia</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">rsms.me</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter.css</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Figtree</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@800</span><span class="hl-code">;900&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">IBM</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Plex</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Core</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-title:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SCP Foundation"</span><span class="hl-code">; 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--</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Inter', 'verdana'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">base-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Misc</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">subheader-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">misc-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#464646</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E6283C</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-hover-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Color</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Accents</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">accent:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-default:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">; 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/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">BetterFootnotes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnColor:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">barColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">linkColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">html</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">scroll-behavior:</span><span class="hl-code"> smooth</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-x:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-rendering:</span><span class="hl-code"> optimizeLegibility</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#content-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">440</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">strong</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tt</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-source</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">pre</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--mono-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ol</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-underline-offset:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> :</span><span class="hl-special">:selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Clicky</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">links</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">patch</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">for</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">sidebar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ayers</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">so</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">doesn</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">t</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">override</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.danger-diamond</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--linkColour) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">900</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">26</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-img) </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">30</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">130</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-opacity)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Search</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">text</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">47</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li.sfhover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.83</span><span class="hl-code">) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">230</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-indent:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.mobile-top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Login</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">19</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> translate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#my-account</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#account-topbutton</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">s ease-in-out</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">rtl</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#interwiki</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.heading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#cfcfcf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">pt</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Blockquotes</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Custom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">dashed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fbfbfb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.quote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.note</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#afafaf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.round</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Titles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footnotes-footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Author</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Label</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.authorlink-wrapper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-top-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-bottom-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-right-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f4f4f4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bfbfbf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Captions</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E0FFD4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDFCD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFCFCF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colored</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">224</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">212</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">226</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">245</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">189</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">223</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">205</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">218</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQ</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">things</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Assets</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">underline</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.7</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.item1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.class1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">woedbar-class-bar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.55</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MISC</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.bt</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#444</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">45</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#7b7b7b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footer-wikiwalk-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">88</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-options-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-watch-options</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">77</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> row</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#5f5f5f</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ecf2f1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#d9d9d9</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "."</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "tags "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.3125</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.625</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.0625</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent)) </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-style:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> ""</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.2813</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-tags-input</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">150</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">table.form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.edit-page-bottomtable</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-comments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "!"</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">115</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "⏲ "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">outline:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-property:</span><span class="hl-code"> box-shadow</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> darkslategrey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(5)></span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">120</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 900</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content-warning.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">21</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.preview-message</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">29</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> drop-shadow(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.error-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">48</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#B00</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2</span><span class="hl-identifier">n</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.05</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> fade </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">fade</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">default</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">155</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F7F7F7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> " "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> loading </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">loading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">360</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.osuccess</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.content</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2)></span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.odialog-shader</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#262a39</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn.btn-primary</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.buttons</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.button</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#eaeaea</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#dbffd6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#005a0a</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#0d951c</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffe1e1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c52727</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c5272e</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#757575</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.hovertip</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.checkbox</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#h-perpage</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">REDUCED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOTION</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACCESSIBILITY</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (prefers-reduced-motion: </span><span class="hl-identifier">reduce</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-iteration-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@MEDIA</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 850</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; 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</span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">123</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 520</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { line-height: </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">145</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> }</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="phoenix box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Simon Torres</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Project Asclepius</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LLA#ics.suipelcsA\|LLA</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>All right, everyone, this is a global push. If anyone here has been living inside VNP-3001 for the last few months, the PENTAGRAM made a <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/kte-9817-bluebuster-mendel-shelley-renegade-armbrusteri">highly communicable virus</a> that permanently seals all magical potential of almost all living creatures. mRNA and other dynamic vaccines seem ineffective here, so don't expect this to be as easy as curing malaria or HIV.</p> <p>This is our top priority; if your project has anything to do with thaumaturgy or biochemistry, your project is being suspended to work on this effective immediately. Everyone else, your access to priority resources has been deprioritized.</p> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/arco">We have a year to fix this mess that the US government caused</a>. Let's show the world what the global scientific community can do.</p> <p>We will not go back to dying in the dark.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Simon Torres, CEO of Phoenix Technologies<br/> <em>Icarus is not a story about the limitations of humanity<br/> It is a story about the limitations of wax.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="phoenix box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Laurent</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Re:Project Asclepius</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td>Dr. Simon Torres</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>What is the budget for this?<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry<br/> <em>Where humanity failed, science must succeed</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="phoenix box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Simon Torres</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Re:RE:Project Asclepius</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td>Dr. Laurent</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Whatever is needed.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Simon Torres, CEO of Phoenix Technologies<br/> <em>Icarus is not a story about the limitations of humanity<br/> It is a story about the limitations of wax.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="float: center; border: solid 3px #003366; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"> <div style="text-align: center"> <div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px; text-align: left;"> <p><span style="color: #c20017">Fox News</span></p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"> <table style="border: none; width: 100%;"> <tr> <td style="text-align: left; style= "font-family: 'Lobster'"><span style="color: #003366">foxnews.com</span></td> <td><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>Breaking: One Nation Under Quarantine.</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 100%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>"Total violation of American sovereignty" according to President Crenshaw.</p> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="phoenix box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Analysis of the virus</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA#ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>The PENTAGRAM and JOICL are not cooperating at all in how they made this thing, so it looks like we need to reverse-engineer it. Attached is the genetic sequence of the virus's RNA and the predicted proteome, complete with structures. The fact that this thing can infect so many different organisms is at least an advantage, as there are almost certainly no post-transcriptional modifications that are not encoded into the virus. Normal viruses tend to only target one species, which allows them to modify enzymes using processes built into the host cell.</p> <p>The problem is that this is the largest human virus I have ever seen at 300 thousand base pairs and there is significant usage on nontranslational and possibly anomalous base pairs as well.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry<br/> <em>Where humanity failed, science must succeed</em></p> </div> <hr/> <p>3 Attachments:</p> <ul> <li><a href="javascript:;">Washington.fasta</a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;">Washington_annotated.fasta</a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;">Washington_PDB.zip</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="i-support-gaddafis-proposal-to-partition-switzerland box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Eisenberg</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Mechanism of thaumic action</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA#ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>From a thaumic perspective, this looks to be ingenious, the virus seems to have figured out how to synthesize scrantonite-353. For people who do not work in thaumic engineering, scrantonite is very effective at shutting down local magic due to the relativistic motion of quarks inside the Nuclei. See <em>Scrantonite Symmetrization of the Mill Field, Dr. Cyprog, 1989 Prometheus Publishing</em>.</p> <p>The one good decision these guys made was using scrantonite-353 as opposed to the much more stable scrantonite-354 used in SRAs and advanced thaumic shielding. So at least the antimagic effect will be constrained in the person affected. However, this also means slow radiation poisoning and some good old-fashioned heavy metal poisoning in the long run.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Eisenberg<br/> Professor of Ontological Studies, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology<br/> <em>Applied linear algebra isn't magic. Magic is applied linear algebra.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="box" style="--br: #c0282b;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Hansen</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Basic analysis</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA#ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>This virus has a very odd structure. It is a negative-strand RNA virus that acts as both a traditional virus and as a retrovirus. I am unsure how this virus creates scrantonite other than that it requires significant amounts of local EVE, however, the DNA reverse transcriptases are scrantonite-activated while the RNA polymerases are scrantonite-inactivated.</p> <p>Effectively the Virus replicates rapidly like the flu in the early stages and tries to produce scrantonite, if it can produce scrantonite with local EVE quantities, then it integrates into the DNA of cells to continue to produce scrantonite.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Hansen: Doctor of virology, Cambridge University</p> </div> </div> <div class="caltech box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Tinad</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>The perfect anti-vaccine measure</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA#ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Bingo! We figured out why we cannot use regular vaccinations against this virus. Normal vaccinations work by providing examples of spike proteins to the body. The immune system then makes antibodies against said spike proteins and remembers how to make them.</p> <p>The thing is that something about this virus's coating is antimemetic on a cellular level and the immune system cannot 'remember' how to fight it. The folks in medical are currently trying large numbers of recombinant sequences for mRNA vaccines, but we are uncertain that would work.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Tinad: Caltech Department of Antimemetics</p> </div> </div> <div class="copenhagen box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Aquevist</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Novel Scrantonite Synthesis pathway</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA#ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Enzyme 27 has been fully identified and we think we found how this thing is making scrantonite. It is alchemically transmuting a mixture of nitrogen, iron, and cobalt into scrantonite. Now this normally requires a full-on transmutation circle.</p> <p>We have designated it as Mal-EVE.</p> <p>Based on our simulations, the people making this did a fantastic job. They figured out how to use the natural vibrations for the enzyme to act as a form of somatic component for the ritual to create the scrantonite. I have attached a video with the "atomic hands" highlighted.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Aquevist, University of Copenhagen</p> </div> <hr/> <p>1 Attachment:</p> <ul> <li><a href="javascript:;">Test_Video.mp4</a></li> </ul> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="border: solid 5px #0D7680; background:#F2DFCE;float: center; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"> <div style="text-align: center"> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-bottom-style: solid;"> <table style="border: none; width: 100%;font-size: 200%;"> <tr> <td style="text-align: left; style= "font-family: 'Lobster'">Financial Times</td> <td><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/carter-courier-channel">Carter Courier Channel</a> now operational, restarting the flow of essential goods</p> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="phoenix box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Laurent</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Mechanisms of the Virus.</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|llA#ics.suipelcsA\|llA</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Now, as per the attached paper, we can safely say that we have a good grasp of the virus and how it works. Now let's see ideas here on how we can stop this virus. I want to hear as many ideas about this as we can. Traditional methods have failed, so let's see what the brain trust can think of.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry<br/> <em>Where humanity failed, science must succeed</em></p> </div> <hr/> <p>1 Attachment:</p> <ul> <li><a href="javascript:;">Mechanisms_of_the_washington_viron.pdf</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="van box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Andrews</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:Mechanisms of the Virus</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td>Dr. Laurent</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Well, we know that traditional mRNA vaccines don't work because of the antimemetic structure of its spike proteins. High throughput mutational analysis has not found a related structure without this property, so most of the traditional methods will not work here. mRNA, weakened virus, viral fragment, and Mnemosyne Fluid injections are all out the window here.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Sherry Andrews PhD, Director Office of Immunological Anomalies and Research<br/> Vanguard, Lighthouse-234.<br/> <em>Punching pathogens in the face since gods knows when.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="phoenix box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Laurent</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:Mechanisms of the Virus</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Could we develop a form of mnestics that could counteract that?<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry<br/> <em>Where humanity failed, science must succeed</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="caltech box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Tinad</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:re:Mechanisms of the Virus</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA#ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>We are working on it.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Tinad: Caltech Department of Antimemetics</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="van box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Leep Andrews</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Project Warlock's Wheel</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Something we have seen is people in high Hume environments, like the Rocky Mountains, seem to have a slightly lower rate of uptake of this virus. As we know the virus's retrovirus phase is activated by scrantonite which in turn requires available EVE. In areas where EVE is naturally suppressed, like high hume areas, we see that the scrantonite doesn't build up to a high enough level to trigger the retroviral components.</p> <p>We think that a powerful anti-magical field can act as a cure if performed before sufficient scrantonite build-up. We are currently conducting animal trials.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Leep Andrews PhD, Director Office of Virological Anomalies and Research<br/> Vanguard, Lighthouse-234.<br/> <em>Viral packing of information into a narrow genome is the peak of efficiency we should all aim for</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="van box"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2 id="toc0"><span>Vanguard ROMP channel: Lighthouse-234</span></h2> </div> <p><span style="color: red"><strong>Sherry</strong></span>: What kind of differences are we looking at here?</p> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>Leep</strong></span>: by our numbers its going from 99.9% effective to 99%</p> <p><span style="color: red"><strong>Sherry</strong></span>: Wait, is that even statistically significant?</p> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>Leep</strong></span>: yep, N = 10,000 in high hume areas alone. millions everywhere else. MOE of 0.2%.</p> <p><span style="color: red"><strong>Sherry</strong></span>: Jesus. I need a stiff drink.</p> <p><span style="color: green"><strong>Leep</strong></span>: agreed let's put that budget hike to good use</p> </div> <div class="i-support-gaddafis-proposal-to-partition-switzerland box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Eisenberg</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:Project Warlock's Wheel</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td>Dr. Sherry Andrews</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>There are only a handful of American facilities that can support this treatment program, and that includes <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/paramax">Paramax</a>. The cost of doing this would be insane on a per-treatment basis.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Eisenberg<br/> Professor of Ontological Studies, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology<br/> <em>Applied linear algebra isn't magic. Magic is applied linear algebra.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="van box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Leep Andrews</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:Project Warlock's Wheel</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA#ics.suipelcsA\|SISYLANA</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>It's a useful stopgap measure, hopefully, we can make it work for some people.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Leep Andrews PhD, Director Office of Virological Anomalies and Research<br/> Vanguard, Lighthouse-234.<br/> <em>Viral packing of information into a narrow genome is the peak of efficiency we should all aim for</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="box" style="--br: #a51c30;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Summers</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:Project Warlock's Wheel</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td>Dr. Leep Andrews</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>I am concerned about who can use it, the costs here are massively higher than what Medicaid and the US public option are willing to pay for. This cure can only really work for the 1%.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Summers, Department of Healthcare Economics, Harvard University<br/> <em>What is the value of a human life?</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="nano box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Small</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Project Nevinyrral</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>The antimemetic shielding that this virus has seems to be fairly specific. I think that we can create some form of nanobot that can counteract the virus early in its life cycle. We will want to make sure said nanobot is not self-replicating to avoid what happened with Ceres, but such a system can be both deployed via injection and also deployed at a very widespread level.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein<br/> <em>Big things are made of many small things</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="phoenix box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Laurent</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Re:Nevinyrral</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td>Dr. Small</td> </tr> </table> <p>The idea is to create a synthetic immune system?</p> <p>This is one of the more likely proposals to work so far.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry<br/> <em>Where humanity failed, science must succeed</em></p> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="van box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Yossarian Leiner</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Project Roze-Kattee</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>On my annual Pratchett reread an idea struck me. Could we create a god of plague and medicine that would be able to fix this issue? We would need to modify the <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3457">Rite of Solomon</a> to create a different form of Demiurge and theoretically, such a god could be created, and be able to cure such an illness.</p> <p>There are a couple of major issues with this, firstly we will need permission from Vanguard and the GOC to know about the details of the Rite of Solomon. In addition, we have zero idea how to control a god. We presume that we can reverse engineer the Rite to figure this out, but it will require serious experimentation.</p> <p>The final issue is getting people to believe in said god, the faith must be sincere to work, and generating a new religion is not exactly something we can do ethically. Though looking over some old foundation records, we could do it using widespread memetics. This could potentially be considered a crime against humanity, but it might be what is needed. We will be looking into alternatives there that are more ethical.</p> <p>In a fit of irony it looks like the old Foundation figured out how to do what the PENTAGRAM was hoping for back in the 2010s using said memetics.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Yossarian Leiner: Tactical Theology, Vanguard, Lighthouse-27<br/> <em>Baruch Shem Kavod Malchuto L'Olam Va'ed</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="box" style="--bg: #eaf2ea; --br: #2d462d;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Medea</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Re:Project Roze-Kattee</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td>Dr. Yossarian Leiner</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>….</p> <p>Are you sure you're not still working for the Foundation?</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>~Medea of Colchis, Vanguard Department of Mythology and Folklore, Lighthouse-212.<br/> <em>'Betrayal is best met with the poisoned cup, the burning flesh, and your agonized screams.'</em><br/> <span style="font-size:50%;"><span style="color: grey">this signature is currently under review by the Vanguard HR department</span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="wagner box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Wagner</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Project Project Piranther</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>The issue here is the production of scrantonite. So let's double down on this, frequent injections of some kind of magic-enhancing material could counteract the scrantonite in the bloodstream. Colloidal silver is mostly nontoxic (apart from turning you into a Homestuck troll) and has magical enhancing properties.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Wagner: Esoteric Materials, Berlin<br/> <em>It would be a scientifically interesting way to die screaming.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="phoenix box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Smith</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re: Project Project Piranther</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Looking over this proposal, silver will not generate the thaumic enhancement we need. The only materials that I can see working here are Beryllium Bronze and Irrlylite. Irrylite is far too expensive here (back-of-the-envelope calculations say that only Ms Darke could afford it), while Beryllium is very toxic and will kill you in a week.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Smith: Thaumaturgic metallurgy, Pittsburgh</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="wagner box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Wagner</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:Project Project Piranther</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Sigh, well back to the eternal loop of Esoteric Material Engineering. Making new materials with very useful and interesting properties. Then figuring out how to make materials with the same performance without the use of lead or beryllium.</p> <p>Has biochemical engineering figured out how to make people immune to lead yet?<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Wagner: Esoteric Materials, Berlin<br/> <em>It would be a scientifically interesting way to die screaming.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="float: center; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"> <div style="text-align: center"> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 5px;"> <p>Washington Post</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 250%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>Democracy Dies in Darkness</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"> <table style="border: none; width: 100%;"> <tr> <td>Washington</td> <td style="text-align: right;">July 3rd, 2049</td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 300%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>Para-Pandemic</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 150%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>30% of all thaumically active Americans have been infected by the Washington Viron.</p> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="van box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Yossarian Leiner</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Project Roze-Kattee is a bust</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>While Vanguard seems interested in project Roze-Kattee the GOC has said that they will not let the Rite of Solomon out into the wild, saying that it is far too dangerous to use. Citing that it could very much be used to also cause the death of all magic, or worse restrict magic into only being used by a select group. While I would say that is better than the death of all magic that we are staring down, it is also understandable.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Yossarian Leiner: Tactical Theology, Vanguard, Lighthouse-27<br/> <em>Baruch Shem Kavod Malchuto L'Olam Va'ed</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="box" style="--bg: #eaf2ea; --br: #2d462d;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Midnight</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Re:Project Roze-Kattee is a bust</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td>Dr. Yossarian Leiner</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>This is most likely for the best. Messing with divinity tends to backfire on those who try.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Midnight.<br/> <em>Curiosity stopped keeping track.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="caltech box"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2 id="toc1"><span>Caltech Teams server chatlog:</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="color: purple"><strong>Tinad</strong></span>: Well good news and bad news on the mnestic project.</p> <p><span style="color: purple"><strong>Tinad</strong></span>: Good news is that we have something that works. Bad news is that the only formulation that works is the old 2010 version.</p> <p><span style="color: orange"><strong>Ebbs</strong></span>: It's what I am thinking of, no?</p> <p><span style="color: purple"><strong>Tinad</strong></span>: Yep, the one that causes pancreatic cancer and hallucinations of a five tentacled monster, killed basically the entirety of the foundation antimemetics division.</p> <p><span style="color: purple"><strong>Tinad</strong></span>: To make things worse, you need constant doses of the stuff otherwise it's a new shot for you!</p> <p><span style="color: orange"><strong>Ebbs</strong></span>: Can we fix it?</p> <p><span style="color: purple"><strong>Tinad</strong></span>: Probably, the issue is that we seem to have lost all data about mnestic development, and literally no one I know can remember anything about it.</p> <p><span style="color: orange"><strong>Ebbs</strong></span>: Again?</p> </div> <hr/> <div class="wagner box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Wagner</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Unacceptable levels of beryllium leeching in Project Piranther</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>With all nanoscopic coatings on the Beryllium Bronze nanoparticles, all have either produced unacceptable levels of beryllium leeching or are highly carcinogenic in some other way. While a coating of 6-thiohexanoic acid does stop all copper leeching into the bloodstream, beryllium ions are small enough to slip out between the surfactant tails.</p> <p>The layered fullerene approach does stop beryllium leeching, however, the number of layers required and the interface layers between the Beryllium Bronze nanoparticle, the fullerene, and the environment make the nanoparticle far too large to be useful.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Wagner: Esoteric Materials, Berlin<br/> <em>It would be a scientifically interesting way to die screaming.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="wagner box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Wagner</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Unacceptable levels of beryllium leeching in Project Piranther</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>And where was that cure for lead I was promised?<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Wagner: Esoteric Materials, Berlin<br/> <em>It would be a scientifically interesting way to die screaming.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="float: center; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"> <div style="text-align: center"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: center"> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 5px;"> <p>Washington Post</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 250%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>Democracy Dies in Darkness</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"> <table style="border: none; width: 100%;"> <tr> <td>Washington</td> <td style="text-align: right;">May 7th, 2049</td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 500%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>Pittsburgh in the dark</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/vnp-111">The Washington Viron has infected the beavers powering much of Michigan, collapsing the local power grid.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="nano box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Small</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Project approved</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Alright, so project Nevinyrral has been tentatively approved as a potential route to a cure. Now how do we do this?</p> <ul> <li>How do we make a form of nanobot that can target and kill the virus?</li> <li>How do we manufacture the number of nanobots we need?</li> <li>How do we make these things small enough?</li> <li>How do we make sure that the immune system doesn't murder these things with extreme prejudice?</li> <li>What energy source can these things use?</li> <li>How do we manufacture the number of nanobots we need?!</li> </ul> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein<br/> <em>Big things are made of many small things</em></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="box" style="--br: #e27109;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Kumar</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Detection</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>We have antibodies we can attach to the nanobots, that should work fine for detection, we can hook that into some fairly simple molecular motors and a peroxide injector to engulf the virus and kill it with hydrogen peroxide. This can be done fairly similarly with any kind of energy source and access to oxygen, fairly easy for the bloodstream and external usage.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Rahul Kumar: NexGen Biosciences, India</p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="biomech box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Visethreach</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Power Generation?</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Now how do we even begin to power this thing?<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Visethreach: Biomechanics Devi-Agri</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="box" style="--br: #8050ba;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Werh</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:Power Generation?</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Inside the body we can use a glucose engine as the powerhouse, however in the larger environment we will need some kind of external power source. Sadly there isn't a huge amount of available free energy in the larger environment.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Werh. Thermobiochemist, Tswarm Inc</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="box" style="--br: #5f1a2b;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Liu</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:Power Generation?</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>The biochem people are working on a deuterium fusion pulse enzymatic motor which might work here, based on the old <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/procurement-orders-hells-heart">HELL's HEART</a> work.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Liu: Huo Hua Inc</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="box" style="--br: #009150;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Fleischmann</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>We can't do magic here</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Hey "biochem people" here, the fusion pulse enzyme is currently in an extreme prototype stage, and it currently only produces electrical energy, not the chemical energy that this system will need.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Fleischmann, Biofuse.</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="nano box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Small</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Well time to pull a rabbit out of a hat</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Looks like you have a new project then.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein<br/> <em>Big things are made of many small things</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="box" style="--br: #FFD300;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Subramaniam</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Shielding the nanobot</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Alright, how do we stop this thing from getting murdered by the immune system?<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Subramaniam, YHIgen</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="biomech box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Visethreach</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:Shielding the nanobot</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>A coating of calcium fluorapatite should work to stop the immune system from targeting the nanobot, this will also act as a fairly effective shell around the nanobot.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Visethreach: Biomechanics Devi-Agri</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="wagner box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Wagner</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:Shielding the nanobot</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>There are some other advantages here as well, fluoridated bone is a highly magically conductive material. There is a reason that tea (which accumulates fluorine) was so prevalent amongst mystics of all types.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Wagner: Esoteric Materials, Berlin<br/> <em>It would be a scientifically interesting way to die screaming.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="peking box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Wong</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Scale concerns</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Not to hurt everyone's feelings, but if we want to fit in all of the features that this project will need, we end up with a superstructure that is far too large to be acceptable. It is a hard requirement that this nanobot can fit into the smallest blood vessels, which usually require red blood cells to line up one at a time. Unless we can fix this, we will need to significantly scale back the effectiveness of Nevinyrral.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Wong, nanomechanics, Peking University</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="box" style="--br: #71c7d6;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Liu</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:Scale concerns</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Could we potentially use tiny atoms, see the attached paper. That would allow us to miniaturize the entire system with no loss of functionality.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Liu: Huo Hua Inc</p> </div> <hr/> <p>1 Attachment:</p> <ul> <li><a href="javascript:;">Scihub_Creation_of_Atoms_with_Much_Smaller_Atomic_Radii.pdf</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="peking box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Wong</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:Scale concerns</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>I am going to ignore the filename there.</p> <p>In any case, that paper was not replicable sadly.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Wong, nanomechanics, Peking University</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="van box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Liu</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:re:Scale concerns</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Hrrm, how about using traditional shrinking technologies, derivatives of VNP-786 should work here. We will need to rework the binding system to attach to a relatively larger virus, however.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Liu: Vanguard Nanotech division, Lighthouse-52</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="nano box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Small</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Congratulations everyone!</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>We have a prototype for how to make a nanobot that can fight this virus. Now how do we manufacture it in large enough quantities to be useful? The people at the top banned us from making it self-replicating as they don't want what happened to Ceres to happen to Earth.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein<br/> <em>Big things are made of many small things</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="peking box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Wong</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:Congratulations everyone!</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td>Dr. Small</td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>We are never going to live that down are we?<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Wong, nanomechanics, Peking University</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="feng box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Li</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Bacterial assembly</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>How about assembling the system inside of a bacterial colony? These things are too large to assemble inside of bacteria unlike some of our older nanobots. So perhaps some kind of extracellular assembly system could work. I spun up EnzymeGPT and I do have a set of plasmids that can assemble all of the components, see attached for the proposed reaction pathways.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Li: Feng Huo technology</p> </div> <hr/> <p>2 Attachments:</p> <ul> <li><a href="javascript:;">Nevinyrral_Pathways.pdf</a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;">Nerivianal_components_Plasmid.fasta</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="shen box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Qin</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:Bacterial assembly</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Problem, we will need to have all of these bacteria communicate as effectively as a superorganism. We could use a biofilm structure as a base. The system will need to start with a small number of bacteria arranged in a small group that slowly expands as the system gets bigger, as the final product before shrinking will be much larger than the bacteria on their own.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Qin: Shenzhen precise biology</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="feng box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Li</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:Bacterial assembly</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>It turns out that this is very doable, I found a paper on the synthesis of diamonds that uses this method. Now our nanomachine is a lot more complicated, however, the hard work has already been done. Simple molecular clocks and elementary communication should allow us to start to manufacture this.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Li: Feng Huo technology</p> </div> <hr/> <p>2 Attachments:</p> <ul> <li><a href="javascript:;">Total_Biological_Synthesis_of_Macro_Scale_Diamonds.pdf</a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;">Proposed_Comunication_Pathways.pdf</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="nano box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Small</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Synthesis issues</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Alright, so we have inducted each of the component pathways into the bacteria. The following pathways have not produced usable outputs.</p> <ul> <li>Synthesis of the macroantibodies</li> <li>Synthesis of the peroxide generators</li> </ul> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein<br/> <em>Big things are made of many small things</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="shen box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Qin</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:Synthesis issues</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN#ics.suipelcsA\|LARRYNIVEN</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>This looks to be a folding problem. Regenerating the relevant enzyme sequence at a higher noise level should work there.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Qin: Shenzhen precise biology</p> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="nano box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Small</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Total success!</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>We have done it, we have constructed a nanobot that can counteract the virus. See the attached files.</p> <p>The nanobots have been successful at stopping infection of class 3 thaumaturgically active mice! We have also not seen any significant negative side effects of this process, even with significant overdoses.</p> <p>Some issues still need to be ironed out, but we are ready to go into large-scale testing and production now.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein<br/> <em>Big things are made of many small things</em></p> </div> <hr/> <p>2 Attachments:</p> <ul> <li><a href="javascript:;">Project_Nevinyrral.ppt</a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;">Creation_of_an_Antiviral_Nanobot.pdf</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="phoenix box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Simon Torres</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:Total success!</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC#ics.suipelcsA\|ERUC</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Excellent. The Global Occult Coalition will be informed ASAP.<br/> We may have just saved humanity.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Simon Torres, CEO of Phoenix Technologies<br/> <em>Icarus is not a story about the limitations of humanity<br/> It is a story about the limitations of wax.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="float: center; border: solid 3px #444444; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"> <div style="text-align: center"> <div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p><em>The New York Times.</em></p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"> <p><em>All the news that's fit to print</em></p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/price-of-forty-days">Global economic collapse continues due to the pressures of the quarantine</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="nano box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Small</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Let's cure this thing!</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM#ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Here are the plans and information on how to manufacture the Nevinyrral nanobot. It is now up to you people to mass manufacture this nanobot and distribute it.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein<br/> <em>Big things are made of many small things</em></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="biochem box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Kirsty</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>The problems of scientific scaling</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM#ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>What were the people who developed this procedure thinking?! Their method requires a decent-sized fermentation vat to produce singular doses of the nanobot, we need to figure out how to increase total production by two orders of magnitude before we have something that can be deployed on any sort of scale.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Kirsty: Synthitase biochemistry<br/> <em>Replicating a better world</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="biochem box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Jeff Davis</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:The problems of scientific scaling</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM#ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Time to deploy the tiny bacterial whips I have been working on?<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Jeff Davis: Synthitase biochemistry</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="biochem box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Kirsty</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:The problems of scientific scaling</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM#ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>This is no time to joke around.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Kirsty: Synthitase biochemistry<br/> <em>Replicating a better world</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="box" style="--br: #6da9d2;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Mohutsiwa</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Optimization of assembly</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM#ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>By modification of the cluster's structure, internal communication, and some more specialization of labor we think we could get an order of magnitude faster than what we have been handed. What other options do we have here?<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Mohutsiwa. Botswana Biochemistry</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="biochem box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Kirsty</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:Optimization of assembly</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM#ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>Could we try speeding up time inside of the vats? Additionally making the vats bigger on the inside.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Kirsty: Synthitase biochemistry<br/> <em>Replicating a better world</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="box" style="--br: #97b8cf; --bg: #fafbfd;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Dr. Pule</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:re:Optimization of assembly</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM#ics.suipelcsA\|GNIRUTCAFUNAM</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>I had a chat with temporal mechanics and they say that is doable, though we will need to significantly redesign our vats to deal with the increase in waste heat as well as increased mass. I have put in an order with manufacturing.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Dr. Pule: <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/yuanji-hub">YuanJi Incorporated</a>.</p> </div> <hr/> <p>1 Attachment:</p> <ul> <li><a href="javascript:;">Fermentation_Vat.cad</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="box" style="--br: #51694c;"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Zhang</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Major order of new Fermentation vats</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">moc.ygoloiBoooS\|LLA#moc.ygoloiBoooS\|LLA</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>听好了伙计们，我们收到了新款纳米发酵缸的订单。生产流水线要007排班生产，我们所有人得尽快训练好发酵缸的新操作人员。不是每一天你会听到世界的命运依赖着我们，但今天这句话我是必须说的。我们人类需要这项发酵缸来阻止华盛顿纳米病毒。</p> <hr/> <p><span style="font-size:50%;"><span style="color: grey">Automatic Translation generated by LLaMa-7.1-400B</span></span></p> <p>Alright, folks, we have a massive scale order of a new kind of fermentation vat. The assembly lines will be running 24/7 now, it will be everyone's job to train new workers on how to make these things as quickly as possible. It's not often we can say the fate of the world depends on our work, but currently, it does.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Zhang: Sooo Biological Manufacturing.</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="float: center; width: 95%; padding: 10px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"> <div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px; text-align: left;"> <p><span style="color: red">N</span>P<span style="color: blue">R</span></p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"> <table style="border: none; width: 100%;"> <tr> <td style="text-align: left; style= "font-family: 'Lobster'"><em>World News</em></td> <td><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>Proposed impeachment of President Crenshaw fails 224-223</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 100%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>The impeachment failed by the slimmest of votes due to Megan McCain falling ill to the Washington Virion.</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="goc box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Jeremy Johnston</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Distribution of the vaccine</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">gro.nu.ophw\|NORIV-NOTGNIHSAW#gro.nu.ophw\|NORIV-NOTGNIHSAW</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>We have identified ideal locations for the manufacturing of this nanobot, namely easy logistical access and high local population densities, especially of anomalous beings. We have drafted up plans on how we can get this vaccine to the 11 billion people who need it.</p> <p>PEPFAR and Operation Warp Speed provided a very useful set of guidelines here.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Jeremy Johnston. World Parahelth Organization</p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="goc box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Olivia Brown</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>Scaling of the preventive system</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">gro.nu.ophw\|NORIV-NOTGNIHSAW#gro.nu.ophw\|NORIV-NOTGNIHSAW</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>What exactly is the plan for spreading the externally applied nanobot? While we can inject people and captive anomalous entities with the nanomachines, we can't exactly do that with creatures in the wild.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Olivia Brown. World Parahelth Organization</p> </div> </div> <div class="reply-thread"> <div class="goc box"> <table style="align:left"> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">From</th> <td>Jeremy Johnston</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">Subject</th> <td>re:Scaling of the preventative system</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="text-align:right">To</th> <td><span class="wiki-email">gro.nu.ophw\|NORIV-NOTGNIHSAW#gro.nu.ophw\|NORIV-NOTGNIHSAW</span></td> </tr> </table> <hr/> <p>The current plan is what New Zealand did to fight possums in the country before it sunk below the waves. Mass aerial spraying via helicopters and planes.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Jeremy Johnston. World Parahelth Organization</p> </div> <hr/> <p>1 Attachment:</p> <ul> <li><a href="javascript:;">Distribution.png</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="float: center; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"> <div style="text-align: center"> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 5px;"> <p>Washington Post</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 250%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>Democracy Dies in Darkness</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"> <table style="border: none; width: 100%;"> <tr> <td> <p>Washington</p> </td> <td style="text-align: right;"> <p>Oct 17rd, 2049</p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 400%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>The nightmare is over!</p> </div> <div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"> <p>Distribution of the Asclepius vaccine is in full swing</p> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="asterisk.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/arco/asterisk.png"/> <p><strong>2056: Stockholm, Sweden. 6 years after the crisis</strong></p> </div> <p>Dr. Small walked onto the stage and shook hands with the Queen of Sweden. A prize named after a merchant of death was bestowed upon him for his work curing the greatest threat to the world as we know it since the Impasse.</p> <p>"I would like to thank the Nobel Prize committee for this great honor. Of course, I cannot say that I was solely responsible for this great work. The Asclepius nanomachine and its many derivatives that have made life so much better for everyone was a massive collaboration between thousands of scientists. Every grand advance is built from many small ideas and minor innovations."</p> <p>Dr. Small waved to the audience of scientists.</p> <p>"The Asclepius nanomachine is quite frankly a scientific miracle. The Washington Viron was the result of decades of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/project-scarlet-dawn">advances in biological warfare</a> to create the most incurable epidemic possible. However, with the massive mobilization of the global scientific community spearheaded by Dr. Torres, we managed to create the miracle for ourselves. We reached for the heavens and grabbed what we could, pushing past the limits of what we thought to be possible."</p> <p>He looked down at his carefully prepared speech, a lovely bit of PR by Nanoforge and Phoenix.</p> <p>He decided to ignore it.</p> <p>"However there is one major failure. While the scientific community created miracle after miracle fighting this virus, the rest of the world failed at it. Starting of course with Crenshaw creating this abominable virus to begin with. Though the man was very clear he was going to do something like this in the build-up to his election, we cannot lay the blame on one man's evil, but we need to <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/how-did-we-get-here">look at the country itself</a>. A nation so wrapped up in a fear of the other, that they are willing to elect anyone who claims they have a solution, no matter how evil or how unlikely it is to work.</p> <p>"On the other hand, we have the UNGOC, whose response to this crisis, ended up causing yet more problems. The starting attempts to seal off the United States and various cities likely saved the world from a much worse fate. However, their actions afterward seemed to imply an organization more focused on its <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/vnp-8002">own power than on actually stopping the virus</a>. Its heavy-handed actions inspired more <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/under-pressure">resistance to the isolation needed to keep the virus contained</a>, which ultimately led to the virus spreading more than it would have otherwise. The GOC treated this crisis as an opportunity to cover up their crimes in Silesia with good PR.</p> <p>"Science saved us from this calamity, but it was a failure in the humanities that got us into this mess. We have a general public who is okay with othering a massive section of the population and a leadership that is more obsessed with power and revenge than any kind of ethics.</p> <p>"Science bailed us out this time, but it may not in the future. The only way we can do that is by knowing each other better.</p> <p>"Knowledge is power, but it is up to us to figure out how we use it."</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="One More Tomorrow"> <p><a href="/one-more-tomorrow">One More Tomorrow</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="8,000 Dead Rats"> <p><a href="/8000-dead-rats-hub">8,000 Dead Rats</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Wayward, Forlorn Kin"> <p><a href="/wayward-forlorn-kin">Wayward, Forlorn Kin</a></p> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:preview">:scp-wiki:component:preview</a> text= Icarus is not a story about the limitations of humanity. It is a story about the limitations of wax.]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:foxtrot">:scp-wiki:theme:foxtrot</a> goc=a]] [[module css]] :root { --header-title: "WPhO"; --header-subtitle: "Mens sancta in corpore sancto"; --link-txt-color: rgb(var(--accent)); --logo-img: url("https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/kte-9817-bluebuster-mendel-shelley-renegade-armbrusteri/wpho.png"); } #header h2::before { text-transform: capitalize; font-style: italic; } #page-content tr td, #page-content tr th { padding: 0px; border: 0px; } .box { border: outset 5px var(--br); background: var(--bg); padding: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; } .box hr { margin: 1em; height: 2px; background-color: var(--br); } .box a { color: var(--br); } .box a:hover, .box a.newpage:hover, .box a:visited:hover { color: var(--br); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 40%; background-color: transparent; } .phoenix { --br: #d68300; --bg: #fff9f0; } .i-support-gaddafis-proposal-to-partition-switzerland { --br: #222; } .i-support-gaddafis-proposal-to-partition-switzerland a, .nano a { text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 40%; } .van { --br: #55cc33; --bg: #21252E; color: #EDEDED; } .van h2 { color: #EDEDED; } .goc { --br: #275495; --bg: #f5f9fc; } .caltech { --br: #D14900; } .copenhagen { --br: #901A1E; } .shen { --br: #c13e00; --bg: #ffe9df; } .nano { --br: #5a5b5c; --bg: #e4e5e6; } .wagner { --br: #7d83ad; } .biomech { --br: #39a31d; } .biochem { --br: #559f3d; --bg: #edf7ea; } .peking { --br: #94070a; --bg: #f8f6f5; } .feng { --br: #269e88; } .reply-thread { border-left: solid 1px #444; padding-left: 0.75em; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="phoenix box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Simon Torres [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Project Asclepius [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ All right, everyone, this is a global push. If anyone here has been living inside VNP-3001 for the last few months, the PENTAGRAM made a [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/kte-9817-bluebuster-mendel-shelley-renegade-armbrusteri highly communicable virus] that permanently seals all magical potential of almost all living creatures. mRNA and other dynamic vaccines seem ineffective here, so don't expect this to be as easy as curing malaria or HIV. This is our top priority; if your project has anything to do with thaumaturgy or biochemistry, your project is being suspended to work on this effective immediately. Everyone else, your access to priority resources has been deprioritized. [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/arco We have a year to fix this mess that the US government caused]. Let's show the world what the global scientific community can do. We will not go back to dying in the dark. [[>]] Simon Torres, CEO of Phoenix Technologies //Icarus is not a story about the limitations of humanity It is a story about the limitations of wax.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="phoenix box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Laurent [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re:Project Asclepius [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Simon Torres [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ What is the budget for this? [[>]] Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry //Where humanity failed, science must succeed// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="phoenix box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Simon Torres [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re:RE:Project Asclepius [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Laurent [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ---- Whatever is needed. [[>]] Simon Torres, CEO of Phoenix Technologies //Icarus is not a story about the limitations of humanity It is a story about the limitations of wax.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div style="float: center; border: solid 3px #003366; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"]] [[div style="text-align: center"]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px; text-align: left;"]] ###c20017\|Fox News## [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"]] [[table style="border: none; width: 100%;"]] [[row]] [[cell style="text-align: left; style= "font-family: 'Lobster'"]] ###003366\|foxnews.com## [[/cell]] [[cell]] @@ @@ [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: center;"]] @@ @@ [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] Breaking: One Nation Under Quarantine. [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 100%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] "Total violation of American sovereignty" according to President Crenshaw. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div class="phoenix box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Analysis of the virus [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ The PENTAGRAM and JOICL are not cooperating at all in how they made this thing, so it looks like we need to reverse-engineer it. Attached is the genetic sequence of the virus's RNA and the predicted proteome, complete with structures. The fact that this thing can infect so many different organisms is at least an advantage, as there are almost certainly no post-transcriptional modifications that are not encoded into the virus. Normal viruses tend to only target one species, which allows them to modify enzymes using processes built into the host cell. The problem is that this is the largest human virus I have ever seen at 300 thousand base pairs and there is significant usage on nontranslational and possibly anomalous base pairs as well. [[>]] Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry //Where humanity failed, science must succeed// [[/>]] ------ 3 Attachments: * [# Washington.fasta] * [# Washington_annotated.fasta] * [# Washington_PDB.zip] [[/div]] [[div class="i-support-gaddafis-proposal-to-partition-switzerland box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Eisenberg [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Mechanism of thaumic action [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ From a thaumic perspective, this looks to be ingenious, the virus seems to have figured out how to synthesize scrantonite-353. For people who do not work in thaumic engineering, scrantonite is very effective at shutting down local magic due to the relativistic motion of quarks inside the Nuclei. See //Scrantonite Symmetrization of the Mill Field, Dr. Cyprog, 1989 Prometheus Publishing//. The one good decision these guys made was using scrantonite-353 as opposed to the much more stable scrantonite-354 used in SRAs and advanced thaumic shielding. So at least the antimagic effect will be constrained in the person affected. However, this also means slow radiation poisoning and some good old-fashioned heavy metal poisoning in the long run. [[>]] Dr. Eisenberg Professor of Ontological Studies, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology //Applied linear algebra isn't magic. Magic is applied linear algebra.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div style="--br: #c0282b;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Hansen [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Basic analysis [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ This virus has a very odd structure. It is a negative-strand RNA virus that acts as both a traditional virus and as a retrovirus. I am unsure how this virus creates scrantonite other than that it requires significant amounts of local EVE, however, the DNA reverse transcriptases are scrantonite-activated while the RNA polymerases are scrantonite-inactivated. Effectively the Virus replicates rapidly like the flu in the early stages and tries to produce scrantonite, if it can produce scrantonite with local EVE quantities, then it integrates into the DNA of cells to continue to produce scrantonite. [[>]] Dr. Hansen: Doctor of virology, Cambridge University [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="caltech box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Tinad [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] The perfect anti-vaccine measure [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Bingo! We figured out why we cannot use regular vaccinations against this virus. Normal vaccinations work by providing examples of spike proteins to the body. The immune system then makes antibodies against said spike proteins and remembers how to make them. The thing is that something about this virus's coating is antimemetic on a cellular level and the immune system cannot 'remember' how to fight it. The folks in medical are currently trying large numbers of recombinant sequences for mRNA vaccines, but we are uncertain that would work. [[>]] Dr. Tinad: Caltech Department of Antimemetics [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="copenhagen box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Aquevist [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Novel Scrantonite Synthesis pathway [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Enzyme 27 has been fully identified and we think we found how this thing is making scrantonite. It is alchemically transmuting a mixture of nitrogen, iron, and cobalt into scrantonite. Now this normally requires a full-on transmutation circle. We have designated it as Mal-EVE. Based on our simulations, the people making this did a fantastic job. They figured out how to use the natural vibrations for the enzyme to act as a form of somatic component for the ritual to create the scrantonite. I have attached a video with the "atomic hands" highlighted. [[>]] Dr. Aquevist, University of Copenhagen [[/>]] ------ 1 Attachment: * [# Test_Video.mp4] [[=]] [[html]] <video width="500" height="500" controls loop> <source src="http://scpdsandbox.wdfiles.com/local--files/psi-the-cure-is-most-effective/test.mp4" type="video/mp4"> </video> [[/html]] [[/=]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div style="border: solid 5px #0D7680; background:#F2DFCE;float: center; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"]] [[div style="text-align: center"]] [[div class="unmargined" style=" font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-bottom-style: solid;"]] [[table style="border: none; width: 100%;font-size: 200%; "]] [[row]] [[cell style="text-align: left; style= "font-family: 'Lobster'"]] Financial Times [[/cell]] [[cell]] @@ @@ [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: center;"]] @@ @@ [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/carter-courier-channel Carter Courier Channel] now operational, restarting the flow of essential goods [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div class="phoenix box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Laurent [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Mechanisms of the Virus. [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Now, as per the attached paper, we can safely say that we have a good grasp of the virus and how it works. Now let's see ideas here on how we can stop this virus. I want to hear as many ideas about this as we can. Traditional methods have failed, so let's see what the brain trust can think of. [[>]] Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry //Where humanity failed, science must succeed// [[/>]] ------ 1 Attachment: * [# Mechanisms_of_the_washington_viron.pdf] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="van box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Andrews [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:Mechanisms of the Virus [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Laurent [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Well, we know that traditional mRNA vaccines don't work because of the antimemetic structure of its spike proteins. High throughput mutational analysis has not found a related structure without this property, so most of the traditional methods will not work here. mRNA, weakened virus, viral fragment, and Mnemosyne Fluid injections are all out the window here. [[>]] Sherry Andrews PhD, Director Office of Immunological Anomalies and Research Vanguard, Lighthouse-234. //Punching pathogens in the face since gods knows when.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="phoenix box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Laurent [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:Mechanisms of the Virus [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Could we develop a form of mnestics that could counteract that? [[>]] Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry //Where humanity failed, science must succeed// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="caltech box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Tinad [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:re:Mechanisms of the Virus [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ We are working on it. [[>]] Dr. Tinad: Caltech Department of Antimemetics [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[div class="van box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Leep Andrews [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Project Warlock's Wheel [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Something we have seen is people in high Hume environments, like the Rocky Mountains, seem to have a slightly lower rate of uptake of this virus. As we know the virus's retrovirus phase is activated by scrantonite which in turn requires available EVE. In areas where EVE is naturally suppressed, like high hume areas, we see that the scrantonite doesn't build up to a high enough level to trigger the retroviral components. We think that a powerful anti-magical field can act as a cure if performed before sufficient scrantonite build-up. We are currently conducting animal trials. [[>]] Leep Andrews PhD, Director Office of Virological Anomalies and Research Vanguard, Lighthouse-234. //Viral packing of information into a narrow genome is the peak of efficiency we should all aim for// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="van box"]] [[=]] ++ Vanguard ROMP channel: Lighthouse-234 [[/=]] ##red\|Sherry##: What kind of differences are we looking at here? ##green\|Leep##: by our numbers its going from 99.9% effective to 99% ##red\|Sherry##: Wait, is that even statistically significant? ##green\|Leep##: yep, N = 10,000 in high hume areas alone. millions everywhere else. MOE of 0.2%. ##red\|Sherry##: Jesus. I need a stiff drink. ##green\|Leep##: agreed let's put that budget hike to good use [[/div]] [[div class="i-support-gaddafis-proposal-to-partition-switzerland box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Eisenberg [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:Project Warlock's Wheel [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Sherry Andrews [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ There are only a handful of American facilities that can support this treatment program, and that includes [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/paramax Paramax]. The cost of doing this would be insane on a per-treatment basis. [[>]] Dr. Eisenberg Professor of Ontological Studies, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology //Applied linear algebra isn't magic. Magic is applied linear algebra.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="van box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Leep Andrews [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:Project Warlock's Wheel [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ It's a useful stopgap measure, hopefully, we can make it work for some people. [[>]] Leep Andrews PhD, Director Office of Virological Anomalies and Research Vanguard, Lighthouse-234. //Viral packing of information into a narrow genome is the peak of efficiency we should all aim for// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div style="--br: #a51c30;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Summers [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:Project Warlock's Wheel [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Leep Andrews [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ I am concerned about who can use it, the costs here are massively higher than what Medicaid and the US public option are willing to pay for. This cure can only really work for the 1%. [[>]] Dr. Summers, Department of Healthcare Economics, Harvard University //What is the value of a human life?// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[div class="nano box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Small [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Project Nevinyrral [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ The antimemetic shielding that this virus has seems to be fairly specific. I think that we can create some form of nanobot that can counteract the virus early in its life cycle. We will want to make sure said nanobot is not self-replicating to avoid what happened with Ceres, but such a system can be both deployed via injection and also deployed at a very widespread level. [[>]] Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein //Big things are made of many small things// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="phoenix box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Laurent [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re:Nevinyrral [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Small [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] The idea is to create a synthetic immune system? This is one of the more likely proposals to work so far. [[>]] Dr. Laurent: Director of Phoenix Thaumic Biochemistry //Where humanity failed, science must succeed// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[div class="van box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Yossarian Leiner [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Project Roze-Kattee [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ On my annual Pratchett reread an idea struck me. Could we create a god of plague and medicine that would be able to fix this issue? We would need to modify the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3457 Rite of Solomon] to create a different form of Demiurge and theoretically, such a god could be created, and be able to cure such an illness. There are a couple of major issues with this, firstly we will need permission from Vanguard and the GOC to know about the details of the Rite of Solomon. In addition, we have zero idea how to control a god. We presume that we can reverse engineer the Rite to figure this out, but it will require serious experimentation. The final issue is getting people to believe in said god, the faith must be sincere to work, and generating a new religion is not exactly something we can do ethically. Though looking over some old foundation records, we could do it using widespread memetics. This could potentially be considered a crime against humanity, but it might be what is needed. We will be looking into alternatives there that are more ethical. In a fit of irony it looks like the old Foundation figured out how to do what the PENTAGRAM was hoping for back in the 2010s using said memetics. [[>]] Dr. Yossarian Leiner: Tactical Theology, Vanguard, Lighthouse-27 //Baruch Shem Kavod Malchuto L'Olam Va'ed// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div style="--bg: #eaf2ea; --br: #2d462d;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Medea [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re:Project Roze-Kattee [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Yossarian Leiner [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ----- .... Are you sure you're not still working for the Foundation? [[>]] ~Medea of Colchis, Vanguard Department of Mythology and Folklore, Lighthouse-212. //'Betrayal is best met with the poisoned cup, the burning flesh, and your agonized screams.'// [[size 50%]]##grey\|this signature is currently under review by the Vanguard HR department## [[/size]] [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[div class="wagner box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Wagner [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Project Project Piranther [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ The issue here is the production of scrantonite. So let's double down on this, frequent injections of some kind of magic-enhancing material could counteract the scrantonite in the bloodstream. Colloidal silver is mostly nontoxic (apart from turning you into a Homestuck troll) and has magical enhancing properties. [[>]] Dr. Wagner: Esoteric Materials, Berlin //It would be a scientifically interesting way to die screaming.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="phoenix box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Smith [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re: Project Project Piranther [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Looking over this proposal, silver will not generate the thaumic enhancement we need. The only materials that I can see working here are Beryllium Bronze and Irrlylite. Irrylite is far too expensive here (back-of-the-envelope calculations say that only Ms Darke could afford it), while Beryllium is very toxic and will kill you in a week. [[>]] Dr. Smith: Thaumaturgic metallurgy, Pittsburgh [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="wagner box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Wagner [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:Project Project Piranther [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Sigh, well back to the eternal loop of Esoteric Material Engineering. Making new materials with very useful and interesting properties. Then figuring out how to make materials with the same performance without the use of lead or beryllium. Has biochemical engineering figured out how to make people immune to lead yet? [[>]] Dr. Wagner: Esoteric Materials, Berlin //It would be a scientifically interesting way to die screaming.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div style="float: center; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"]] [[div style="text-align: center"]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 5px;"]] Washington Post [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 250%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] Democracy Dies in Darkness [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"]] [[table style="border: none; width: 100%;"]] [[row]] [[cell]] Washington [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: right;"]] July 3rd, 2049 [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 300%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] Para-Pandemic [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 150%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] 30% of all thaumically active Americans have been infected by the Washington Viron. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div class="van box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Yossarian Leiner [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Project Roze-Kattee is a bust [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ While Vanguard seems interested in project Roze-Kattee the GOC has said that they will not let the Rite of Solomon out into the wild, saying that it is far too dangerous to use. Citing that it could very much be used to also cause the death of all magic, or worse restrict magic into only being used by a select group. While I would say that is better than the death of all magic that we are staring down, it is also understandable. [[>]] Dr. Yossarian Leiner: Tactical Theology, Vanguard, Lighthouse-27 //Baruch Shem Kavod Malchuto L'Olam Va'ed// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div style="--bg: #eaf2ea; --br: #2d462d;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Midnight [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Re:Project Roze-Kattee is a bust [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Yossarian Leiner [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ This is most likely for the best. Messing with divinity tends to backfire on those who try. [[>]] Midnight. //Curiosity stopped keeping track.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[div class="caltech box"]] [[=]] ++ Caltech Teams server chatlog: [[/=]] ------ ##purple\|Tinad##: Well good news and bad news on the mnestic project. ##purple\|Tinad##: Good news is that we have something that works. Bad news is that the only formulation that works is the old 2010 version. ##orange\|Ebbs##: It's what I am thinking of, no? ##purple\|Tinad##: Yep, the one that causes pancreatic cancer and hallucinations of a five tentacled monster, killed basically the entirety of the foundation antimemetics division. ##purple\|Tinad##: To make things worse, you need constant doses of the stuff otherwise it's a new shot for you! ##orange\|Ebbs##: Can we fix it? ##purple\|Tinad##: Probably, the issue is that we seem to have lost all data about mnestic development, and literally no one I know can remember anything about it. ##orange\|Ebbs##: Again? [[/div]] ----- [[div class="wagner box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Wagner [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Unacceptable levels of beryllium leeching in Project Piranther[[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ With all nanoscopic coatings on the Beryllium Bronze nanoparticles, all have either produced unacceptable levels of beryllium leeching or are highly carcinogenic in some other way. While a coating of 6-thiohexanoic acid does stop all copper leeching into the bloodstream, beryllium ions are small enough to slip out between the surfactant tails. The layered fullerene approach does stop beryllium leeching, however, the number of layers required and the interface layers between the Beryllium Bronze nanoparticle, the fullerene, and the environment make the nanoparticle far too large to be useful. [[>]] Dr. Wagner: Esoteric Materials, Berlin //It would be a scientifically interesting way to die screaming.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="wagner box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Wagner [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Unacceptable levels of beryllium leeching in Project Piranther[[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ And where was that cure for lead I was promised? [[>]] Dr. Wagner: Esoteric Materials, Berlin //It would be a scientifically interesting way to die screaming.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div style="float: center; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"]] [[div style="text-align: center"]] @@ @@ [[div style="text-align: center"]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 5px;"]] Washington Post [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 250%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] Democracy Dies in Darkness [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"]] [[table style="border: none; width: 100%;"]] [[row]] [[cell]] Washington [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: right;"]] May 7th, 2049 [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 500%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] Pittsburgh in the dark [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/vnp-111 The Washington Viron has infected the beavers powering much of Michigan, collapsing the local power grid.] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div class="nano box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Small [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Project approved [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Alright, so project Nevinyrral has been tentatively approved as a potential route to a cure. Now how do we do this? * How do we make a form of nanobot that can target and kill the virus? * How do we manufacture the number of nanobots we need? * How do we make these things small enough? * How do we make sure that the immune system doesn't murder these things with extreme prejudice? * What energy source can these things use? * How do we manufacture the number of nanobots we need?! [[>]] Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein //Big things are made of many small things// [[/>]] [[/div]] ---- [[div style="--br: #e27109;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Kumar [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Detection[[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ We have antibodies we can attach to the nanobots, that should work fine for detection, we can hook that into some fairly simple molecular motors and a peroxide injector to engulf the virus and kill it with hydrogen peroxide. This can be done fairly similarly with any kind of energy source and access to oxygen, fairly easy for the bloodstream and external usage. [[>]] Dr. Rahul Kumar: NexGen Biosciences, India [[/>]] [[/div]] ---- [[div class="biomech box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Visethreach [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Power Generation? [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Now how do we even begin to power this thing? [[>]] Dr. Visethreach: Biomechanics Devi-Agri [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div style="--br: #8050ba;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Werh [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:Power Generation? [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Inside the body we can use a glucose engine as the powerhouse, however in the larger environment we will need some kind of external power source. Sadly there isn't a huge amount of available free energy in the larger environment. [[>]] Dr. Werh. Thermobiochemist, Tswarm Inc [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div style="--br: #5f1a2b;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Liu [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:Power Generation? [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ The biochem people are working on a deuterium fusion pulse enzymatic motor which might work here, based on the old [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/procurement-orders-hells-heart HELL's HEART] work. [[>]] Dr. Liu: Huo Hua Inc [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div style="--br: #009150;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Fleischmann [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] We can't do magic here [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Hey "biochem people" here, the fusion pulse enzyme is currently in an extreme prototype stage, and it currently only produces electrical energy, not the chemical energy that this system will need. [[>]] Dr. Fleischmann, Biofuse. [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="nano box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Small [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Well time to pull a rabbit out of a hat [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Looks like you have a new project then. [[>]] Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein //Big things are made of many small things// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[div style="--br: #FFD300;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Subramaniam [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Shielding the nanobot [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Alright, how do we stop this thing from getting murdered by the immune system? [[>]] Dr. Subramaniam, YHIgen [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="biomech box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Visethreach [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:Shielding the nanobot [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ A coating of calcium fluorapatite should work to stop the immune system from targeting the nanobot, this will also act as a fairly effective shell around the nanobot. [[>]] Dr. Visethreach: Biomechanics Devi-Agri [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="wagner box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Wagner [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:Shielding the nanobot [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ There are some other advantages here as well, fluoridated bone is a highly magically conductive material. There is a reason that tea (which accumulates fluorine) was so prevalent amongst mystics of all types. [[>]] Dr. Wagner: Esoteric Materials, Berlin //It would be a scientifically interesting way to die screaming.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[div class="peking box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Wong [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Scale concerns [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Not to hurt everyone's feelings, but if we want to fit in all of the features that this project will need, we end up with a superstructure that is far too large to be acceptable. It is a hard requirement that this nanobot can fit into the smallest blood vessels, which usually require red blood cells to line up one at a time. Unless we can fix this, we will need to significantly scale back the effectiveness of Nevinyrral. [[>]] Dr. Wong, nanomechanics, Peking University [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div style="--br: #71c7d6;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Liu [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:Scale concerns [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Could we potentially use tiny atoms, see the attached paper. That would allow us to miniaturize the entire system with no loss of functionality. [[>]] Dr. Liu: Huo Hua Inc [[/>]] ------ 1 Attachment: * [# Scihub_Creation_of_Atoms_with_Much_Smaller_Atomic_Radii.pdf] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="peking box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Wong [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:Scale concerns [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ I am going to ignore the filename there. In any case, that paper was not replicable sadly. [[>]] Dr. Wong, nanomechanics, Peking University [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="van box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Liu [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:re:Scale concerns [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Hrrm, how about using traditional shrinking technologies, derivatives of VNP-786 should work here. We will need to rework the binding system to attach to a relatively larger virus, however. [[>]] Dr. Liu: Vanguard Nanotech division, Lighthouse-52 [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[div class="nano box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Small [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Congratulations everyone! [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ We have a prototype for how to make a nanobot that can fight this virus. Now how do we manufacture it in large enough quantities to be useful? The people at the top banned us from making it self-replicating as they don't want what happened to Ceres to happen to Earth. [[>]] Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein //Big things are made of many small things// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="peking box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Wong [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:Congratulations everyone! [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Small [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ We are never going to live that down are we? [[>]] Dr. Wong, nanomechanics, Peking University [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="feng box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Li [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Bacterial assembly [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ How about assembling the system inside of a bacterial colony? These things are too large to assemble inside of bacteria unlike some of our older nanobots. So perhaps some kind of extracellular assembly system could work. I spun up EnzymeGPT and I do have a set of plasmids that can assemble all of the components, see attached for the proposed reaction pathways. [[>]] Dr. Li: Feng Huo technology [[/>]] ------ 2 Attachments: * [# Nevinyrral_Pathways.pdf] * [# Nerivianal_components_Plasmid.fasta] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="shen box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Qin [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:Bacterial assembly [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Problem, we will need to have all of these bacteria communicate as effectively as a superorganism. We could use a biofilm structure as a base. The system will need to start with a small number of bacteria arranged in a small group that slowly expands as the system gets bigger, as the final product before shrinking will be much larger than the bacteria on their own. [[>]] Dr. Qin: Shenzhen precise biology [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="feng box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Li [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:Bacterial assembly [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ It turns out that this is very doable, I found a paper on the synthesis of diamonds that uses this method. Now our nanomachine is a lot more complicated, however, the hard work has already been done. Simple molecular clocks and elementary communication should allow us to start to manufacture this. [[>]] Dr. Li: Feng Huo technology [[/>]] ------ 2 Attachments: * [# Total_Biological_Synthesis_of_Macro_Scale_Diamonds.pdf] * [# Proposed_Comunication_Pathways.pdf] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[div class="nano box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Small [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Synthesis issues [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Alright, so we have inducted each of the component pathways into the bacteria. The following pathways have not produced usable outputs. * Synthesis of the macroantibodies * Synthesis of the peroxide generators [[>]] Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein //Big things are made of many small things// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="shen box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Qin [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:Synthesis issues [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ This looks to be a folding problem. Regenerating the relevant enzyme sequence at a higher noise level should work there. [[>]] Dr. Qin: Shenzhen precise biology [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ----- [[div class="nano box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Small [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Total success! [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ We have done it, we have constructed a nanobot that can counteract the virus. See the attached files. The nanobots have been successful at stopping infection of class 3 thaumaturgically active mice! We have also not seen any significant negative side effects of this process, even with significant overdoses. Some issues still need to be ironed out, but we are ready to go into large-scale testing and production now. [[>]] Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein //Big things are made of many small things// [[/>]] ------ 2 Attachments: * [# Project_Nevinyrral.ppt] * [# Creation_of_an_Antiviral_Nanobot.pdf] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="phoenix box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Simon Torres [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:Total success! [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Excellent. The Global Occult Coalition will be informed ASAP. We may have just saved humanity. [[>]] Simon Torres, CEO of Phoenix Technologies //Icarus is not a story about the limitations of humanity It is a story about the limitations of wax.// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div style="float: center; border: solid 3px #444444; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"]] [[div style="text-align: center"]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] //The New York Times.// [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"]] //All the news that's fit to print// [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/price-of-forty-days Global economic collapse continues due to the pressures of the quarantine] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div class="nano box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Small [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Let's cure this thing! [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Here are the plans and information on how to manufacture the Nevinyrral nanobot. It is now up to you people to mass manufacture this nanobot and distribute it. [[>]] Dr. Small: Nanoforge, Lichtenstein //Big things are made of many small things// [[/>]] [[/div]] ---- [[div class="biochem box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Kirsty [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] The problems of scientific scaling [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ What were the people who developed this procedure thinking?! Their method requires a decent-sized fermentation vat to produce singular doses of the nanobot, we need to figure out how to increase total production by two orders of magnitude before we have something that can be deployed on any sort of scale. [[>]] Dr. Kirsty: Synthitase biochemistry //Replicating a better world// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="biochem box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Jeff Davis [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:The problems of scientific scaling [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Time to deploy the tiny bacterial whips I have been working on? [[>]] Jeff Davis: Synthitase biochemistry [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="biochem box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Kirsty [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:The problems of scientific scaling [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ This is no time to joke around. [[>]] Dr. Kirsty: Synthitase biochemistry //Replicating a better world// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div style="--br: #6da9d2;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Mohutsiwa [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Optimization of assembly [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ By modification of the cluster's structure, internal communication, and some more specialization of labor we think we could get an order of magnitude faster than what we have been handed. What other options do we have here? [[>]] Dr. Mohutsiwa. Botswana Biochemistry [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="biochem box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Kirsty [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:Optimization of assembly [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ Could we try speeding up time inside of the vats? Additionally making the vats bigger on the inside. [[>]] Dr. Kirsty: Synthitase biochemistry //Replicating a better world// [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div style="--br: #97b8cf; --bg: #fafbfd;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Dr. Pule [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:re:Optimization of assembly [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ I had a chat with temporal mechanics and they say that is doable, though we will need to significantly redesign our vats to deal with the increase in waste heat as well as increased mass. I have put in an order with manufacturing. [[>]] Dr. Pule: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/yuanji-hub YuanJi Incorporated]. [[/>]] ------ 1 Attachment: * [# Fermentation_Vat.cad] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] ---- [[div style="--br: #51694c;" class="box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Zhang [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Major order of new Fermentation vats [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ 听好了伙计们，我们收到了新款纳米发酵缸的订单。生产流水线要007排班生产，我们所有人得尽快训练好发酵缸的新操作人员。不是每一天你会听到世界的命运依赖着我们，但今天这句话我是必须说的。我们人类需要这项发酵缸来阻止华盛顿纳米病毒。 ------ [[size 50%]]##grey\|Automatic Translation generated by LLaMa-7.1-400B## [[/size]] Alright, folks, we have a massive scale order of a new kind of fermentation vat. The assembly lines will be running 24/7 now, it will be everyone's job to train new workers on how to make these things as quickly as possible. It's not often we can say the fate of the world depends on our work, but currently, it does. [[>]] Zhang: Sooo Biological Manufacturing. [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div style="float: center; width: 95%; padding: 10px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 0 5px; text-align: left;"]] ##red\|N##P##blue\|R## [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"]] [[table style="border: none; width: 100%;"]] [[row]] [[cell style="text-align: left; style= "font-family: 'Lobster'"]] //World News// [[/cell]] [[cell]] @@ @@ [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: center;"]] @@ @@ [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] Proposed impeachment of President Crenshaw fails 224-223 [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 100%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] The impeachment failed by the slimmest of votes due to Megan McCain falling ill to the Washington Virion. [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div class="goc box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Jeremy Johnston [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Distribution of the vaccine [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ We have identified ideal locations for the manufacturing of this nanobot, namely easy logistical access and high local population densities, especially of anomalous beings. We have drafted up plans on how we can get this vaccine to the 11 billion people who need it. PEPFAR and Operation Warp Speed provided a very useful set of guidelines here. [[>]] Jeremy Johnston. World Parahelth Organization [[/>]] [[/div]] ---- [[div class="goc box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Olivia Brown [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Scaling of the preventive system [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ What exactly is the plan for spreading the externally applied nanobot? While we can inject people and captive anomalous entities with the nanomachines, we can't exactly do that with creatures in the wild. [[>]] Olivia Brown. World Parahelth Organization [[/>]] [[/div]] [[div class="reply-thread"]] [[div class="goc box"]] [[table style="align:left"]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] From [[/hcell]] [[cell]] Jeremy Johnston [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] Subject [[/hcell]] [[cell]] re:Scaling of the preventative system [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[row]] [[hcell style="text-align:right"]] To [[/hcell]] [[cell]] [email protected] [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] ------ The current plan is what New Zealand did to fight possums in the country before it sunk below the waves. Mass aerial spraying via helicopters and planes. [[>]] Jeremy Johnston. World Parahelth Organization [[/>]] ------ 1 Attachment: * [# Distribution.png] [[=]] [[=image 1080.jpg width="250px"]] [[/=]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[div style="float: center; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"]] [[div style="text-align: center"]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Cinzel'; font-size: 450%; margin: 2px 5px;"]] Washington Post [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Pinyon Script'; font-size: 250%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] Democracy Dies in Darkness [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: serif; font-size: 125%; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid;"]] [[table style="border: none; width: 100%;"]] [[row]] [[cell]] Washington [[/cell]] [[cell style="text-align: right;"]] Oct 17rd, 2049 [[/cell]] [[/row]] [[/table]] [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 400%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] The nightmare is over! [[/div]] [[div class="unmargined" style="font-family: 'Anton'; font-size: 200%; margin: 2px 0 5px;"]] Distribution of the Asclepius vaccine is in full swing [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ ------ @@ @@ [[=]] [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/arco/asterisk.png]] 2056: Stockholm, Sweden. 6 years after the crisis [[/=]] Dr. Small walked onto the stage and shook hands with the Queen of Sweden. A prize named after a merchant of death was bestowed upon him for his work curing the greatest threat to the world as we know it since the Impasse. "I would like to thank the Nobel Prize committee for this great honor. Of course, I cannot say that I was solely responsible for this great work. The Asclepius nanomachine and its many derivatives that have made life so much better for everyone was a massive collaboration between thousands of scientists. Every grand advance is built from many small ideas and minor innovations." Dr. Small waved to the audience of scientists. "The Asclepius nanomachine is quite frankly a scientific miracle. The Washington Viron was the result of decades of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/project-scarlet-dawn advances in biological warfare] to create the most incurable epidemic possible. However, with the massive mobilization of the global scientific community spearheaded by Dr. Torres, we managed to create the miracle for ourselves. We reached for the heavens and grabbed what we could, pushing past the limits of what we thought to be possible." He looked down at his carefully prepared speech, a lovely bit of PR by Nanoforge and Phoenix. He decided to ignore it. "However there is one major failure. While the scientific community created miracle after miracle fighting this virus, the rest of the world failed at it. Starting of course with Crenshaw creating this abominable virus to begin with. Though the man was very clear he was going to do something like this in the build-up to his election, we cannot lay the blame on one man's evil, but we need to [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/how-did-we-get-here look at the country itself]. A nation so wrapped up in a fear of the other, that they are willing to elect anyone who claims they have a solution, no matter how evil or how unlikely it is to work. "On the other hand, we have the UNGOC, whose response to this crisis, ended up causing yet more problems. The starting attempts to seal off the United States and various cities likely saved the world from a much worse fate. However, their actions afterward seemed to imply an organization more focused on its [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/vnp-8002 own power than on actually stopping the virus]. Its heavy-handed actions inspired more [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/under-pressure resistance to the isolation needed to keep the virus contained], which ultimately led to the virus spreading more than it would have otherwise. The GOC treated this crisis as an opportunity to cover up their crimes in Silesia with good PR. "Science saved us from this calamity, but it was a failure in the humanities that got us into this mess. We have a general public who is okay with othering a massive section of the population and a leadership that is more obsessed with power and revenge than any kind of ethics. "Science bailed us out this time, but it may not in the future. The only way we can do that is by knowing each other better. "Knowledge is power, but it is up to us to figure out how we use it." @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=false \| last=false \| hub=yes \| previous-url=/one-more-tomorrow \| previous-title=One More Tomorrow \| next-url=/wayward-forlorn-kin\| next-title=Wayward, Forlorn Kin \| hub-url=/8000-dead-rats-hub \| hub-title=8,000 Dead Rats ]]	2024-08-18T15:24:00	[ "8000-dead-rats", "_cc", "bureaucracy", "correspondence", "from-120s-archives", "heartwarming", "no-dialogue", "science-fiction", "tale", "video", "world-parahealth-organization", "worldbuilding", "yossarian-leiner" ]	Icarus Unburned - SCP Foundation	49	[ "kte-9817-bluebuster-mendel-shelley-renegade-armbrusteri", "arco", "carter-courier-channel", "paramax", "scp-3457", "vnp-111", "procurement-orders-hells-heart", "price-of-forty-days", "yuanji-hub", "project-scarlet-dawn", "how-did-we-get-here", "vnp-8002", "under-pressure", "one-more-tomorrow", "8000-dead-rats-hub", "wayward-forlorn-kin" ]	[ "from-120-s-archives-hub", "8000-dead-rats-hub" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/arco/asterisk.png" ]	1456389706	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scientia-potentia-est
scka-s-proposal	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><strong>Page replaced with Document: SCOUT; #K "Gimmy"-ARS</strong></p> <hr/> <p>Welcome, people. Let us start our day by saying the prayers for our father in heaven. Now, let's read the phrases on the booklets we've given you. Yes? Oh, it's Latin. I'll tell you what it means later, so please read it with a light heart. In a revere mind… calmly… Wait, people, thou shalt not drowse. Wake up, everyone. Everyone's drowsing…. except you. Good to see you. What's your name? Good.</p> <p>Oh, don't try to run away. This place is already in lockdown by our people. Don't worry. This isn't another lame organ harvesting or another hostage situation. Oh, those people? Don't worry about them. We're just giving some amnestics to our friends over there. They will be sent to their homes without any harm, all their memories of here wiped away and returning to their everyday lives. You? You can't.</p> <p>Of course, we owe you an explanation. Although I suggest, you give your last prayers here before that. You'll need to come with us anyways. …Well, okay, alright. We're from the SCP Foundation.. so an organization that "Secures, Contains, and Protects". Our job is to take supernatural phenomena that harm humanity away from the daily lives of ordinary people. You seem worried. However, I don't mean that you have some unique capability hidden inside you as you may think. Feel relieved? Of course, you must be even more worried, and it's perfectly fine. But you must get used to this kind of talk.</p> <p>We've put our efforts to contain all supernatural entities that try to harm the continuation of humanity. An undying lizard, a moving statue, and other things you didn't need to imagine are currently locked under our Foundation's facilities. Yes, whatever you think, may it be occult or Bigfoot, that stuff actually exist. Ah, since you've seen the X-Files, it'll be easier for you to understand. Those kinds of things exist. We're not from the government, though. Now don't talk and just listen. Not a single person knew how these things could have been generated, ignoring evolution and all known laws of physics. Until the astronomical telescope was invented.</p> <p>Yes, it was space. We've observed an energy storm of indescribable magnitude from one edge of the cosmos. It slowly, but staunchly has been gobbling up the entire universe. And it was creeping towards Earth. Shush, listen. We've analyzed the heat radiation pattern with all the science and technology that we can. That irregular change of form, the relentless destruction and devouring… We then found the answer from the least expected. The pattern matched that of a white blood cell's. SIT DOWN.</p> <p>Do you remember high school biology class? To inform the white blood cells that a pathogen has infiltrated, the cells around it generate a particular substance. We've revised this new concept, and unfortunately, the prediction turned out to be true. The paranormal activity that we contain served as a beacon calling for that dreadful energy storm. What does this mean? They… no, 'She' thinks us, humans, as a virus—this cosmos. The waves emitted by the paranormal events spontaneously made from a cell called 'Earth' is activating the entire universe's defence mechanism. If we cannot get rid of them, the immune cells won't stop before it devours us.</p> <p>Now you seem interested. But I think you'd be asking this question: "What's all this got to do with me?" Now, let's return to biology class again. When a cell recognizes a pathogen, it doesn't compare every part of it one by one with a normal cell. It noticed a peculiar protein that doesn't exist in a normal cell and realized we are here. Get it?</p> <p>You're that peculiar protein.</p> <p>Okay, wait, wait, you don't have to panic like that. Remember, we put in all this time to break it down for you. We have absolutely no intention of doing anything with you for the time being. Yes, 'for the time being'. You get the point. Since the things we're going to do to you need your understanding, you had to know everything: why we spend all that money, gather personnel, grind, experiment, research and then instead of destroying all those atrocities, contain them by all means and then try to weaponize them. I assume the answer for everything is now inside your head.</p> <p>We've put some elbow grease to find your 'kind'. We've put in undercover agents in every country and location possible to run tests that can identify peculiar species. Yes, one of them being the phrase you read earlier. It might sound unbelievable, but we have the technology to induce a particular action by only making them read some letters. An average human will fall asleep, but the 'cancer cells'… well, as you can see. Of course, besides this brute way, we run numerous other tests to distinguish the abnormal… Not a few people are led to the Foundation against their will.</p> <p>Inhumane? Sure it is inhumane. But it is inevitable. We paid you back with the truth for the unfairness you must feel, and you are obligated to comply. A particular chemical, wave or pattern emitted by the likes of you are evoking other paranormal entities to exist on this planet. Not only that these entities themselves are a great threat to humanity, but if you think of the much more powerful enemy that they will guide to us… We merely buy time before they arrive, before we develop the technology to move elsewhere, for instance… For humanity's survival, someone needs to take preemptive measures, and luckily, we know what we have to do.</p> <p>Of course, not so lucky for you, but move along.</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/scka-s-proposal">Scka's Proposal</a>" by Scka, translated by fluxman, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/scka-s-proposal">https://scpwiki.com/scka-s-proposal</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] Page replaced with Document: SCOUT; #K "Gimmy"-ARS ------ Welcome, people. Let us start our day by saying the prayers for our father in heaven. Now, let's read the phrases on the booklets we've given you. Yes? Oh, it's Latin. I'll tell you what it means later, so please read it with a light heart. In a revere mind... calmly... Wait, people, thou shalt not drowse. Wake up, everyone. Everyone's drowsing.... except you. Good to see you. What's your name? Good. Oh, don't try to run away. This place is already in lockdown by our people. Don't worry. This isn't another lame organ harvesting or another hostage situation. Oh, those people? Don't worry about them. We're just giving some amnestics to our friends over there. They will be sent to their homes without any harm, all their memories of here wiped away and returning to their everyday lives. You? You can't. Of course, we owe you an explanation. Although I suggest, you give your last prayers here before that. You'll need to come with us anyways. ...Well, okay, alright. We're from the SCP Foundation.. so an organization that "Secures, Contains, and Protects". Our job is to take supernatural phenomena that harm humanity away from the daily lives of ordinary people. You seem worried. However, I don't mean that you have some unique capability hidden inside you as you may think. Feel relieved? Of course, you must be even more worried, and it's perfectly fine. But you must get used to this kind of talk. We've put our efforts to contain all supernatural entities that try to harm the continuation of humanity. An undying lizard, a moving statue, and other things you didn't need to imagine are currently locked under our Foundation's facilities. Yes, whatever you think, may it be occult or Bigfoot, that stuff actually exist. Ah, since you've seen the X-Files, it'll be easier for you to understand. Those kinds of things exist. We're not from the government, though. Now don't talk and just listen. Not a single person knew how these things could have been generated, ignoring evolution and all known laws of physics. Until the astronomical telescope was invented. Yes, it was space. We've observed an energy storm of indescribable magnitude from one edge of the cosmos. It slowly, but staunchly has been gobbling up the entire universe. And it was creeping towards Earth. Shush, listen. We've analyzed the heat radiation pattern with all the science and technology that we can. That irregular change of form, the relentless destruction and devouring... We then found the answer from the least expected. The pattern matched that of a white blood cell's. SIT DOWN. Do you remember high school biology class? To inform the white blood cells that a pathogen has infiltrated, the cells around it generate a particular substance. We've revised this new concept, and unfortunately, the prediction turned out to be true. The paranormal activity that we contain served as a beacon calling for that dreadful energy storm. What does this mean? They... no, 'She' thinks us, humans, as a virus—this cosmos. The waves emitted by the paranormal events spontaneously made from a cell called 'Earth' is activating the entire universe's defence mechanism. If we cannot get rid of them, the immune cells won't stop before it devours us. Now you seem interested. But I think you'd be asking this question: "What's all this got to do with me?" Now, let's return to biology class again. When a cell recognizes a pathogen, it doesn't compare every part of it one by one with a normal cell. It noticed a peculiar protein that doesn't exist in a normal cell and realized we are here. Get it? You're that peculiar protein. Okay, wait, wait, you don't have to panic like that. Remember, we put in all this time to break it down for you. We have absolutely no intention of doing anything with you for the time being. Yes, 'for the time being'. You get the point. Since the things we're going to do to you need your understanding, you had to know everything: why we spend all that money, gather personnel, grind, experiment, research and then instead of destroying all those atrocities, contain them by all means and then try to weaponize them. I assume the answer for everything is now inside your head. We've put some elbow grease to find your 'kind'. We've put in undercover agents in every country and location possible to run tests that can identify peculiar species. Yes, one of them being the phrase you read earlier. It might sound unbelievable, but we have the technology to induce a particular action by only making them read some letters. An average human will fall asleep, but the 'cancer cells'... well, as you can see. Of course, besides this brute way, we run numerous other tests to distinguish the abnormal... Not a few people are led to the Foundation against their will. Inhumane? Sure it is inhumane. But it is inevitable. We paid you back with the truth for the unfairness you must feel, and you are obligated to comply. A particular chemical, wave or pattern emitted by the likes of you are evoking other paranormal entities to exist on this planet. Not only that these entities themselves are a great threat to humanity, but if you think of the much more powerful enemy that they will guide to us... We merely buy time before they arrive, before we develop the technology to move elsewhere, for instance... For humanity's survival, someone needs to take preemptive measures, and luckily, we know what we have to do. Of course, not so lucky for you, but move along. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Scka, translated by fluxman]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-04-15T09:22:00	[ "001-proposal", "_ko", "_licensebox", "international", "tale" ]	Scka's Proposal - SCP Foundation	5	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "scp-international" ]	[]	1453342788	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scka-s-proposal
scp-0682	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="limit"> <div class="anchor"> <div class="authorbox"><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>SCP-682 — Hard-To-Reach Place</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>By:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/tealquacks" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4071236); return false;"><img alt="TealQuacks" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=4071236&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736645363" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=4071236)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/tealquacks" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4071236); return false;">TealQuacks</a></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th>Published on <span class="odate time_1721663824 format_%25d%20%25b%20%25Y">22 Jul 2024 15:57</span></th> </tr> </table> </div> </div></div> <br/></div> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aflopstyle/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> </div> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>SCP-682:</strong> <em>Hard-to-Reach Place</em><br/> by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/tealquacks" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4071236); return false;"><img alt="TealQuacks" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=4071236&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735861396" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=4071236)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/tealquacks" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4071236); return false;">TealQuacks</a></span>, <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/floorboards" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7912738); return false;"><img alt="FLOORBOARDS" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7912738&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735861396" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7912738)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/floorboards" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7912738); return false;">FLOORBOARDS</a></span>, <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ratking666" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(2551139); return false;"><img alt="ratking666" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=2551139&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735861396" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=2551139)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ratking666" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(2551139); return false;">ratking666</a></span> & <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/dino-draws" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8229577); return false;"><img alt="Dino--Draws" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8229577&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735861396" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8229577)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/dino-draws" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8229577); return false;">Dino--Draws</a></span></p> </div> <p><strong>Word count:</strong> 8,627</p> <p><strong>Mood:</strong> Whimsical.</p> <p><strong>Genre:</strong> Adventure.</p> <p><strong>Other notes:</strong> Special thanks to <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ratking666" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(2551139); return false;"><img alt="ratking666" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=2551139&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735861397" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=2551139)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ratking666" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(2551139); return false;">ratking666</a></span>, both for being a good friend and the creator of But A Dream.</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <script src="https://d3g0gp89917ko0.cloudfront.net/v--4b961b7cc327/common--javascript/yahooui/tabview-min.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <div class="yui-navset" id="wiki-tabview-dc949c4ed6f236144c3c8eb603076550"> <ul class="yui-nav"> <li class="selected"><a href="javascript:;"><em>Primary Document</em></a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;"><em>Discovery Log</em></a></li> <li><a href="javascript:;"><em>Exploration Logs, Truncated (2022-2024)</em></a></li> </ul> <div class="yui-content"> <div id="wiki-tab-0-0"> <p><strong>Item #:</strong> SCP-682</p> <p><strong>Object Class:</strong> Euclid</p> <p><strong>Special Containment Procedures:</strong> Standard anomalous location security measures have been enacted around the place of breach; SCP-682 has been sequestered from the rest of the basement sub-levels through the construction of a guarded decontamination chamber. The chamber is 200 square meters in total and is outfitted with an observation room, as well as 4 drainage pipes.</p> <p>HAZMAT suits are stored within this room, as are the controls for the chamber itself. Each HAZMAT suit is equipped with a standard two-way radio, which much be checked before every exploratory mission conducted. The drainage pipes are to be cleaned and sterilized directly before and after every exploratory mission. The entryway to SCP-682 itself — appearing as a white, wooden door — is locked from the outside. The key is held in the office of the acting Site HCML Supervisor or their replacement, which will be given to the containment team should an exploratory mission be enacted.</p> <p>Exploratory missions are to be carried out by Foundation researchers by request of Site-433's administration, citing higher levels of competence in anomalies of this type than expressed in D-Class personnel. The assigned researcher — at time of writing, <a href="/scp-6080">Dr. Rowan Raster</a> — is to be provided with a light source<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup> and renewable batteries to last 45 days, self-heating MRE<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-2" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-2')">2</a></sup> rations to last 30 days, waterproof clothing and a plastic satchel.</p> <p>Due to the atmosphere of SCP-682, exploratory missions are not to last more than 2 hours. Though it is unlikely for an individual to become lost inside SCP-682, the environment presents a (largely) non-anomalous risk to long-term human habitation.</p> <p><strong>Description:</strong> SCP-682 is a region of space that was placed amongst Site-433's basement sub-levels, replacing a Video Home System (VHS) cache in 2021. The space is extradimensional in nature, partially sitting beneath known physical reality; despite this, it is not infinite, being roughly equal in size to the continental United States of America in its entirety.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-3" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-3')">3</a></sup></p> <p>The space possesses a low concrete ceiling supported by white-painted concrete pillars, leaving a walk space of roughly 2 meters. The ground is composed of packed sandy soil, though little mineral material has been found in samples. The area is flooded with 60 centimeters of stagnant, untreated freshwater. The water level itself has also been noted to fluctuate inconsistently. SCP-682's temperature sits perpetually at 40 degree Celsius, and does not possesses internal lighting.</p> <p>Occasionally, corpses of various vermiformi can be found floating in the water.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-4" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-4')">4</a></sup> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">SCP-682 is believed to be devoid of life</span> (see <strong>Exploration Logs</strong>).</p> <p>Contact Director Jonathon Mildew for further updates on this document.</p> </div> <div id="wiki-tab-0-1" style="display:none"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">INCIDENT-4370-6230-URANUS (ABRIDGED)</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">...</a></div> <br/> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>MATERIAL BEGINS</strong></p> </div> <br/> […] the little mermaid went out from her garden, and took the road to the foaming whirlpools, behind which the sorceress lived. She had never been that way before: neither flowers nor grass grew there; nothing but bare dirt ground stretched out to the whirlpool, where the water, like foaming mill-wheels, whirled round everything that it seized, and cast it into the fathomless deep. Through the midst of these crushing whirlpools the little mermaid was obliged to pass, to reach the dominions of the sea witch; and also for a long distance the only road lay right across a quantity of warm, bubbling mire, called by the witch her turf-moor. Beyond this stood her house, in the centre of a strange forest, in which all the trees and flowers were polypi, half animals and half plants; they looked like serpents with a hundred heads growing out of the ground. The branches were long slimy arms, with fingers like flexible worms, moving limb after limb from the root to the top. All that could be reached in the sea they seized upon, and held fast, so that it never escaped from their clutches. The little mermaid was so alarmed at what she saw, that she stood still, and her heart beat with fear, and she was very nearly turning back; but she thought of the prince, and of the human soul for which she longed, and her courage returned. She fastened her long flowing hair round her head, so that the polypi might not seize hold of it. She laid her hands together across her bosom, and then she darted forward as a fish shoots through the water, between the supple arms and fingers of the ugly polypi, which were stretched out on each side of her. She saw that each held in its grasp something it had seized with its numerous little arms, as if they were iron bands. The white skeletons of human beings who had perished at sea, and had sunk down into the deep waters, skeletons of land animals, oars, rudders, and chests of ships were lying tightly grasped by their clinging arms; even a little mermaid, whom they had caught and strangled; and this seemed the most shocking of all to the little princess. <div class="indented"> <p>She now came to a space of marshy ground in the wood, where large, fat water-snakes were rolling in the mire, and showing their ugly, drab-colored bodies. In the midst of this spot stood a house, built with the bones of shipwrecked human beings. There sat the sea witch, allowing a toad to eat from her mouth, just as people sometimes feed a canary with a piece of sugar. She called the ugly water-snakes her little chickens, and allowed them to crawl all over her bosom.</p> <p>“I know what you want,” said the sea witch; “it is very stupid of you, but you shall have your way, and it will bring you to sorrow, my pretty princess. You want to get rid of your fish’s tail, and to have two supports instead of it, like human beings on earth, so that the young prince may fall in love with you, and that you may have an immortal soul.” And then the witch laughed so loud and disgustingly, that the toad and the snakes fell to the ground, and lay there wriggling about. “You are but just in time,” said the witch; “for after sunrise to-morrow I should not be able to help you till the end of another year. I will prepare a potion for you, with which you must swim to land tomorrow before sunrise, and sit down on the shore and drink it. Your tail will then disappear, and shrink up into what mankind calls legs, and you will feel great pain, as if a sword were passing through you. But all who see you will say that you are the prettiest little human being they ever saw. You will still have the same floating gracefulness of movement, and no dancer will ever tread so lightly; but at every step you take it will feel as if you were treading upon sharp knives, and that the blood must flow. If you will bear all this, I will help you.”</p> <p>“Yes, I will,” said the little princess in a trembling voice, as she thought of the prince and the immortal soul.</p> <p>“But think again,” said the witch; “for when once your shape has become like a human being, you can no more be a mermaid. You will never return through the water to your sisters, or to your father’s palace again; and if you do not win the love of the prince, so that he is willing to forget his father and mother for your sake, and to love you with his whole soul, and allow the priest to join your hands that you may be man and wife, then you will never have an immortal soul. The first morning after he marries another your heart will break, and you will become foam on the crest of the waves.”</p> <p>“I will do it,” said the little mermaid, and she became pale as death.</p> <p>“But I must be paid also,” said the witch, “and it is not a trifle that I ask. You have the sweetest voice of any who dwell here in the depths of the sea, and you believe that you will be able to charm the prince with it also, but this voice you must give to me; the best thing you possess will I have for the price of my potion. My own blood must be mixed with it, that it may be as sharp as a two-edged sword.”</p> <p>“But if you take away my voice,” said the little mermaid, “what is left for me?”</p> <p>“Your beautiful form, your graceful walk, and your expressive eyes; surely with these you can enchain a man’s heart. Well, have you lost your courage? Put out your little tongue that I may cut it off as my payment; then you shall have the powerful potion.”</p> <p>“It shall be,” said the little mermaid.</p> <p>Then the witch placed her cauldron on the fire, to prepare the magic potion.</p> <p>“Cleanliness is a good thing,” said she, scouring the vessel with snakes, which she had tied together in a large knot; then she pricked herself in the breast, and let the black blood drop into it. The steam that rose formed itself into such horrible shapes that no one could look at them without fear. Every moment the witch threw something else into the vessel, and when it began to boil, the sound was like the weeping of an alligator. At last the magic potion was ready. “There it is for you,” said the witch. Then she cut off the mermaid’s tongue, so that she became dumb, and would never again speak or sing. “If the polypi should seize hold of you as you return through the wood,” said the witch, “throw over them a few drops of the potion, and their fingers will be torn into a thousand pieces.” But the little mermaid had no occasion to do this, for the polypi sprang back in terror when they caught sight of the glittering potion, which shone in her hand like a twinkling star.</p> <p>So she passed quickly through the wood and the marsh, and between the rushing whirlpools. She saw that in her father’s palace the torches in the ballroom were extinguished, and all within asleep; but she did not venture to go in to them, for now she was dumb and going to leave them forever, she felt as if her heart would break.</p> <p>She stole into the garden, took a flower from the flower-beds of each of her sisters, kissed her hand a thousand times towards the palace, and then rose up through the dark blue sea […]<br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>MATERIAL ENDS</strong></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> </div> </div> </div> <br/> To see an index on events surrounding INCIDENT-<a href="/scp-4370">4370</a>-<a href="/scp-6230">6230</a>-URANUS, insert credentials here: [<a href="/scp-8060">INVALID SECURITY CLEARANCE</a>].<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <div id="wiki-tab-0-2" style="display:none"> <p>Logs dating from 2021 have been excised for brevity, with the exception of the D-1711 test, which took place on May 2nd, 2021. Only missions which yielded usable results have been included here.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Summary:</strong> As a preliminary mission to test the atmospheric conditions of SCP-682, D-1711 was sent inside with the mission of walking in a straight line for 15 minutes. He was given a two-way radio, a wetsuit, waterproof boots, and was equipped with a climbing harness — it was connected to a pulley which was maintained by the HCML Supervisor and involved researchers.</p> <p>After 10 minutes, the pulley went slack and rapidly pulled away from the team. The radio link, though still operational, could only pick up the sound of wind before going silent. Despite attempts at pulling D-1711 back up, the rope had become stuck. After 10 more minutes, the rope snapped and was lost.</p> <p>4 hours later, D-1711 emerged from a toilet in the second-floor women's restroom.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>BEGIN LOG</strong></p> </div> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> We lost you for a minute there.</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> Yeah, haha. Happy to be back.</p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> Could you tell us what happened? When you disappeared?</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> Yeah, totally. So, I walked in a straight line just like you guys asked for a little bit. I wasn't really seeing anything of note, but after a while, I walked up to this ventilation shaft in the middle of the space. The bars were rusted and they looked kind of malleable, and I bent down to look at it — and I like, slipped, on the soil shit. Face first. I smashed right into it.</p> <p><em>[D-1711 makes a sound effect with his mouth, and slaps his palms together.]</em></p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> Yes, we heard that on the recording.</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> Yeah. So I was on top of the shaft, all my weight was on it, and I could feel the thing start creaking, 'cause it couldn't take my weight.</p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> Then what did you do?</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> I mean, I didn't do anything. I figured it would either snap or it wouldn't. My hair was all wet and I was sweating and it was just miserable. At that point I really just didn't care.</p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> Then it snapped.</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> Yep. And I fell…</p> <p><em>[D-1711 whistles.]</em></p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> Right on in.</p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> Could you tell me what happened <em>right after</em> you disappeared?</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> I think I was just falling for a long time. Sometimes I'd be in a pipe, or sometimes I've be in an airshaft, or sometimes I'd be in the open air, but I was just falling.</p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> So your immediate vicinity was changing around you.</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> Pretty much, yeah.</p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> Did anything in particular stick out to you?</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> Yeah, a few things. I saw a sewer. I saw the inside of a septic tank, but it was cleaned out. There was a pond, and the surface of it was covered in fishhooks, and I saw a man and a boy in camo pants and ball caps sitting on a dock.</p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> Did they see you?</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> I think I went by too fast. It was kind of like a photograph, for me.</p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> I see.</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> But anyway, sometimes I would see SCP-682 itself. Or something similar, but without the pillars, and a kind of light coming up from the ground. I saw… a lake, or an ocean. In the distance there was a pirate ship, I think. It had these gold crests and a black skull-and-bones flag. The last thing I saw was a koi pond. All of these places had 682's dirt floor, though, I should mention, and usually there'd be a hole of some kind.</p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> For you to fall through.</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> Exactly, yeah. There was shiny stuff stuck in the dirt in the hole, if it was made of dirt, but I couldn't really make it out.</p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> Understandable. Do you know how long you were falling for?</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> About a minute, minute and a half.</p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> 4 hours, actually.</p> <p><strong>D-1711:</strong> Woah. That's why I felt like I was struggling to breathe. That's nuts. You know, when I popped out of the toilet, I felt like I was being born.</p> <p><em>[Silence on recording.]</em></p> <p><strong>Dir. Mildew:</strong> Thanks for all your help today. Get some rest, you need it.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>END LOG</strong></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <p><strong>After-Action Report:</strong> Director Mildew declared that further missions would be staffed only by individuals specifically trained in the exploration of artistic, metaphysical anomalies; on the assumption that SCP-682 is at least partially conceptual, he stated that the only individuals allowed inside are those who can, in his words, "meet it on its level." Though this hypothesis has yet to be confirmed, instabilities like these have noticeably decreased since.</p> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Summary:</strong> After entering SCP-682, Researcher Raster was directed to turn left and walk in a straight line along the wall. After 5 minutes, the wall disappeared into the expanse of SCP-682; Raster returned to the decontamination chamber afterwards. After deliberation, Raster was asked to enter SCP-682 again. Raster repeated the previous experiment but continued walking. After 6 minutes, Raster reported something "moving in the water" away from the path, which he moved to investigate. Upon shining his light in the water, he discovered a pile of 25 deceased <em>Pseudoceros dimidiatus</em> (divided flatworm) specimens, partially buried in the soil and knotted together in a ball shape.</p> <p>Raster attempted to dislodge the mass with his foot, but was unable to do so. He was able to procure 5 flatworm samples from the mass, which he collected in his satchel. Upon his return to the decontamination chamber, the flatworms were taken to be studied. Genetic testing indicated that the instances were all identical, but also that they were only 6 minutes old, despite appearing to be matured. One of the instances was able to be resuscitated, but no further information could be gained.</p> </div> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>BEGIN LOG</strong></p> </div> <br/> <em>[Recording is audio only, taken from the entryway between the decontamination chamber and SCP-682 itself. There is the sound of splashing, followed by a rope creaking, then a loud crash. After a moment, calliope music and voices become audible. Waves pick up and crash.]</em> <p><strong>Unknown Voice:</strong> Ahoy, mateys! <em>[Indistinct.]</em> Here be the greatest, biggest sewer in all the realm. Ye think 'er trials with Scylla and Charybdis were difficult, just wait'n'see what lies beneath the dingy water below…</p> <p><em>[Children are heard speaking, but it is unintelligible. Suddenly, they go silent, only the waves audible — then, the children and the Unknown Voice suddenly burst out laughing.]</em></p> <p><strong>Unknown Voice:</strong> Very good, ol' laddy! Very good! Ye got an advent'rer's heart, I tell ye, yer perfectly prepared. Y'sir, y'sir, <a href="http://scp-int.wikidot.com/scp-3523-jp">there be alligators in the sewer</a>. Y'see, alligators love to live in sewers. They live in 'most evr'y sewer on Earth! But 'ere, the biggest sewer in the realm, the alligators get so big!</p> <p><em>[Children scream and laugh.]</em></p> <p><strong>Unknown Voice:</strong> Bigg'r than ye ever seen! Bigg'r… than yer 'ead!</p> <p><em>[More laughter. There is a mechanical whirring sound, followed by the creaking of metal.]</em></p> <p><strong>Unknown Voice:</strong> Aye, lads n' lasses n' crew, ye best be keeping your hands n' feet inside tha' ship at all times… lest ye lose them! Yargh!</p> <p><em>[The calliope music increases in volume, and there is more crashing of waves. The voices of children, as well as what sounds like adults, becoming audible all at once. Occasionally, the Unknown Voice can be heard exclaiming or laughing. There is a sound of rope creaking, then the sound begins to drift away. After only 2 minutes, all that can be heard are echoes. Gradually, the waves begin to subside, and SCP-682 returns to its usual silence.]</em><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>END LOG</strong></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Summary:</strong> After walking in a straight line for 10 minutes, Researcher Raster discovered a ventilation shaft on the ground. It appeared to have been broken in; the beams of the cover had been pushed apart. Raster noted that it was large enough for a human to fall into. He proceeded to take one of his MRE rations, and dropped it in the water, allowing it to be sucked into the vent. Upon this, he returned to the decontamination chamber.</p> <p>4 hours later, the MRE was discovered within the septic tank connected to the second floor's plumbing system, having clogged a pipe.</p> </div> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>BEGIN LOG</strong></p> </div> <br/> <em>[Raster trudges between pillars, pulling various worms out of the soil. He turns to his left; an Asian jumping worm is floating in the water. He places his worms into his plastic satchel, then walks to the worm floating. He watches it for a moment — aside from being carried by the waves he produces, it does not move. He picks it up and places it in his satchel.]</em> <p><em>[He turns around, facing the direction he came from. Somewhere out of sight, there is splashing.]</em></p> <p><em>[Raster visibly tenses, placing his hand on a pillar. He pulls himself against it, and turns off his flashlight. There is another splash.]</em></p> <p><em>[He crouches lower to the ground; slowly, he begins to move towards the sounds. Another splash is audible to his right, and he turns accordingly. As he comes closer to the origin of the sound, a dark shape is visible underneath a large pile of worms. Raster stands up fully, presses himself against a nearby pillar, and turns on his flashlight.]</em></p> <p><em>[Underneath the worm pile is a</em> Ictalurus punctatus <em>(channel catfish) — now designated SCP-682-A — which splashes around as it comes up to eat more worms.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Ha. Holy shit.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-A eats another mouthful of worms, then dives between the nearby pillars. It swims in a circle, then swims in Raster's direction. He does not move. It comes up to him, then dives to his left. Raster turns to watch it. After a few minutes, SCP-682-A disappears into the darkness, beyond Raster's flashlight.]</em></p> <p><em>[There is a splash in the distance.]</em></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>END LOG</strong></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Summary:</strong> Two days after his return from SCP-682, Researcher Raster was sent back into SCP-682 in an endeavor to relocate SCP-682-A and implant a tracking device into it. He was sent into SCP-682 with all required gear, as well as a small, mesh bag of catfish bait to drag through the water. He proceeds to retrace his steps back to where SCP-682-A was spotted.</p> <p>While exploring SCP-682, Raster suddenly stopped. When asked why he stopped, Raster stated that he "heard something splash". Believing this to be SCP-682-A, he was instructed to go further. Raster continued. After six minutes, he stopped again and asked control if "they had heard that". Despite control responding in the negative, Raster became agitated and attempted to flee. After running blindly for several minutes, he tripped, and assumed the fetal position against a nearby pillar. He was unresponsive at this time.</p> <p>A small rescue team was sent into SCP-682 to retrieve Raster. After he was safely retrieved, he was asked what caused him to flee. Raster stated: "I don't know where it came from but it was after me, I heard it, I heard it splashing and it— I saw a dolphin."</p> <p>Director Mildew ordered SCP-682 be searched for <a href="/critter-profile-francis">Alucinari-class</a> entities. None were located within SCP-682, and neither were any non-anomalous dolphins.</p> <p>The sighting that Raster reported was confirmed to be a PTSD induced audio-visual hallucination. Raster has been assigned mandatory therapy sessions and will not be allowed back into SCP-682 for the time being.</p> </div> <hr/> <p><strong>After-Incident Report:</strong> 2 weeks after the incident above, Raster requested to return to SCP-682. Despite concerns over his mental state, Dir. Mildew approved Raster's request, under the terms that he would be able to be in communication with Raster for the entirety of his exploration. Raster accepted, and was allowed to re-enter SCP-682.</p> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>BEGIN LOG</strong></p> </div> <br/> <em>[Raster walks through SCP-682, heading southwest from the entrance point in Site-433. After about an hour of walking, he sees an unidentified object poking out of the ground. He approaches it, and kneels next to it. He slowly pulls it out of the water, revealing a long, polished splinter of wood.]</em> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: Raster to Mildew, you still here?</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: Yes.</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: Well, are you seeing this?</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: It's wood.</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: Yes! It's wood! I haven't seen any wood in any of 682's structure. So where the hell did it come from?</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: If only someone down there could possibly search 682.</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: Oh ha ha. It's the most interesting thing I've found in a mile. I'm gonna see if I can find where it's from.</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: Keep me updated.</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: Alright.</p> <p><em>[Raster continues walking through SCP-682. He passes through several small rooms, which appear to get smaller as he continues forward. More pieces of wood can be found. Soon, Raster has to duck to enter the rooms without hitting his head. He soon comes to a room with such a low ceiling he would have to lay prone to enter. He stares at it for several long seconds.]</em></p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: You don't have to go in, Rowan. You can come back, and next time, we'll send you out with a short-range drone.</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: No, no. I can do this.</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: Alright. Be careful. If you get stuck, it'll take a long time to get to you.</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: Okay. Okay, I can do this. Okay.</p> <p><em>[Raster takes a deep breath, and lowers himself to the ground. He drags himself over the mud. Tiny worms dart in and out of his field of vision. He keeps his breaths slow and even. As he continues further, more stray pieces of wood can be found]</em></p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: Find anything, researcher?</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: Nothing yet.</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: You have full permission to turn back, if you need.</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: …You don't need to— look. That was a fluke, okay? That won't happen again.</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: I understand, but I don't want you to push yourself too hard. What you went through was terrible, Raster. There's no other way to put it. You need to be patient with yourself. It's okay if things are still bad.</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: …There's a light at the end of this.</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: That's a very positive outlook to have. I'm happy—</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: No, no uh, a <em>literal</em> light, director. It's faint, but I can see it.</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: Oh. Carry on.</p> <p><em>[Silence on recording.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: Thank you, though. I've been trying to get myself back together.</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: I'm glad.</p> <p><em>[Raster continues to drag himself through the room. What begins as a faint, flickering light in the distance slowly brightens, exposing a small slot. Raster begins to kick and writhe through the muck. He squeezes through the slot, into a room with a rough, vaulted ceiling. The walls are a mix of rough stone and the repetitive pillars of SCP-682. In the center of the room is what appears to be the front half of what appears to be a 1600's merchant ship.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: Oh my god…</p> <p><em>[The bowsprit and mast of the vessel pierces through the rock. There is what appears to be a makeshift chandelier hanging off of the mast, made of flash lights, glow sticks, decorative yard lights, and lightbulbs all wired to a car battery. They sway, as if in a breeze. Other fixtures hang off the side of the ship and bowsprit. Written on the side, in golden lettering, is the words "HMS Uranus." Raster stands perfectly still, transfixed.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: It's a pirate ship.</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: It appears so. This could be the result of that incident earlier— just hearing the voice say "ahoy" would be enough to implant the idea of pirates in anyone's mind, something that 682 could reflect, and make into what we're seeing right now.</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: But this doesn't feel like that. I mean, when you think "pirate ship," would you think of a boat crashed in a cave, covered in junk?</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: I suppose I wouldn't. You're suggesting this has been here for a while, then?</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: Maybe? I'm not sure, though. If it is, then why isn't the rest of 682 pirate themed? I'd say "oh, maybe the ship got sealed into 682," but that implies that the structure of 682 can <em>change</em> which I really don't want to think about because oh god that could close my entrance. Shit. Now I'm thinking about it.</p> <p><em>[Raster quickly looks at the small opening he crawled through. It's still present. Dir. Mildew sighs.]</em></p> <p><strong>Mildew:</strong> There's no evidence of 682's structure changing that rapidly. This ship could be manifested from thought, or memory, but I agree with you when you say it's old. Lived in, even.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Lived in? By what, worms? Catfish? …Sewer alligators?</p> <p><strong>Mildew:</strong> I'm not sure.</p> <p><em>[Raster approaches the ship hesitantly.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> What if the sewers predate the pirate ship? That doesn't feel too large of a logical leap to make.</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: I suppose that makes sense. This place is a sewer, yes, but it's full of water.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Which could make someone think about boats, and, by extension, pirates. And once that thought is out there, the sewer grabs it, and builds upon it. It started with the pirate animatronic thing, and when that strengthened the idea of pirates, it made an entire ship.</p> <p><strong>Mildew:</strong> If simple thought can cause such change in SCP-682, then this could easily spiral out of control. Water leads to thoughts of boats, leads to thoughts of pirates, which leads to anything from buried treasure to—</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Sea monsters?</p> <p><em>[Director Mildew sighs.]</em></p> <p><strong>Mildew:</strong> I was really hoping you wouldn't say something like that.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I thought about it, so I think it's a bit too late already. You're right, though. This could get out of hand. Especially if too many people hear about this.</p> <p><strong>Mildew</strong>: Right now, there's not much we can do except address what's in front of us. Collect samples of the wood and paint, try to get some pictures, then come back. I'll look into the <em>HMS Uranus.</em> Maybe it was a real ship.</p> <p><strong>Raster</strong>: What if it wasn't, but 682 made it real?</p> <p><strong>Mildew:</strong> Photos, Raster.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Okay. Right.</p> <p><em>[Raster proceeds to take 20 pictures of the HMS Uranus, documenting the outside, and a small portion of the inside of the ship. Inside the ship, there are a myriad of machine parts, and many tools in various states of disrepair. Upon spotting what appeared to be several animatronic endoskeletons, stripped for parts, Raster refused to go any further.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> No way in hell.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>END LOG</strong></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <p><strong>Addenda 682 (History):</strong> After Researcher Raster discovered the <em>HMS Uranus</em> within SCP-682, the Department of History was contacted regarding its discovery. Upon informing the department, they were able to find that the HMS Uranus was attached to anomalous activity between the years 1675-1681, after it was seized by a pirate captain that went by the name "Captain Fox." Fox was rumored to be a thaumaturgist of great strength, with testimonies claiming she had the ability to control the waves and weather, which she used to attack other ships. The sudden disappearance of her ship and crew also caught the attention of the Foundation, which, until now, believed that the ship had been sunk, consumed, or otherwise lost.</p> <p>While exploring the wreck of the <em>HMS Uranus,</em> a leather bound journal was found in what is assumed to be the captains quarters. Despite its age, the text within was still legible. The entries detail her encountering a "fair woman" on the coast of Florida, and falling in love with her. Captain Fox alludes to drawings she's made of this individual, but no drawings are found. However, there are several pages that have been torn out of the journal.</p> <p>No human remains were found in the wreckage. It is unknown how the <em>HMS Uranus</em> came to rest in SCP-682.</p> <p>It should be noted that upon viewing the photos captured by Researcher Raster, there appears to be a pale, humanoid hand in the doorway of the captain's quarters. Raster states he did not see this hand while taking photos of the <em>HMS Uranus</em>. Further exploration of the ship has been ordered.</p> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>BEGIN LOG</strong></p> </div> <p><em>[After a successful expedition into SCP-682, Researcher Raster was allowed to reenter SCP-682. He was instructed to return to the HMS Uranus for further investigation. Upon arriving to the HMS Uranus, he was instructed to go inside of the HMS Uranus. Raster initially hesitated to go inside, reminding control of the endoskeletons within the ship. After some coaxing, however, Raster enters the HMS Uranus. He takes photographs of his surroundings, focusing on the animatronics and other machinery stripped for parts. He pauses, and checks the photographs he took. One of them has what appears to be a pale appendage— possibly a tail— barely in frame, exiting the boat. Raster blanches.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Oh, that can't be good…</p> <p><em>[Despite his expressed discomfort, Raster pushes forward, toward were the tail was. He exits the boat, and spots deep trails in the mud, as if something was dragging itself along. He follows the drag marks into the main structure of 682, leaving the vicinity of the Uranus. As he reaches a corner, he spots the appendage. Raster continues to approach. He holds his camera at the ready. He peaks into the next room. A large creature— henceforth referred to as SCP-682-B— stands before him. It dominates the room, six muscular arms holding itself aloft. It shambles forward at a slow pace. Its long tail flicks behind it. It's pale, and appears to be reptilian, but at this distance details are hard to make out.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Holy <em>shit.</em></p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B stiffens, then begins to flee. It pulls itself forward by grabbing the large cement pillars surrounding it, its tail jerking back and forth in the muck. This action kicks up sediment, which reduces visibility to near zero. Raster follows it blindly, though it is difficult to run through the thick mud. SCP-682-B's tail flicks past his face.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Wait! I don't want to hurt you!</p> <p><em>[Raster continues following the clouds of sediment SCP-682-B is causing as it flees. After several minutes of running, SCP-682-B's tail knocks him to the ground. He gasps and groans in pain. He sits up. When he looks up, SCP-682-B is in front of him. It has four dark eyes, an elongated face, and a mouthful of sharp teeth. Its chest appears to have small, mammalian breasts. Raster freezes.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> What are you?</p> <p><em>[Silence on recording. It appears to glare at Researcher Raster.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> …<em>Disgusting.</em></p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B flees.]</em></p> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:300px;"><img alt="her.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-0682/her.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p><strong>SCP-682-B.</strong></p> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>END LOG</strong></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>BEGIN LOG</strong></p> </div> <p><em>[Raster enters SCP-682, and is allowed to choose a direction. He begins walking through SCP-682, heading southeast. He occasionally kneels, rooting through the soil. He turns a corner and walks down the hallway. Down the hall, he comes across an archway to his left. Inside, there is what appears to be a space manually dug out of the mud, with a high ceiling. The room is full of piles of garbage. The majority of the large room, however, is occupied with SCP-682-B. Its tail idly flicks as appears to fiddle with a small object. Raster slowly approaches, attempting to keep SCP-682-B from seeing him. He immediately steps on a soda can buried in the muck. The sound alerts SCP-682-B, who whirls around. Before Raster can turn, its tail darts out and wraps tightly around him. Raster struggles and kicks, but cannot free himself from SCP-682-B's grasp.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> What are you doing down here?</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B raises itself to its full height. Raster stills, staring up at it. Now that he is closer to it, the details are much clearer. SCP-682-B is a large, pale creature that resembles a reptile, with fine mammalian hair across its entirety. It has two sets of large, black eyes, as well as a large mouth of sharp teeth. It has four pairs of muscular arms with hands that end in dark talons, which it uses to hold itself between pillars. Its tail is so long it can wrap around Raster several times.]</em></p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B squeezes its tail tighter. Raster yelps.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Speak.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Uh— I'm a scientist. A researcher. Exploring your… abode?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> My abode.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Yes.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Why?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I mean—</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Are you here for me, human?</p> <p><em>[Its tail tightens around Raster.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> No! No, we didn't even know you existed!</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Who is we?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I work for an organization that investigates the anomalous. Like this place. I promise, we're not going to hurt you. You're not bothering anyone, you're basically containing yourself, so we have no reason to! But this place is extradimensional, it's not attached to baseline reality so that's why I was sent down here—</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B lets go of Raster. Raster stumbles back, breathing heavily.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Stop yelling.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Sorry.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> This group you belong to. They are explorers?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Researchers. I mean, I'm a researcher, at least. Researcher Raster.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Raster.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> That's me! Do you have a name? Or something you'd like to be called?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> No.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Then, would you be okay if I called you -B?</p> <p><em>[[SCP-682-B slithers around him.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Dasbee?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> This place, we call SCP-682. To us, you're SCP-682-B.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B tilts its head.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Why B?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Well, there's already an SCP-682-A.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> …Is there something else down here? Something like me?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Well, not quite.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Then, pray tell, what is this -A?</p> <p><em>[Silence on recording.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Raster?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> SCP-682-A is… A catfish.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> A catfish. I am second to a catfish?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> The letters don't mean you're more or less important than the catfish, it's just that we, uh, found it first.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> And who is this "we" you speak of? More researchers?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Doctors, too. We're studying SCP-682 because the space is extradimensional. It lays somewhat outside of our reality. That's not a bad thing, but it intrigued the people I work for enough for them to send me down here.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Why would they send you?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I'm an expert in art based and conceptual anomalies. It seems to me that 682 is strongly effected by what people think of it. For example, the appearance of the pirate ship, and other similar phenomena.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B stares silently at Raster.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> …Can you tell me anything about this place? You don't have to, but I'd like to hear what you think.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Your researchers are right about thought shaping this place, and everything in it. Nobody is meant to be here. It is supposed to exist only in thought. As ideas, as a part of a story. These are the sewers where the alligators live. It was meant to be nothing more than that. Then your people found this place. Look at what you've done.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B glares at Raster. Raster looks at it uncomfortably.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> So… what's with the… stuff?</p> <p><em>[He gestures to the collection of garbage around him. SCP-682-B opens its mouth, bearing several rows of teeth.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> This is my hoard.</p> <p><em>[It drags itself closer to the piles, which upon closer inspection, appear to be a meticulously arranged collection of miscellaneous objects gathered on a pile of mud. It loops its tail around Raster's shoulders and draws him closer until he is standing in front of the collections.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> This is where I keep my jewelry.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B gestures to a pile of assorted jewelry in various conditions and qualities, from broken necklaces and shattered glass gems to what appear to be golden chains and real diamonds.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I have necklaces. I do not wear them, but I keep them well-polished. I also keep my phones down here— They don't work anymore. I have also collected a gun.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B reaches into the water.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> A what?</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B raises a firearm that appears to be a Smith & Wesson .9mm pistol. It begins disassembling the gun in quick, practiced motions. Once the gun is fully disassembled, SCP-682-B begins reassembling it]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I found this in pieces. Someone took it apart before throwing it away. I managed to put it back together. It's a far cry from a flintlock… Isn't that interesting?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Extremely— you put it together yourself? With no outside knowledge, I mean.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> It was quite challenging, but yes. I don't know if it would shoot properly, but putting it together was satisfying enough.</p> <p><em>[Raster nods. He tilts his head at SCP-682-B.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Uh, sorry if this is an insensitive question, but how can you speak English?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> With my mouth, researcher.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Not like that, I meant, uh, how do you <em>know</em> English? Did someone teach you, did you learn on your own, were you human once?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> No.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Your knowledge of English is innate?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I suppose. I don't talk to humans. They're…</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B looks morosely down at its jewelry collection.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> They're…?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> So different from me.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I don't think that's a bad thing.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Have you seen me?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I'm seeing you right now. And… <em>[He hesitates.]</em> Fox saw you too?</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B growls.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> How do you know that name, human?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I've been exploring this place for a while. I didn't mean to snoop— Before I saw you, I didn't think there was anything more than catfish and worms. Which… probably <em>caused</em> there to be nothing but catfish and worms. Huh. All that to say, when I saw her ship, we investigated, and we found Fox's log.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B's face falls.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Oh.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I take it you're the one who hung the lights there?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Yes. I was. I go there often.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Her journal had a lot of pages torn out. Was that your doing, too?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I couldn't bear to see myself how she saw me. So, I tore the pages out, and buried them in the mud.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B is silent.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Who was Captain Fox?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> You won't find her.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I didn't think we would, but who was she?</p> <p><em>[Silence on recording.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> -B? I didn't mean to overstep.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> No. You didn't. I just have not heard that name in a long time.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> She wrote about a woman… was that you?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Do I look like that to you, researcher?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Yes.</p> <p><em>[Silence on recording.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I didn't always look like this. Back in those days, when I was younger, I was… smaller. My face wasn't this shape, my claws weren't so sharp. I traveled alongside Fox's ship, and when other boats got too close, I'd aid her in any way I could. Mostly by ripping at their hulls. Slamming into them. She did most of the work. She could control the waters. When I was too tired to swim, she'd make the current drag me along. Sailors learned to fear her. They learned to fear me.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B is silent for several moments. Raster approaches it.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Slowly, the ones who knew me thought I was a monster, and, I became one. My teeth sharpened. My claws grew. Fox stuck with me, but her crew didn't approve. They caught me in a net and planned to kill me while Fox slept. But she found them. In her rage, Fox drove the ship into the rocks… I crawled into a cave, which led to a tunnel. Then, I found this place. I continued to change. Arms growing stronger. My face elongating. Becoming more and more of a monster. I never learned what became of Fox. For all I know, she's still out there, traveling the seas. And now that I am what I am, I don't know if I could face her.</p> <p><em>[Silence on recording.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> If Fox was still here, she'd still love you. She loved you then, even when everyone thought you were a monster. She crashed her ship into the rocks to save you.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I have changed far too much from the being she knew. I'm disgusting.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> That's not a bad thing. Changing just… makes you have to reflect, I guess. Figure out who you are.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> And what do you know about change, <em>human?</em></p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B lashes its tail against the wall.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> My body has been stretched at the seams and stuffed full of rumors and myths and stories of sea monsters and alligators in the sewers— I am nowhere near what I was. What could you know about any of that!</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B snarls, breathing heavily. Raster sighs.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I don't know about it to that extreme. But I know how it feels. Sort of. Do you know what being transgender is?</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B stares at him.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I do. I live in a sewer, not under a rock. Continue.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I'm transgender. Growing up, I didn't know. I mean, a lot of people do know when they're that young, but I didn't. Gender wasn't something I ever thought about as a kid. Then, as I got older… To me, it felt like a disgusting transformation. My body didn't feel like it was my own. I wasn't in control, and suddenly I was being pushed into roles that felt all wrong. I remember looking down at myself and thinking that there was something wrong, but I didn't know what. When I finally learned what being trans was, it was a relief. But when I came out… my family took it so bad I ended up scurrying back into the closet. I tried to be a good daughter, a good woman, but it didn't feel right. I was miserable. It took a long time, and a lot of courage, but then I came out again. And this time, even when people were confused or weirded out, I kept pushing. Because I realized my happiness matters more than what the people around me think.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B looks towards the ground.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Why should you care that strangers think you're a monster? Sure, you've changed, and I'm so sorry this has happened to you, but even then, you deserve to be happy. You're intelligent, funny, and, if I'm being honest, beautiful. It doesn't matter that you're different from humans. You're still you. And, even though we just met, I think that's an amazing thing to be.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> You make it sound so easy.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> <em>[He laughs.]</em> It wasn't. Sometimes, it's still hard.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Then how do you keep going? How did you even begin?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I started by cutting my hair really short. Maybe you could start with something that makes you feel more like yourself, whatever that may be.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B looks up to Raster. Slowly, it slinks over to where it keeps its necklaces. It apprehensively picks up a silver one, adorned with a large sapphire. It uses two of its arms to loop it around its neck, but it appears to be unable to open the clasp with its claws. Noticing its frustration, Raster approaches. He carefully takes the necklace from SCP-682-B, and clips it on. He brushes its hair over the necklace. SCP-682-B turns to face him, lips curled in an approximation of a grin.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I probably look ridiculous.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Who cares about that? You're smiling, that's the important part.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B bares its teeth in a wide smile. Raster returns its smile.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> So I just… keep doing this? Keep wearing necklaces? What do I do next?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> That's up to you. Whatever would make you comfortable.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I don't know. How did you get where you are now? You seem so happy with yourself.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I hate to say it, but it's a constant effort. That doesn't mean it's not worth it. Little things add up. Back then cutting my hair short felt like a massive change, but now it's not really a big deal. It gets easier and easier, and soon enough you'll be looking back, amazed at how far you've come.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B is quiet for several long moments.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Why are you helping me? We've only just met.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> That doesn't matter, you still deserve help. Maybe even… a friend?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> A friend?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> It must be lonely down here. I think you could use one.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> For your research, surely.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> My bosses will probably have questions, but that's not why I want to be friends with you.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> …You really think I'm beautiful?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Of course.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I think you are quite charming yourself, Raster.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Thank you, uh, I— thanks.</p> <p><em>[Silence on recording. SCP-682-B slithers closer to Raster.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> It is getting late. The water gets colder at night. You should return to your researchers before it becomes too unbearable.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Right, I've been down here a while…</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Perhaps I could escort you back to where you came?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Do you know where that is?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I followed tracks back to the door a while ago. I know the general direction, but I wouldn't mind some guidance.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Thank you, -B. Let's get going.</p> <p><em>[Raster and SCP-682-B proceed to walk through SCP-682, quickly returning to the exit to Site-433. SCP-682-B hangs back, watching Raster approach the door. Raster opens the door, and waves at SCP-682-B. SCP-682-B waves back at him with all six hands. Raster looks at SCP-682-B for several long seconds, then steps through the door, closing it behind him]</em></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>END LOG</strong></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">INCIDENT-682-B-BOWL</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">INCIDENT-682-B-BOWL</a></div> <br/> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="blockquote"> <p>Approximately two weeks after Researcher Raster's most recent encounter with SCP-682-B, Raster reported the manifestation of a topological anomaly inside his toilet — replacing the standard inner bowl was a hole which descended down past the dimensional barriers of the toilet itself. Water was visible in the low light.</p> <p>He began to record the incident on his personal phone, to which SCP-682-B appeared or manifested inside the hole shortly after.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>BEGIN LOG</strong></p> </div> <br/> <em>[The camera is centered on a standard toilet. The sound of rushing water is audible. Raster (the point of view of the recording) approaches the toilet and looks over. Inside the bowl, there is a wide hole which descends 9 meters down; there is clear blue water at the bottom of the hole. Raster casts a shadow onto the water.]</em> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> There's something wrong with my toilet, I think. I've been flushing and flushing—</p> <p><em>[He flushes the toilet.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> —But nothing's happened. I don't know what's going on.</p> <p><em>[There is a loud, metallic scraping sound. Raster gasps.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> What the hell was that?!</p> <p><strong>Unknown:</strong> Just me.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B's arm emerges from out of view within the toilet; it proceeds to drag itself into the light. It stares up at Raster, folding its arms around its shoulders. It is wearing the silver necklace Raster helped it put on during their first encounter]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> …Dash B?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Yes.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> You're in my toilet.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Yes.</p> <p><em>He kneels by the toilet. The camera shakes.</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Are you cramped in there?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> No. Your toilet is very spacious. It is a fine space.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Thank you?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> You are… welcome.</p> <p><em>SCP-682-B sinks under the water. Bubbles rise to the surface.</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Are you ok?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> <em>[Unintelligible.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Can you come out of the water, Dash B? I'd like to hear what you have to say.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B bursts out of the water with enough speed and power to splash Raster and much of the surrounding bathroom.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-5" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-5')">5</a></sup> Raster yelps.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> You should come back sometime. To my home.</p> <p><em>[Raster pauses, then laughs.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> What, are you too good for my toilet?</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B smiles.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Very much so.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I was planning on coming back, you know.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Really?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> There's a lot more to research down there.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Such as worms? Catfish?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I was actually thinking I could get to know you better.</p> <p><em>[Silence on recording.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Sorry, I—</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I would like that a lot. I enjoyed our last conversation, and I would… also like to get to know you better.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> <em>[He laughs.]</em> I don't think I'm that interesting.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I would disagree. I think you are fascinating.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I do too. I mean, I think <em>you're</em> fascinating.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B smiles.]</em></p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Thank you. Then it is agreed. You will visit.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Of course.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Good. I would hate to have to wriggle up your toilet again. I will see you, researcher Raster.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Rowan.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Huh?</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> My first name is Rowan.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> I like that.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> Thanks, I chose it myself.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> It suits you well. Maybe I will choose a name for myself.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> For now, can I keep calling you Dash B?</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> As long as you keep your promise to visit.</p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> I will, I promise.</p> <p><strong>SCP-682-B:</strong> Good. Goodbye, Rowan.</p> <p><em>[SCP-682-B slowly sinks back into the water. Once it is fully submerged, Raster reaches up and flushes the toilet. The toilet flushes normally; once the water clears, the interior of the toilet is restored to its previous dimensions. Raster dips his hand into the toilet. He takes his hand out.]</em></p> <p><strong>Raster:</strong> …Be seeing you, Dash B.<br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>END LOG</strong></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <p><strong>After-Action Report:</strong> As of 6/1/2024, SCP-682-B has continued to aid Researcher Raster in his missions. Director Mildew has requested that Raster utilize their relationship to confirm or deny assumptions about SCP-682 shared by the research team; as such, further exploratory missions have been relegated to replication studies — due to this, an increase in funding towards these missions has been approved. The next mission will be led by Researcher Raster and SCP-682-B, but will constitute a full team with the goal of reaching the opposite end of SCP-682.</p> <p>Researcher Raster himself has shared some personal updates concerning SCP-682-B; it is considering using the name "Aethiopea" in further interactions, and has adopted a "pet fish."</p> </div> <br/> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ OZONE.dom.onDomReady(function(){ var tabViewdc949c4ed6f236144c3c8eb603076550 = new YAHOO.widget.TabView('wiki-tabview-dc949c4ed6f236144c3c8eb603076550'); }, "dummy-ondomready-block"); //]]> </script> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. Such as a flashlight or battery-powered lantern.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-2"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-2')">2</a>. <strong>Meal, Ready-to-Eat:</strong> Various high-nutrient foodstuffs dry-sealed within a plastic packet; when water is dumped into the packet, it reacts with magnesium and iron powders inside to cook the foodstuffs.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-3"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-3')">3</a>. Approximately 8,080,400 square kilometers.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-4"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-4')">4</a>. Species discovered include jumping worms, ribbon worms, tapeworms, leeches, nematodes and terrestrial flatworms.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-5"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-5')">5</a>. After analysis, it was determined the water samples originated from SCP-682.</div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:flopstyle">:scp-wiki:theme:flopstyle</a>]] [[/div]] [[module css]] #page-title { display: none; } [[/module]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:scp-trans-pride">:scp-wiki:theme:scp-trans-pride</a> \|trans-pride-logo= --] \|trans-pride-footer= --]]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] [[=]] SCP-682: //Hard-to-Reach Place// by [[user TealQuacks]], [[user FLOORBOARDS]], [[user ratking666]] & [[user Dino--Draws]] [[/=]] Word count: 8,627 Mood: Whimsical. Genre: Adventure. Other notes: Special thanks to [[user ratking666]], both for being a good friend and the creator of But A Dream. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[tabview]] [[tab Primary Document]] Item #:* SCP-682 Object Class: Euclid Special Containment Procedures: Standard anomalous location security measures have been enacted around the place of breach; SCP-682 has been sequestered from the rest of the basement sub-levels through the construction of a guarded decontamination chamber. The chamber is 200 square meters in total and is outfitted with an observation room, as well as 4 drainage pipes. HAZMAT suits are stored within this room, as are the controls for the chamber itself. Each HAZMAT suit is equipped with a standard two-way radio, which much be checked before every exploratory mission conducted. The drainage pipes are to be cleaned and sterilized directly before and after every exploratory mission. The entryway to SCP-682 itself — appearing as a white, wooden door — is locked from the outside. The key is held in the office of the acting Site HCML Supervisor or their replacement, which will be given to the containment team should an exploratory mission be enacted. Exploratory missions are to be carried out by Foundation researchers by request of Site-433's administration, citing higher levels of competence in anomalies of this type than expressed in D-Class personnel. The assigned researcher -- at time of writing, [[[scp-6080 \|Dr. Rowan Raster]]] -- is to be provided with a light source[[footnote]] Such as a flashlight or battery-powered lantern. [[/footnote]] and renewable batteries to last 45 days, self-heating MRE[[footnote]] Meal, Ready-to-Eat: Various high-nutrient foodstuffs dry-sealed within a plastic packet; when water is dumped into the packet, it reacts with magnesium and iron powders inside to cook the foodstuffs. [[/footnote]] rations to last 30 days, waterproof clothing and a plastic satchel. Due to the atmosphere of SCP-682, exploratory missions are not to last more than 2 hours. Though it is unlikely for an individual to become lost inside SCP-682, the environment presents a (largely) non-anomalous risk to long-term human habitation. Description: SCP-682 is a region of space that was placed amongst Site-433's basement sub-levels, replacing a Video Home System (VHS) cache in 2021. The space is extradimensional in nature, partially sitting beneath known physical reality; despite this, it is not infinite, being roughly equal in size to the continental United States of America in its entirety.[[footnote]] Approximately 8,080,400 square kilometers. [[/footnote]] The space possesses a low concrete ceiling supported by white-painted concrete pillars, leaving a walk space of roughly 2 meters. The ground is composed of packed sandy soil, though little mineral material has been found in samples. The area is flooded with 60 centimeters of stagnant, untreated freshwater. The water level itself has also been noted to fluctuate inconsistently. SCP-682's temperature sits perpetually at 40 degree Celsius, and does not possesses internal lighting. Occasionally, corpses of various vermiformi can be found floating in the water.[[footnote]] Species discovered include jumping worms, ribbon worms, tapeworms, leeches, nematodes and terrestrial flatworms. [[/footnote]] --SCP-682 is believed to be devoid of life-- (see Exploration Logs). Contact Director Jonathon Mildew for further updates on this document. [[/tab]] [[tab Discovery Log]] [[=]] [[collapsible show="INCIDENT-4370-6230-URANUS (ABRIDGED)" hide="..."]] [[/=]] [[<]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] MATERIAL BEGINS [[/=]] [...] the little mermaid went out from her garden, and took the road to the foaming whirlpools, behind which the sorceress lived. She had never been that way before: neither flowers nor grass grew there; nothing but bare dirt ground stretched out to the whirlpool, where the water, like foaming mill-wheels, whirled round everything that it seized, and cast it into the fathomless deep. Through the midst of these crushing whirlpools the little mermaid was obliged to pass, to reach the dominions of the sea witch; and also for a long distance the only road lay right across a quantity of warm, bubbling mire, called by the witch her turf-moor. Beyond this stood her house, in the centre of a strange forest, in which all the trees and flowers were polypi, half animals and half plants; they looked like serpents with a hundred heads growing out of the ground. The branches were long slimy arms, with fingers like flexible worms, moving limb after limb from the root to the top. All that could be reached in the sea they seized upon, and held fast, so that it never escaped from their clutches. The little mermaid was so alarmed at what she saw, that she stood still, and her heart beat with fear, and she was very nearly turning back; but she thought of the prince, and of the human soul for which she longed, and her courage returned. She fastened her long flowing hair round her head, so that the polypi might not seize hold of it. She laid her hands together across her bosom, and then she darted forward as a fish shoots through the water, between the supple arms and fingers of the ugly polypi, which were stretched out on each side of her. She saw that each held in its grasp something it had seized with its numerous little arms, as if they were iron bands. The white skeletons of human beings who had perished at sea, and had sunk down into the deep waters, skeletons of land animals, oars, rudders, and chests of ships were lying tightly grasped by their clinging arms; even a little mermaid, whom they had caught and strangled; and this seemed the most shocking of all to the little princess. [[div class="indented"]] She now came to a space of marshy ground in the wood, where large, fat water-snakes were rolling in the mire, and showing their ugly, drab-colored bodies. In the midst of this spot stood a house, built with the bones of shipwrecked human beings. There sat the sea witch, allowing a toad to eat from her mouth, just as people sometimes feed a canary with a piece of sugar. She called the ugly water-snakes her little chickens, and allowed them to crawl all over her bosom. “I know what you want,” said the sea witch; “it is very stupid of you, but you shall have your way, and it will bring you to sorrow, my pretty princess. You want to get rid of your fish’s tail, and to have two supports instead of it, like human beings on earth, so that the young prince may fall in love with you, and that you may have an immortal soul.” And then the witch laughed so loud and disgustingly, that the toad and the snakes fell to the ground, and lay there wriggling about. “You are but just in time,” said the witch; “for after sunrise to-morrow I should not be able to help you till the end of another year. I will prepare a potion for you, with which you must swim to land tomorrow before sunrise, and sit down on the shore and drink it. Your tail will then disappear, and shrink up into what mankind calls legs, and you will feel great pain, as if a sword were passing through you. But all who see you will say that you are the prettiest little human being they ever saw. You will still have the same floating gracefulness of movement, and no dancer will ever tread so lightly; but at every step you take it will feel as if you were treading upon sharp knives, and that the blood must flow. If you will bear all this, I will help you.” “Yes, I will,” said the little princess in a trembling voice, as she thought of the prince and the immortal soul. “But think again,” said the witch; “for when once your shape has become like a human being, you can no more be a mermaid. You will never return through the water to your sisters, or to your father’s palace again; and if you do not win the love of the prince, so that he is willing to forget his father and mother for your sake, and to love you with his whole soul, and allow the priest to join your hands that you may be man and wife, then you will never have an immortal soul. The first morning after he marries another your heart will break, and you will become foam on the crest of the waves.” “I will do it,” said the little mermaid, and she became pale as death. “But I must be paid also,” said the witch, “and it is not a trifle that I ask. You have the sweetest voice of any who dwell here in the depths of the sea, and you believe that you will be able to charm the prince with it also, but this voice you must give to me; the best thing you possess will I have for the price of my potion. My own blood must be mixed with it, that it may be as sharp as a two-edged sword.” “But if you take away my voice,” said the little mermaid, “what is left for me?” “Your beautiful form, your graceful walk, and your expressive eyes; surely with these you can enchain a man’s heart. Well, have you lost your courage? Put out your little tongue that I may cut it off as my payment; then you shall have the powerful potion.” “It shall be,” said the little mermaid. Then the witch placed her cauldron on the fire, to prepare the magic potion. “Cleanliness is a good thing,” said she, scouring the vessel with snakes, which she had tied together in a large knot; then she pricked herself in the breast, and let the black blood drop into it. The steam that rose formed itself into such horrible shapes that no one could look at them without fear. Every moment the witch threw something else into the vessel, and when it began to boil, the sound was like the weeping of an alligator. At last the magic potion was ready. “There it is for you,” said the witch. Then she cut off the mermaid’s tongue, so that she became dumb, and would never again speak or sing. “If the polypi should seize hold of you as you return through the wood,” said the witch, “throw over them a few drops of the potion, and their fingers will be torn into a thousand pieces.” But the little mermaid had no occasion to do this, for the polypi sprang back in terror when they caught sight of the glittering potion, which shone in her hand like a twinkling star. So she passed quickly through the wood and the marsh, and between the rushing whirlpools. She saw that in her father’s palace the torches in the ballroom were extinguished, and all within asleep; but she did not venture to go in to them, for now she was dumb and going to leave them forever, she felt as if her heart would break. She stole into the garden, took a flower from the flower-beds of each of her sisters, kissed her hand a thousand times towards the palace, and then rose up through the dark blue sea [...] [[=]] MATERIAL ENDS [[/=]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[/<]] [[=]] [[/collapsible]] [[/=]] To see an index on events surrounding INCIDENT-[[[scp-4370 \|4370]]]-[[[scp-6230 \|6230]]]-URANUS, insert credentials here: [[[[scp-8060 \|INVALID SECURITY CLEARANCE]]]]. @@ @@ [[/tab]] [[tab Exploration Logs, Truncated (2022-2024)]] Logs dating from 2021 have been excised for brevity, with the exception of the D-1711 test, which took place on May 2nd, 2021. Only missions which yielded usable results have been included here. [[div class="blockquote"]] Summary: As a preliminary mission to test the atmospheric conditions of SCP-682, D-1711 was sent inside with the mission of walking in a straight line for 15 minutes. He was given a two-way radio, a wetsuit, waterproof boots, and was equipped with a climbing harness -- it was connected to a pulley which was maintained by the HCML Supervisor and involved researchers. After 10 minutes, the pulley went slack and rapidly pulled away from the team. The radio link, though still operational, could only pick up the sound of wind before going silent. Despite attempts at pulling D-1711 back up, the rope had become stuck. After 10 more minutes, the rope snapped and was lost. 4 hours later, D-1711 emerged from a toilet in the second-floor women's restroom. ------ [[=]] BEGIN LOG [[/=]] Dir. Mildew: We lost you for a minute there. D-1711: Yeah, haha. Happy to be back. Dir. Mildew: Could you tell us what happened? When you disappeared? D-1711: Yeah, totally. So, I walked in a straight line just like you guys asked for a little bit. I wasn't really seeing anything of note, but after a while, I walked up to this ventilation shaft in the middle of the space. The bars were rusted and they looked kind of malleable, and I bent down to look at it -- and I like, slipped, on the soil shit. Face first. I smashed right into it. //[D-1711 makes a sound effect with his mouth, and slaps his palms together.]// Dir. Mildew: Yes, we heard that on the recording. D-1711: Yeah. So I was on top of the shaft, all my weight was on it, and I could feel the thing start creaking, 'cause it couldn't take my weight. Dir. Mildew: Then what did you do? D-1711: I mean, I didn't do anything. I figured it would either snap or it wouldn't. My hair was all wet and I was sweating and it was just miserable. At that point I really just didn't care. Dir. Mildew: Then it snapped. D-1711: Yep. And I fell... //[D-1711 whistles.]// D-1711: Right on in. Dir. Mildew: Could you tell me what happened //right after// you disappeared? D-1711: I think I was just falling for a long time. Sometimes I'd be in a pipe, or sometimes I've be in an airshaft, or sometimes I'd be in the open air, but I was just falling. Dir. Mildew: So your immediate vicinity was changing around you. D-1711: Pretty much, yeah. Dir. Mildew: Did anything in particular stick out to you? D-1711: Yeah, a few things. I saw a sewer. I saw the inside of a septic tank, but it was cleaned out. There was a pond, and the surface of it was covered in fishhooks, and I saw a man and a boy in camo pants and ball caps sitting on a dock. Dir. Mildew: Did they see you? D-1711: I think I went by too fast. It was kind of like a photograph, for me. Dir. Mildew: I see. D-1711: But anyway, sometimes I would see SCP-682 itself. Or something similar, but without the pillars, and a kind of light coming up from the ground. I saw... a lake, or an ocean. In the distance there was a pirate ship, I think. It had these gold crests and a black skull-and-bones flag. The last thing I saw was a koi pond. All of these places had 682's dirt floor, though, I should mention, and usually there'd be a hole of some kind. Dir. Mildew: For you to fall through. D-1711: Exactly, yeah. There was shiny stuff stuck in the dirt in the hole, if it was made of dirt, but I couldn't really make it out. Dir. Mildew: Understandable. Do you know how long you were falling for? D-1711: About a minute, minute and a half. Dir. Mildew: 4 hours, actually. D-1711: Woah. That's why I felt like I was struggling to breathe. That's nuts. You know, when I popped out of the toilet, I felt like I was being born. //[Silence on recording.]// Dir. Mildew: Thanks for all your help today. Get some rest, you need it. [[=]] END LOG [[/=]] [[/div]] ------ After-Action Report: Director Mildew declared that further missions would be staffed only by individuals specifically trained in the exploration of artistic, metaphysical anomalies; on the assumption that SCP-682 is at least partially conceptual, he stated that the only individuals allowed inside are those who can, in his words, "meet it on its level." Though this hypothesis has yet to be confirmed, instabilities like these have noticeably decreased since. ------ [[div class="blockquote"]] Summary: After entering SCP-682, Researcher Raster was directed to turn left and walk in a straight line along the wall. After 5 minutes, the wall disappeared into the expanse of SCP-682; Raster returned to the decontamination chamber afterwards. After deliberation, Raster was asked to enter SCP-682 again. Raster repeated the previous experiment but continued walking. After 6 minutes, Raster reported something "moving in the water" away from the path, which he moved to investigate. Upon shining his light in the water, he discovered a pile of 25 deceased //Pseudoceros dimidiatus// (divided flatworm) specimens, partially buried in the soil and knotted together in a ball shape. Raster attempted to dislodge the mass with his foot, but was unable to do so. He was able to procure 5 flatworm samples from the mass, which he collected in his satchel. Upon his return to the decontamination chamber, the flatworms were taken to be studied. Genetic testing indicated that the instances were all identical, but also that they were only 6 minutes old, despite appearing to be matured. One of the instances was able to be resuscitated, but no further information could be gained. [[/div]] ------ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] BEGIN LOG [[/=]] //[Recording is audio only, taken from the entryway between the decontamination chamber and SCP-682 itself. There is the sound of splashing, followed by a rope creaking, then a loud crash. After a moment, calliope music and voices become audible. Waves pick up and crash.]// Unknown Voice: Ahoy, mateys! //[Indistinct.]// Here be the greatest, biggest sewer in all the realm. Ye think 'er trials with Scylla and Charybdis were difficult, just wait'n'see what lies beneath the dingy water below... //[Children are heard speaking, but it is unintelligible. Suddenly, they go silent, only the waves audible -- then, the children and the Unknown Voice suddenly burst out laughing.]// Unknown Voice: Very good, ol' laddy! Very good! Ye got an advent'rer's heart, I tell ye, yer perfectly prepared. Y'sir, y'sir, [http://scp-int.wikidot.com/scp-3523-jp there be alligators in the sewer]. Y'see, alligators love to live in sewers. They live in 'most evr'y sewer on Earth! But 'ere, the biggest sewer in the realm, the alligators get so big! //[Children scream and laugh.]// Unknown Voice: Bigg'r than ye ever seen! Bigg'r... than yer 'ead! //[More laughter. There is a mechanical whirring sound, followed by the creaking of metal.]// Unknown Voice: Aye, lads n' lasses n' crew, ye best be keeping your hands n' feet inside tha' ship at all times... lest ye lose them! Yargh! //[The calliope music increases in volume, and there is more crashing of waves. The voices of children, as well as what sounds like adults, becoming audible all at once. Occasionally, the Unknown Voice can be heard exclaiming or laughing. There is a sound of rope creaking, then the sound begins to drift away. After only 2 minutes, all that can be heard are echoes. Gradually, the waves begin to subside, and SCP-682 returns to its usual silence.]// [[=]] END LOG [[/=]] [[/div]] ------ [[div class="blockquote"]] Summary: After walking in a straight line for 10 minutes, Researcher Raster discovered a ventilation shaft on the ground. It appeared to have been broken in; the beams of the cover had been pushed apart. Raster noted that it was large enough for a human to fall into. He proceeded to take one of his MRE rations, and dropped it in the water, allowing it to be sucked into the vent. Upon this, he returned to the decontamination chamber. 4 hours later, the MRE was discovered within the septic tank connected to the second floor's plumbing system, having clogged a pipe. [[/div]] ------ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] BEGIN LOG [[/=]] //[Raster trudges between pillars, pulling various worms out of the soil. He turns to his left; an Asian jumping worm is floating in the water. He places his worms into his plastic satchel, then walks to the worm floating. He watches it for a moment -- aside from being carried by the waves he produces, it does not move. He picks it up and places it in his satchel.]// //[He turns around, facing the direction he came from. Somewhere out of sight, there is splashing.]// //[Raster visibly tenses, placing his hand on a pillar. He pulls himself against it, and turns off his flashlight. There is another splash.]// //[He crouches lower to the ground; slowly, he begins to move towards the sounds. Another splash is audible to his right, and he turns accordingly. As he comes closer to the origin of the sound, a dark shape is visible underneath a large pile of worms. Raster stands up fully, presses himself against a nearby pillar, and turns on his flashlight.]// //[Underneath the worm pile is a// Ictalurus punctatus //(channel catfish) -- now designated SCP-682-A -- which splashes around as it comes up to eat more worms.]// Raster: Ha. Holy shit. //[SCP-682-A eats another mouthful of worms, then dives between the nearby pillars. It swims in a circle, then swims in Raster's direction. He does not move. It comes up to him, then dives to his left. Raster turns to watch it. After a few minutes, SCP-682-A disappears into the darkness, beyond Raster's flashlight.]// //[There is a splash in the distance.]// [[=]] END LOG [[/=]] [[/div]] ------ [[div class="blockquote"]] Summary: Two days after his return from SCP-682, Researcher Raster was sent back into SCP-682 in an endeavor to relocate SCP-682-A and implant a tracking device into it. He was sent into SCP-682 with all required gear, as well as a small, mesh bag of catfish bait to drag through the water. He proceeds to retrace his steps back to where SCP-682-A was spotted. While exploring SCP-682, Raster suddenly stopped. When asked why he stopped, Raster stated that he "heard something splash". Believing this to be SCP-682-A, he was instructed to go further. Raster continued. After six minutes, he stopped again and asked control if "they had heard that". Despite control responding in the negative, Raster became agitated and attempted to flee. After running blindly for several minutes, he tripped, and assumed the fetal position against a nearby pillar. He was unresponsive at this time. A small rescue team was sent into SCP-682 to retrieve Raster. After he was safely retrieved, he was asked what caused him to flee. Raster stated: "I don't know where it came from but it was after me, I heard it, I heard it splashing and it-- I saw a dolphin." Director Mildew ordered SCP-682 be searched for [[[critter profile francis \|Alucinari-class]]] entities. None were located within SCP-682, and neither were any non-anomalous dolphins. The sighting that Raster reported was confirmed to be a PTSD induced audio-visual hallucination. Raster has been assigned mandatory therapy sessions and will not be allowed back into SCP-682 for the time being. [[/div]] ------ After-Incident Report: 2 weeks after the incident above, Raster requested to return to SCP-682. Despite concerns over his mental state, Dir. Mildew approved Raster's request, under the terms that he would be able to be in communication with Raster for the entirety of his exploration. Raster accepted, and was allowed to re-enter SCP-682. ------ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] BEGIN LOG [[/=]] //[Raster walks through SCP-682, heading southwest from the entrance point in Site-433. After about an hour of walking, he sees an unidentified object poking out of the ground. He approaches it, and kneels next to it. He slowly pulls it out of the water, revealing a long, polished splinter of wood.]// Raster: Raster to Mildew, you still here? Mildew: Yes. Raster: Well, are you seeing this? Mildew: It's wood. Raster: Yes! It's wood! I haven't seen any wood in any of 682's structure. So where the hell did it come from? Mildew: If only someone down there could possibly search 682. Raster: Oh ha ha. It's the most interesting thing I've found in a mile. I'm gonna see if I can find where it's from. Mildew: Keep me updated. Raster: Alright. //[Raster continues walking through SCP-682. He passes through several small rooms, which appear to get smaller as he continues forward. More pieces of wood can be found. Soon, Raster has to duck to enter the rooms without hitting his head. He soon comes to a room with such a low ceiling he would have to lay prone to enter. He stares at it for several long seconds.]// Mildew: You don't have to go in, Rowan. You can come back, and next time, we'll send you out with a short-range drone. Raster: No, no. I can do this. Mildew: Alright. Be careful. If you get stuck, it'll take a long time to get to you. Raster: Okay. Okay, I can do this. Okay. //[Raster takes a deep breath, and lowers himself to the ground. He drags himself over the mud. Tiny worms dart in and out of his field of vision. He keeps his breaths slow and even. As he continues further, more stray pieces of wood can be found]// Mildew: Find anything, researcher? Raster: Nothing yet. Mildew: You have full permission to turn back, if you need. Raster: ...You don't need to-- look. That was a fluke, okay? That won't happen again. Mildew: I understand, but I don't want you to push yourself too hard. What you went through was terrible, Raster. There's no other way to put it. You need to be patient with yourself. It's okay if things are still bad. Raster: ...There's a light at the end of this. Mildew: That's a very positive outlook to have. I'm happy-- Raster: No, no uh, a //literal// light, director. It's faint, but I can see it. Mildew: Oh. Carry on. //[Silence on recording.]// Raster: Thank you, though. I've been trying to get myself back together. Mildew: I'm glad. //[Raster continues to drag himself through the room. What begins as a faint, flickering light in the distance slowly brightens, exposing a small slot. Raster begins to kick and writhe through the muck. He squeezes through the slot, into a room with a rough, vaulted ceiling. The walls are a mix of rough stone and the repetitive pillars of SCP-682. In the center of the room is what appears to be the front half of what appears to be a 1600's merchant ship.]// Raster: Oh my god... //[The bowsprit and mast of the vessel pierces through the rock. There is what appears to be a makeshift chandelier hanging off of the mast, made of flash lights, glow sticks, decorative yard lights, and lightbulbs all wired to a car battery. They sway, as if in a breeze. Other fixtures hang off the side of the ship and bowsprit. Written on the side, in golden lettering, is the words "HMS Uranus." Raster stands perfectly still, transfixed.]// Raster: It's a pirate ship. Mildew: It appears so. This could be the result of that incident earlier-- just hearing the voice say "ahoy" would be enough to implant the idea of pirates in anyone's mind, something that 682 could reflect, and make into what we're seeing right now. Raster: But this doesn't feel like that. I mean, when you think "pirate ship," would you think of a boat crashed in a cave, covered in junk? Mildew: I suppose I wouldn't. You're suggesting this has been here for a while, then? Raster: Maybe? I'm not sure, though. If it is, then why isn't the rest of 682 pirate themed? I'd say "oh, maybe the ship got sealed into 682," but that implies that the structure of 682 can //change// which I really don't want to think about because oh god that could close my entrance. Shit. Now I'm thinking about it. //[Raster quickly looks at the small opening he crawled through. It's still present. Dir. Mildew sighs.]// Mildew: There's no evidence of 682's structure changing that rapidly. This ship could be manifested from thought, or memory, but I agree with you when you say it's old. Lived in, even. Raster: Lived in? By what, worms? Catfish? ...Sewer alligators? Mildew: I'm not sure. //[Raster approaches the ship hesitantly.]// Raster: What if the sewers predate the pirate ship? That doesn't feel too large of a logical leap to make. Mildew: I suppose that makes sense. This place is a sewer, yes, but it's full of water. Raster: Which could make someone think about boats, and, by extension, pirates. And once that thought is out there, the sewer grabs it, and builds upon it. It started with the pirate animatronic thing, and when that strengthened the idea of pirates, it made an entire ship. Mildew: If simple thought can cause such change in SCP-682, then this could easily spiral out of control. Water leads to thoughts of boats, leads to thoughts of pirates, which leads to anything from buried treasure to-- Raster: Sea monsters? //[Director Mildew sighs.]// Mildew: I was really hoping you wouldn't say something like that. Raster: I thought about it, so I think it's a bit too late already. You're right, though. This could get out of hand. Especially if too many people hear about this. Mildew: Right now, there's not much we can do except address what's in front of us. Collect samples of the wood and paint, try to get some pictures, then come back. I'll look into the //HMS Uranus.// Maybe it was a real ship. Raster: What if it wasn't, but 682 made it real? Mildew: Photos, Raster. Raster: Okay. Right. //[Raster proceeds to take 20 pictures of the HMS Uranus, documenting the outside, and a small portion of the inside of the ship. Inside the ship, there are a myriad of machine parts, and many tools in various states of disrepair. Upon spotting what appeared to be several animatronic endoskeletons, stripped for parts, Raster refused to go any further.]// Raster: No way in hell. [[=]] END LOG [[/=]] [[/div]] ------ Addenda 682 (History): After Researcher Raster discovered the //HMS Uranus// within SCP-682, the Department of History was contacted regarding its discovery. Upon informing the department, they were able to find that the HMS Uranus was attached to anomalous activity between the years 1675-1681, after it was seized by a pirate captain that went by the name "Captain Fox." Fox was rumored to be a thaumaturgist of great strength, with testimonies claiming she had the ability to control the waves and weather, which she used to attack other ships. The sudden disappearance of her ship and crew also caught the attention of the Foundation, which, until now, believed that the ship had been sunk, consumed, or otherwise lost. While exploring the wreck of the //HMS Uranus,// a leather bound journal was found in what is assumed to be the captains quarters. Despite its age, the text within was still legible. The entries detail her encountering a "fair woman" on the coast of Florida, and falling in love with her. Captain Fox alludes to drawings she's made of this individual, but no drawings are found. However, there are several pages that have been torn out of the journal. No human remains were found in the wreckage. It is unknown how the //HMS Uranus// came to rest in SCP-682. It should be noted that upon viewing the photos captured by Researcher Raster, there appears to be a pale, humanoid hand in the doorway of the captain's quarters. Raster states he did not see this hand while taking photos of the //HMS Uranus//. Further exploration of the ship has been ordered. ------ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] BEGIN LOG [[/=]] //[After a successful expedition into SCP-682, Researcher Raster was allowed to reenter SCP-682. He was instructed to return to the HMS Uranus for further investigation. Upon arriving to the HMS Uranus, he was instructed to go inside of the HMS Uranus. Raster initially hesitated to go inside, reminding control of the endoskeletons within the ship. After some coaxing, however, Raster enters the HMS Uranus. He takes photographs of his surroundings, focusing on the animatronics and other machinery stripped for parts. He pauses, and checks the photographs he took. One of them has what appears to be a pale appendage-- possibly a tail-- barely in frame, exiting the boat. Raster blanches.]// Raster: Oh, that can't be good... //[Despite his expressed discomfort, Raster pushes forward, toward were the tail was. He exits the boat, and spots deep trails in the mud, as if something was dragging itself along. He follows the drag marks into the main structure of 682, leaving the vicinity of the Uranus. As he reaches a corner, he spots the appendage. Raster continues to approach. He holds his camera at the ready. He peaks into the next room. A large creature-- henceforth referred to as SCP-682-B-- stands before him. It dominates the room, six muscular arms holding itself aloft. It shambles forward at a slow pace. Its long tail flicks behind it. It's pale, and appears to be reptilian, but at this distance details are hard to make out.]// Raster: Holy //shit.// //[SCP-682-B stiffens, then begins to flee. It pulls itself forward by grabbing the large cement pillars surrounding it, its tail jerking back and forth in the muck. This action kicks up sediment, which reduces visibility to near zero. Raster follows it blindly, though it is difficult to run through the thick mud. SCP-682-B's tail flicks past his face.]// Raster: Wait! I don't want to hurt you! //[Raster continues following the clouds of sediment SCP-682-B is causing as it flees. After several minutes of running, SCP-682-B's tail knocks him to the ground. He gasps and groans in pain. He sits up. When he looks up, SCP-682-B is in front of him. It has four dark eyes, an elongated face, and a mouthful of sharp teeth. Its chest appears to have small, mammalian breasts. Raster freezes.]// Raster: What are you? //[Silence on recording. It appears to glare at Researcher Raster.]// SCP-682-B: ...//Disgusting.// //[SCP-682-B flees.]// [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=her.png\|align=center\|caption=SCP-682-B.]] [[=]] END LOG [[/=]] [[/div]] ------ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] BEGIN LOG [[/=]] //[Raster enters SCP-682, and is allowed to choose a direction. He begins walking through SCP-682, heading southeast. He occasionally kneels, rooting through the soil. He turns a corner and walks down the hallway. Down the hall, he comes across an archway to his left. Inside, there is what appears to be a space manually dug out of the mud, with a high ceiling. The room is full of piles of garbage. The majority of the large room, however, is occupied with SCP-682-B. Its tail idly flicks as appears to fiddle with a small object. Raster slowly approaches, attempting to keep SCP-682-B from seeing him. He immediately steps on a soda can buried in the muck. The sound alerts SCP-682-B, who whirls around. Before Raster can turn, its tail darts out and wraps tightly around him. Raster struggles and kicks, but cannot free himself from SCP-682-B's grasp.]// SCP-682-B: What are you doing down here? //[SCP-682-B raises itself to its full height. Raster stills, staring up at it. Now that he is closer to it, the details are much clearer. SCP-682-B is a large, pale creature that resembles a reptile, with fine mammalian hair across its entirety. It has two sets of large, black eyes, as well as a large mouth of sharp teeth. It has four pairs of muscular arms with hands that end in dark talons, which it uses to hold itself between pillars. Its tail is so long it can wrap around Raster several times.]// //[SCP-682-B squeezes its tail tighter. Raster yelps.]// SCP-682-B: Speak. Raster: Uh-- I'm a scientist. A researcher. Exploring your... abode? SCP-682-B: My abode. Raster: Yes. SCP-682-B: Why? Raster: I mean-- SCP-682-B: Are you here for me, human? //[Its tail tightens around Raster.]// Raster: No! No, we didn't even know you existed! SCP-682-B: Who is we? Raster: I work for an organization that investigates the anomalous. Like this place. I promise, we're not going to hurt you. You're not bothering anyone, you're basically containing yourself, so we have no reason to! But this place is extradimensional, it's not attached to baseline reality so that's why I was sent down here-- //[SCP-682-B lets go of Raster. Raster stumbles back, breathing heavily.]// SCP-682-B: Stop yelling. Raster: Sorry. SCP-682-B: This group you belong to. They are explorers? Raster: Researchers. I mean, I'm a researcher, at least. Researcher Raster. SCP-682-B: Raster. Raster: That's me! Do you have a name? Or something you'd like to be called? SCP-682-B: No. Raster: Then, would you be okay if I called you -B? //[[SCP-682-B slithers around him.]// SCP-682-B: Dasbee? Raster: This place, we call SCP-682. To us, you're SCP-682-B. //[SCP-682-B tilts its head.]// SCP-682-B: Why B? Raster: Well, there's already an SCP-682-A. SCP-682-B: ...Is there something else down here? Something like me? Raster: Well, not quite. SCP-682-B: Then, pray tell, what is this -A? //[Silence on recording.]// SCP-682-B: Raster? Raster: SCP-682-A is... A catfish. SCP-682-B: A catfish. I am second to a catfish? Raster: The letters don't mean you're more or less important than the catfish, it's just that we, uh, found it first. SCP-682-B: And who is this "we" you speak of? More researchers? Raster: Doctors, too. We're studying SCP-682 because the space is extradimensional. It lays somewhat outside of our reality. That's not a bad thing, but it intrigued the people I work for enough for them to send me down here. SCP-682-B: Why would they send you? Raster: I'm an expert in art based and conceptual anomalies. It seems to me that 682 is strongly effected by what people think of it. For example, the appearance of the pirate ship, and other similar phenomena. //[SCP-682-B stares silently at Raster.]// Raster: ...Can you tell me anything about this place? You don't have to, but I'd like to hear what you think. SCP-682-B: Your researchers are right about thought shaping this place, and everything in it. Nobody is meant to be here. It is supposed to exist only in thought. As ideas, as a part of a story. These are the sewers where the alligators live. It was meant to be nothing more than that. Then your people found this place. Look at what you've done. //[SCP-682-B glares at Raster. Raster looks at it uncomfortably.]// Raster: So... what's with the... stuff? //[He gestures to the collection of garbage around him. SCP-682-B opens its mouth, bearing several rows of teeth.]// SCP-682-B: This is my hoard. //[It drags itself closer to the piles, which upon closer inspection, appear to be a meticulously arranged collection of miscellaneous objects gathered on a pile of mud. It loops its tail around Raster's shoulders and draws him closer until he is standing in front of the collections.]// SCP-682-B: This is where I keep my jewelry. //[SCP-682-B gestures to a pile of assorted jewelry in various conditions and qualities, from broken necklaces and shattered glass gems to what appear to be golden chains and real diamonds.]// SCP-682-B: I have necklaces. I do not wear them, but I keep them well-polished. I also keep my phones down here-- They don't work anymore. I have also collected a gun. //[SCP-682-B reaches into the water.]// Raster: A what? //[SCP-682-B raises a firearm that appears to be a Smith & Wesson .9mm pistol. It begins disassembling the gun in quick, practiced motions. Once the gun is fully disassembled, SCP-682-B begins reassembling it]// SCP-682-B: I found this in pieces. Someone took it apart before throwing it away. I managed to put it back together. It's a far cry from a flintlock... Isn't that interesting? Raster: Extremely-- you put it together yourself? With no outside knowledge, I mean. SCP-682-B: It was quite challenging, but yes. I don't know if it would shoot properly, but putting it together was satisfying enough. //[Raster nods. He tilts his head at SCP-682-B.]// Raster: Uh, sorry if this is an insensitive question, but how can you speak English? SCP-682-B: With my mouth, researcher. Raster: Not like that, I meant, uh, how do you //know// English? Did someone teach you, did you learn on your own, were you human once? SCP-682-B: No. Raster: Your knowledge of English is innate? SCP-682-B: I suppose. I don't talk to humans. They're... //[SCP-682-B looks morosely down at its jewelry collection.]// Raster: They're...? SCP-682-B: So different from me. Raster: I don't think that's a bad thing. SCP-682-B: Have you seen me? Raster: I'm seeing you right now. And... //[He hesitates.]// Fox saw you too? //[SCP-682-B growls.]// SCP-682-B: How do you know that name, human? Raster: I've been exploring this place for a while. I didn't mean to snoop-- Before I saw you, I didn't think there was anything more than catfish and worms. Which... probably //caused// there to be nothing but catfish and worms. Huh. All that to say, when I saw her ship, we investigated, and we found Fox's log. //[SCP-682-B's face falls.]// SCP-682-B: Oh. Raster: I take it you're the one who hung the lights there? SCP-682-B: Yes. I was. I go there often. Raster: Her journal had a lot of pages torn out. Was that your doing, too? SCP-682-B: I couldn't bear to see myself how she saw me. So, I tore the pages out, and buried them in the mud. //[SCP-682-B is silent.]// Raster: Who was Captain Fox? SCP-682-B: You won't find her. Raster: I didn't think we would, but who was she? //[Silence on recording.]// Raster: -B? I didn't mean to overstep. SCP-682-B: No. You didn't. I just have not heard that name in a long time. Raster: She wrote about a woman... was that you? SCP-682-B: Do I look like that to you, researcher? Raster: Yes. //[Silence on recording.]// SCP-682-B: I didn't always look like this. Back in those days, when I was younger, I was... smaller. My face wasn't this shape, my claws weren't so sharp. I traveled alongside Fox's ship, and when other boats got too close, I'd aid her in any way I could. Mostly by ripping at their hulls. Slamming into them. She did most of the work. She could control the waters. When I was too tired to swim, she'd make the current drag me along. Sailors learned to fear her. They learned to fear me. //[SCP-682-B is silent for several moments. Raster approaches it.]// SCP-682-B: Slowly, the ones who knew me thought I was a monster, and, I became one. My teeth sharpened. My claws grew. Fox stuck with me, but her crew didn't approve. They caught me in a net and planned to kill me while Fox slept. But she found them. In her rage, Fox drove the ship into the rocks... I crawled into a cave, which led to a tunnel. Then, I found this place. I continued to change. Arms growing stronger. My face elongating. Becoming more and more of a monster. I never learned what became of Fox. For all I know, she's still out there, traveling the seas. And now that I am what I am, I don't know if I could face her. //[Silence on recording.]// Raster: If Fox was still here, she'd still love you. She loved you then, even when everyone thought you were a monster. She crashed her ship into the rocks to save you. SCP-682-B: I have changed far too much from the being she knew. I'm disgusting. Raster: That's not a bad thing. Changing just... makes you have to reflect, I guess. Figure out who you are. SCP-682-B: And what do you know about change, //human?// //[SCP-682-B lashes its tail against the wall.]// SCP-682-B: My body has been stretched at the seams and stuffed full of rumors and myths and stories of sea monsters and alligators in the sewers-- I am nowhere near what I was. What could you know about any of that! //[SCP-682-B snarls, breathing heavily. Raster sighs.]// Raster: I don't know about it to that extreme. But I know how it feels. Sort of. Do you know what being transgender is? //[SCP-682-B stares at him.]// SCP-682-B: I do. I live in a sewer, not under a rock. Continue. Raster: I'm transgender. Growing up, I didn't know. I mean, a lot of people do know when they're that young, but I didn't. Gender wasn't something I ever thought about as a kid. Then, as I got older... To me, it felt like a disgusting transformation. My body didn't feel like it was my own. I wasn't in control, and suddenly I was being pushed into roles that felt all wrong. I remember looking down at myself and thinking that there was something wrong, but I didn't know what. When I finally learned what being trans was, it was a relief. But when I came out... my family took it so bad I ended up scurrying back into the closet. I tried to be a good daughter, a good woman, but it didn't feel right. I was miserable. It took a long time, and a lot of courage, but then I came out again. And this time, even when people were confused or weirded out, I kept pushing. Because I realized my happiness matters more than what the people around me think. //[SCP-682-B looks towards the ground.]// Raster: Why should you care that strangers think you're a monster? Sure, you've changed, and I'm so sorry this has happened to you, but even then, you deserve to be happy. You're intelligent, funny, and, if I'm being honest, beautiful. It doesn't matter that you're different from humans. You're still you. And, even though we just met, I think that's an amazing thing to be. SCP-682-B: You make it sound so easy. Raster: //[He laughs.]// It wasn't. Sometimes, it's still hard. SCP-682-B: Then how do you keep going? How did you even begin? Raster: I started by cutting my hair really short. Maybe you could start with something that makes you feel more like yourself, whatever that may be. //[SCP-682-B looks up to Raster. Slowly, it slinks over to where it keeps its necklaces. It apprehensively picks up a silver one, adorned with a large sapphire. It uses two of its arms to loop it around its neck, but it appears to be unable to open the clasp with its claws. Noticing its frustration, Raster approaches. He carefully takes the necklace from SCP-682-B, and clips it on. He brushes its hair over the necklace. SCP-682-B turns to face him, lips curled in an approximation of a grin.]// SCP-682-B: I probably look ridiculous. Raster: Who cares about that? You're smiling, that's the important part. //[SCP-682-B bares its teeth in a wide smile. Raster returns its smile.]// SCP-682-B: So I just... keep doing this? Keep wearing necklaces? What do I do next? Raster: That's up to you. Whatever would make you comfortable. SCP-682-B: I don't know. How did you get where you are now? You seem so happy with yourself. Raster: I hate to say it, but it's a constant effort. That doesn't mean it's not worth it. Little things add up. Back then cutting my hair short felt like a massive change, but now it's not really a big deal. It gets easier and easier, and soon enough you'll be looking back, amazed at how far you've come. //[SCP-682-B is quiet for several long moments.]// SCP-682-B: Why are you helping me? We've only just met. Raster: That doesn't matter, you still deserve help. Maybe even... a friend? SCP-682-B: A friend? Raster: It must be lonely down here. I think you could use one. SCP-682-B: For your research, surely. Raster: My bosses will probably have questions, but that's not why I want to be friends with you. SCP-682-B: ...You really think I'm beautiful? Raster: Of course. SCP-682-B: I think you are quite charming yourself, Raster. Raster: Thank you, uh, I-- thanks. //[Silence on recording. SCP-682-B slithers closer to Raster.]// SCP-682-B: It is getting late. The water gets colder at night. You should return to your researchers before it becomes too unbearable. Raster: Right, I've been down here a while... SCP-682-B: Perhaps I could escort you back to where you came? Raster: Do you know where that is? SCP-682-B: I followed tracks back to the door a while ago. I know the general direction, but I wouldn't mind some guidance. Raster: Thank you, -B. Let's get going. //[Raster and SCP-682-B proceed to walk through SCP-682, quickly returning to the exit to Site-433. SCP-682-B hangs back, watching Raster approach the door. Raster opens the door, and waves at SCP-682-B. SCP-682-B waves back at him with all six hands. Raster looks at SCP-682-B for several long seconds, then steps through the door, closing it behind him]// [[=]] END LOG [[/=]] [[/div]] ------ [[=]] [[collapsible show="INCIDENT-682-B-BOWL" hide="INCIDENT-682-B-BOWL"]] [[/=]] [[<]] [[div class="blockquote"]] Approximately two weeks after Researcher Raster's most recent encounter with SCP-682-B, Raster reported the manifestation of a topological anomaly inside his toilet -- replacing the standard inner bowl was a hole which descended down past the dimensional barriers of the toilet itself. Water was visible in the low light. He began to record the incident on his personal phone, to which SCP-682-B appeared or manifested inside the hole shortly after. ------ [[=]] BEGIN LOG [[/=]] //[The camera is centered on a standard toilet. The sound of rushing water is audible. Raster (the point of view of the recording) approaches the toilet and looks over. Inside the bowl, there is a wide hole which descends 9 meters down; there is clear blue water at the bottom of the hole. Raster casts a shadow onto the water.]// Raster: There's something wrong with my toilet, I think. I've been flushing and flushing-- //[He flushes the toilet.]// Raster: --But nothing's happened. I don't know what's going on. //[There is a loud, metallic scraping sound. Raster gasps.]// Raster: What the hell was that?! Unknown: Just me. //[SCP-682-B's arm emerges from out of view within the toilet; it proceeds to drag itself into the light. It stares up at Raster, folding its arms around its shoulders. It is wearing the silver necklace Raster helped it put on during their first encounter]// Raster: ...Dash B? SCP-682-B: Yes. Raster: You're in my toilet. SCP-682-B: Yes. //He kneels by the toilet. The camera shakes.// Raster: Are you cramped in there? SCP-682-B: No. Your toilet is very spacious. It is a fine space. Raster: Thank you? SCP-682-B: You are... welcome. //SCP-682-B sinks under the water. Bubbles rise to the surface.// Raster: Are you ok? SCP-682-B: //[Unintelligible.]// Raster: Can you come out of the water, Dash B? I'd like to hear what you have to say. //[SCP-682-B bursts out of the water with enough speed and power to splash Raster and much of the surrounding bathroom.[[footnote]] After analysis, it was determined the water samples originated from SCP-682. [[/footnote]] Raster yelps.]// SCP-682-B: You should come back sometime. To my home. //[Raster pauses, then laughs.]// Raster: What, are you too good for my toilet? //[SCP-682-B smiles.]// SCP-682-B: Very much so. Raster: I was planning on coming back, you know. SCP-682-B: Really? Raster: There's a lot more to research down there. SCP-682-B: Such as worms? Catfish? Raster: I was actually thinking I could get to know you better. //[Silence on recording.]// Raster: Sorry, I-- SCP-682-B: I would like that a lot. I enjoyed our last conversation, and I would... also like to get to know you better. Raster: //[He laughs.]// I don't think I'm that interesting. SCP-682-B: I would disagree. I think you are fascinating. Raster: I do too. I mean, I think //you're// fascinating. //[SCP-682-B smiles.]// SCP-682-B: Thank you. Then it is agreed. You will visit. Raster: Of course. SCP-682-B: Good. I would hate to have to wriggle up your toilet again. I will see you, researcher Raster. Raster: Rowan. SCP-682-B: Huh? Raster: My first name is Rowan. SCP-682-B: I like that. Raster: Thanks, I chose it myself. SCP-682-B: It suits you well. Maybe I will choose a name for myself. Raster: For now, can I keep calling you Dash B? SCP-682-B: As long as you keep your promise to visit. Raster: I will, I promise. SCP-682-B: Good. Goodbye, Rowan. //[SCP-682-B slowly sinks back into the water. Once it is fully submerged, Raster reaches up and flushes the toilet. The toilet flushes normally; once the water clears, the interior of the toilet is restored to its previous dimensions. Raster dips his hand into the toilet. He takes his hand out.]// Raster: ...Be seeing you, Dash B. [[=]] END LOG [[/=]] [[/div]] ------ After-Action Report: As of 6/1/2024, SCP-682-B has continued to aid Researcher Raster in his missions. Director Mildew has requested that Raster utilize their relationship to confirm or deny assumptions about SCP-682 shared by the research team; as such, further exploratory missions have been relegated to replication studies -- due to this, an increase in funding towards these missions has been approved. The next mission will be led by Researcher Raster and SCP-682-B, but will constitute a full team with the goal of reaching the opposite end of SCP-682. Researcher Raster himself has shared some personal updates concerning SCP-682-B; it is considering using the name "Aethiopea" in further interactions, and has adopted a "pet fish." [[/<]] [[=]] [[/collapsible]] [[/=]] [[/tab]] [[/tabview]] [[footnoteblock]] [[div class="footer-wikiwalk-nav"]] [[=]] << [[[SCP-681]]] \| [[[SCP-682]]] \| [[[SCP-683]]] >> [[/=]] [[/div]]	2024-07-22T15:57:00	[ "but-a-dream", "foundation-format", "hard-to-destroy-reptile", "illustrated", "lgbtq", "otherworldly", "tale" ]	SCP-682 — Hard-To-Reach Place - SCP Foundation	44	[ "scp-6080", "scp-4370", "scp-6230", "scp-8060", "critter-profile-francis", "scp-681", "scp-682", "scp-683" ]	[ "but-a-dream" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-0682/her.png" ]	1455936875	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-0682
scp-fra31-236	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="display: none"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Th</span><span class="hl-code">è</span><span class="hl-identifier">me</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">de</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Quand</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">le</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Soleil</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">se</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Couche</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier">Th</span><span class="hl-code">è</span><span class="hl-identifier">me</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> 2024 </span><span class="hl-identifier">Cr</span><span class="hl-code">éé </span><span class="hl-identifier">par</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Cauchynambour</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">logo</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">cr</span><span class="hl-code">éé</span><span class="hl-identifier">e</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">par</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Cauchynambour</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tir</span><span class="hl-code">é</span><span class="hl-identifier">e</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">du</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">è</span><span class="hl-identifier">me</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">http</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">scp-int.wikidot.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">poor-foundation-hub</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Space</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-code">&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">cnt</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-header-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> "Fondation"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-header-txt :</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--step-2, clamp(</span><span class="hl-number">2.72</span><span class="hl-code">rem, calc(</span><span class="hl-number">1.77</span><span class="hl-code">rem + </span><span class="hl-number">2.47</span><span class="hl-code">vw), </span><span class="hl-number">3.53</span><span class="hl-code">rem))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">slogan-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-slogan-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--step--1, clamp(</span><span class="hl-number">0.88</span><span class="hl-code">rem, calc(</span><span class="hl-number">1.02</span><span class="hl-code">rem + -</span><span class="hl-number">0.20</span><span class="hl-code">vw), </span><span class="hl-number">0.98</span><span class="hl-code">rem))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">cnt</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-slogan-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> "do you hear it?"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">bg</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-logo:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(http://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche/header-logo.png)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">col</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">link:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">col</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-visited:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.flickering</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content :</span><span class="hl-code"> 'SCP'</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation :</span><span class="hl-code"> flicker </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size :</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ct_fns_alt-header-txt)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">flicker</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0%, 19.999%, 22%, 62.999%, 64%, 64.999%, 70%, 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> //</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.99</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 20%, 21.999%, 63%, 63.999%, 65%, 69.999% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> from : </span><span class="hl-identifier">http</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">scp-int.wikidot.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">poor-foundation-hub</span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(http://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche/body_bg_grey.png)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">repeat-x</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-reserved">webkit-filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> / from : </span><span class="hl-identifier">http</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">scp-int.wikidot.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">poor-foundation-hub</span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditButton</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-reserved">webkit-filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color :</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform :</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter :</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <p><strong>Titre :</strong> SCP-FRA31-236 - The beach<br/> <strong>Date :</strong> 22/09/2024<br/> <strong>Author :</strong> <span class="printuser"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/cauchynambour" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7872457); return false;">Cauchynambour</a></span><br/> <strong>Translator :</strong> <span class="printuser"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/prismal" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8779219); return false;">Prismal</a></span><br/> <strong>Images :</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/qubodup/8197033359">Glitch</a> by I G on Flickr, under the CC0 license.</p> <p>Video captured and uploaded by the author and released under CC-BY-SA 3.0 +<br/> <a href="https://openverse.org/audio/afab30c2-e300-41f6-a1d1-b9a1acbaa578">audio</a> from Openverse by Kostrava under the CC0 license.</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Division ID:</strong> SCP-FRA31</p> <p><strong>Object n<sup>o</sup> :</strong> 236</p> <p><strong>Risk Type :</strong> Disappearance</p> <p><strong>Threat Level :</strong> ●●●●</p> <p><strong>Containment Procedures:</strong> Individuals with sand in their pockets or shoes with no rational explanation as well as individuals displaying insistent and incoherent desire to search for a "beach" after nightfall must be prevented from doing so by any means necessary; including force or persuasion.</p> <p><strong>Local Containment Procedures :</strong> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">On my own, with no special means, and working a night shift, I can't follow all those who call.</span> In practice, a register of callers searching for a beach is available online and updated once they call again to report finding it. A missing persons report is put out when this occurs. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Following the incident, it is no longer recommended to confine those affected by 236.</span></p> <p><strong>Description :</strong> 236 is an obsession, a potentially contagious idea<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup> first detected on March 21st 1998 in Toulouse which has since extended to part of the French metropolitan territory. I don't know if any cases have been discovered overseas or in any neighboring territories to France due to a lack of characterization of the disorder and a lack of surveillance capabilities. While a vector of contagion has yet to be discovered, it remains concerning that the map of recent 236 cases resembles that of a viral infection.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:100%;"><img alt="carte_236.gif" class="image" src="https://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-fra31-236/carte_236.gif" style="width:100%;"/> <div class="scp-image-caption" style="width:100%;"> <p>Recorded cases of 236 from 03/21/1998 to 02/02/2022. Live updates relayed from my personal computer. (forwarded from my phone since 2022).</p> </div> </div> <p>The first symptom of 236 is the appearance of sand in the pockets or shoes of a subject. Though I've observed this only once, subjects I've spoken to over the phone have described the sand as relatively fine, damp at the bottom and at times mixed with flakes of mica; beach sand. This sand only appears once, on the first night of the phenomena. This is the only symptom of that night.</p> <p>From the second night onwards, subjects are effected by a delusional obsession of increasing severity. The subject begins searching for what they call "the beach", perhaps where the sand comes from, without any existing beach seeming to satisfy them. As of my latest research, this beach does not appear to exist.</p> <p>Presently, there exists no means of impeding a subject targeted by 236. Reasoning, threatening and pleading all fail to prevent the subject from continuing their search at nightfall, regardless of their usual disposition.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-2" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-2')">2</a></sup> Even sedation is ineffective, regardless of dosage, as the subject develops a very strong resistance to psychotropic drugs. I think confinement may be the only means to stop this, but this has yet to be put into practice due to my weak influence on panicked subjects calling the SAMU<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-3" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-3')">3</a></sup> 31.</p> <p>It is noteworthy that the behavior of 236 during the <strong>Day</strong> is remarkably different from numerous other reported phenomena on two points.</p> <ul> <li>Firstly, during the day the subject is conscious of their state of advanced fatigue and of the fact that they are under the influence of an obsession, or at least that a part of them is preoccupied with something, without being able to identify what this is. The subject is equally conscious of being far from home once they leave (at times several hundred kilometers) and does not rationalize the phenomena, contrary to most cases.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>On the other hand, the subject's entourage will not notice the subject's symptoms and will completely ignore their <strong>nocturnal</strong> behavior, or effortlessly rationalize it. Thus, it seems that even the search itself is abnormal.</li> </ul> <p>The detection of 236 cases may take multiple days, in rare cases up to two weeks, due to the progressive development of the obsession's intensity. For the reasons noted above, it is common for subjects targeted by 236 to enter a phase of temporary lucidity, during which time they look for aid in their search for the beach, all the while realizing that their situation is abnormal. It is generally at this point that I make contact with them, via my night shift at the SAMU 31. The mechanisms for those seeking urgent care are triggered, but turned towards 236.</p> <p>After a duration lasting anywhere from two weeks to a month, during which the subject becomes totally incapable of completing normal tasks and displays increasingly risky behavior at night, if they are not dead, the subject enters the terminal phase of 236. This phase progresses systematically during the night. The subject contacts those they've come across who have "aided" them (typically having prevented them from acting dangerously or abnormally) in their search for the beach. This contact is generally by phone, but may also occur through the internet. During this phase, all means of locating the subject prove ineffective: calls are untraceable, location services no longer work, Airtags cease functioning. The tone of the subject differs greatly from previous nights, as they seem calm and relieved. The subject thanks those they have contacted before announcing that they have "found the beach". Sounds of waves can occasionally be heard, as well as a siren. After this call, the subject disappears. I have only ever heard the siren once, during the call I received from my mother on March 21st 1998.</p> <p><strong>Update 02/02/2022:</strong> Before heading to bed, I found sand in my pants pockets. It was fine, damp at the bottom and contained a few flakes of mica. You can go ahead and add an obelus to my account, but I'll use the time I have before I disappear to find out more about this thing. This is <strong>Night 0</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Night 1.</strong> I spent last night thinking of the sand, all the while forbidding myself from thinking of the beach. It's hard, but I think that's because I'm aware of 236 and not due to 236 itself. I perceive no difference in my behavior for now, but evidently I am finding it very difficult not to think of the beach. I wonder what they see when they say they've found it.</p> <p><strong>Night 2.</strong> I'm tired from having slept so little the last two nights, I think that I'll turn in early. No symptoms to declare.</p> <p><strong>Night 3.</strong> Still nothing, going to turn in early. If I sleep there's no risk of me searching for the beach.</p> <p>I've just woken in the middle of the night. I'm sure I heard waves and felt the sea spray on my face. It wasn't a dream at all, but a memory. I believe I'm starting to understand.</p> <p><strong>Night 4.</strong> I found myself taking longer than usual heading home from work. Longing to enjoy the calm dark of a Toulouse Monday, no doubt. Still, I strolled along the Garonne for at least an hour expecting to see the beach.</p> <p><strong>Night 5.</strong> I started to feel very badly at work, and left early. Ironic for someone who works at the SAMU to get sick, but when I collapsed on the phone with a fever, my supervisor sent me home. Immediately after getting in my car, I felt better and had to fight to drive home without making any detours. I had the impression that the further I went the better I felt, it was very very difficult. I'm pretty sure I heard waves between the sounds of the motor.</p> <p><strong>Night 6.</strong> The other guys in my section think I should be sequestered so they can look after me. When I've finished my shift I think I'll head to the shared cellar. I hope it'll be alright.</p> <p>The sun will rise soon, I've finally succeeded in stopping myself. I'm on the Spanish border, I couldn't stop driving. I think the beach is near, but I'm scared of what I might find. In my panic I slashed my tires, at least I won't be driving any further. The journey home will be by train, I think.</p> <p><strong>Night 7.</strong> I've found someone who can help. The guy who watches the night market in Saint-Pierre, he knows where the beach is. I know, I see it in the way he looks at me. I want to talk to him, just for a minute before going to the cellar. Just, just talk to him</p> <p>Shit</p> <p>Jonathan we know where you are, don't move, we're coming to get you. You left your account logged in on the cellar's PC.</p> <p><strong>Night 8.</strong> I know where she is. My mother. The beach. The answer. I know where to find peace, I hear it calling. She was just there, just beneath. I'll come back, I swear. But I have to go. Don't look for me.</p> <p>Jonathan, we're coming, don't move. Cassandra's car is geolocated, the police are looking for you. The grocer died from his injuries. You don't have to go, we'll plead for you to get help, you could follow a treatment, we'd visit often, you could even stay up to date on the section's activities. Jonathan, please, come back, don't go to the beach. I know that you're reading this, there are two connections. You're strong Jo, we believe in you. We know you can beat this thing trying to chow on your brain, we're here to help you. I'm begging you, come with us.</p> <p><strong>Night 9.</strong> I found the beach.</p> <p><iframe allowtransparency="true" class="html-block-iframe" frameborder="0" src="/scp-fra31-236/html/c45c7b1fee3eabaffc511a1d677e399654e30f0f-1429148646678797837"></iframe></p> <div style="display : none"> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. SCP-FRA75 : a meme?</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-2"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-2')">2</a>. SCP-FRA34: One subject targeted by SCP-FRA31-236, a single mother, left her baby to die in her search for the beach.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-3"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-3')">3</a>. <strong>TRANSLATORS NOTE:</strong> Service d’Aide Médicale Urgente, Urgent Medical Aid Service/Emergency Medical Services</div> </div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/scp-fra31-236">SCP-FRA31-236</a>" by Prismal, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/scp-fra31-236">https://scpwiki.com/scp-fra31-236</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Glitch Decoration GIF<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> I G<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/qubodup/8197033359">https://www.flickr.com/photos/qubodup/8197033359</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> vid_plage_postmosh.mp4<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Cauchynambour<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="http://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-fra31-236/vid_plage_postmosh.mp4">http://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-fra31-236/vid_plage_postmosh.mp4</a></p> </blockquote> <p>Uses:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> siren WTC<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Kostrava<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC0 1.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://openverse.org/audio/afab30c2-e300-41f6-a1d1-b9a1acbaa578">https://openverse.org/audio/afab30c2-e300-41f6-a1d1-b9a1acbaa578</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://fondationscp.wikidot.com/theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche">:fondationscp:theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche</a> \| sous-titre = do you hear it?]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] Titre : SCP-FRA31-236 - The beach Date : 22/09/2024 Author : [[user Cauchynambour]] Translator : [[user Prismal]] Images : [https://www.flickr.com/photos/qubodup/8197033359 Glitch] by I G on Flickr, under the CC0 license. Video captured and uploaded by the author and released under CC-BY-SA 3.0 + [https://openverse.org/audio/afab30c2-e300-41f6-a1d1-b9a1acbaa578 audio] from Openverse by Kostrava under the CC0 license. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[module css]] :root { --ct_cnt_alt-header-txt: "Foundation"; } #header h1 a::before { content : 'SCP'; animation : flicker 3s linear infinite; font-size : var(--ct_fns_alt-header-txt); } #header h1 a::after { content : 'Foundation'; animation: none; } .liste-ecrits { display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: space-around; align-items: center; } .head { background: linear-gradient(to right,#eee,#eeecec); border-radius: 5px 5px 0 0; box-shadow: inset 2px 3px 6px rgba(0 0 0 / 15%); padding-inline: 1em; margin-block: 1em; width: 100%; width: -moz-available; width: -webkit-fill-available; } .options { float: right; margin: 0; padding: 0; } .options a { margin: 0; padding: 0; color: #77A; } #header h1 a span { display: inline-block; width: 0.5em; color: transparent; text-shadow: none; } [[/module]] Division ID: SCP-FRA31 Object n^^o^^ : 236 Risk Type : Disappearance Threat Level : ●●●● Containment Procedures: Individuals with sand in their pockets or shoes with no rational explanation as well as individuals displaying insistent and incoherent desire to search for a "beach" after nightfall must be prevented from doing so by any means necessary; including force or persuasion. Local Containment Procedures : --On my own, with no special means, and working a night shift, I can't follow all those who call.-- In practice, a register of callers searching for a beach is available online and updated once they call again to report finding it. A missing persons report is put out when this occurs. __Following the incident, it is no longer recommended to confine those affected by 236.__ Description : 236 is an obsession, a potentially contagious idea [[footnote]]SCP-FRA75 : a meme?[[/footnote]] first detected on March 21st 1998 in Toulouse which has since extended to part of the French metropolitan territory. I don't know if any cases have been discovered overseas or in any neighboring territories to France due to a lack of characterization of the disorder and a lack of surveillance capabilities. While a vector of contagion has yet to be discovered, it remains concerning that the map of recent 236 cases resembles that of a viral infection. [[div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:100%;"]] [[image https://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-fra31-236/carte_236.gif style="width:100%;" link=#]] [[div class="scp-image-caption" style="width:100%;"]] Recorded cases of 236 from 03/21/1998 to 02/02/2022. Live updates relayed from my personal computer. (forwarded from my phone since 2022). [[/div]] [[/div]] The first symptom of 236 is the appearance of sand in the pockets or shoes of a subject. Though I've observed this only once, subjects I've spoken to over the phone have described the sand as relatively fine, damp at the bottom and at times mixed with flakes of mica; beach sand. This sand only appears once, on the first night of the phenomena. This is the only symptom of that night. From the second night onwards, subjects are effected by a delusional obsession of increasing severity. The subject begins searching for what they call "the beach", perhaps where the sand comes from, without any existing beach seeming to satisfy them. As of my latest research, this beach does not appear to exist. Presently, there exists no means of impeding a subject targeted by 236. Reasoning, threatening and pleading all fail to prevent the subject from continuing their search at nightfall, regardless of their usual disposition. [[footnote]]SCP-FRA34: One subject targeted by SCP-FRA31-236, a single mother, left her baby to die in her search for the beach.[[/footnote]] Even sedation is ineffective, regardless of dosage, as the subject develops a very strong resistance to psychotropic drugs. I think confinement may be the only means to stop this, but this has yet to be put into practice due to my weak influence on panicked subjects calling the SAMU [[footnote]] TRANSLATORS NOTE: Service d’Aide Médicale Urgente, Urgent Medical Aid Service/Emergency Medical Services[[/footnote]] 31. It is noteworthy that the behavior of 236 during the Day is remarkably different from numerous other reported phenomena on two points. * Firstly, during the day the subject is conscious of their state of advanced fatigue and of the fact that they are under the influence of an obsession, or at least that a part of them is preoccupied with something, without being able to identify what this is. The subject is equally conscious of being far from home once they leave (at times several hundred kilometers) and does not rationalize the phenomena, contrary to most cases. * On the other hand, the subject's entourage will not notice the subject's symptoms and will completely ignore their nocturnal behavior, or effortlessly rationalize it. Thus, it seems that even the search itself is abnormal. The detection of 236 cases may take multiple days, in rare cases up to two weeks, due to the progressive development of the obsession's intensity. For the reasons noted above, it is common for subjects targeted by 236 to enter a phase of temporary lucidity, during which time they look for aid in their search for the beach, all the while realizing that their situation is abnormal. It is generally at this point that I make contact with them, via my night shift at the SAMU 31. The mechanisms for those seeking urgent care are triggered, but turned towards 236. After a duration lasting anywhere from two weeks to a month, during which the subject becomes totally incapable of completing normal tasks and displays increasingly risky behavior at night, if they are not dead, the subject enters the terminal phase of 236. This phase progresses systematically during the night. The subject contacts those they've come across who have "aided" them (typically having prevented them from acting dangerously or abnormally) in their search for the beach. This contact is generally by phone, but may also occur through the internet. During this phase, all means of locating the subject prove ineffective: calls are untraceable, location services no longer work, Airtags cease functioning. The tone of the subject differs greatly from previous nights, as they seem calm and relieved. The subject thanks those they have contacted before announcing that they have "found the beach". Sounds of waves can occasionally be heard, as well as a siren. After this call, the subject disappears. I have only ever heard the siren once, during the call I received from my mother on March 21st 1998. Update 02/02/2022: Before heading to bed, I found sand in my pants pockets. It was fine, damp at the bottom and contained a few flakes of mica. You can go ahead and add an obelus to my account, but I'll use the time I have before I disappear to find out more about this thing. This is Night 0. Night 1. I spent last night thinking of the sand, all the while forbidding myself from thinking of the beach. It's hard, but I think that's because I'm aware of 236 and not due to 236 itself. I perceive no difference in my behavior for now, but evidently I am finding it very difficult not to think of the beach. I wonder what they see when they say they've found it. Night 2. I'm tired from having slept so little the last two nights, I think that I'll turn in early. No symptoms to declare. Night 3. Still nothing, going to turn in early. If I sleep there's no risk of me searching for the beach. I've just woken in the middle of the night. I'm sure I heard waves and felt the sea spray on my face. It wasn't a dream at all, but a memory. I believe I'm starting to understand. Night 4. I found myself taking longer than usual heading home from work. Longing to enjoy the calm dark of a Toulouse Monday, no doubt. Still, I strolled along the Garonne for at least an hour expecting to see the beach. Night 5. I started to feel very badly at work, and left early. Ironic for someone who works at the SAMU to get sick, but when I collapsed on the phone with a fever, my supervisor sent me home. Immediately after getting in my car, I felt better and had to fight to drive home without making any detours. I had the impression that the further I went the better I felt, it was very very difficult. I'm pretty sure I heard waves between the sounds of the motor. Night 6. The other guys in my section think I should be sequestered so they can look after me. When I've finished my shift I think I'll head to the shared cellar. I hope it'll be alright. The sun will rise soon, I've finally succeeded in stopping myself. I'm on the Spanish border, I couldn't stop driving. I think the beach is near, but I'm scared of what I might find. In my panic I slashed my tires, at least I won't be driving any further. The journey home will be by train, I think. Night 7. I've found someone who can help. The guy who watches the night market in Saint-Pierre, he knows where the beach is. I know, I see it in the way he looks at me. I want to talk to him, just for a minute before going to the cellar. Just, just talk to him Shit Jonathan we know where you are, don't move, we're coming to get you. You left your account logged in on the cellar's PC. Night 8. I know where she is. My mother. The beach. The answer. I know where to find peace, I hear it calling. She was just there, just beneath. I'll come back, I swear. But I have to go. Don't look for me. Jonathan, we're coming, don't move. Cassandra's car is geolocated, the police are looking for you. The grocer died from his injuries. You don't have to go, we'll plead for you to get help, you could follow a treatment, we'd visit often, you could even stay up to date on the section's activities. Jonathan, please, come back, don't go to the beach. I know that you're reading this, there are two connections. You're strong Jo, we believe in you. We know you can beat this thing trying to chow on your brain, we're here to help you. I'm begging you, come with us. Night 9. I found the beach. [[html]] <video style="width:100%;height:100%" controls> <source src="http://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-fra31-236/vid_plage_postmosh.mp4" type="video/mp4"> </video> [[/html]] [[div style="display : none"]] [[footnoteblock]] [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] ===== > Name: Glitch Decoration GIF > Author: I G > License: CC BY SA 3.0 > Source Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/qubodup/8197033359 > Filename: vid_plage_postmosh.mp4 > Author: Cauchynambour > License: CC BY SA 3.0 > Source Link: http://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-fra31-236/vid_plage_postmosh.mp4 Uses: > Name: siren WTC > Author: Kostrava > License: CC0 1.0 > Source Link: https://openverse.org/audio/afab30c2-e300-41f6-a1d1-b9a1acbaa578 ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-10-29T21:43:00	[ "_fr", "_image", "_licensebox", "foundation-format", "horror", "tale", "video" ]	SCP-FRA31-236 - SCP Foundation	19	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "scp-international" ]	[ "https://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-fra31-236/carte_236.gif" ]	1457229442	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-fra31-236
scp-origins-the-atomic-adventures-of-ronnie-ray-gun	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/normalize-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/basalt-bedrock-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/component%3Abhl-dark-sidebar/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>——</strong></p> <h1 id="toc0"><span>\| SCP ORIGINS \|</span></h1> <h1 id="toc1"><span><span style="color: purple">The</span> <span style="color: green">Atomic</span> <span style="color: yellow">Adventures</span> <span style="color: blue">of Ronnie</span> <span style="color: red">Ray-Gun</span></span></h1> <p><strong>——</strong></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>SCP ORIGINS</strong><br/> <strong>The Atomic Adventures of Ronnie Ray-Gun</strong><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> Second installment in the <strong>SCP Origins</strong> series! Check out the first installment <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-origins-the-concrete-man">here</a>! More tales soon to come!</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Doctor Scrappy</div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><em>There are 35 pages and 124 illustrations in the average comic book. A single issue ranges from $1.00 to $140,000. 172,000 comics are sold in the U.S. every day. 62,780,000 each year. The average comic collector owns 3,312 comics and will spend approximately 1 year of his or her life reading them.</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— Unbreakable Opening Text</p> </div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><em>”If you are interested in what you do, that keeps you going.”</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— Stan Lee</p> </div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><em>”Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.”</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— Former United States President Ronald Reagan</p> </div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— Excerpt <a href="/scp-095">SCP-095 File</a></p> </div> <br/> <em>SCP-095 appears to be a set of three […] black and white comic books printed in 1932. […] The comic itself is a pulp science fiction story […] featuring a lead character bearing an unmistakable resemblance to Former United States President Ronald Reagan. […]</em> <p><em>Each story opens with a large panel reading “In the Far-Fetched Future World of the […]</em></p> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>Present Day</strong><br/> <strong>Site-19</strong></p> <p></p> </div> <p>Researcher Lydia Masquez made her way down the corridor, her posture upright, each step heavy set, clattering against the linoleum floor tiles.</p> <p>Her eyes were set straight at the giant vault door, so she couldn’t see anything else, the vision around her eyes becoming blurry.</p> <p>The clattering came to a halt directly in front of the security checkpoint, which consisted of a small wooden office desk, a swivel chair and a guard sitting on said swivel chair, at said table. They looked up from their magazine.</p> <p>”Name?” they asked nonchalantly.</p> <p>”Lydia Masquez. Here for retrieval of SCP-095, as per orders of Protocol 001-XK95 ’Bring Down the Sun’. Further details are classified.”</p> <p>The guard simply blinked at Researcher Masquez. They checked their computer records, clicked a few buttons, while Lydia was still staring at that vault door, the guard nodded, stood up and retrieved their access card.</p> <p>They held it in front of a scanner on the giant vault door, as they urged her to step away, the vault door swinging open in its slow, creaky movements, akin to a low growl that made Lydia tremble slighlty in her stance.</p> <p>When the door had pressed up against the far side of the left wall, the guard made a gesture that felt more like they wanted her out of their sight, than welcoming.</p> <p>Obliging, Researcher Masquez stepped inside, the lights of the corridor slowly fading away…</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>Rows upon rows of shelves, boxes, old parchment and letters were stacked behind and beside each other, reaching high up to the ceiling that Masquez needed to strain her eyes to see what was even so high up there.</p> <p>She made her way to a section labeled ’low threat-level SAFE-class SCPs’, the rows of shelves seemingly stretching on forever in this sector. It was only after a while that she found the box with the numbers ’095’ imprinted on them.</p> <p>She retrieved the box, with it being surprisingly light given its contents, placed the cardboard onto the floor, with the sound of what was within echoing between the tight rows, and opened up the lid.</p> <p>The set of comics rested on the bottom of the box, each neatly stacked on top of each other. The black and white pages were somewhat withered on their edges, their colors smeared over the covers.</p> <p>Researcher Masquez took some time to admire these items, so delicate, of an era long gone. She placed the comics back into the box, and left the room with it in her arms.</p> <p>Protocol 001-XK95 ’Bring Down the Sun’ was in effect.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>June 1932</strong></p> <p></p> </div> <p>Ron was a young guy. Short, white, with all the aspirations a young man like him could have. He dreamed of achieving the impossible, like every young chap so new to the world, clutching onto hope like nothing else in the world.</p> <p>That hope and those dreams were quickly shattered right in front of him by the man sitting on the opposing side of that smooth mahogany desk, wearing a suit and tie, leaned back in his chair.</p> <p>The man folded his hands together, giving out a long sigh. The cover-page of the comic was facing up on the table.</p> <p>It was his latest comic, ’U-MAN threatens the ALPHAbet ORDER™!’. He had spent quite a lot of sleepless hours for the story and illustrations.</p> <p>”Ron…” the man began, ”I don’t know what to tell ya…”</p> <p>Ron just looked onto his boss, the seconds passing by ever-so-slowly, as he waited for the next wave of words to crash in.</p> <p>”If you wanna make fun of art, go at it; people need something like this once in a while to really—” he held his balled fists up to really accentuate his words, ”-appreciate what we’ve got going here. But… do it somewhere else, then.”</p> <p>Ron shot up like a bunny would flee from a fox. ”Mr. Renner, <em>please</em>, I can’t lose this job…” He held out his hands in defeat. ”Please, if you could just let me…”</p> <p>Mr. Renner held out his hand. Fixated on the gesture, Ron immediately fell silent. He felt his soul get weighed down into the depths of the abyss, his heart sink into his chest.</p> <p>He looked down at the figure of a young man, so slumped over and broken, Mr. Renner got reminded of his own young self — so full of aspirations, all paths seemingly a dead end. He thought about it carefully, and came to a decision: ”One week.”</p> <p>Ron looked up at his boss in such confusion, no coherent thoughts could be formed in his head.</p> <p>Mr. Renner continued: ”I’ll give you a week’s time to present me with something that’ll blast me outta my boots.”</p> <p>Ron was speechless. He felt his heart make leaps in the air, his brain so rampant with thoughts he thought it’d burst all over. He just sat there, staring.</p> <p>”You may go now,” Mr. Renner urged him, giving him more than a concerned look.</p> <p>Ron snapped back, just noticing that he had missed his cue to leave the room seconds ago. He quickly stood up, gathered back the comic laying on the table, and made his way toward the door.</p> <p>”You’ll not regret your decision, sir!” he said with a huge smile on his face, as he made his way out the door.</p> <p>Mr. Renner waved him away dismissively.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>Ron barged through the door of his apartment, the walls seemimgly closing in on him, the all too familiar environment filling him with a sense of dread — the wall paper drooling, the ceiling leaking; still, it was the cheapest around, paid for through various jobs at various convenience stores and supermarkets.</p> <p>Ron sat down at that decrepit desk of his, a piece of paper and pencil already lying on its surface.</p> <p>He retrieved his comic of ’U-MAN™’ and tore it to shreds, the sound of the paper tearing giving him slight heartaches. He then pressed the pieces into a tight ball, disposing of them in the bin across the room.</p> <p>Then he sat down, held the pencil firmly between his fingers, the item light within his grasp, and pressed it against the drawing paper. Ron could feel himself being reinvigorated, as the ideas were flowing freely within his mind.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>Present Day</strong><br/> <strong>Site-19</strong></p> <p></p> </div> <p>The vault door heaved shut behind her, the guard sitting peacefully on their chair again.</p> <p>Her steps echoed through the endless amounts of corridors, so winding and sterile, she thought she was dreaming for a second.</p> <p>Almost passing the door, Researcher Davidson waived his arms around, so that Lydia didn’t walk down another set of corridors — sure enough, she’d see him.</p> <p>They’d walk alongside each other, Researcher Davidson flashing his card to the scanner, as the door in front of them slid open to reveal yet another long corridor. Lydia held the box of comics firmly within her hands.</p> <p>”Materials for Protocol 001-XK95 ’Bring Down the Sun’ gathered?” Davidson inquired.</p> <p>Lydia nodded silently.</p> <p>They arrived in a giant circular chamber, a large device, reaching from bottom to top adorning the middle of it. Researchers clicked some buttons in the chamber up above, while one of them gave a guard the ’good-to-go’, and they opened the hatch of the device.</p> <p>Researcher Masquez placed the box inside, stepped back again next to Davidson, while the guard closed the hatch again. Through the small view-port in the hatch, Masquez and Davidson could watch the box inside.</p> <p>The researchers muttered something incomprehensible up above, as one nodded at Davidson, and he nodded back. He moved to a lever on the wall, grasped the handle tightly, and said:</p> <p>”Executing Protocol 001-XK95 ’Bring Down the Sun’ now,” Davidson spoke a tad dramatically, thought Lydia.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>June 1932</strong></p> <p></p> </div> <p>”FUCK THIS SHIT!”</p> <p>He threw his latest idea into the bin, said bin being filled to the brim with similar such paper balls. He stammered his head into his arms, groaning loudly like some rabid dog, clenching his hands into fists, slightly pulling at his undone hair.</p> <p>Eventually, though, his hands eased-up, the groaning stopped, and he let his head fall onto the desk’s surface.</p> <p>”I’m sorry, father…” he mumbled under his breath. ”I’m sorry that I’m such a failure…”</p> <p>A gust of wind erupted from his window. The noise of the fluttering curtains and the cold sensation made him flinch, distracting him from his miserable life for just a few seconds.</p> <p>A crumpled-up ball of paper from the bin got pushed across the far end of the room to his feet, hitting Ron with some of its particularly sharp edges. Ron got startled, and took the ball, opening it out of curiosity.</p> <p>It was the cover of his <em>pathetic</em> ’U-MAN™’ cover, except it was only the ’U’. He stared upon at for quite some time…</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><em>…</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>…</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>…</em></strong></p> </div> <p><strong><em>And then he realized.</em></strong> He always sought to find ideas for his comics around him — the alphabet with ’U-MAN™’, the oceans with ’OCEAN-MAN™’, the sky with ’AIRPLANE-MAN™’ —, but never once did he look at the person that had stood by him since his birth: <strong><em>Himself.</em></strong></p> <p>Ron quickly returned to the drawing board, and started sketching. <em>The greatest idea was within him all along.</em></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>”You’re fired.”</p> <p>Ron stared at his soon-to-be-former boss in disbelief. He reiterated what he just said: ”You heard me. You can go now.”</p> <p>Like a fish on shore, burning under the glistering sun, Ron couldn’t do anything, but only sit there and stare, feeling his life slip away, as the sun shone down upon him.</p> <p>”Mr. Renner, please, I can improve it— I can… I can…”</p> <p>The words came out at him like a waterfall. Mr. Renner shook his head, sighing a long sigh. ”It’s been a week and all you were able to present me was—” He held out,<br/> ”’The Atomic Adventures of Ronnie Ray-Gun’? Is this the best you could’ve done?”</p> <p>He stared at Ron as if he were his son. ”You’ve <em>consistently</em> only produced things of this nature. I cannot keep you employed any longer. I am sorry.”</p> <p>There was this seering, boiling feeling deep within Ron, which only got hotter by every passing second. The weight of the world pressed down on him, his hands balled into tight fists, his teeth clenched against his gums.</p> <p>”Ron, is everything all right?”</p> <p>He shot up from his chair, its legs scraping against the floor. Mr. Renner leaned back in his chair a little, somewhat speechless.</p> <p>”You think my work is shit?” Ron asked with such venom in his voice, Mr. Renner didn’t know what to make of it.</p> <p>”Ron, plea—”</p> <p>”NO! You think my work is shit? FINE! I’ll show you.” Spitefully, he pointed his finger at his former boss. ”I’ll show everyone.”</p> <p>Ron stared at him for so long, with such anger, that he thought his gaze was about to pierce right through him.</p> <p>After a deafening silence and painful exchange in stares, Ron turned around and made his way toward the exit. Mr. Renner watched him, as he grasped the handle and pressed down on it.</p> <p>Then Ron turned around, walked back to Mr. Renner, his head trained onto the floor, grabbed his comic, and then grasped the handle and pressed down on it, and then left.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><em>”Luck’s a revolving door, you just need to know when it’s your time to walk through.”</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— Stan Lee</p> </div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><em>”Further consensus has proven that over half of all Americans still hate. Eaten whole by void. The emptiness. The sadness. The blackness. The darkness.”</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— Former United States President Ronald Reagan <strong><span style="color: transparent">:)</span></strong></p> </div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>And showed everyone he did.</p> <p>Ron packed his things and left the company, soon trying his best to sell his ideas to other companies. They’d reject him immediately upon hearing of a name as silly as ’Ronnie Ray-Gun’ — not as silly as those company’s other characters, Ron always remarked.</p> <p>He’d soon drop his comics and venture into the world of cinema and acting, and would soon find himself upon the seat of the White House, the most powerful man in the world.</p> <p>He’d soon build-up a company to release and publish his comic ideas, just to spite Mr. Renner, to spite all who had rejected him all those decades prior, to make fun of them. <em>That’ll show ’em!</em>, Ron thought, day after day, night after night.</p> <p>As he grew older, though, he recognized the errors of his ways; so young, full of emotions, unable to see the ways of others. And soon, he’d dissolve the company, erase all information of its existence even, bury it deep underground.</p> <p>Now he was sitting in his house, looking out the window, counting his remaining days, once the most powerful man in the whole wide world. Sometimes he thought that he became it to show the world his ideas; sometimes he thought that was the only reason. And maybe it was.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>Present Day</strong><br/> <strong>Site-19</strong></p> <p></p> </div> <p>With that Davidson pulled the lever. They watched the flames erupt from a grid underneath the box, the fire scorching the cardboard, turning them a pitch black, before the walls of the box crumpled down into grey ash.</p> <p>Masquez could see the black-white pages of the comics, which had caused the entire research team so much panic in the past few years, trying to find them all, studying them, being reduced to ash, the remains hurling wildly within the small chamber. There was a somber atmosphere prevailing over all the members, as the comics slowly burnt down to a crisp.</p> <p>Davidson leaned in to Masquez and whispered: ”How likely was the chance that oh-ninety-five could have predicted so many events?”</p> <p>Her eyes were fixated on the viewport. Lydia just shrugged. ”Beats me.”</p> <p>There was a pause. ”I guess human imagination really is without limits,” Davidson remarked.</p> <p>The flames died down. The ash stopped hurling in the little chamber. Lydia stared at the charred remnants. ”I guess so,” was all she could say.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <blockquote> <p><em>”We can’t help everyone. But everyone can help someone.”</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— Former United States President Ronald Reagan</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>*</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em><span style="color: transparent">SCP-095 - The Atomic Adventures of Ronnie Ray-Gun</span></em></p> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>» <a href="/scp-origins-hub">HUB</a> «</strong></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/scp-origins-the-atomic-adventures-of-ronnie-ray-gun">SCP Origins: The Atomic Adventures of Ronnie Ray-Gun</a>" by Doctor Scrappy , from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/scp-origins-the-atomic-adventures-of-ronnie-ray-gun">https://scpwiki.com/scp-origins-the-atomic-adventures-of-ronnie-ray-gun</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:basalt">:scp-wiki:theme:basalt</a> hidetitle=a\|darkmode=a]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:bhl-dark-sidebar">:scp-wiki:component:bhl-dark-sidebar</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar-bhl</a>]] [[module CSS]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:fade-in">:scp-wiki:component:fade-in</a> speed=1.5]] [[=]] ---- + \| SCP ORIGINS \| + ##purple\|The## ##green\|Atomic## ##yellow\|Adventures## ##blue\|of Ronnie## ##red\|Ray-Gun## ---- [[/=]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] [[=]] SCP ORIGINS The Atomic Adventures of Ronnie Ray-Gun @@ @@ Second installment in the SCP Origins series! Check out the first installment [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-origins-the-concrete-man\|here]]]! More tales soon to come! [[/=]] @@ @@ Author: Doctor Scrappy [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] @@ @@ [[=]] //...// [[/=]] > //There are 35 pages and 124 illustrations in the average comic book. A single issue ranges from $1.00 to $140,000. 172,000 comics are sold in the U.S. every day. 62,780,000 each year. The average comic collector owns 3,312 comics and will spend approximately 1 year of his or her life reading them.// > > [[>]] > -- Unbreakable Opening Text > [[/>]] [[=]] //...// [[/=]] > //”If you are interested in what you do, that keeps you going.”// > > [[>]] > -- Stan Lee > [[/>]] [[=]] //...// [[/=]] > //”Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.”// > > [[>]] > -- Former United States President Ronald Reagan > [[/>]] [[=]] //...// [[/=]] > [[>]] > -- Excerpt [[[SCP-095\|SCP-095 File]]] > [[/>]] > //SCP-095 appears to be a set of three [...] black and white comic books printed in 1932. [...] The comic itself is a pulp science fiction story [...] featuring a lead character bearing an unmistakable resemblance to Former United States President Ronald Reagan. [...]// > > //Each story opens with a large panel reading “In the Far-Fetched Future World of the [...]// [[=]] //...// [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] Present Day Site-19 * [[/=]] Researcher Lydia Masquez made her way down the corridor, her posture upright, each step heavy set, clattering against the linoleum floor tiles. Her eyes were set straight at the giant vault door, so she couldn’t see anything else, the vision around her eyes becoming blurry. The clattering came to a halt directly in front of the security checkpoint, which consisted of a small wooden office desk, a swivel chair and a guard sitting on said swivel chair, at said table. They looked up from their magazine. ”Name?” they asked nonchalantly. ”Lydia Masquez. Here for retrieval of SCP-095, as per orders of Protocol 001-XK95 ’Bring Down the Sun’. Further details are classified.” The guard simply blinked at Researcher Masquez. They checked their computer records, clicked a few buttons, while Lydia was still staring at that vault door, the guard nodded, stood up and retrieved their access card. They held it in front of a scanner on the giant vault door, as they urged her to step away, the vault door swinging open in its slow, creaky movements, akin to a low growl that made Lydia tremble slighlty in her stance. When the door had pressed up against the far side of the left wall, the guard made a gesture that felt more like they wanted her out of their sight, than welcoming. Obliging, Researcher Masquez stepped inside, the lights of the corridor slowly fading away... @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ Rows upon rows of shelves, boxes, old parchment and letters were stacked behind and beside each other, reaching high up to the ceiling that Masquez needed to strain her eyes to see what was even so high up there. She made her way to a section labeled ’low threat-level SAFE-class SCPs’, the rows of shelves seemingly stretching on forever in this sector. It was only after a while that she found the box with the numbers ’095’ imprinted on them. She retrieved the box, with it being surprisingly light given its contents, placed the cardboard onto the floor, with the sound of what was within echoing between the tight rows, and opened up the lid. The set of comics rested on the bottom of the box, each neatly stacked on top of each other. The black and white pages were somewhat withered on their edges, their colors smeared over the covers. Researcher Masquez took some time to admire these items, so delicate, of an era long gone. She placed the comics back into the box, and left the room with it in her arms. Protocol 001-XK95 ’Bring Down the Sun’ was in effect. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] June 1932 * [[/=]] Ron was a young guy. Short, white, with all the aspirations a young man like him could have. He dreamed of achieving the impossible, like every young chap so new to the world, clutching onto hope like nothing else in the world. That hope and those dreams were quickly shattered right in front of him by the man sitting on the opposing side of that smooth mahogany desk, wearing a suit and tie, leaned back in his chair. The man folded his hands together, giving out a long sigh. The cover-page of the comic was facing up on the table. It was his latest comic, ’U-MAN threatens the ALPHAbet ORDER™!’. He had spent quite a lot of sleepless hours for the story and illustrations. ”Ron...” the man began, ”I don’t know what to tell ya...” Ron just looked onto his boss, the seconds passing by ever-so-slowly, as he waited for the next wave of words to crash in. ”If you wanna make fun of art, go at it; people need something like this once in a while to really--” he held his balled fists up to really accentuate his words, ”-appreciate what we’ve got going here. But... do it somewhere else, then.” Ron shot up like a bunny would flee from a fox. ”Mr. Renner, //please//, I can’t lose this job...” He held out his hands in defeat. ”Please, if you could just let me...” Mr. Renner held out his hand. Fixated on the gesture, Ron immediately fell silent. He felt his soul get weighed down into the depths of the abyss, his heart sink into his chest. He looked down at the figure of a young man, so slumped over and broken, Mr. Renner got reminded of his own young self -- so full of aspirations, all paths seemingly a dead end. He thought about it carefully, and came to a decision: ”One week.” Ron looked up at his boss in such confusion, no coherent thoughts could be formed in his head. Mr. Renner continued: ”I’ll give you a week’s time to present me with something that’ll blast me outta my boots.” Ron was speechless. He felt his heart make leaps in the air, his brain so rampant with thoughts he thought it’d burst all over. He just sat there, staring. ”You may go now,” Mr. Renner urged him, giving him more than a concerned look. Ron snapped back, just noticing that he had missed his cue to leave the room seconds ago. He quickly stood up, gathered back the comic laying on the table, and made his way toward the door. ”You’ll not regret your decision, sir!” he said with a huge smile on his face, as he made his way out the door. Mr. Renner waved him away dismissively. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ Ron barged through the door of his apartment, the walls seemimgly closing in on him, the all too familiar environment filling him with a sense of dread -- the wall paper drooling, the ceiling leaking; still, it was the cheapest around, paid for through various jobs at various convenience stores and supermarkets. Ron sat down at that decrepit desk of his, a piece of paper and pencil already lying on its surface. He retrieved his comic of ’U-MAN™’ and tore it to shreds, the sound of the paper tearing giving him slight heartaches. He then pressed the pieces into a tight ball, disposing of them in the bin across the room. Then he sat down, held the pencil firmly between his fingers, the item light within his grasp, and pressed it against the drawing paper. Ron could feel himself being reinvigorated, as the ideas were flowing freely within his mind. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] Present Day Site-19 * [[/=]] The vault door heaved shut behind her, the guard sitting peacefully on their chair again. Her steps echoed through the endless amounts of corridors, so winding and sterile, she thought she was dreaming for a second. Almost passing the door, Researcher Davidson waived his arms around, so that Lydia didn’t walk down another set of corridors -- sure enough, she’d see him. They’d walk alongside each other, Researcher Davidson flashing his card to the scanner, as the door in front of them slid open to reveal yet another long corridor. Lydia held the box of comics firmly within her hands. ”Materials for Protocol 001-XK95 ’Bring Down the Sun’ gathered?” Davidson inquired. Lydia nodded silently. They arrived in a giant circular chamber, a large device, reaching from bottom to top adorning the middle of it. Researchers clicked some buttons in the chamber up above, while one of them gave a guard the ’good-to-go’, and they opened the hatch of the device. Researcher Masquez placed the box inside, stepped back again next to Davidson, while the guard closed the hatch again. Through the small view-port in the hatch, Masquez and Davidson could watch the box inside. The researchers muttered something incomprehensible up above, as one nodded at Davidson, and he nodded back. He moved to a lever on the wall, grasped the handle tightly, and said: ”Executing Protocol 001-XK95 ’Bring Down the Sun’ now,” Davidson spoke a tad dramatically, thought Lydia. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] June 1932 * [[/=]] ”FUCK THIS SHIT!” He threw his latest idea into the bin, said bin being filled to the brim with similar such paper balls. He stammered his head into his arms, groaning loudly like some rabid dog, clenching his hands into fists, slightly pulling at his undone hair. Eventually, though, his hands eased-up, the groaning stopped, and he let his head fall onto the desk’s surface. ”I’m sorry, father...” he mumbled under his breath. ”I’m sorry that I’m such a failure...” A gust of wind erupted from his window. The noise of the fluttering curtains and the cold sensation made him flinch, distracting him from his miserable life for just a few seconds. A crumpled-up ball of paper from the bin got pushed across the far end of the room to his feet, hitting Ron with some of its particularly sharp edges. Ron got startled, and took the ball, opening it out of curiosity. It was the cover of his //pathetic// ’U-MAN™’ cover, except it was only the ’U’. He stared upon at for quite some time... [[=]] //...// //...// //...// [[/=]] //And then he realized.// He always sought to find ideas for his comics around him -- the alphabet with ’U-MAN™’, the oceans with ’OCEAN-MAN™’, the sky with ’AIRPLANE-MAN™’ --, but never once did he look at the person that had stood by him since his birth: //Himself.// Ron quickly returned to the drawing board, and started sketching. //The greatest idea was within him all along.// @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ ”You’re fired.” Ron stared at his soon-to-be-former boss in disbelief. He reiterated what he just said: ”You heard me. You can go now.” Like a fish on shore, burning under the glistering sun, Ron couldn’t do anything, but only sit there and stare, feeling his life slip away, as the sun shone down upon him. ”Mr. Renner, please, I can improve it-- I can... I can...” The words came out at him like a waterfall. Mr. Renner shook his head, sighing a long sigh. ”It’s been a week and all you were able to present me was--” He held out, ”’The Atomic Adventures of Ronnie Ray-Gun’? Is this the best you could’ve done?” He stared at Ron as if he were his son. ”You’ve //consistently// only produced things of this nature. I cannot keep you employed any longer. I am sorry.” There was this seering, boiling feeling deep within Ron, which only got hotter by every passing second. The weight of the world pressed down on him, his hands balled into tight fists, his teeth clenched against his gums. ”Ron, is everything all right?” He shot up from his chair, its legs scraping against the floor. Mr. Renner leaned back in his chair a little, somewhat speechless. ”You think my work is shit?” Ron asked with such venom in his voice, Mr. Renner didn’t know what to make of it. ”Ron, plea--” ”NO! You think my work is shit? FINE! I’ll show you.” Spitefully, he pointed his finger at his former boss. ”I’ll show everyone.” Ron stared at him for so long, with such anger, that he thought his gaze was about to pierce right through him. After a deafening silence and painful exchange in stares, Ron turned around and made his way toward the exit. Mr. Renner watched him, as he grasped the handle and pressed down on it. Then Ron turned around, walked back to Mr. Renner, his head trained onto the floor, grabbed his comic, and then grasped the handle and pressed down on it, and then left. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] //...// [[/=]] [[=]] //...// [[/=]] > //”Luck’s a revolving door, you just need to know when it’s your time to walk through.”// > > [[>]] > -- Stan Lee > [[/>]] [[=]] //...// [[/=]] > //”Further consensus has proven that over half of all Americans still hate. Eaten whole by void. The emptiness. The sadness. The blackness. The darkness.”// > > [[>]] > -- Former United States President Ronald Reagan ##transparent\|:)## > [[/>]] [[=]] //...// [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ And showed everyone he did. Ron packed his things and left the company, soon trying his best to sell his ideas to other companies. They’d reject him immediately upon hearing of a name as silly as ’Ronnie Ray-Gun’ -- not as silly as those company’s other characters, Ron always remarked. He’d soon drop his comics and venture into the world of cinema and acting, and would soon find himself upon the seat of the White House, the most powerful man in the world. He’d soon build-up a company to release and publish his comic ideas, just to spite Mr. Renner, to spite all who had rejected him all those decades prior, to make fun of them. //That’ll show ’em!//, Ron thought, day after day, night after night. As he grew older, though, he recognized the errors of his ways; so young, full of emotions, unable to see the ways of others. And soon, he’d dissolve the company, erase all information of its existence even, bury it deep underground. Now he was sitting in his house, looking out the window, counting his remaining days, once the most powerful man in the whole wide world. Sometimes he thought that he became it to show the world his ideas; sometimes he thought that was the only reason. And maybe it was. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] Present Day Site-19 * [[/=]] With that Davidson pulled the lever. They watched the flames erupt from a grid underneath the box, the fire scorching the cardboard, turning them a pitch black, before the walls of the box crumpled down into grey ash. Masquez could see the black-white pages of the comics, which had caused the entire research team so much panic in the past few years, trying to find them all, studying them, being reduced to ash, the remains hurling wildly within the small chamber. There was a somber atmosphere prevailing over all the members, as the comics slowly burnt down to a crisp. Davidson leaned in to Masquez and whispered: ”How likely was the chance that oh-ninety-five could have predicted so many events?” Her eyes were fixated on the viewport. Lydia just shrugged. ”Beats me.” There was a pause. ”I guess human imagination really is without limits,” Davidson remarked. The flames died down. The ash stopped hurling in the little chamber. Lydia stared at the charred remnants. ”I guess so,” was all she could say. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ > //”We can’t help everyone. But everyone can help someone.”// > > [[>]] > -- Former United States President Ronald Reagan > [[/>]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] //##transparent\|SCP-095 - The Atomic Adventures of Ronnie Ray-Gun##// [[/=]] ------ @@ @@ [[=]] » [[[SCP ORIGINS HUB\|HUB]]] « [[/=]] @@ @@ ------ [[=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]] [[/=]]	2024-08-07T13:54:00	[ "_licensebox", "absurdism", "bittersweet", "historical", "political", "slice-of-life", "tale" ]	SCP Origins: The Atomic Adventures of Ronnie Ray-Gun - SCP Foundation	8	[ "scp-origins-the-concrete-man", "scp-095", "scp-origins-hub", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "scp-origins-hub", "scp-series-1-tales-edition" ]	[]	1456114795	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-origins-the-atomic-adventures-of-ronnie-ray-gun
scp-origins-the-concrete-man	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/normalize-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/basalt-bedrock-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/component%3Abhl-dark-sidebar/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>——</strong></p> <h1 id="toc0"><span>\| SCP ORIGINS \|</span></h1> <h1 id="toc1"><span><span style="color: grey">The Concrete Man</span></span></h1> <p><strong>——</strong></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>SCP Origins</strong><br/> <strong>The Concrete Man</strong><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> First installment of the <strong>SCP Origins</strong> series! More tales soon to come!</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Doctor Scrappy</div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><em>”Who’d look after her? She’d be alone up there. Her fire would go out. It’d be cold and damp like a grave. If you love someone, you don’t do that to them, even if you hate them.</em></p> <p><em>”You understand, I don’t hate her.</em></p> <p><em>”I hate what she has become.</em><br/> <em>”I hate the illness.”</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— Norman Bates</p> </div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>October 15th, 1914</strong></p> <p></p> </div> <p>Robert rushed through the densely populated streets, catching eyes and glimpses from passersby. He didn’t mind the stares, continuing on through the streets, by the people, to his home.</p> <p>He held a bottle in his hand, a curious label adorning its side, the contents therein splashing against the walls of their glass container.</p> <p>When he arrived at the street, his home just across, he sprinted full throttle from one side to the other. The <em>honk</em> of a gentleman’s car rang through the day, his bewildered words falling upon deaf ears.</p> <p>The door swung open to awaken even the deepest of sleepy birds. But there was only his mother, resting in her bed upstairs.</p> <p>He made his way through the corridor, the paint on the walls slowly withering away, the floorboards adorned with holes down to the basement, still wet from last week’s storm.</p> <p>”Mother! Mother!” Robert yelled up the stairs. His footsteps echoed on the dilapitated walls, the stairs creaking under him. ”Mother!”</p> <p>His hands firmly grasped the corroding brass handle of his mother’s bedroom, turned and opened it. In the corner of the room, there lied his mother, wrapped in blankets warm enough to boil an egg, on cushions softer than the thickest clouds. The shudders of the window were shut, only letting sparse rays of the sun shine through.</p> <p>Robert simply stood at the door, the bottle firmly in his hands, as he stared at the brittle husk of his mother. She slowly moved her arm, so careful, one might’ve assumed she was one of those people cursed with their bones to be glass he had heard about. He quickly waved away the thought.</p> <p>She raised her arm, but it quickly fell onto the blankets again. Robert made his way toward her.</p> <p>”Mother. Rest,” he said in the calmest tone he could muster up with the bottle in his hands.</p> <p>She looked up at him, barely able to turn her head. Her eyes were sunken in, almost hollowed-out looking, appearing like absolute blackness in the shadows. Her skin was raggedy, hanging over her bones like wet paper. She moved with the slowness of a snail, with the fear of an oyster with no shell, sitting on the coast.</p> <p>Robert fought off a gulp, his voice brittle and little: ”Mother, I’ve brought you some medicine.” He held the bottle to her eyes, so that she might recognize it.</p> <p>Her eyes strained at the thing in her son’s hands, her mind too weak to form coherent thoughts. Eventually, she moved her dry lips to speak, her teeth yellow and rotten.</p> <p>”This… th—this…”</p> <p>He laid his warm hand against his mother’s skin. ”Rest, mother. I’ll bring you a cup. You’ll—”</p> <p>”… is… a f—fabrication…”</p> <p>She watched as her son’s expression changed in an instant. That expression she had only seen on her son when he was still a little child changed to that of a man being confronted with the horrors of the real world.</p> <p>He turned the bottle around to see the label so symmetrically plastered onto the front, his eyes widening upon inspecting the label closer.</p> <p>The bottle fell to the floor, shattering into a thousand fragments. The contents spilled onto the wooden floor, he could hear the droplets seeping to the floor below them.</p> <p>Tears ran down Robert’s face. He couldn’t even look at his own mother.</p> <p>She raised her hand with all of the life she could well up, and lightly touched the cheek of her son. He looked up to meet his mother’s eyes, so lively in their eternal blueness, like the deepest blue of the seas.</p> <p>”Robert… this is… our… <em>curse</em>.”</p> <p>Robert’s mouth was agape, speechless. He wrapped his hands around his mother’s, knelt down, and looked onto her like a beggar would a man or woman in a fine suit.</p> <p>”Mother, stop with this madness!”</p> <p>She shushed him. ”Robert… liste—”</p> <p>”No!” He erupted from his stance. He looked onto his mother, the tears welling up in his eyes, hands balled into fists. ”Stop with this <em>curse</em>!”</p> <p>She could feel her son’s breathing, so heavy, so rapid. It pained her to see him angry, to see him sad, to see him crying.</p> <p>Robert calmed down again. He hadn’t stepped through the door yet, so that meant he wasn’t too angry with her, that he was still willing to listen.</p> <p>She curled her lips once again: ”My father died in the War… my mother died when he never came back… Your father died when he went down an alley he shouldn’t have.”</p> <p>Robert wiped away his tears. The sleeves were soaking.</p> <p>”We are the Chetfords, Robert. <em>This</em> is our curse. <em>To die a young death.</em>”</p> <p>He didn’t say anything. He couldn’t say anything. His head was trained to the floor where the remains of the bottle laid, sniffing silently. His mother slumped back into her bed, obscured by the darkness.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>Robert was an ordinary kid. Quiet. Smart.</p> <p>He didn’t have a lot of friends. There were rumors prevailing of his father sinning, going out every night to meet another woman in dark alleyways.</p> <p>When he died, the kids told to each other that God had punished him, to die alone in another one of his alleys, stabbed by some low-life criminal; when the authorities found him, they didn’t find anything stolen, or maybe he didn’t have anything on him.</p> <p>Money got sparse after that.</p> <p>As a kid, he was told stories of his grandfather. The hero, fighting for his country, dying on the battlefield as many men did during that time. But it was a death with honor, a death with pride. His grandmother died of a heart attack, regardless of how honorable it supposedly was.</p> <p>And now his mother. Sometimes, when he returned late after midnight, he would peep into his mother’s room, to see if she was okay — he could see the flies on the walls, on the floor, on the ceiling, on her face. But when he turned the light on, there wasn’t anything. The buzzing of the flies would suddenly cease to be.</p> <p>He loved his mother. He tried to save her. But without much money, he couldn’t afford a doctor, he couldn’t afford the medicine.</p> <p>He cried for hours. He thinks his mother can’t hear him.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>Grey clouds cast oversky their thick shroud down upon the world, the sun darkened to the moon’s light. Only a few shines broke through, but they were miles away from where Robert was standing.</p> <p>He was standing in front of a small headstone, the elements having corroded away whatever once stood on the granite block. A flower was in his hand, one he had plucked from the side of the road on his way here.</p> <p>”Mother has been getting more sick lately,” Robert said to the headstone. He took a long pause. ”Not much more than that…”</p> <p>His head tilted down. He realized he was wearing his suit. A smile formed on his face. ”Oh, and your suit fits me fine, father.” He gave off a light chuckle. It quieted down again.</p> <p>Robert held back the tears. He wiped as many of them away as he could, but they kept on coming.</p> <p>”I miss you, father. I wish when I come up here I had something better to say, but I—I…”</p> <p>He fell silent again. ”Happy birthday, father. Hope you are doing well.”</p> <p>He placed the flower on the top of his father’s headstone, looking at the petals move in the breeze. He turned to the exit, when suddenly there was a silhouette in the corner of his vision appearing and vanishing soon again.</p> <p>His instincts told him to look, but when he did, he saw nothing there — only a few green bushes.</p> <p>Just as he was about to write it off as a figment of his imagination, the silhouette appeared again, and Robert turned his head faster now. Again, there was nothing there, but for a few tall-standing trees.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em><span style="color: transparent">”Robert.”</span></em></p> </div> <p>A shiver went down his spine. He could have sworn the wind had whispered his name.</p> <p>The silhouette appeared for a final time, and Robert turned behind him to be met with the shape of his father, wearing the exact same suit he was wearing, multiple red stains and wounds adorning his chest and arms.</p> <p>Robert stood there, unable to move, unable to breathe, as his eyes could not avert their gaze at the sight of his own father, <em>exactly</em> the way he had appeared on his death.</p> <p>The shape retreated into the foliage, appearing to not even touch the ground, and muttering something incomprehensible. Robert felt his mucles tense up, as he sprinted after the figure, the leaves scraping against his skin.</p> <p>He followed the figure for what felt like hours, the foliage and plant growth seeming to try to hold him back.</p> <p>Eventually, the growths diminshed. An empty patch of grass revealed itself to him. His eyes darted all around, but he found no trace of the figure of his father.</p> <p>Instead, what he found was a leather-bound book, looking new and pristine, as if just having come out of the press, its surface smooth, laced with an intricate zinc pattern, reflecting the little moonlight there was.</p> <p>His curiosity piqued, he grasped the book and held it firmly in his hands. Despite its appearance, the book was practically weightless, no more than a chicken’s feather or a pebble.</p> <p>Robert smelled the scent of some perfume emanating from the pages, reminding him of the ones his mother used to have.</p> <p>When he turned back, he found himself back at where he had started, back at the cemetery, with no time having passed at all. Waving it off as just a figment of his imagination, Robert held onto the book and made his way back to the exit.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>Robert rushed back into his home, the book under his arm. He was soaking wet, as a storm had decided to give its gift of water from the grey clouds. Peculiar enough, though, the book didn’t seem to be wet at all, as dry as the desert. Robert was too annoyed to notice.</p> <p>Once inside, Robert hurried upstairs, his steps leaving wet stains on the floor and carpet, at least in the areas, which hadn’t been hit by the leaks.</p> <p>Passing his mother’s bedroom, he peeped inside — she was deep asleep within her bed, the shudders tightly shut on the far side. He quickly closed the door again.</p> <p>The door to his bedroom made a quiet <em>click</em> as he closed it shut behind him. He placed the leather-bound book onto his desk, the little light there was just being barely enough. Robert didn’t even change his clothes, as he pushed a chair up toward the desk, its brittle legs scraping against the floorboards.</p> <p>A combination of sweat and drops of water from his wet hair, accompanied by his rapid heartbeat, his arms shaking, and the light being dimmer than he remembered, prevented him from opening the book immediately.</p> <p>There was a part of himself that whispered to him to not open the book, to toss it into the fire, bring it back to wherever he had found it. He didn’t know if it belonged to anyone — somebody might be looking for it.</p> <p>But it looked to be worth a lot. He might be able to sell it for whatever it was worth, and <em>might as well look what’s within, when he was going to sell it, right?</em></p> <p>His fingers rested lightly upon the book‘s edge, the odor of roses dissipating, overtaken by the sensation of dust filling his nose and lungs. He coughed loudly, but felt the sensation leaving his body soon after.</p> <p>The book flung open. Whether it was because of his own movement or something else he couldn’t place during all his coughing.</p> <p>The pages were just as pristine as they looked from the exterior. Black letters were written in such delicacy that Robert couldn’t help himself, but trace the outlines of them with his fingers.</p> <p>His eyes were transfixed on the letters, the structures of sentences boring themselves into his mind.</p> <p>They told of a <em>process</em>. A process beyond the laws of man, beyond the laws of nature, of even He Himself. A path for eternal youth, to be immune from all ailments, all injury, all wars and plagues, destruction and death itself.</p> <p>Robert could feel himself being reinvigorated. New life in his body, his cells, his soul.</p> <p>He quickly closed the book again, a large cloud of dust settling into his room. He stood up, stepped away, and began to feel dizzy from all the movement.</p> <p>Rough shapes and outlines of his room spun around him, as he leaned up against the wall to steady himself. As time passed, he found himself back in his room again. He looked upon the book, its zinc outlines shining in the dim light, while the storm raged outside.</p> <p><em>I shall burn it, get a chest and sink it to the bottom of the sea. This book shall never see the light of day ever agai—</em></p> <p>Then the most agonizing scream a son could ever picture jolted him awake. It took a few seconds for him to start running to his mother’s bedroom. He nearly stumbled and fell to the floor on the short way there, his hand nearly missing the corroded brass door handle.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>Robert sprinted to his mother, his footsteps so loud that he thought that the very ground beneath him might come apart. He turned on the bedside lamp to see his mother’s face.</p> <p>”Mother! Mother!”</p> <p>His mother was coiling and twitching within her bed, her limbs spazzing out in all directions, her chest rummaging up and down, as if something was shaking her soul. Her eyes were closed, tears streaming through the lids, as she screamed from the bottom of her lungs.</p> <p>Robert was looking all around, grasping his head, breathing heavily, while he went up and down. The soul-piercing screams of his mother nearly deafened him.</p> <p>With no other resolve, Robert took his mother by the shoulders and shook her, ’til she awoke. He tried his best to be forceful, but not harm his mother’s frail body. ”MOTHER! It’s me, mother!”</p> <p>The screaming ceased. She opened her eyes to stare at her son, who was still tense, but more at ease now. ”S—son…”</p> <p>”It’s me, mother. Everything is fine again.” He hugged his mother with a tight grasp. They looked into each others’ eyes again.</p> <p>”What happened?” Robert asked.</p> <p>She stared absent-mindedly to the floor, unable, <em>no</em>, un<em>willing</em> to recount the events in her mind.</p> <p>”Please, tell me, mother,” he begged.</p> <p>She stared back into his eyes; what little life remained in them was completely overshadowed by the absolute terror reflecting in the darkness.</p> <p>”I saw… death. Reaching… its hand out at me…” She looked at him with the most fearful eyes Robert had ever seen. Like a piglet before slaughter. ”And I saw your father, Robert. By all that is holy… I saw him.”</p> <p>Now it was her who hugged her son. Robert just stood there, held his mother in his arms, <em>so weightless</em>, and stared into the darkness. Her sobs and sniffs permeated through the room, as his mind wandered. Wandered back to the book.</p> <p>He knew what had to be done.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Gift of Life</span></strong></p> </div> <hr/> <p><strong>12.1</strong> <em>The Gift of Life is an ancient rite practiced by various civilizations to create only the strongest of warriors, people to carry on their legacy.</em></p> <p><em>The horrors of inevitability and oblivion will be washed clean, for a new life with no such fears will be paved for the one fortunate.</em></p> <p><em>To receive the gift, one must bring together the objects, and follow the tome <strong>exactly</strong>:</em></p> <ul> <li><em>A cup of fresh water, taken from the nearest spring;</em></li> <li><em>An ounce of herb, curing the body within;</em></li> <li><em>Ragged cloth to be wrapped around;</em></li> <li><em>Hundred eggs, freshly seperated;</em></li> <li><em>Coins of value, to be taken as a kind gesture;</em></li> <li><em>And finally, a slab of brick to be used to strengthen the bonds of these elements.</em></li> </ul> <p><em>Bring these objects within the presence of the tome, and recite the name of the one fortunate, who may receive the Gift of Life; blue smoke will be carried to you in the winds.</em></p> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>The gathered objects necessary for the rite were strewn across his bedroom, laying idly on either the floor, his bed, or desk. It had been a tedious task to gather them, ’specially the herbs and the eggs, for which he spent two good meal’s worth.</p> <p><em>No matter, though,</em> Robert thought to himself, as he brought the objects into the middle of the room in a large circle. <em>Everything will be worth it…</em></p> <p>Once done, Robert slid open a drawer, in which the tome resided. He felt his heart beating in his throat, sweat rolling down his body, as he retrieved it from the drawer.</p> <p>He placed the book in the middle of the circle, as he waited for his senses to calm down, closed his eyes, prayed a prayer, asked Him for forgiveness, and spoke his mother’s name:</p> <p>”Amelia Chetford.”</p> <p>The seconds passed, Robert tightly pressing his eyelids shut, feeling the sweat soak his father’s suit. Then he opened them again, and found nothing; no smoke, nothing.</p> <p>Robert looked onto the tome lying in front of him on the wooden floor, and began to look about the pages, frantically moving through each one, his eyes darting all over.</p> <p>The panic that seared within him was quickly overtaken by a boiling anger, a frustration so great it could even make the deepest bowels of Hell shiver.</p> <p>Then he found the page again, where the necessities of the rite were detailed. They were unchanged, his mind having had the text memorized by now. And then his blood froze.</p> <p>On the same page he had read weeks ago, there was inscribed another sentence, another necessity. He read it multiple times through to assure himself that his mind wasn’t making a fool of him, but it wasn’t.</p> <p>He let the book clatter to the floor.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <blockquote> <ul> <li><em>The life of a young one, so to energize the ethereal.</em></li> </ul> </blockquote> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>He retreated into a corner, his eyes wide at the tome, his body shivering, as his mind raced with thoughts.</p> <p><em>No, no, no… This can’t be. It cannot be! I couldn’t have missed it… No, I couldn’t have…</em></p> <p>Eventually, his thoughts calmed down. He had to do something. With each passing second, death laid its cold arms around his mother, slipping away more, due to the illness.</p> <p>With all the courage within him, Robert stood up from his little hole and made his way toward the tome. He closed its covers and took a deep breath.</p> <p>He pursed his lips, exhaled deeply, and said: ”Amelia Chetford.”</p> <p>Nothing happened. He repeated it, louder than before: ”Amelia Chetford!”</p> <p>There was a low thumping noise, but he paid no attention to it. <em>”Amelia Chetford. Amelia Chetford. <strong>Amelia Chetford!</strong>”</em></p> <p>There was silence for a little while. Then the book shot open again, as blue mist began to pour out at him like a waterfall, enveloping the room in its musky scent, his movement becoming heavy and stiff.</p> <p>He heard voices from beyond the clouds, whispering to him…</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><em>”LAMENT.”</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>”IDIOCY.”</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>”AMELIA.”</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>”REVERANCE.”</em></strong></p> </div> <p>He tried to shut them out, search for a safe corner, but the room seemed to go on in all directions forever, him getting lost in the mist.</p> <p>After some time, the smoke dissipated into nothingness, as Robert stumbled to the floor, coughing his lungs out. He shut the book again, as it just laid there on the floor.</p> <p>He stood up again, tossing the tome under his bed, and held his head in his hands. Then a thought blitzed into his mind:</p> <p><em>”Mother…”</em></p> <p>The time to make it to his mother’s bedroom were the slowest seconds Robert had ever experienced. Time seemingly went still, his movements slower and slower, as he placed his hand on the all too familiar doorknob and stepped through the door.</p> <p>He stopped at the door — there was a figure moving around in his mother’s bed. He backed away instinctually, the terror building up inside him, before it became unbearable; despite this, he couldn’t move a muscle, and could only remain to stare.</p> <p>The figure held out its hand, he could see the silhouette, before a voice rang out through the room to his ears:</p> <p>”Robert…?”</p> <p>She switched the light on.</p> <p>Robert just stood there, mouth agape, unable to speak, nor even think. In the bed was his mother, but her posture was upright, her skin no longer wrinkly, her movements smooth and alive. She didn’t seem to hurt anymore.</p> <p>”Robert…” She said her son’s name livelier than she ever had in the last few years.</p> <p>”Mother…” Tears welled up in his eyes. He let them flow freely — he didn’t care anymore.</p> <p>He rushed to his mother and embraced her in a tight hug. Their sobs echoed against the creaky floorboards and leaking ceiling, but Robert didn’t care — she didn’t either.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>The past few months were the best Robert had gone through in all of his life. Not wanting to pass such an opportunity, <em>a gift from God</em>, the two had planned to visit the places they had always dreamed of visiting. When father was still alive.</p> <p>Money was still tight, though, and with their work schedules, neither of them could find the time to set a right date. Still, they loved each other like any mother and son, and prevailed through the darkness.</p> <p>One day, though, on a particularly cold spring Thursday, Robert returned home to find find his mother nowhere — he knew Thursdays were her off-days, and he didn’t recall her ever mentioning being away on this particular date.</p> <p>The thought concerned him, so he immediately rushed to his mother’s bedroom; surely enough, he would find his mother there, resting in her bed in that corner of hers.</p> <p>But something seemed off about her. He went to check her, to see if the illness had reappeared, but looking down at her, she was completely fine.</p> <p>He couldn’t shake off that feeling of uncertainty, though, so he spoke up: ”Mother… what are you doing?”</p> <p>She turned her head to face her son, the shadows obscuring her emotions, as she slowly reached a hand out to him.</p> <p>She moved her lips, but so slow and frail, Robert thought the illness had crept up again. But his mother’s voice was alive: ”Son, I…” She stuttered. Robert took her hand and pressed it lightly — it felt colder than usual.</p> <p>”I—I…” was the only thing she could get out.</p> <p>His heart raced. He stammered for an answer, something to say, <em>anything</em> to help his mother with.</p> <p>Then he looked down at her body. The sight made him freeze up. Her legs had turned grey as stone, her arms slowly turning as well. There were cracks on her skin, so unnatural it made Robert’s mind and stomach retch and coil.</p> <p>Short of breath, the words were stuck in his throat, the breath in his lungs holed-up deep within.</p> <p>She grabbed her son’s hands with her other arm, the movement erratic, jerky and stiff; cracks formed at her shoulders. He flinched slightly, as her hand was cold to the touch. ”Robert…” she gasped, ”I’m afraid…”</p> <p><em>”Everything will be all right…”</em> was what he meant to say, but Robert didn’t say anything. He couldn’t. His heart had sunken deep within his chest, his voice as silent as a grave.</p> <p>Robert simply turned around and walked out of the room.</p> <p>Amelia wanted to say something, but her lips became dry.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>”YOU STUPID BOOK!”</p> <p>Robert hurled the tome through the air, its pages fluttering haphazardly through the wind, the weight of the leather and zinc giving off a distinct <em>thud</em> from when it hit the wall and floor.</p> <p>He clutched his head in his hands, dropping into his chair with such force, Robert flailed his arms around for the fall that never came.</p> <p>Tears streamed through his fingers, the tears going down along his palms, arms, and then under the sleeves of the suit.</p> <p><em>”Why…?”</em></p> <p>His mother’s condition had worsened over the week. She barely moved anymore, lying in bed like a corpse in a grave; she didn’t eat, nor drink anymore, as her lips had dried, her teeth had turned to stone, and her mouth was greyer than any clouds overhead in the sky; he didn’t even hear her breathe anymore, no inhales or exhales of the musty air.</p> <p>He didn’t look at her the way he did once. It was too unbearable to see one’s own mother like this.</p> <p>”Mother…” he uttered, his voice a mere whisper, ”… I am sorry…” The rest of his words were drowned out by his sobs.</p> <p>The tome snapped open, startling Robert. Its pages began to flutter, as if trapped in the greatest storm known to man, before they halted. Pitch black ink began to seep through the floorboards and move onto the pages with such delicacy, Robert caught himself mesmerized.</p> <p>The ink settled on the pages to form into letters, individual words, sentences, which spoke directly to Robert:</p> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><em>”YOU IGNORED THE TOME.”</em></strong></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Robert crawled toward the book, keeping his head low. When his eyes laid rest on the black words, they began to reform again:</p> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><em>”A BOTCHED RITUAL; A MISSING SACRIFICE.”</em></strong></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Robert felt his breath becoming heavier, more stammering. It continued:</p> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><em>”YOUR LOVED ONE WILL PAY BY LIVING OUT ETERNITY.”</em></strong></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>His heart skipped a beat. He held up the book in front of him, his hands shaking upon its weightlessness, that familiar scent creeping up his nostrils again.</p> <p>”Leave my mother alone,” he said frail and brittle, like how his mother used to be, unsure whether the book could even hear him.</p> <p>Soon enough, the letters changed again:</p> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><em>”GIVE US WHAT WE DESIRE.”</em></strong></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>He nearly whispered his sentence: ”And what would that be?”</p> <p>The answer came swiftly:</p> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><em>”GIVE US <span style="text-decoration: underline;">YOU</span>.”</em></strong></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Robert said nothing for a while; he just looked onto the book’s pages, the pitch black lettering engraving their shapes into his mind.</p> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><em>”SO THAT YOU MAY PAY FOR YOUR MISCONDUCT OF THE TOME.”</em></strong></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The minutes passed away in silence. There was a conflict within him, stewing up inside him, wanting to be released. He felt fearful, the very words of the book shaking him down to his soul, as the letters remained in the page.</p> <p><em>I can’t do it… I can’t… To become like my mother, a statue, unmovable, yet in all defiance of the Lord, still</em> alive<em>… I… I cannot—</em></p> <p>Then he thought back to his mother’s eyes — such lively eyes. Lush, bluer than any part of the great seas, than even the sky or heavens themselves.</p> <p>And then he remembered his mother’s eyes as they were now — grey, cold, dead. Deader than any corpse Robert could ever picture, greyer than any rock or boulder, colder than the most frozen of waters.</p> <p>He thought about them for a while, and said:</p> <p>”W—what do I need to do?”</p> <p>There was an excruciating silence:</p> <blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><em>”SAY YOUR NAME.”</em></strong></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>Amelia awoke from a deep sleep. It was the only way to alleviate the pains.</p> <p>She couldn’t move her head, only her eyes. Even then, it pained to move them, to even look, as her eyeballs grinded against the tendons and muscles, hard as stone. It was dark and the figure at the door was a mere silhouette.</p> <p>The figure stepped forward — it was Robert. She hadn’t seen her son for… she didn’t know how long. Time passed by differently when one was confined to lay in a bed for so long, enveloped in the darkness, with no one, but only oneself to talk to.</p> <p>She could see that something was pressed under his arm, but she couldn’t make it out, as Robert knelt before her.</p> <p>He clutched her hand, so cold to the touch, unmoving; she didn’t even notice it.</p> <p>Then, she heard her son speak: ”I’m sorry. You won’t understand this, but… I’m so sorry.”</p> <p>Those sobs and sniffs of his filled her ears. She wanted to say something, but her mouth remained shut.</p> <p>”I will make things right.” There was a long sob. ”Goodbye, mother.”</p> <p>She tried to say something, <em>anything</em>, but she remained as silent as the statue she had become. She tried to yell through her lips, yell at her son to stop whatever he was planning on doing — to no avail.</p> <p>Robert looked onto his mother for what might very well be the final time, shed some tears, smiled, and uttered:</p> <p><em>”R—robert Chetford.”</em></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>Amelia awoke from a deep sleep. It was the only way to alleviate the pains.</p> <p>She tried to stand up, but it was as if her whole body collapsed onto itself, falling onto the blankets and cushions. She wanted to try again, but then saw her arms; they were wrinkly, hanging over her light bones.</p> <p>Every breath she took hurt her deep within her chest, her form sagging deeper into the bed.</p> <p>Despite the pain, however, a smile lurked at the edges of her face, as she stared up the ceiling, while she felt… at peace.</p> <p>She curled her lips, her tongue clicking, and muttered: ”Robert…” Her heart was beginning to beat slower now.</p> <p>”Good night, mother…” was all he could say from the darkness of the room.</p> <p>She tried to look at him, but felt her body becoming ever-so-heavier. She closed her eyes…</p> <p><em>And then her heart stopped.</em></p> <p>Robert stood there in silence.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>July 26th, 1916</strong><br/> <strong>Norwich Asylum</strong></p> <p></p> </div> <p>”… and here resides our most peculiar patient!”</p> <p>He heard footsteps clatter against the floor, dozens of them. The large metal door was heavy standing between him inside and the doctors outside. The footsteps stopped in front of the door, as the shadows of the people stretched out from underneath the door.</p> <p>The head doctor spoke: ”Mr. Robert Chetford, a man who believes he has been cursed to become concrete, and is immortal in the process. Ain’t that dazzling?”</p> <p>A few snickers from the crowd. Robert paid them no mind.</p> <p>”Mr. Chetford?” it suddenly rang out in his ears. He looked up again, his neck stiff, his eyes trained to the barren floor.</p> <p>”I can hear you.”</p> <p>The doctor chuckled. ”Well, I’m glad to know your ear wax hasn’t turned into concrete slurry.”</p> <p>There was a brief pause. Robert just ignored the doctor’s words.</p> <p>”I swear, if it weren’t for his delusion, he’d be a great mime! The greatest around, even!”</p> <p>Even more snickers this time. Robert wondered if they genuinely found the doctor funny or if they were just trying to get on his good side.</p> <p>”Moving right along…” it echoed down the corridor, the footsteps getting quieter <span style="opacity: .3;">and quieter…</span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>February 20th, 1942</strong><br/> <strong>Site-██</strong></p> <p></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="opacity: .15;"><strong>█████:</strong> … and you can attest to your statements to be fully accurate, Mr. Chetford?</span></p> <p><span style="opacity: .3;"><em><No response from subject.></em></span></p> <p><span style="opacity: .3;"><strong>█████:</strong> Anything else you want to disclose?</span></p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> … No.</p> <p><strong>█████:</strong> When we investigated your former residence, we found no book matching your descriptions present. Anywhere.</p> <p><em><No response from subject.></em></p> <p><strong>█████:</strong> Mr. Chetford?</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> … You are just like the last ones.</p> <p><strong>█████:</strong> Pardon me?</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> You wouldn’t understand… I don’t even understand it myself. This curse…</p> <p><em><Subject falls silent. There is no response for a while.></em></p> <p><strong>█████:</strong> Mr. Chetford?</p> <p><em><No response from subject.></em></p> <p><strong>█████:</strong> <em>(sighs; into hidden microphone)</em> Subject unresponsive and uncooperative. Request to end interview.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>[END RECORDING]</strong></p> </div> <hr/> <p><strong>Note:</strong> <em>Subject highly uncooperative upon further questioning, and the information it has been willing to divulge has been questionable at best.</em></p> <p><em><span style="opacity: .2;">Due to app</span><span style="opacity: .3;">arent anomalous properties, request immediate classification of Mr. Robert Chetford as an SCP object.</span></em><br/> <span style="opacity: .15;"><br/> <em>- Signed, Dr.</em> █████</span></p> <hr/></blockquote> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>Site-██</strong><br/> <strong>Present Day</strong></p> <p></p> </div> <p>Robert sat in his chair, overlooking the dried, yellow-orange leaves being hurled up into the sky. The tree branches bristled in the autumn breeze, but what it felt like, he couldn’t place his mind on.</p> <p>Many things had happened since that night in 1915 — his insitutionalization, his capture by this <em>’Foundation’</em>, this room he found himself in, a mere imitation. There were metal birds flying through the sky, marking their path with white trails; iron horses so foreign from the ones he knew that he thought them alien. But the clouds and the sky had remained the same over all these decades.</p> <p>He gave off a long exhale, but couldn’t feel his lungs move — he put no mind to the matter. His exhale slowly turned into a light chuckle, one he had not felt in decades.</p> <p>His chuckle was due to the book, and whatever inherited it, controlled it, or caused it to behave the way it did — such an otherwordly being, an entity from the great beyond, older than the universe itself, even defying the great Lord’s rules, had come to curse such a lowly man like him.</p> <p>He thought that whatever it was had altered the curse to make it act slower, to spite him, to punish him longer than it did his mother; that such an entity would be about such madness of a single act of defiance of a man like him made him chuckle.</p> <p>His chuckle quieted down.</p> <p>He’d like to think that, <em>maybe</em>, when it was all done, that he could look out the window one final time, before these old eyes finally dried and set like the rest of him. <em>Maybe</em>, when the last words left his lips, he’d be concrete all over, and break away like he should’ve so long ago.</p> <p>If he waited long enough. For the Chetford curse to finally set in.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <em>…</em><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><em>He thought about his mother.</em></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <blockquote> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>INCIDENT REPORT 014-α</strong></p> <hr/> <p>On 10/15/2040, at 0903 hours, <a href="/scp-014">SCP-014</a> had completely transmutated into non-anomalous concrete.</p> <p>No movement was detected from the subject and all life functions had ceased at that time.</p> <p>Reclassification of SCP-014 to <em>Neutralized</em> pending after confirmation of cessation of brain activity via MRI scans.</p> <hr/> <p><strong>END OF FILE</strong></p> </div> <hr/></blockquote> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><em>”Sometimes… we deliberately step into those traps.”</em></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— Marion Crane</p> </div> </blockquote> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>…</em></p> <p><em>…</em></p> <p><em>…</em></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>*</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em><span style="color: transparent">SCP-014 - The Concrete Man</span></em></p> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>» <a href="/scp-origins-hub">HUB</a> «</strong><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/scp-origins-the-concrete-man">SCP Origins: The Concrete Man</a>" by Doctor Scrappy , from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/scp-origins-the-concrete-man">https://scpwiki.com/scp-origins-the-concrete-man</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:basalt">:scp-wiki:theme:basalt</a> hidetitle=a\|darkmode=a]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:bhl-dark-sidebar">:scp-wiki:component:bhl-dark-sidebar</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar-bhl</a>]] [[module CSS]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:fade-in">:scp-wiki:component:fade-in</a> speed=1.5]] [[=]] ---- + \| SCP ORIGINS \| + ##grey\|The Concrete Man## ---- [[/=]] @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] [[=]] SCP Origins The Concrete Man @@ @@ First installment of the SCP Origins series! More tales soon to come! [[/=]] @@ @@ Author: Doctor Scrappy [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] @@ @@ [[=]] //...// [[/=]] > //”Who’d look after her? She’d be alone up there. Her fire would go out. It’d be cold and damp like a grave. If you love someone, you don’t do that to them, even if you hate them.// > > //”You understand, I don’t hate her.// > > //”I hate what she has become.// > //”I hate the illness.”// > > [[>]] > -- Norman Bates > [[/>]] [[=]] //...// [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] October 15th, 1914 * [[/=]] Robert rushed through the densely populated streets, catching eyes and glimpses from passersby. He didn’t mind the stares, continuing on through the streets, by the people, to his home. He held a bottle in his hand, a curious label adorning its side, the contents therein splashing against the walls of their glass container. When he arrived at the street, his home just across, he sprinted full throttle from one side to the other. The //honk// of a gentleman’s car rang through the day, his bewildered words falling upon deaf ears. The door swung open to awaken even the deepest of sleepy birds. But there was only his mother, resting in her bed upstairs. He made his way through the corridor, the paint on the walls slowly withering away, the floorboards adorned with holes down to the basement, still wet from last week’s storm. ”Mother! Mother!” Robert yelled up the stairs. His footsteps echoed on the dilapitated walls, the stairs creaking under him. ”Mother!” His hands firmly grasped the corroding brass handle of his mother’s bedroom, turned and opened it. In the corner of the room, there lied his mother, wrapped in blankets warm enough to boil an egg, on cushions softer than the thickest clouds. The shudders of the window were shut, only letting sparse rays of the sun shine through. Robert simply stood at the door, the bottle firmly in his hands, as he stared at the brittle husk of his mother. She slowly moved her arm, so careful, one might’ve assumed she was one of those people cursed with their bones to be glass he had heard about. He quickly waved away the thought. She raised her arm, but it quickly fell onto the blankets again. Robert made his way toward her. ”Mother. Rest,” he said in the calmest tone he could muster up with the bottle in his hands. She looked up at him, barely able to turn her head. Her eyes were sunken in, almost hollowed-out looking, appearing like absolute blackness in the shadows. Her skin was raggedy, hanging over her bones like wet paper. She moved with the slowness of a snail, with the fear of an oyster with no shell, sitting on the coast. Robert fought off a gulp, his voice brittle and little: ”Mother, I’ve brought you some medicine.” He held the bottle to her eyes, so that she might recognize it. Her eyes strained at the thing in her son’s hands, her mind too weak to form coherent thoughts. Eventually, she moved her dry lips to speak, her teeth yellow and rotten. ”This... th--this...” He laid his warm hand against his mother’s skin. ”Rest, mother. I’ll bring you a cup. You’ll--” ”... is... a f--fabrication...” She watched as her son’s expression changed in an instant. That expression she had only seen on her son when he was still a little child changed to that of a man being confronted with the horrors of the real world. He turned the bottle around to see the label so symmetrically plastered onto the front, his eyes widening upon inspecting the label closer. The bottle fell to the floor, shattering into a thousand fragments. The contents spilled onto the wooden floor, he could hear the droplets seeping to the floor below them. Tears ran down Robert’s face. He couldn’t even look at his own mother. She raised her hand with all of the life she could well up, and lightly touched the cheek of her son. He looked up to meet his mother’s eyes, so lively in their eternal blueness, like the deepest blue of the seas. ”Robert... this is... our... //curse//.” Robert’s mouth was agape, speechless. He wrapped his hands around his mother’s, knelt down, and looked onto her like a beggar would a man or woman in a fine suit. ”Mother, stop with this madness!” She shushed him. ”Robert... liste--” ”No!” He erupted from his stance. He looked onto his mother, the tears welling up in his eyes, hands balled into fists. ”Stop with this //curse//!” She could feel her son’s breathing, so heavy, so rapid. It pained her to see him angry, to see him sad, to see him crying. Robert calmed down again. He hadn’t stepped through the door yet, so that meant he wasn’t too angry with her, that he was still willing to listen. She curled her lips once again: ”My father died in the War... my mother died when he never came back... Your father died when he went down an alley he shouldn’t have.” Robert wiped away his tears. The sleeves were soaking. ”We are the Chetfords, Robert. //This// is our curse. //To die a young death.//” He didn’t say anything. He couldn’t say anything. His head was trained to the floor where the remains of the bottle laid, sniffing silently. His mother slumped back into her bed, obscured by the darkness. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ Robert was an ordinary kid. Quiet. Smart. He didn’t have a lot of friends. There were rumors prevailing of his father sinning, going out every night to meet another woman in dark alleyways. When he died, the kids told to each other that God had punished him, to die alone in another one of his alleys, stabbed by some low-life criminal; when the authorities found him, they didn’t find anything stolen, or maybe he didn’t have anything on him. Money got sparse after that. As a kid, he was told stories of his grandfather. The hero, fighting for his country, dying on the battlefield as many men did during that time. But it was a death with honor, a death with pride. His grandmother died of a heart attack, regardless of how honorable it supposedly was. And now his mother. Sometimes, when he returned late after midnight, he would peep into his mother’s room, to see if she was okay -- he could see the flies on the walls, on the floor, on the ceiling, on her face. But when he turned the light on, there wasn’t anything. The buzzing of the flies would suddenly cease to be. He loved his mother. He tried to save her. But without much money, he couldn’t afford a doctor, he couldn’t afford the medicine. He cried for hours. He thinks his mother can’t hear him. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ Grey clouds cast oversky their thick shroud down upon the world, the sun darkened to the moon’s light. Only a few shines broke through, but they were miles away from where Robert was standing. He was standing in front of a small headstone, the elements having corroded away whatever once stood on the granite block. A flower was in his hand, one he had plucked from the side of the road on his way here. ”Mother has been getting more sick lately,” Robert said to the headstone. He took a long pause. ”Not much more than that...” His head tilted down. He realized he was wearing his suit. A smile formed on his face. ”Oh, and your suit fits me fine, father.” He gave off a light chuckle. It quieted down again. Robert held back the tears. He wiped as many of them away as he could, but they kept on coming. ”I miss you, father. I wish when I come up here I had something better to say, but I--I...” He fell silent again. ”Happy birthday, father. Hope you are doing well.” He placed the flower on the top of his father’s headstone, looking at the petals move in the breeze. He turned to the exit, when suddenly there was a silhouette in the corner of his vision appearing and vanishing soon again. His instincts told him to look, but when he did, he saw nothing there -- only a few green bushes. Just as he was about to write it off as a figment of his imagination, the silhouette appeared again, and Robert turned his head faster now. Again, there was nothing there, but for a few tall-standing trees. [[=]] //##transparent\|”Robert.”##// [[/=]] A shiver went down his spine. He could have sworn the wind had whispered his name. The silhouette appeared for a final time, and Robert turned behind him to be met with the shape of his father, wearing the exact same suit he was wearing, multiple red stains and wounds adorning his chest and arms. Robert stood there, unable to move, unable to breathe, as his eyes could not avert their gaze at the sight of his own father, //exactly// the way he had appeared on his death. The shape retreated into the foliage, appearing to not even touch the ground, and muttering something incomprehensible. Robert felt his mucles tense up, as he sprinted after the figure, the leaves scraping against his skin. He followed the figure for what felt like hours, the foliage and plant growth seeming to try to hold him back. Eventually, the growths diminshed. An empty patch of grass revealed itself to him. His eyes darted all around, but he found no trace of the figure of his father. Instead, what he found was a leather-bound book, looking new and pristine, as if just having come out of the press, its surface smooth, laced with an intricate zinc pattern, reflecting the little moonlight there was. His curiosity piqued, he grasped the book and held it firmly in his hands. Despite its appearance, the book was practically weightless, no more than a chicken’s feather or a pebble. Robert smelled the scent of some perfume emanating from the pages, reminding him of the ones his mother used to have. When he turned back, he found himself back at where he had started, back at the cemetery, with no time having passed at all. Waving it off as just a figment of his imagination, Robert held onto the book and made his way back to the exit. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ Robert rushed back into his home, the book under his arm. He was soaking wet, as a storm had decided to give its gift of water from the grey clouds. Peculiar enough, though, the book didn’t seem to be wet at all, as dry as the desert. Robert was too annoyed to notice. Once inside, Robert hurried upstairs, his steps leaving wet stains on the floor and carpet, at least in the areas, which hadn’t been hit by the leaks. Passing his mother’s bedroom, he peeped inside -- she was deep asleep within her bed, the shudders tightly shut on the far side. He quickly closed the door again. The door to his bedroom made a quiet //click// as he closed it shut behind him. He placed the leather-bound book onto his desk, the little light there was just being barely enough. Robert didn’t even change his clothes, as he pushed a chair up toward the desk, its brittle legs scraping against the floorboards. A combination of sweat and drops of water from his wet hair, accompanied by his rapid heartbeat, his arms shaking, and the light being dimmer than he remembered, prevented him from opening the book immediately. There was a part of himself that whispered to him to not open the book, to toss it into the fire, bring it back to wherever he had found it. He didn’t know if it belonged to anyone -- somebody might be looking for it. But it looked to be worth a lot. He might be able to sell it for whatever it was worth, and //might as well look what’s within, when he was going to sell it, right?// His fingers rested lightly upon the book‘s edge, the odor of roses dissipating, overtaken by the sensation of dust filling his nose and lungs. He coughed loudly, but felt the sensation leaving his body soon after. The book flung open. Whether it was because of his own movement or something else he couldn’t place during all his coughing. The pages were just as pristine as they looked from the exterior. Black letters were written in such delicacy that Robert couldn’t help himself, but trace the outlines of them with his fingers. His eyes were transfixed on the letters, the structures of sentences boring themselves into his mind. They told of a //process//. A process beyond the laws of man, beyond the laws of nature, of even He Himself. A path for eternal youth, to be immune from all ailments, all injury, all wars and plagues, destruction and death itself. Robert could feel himself being reinvigorated. New life in his body, his cells, his soul. He quickly closed the book again, a large cloud of dust settling into his room. He stood up, stepped away, and began to feel dizzy from all the movement. Rough shapes and outlines of his room spun around him, as he leaned up against the wall to steady himself. As time passed, he found himself back in his room again. He looked upon the book, its zinc outlines shining in the dim light, while the storm raged outside. //I shall burn it, get a chest and sink it to the bottom of the sea. This book shall never see the light of day ever agai--// Then the most agonizing scream a son could ever picture jolted him awake. It took a few seconds for him to start running to his mother’s bedroom. He nearly stumbled and fell to the floor on the short way there, his hand nearly missing the corroded brass door handle. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ Robert sprinted to his mother, his footsteps so loud that he thought that the very ground beneath him might come apart. He turned on the bedside lamp to see his mother’s face. ”Mother! Mother!” His mother was coiling and twitching within her bed, her limbs spazzing out in all directions, her chest rummaging up and down, as if something was shaking her soul. Her eyes were closed, tears streaming through the lids, as she screamed from the bottom of her lungs. Robert was looking all around, grasping his head, breathing heavily, while he went up and down. The soul-piercing screams of his mother nearly deafened him. With no other resolve, Robert took his mother by the shoulders and shook her, ’til she awoke. He tried his best to be forceful, but not harm his mother’s frail body. ”MOTHER! It’s me, mother!” The screaming ceased. She opened her eyes to stare at her son, who was still tense, but more at ease now. ”S--son...” ”It’s me, mother. Everything is fine again.” He hugged his mother with a tight grasp. They looked into each others’ eyes again. ”What happened?” Robert asked. She stared absent-mindedly to the floor, unable, //no//, un//willing// to recount the events in her mind. ”Please, tell me, mother,” he begged. She stared back into his eyes; what little life remained in them was completely overshadowed by the absolute terror reflecting in the darkness. ”I saw... death. Reaching... its hand out at me...” She looked at him with the most fearful eyes Robert had ever seen. Like a piglet before slaughter. ”And I saw your father, Robert. By all that is holy... I saw him.” Now it was her who hugged her son. Robert just stood there, held his mother in his arms, //so weightless//, and stared into the darkness. Her sobs and sniffs permeated through the room, as his mind wandered. Wandered back to the book. He knew what had to be done. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] > [[=]] > __The Gift of Life__ > [[/=]] > ------ > > 12.1 //The Gift of Life is an ancient rite practiced by various civilizations to create only the strongest of warriors, people to carry on their legacy.// > > //The horrors of inevitability and oblivion will be washed clean, for a new life with no such fears will be paved for the one fortunate.// > > //To receive the gift, one must bring together the objects, and follow the tome exactly:// > > * //A cup of fresh water, taken from the nearest spring;// > * //An ounce of herb, curing the body within;// > * //Ragged cloth to be wrapped around;// > * //Hundred eggs, freshly seperated;// > * //Coins of value, to be taken as a kind gesture;// > * //And finally, a slab of brick to be used to strengthen the bonds of these elements.// > > //Bring these objects within the presence of the tome, and recite the name of the one fortunate, who may receive the Gift of Life; blue smoke will be carried to you in the winds.// [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ The gathered objects necessary for the rite were strewn across his bedroom, laying idly on either the floor, his bed, or desk. It had been a tedious task to gather them, ’specially the herbs and the eggs, for which he spent two good meal’s worth. //No matter, though,// Robert thought to himself, as he brought the objects into the middle of the room in a large circle. //Everything will be worth it...// Once done, Robert slid open a drawer, in which the tome resided. He felt his heart beating in his throat, sweat rolling down his body, as he retrieved it from the drawer. He placed the book in the middle of the circle, as he waited for his senses to calm down, closed his eyes, prayed a prayer, asked Him for forgiveness, and spoke his mother’s name: ”Amelia Chetford.” The seconds passed, Robert tightly pressing his eyelids shut, feeling the sweat soak his father’s suit. Then he opened them again, and found nothing; no smoke, nothing. Robert looked onto the tome lying in front of him on the wooden floor, and began to look about the pages, frantically moving through each one, his eyes darting all over. The panic that seared within him was quickly overtaken by a boiling anger, a frustration so great it could even make the deepest bowels of Hell shiver. Then he found the page again, where the necessities of the rite were detailed. They were unchanged, his mind having had the text memorized by now. And then his blood froze. On the same page he had read weeks ago, there was inscribed another sentence, another necessity. He read it multiple times through to assure himself that his mind wasn’t making a fool of him, but it wasn’t. He let the book clatter to the floor. @@ @@ > * //The life of a young one, so to energize the ethereal.// @@ @@ He retreated into a corner, his eyes wide at the tome, his body shivering, as his mind raced with thoughts. //No, no, no... This can’t be. It cannot be! I couldn’t have missed it... No, I couldn’t have...// Eventually, his thoughts calmed down. He had to do something. With each passing second, death laid its cold arms around his mother, slipping away more, due to the illness. With all the courage within him, Robert stood up from his little hole and made his way toward the tome. He closed its covers and took a deep breath. He pursed his lips, exhaled deeply, and said: ”Amelia Chetford.” Nothing happened. He repeated it, louder than before: ”Amelia Chetford!” There was a low thumping noise, but he paid no attention to it. //”Amelia Chetford. Amelia Chetford. Amelia Chetford!”// There was silence for a little while. Then the book shot open again, as blue mist began to pour out at him like a waterfall, enveloping the room in its musky scent, his movement becoming heavy and stiff. He heard voices from beyond the clouds, whispering to him... [[=]] //”LAMENT.”// //”IDIOCY.”// //”AMELIA.”// //”REVERANCE.”// [[/=]] He tried to shut them out, search for a safe corner, but the room seemed to go on in all directions forever, him getting lost in the mist. After some time, the smoke dissipated into nothingness, as Robert stumbled to the floor, coughing his lungs out. He shut the book again, as it just laid there on the floor. He stood up again, tossing the tome under his bed, and held his head in his hands. Then a thought blitzed into his mind: //”Mother...”// The time to make it to his mother’s bedroom were the slowest seconds Robert had ever experienced. Time seemingly went still, his movements slower and slower, as he placed his hand on the all too familiar doorknob and stepped through the door. He stopped at the door -- there was a figure moving around in his mother’s bed. He backed away instinctually, the terror building up inside him, before it became unbearable; despite this, he couldn’t move a muscle, and could only remain to stare. The figure held out its hand, he could see the silhouette, before a voice rang out through the room to his ears: ”Robert...?” She switched the light on. Robert just stood there, mouth agape, unable to speak, nor even think. In the bed was his mother, but her posture was upright, her skin no longer wrinkly, her movements smooth and alive. She didn’t seem to hurt anymore. ”Robert...” She said her son’s name livelier than she ever had in the last few years. ”Mother...” Tears welled up in his eyes. He let them flow freely -- he didn’t care anymore. He rushed to his mother and embraced her in a tight hug. Their sobs echoed against the creaky floorboards and leaking ceiling, but Robert didn’t care -- she didn’t either. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ The past few months were the best Robert had gone through in all of his life. Not wanting to pass such an opportunity, //a gift from God//, the two had planned to visit the places they had always dreamed of visiting. When father was still alive. Money was still tight, though, and with their work schedules, neither of them could find the time to set a right date. Still, they loved each other like any mother and son, and prevailed through the darkness. One day, though, on a particularly cold spring Thursday, Robert returned home to find find his mother nowhere -- he knew Thursdays were her off-days, and he didn’t recall her ever mentioning being away on this particular date. The thought concerned him, so he immediately rushed to his mother’s bedroom; surely enough, he would find his mother there, resting in her bed in that corner of hers. But something seemed off about her. He went to check her, to see if the illness had reappeared, but looking down at her, she was completely fine. He couldn’t shake off that feeling of uncertainty, though, so he spoke up: ”Mother... what are you doing?” She turned her head to face her son, the shadows obscuring her emotions, as she slowly reached a hand out to him. She moved her lips, but so slow and frail, Robert thought the illness had crept up again. But his mother’s voice was alive: ”Son, I...” She stuttered. Robert took her hand and pressed it lightly -- it felt colder than usual. ”I--I...” was the only thing she could get out. His heart raced. He stammered for an answer, something to say, //anything// to help his mother with. Then he looked down at her body. The sight made him freeze up. Her legs had turned grey as stone, her arms slowly turning as well. There were cracks on her skin, so unnatural it made Robert’s mind and stomach retch and coil. Short of breath, the words were stuck in his throat, the breath in his lungs holed-up deep within. She grabbed her son’s hands with her other arm, the movement erratic, jerky and stiff; cracks formed at her shoulders. He flinched slightly, as her hand was cold to the touch. ”Robert...” she gasped, ”I’m afraid...” //”Everything will be all right...”// was what he meant to say, but Robert didn’t say anything. He couldn’t. His heart had sunken deep within his chest, his voice as silent as a grave. Robert simply turned around and walked out of the room. Amelia wanted to say something, but her lips became dry. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ ”YOU STUPID BOOK!” Robert hurled the tome through the air, its pages fluttering haphazardly through the wind, the weight of the leather and zinc giving off a distinct //thud// from when it hit the wall and floor. He clutched his head in his hands, dropping into his chair with such force, Robert flailed his arms around for the fall that never came. Tears streamed through his fingers, the tears going down along his palms, arms, and then under the sleeves of the suit. //”Why...?”// His mother’s condition had worsened over the week. She barely moved anymore, lying in bed like a corpse in a grave; she didn’t eat, nor drink anymore, as her lips had dried, her teeth had turned to stone, and her mouth was greyer than any clouds overhead in the sky; he didn’t even hear her breathe anymore, no inhales or exhales of the musty air. He didn’t look at her the way he did once. It was too unbearable to see one’s own mother like this. ”Mother...” he uttered, his voice a mere whisper, ”... I am sorry...” The rest of his words were drowned out by his sobs. The tome snapped open, startling Robert. Its pages began to flutter, as if trapped in the greatest storm known to man, before they halted. Pitch black ink began to seep through the floorboards and move onto the pages with such delicacy, Robert caught himself mesmerized. The ink settled on the pages to form into letters, individual words, sentences, which spoke directly to Robert: > [[=]] > //”YOU IGNORED THE TOME.”// > [[/=]] Robert crawled toward the book, keeping his head low. When his eyes laid rest on the black words, they began to reform again: > [[=]] > //”A BOTCHED RITUAL; A MISSING SACRIFICE.”// > [[/=]] Robert felt his breath becoming heavier, more stammering. It continued: > [[=]] > //”YOUR LOVED ONE WILL PAY BY LIVING OUT ETERNITY.”// > [[/=]] His heart skipped a beat. He held up the book in front of him, his hands shaking upon its weightlessness, that familiar scent creeping up his nostrils again. ”Leave my mother alone,” he said frail and brittle, like how his mother used to be, unsure whether the book could even hear him. Soon enough, the letters changed again: > [[=]] > //”GIVE US WHAT WE DESIRE.”// > [[/=]] He nearly whispered his sentence: ”And what would that be?” The answer came swiftly: > [[=]] > //”GIVE US __YOU__.”// > [[/=]] Robert said nothing for a while; he just looked onto the book’s pages, the pitch black lettering engraving their shapes into his mind. > [[=]] > //”SO THAT YOU MAY PAY FOR YOUR MISCONDUCT OF THE TOME.”// > [[/=]] The minutes passed away in silence. There was a conflict within him, stewing up inside him, wanting to be released. He felt fearful, the very words of the book shaking him down to his soul, as the letters remained in the page. //I can’t do it... I can’t... To become like my mother, a statue, unmovable, yet in all defiance of the Lord, still// alive//... I... I cannot--// Then he thought back to his mother’s eyes -- such lively eyes. Lush, bluer than any part of the great seas, than even the sky or heavens themselves. And then he remembered his mother’s eyes as they were now -- grey, cold, dead. Deader than any corpse Robert could ever picture, greyer than any rock or boulder, colder than the most frozen of waters. He thought about them for a while, and said: ”W--what do I need to do?” There was an excruciating silence: > [[=]] > //”SAY YOUR NAME.”// > [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ Amelia awoke from a deep sleep. It was the only way to alleviate the pains. She couldn’t move her head, only her eyes. Even then, it pained to move them, to even look, as her eyeballs grinded against the tendons and muscles, hard as stone. It was dark and the figure at the door was a mere silhouette. The figure stepped forward -- it was Robert. She hadn’t seen her son for... she didn’t know how long. Time passed by differently when one was confined to lay in a bed for so long, enveloped in the darkness, with no one, but only oneself to talk to. She could see that something was pressed under his arm, but she couldn’t make it out, as Robert knelt before her. He clutched her hand, so cold to the touch, unmoving; she didn’t even notice it. Then, she heard her son speak: ”I’m sorry. You won’t understand this, but... I’m so sorry.” Those sobs and sniffs of his filled her ears. She wanted to say something, but her mouth remained shut. ”I will make things right.” There was a long sob. ”Goodbye, mother.” She tried to say something, //anything//, but she remained as silent as the statue she had become. She tried to yell through her lips, yell at her son to stop whatever he was planning on doing -- to no avail. Robert looked onto his mother for what might very well be the final time, shed some tears, smiled, and uttered: //”R--robert Chetford.”// @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ Amelia awoke from a deep sleep. It was the only way to alleviate the pains. She tried to stand up, but it was as if her whole body collapsed onto itself, falling onto the blankets and cushions. She wanted to try again, but then saw her arms; they were wrinkly, hanging over her light bones. Every breath she took hurt her deep within her chest, her form sagging deeper into the bed. Despite the pain, however, a smile lurked at the edges of her face, as she stared up the ceiling, while she felt... at peace. She curled her lips, her tongue clicking, and muttered: ”Robert...” Her heart was beginning to beat slower now. ”Good night, mother...” was all he could say from the darkness of the room. She tried to look at him, but felt her body becoming ever-so-heavier. She closed her eyes... //And then her heart stopped.// Robert stood there in silence. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] July 26th, 1916 Norwich Asylum * [[/=]] ”... and here resides our most peculiar patient!” He heard footsteps clatter against the floor, dozens of them. The large metal door was heavy standing between him inside and the doctors outside. The footsteps stopped in front of the door, as the shadows of the people stretched out from underneath the door. The head doctor spoke: ”Mr. Robert Chetford, a man who believes he has been cursed to become concrete, and is immortal in the process. Ain’t that dazzling?” A few snickers from the crowd. Robert paid them no mind. ”Mr. Chetford?” it suddenly rang out in his ears. He looked up again, his neck stiff, his eyes trained to the barren floor. ”I can hear you.” The doctor chuckled. ”Well, I’m glad to know your ear wax hasn’t turned into concrete slurry.” There was a brief pause. Robert just ignored the doctor’s words. ”I swear, if it weren’t for his delusion, he’d be a great mime! The greatest around, even!” Even more snickers this time. Robert wondered if they genuinely found the doctor funny or if they were just trying to get on his good side. ”Moving right along...” it echoed down the corridor, the footsteps getting quieter [[span style="opacity: .3;"]] and quieter... [[/span]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] February 20th, 1942 Site-██ * [[/=]] > @@ @@ > [[span style="opacity: .15;"]] █████: ... and you can attest to your statements to be fully accurate, Mr. Chetford? [[/span]] > > [[span style="opacity: .3;"]] //<No response from subject.>// > > █████: Anything else you want to disclose? [[/span]] > > Subject: ... No. > > █████: When we investigated your former residence, we found no book matching your descriptions present. Anywhere. > > //<No response from subject.>// > > █████: Mr. Chetford? > > Subject: ... You are just like the last ones. > > █████: Pardon me? > > Subject: You wouldn’t understand... I don’t even understand it myself. This curse... > > //<Subject falls silent. There is no response for a while.>// > > █████: Mr. Chetford? > > //<No response from subject.>// > > █████: //(sighs; into hidden microphone)// Subject unresponsive and uncooperative. Request to end interview. > > ------ > [[=]] > [END RECORDING] > [[/=]] > ------ > Note: //Subject highly uncooperative upon further questioning, and the information it has been willing to divulge has been questionable at best.// > > //[[span style="opacity: .2;"]]Due to app[[/span]][[span style="opacity: .3;"]]arent anomalous properties, request immediate classification of Mr. Robert Chetford as an SCP object.// [[/span]] > [[span style="opacity: .15;"]] > //- Signed, Dr.// █████ [[/span]] > ------ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] Site-██ Present Day * [[/=]] Robert sat in his chair, overlooking the dried, yellow-orange leaves being hurled up into the sky. The tree branches bristled in the autumn breeze, but what it felt like, he couldn’t place his mind on. Many things had happened since that night in 1915 -- his insitutionalization, his capture by this //’Foundation’//, this room he found himself in, a mere imitation. There were metal birds flying through the sky, marking their path with white trails; iron horses so foreign from the ones he knew that he thought them alien. But the clouds and the sky had remained the same over all these decades. He gave off a long exhale, but couldn’t feel his lungs move -- he put no mind to the matter. His exhale slowly turned into a light chuckle, one he had not felt in decades. His chuckle was due to the book, and whatever inherited it, controlled it, or caused it to behave the way it did -- such an otherwordly being, an entity from the great beyond, older than the universe itself, even defying the great Lord’s rules, had come to curse such a lowly man like him. He thought that whatever it was had altered the curse to make it act slower, to spite him, to punish him longer than it did his mother; that such an entity would be about such madness of a single act of defiance of a man like him made him chuckle. His chuckle quieted down. He’d like to think that, //maybe//, when it was all done, that he could look out the window one final time, before these old eyes finally dried and set like the rest of him. //Maybe//, when the last words left his lips, he’d be concrete all over, and break away like he should’ve so long ago. If he waited long enough. For the Chetford curse to finally set in. @@ @@ //...// @@ @@ //He thought about his mother.// @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ > ------ > [[=]] > INCIDENT REPORT 014-α > ------ > On 10/15/2040, at 0903 hours, [[[SCP-014]]] had completely transmutated into non-anomalous concrete. > > No movement was detected from the subject and all life functions had ceased at that time. > > Reclassification of SCP-014 to //Neutralized// pending after confirmation of cessation of brain activity via MRI scans. > ------ > END OF FILE > [[/=]] > ------ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] //...// [[/=]] > //”Sometimes... we deliberately step into those traps.”// > > [[>]] > -- Marion Crane > [[/>]] [[=]] //...// //...// //...// [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] * [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] //##transparent\|SCP-014 - The Concrete Man##// [[/=]] ------ @@ @@ [[=]] » [[[SCP ORIGINS HUB\|HUB]]] « @@ @@ [[/=]] ------ @@ @@ [[=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]] [[/=]]	2024-08-06T14:47:00	[ "_licensebox", "bittersweet", "slice-of-life", "tale" ]	SCP Origins: The Concrete Man - SCP Foundation	9	[ "scp-014", "scp-origins-hub", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "scp-origins-hub", "scp-series-1-tales-edition" ]	[]	1456092131	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-origins-the-concrete-man
scp-que13-126	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>I see white through the black.</p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:100%;"><img alt="blankpursuer.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/blankpursuer.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>SCP-QUE13-126 - Blank Pursuer</p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: none"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Th</span><span class="hl-code">è</span><span class="hl-identifier">me</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">de</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Quand</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">le</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Soleil</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">se</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Couche</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier">Th</span><span class="hl-code">è</span><span class="hl-identifier">me</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> 2024 </span><span class="hl-identifier">Cr</span><span class="hl-code">éé </span><span class="hl-identifier">par</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Cauchynambour</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">logo</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">cr</span><span class="hl-code">éé</span><span class="hl-identifier">e</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">par</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Cauchynambour</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tir</span><span class="hl-code">é</span><span class="hl-identifier">e</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">du</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">è</span><span class="hl-identifier">me</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">http</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">scp-int.wikidot.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">poor-foundation-hub</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Space</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-code">&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">cnt</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-header-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> "Fondation"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-header-txt :</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--step-2, clamp(</span><span class="hl-number">2.72</span><span class="hl-code">rem, calc(</span><span class="hl-number">1.77</span><span class="hl-code">rem + </span><span class="hl-number">2.47</span><span class="hl-code">vw), </span><span class="hl-number">3.53</span><span class="hl-code">rem))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">slogan-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-slogan-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--step--1, clamp(</span><span class="hl-number">0.88</span><span class="hl-code">rem, calc(</span><span class="hl-number">1.02</span><span class="hl-code">rem + -</span><span class="hl-number">0.20</span><span class="hl-code">vw), </span><span class="hl-number">0.98</span><span class="hl-code">rem))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">cnt</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-slogan-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> "Hear it? Run from it."</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">bg</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-logo:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(http://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche/header-logo.png)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">col</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">link:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">col</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-visited:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.flickering</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content :</span><span class="hl-code"> 'SCP'</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation :</span><span class="hl-code"> flicker </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size :</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ct_fns_alt-header-txt)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">flicker</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0%, 19.999%, 22%, 62.999%, 64%, 64.999%, 70%, 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> //</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.99</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 20%, 21.999%, 63%, 63.999%, 65%, 69.999% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> from : </span><span class="hl-identifier">http</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">scp-int.wikidot.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">poor-foundation-hub</span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(http://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche/body_bg_grey.png)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">repeat-x</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-reserved">webkit-filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> / from : </span><span class="hl-identifier">http</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">scp-int.wikidot.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">poor-foundation-hub</span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditButton</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-reserved">webkit-filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color :</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform :</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter :</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> <div class="pseudocrumbs"> <p><a href="http://scp-int.wikidot.com/centre-quand-le-soleil-se-couche">When the Sun Goes Down Hub</a> » SCP-QUE13-126</p> </div> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <p><strong>SCP-QUE13-126 -</strong> Blank Pursuer<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/felixou" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7118294); return false;"><img alt="Felixou" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7118294&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1730656412" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7118294)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/felixou" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7118294); return false;">Felixou</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/felixoupage">Felixou page here</a></strong></p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Division ID:</strong> SCP-QUE13</p> <p><strong>Object n<sup>o</sup>:</strong> 126</p> <p><strong>Risk Type:</strong> Pursuer/Esoteric</p> <p><strong>Threat Level:</strong> ●●</p> <p><strong>Containment Procedures:</strong> Individuals claiming to have witnessed "footprints appearing out of nowhere" or a similar event are to be interviewed before morning. Because of the entity's slow movement, it's quite easy and advisable to escape it to reach a snow-free area, such as the inside of a building, a car, or any public transport. Everyone outside alone is to remain aware of any sound of footsteps near them.</p> <p><strong>Local Containment Procedures:</strong> Since winter is coming up real soon, I do hope we get some testing on the entity if we meet it again. Every upcoming major snowstorm of 2023 have been printed and pinned at our base, do not miss these dates. We'll try to test the limits of the thing but without a direct approach.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:500px;"><img alt="footprint.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/footprint.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>126 found by Carole Paquerette during December of 2022.</p> </div> </div> <p><strong>Description:</strong> 126 is an invisible entity that pursues a targeted individual, often alone. The entity is believed to be humanoid, with the footprints left in the snow confirming it to wear shoes 27,1 centimeters in size. Apart from its feet, no other discernible features of the entity's appearance were found.</p> <p>126 seems to only appear at nighttime when there is sufficient fresh snow on the ground to leave a footprint. It is also quite slow, only able to walk at a low speed toward a targeted individual.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">What 126 does upon reaching its target, if anything at all, is unknown.</span> We had a few calls during the night of some people alerting us of an invisible guy walking towards them, but they flew before it could reach them. Paquerette was the first to actually encounter the thing, she took a picture and left the place, probably for the better.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Update 14/01/2023:</span> Encounter and testing.</p> <p>Durois found it again, at 1 am walking toward him on the sidewalk of Rachel street. He immediately called the division urgency hotline for backup. Paquerette and I left our jobs early and were able to get to the location as quickly as possible with my truck. Durois patiently awaited us, walking in a circle and playing a never-ending game of tag with 126. Even with the three of us around, it only followed John. Paquerette noticed it was walking even slower than before.</p> <p>We brought with us a few things to test the entity. We first attempted to throw a blanket over it, to try and draw its shape and discover what it looked like, but the blanket fell flat on the snow. 126 didn't even react, we could hear under the blanket and see its steps continuing toward John. We tried to film it with an infrared camera, but nothing came up. I also tried throwing a bucket full of yellow paint at it, or even putting my truck in its path, but it went right through everything. It's like it doesn't exist, only its weight on the fresh snow was acknowledged by our reality. Paquerette forwarded the idea that 126 might also exist when there is no snow, invisible to anyone and only attempting to "hunt" someone when there is snow. Maybe it can only see the footprints of other beings, just like we see it. There wasn't any way to prove this, however.</p> <p>Durois, stupid as he is, proposed the brilliant idea to test what would happen when it reached its target. We told him no, that this could end very badly for him, and that we couldn't take the chance. He argued that the appearance of this entity is rare, we might not be able to prevent it from attacking if we don't know what happens. Still, we told him no and to shut up with the crazy ideas. Stubborn as he is, he ordered us to "film this" as he charged straight for the moving footprints. I shouted to stop, and upon reaching 126's placement, John's body entirely vanished. It happened so quickly, without any sound. My heart skipped a beat. The entity, on the other hand, continued walking in a different direction, still ignoring us.</p> <p>My knees fell to the ground. Caroline, in her usual cold and efficient attitude, already reached her phone and was about to call for more backup on the situation. But before she could do any of that, her phone rang. It was John's personal number. She screamed at me to calm down, seeing I was still in pure shock in the middle of the road. She answered, and Durois's voice came up and said that he was still alive and doing fine. From his understanding, 126 instantly transported him to Champlain Street in the middle of the road, about 300 meters from where we were.</p> <p>We drove there, and fair enough, John was there. We brought him to the base, did the usual authentication questionnaire to make sure it was truly him, and once finished, I slapped him hard. Not hard enough to put some sense into him, unfortunately. John, if you read this, and I hope you do, I still think this was a very stupid idea. You almost gave me a heart attack god dammit.</p> <p>Anyway, turns out that it just teleports you. Maybe it's attempting to direct us toward a specific location. Or maybe not, since we didn't find anything on Champlain street. Sometimes anomalies are mysterious for the sake of being mysterious, I suppose. Sometimes they just want to fuck with us.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Update 02/02/2023:</span> Incident.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>[Call begins]</strong></p> <p><em>(Durois picks up the phone, he yawns upon answering.)</em></p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> William? Is that you?</p> <p><strong>Gibeau:</strong> Hey, uh, sorry to bother you. I know it's late, even by our standards.</p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> Don't worry about it, what's happening? Where are you?</p> <p><em>(Gibeau sniffs. There is sound of a strong wind outside.)</em></p> <p><strong>Gibeau:</strong> I met 126 again. You know, the invisible-teleporting pursuer.</p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> Oh, shit! Did he do anything new?</p> <p><strong>Gibeau:</strong> No, nothing peculiar. I was heading back to work and got to my front door. While I was searching for my keys, I heard some steps coming, fast. Actually, yeah, it did have something new. I think it's faster now. Without having any time to react, I got teleported.</p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> Are you alright?</p> <p><strong>Gibeau:</strong> Fine, yeah. There's just this slight snowstorm going on. I would have asked Paquerette, but I'm closer to your home right now, somewhere between Berri and Jarry's street. I can't say for sure, I don't have my GPS on my phone right now because of the other information-eater anomaly from last week.</p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> Yeah, I remember it. I'm getting my car. Don't move.</p> <p><strong>Gibeau:</strong> Don't worry I'm not planning on-</p> <p><em>(Silence. The wind is getting stronger.)</em></p> <p><strong>Gibeau:</strong> Fuck.</p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> William?</p> <p><em>(Gibeau is heard running. Steps on the snow are heard coming in its direction, the steps are fast and steady.)</em></p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> What's going on? Tell me!</p> <p><strong>Gibeau:</strong> It's 126! It keeps-</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>[End call]</strong></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>[Call begins]</strong></p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> Are you alright? Where are you?</p> <p><strong>Gibeau:</strong> I'm still alright. 126 kept following me, I think the teleportation ended the call. Fuck. It was faster than a car.</p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> How?</p> <p><strong>Gibeau:</strong> No clue, might have to do with the amount of snow on the ground. The storm is also getting stronger and colder out there. I'm between Sauvé and Garnier street, I think.</p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> Alright, I'm coming as fast as I can. I'll call the others to help.</p> <p><em>(Silence. Gibeau is heard breathing.)</em></p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> Don't tell me it's already there.</p> <p><strong>Gibeau:</strong> I see it in the distance. I can't even bother running. It's fast, John.</p> <p><strong>Durois:</strong> Okay. Here's what you're going to do: go directly to the 126 page and edit in a picture and your current location every time you get teleported. That way, if there are others Fondation members around, we'll be able to get you home, fast. You get me?</p> <p><em>(Steps are heard coming closer and closer.)</em></p> <p><strong>Gibeau:</strong> Alright. We'll see if that work. See you lat-</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>[End call]</strong></p> </div> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="snowcar.jpg" class="image" src="https://scpdsandbox.wdfiles.com/local--files/testing-box-of-felixou/snowcar.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>I'm at the intersection of Clark and Fleury Street. This climate is pissing me off. I have difficulty walking through the thick snow, and I feel that some of it managed to get into my booths. My socks are wet, this is the worst.</p> </div> </div> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="citysnow.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/citysnow.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>I'm between Parc and Legendre. I tried knocking on one of the doors for some help. I saw a light go on inside and someone's silhouette pass through the window. Before they could open, 126 reached me.</p> </div> </div> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="snowcar2.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowcar2.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Between Montpellier and Rochon. Funny, I didn't even know this side of the town before. During my last teleportation, I saw some guy walking down the street. I asked them if they lived nearby or had a car nearby. He said no. I insisted, asking him if he knew someone from around here to help. He looked at me with this strange look, like I was some weirdo. 126 reached me while I was still talking, probably scared the living shit out of the man upon disappearing.</p> </div> </div> <p>I should mention that we’ve called the police. Told them you were lost. They're searching with us with the information from this page. We will find you, William.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="snowstreet.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowstreet.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Between Cléroue and Dépatie. Every door is shut, not a single soul on the long white streets and no vehicles except the ones buried under the snow. Feels like a dead town.</p> <p>I can confirm 126 is still at the same speed. I tried to get on top of one of the car around, last thing I saw was its steps appearing on the snow-covered windshield. I think it is transporting me to places where snow-free ground is the hardest to reach.</p> </div> </div> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="snowpark.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowpark.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>I don't know where I am. It's one of the parks, maybe Lafontaine, but not sure at all.</p> </div> </div> <p>It is Lafontaine, I recognize it. I'm driving close to there. We're getting there as fast as we can, William.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="snowstorm.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowstorm.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>I saw your car, Paquerette. I tried to run at it, but the other thing ran faster than me. I don't know if you could have heard me. Fuck this thing. Fuck this storm.</p> <p>I still don't know where I am. I can't even see the road and there are no street signs.</p> </div> </div> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="canon.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/canon.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Still don't know. Am I in Montreal? Can you guys tell?<br/> I think I lost my gloves when I tried to write on my phone last transportation. My fingers are freezing.</p> </div> </div> <p>We think it’s the Mile End neighborhood, we’ll check.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="snowroad.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowroad.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>The storm is slowing down. It's so calm, but still snowy and freezing.<br/> I'm on a highway. Don't know which one, again. I hate this.</p> </div> </div> <p>Something's wrong. It's the end of 5 am from where we are, and we're seeing the sunrise already. But we're not seeing any light through your pic, William.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="treesnow.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/treesnow.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Fuck. That's bad. What the fuck. Where am I. I can’t tell if the fear or the weather that is making me shaking. The sky is all black, not a single star. And I can still hear the fucking steps. Never stopping. Leave me alone. LEAVE M</p> </div> </div> <p>William, it’s morning from where we are.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="nightsnow.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/nightsnow.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>My battery is almost done, of course. Couldn’t ask for better. I tried climbing one of the trees. The fourth branch gave up on me before I could have reached a high place. At least the snow was here to soften the fall, and to let 126 gently reach me. Of course. Of course. Fuck you.</p> </div> </div> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="blacksnow.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/blacksnow.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>4% battery left. If you guys wanna save me, it’s now or never. Unfortunately, I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere with no flashlight. So good luck seeing more than me through the pic.<br/> My surroundings are nothing but darkness blacker than black. My body bumps into things that I cannot see through the blindness. The exception is the snow, it helps me walk. I see white through the black.</p> </div> </div> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="snowysky.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowysky.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>I walk and walk endlessly in this world that does not bear color. Fortunately, today there is color. In these rare days like this one, the heavens cries of impossible tears and I can see most of the ground I walk upon. It's white, shiny and beautiful. I can feel it too. It's cold, and frozen, and it makes my feet numb. But I can see, that's the important part. I can also see another like me.</p> </div> </div> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="emptysnow.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/emptysnow.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>I see him. Not his appearance, but I can see the things he uses to travel. I can see that he does not want to stay on the white. He wants to reach the surroundings unaffected by the miraculous tears, he wants to reach the emptiness. I don't understand. He must enjoy it like I do. He must enjoy these rare days that we don't get enough of. I won't let him go away. He has to enjoy this, like I do. I'll help. I'll help him. He'll thank me.</p> </div> </div> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:500px;"><img alt="moonsnow.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/moonsnow.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Yeah, it won't let me go home.</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Closing note:</span> Further communication was not received from William Gibeau's personal phone, as it was believed to have run out of battery. However, during the fifth of February, three days after the initial incident, an audio file from Gibeau's email address was sent to Jonathan Paquerette.</p> <p><iframe allowtransparency="true" class="html-block-iframe" frameborder="0" src="/scp-que13-126/html/bed112edc96c82009a4025dcadabd10266f9a2b9-20166335581438557350"></iframe></p> <p>A wanted notice has been issued in the entirety of Quebec and Canada. We'll wait until the end of winter for another search throughout Montreal.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/scp-que13-126">SCP-QUE13-126</a>" by Felixou, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/scp-que13-126">https://scpwiki.com/scp-que13-126</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> footprint.jpg (also used for blankpursuer.png)<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> untitled<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> steve p2008<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Attribution 2.0 Generic<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/32558319@N03/15935151149">flicker</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> snowcar.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> A Random DC Street<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Jim Kelly<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY 2.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/55043400@N00/4341302011">flicker</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> snowstorm.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> 2022-01-07 01 52 17 A snowstorm at night at the Franklin Middle School in the Armfield Farm section of Chantilly, Fairfax County, Virginia<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Famartin<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 4.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2022-01-07_01_52_17_A_snowstorm_at_night_at_the_Franklin_Middle_School_in_the_Armfield_Farm_section_of_Chantilly,_Fairfax_County,_Virginia.jpg">wikicommon</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> snowcar2.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> “if youre never scared, or embarased, or hurt, it means you never take any chances.” ―Julia Sorel ❄️<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> anokarina<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 2.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30760976@N04/4196386311">flickr</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> canon.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> canon<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Vasil Raev<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Attribution 2.0 Generic<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/86886646@N03/16124539144">flicker</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> citysnow.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Montreal (33110013470)<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Bryn Pinzgauer<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Montreal_(33110013470).jpg">wikicommon</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> treesnow.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Winter night. Jyrängöntie, Helsinki<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Kriomet<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Winter_night._Jyr%C3%A4ng%C3%B6ntie,_Helsinki.jpg">wikicommon</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> nightsnow.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Night snow - panoramio (1)<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Ron Shawley<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Night_snow_-_panoramio_(1).jpg">wikicommon</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> blacksnow.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Let It Thundersnow ❄️<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> anokarina<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 2.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/anokarina/4197151770/in/photostream/">flickr</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> snowysky.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Snow, night and flash<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> temporalata<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/93425126@N00/4410335989">flicker</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> emptysnow.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> April snow, night, trees<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Bryan Alexander<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Attribution 2.0 Generic<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/36521954815@N01/451512331">flickr</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> moonsnow.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Coldfall wood in the snow - night<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Mark Hillary<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY 2.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/56087830@N00/5274847983">flicker</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> pursuer.mp3<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/felixou" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7118294); return false;"><img alt="Felixou" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7118294&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1730656412" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7118294)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/felixou" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7118294); return false;">Felixou</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 4.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-que13-126">SCP wiki</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=I see white through the black. ]] ===== [[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=blankpursuer.png \|caption=SCP-QUE13-126 - Blank Pursuer \|width=100% \|align=center]] [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://fondationscp.wikidot.com/theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche">:fondationscp:theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche</a> \| sous-titre = Hear it? Run from it.]] [[module css]] :root { --ct_cnt_alt-header-txt: "Foundation"; } #header h1 a::before { content : 'SCP'; animation : flicker 3s linear infinite; font-size : var(--ct_fns_alt-header-txt); } #header h1 a::after { content : 'Foundation'; animation: none; } .liste-ecrits { display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: space-around; align-items: center; } .head { background: linear-gradient(to right,#eee,#eeecec); border-radius: 5px 5px 0 0; box-shadow: inset 2px 3px 6px rgba(0 0 0 / 15%); padding-inline: 1em; margin-block: 1em; width: 100%; width: -moz-available; width: -webkit-fill-available; } .options { float: right; margin: 0; padding: 0; } .options a { margin: 0; padding: 0; color: #77A; } #header h1 a span { display: inline-block; width: 0.5em; color: transparent; text-shadow: none; } [[/module]] [[div class="pseudocrumbs"]] [[[http://scp-int.wikidot.com/centre-quand-le-soleil-se-couche\|When the Sun Goes Down Hub]]] » SCP-QUE13-126 [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] SCP-QUE13-126 - Blank Pursuer Author: [[user Felixou]] = [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/felixoupage Felixou page here]* [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] Division ID: SCP-QUE13 Object n^^o^^: 126 Risk Type: Pursuer/Esoteric Threat Level: ●● Containment Procedures: Individuals claiming to have witnessed "footprints appearing out of nowhere" or a similar event are to be interviewed before morning. Because of the entity's slow movement, it's quite easy and advisable to escape it to reach a snow-free area, such as the inside of a building, a car, or any public transport. Everyone outside alone is to remain aware of any sound of footsteps near them. Local Containment Procedures: Since winter is coming up real soon, I do hope we get some testing on the entity if we meet it again. Every upcoming major snowstorm of 2023 have been printed and pinned at our base, do not miss these dates. We'll try to test the limits of the thing but without a direct approach. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=footprint.jpg\|caption=126 found by Carole Paquerette during December of 2022.\|width=500px]] Description: 126 is an invisible entity that pursues a targeted individual, often alone. The entity is believed to be humanoid, with the footprints left in the snow confirming it to wear shoes 27,1 centimeters in size. Apart from its feet, no other discernible features of the entity's appearance were found. 126 seems to only appear at nighttime when there is sufficient fresh snow on the ground to leave a footprint. It is also quite slow, only able to walk at a low speed toward a targeted individual. --What 126 does upon reaching its target, if anything at all, is unknown.-- We had a few calls during the night of some people alerting us of an invisible guy walking towards them, but they flew before it could reach them. Paquerette was the first to actually encounter the thing, she took a picture and left the place, probably for the better. __Update 14/01/2023:__ Encounter and testing. Durois found it again, at 1 am walking toward him on the sidewalk of Rachel street. He immediately called the division urgency hotline for backup. Paquerette and I left our jobs early and were able to get to the location as quickly as possible with my truck. Durois patiently awaited us, walking in a circle and playing a never-ending game of tag with 126. Even with the three of us around, it only followed John. Paquerette noticed it was walking even slower than before. We brought with us a few things to test the entity. We first attempted to throw a blanket over it, to try and draw its shape and discover what it looked like, but the blanket fell flat on the snow. 126 didn't even react, we could hear under the blanket and see its steps continuing toward John. We tried to film it with an infrared camera, but nothing came up. I also tried throwing a bucket full of yellow paint at it, or even putting my truck in its path, but it went right through everything. It's like it doesn't exist, only its weight on the fresh snow was acknowledged by our reality. Paquerette forwarded the idea that 126 might also exist when there is no snow, invisible to anyone and only attempting to "hunt" someone when there is snow. Maybe it can only see the footprints of other beings, just like we see it. There wasn't any way to prove this, however. Durois, stupid as he is, proposed the brilliant idea to test what would happen when it reached its target. We told him no, that this could end very badly for him, and that we couldn't take the chance. He argued that the appearance of this entity is rare, we might not be able to prevent it from attacking if we don't know what happens. Still, we told him no and to shut up with the crazy ideas. Stubborn as he is, he ordered us to "film this" as he charged straight for the moving footprints. I shouted to stop, and upon reaching 126's placement, John's body entirely vanished. It happened so quickly, without any sound. My heart skipped a beat. The entity, on the other hand, continued walking in a different direction, still ignoring us. My knees fell to the ground. Caroline, in her usual cold and efficient attitude, already reached her phone and was about to call for more backup on the situation. But before she could do any of that, her phone rang. It was John's personal number. She screamed at me to calm down, seeing I was still in pure shock in the middle of the road. She answered, and Durois's voice came up and said that he was still alive and doing fine. From his understanding, 126 instantly transported him to Champlain Street in the middle of the road, about 300 meters from where we were. We drove there, and fair enough, John was there. We brought him to the base, did the usual authentication questionnaire to make sure it was truly him, and once finished, I slapped him hard. Not hard enough to put some sense into him, unfortunately. John, if you read this, and I hope you do, I still think this was a very stupid idea. You almost gave me a heart attack god dammit. Anyway, turns out that it just teleports you. Maybe it's attempting to direct us toward a specific location. Or maybe not, since we didn't find anything on Champlain street. Sometimes anomalies are mysterious for the sake of being mysterious, I suppose. Sometimes they just want to fuck with us. __Update 02/02/2023:__ Incident. [[div class="blockquote"]] = [Call begins] //(Durois picks up the phone, he yawns upon answering.)// Durois: William? Is that you? Gibeau: Hey, uh, sorry to bother you. I know it's late, even by our standards. Durois: Don't worry about it, what's happening? Where are you? //(Gibeau sniffs. There is sound of a strong wind outside.)// Gibeau: I met 126 again. You know, the invisible-teleporting pursuer. Durois: Oh, shit! Did he do anything new? Gibeau: No, nothing peculiar. I was heading back to work and got to my front door. While I was searching for my keys, I heard some steps coming, fast. Actually, yeah, it did have something new. I think it's faster now. Without having any time to react, I got teleported. Durois: Are you alright? Gibeau: Fine, yeah. There's just this slight snowstorm going on. I would have asked Paquerette, but I'm closer to your home right now, somewhere between Berri and Jarry's street. I can't say for sure, I don't have my GPS on my phone right now because of the other information-eater anomaly from last week. Durois: Yeah, I remember it. I'm getting my car. Don't move. Gibeau: Don't worry I'm not planning on- //(Silence. The wind is getting stronger.)// Gibeau: Fuck. Durois: William? //(Gibeau is heard running. Steps on the snow are heard coming in its direction, the steps are fast and steady.)// Durois: What's going on? Tell me! Gibeau: It's 126! It keeps- = [End call] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] = [Call begins] Durois: Are you alright? Where are you? Gibeau: I'm still alright. 126 kept following me, I think the teleportation ended the call. Fuck. It was faster than a car. Durois: How? Gibeau: No clue, might have to do with the amount of snow on the ground. The storm is also getting stronger and colder out there. I'm between Sauvé and Garnier street, I think. Durois: Alright, I'm coming as fast as I can. I'll call the others to help. //(Silence. Gibeau is heard breathing.)// Durois: Don't tell me it's already there. Gibeau: I see it in the distance. I can't even bother running. It's fast, John. Durois: Okay. Here's what you're going to do: go directly to the 126 page and edit in a picture and your current location every time you get teleported. That way, if there are others Fondation members around, we'll be able to get you home, fast. You get me? //(Steps are heard coming closer and closer.)// Gibeau: Alright. We'll see if that work. See you lat- = [End call] [[/div]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=https://scpdsandbox.wdfiles.com/local--files/testing-box-of-felixou/snowcar.jpg\| caption=I'm at the intersection of Clark and Fleury Street. This climate is pissing me off. I have difficulty walking through the thick snow, and I feel that some of it managed to get into my booths. My socks are wet, this is the worst.\| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=citysnow.jpg\| caption=I'm between Parc and Legendre. I tried knocking on one of the doors for some help. I saw a light go on inside and someone's silhouette pass through the window. Before they could open, 126 reached me. \| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=snowcar2.jpg\| caption=Between Montpellier and Rochon. Funny, I didn't even know this side of the town before. During my last teleportation, I saw some guy walking down the street. I asked them if they lived nearby or had a car nearby. He said no. I insisted, asking him if he knew someone from around here to help. He looked at me with this strange look, like I was some weirdo. 126 reached me while I was still talking, probably scared the living shit out of the man upon disappearing. \| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] I should mention that we’ve called the police. Told them you were lost. They're searching with us with the information from this page. We will find you, William. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=snowstreet.jpg\| caption=Between Cléroue and Dépatie. Every door is shut, not a single soul on the long white streets and no vehicles except the ones buried under the snow. Feels like a dead town. I can confirm 126 is still at the same speed. I tried to get on top of one of the car around, last thing I saw was its steps appearing on the snow-covered windshield. I think it is transporting me to places where snow-free ground is the hardest to reach. \| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=snowpark.jpg\| caption=I don't know where I am. It's one of the parks, maybe Lafontaine, but not sure at all. \| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] It is Lafontaine, I recognize it. I'm driving close to there. We're getting there as fast as we can, William. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=snowstorm.jpg\| caption=I saw your car, Paquerette. I tried to run at it, but the other thing ran faster than me. I don't know if you could have heard me. Fuck this thing. Fuck this storm. I still don't know where I am. I can't even see the road and there are no street signs. \| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=canon.jpg\| caption=Still don't know. Am I in Montreal? Can you guys tell? I think I lost my gloves when I tried to write on my phone last transportation. My fingers are freezing. \| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] We think it’s the Mile End neighborhood, we’ll check. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=snowroad.jpg\| caption=The storm is slowing down. It's so calm, but still snowy and freezing. I'm on a highway. Don't know which one, again. I hate this. \| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] Something's wrong. It's the end of 5 am from where we are, and we're seeing the sunrise already. But we're not seeing any light through your pic, William. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=treesnow.jpg\| caption=Fuck. That's bad. What the fuck. Where am I. I can’t tell if the fear or the weather that is making me shaking. The sky is all black, not a single star. And I can still hear the fucking steps. Never stopping. Leave me alone. LEAVE M \| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] William, it’s morning from where we are. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=nightsnow.jpg\| caption=My battery is almost done, of course. Couldn’t ask for better. I tried climbing one of the trees. The fourth branch gave up on me before I could have reached a high place. At least the snow was here to soften the fall, and to let 126 gently reach me. Of course. Of course. Fuck you.\| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=blacksnow.jpg\| caption=4% battery left. If you guys wanna save me, it’s now or never. Unfortunately, I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere with no flashlight. So good luck seeing more than me through the pic. My surroundings are nothing but darkness blacker than black. My body bumps into things that I cannot see through the blindness. The exception is the snow, it helps me walk. I see white through the black.\| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=snowysky.jpg\| caption= I walk and walk endlessly in this world that does not bear color. Fortunately, today there is color. In these rare days like this one, the heavens cries of impossible tears and I can see most of the ground I walk upon. It's white, shiny and beautiful. I can feel it too. It's cold, and frozen, and it makes my feet numb. But I can see, that's the important part. I can also see another like me. \| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=emptysnow.jpg\| caption=I see him. Not his appearance, but I can see the things he uses to travel. I can see that he does not want to stay on the white. He wants to reach the surroundings unaffected by the miraculous tears, he wants to reach the emptiness. I don't understand. He must enjoy it like I do. He must enjoy these rare days that we don't get enough of. I won't let him go away. He has to enjoy this, like I do. I'll help. I'll help him. He'll thank me. \| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=moonsnow.jpg\| caption= Yeah, it won't let me go home.\| width=500px\| align=center\| ]] @@ @@ __Closing note:__ Further communication was not received from William Gibeau's personal phone, as it was believed to have run out of battery. However, during the fifth of February, three days after the initial incident, an audio file from Gibeau's email address was sent to Jonathan Paquerette. [[include <a href="http://snippets.wikidot.com/html5player">:snippets:html5player</a> \|type=audio \|url= https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/pursuer.mp3]] A wanted notice has been issued in the entirety of Quebec and Canada. We'll wait until the end of winter for another search throughout Montreal. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Filename: footprint.jpg (also used for blankpursuer.png) > Name: untitled > Author: steve p2008 > License: Attribution 2.0 Generic > Source Link: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/32558319@N03/15935151149 flicker] > Filename: snowcar.jpg > Name: A Random DC Street > Author: Jim Kelly > License: CC BY 2.0 > Source Link: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/55043400@N00/4341302011 flicker] > Filename: snowstorm.jpg > Name: 2022-01-07 01 52 17 A snowstorm at night at the Franklin Middle School in the Armfield Farm section of Chantilly, Fairfax County, Virginia > Author: Famartin > License: CC BY-SA 4.0 > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2022-01-07_01_52_17_A_snowstorm_at_night_at_the_Franklin_Middle_School_in_the_Armfield_Farm_section_of_Chantilly,_Fairfax_County,_Virginia.jpg wikicommon] > Filename: snowcar2.jpg > Name: “if youre never scared, or embarased, or hurt, it means you never take any chances.” ―Julia Sorel ❄️ > Author: anokarina > License: CC BY-SA 2.0 > Source Link: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/30760976@N04/4196386311 flickr] > Filename: canon.jpg > Name: canon > Author: Vasil Raev > License: Attribution 2.0 Generic > Source Link: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/86886646@N03/16124539144 flicker] > Filename: citysnow.jpg > Name: Montreal (33110013470) > Author: Bryn Pinzgauer > License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Montreal_(33110013470).jpg wikicommon] > Filename: treesnow.jpg > Name: Winter night. Jyrängöntie, Helsinki > Author: Kriomet > License: Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Winter_night._Jyr%C3%A4ng%C3%B6ntie,_Helsinki.jpg wikicommon] > Filename: nightsnow.jpg > Name: Night snow - panoramio (1) > Author: Ron Shawley > License: CC BY 3.0 > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Night_snow_-_panoramio_(1).jpg wikicommon] > Filename: blacksnow.jpg > Name: Let It Thundersnow ❄️ > Author: anokarina > License: CC BY-SA 2.0 > Source Link: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/anokarina/4197151770/in/photostream/ flickr] > Filename: snowysky.jpg > Name: Snow, night and flash > Author: temporalata > License: Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic > Source Link: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/93425126@N00/4410335989 flicker] > Filename: emptysnow.jpg > Name: April snow, night, trees > Author: Bryan Alexander > License: Attribution 2.0 Generic > Source Link: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/36521954815@N01/451512331 flickr] > Filename: moonsnow.jpg > Name: Coldfall wood in the snow - night > Author: Mark Hillary > License: CC BY 2.0 > Source Link: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/56087830@N00/5274847983 flicker] > Filename: pursuer.mp3 > Author: [[user felixou]] > License:* CC BY-SA 4.0 > Source Link: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-que13-126 SCP wiki] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-10-13T22:11:00	[ "_image", "audio", "chase", "foundation-format", "horror", "murder-monster", "news-prompt", "psychological-horror", "spook-nico-2024-unofficial", "tale" ]	SCP-QUE13-126 - SCP Foundation	32	[ "felixoupage", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "spook-nico-unnoficial-2024" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/blankpursuer.png", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/footprint.jpg", "https://scpdsandbox.wdfiles.com/local--files/testing-box-of-felixou/snowcar.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/citysnow.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowcar2.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowstreet.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowpark.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowstorm.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/canon.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowroad.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/treesnow.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/nightsnow.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/blacksnow.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/snowysky.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/emptysnow.jpg", "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-que13-126/moonsnow.jpg" ]	1457093424	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-que13-126
scp-ukg07-511	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="display: none"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Th</span><span class="hl-code">è</span><span class="hl-identifier">me</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">de</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Quand</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">le</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Soleil</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">se</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Couche</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier">Th</span><span class="hl-code">è</span><span class="hl-identifier">me</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> 2024 </span><span class="hl-identifier">Cr</span><span class="hl-code">éé </span><span class="hl-identifier">par</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Cauchynambour</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">logo</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">cr</span><span class="hl-code">éé</span><span class="hl-identifier">e</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">par</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Cauchynambour</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tir</span><span class="hl-code">é</span><span class="hl-identifier">e</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">du</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">è</span><span class="hl-identifier">me</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">http</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">scp-int.wikidot.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">poor-foundation-hub</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Space</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-code">&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">cnt</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-header-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> "Fondation"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-header-txt :</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--step-2, clamp(</span><span class="hl-number">2.72</span><span class="hl-code">rem, calc(</span><span class="hl-number">1.77</span><span class="hl-code">rem + </span><span class="hl-number">2.47</span><span class="hl-code">vw), </span><span class="hl-number">3.53</span><span class="hl-code">rem))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">slogan-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">fns</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-slogan-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--step--1, clamp(</span><span class="hl-number">0.88</span><span class="hl-code">rem, calc(</span><span class="hl-number">1.02</span><span class="hl-code">rem + -</span><span class="hl-number">0.20</span><span class="hl-code">vw), </span><span class="hl-number">0.98</span><span class="hl-code">rem))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">cnt</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">alt-slogan-txt:</span><span class="hl-code"> "Out Of Sight"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">bg</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-logo:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(http://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche/header-logo.png)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">col</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">link:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-identifier">ct</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-identifier">col</span><span class="hl-code">_</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-visited:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.flickering</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content :</span><span class="hl-code"> 'SCP'</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation :</span><span class="hl-code"> flicker </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size :</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ct_fns_alt-header-txt)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">flicker</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0%, 19.999%, 22%, 62.999%, 64%, 64.999%, 70%, 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> //</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.99</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 20%, 21.999%, 63%, 63.999%, 65%, 69.999% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> from : </span><span class="hl-identifier">http</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">scp-int.wikidot.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">poor-foundation-hub</span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(http://fondationscp.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche/body_bg_grey.png)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">repeat-x</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-reserved">webkit-filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> / from : </span><span class="hl-identifier">http</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">scp-int.wikidot.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">poor-foundation-hub</span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditButton</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-reserved">webkit-filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color :</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform :</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter :</span><span class="hl-code"> grayscale(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> <div class="pseudocrumbs"> <p><a href="http://scp-int.wikidot.com/centre-quand-le-soleil-se-couche">When the Sun Goes Down Hub</a> » SCP-UKG07-511: The Fog</p> </div> <div style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2em; margin-top: -20px;"> <p>by <a href="/ethagon-s-author-page">Ethagon</a></p> </div> <p><strong>Division ID :</strong> SCP-UKG07</p> <p><strong>Object n<sup>o</sup> :</strong> 511</p> <p><strong>Risk Type :</strong> Pursuer</p> <p><strong>Threat Level :</strong> ●●●</p> <p><strong>Containment Procedures :</strong> Do not go into the fog at night. Especially avoid it if you hear the barking of dogs and the cries for help from inside. We're unsure if it goes into homes, but for now it has behaved like normal fog.</p> <p>It is slow enough that you can keep a distance while having an eye on it. Just make sure it does not encircle you through alleyways.</p> <p><strong>Local Containment Procedures :</strong> We just need one person (which would be me, the supervisor) to keep an eye on it and warn people not to go near the thing. Don't try any rescue operations without talking to me. We will get them out.</p> <p><strong>Local Containment Supervisor :</strong> Pascal Ward</p> <p><strong>Description :</strong> 511 is a cloud of fog measured to have ranged in size from roughly 10 to 100 meters in diameter. 511 moves through contraction and stretching. No light reaches through the fog; what is inside we only know through the sound that carries through. There are maybe 10 to 20 people trapped in 511. You can hear them walk and you can hear their pleading.</p> <p>They are still responsive. I've talked to some of them. For all that it helps. It's how I found out they vanish together with 511 at the end of the night. They don't recall what happens wherever these monsters vanish too. Gone for the day often to return to a different spot in the city on the next day.</p> <p>Even suspended for half a day this only delays the main problem of 511's victims. They are starving. The only food they have is whatever they had on them when they entered. I have tried throwing food into the fog, but it never reaches them.</p> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:300px;"><img alt="fogongrass.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-ukg07-511/fogongrass.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>As close as I'm willing to go to 511.</p> </div> </div> <p>There is a second thing in the fog, next to its victims. Wolf-like beasts stalk the fog. We know they're there because we can hear them bark and bite.</p> <p>We know so little about these things, I don't know why they're there. Abigail called it some twisted form of mercy. Killing its victims faster than the slow and painful death of dehydration. I don't think that. She doesn't hear how the people talk of them. They can't sit down, they can't stop walking, sometimes they can't even pick the wrong direction.</p> <p>The beasts are tormentors.</p> <p>Without going against the beasts and with the right advice most people make it for three to four days. Taking into account the currently short night length, that's more than a day of slow walking without drinking.</p> <p>In some ways the fog has optimal conditions for this, I suppose. The air is humid enough that you get just a little out of it, without it actually filling you enough. I remember one guy, his name was Jonathan I believe, who really wanted to piss shortly after he entered 511. It took some convincing but eventually, I talked him out of it. That his body would need every little speck of water it could find. I'm honestly surprised how worried he stayed about that even with the beasts around.</p> <p>Not that it helped him in the end. Sooner or later they all fall. Be it from dizziness or exhaustion. Lying, for the beasts, is even worse than sitting. They claw and bite at you until you stand up again. Even if you do, it's a death spiral. With those wounds, you can't stand up for long. You go down and they claw you to rise. Until you lay down for the final time.</p> <p>Only then does the fog release your body.</p> <p>I don't know if what I'm doing here is the right thing, helping them to stick around as long as possible. Abigail says I should just keep to warning people from going in, everything else is self-torment. It feels wrong not to try at least.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Update 14.07.2023:</span> I don't think I've ever seen it swell up so big. Normally it only changes size by a bit when it swallows up a new person.</p> <p>This time it took a car.</p> <p>They were intimidated enough by the wall of fog to slow down, but I still couldn't warn them in time. Now they're inside. And the fog stopped moving.</p> <p>It's normally pulsating a bit here and there, slowly creeping across town until morning comes and it manifests somewhere else next night.</p> <p>But now it's entirely stationary.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Update 15.07.2023:</span> It stayed at the same place. If 511 stays here that will make it easy to ward off other people. I haven't been able to reach the people in the car. They must be right in the middle of the fog by now. The beasts are certainly more active at the centre. I can't hear them at the periphery at all.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Update 16.07.2023:</span> Still the same. This is different enough I tried throwing in food and water again. This time it actually reached them. The beasts are still clawing at the car it seems.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Update 17.07.2023:</span> It's over. 511 has turned back to normal behaviour. The car is outside the fog. The doors are dented in a bit and all windows smashed in. All tyres were slashed. Thankfully no corpses though. They must be in the fog.</p> <p>Of course now the cops show up, as useless as ever. Checked the car and brought it wherever. Not like they'll find a perpetrator.</p> <p>This can only mean one thing, I need to talk to Abigail.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><Begin Call></strong></p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> You're not going in.</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> Please, just– let me talk you through this.</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> <em>(sighs)</em> Go ahead.</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> The fog isn't trapping them there.</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Are you sure that's the case?</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> Why else the strange behaviour? 511 couldn't move because otherwise, the car would have been free.</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> The car only couldn't move because they slashed the tyres.</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> Yes! Why slash the tires, if the fog could trap you anyway. They only did that so the car doesn't drive right out again.</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Or the beasts don't like cars.</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> Apart from the tyres, I bet it was just that the drivers were sitting instead of following the rules these things operate under.</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> I don't know, Pascal. It all sounds like speculation to me.</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> Oh, oh! Don't forget that the food actually reached them this time. So the fog is definitely not an impenetrable wall where nothing reaches its prisoners.</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> That's still only getting <em>in</em>.</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> Or, it's the beasts that kept all food from reaching them.</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Are you really sure about this.</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> We can never know for sure until we try it. But I'm as sure as can be.</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> You don't know these people.</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> I'm sick of cozying people into their deaths who are just 2 meter aways from help.</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Sure, but risk your life over strangers?</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> We're the Foundation. Who else is going to do it?</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> How do you want to get out then? You better have something planned that isn't just strolling in and hoping all works out.</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> Do you still have that driving suit?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><End Call></strong></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Update 18.07.2023:</span> I'm going in.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><Begin Call></strong></p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> You stay on the phone the entire time, okay?</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> Yeah.</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> And you go out as soon as you're in danger.</p> <p><strong>Pascal:</strong> All of this is dangerous. But it will be worth it.</p> <p><em>Footsteps walking away from Abigail.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> I'm on the other side. Left me through without issue. It's all fog. Can't even see my hands.</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Please test if you can actually leave before you go further in.</p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> I can't do that. Not while they're starving. Walking further in.</p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Footsteps.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Growl.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> Don't want me walking in that direction, huh?</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Pascal?</p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> <em>(loud)</em> Is someone there? I have food and water.</p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Weak answer.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> Okay, let's do this.</p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Barking and running.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> Argh.</p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Snapping.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone\|Unknown:</strong> How–</p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> No time, just take this.</p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>More running. The barking and snapping stops. The growling remains.</em></p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Are you hurt?</p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> Not yet. But they tried.</p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>The growling stops.</em></p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> You need to get out.</p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> There's still more.</p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Running.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Snapping.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> <em>(sucks air)</em> That came through … get this… ugh.</p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Running.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Snapping.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Crunch.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> AAGH!</p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> You need to get out.</p> <p><strong>Phone\|Pascal:</strong> Stupid… here!</p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Barking and Snapping.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>A kick drowned out by barking.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>CRACK.</em></p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Pascal?</p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>barking and snapping, more muted than before.</em></p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Damn it.</p> <p><em>Abigail can be heard running. A window breaks. Shortly after a motor starts running.</em></p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Barking stops.</em></p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> That's right, just focus on the car.</p> <p><em>Brakes. Gear change. The motor starts running again.</em></p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Oh no, you're not getting all of me in that damn fog.</p> <p><em>Barking and Scratching.</em></p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> <em>(loud)</em> Pascal! They're focused on the car, run out!</p> <p><strong>Phone:</strong> <em>Far away muted barking drowns out all other sound.</em></p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Pascal?</p> <p><em>Barking, Scratching and a running motor.</em></p> <p><strong>Abigail:</strong> Damn it.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><End Call></strong></p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>Bit out of it, I'll write a proper summary later. I think including the call will do for now.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Update 19.07.2023:</span> Kind of stupid for me to forget, but this is still Pascal writing. I made it out, thanks to Abigail.</p> <p>And yeah, it's the actual victims in there, not some phantom conjured up by 511. They have food now, so they should be able to hang in a bit longer.</p> <p>They will get out. We know they're too stupid to catch on to the car trick. Just repeat it and getting them out one at a time.</p> <p>We'll ask another division to pitch in for us though, we're a bit indisposed now. Me with my broken arm and Abigail with… Well, let's just say the police still remembers car theft after dawn.</p> <p>We have confirmation now, it's not the fog keeping them in. Just the beasts. I saw a few glimpses of them. They're just dogs. Or something close to a dog. Something like a bit of enlarged mouth constantly drooling water? Or something like that. They're not even particularly strong ones, I got one good with my kick.</p> <p>Just herding the victims of 511. Keeping them separate and far enough away from any exit, so they're doomed to walk to their death. Pricks.</p> <p>I bet they even produce the fog. It just looks so much larger if you can't actually see it.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/scp-ukg07-511">SCP-UKG07-511: The Fog</a>" by Ethagon, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/scp-ukg07-511">https://scpwiki.com/scp-ukg07-511</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> fogongrass.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> unknown<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC0 1.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://pxhere.com/en/photo/137981">https://pxhere.com/en/photo/137981</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://fondationscp.wikidot.com/theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche">:fondationscp:theme:quand-le-soleil-se-couche</a> \| sous-titre = Out Of Sight]] [[module css]] :root { --ct_cnt_alt-header-txt: "Foundation"; } #header h1 a::before { content : 'SCP'; animation : flicker 3s linear infinite; font-size : var(--ct_fns_alt-header-txt); } #header h1 a::after { content : 'Foundation'; animation: none; } .liste-ecrits { display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: space-around; align-items: center; } .head { background: linear-gradient(to right,#eee,#eeecec); border-radius: 5px 5px 0 0; box-shadow: inset 2px 3px 6px rgba(0 0 0 / 15%); padding-inline: 1em; margin-block: 1em; width: 100%; width: -moz-available; width: -webkit-fill-available; } .options { float: right; margin: 0; padding: 0; } .options a { margin: 0; padding: 0; color: #77A; } #header h1 a span { display: inline-block; width: 0.5em; color: transparent; text-shadow: none; } [[/module]] [[div class="pseudocrumbs"]] [[[http://scp-int.wikidot.com/centre-quand-le-soleil-se-couche\|When the Sun Goes Down Hub]]] » SCP-UKG07-511: The Fog [[/div]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[div style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2em; margin-top: -20px;"]] by [[[Ethagon's Author Page\| Ethagon]]] [[/div]] Division ID : SCP-UKG07 Object n^^o^^ : 511 Risk Type : Pursuer Threat Level : ●●● Containment Procedures : Do not go into the fog at night. Especially avoid it if you hear the barking of dogs and the cries for help from inside. We're unsure if it goes into homes, but for now it has behaved like normal fog. It is slow enough that you can keep a distance while having an eye on it. Just make sure it does not encircle you through alleyways. Local Containment Procedures : We just need one person (which would be me, the supervisor) to keep an eye on it and warn people not to go near the thing. Don't try any rescue operations without talking to me. We will get them out. Local Containment Supervisor : Pascal Ward Description : 511 is a cloud of fog measured to have ranged in size from roughly 10 to 100 meters in diameter. 511 moves through contraction and stretching. No light reaches through the fog; what is inside we only know through the sound that carries through. There are maybe 10 to 20 people trapped in 511. You can hear them walk and you can hear their pleading. They are still responsive. I've talked to some of them. For all that it helps. It's how I found out they vanish together with 511 at the end of the night. They don't recall what happens wherever these monsters vanish too. Gone for the day often to return to a different spot in the city on the next day. Even suspended for half a day this only delays the main problem of 511's victims. They are starving. The only food they have is whatever they had on them when they entered. I have tried throwing food into the fog, but it never reaches them. [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> \| name=fogongrass.jpg \| caption=As close as I'm willing to go to 511. ]] There is a second thing in the fog, next to its victims. Wolf-like beasts stalk the fog. We know they're there because we can hear them bark and bite. We know so little about these things, I don't know why they're there. Abigail called it some twisted form of mercy. Killing its victims faster than the slow and painful death of dehydration. I don't think that. She doesn't hear how the people talk of them. They can't sit down, they can't stop walking, sometimes they can't even pick the wrong direction. The beasts are tormentors. Without going against the beasts and with the right advice most people make it for three to four days. Taking into account the currently short night length, that's more than a day of slow walking without drinking. In some ways the fog has optimal conditions for this, I suppose. The air is humid enough that you get just a little out of it, without it actually filling you enough. I remember one guy, his name was Jonathan I believe, who really wanted to piss shortly after he entered 511. It took some convincing but eventually, I talked him out of it. That his body would need every little speck of water it could find. I'm honestly surprised how worried he stayed about that even with the beasts around. Not that it helped him in the end. Sooner or later they all fall. Be it from dizziness or exhaustion. Lying, for the beasts, is even worse than sitting. They claw and bite at you until you stand up again. Even if you do, it's a death spiral. With those wounds, you can't stand up for long. You go down and they claw you to rise. Until you lay down for the final time. Only then does the fog release your body. I don't know if what I'm doing here is the right thing, helping them to stick around as long as possible. Abigail says I should just keep to warning people from going in, everything else is self-torment. It feels wrong not to try at least. __Update 14.07.2023:__ I don't think I've ever seen it swell up so big. Normally it only changes size by a bit when it swallows up a new person. This time it took a car. They were intimidated enough by the wall of fog to slow down, but I still couldn't warn them in time. Now they're inside. And the fog stopped moving. It's normally pulsating a bit here and there, slowly creeping across town until morning comes and it manifests somewhere else next night. But now it's entirely stationary. __Update 15.07.2023:__ It stayed at the same place. If 511 stays here that will make it easy to ward off other people. I haven't been able to reach the people in the car. They must be right in the middle of the fog by now. The beasts are certainly more active at the centre. I can't hear them at the periphery at all. __Update 16.07.2023:__ Still the same. This is different enough I tried throwing in food and water again. This time it actually reached them. The beasts are still clawing at the car it seems. __Update 17.07.2023:__ It's over. 511 has turned back to normal behaviour. The car is outside the fog. The doors are dented in a bit and all windows smashed in. All tyres were slashed. Thankfully no corpses though. They must be in the fog. Of course now the cops show up, as useless as ever. Checked the car and brought it wherever. Not like they'll find a perpetrator. This can only mean one thing, I need to talk to Abigail. [[div class="blockquote"]] = <Begin Call> Abigail: You're not going in. Pascal: Please, just– let me talk you through this. Abigail: //(sighs)// Go ahead. Pascal: The fog isn't trapping them there. Abigail: Are you sure that's the case? Pascal: Why else the strange behaviour? 511 couldn't move because otherwise, the car would have been free. Abigail: The car only couldn't move because they slashed the tyres. Pascal: Yes! Why slash the tires, if the fog could trap you anyway. They only did that so the car doesn't drive right out again. Abigail: Or the beasts don't like cars. Pascal: Apart from the tyres, I bet it was just that the drivers were sitting instead of following the rules these things operate under. Abigail: I don't know, Pascal. It all sounds like speculation to me. Pascal: Oh, oh! Don't forget that the food actually reached them this time. So the fog is definitely not an impenetrable wall where nothing reaches its prisoners. Abigail: That's still only getting //in//. Pascal: Or, it's the beasts that kept all food from reaching them. Abigail: Are you really sure about this. Pascal: We can never know for sure until we try it. But I'm as sure as can be. Abigail: You don't know these people. Pascal: I'm sick of cozying people into their deaths who are just 2 meter aways from help. Abigail: Sure, but risk your life over strangers? Pascal: We're the Foundation. Who else is going to do it? Abigail: How do you want to get out then? You better have something planned that isn't just strolling in and hoping all works out. Pascal: Do you still have that driving suit? = <End Call> [[/div]] @@ @@ __Update 18.07.2023:__ I'm going in. [[div class="blockquote"]] = <Begin Call> Abigail: You stay on the phone the entire time, okay? Pascal: Yeah. Abigail: And you go out as soon as you're in danger. Pascal: All of this is dangerous. But it will be worth it. //Footsteps walking away from Abigail.// Phone\|Pascal: I'm on the other side. Left me through without issue. It's all fog. Can't even see my hands. Abigail: Please test if you can actually leave before you go further in. Phone\|Pascal: I can't do that. Not while they're starving. Walking further in. Phone: //Footsteps.// Phone: //Growl.// Phone\|Pascal: Don't want me walking in that direction, huh? Abigail: Pascal? Phone\|Pascal: //(loud)// Is someone there? I have food and water. Phone: //Weak answer.// Phone\|Pascal: Okay, let's do this. Phone: //Barking and running.// Phone\|Pascal: Argh. Phone: //Snapping.// Phone\|Unknown: How– Phone\|Pascal: No time, just take this. Phone: //More running. The barking and snapping stops. The growling remains.// Abigail: Are you hurt? Phone\|Pascal: Not yet. But they tried. Phone: //The growling stops.// Abigail: You need to get out. Phone\|Pascal: There's still more. Phone: //Running.// Phone: //Snapping.// Phone\|Pascal: //(sucks air)// That came through ... get this... ugh. Phone: //Running.// Phone: //Snapping.// Phone: //Crunch.// Phone\|Pascal: AAGH! Abigail: You need to get out. Phone\|Pascal: Stupid... here! Phone: //Barking and Snapping.// Phone: //A kick drowned out by barking.// Phone: //CRACK.// Abigail: Pascal? Phone: //barking and snapping, more muted than before.// Abigail: Damn it. //Abigail can be heard running. A window breaks. Shortly after a motor starts running.// Phone: //Barking stops.// Abigail: That's right, just focus on the car. //Brakes. Gear change. The motor starts running again.// Abigail: Oh no, you're not getting all of me in that damn fog. //Barking and Scratching.// Abigail: //(loud)// Pascal! They're focused on the car, run out! Phone: //Far away muted barking drowns out all other sound.// Abigail: Pascal? //Barking, Scratching and a running motor.// Abigail: Damn it. = <End Call> [[/div]] @@ @@ Bit out of it, I'll write a proper summary later. I think including the call will do for now. __Update 19.07.2023:__ Kind of stupid for me to forget, but this is still Pascal writing. I made it out, thanks to Abigail. And yeah, it's the actual victims in there, not some phantom conjured up by 511. They have food now, so they should be able to hang in a bit longer. They will get out. We know they're too stupid to catch on to the car trick. Just repeat it and getting them out one at a time. We'll ask another division to pitch in for us though, we're a bit indisposed now. Me with my broken arm and Abigail with... Well, let's just say the police still remembers car theft after dawn. We have confirmation now, it's not the fog keeping them in. Just the beasts. I saw a few glimpses of them. They're just dogs. Or something close to a dog. Something like a bit of enlarged mouth constantly drooling water? Or something like that. They're not even particularly strong ones, I got one good with my kick. Just herding the victims of 511. Keeping them separate and far enough away from any exit, so they're doomed to walk to their death. Pricks. I bet they even produce the fog. It just looks so much larger if you can't actually see it. @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] ===== > Filename: fogongrass.png > Author: unknown > License: CC0 1.0 > Source Link: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/137981 ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-12-31T13:19:00	[ "_image", "art-exchange", "breakout", "foundation-format", "horror", "murder-monster", "mystery", "tale" ]	SCP-UKG07-511: The Fog - SCP Foundation	16	[ "ethagon-s-author-page", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "top-rated-pages-by-month", "tales-by-year", "shortest-pages-by-month", "art-exchange-hub", "shortest-pages-this-month", "news" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scp-ukg07-511/fogongrass.jpg" ]	1458159042	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-ukg07-511
scranton-encabulator	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>First the needless company-wide upgrade to the iPhone 23, now this.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> "Okay, everyone give a round of applause for that very… <em>enthusiastic</em> presentation by our Maxwellist liaison on full-scale integration of NeuraBorg gestalt implants." Disparate clapping follows a brief pause, dying out after another moment, "We'll call you if we reach the vote threshold—no, we don't want a 'test drive', thank you. Nice try. Ahem, alright. Next up… let's see—ah, we have a Dr. Cyprog from Prometheus Innovations, here to present their newest proposal for our ongoing containment problems, which you all should be well aware of by now. Doctor?"</p> <p>"Thanks—Thank you for having me, Site-19. I'm Dr. Hugh M. Cyprog, lead researcher with Prometheus Innovations. I am joined today by my assistant, Charles, proud to present a groundbreaking innovation in the world of eigenmechanical paratechnologies: a deceptively simple device that can not only stabilize the local Hume field at record radii for use in control of ontokinectic phenomena, but can also be used to automatically calibrate aspect radiation sensors to an accuracy of ninety-nine-point-nine-nine-seven-per-cent, with an approximate confidence interval of two-point-three-three, to the power of minus-four, plus-minus point-oh-oh-five.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup> Charles, if you would."</p> <p>Dr. Cyprog's personal assistant and part-time intern, a cybernetically-enhanced psychogenetic artificial thought construct,<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-2" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-2')">2</a></sup> is seen piloting a small, squeaky-wheeled flatbed into the meeting area, which carries an unknown mass concealed beneath a dark blue, polyurethane-coated cellulose fiber tarp. The doctor indicates to a projector screen behind him which blooms to life.</p> <p>He continues, "The elusive Mill field has never been definitively proven to exist, only that it cannot <em>not</em> exist, and we industry experts long considered this to be a great failing of modern science. Like other quasi-quantum matrices quantized under linear phase-shift operators displaying such levels of endochronicity, you cannot directly observe the Mill field from tangible space while affected by entropic decay, only via measurement of planck-length subatomic membrane exchanges created at the boundaries of its scalar field <em>before</em> relevant interactions occur can you prove that its nonexistence is a falsehood. Let no one tell you otherwise; any other data recorded on this subject is largely the result of interpolations created for the purpose of appearing accurate to the layman, or complex interactions caused by incomplete vacuum crystallization of the field's many end-state structures."</p> <div class="image-click-fullscreen scp-image-block block-right" data-feature="image-feature" style="max-width:300px;"> <div class="scp-image-caption show">Color visualization of a rapidly crystallized Mill field in two dimensions. The implications cannot be overstated.<br/> (Click to enlarge)</div> <div class="mobile-exit">✖</div> </div> <p>A few rising mumbles of disbelief emit from the crowd, skeptics of the methodology and truthers seeking to disprove the phenomena entirely, among other, sane and more level heads sharing the same sentiment.</p> <p>"Yes, I know. A difficult, controversial quandary, indeed! Until today, the modern scientific zeitgeist has yet to experience anything of this magnitude. So, I ask you to hold your criticism and please, turn your attention to the future of Thiotimoline-based anomalous sink devices…"</p> <p>The Doctor's assistant pulls the tarp from the flatbed, revealing a golden machine beneath, a glimmering testament to man's defiance of natural order.</p> <p>"We present to you: the Scranton Encabulator Mk VI."</p> <p>The room is quiet for a moment, while realization of the machine's true significance turns stunned silence into applause.</p> <div class="image-click-fullscreen scp-image-block block-left" data-feature="image-feature" style="max-width:316px;"> <div class="scp-image-caption show">Early test trial of prototype encabulator. RIP Charles Prime.<br/> (Click to enlarge)</div> <div class="mobile-exit">✖</div> </div> <p>"Thank you. The Mk VI has significant improvements over previous proposed designs, which were deemed unworthy of commercial production." He clicks the remote as images of inferior machines flick by on the projector, "These prototypes possessed obvious scalability issues, on top of inherent flaws in design which produced mixed results even in controlled lab conditions. Much of these concerns have been addressed in the Mk VI."</p> <p>"This device runs on a proprietary, state-of-the art-series of algorithmic principles, implemented to sufficiently subvert the Hume expectation factor instead of the Hume incredulity coefficient, formally generated by multiversal inflow of effluent Humes to produce significant modal symmetrization and desymmetrization of the Mill field."</p> <p>Murmurs break out among the audience as members of the group shake their heads in disbelief.</p> <div class="image-click-fullscreen scp-image-block block-right" data-feature="image-feature" style="max-width:300px;"> <div class="scp-image-caption show">Internal systems rendering of Hume flow, detection, and transfer.<em><sup>[citation needed]</sup></em><br/> (Click to enlarge)</div> <div class="mobile-exit">✖</div> </div> <p>"As you can plainly see, the eigenmachine is constructed on a Laser-cut baseplate comprised of a lattice of post-stress-reduced beryllium bronze and hafnium carbonitride molded into a centahepdeximal five-cube multiplex. Furthermore, the system is mounted in a modular, isotopically-pure Scrantonite-354 casing, featuring ellipsoid Irrilite bearings that travel along a direct yet compactified octahedral vector, splitting the barrier between the membrane of the Mill field found along an array of micrometer-sized sensory diodes. The runoff aspect and ionizing radiation is then annihilated within the superconducting reaction core at the heart of the machine. Excuse me."</p> <p>Dr. Cyprog takes a drink from a plastic bottle of Poland Spring 4:1 Water-to-Liquid Acetylene and proceeds.</p> <p>"Continuing on. The base of the Encabulator's central shaft is composed of one hundred and eight Evenheart resonators in sequence, seated under the acetic acid coolant system, point-circumambulation interior rotors tuned such that the resulting thaumic backlash is effectively self-neutralizing. A traditional Epsilon-Class, Leyline-based Voral-X Engine, retrofitted into the dynamic PRG-7-compliant reparameterization slots of the reactor's mainframe, is then utilized to analyze the resultant field oscillations."</p> <p>"Every seventh oscillation is integral to the detection of the Mill field; Elan Vital-Energy conductors, triggered on the detection of sub-integrational particle destabilization by the internal ARAD systems, induce a subfluxual counter-harmonic resonance event. Following this, countervailing anharmonic resonance output is reduced by up to ninety-three-point-nine percent, an extraordinary feat compared to previous designs."</p> <div class="image-click-fullscreen scp-image-block block-left" data-feature="image-feature" style="max-width:316px;"> <div class="scp-image-caption show">Simplified blueprint of the encabulator Mk VI.<br/> (<a href="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scranton-encabulator/PRINT.png" target="_blank">Click here</a> to view)</div> <div class="mobile-exit">✖</div> </div> <p>"Thus, the Scranton Encabulator Mk VI is the only field-tested device capable of being used in the containment of Type Periwinkle entities. Additionally, large-scale Akiva radiation fluctuations can be rendered practically imperceptible, provided the Encabulator's sinks have been properly armed beforehand. These are just the tip of the iceberg, folks. The applications and peace of mind offered by the Mk VI truly are a wonder. Any questions?" He indicates to the far wall, where a raised hand emerges from the crowd of figures, "Yes, you there."</p> <p>"Thanks. First of all, interesting design choices", one of the resident bean counters exclaims with backhanded insult, "My question is: how will we power something like this? Most of our current SRAs require significant energy consumption. I can't imagine this is any better, right?"</p> <p>The man sits back smugly, enjoying the pointed nature and veracity of his contribution. Dr. Cyprog responds swiftly, "Well, as I mentioned earlier, instead of a traditional conductive connection to the local power grid as a primary source of energy, this system generates its own self-sustaining power via the vacuum destabilization weakening the domain wall, which is induced by excitation of the hume field. This process does typically take a few minutes to see adequate returns, which is why an onboard capacitor is utilized to store reserves capable of activation and up to ten minutes of operational capacity. In the event neither option is available, we do in fact include AC power hookups. Overall, the machine uses a fraction of the power draw compared to Scranton Reality Anchors. Any further questions?"</p> <p>The inquirer's expression fades to one of disappointment, while Director Grisham pokes his head up and around at the assembled accountants and investors.</p> <p>"Interesting. So, does anyone here have any objections to this system?" His voice possesses confidence that effectively conceals all present confusion.</p> <p>No one speaks out of fear they may be outed as not being the smartest in the room. Grisham turns to Dr. Cyprog and extends a hand of congratulation.</p> <p>"Looks like you just made a sale!"<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h4 id="toc0"><span><em>LATER THAT DAY</em></span></h4> </div> <br/> "Do you people even know what this thing is? Did you run it by the administration, because you didn't run it by me. This is… completely and <em>utterly</em> unsuited for our purposes." <p>Doctor Placeholder McDoctorate is struggling to find a kind way of wording his thoughts, the researchers and pencil pushers before him looking less and less pleased by the moment.</p> <p>"Firstly, this system generates massive levels of flux within the local Hume field. Why would this be an adequate replacement for the SRA? I need a static field. Not an excited one. This is Ontokinetics one-oh-one, people."</p> <p>The group is silent. Placeholder scans the machine's included documentation and groans.</p> <p>"Secondly, the power system for this 'encabulator' is ridiculously dangerous. I'm surprised we haven't locked it in a cell yet. If it weren't for the plot armor, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near this thing. 'Weakening the domain wall'? This garbage is generating power from false vacuum decay! Do you have any clue what tampering with those sorts of things <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-1822">can do to our reality</a>?! What possessed you to look at a machine you know nothing about and decide to drop <em>how much</em> on it?" He flips through the packet until the final pages, to a section on pricing, "Oh—<em>oh my god</em>. So many zeroes. I think I'm gonna be sick—<em>hurk</em>."</p> <p>Stifling a gag, Dr. McDoctorate raises a finger and takes a moment to breathe. When he speaks again, his head is still aiming downwards.</p> <p>"None—<em>none</em> of this software is compatible with our systems, and they expect this thing to just be plug-and-play. Christ. First the needless company-wide upgrade to the iPhone 23, now this. I need a drink. I'm sure this will come in handy, thank you. Thanks. Yes, bye."</p> <p>He steps away from the dismayed group and slides over to the P.M. Center's admin break room. Inside, he finds his way to the Placeholder-Blank Ontological Rationalization and Coherence Extractor,<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-3" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-3')">3</a></sup> flicking the contraption on and debating, finger ignoring the first three options, hesitating over a button reading "<tt>STRONG</tt>" but ultimately opting for the one on its right, labeled "<tt>OVERLOAD</tt>". After a minute of quiet humming, a dark slurry dispenses into the paper cup below its spout. Placeholder pinches his nose and tosses back the viscous beverage, feeling the bitter, coffee-like analog sting the back of his throat.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-4" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-4')">4</a></sup> He sighs, waiting for the concoction to wipe away the fatigue brought about by that previous conversation. Eventually, it succeeds.</p> <p>He proceeds back to his office, which is now empty, aside from himself and the newly-purchased encabulator. Perusing through dossiers, reports, follow-up emails and stacks of other paperwork, Placeholder happens upon a relevant packet of documents, a GoI dossier on Prometheus Innovations, which describes an incredibly fortunate underdog story. How does a company like Prometheus Labs come back from near-total bankruptcy with zero prospects of any note to an investor? A company of pure liability at that time, now more than stable, but at what cost? Reports from Extradimensional Affairs claim an unknown group of interest, Anderson Robotics, never emerges from the ashes of Prometheus Labs without it going up in flames in the first place, which is something it tends to do in other realities. Placeholder couldn't help but wonder how and why this timeline was so special. The altruistic nature of Prometheus Innovations seems like a stark contrast to their previous operations, and yet they have no qualms fleecing the Foundation out of an ungodly sum with a single purchase? It's not like they need the money, now that they're valued at somewhere close to one trillion USD.</p> <p>The odds of investing in a failing, money-hungry paratech firm already under investigation, and successfully turning it into the world's leading tech solutions company… it just doesn't make sense. Placeholder soon finds himself hovering over the Encabulator, lost in caffeine-assisted thought as he starts to inspect the device, trying to find some explanation for its exuberant price tag. Surely, there has to be a reason. Then again, many of the components were nothing the polymath expert had seen before. No wonder the techies were enamoured… Or intimidated.</p> <p>On the interior of the device's posterior access panel, he finds more peculiarity, despite the mundane nature: a technical specifications sticker from Prometheus Innovations, which occupies a large space on the carbonitride lattice, with random metrics of little use to him covering the adhesive's surface. The label isn't the first of its kind, either, as another sticker is present beneath it, slightly askew, and possibly another below that.</p> <p>Removing the letter opener from his desk, Placeholder carefully peels up the label, cursing to himself as bits pry up with the layers below firmly adhering to the rest. Eventually, he finishes, and much to his disappointment, the label is mostly the same as the one prior. On closer inspection, he realizes the main difference, a handwritten message which reads "TO SETTLE THE DEBT" in the field for additional information. The handwriting is familiar, but he can't place it. Along with this, the badly-worn date of certification which, although mostly illegible, differs greatly from the previous.</p> <p>Removing the second label, Placeholder emits a noise of surprise, having not seen the newest logo for Prometheus Innovations prior to that moment. It doesn't make sense—but maybe it does.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="pi.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scranton-encabulator/pi.png" style="filter: drop-shadow(2px 4px 6px black);"/></p> <p>"You know," he says to himself, gears now spinning despite the unfortunate circumstances, "this could be a great way to <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/admonition">get promoted</a>."</p> <p>"Better practice your firm handshakes," a voice in his head suggests. The next words drain the color from his face.</p> <p>"And, just so you're aware, we may may need to, uh, <em>brush up on our stylesheets</em>."<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h4 id="toc1"><span><em>TWENTY YEARS LATER</em></span></h4> </div> <p>Doctor Placeholder McDoctorate is struggling to find a kind way of wording his thoughts. Right now, he's staring down the barrel of a dozen or so sets of angry eyes with a firm grasp on the future of his career. These same eyes, staring back at him from atop their ivory towers, belong to the O5 Council. Blind as though they may be, those piercing gazes demand answers.</p> <p>He begins, "Surely, you must understand—"</p> <p>Before the fifth word could leave his mouth, one of the figures speaks, voice impatient and sterile.</p> <p>"<em>No</em>, we don't understand. Which is why you are here before us now. We've taken time out of our busy schedules to demand answers."</p> <p>Another voice, more soft-spoken, interjects.</p> <p>"Well, my schedule was rather open. I'm relatively sure yours was as well, Eight. Honestly, it is nice to get out of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/spikebrennan-s-proposal">Facility T</a>, for whatever reason—"</p> <p>"I'm not Eight! I'm Three," the figure points across their shared table, "<em>He's</em> Eight."</p> <p>The council member on the receiving end of the point leans forward, hand against the back of his ear, "What?"</p> <p>O5-3 raises his voice, "I <em>said</em>, you are Eight, not me!"</p> <p>O5-8 responds, taken aback, "I'm not eight. I'm forty-five. It's 1989. I know what year it is!"</p> <p>O5-3 buries his head in his hands, "I wasn't suggesting that, but you're still <em>wrong</em>, you senile doorknob." He turns back to Placeholder, "Apologies, where was I—oh, right. I was in the middle of telling you off."</p> <p>Mustering as much of a smile as humanly possible in that moment, Placeholder responds, "You don't need to tell me off, everything is under control."</p> <p>"Hm." The council member's round eyeglasses glint as he leans forward into the light, "If that's the case, why do I have number crunchers telling me the Foundation is financially barren, and that somehow you are at the center of the problem?"</p> <p>"Because, well, that's how it looks from an outside perspective, but—"</p> <p>"Oh, cut the… Cut the <em>crap</em>." The sudden vulgarity elicits some gasps from around the room. One councilmember falls out of their chairs in shock as O5-3 continues, "I logged into our Bank of America account today. You know what I saw?"</p> <p>McDoctorate hesitates, "Uh—Well, I can explain—"</p> <p>The Overseer interrupts him once more, "Don't. Allow me. I logged into the account today and saw a withdrawal. I don't even want to speak the number out loud. Needless to say I'm extremely disappointed. We've given you so much of our annual budget for your <em>toys</em>. And for what? Where are the results? How could you possibly need more money after all of that?"</p> <p>Waiting a moment to ensure O5-3 had finished speaking, Placeholder draws a breath and explains his plan to settle the debt.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>COUNCIL VOTE SUMMARY:</strong><br/> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>YAY</th> <th>NAY</th> <th>ASLEEP</th> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-1</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>O5-2</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>O5-3</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td>O5-4</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td>O5-5</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td>O5-6</td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-7</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-8</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>O5-9</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td>O5-10</td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-11</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>O5-12</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>O5-13</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> </table> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>STATUS</th> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="color: green">APPROVED</span></strong></td> </tr> </table> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h4 id="toc2"><span><em>FORTY YEARS PRIOR</em></span></h4> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <div class="scrolling"> <p><strong>TOP STORY IN FINANCE AND BUSINESS: ANONYMOUS ANGEL INVESTOR SAVES PROMETHEUS LABS, CITES PLAN TO 'REBRAND' PUBLIC IMAGE.</strong></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. <span class="math-inline">$99.997\%$</span> at <span class="math-inline">$2.33^{-4}±.005$</span></div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-2"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-2')">2</a>. First conceptualized in 2025, the AI-generated tulpa would become a standard in disposable workforces and personal companions in the years to follow, though manifestations still do not possess anatomically-correct hands. The reason for this is not known.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-3"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-3')">3</a>. An espresso fabricator.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-4"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-4')">4</a>. While using dichloromethane as a solvent is far more efficient in the extraction of caffeine when compared to the industry standard, it also stops legally being "coffee" in all recognized nations, the Wanderers' Library, most free ports, and Alagadda.</div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/scranton-encabulator">A Recording of Prometheus Innovations' Pitch for the Scranton Encabulator Mk VI, and the Ramifications of its Existence</a>" by Billith, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/scranton-encabulator">https://scpwiki.com/scranton-encabulator</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> encabs.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/billith" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3042342); return false;"><img alt="Billith" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=3042342&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1728834482" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=3042342)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/billith" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3042342); return false;">Billith</a></span><br/> <strong>Derivative of:</strong></p> </blockquote> <hr/> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Pictures from LIGO (January 2005)<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Tobin<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC-BY-SA 2.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/71239428@N00/153562219">flickr</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> PRINT.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/billith" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3042342); return false;"><img alt="Billith" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=3042342&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1728834482" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=3042342)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/billith" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3042342); return false;">Billith</a></span><br/> <strong>Derivative of:</strong></p> </blockquote> <hr/> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Blueprints of the James Webb Space Telescope<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> NASA's James Webb Space Telescope<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC-BY 2.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/50785054@N03/47690335362">flickr</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> enzyme.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/psychicprogrammer" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5299606); return false;"><img alt="psychicprogrammer" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5299606&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1728834482" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5299606)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/psychicprogrammer" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5299606); return false;">psychicprogrammer</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong>CC-BY-SA 3.0</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> pi.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/billith" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3042342); return false;"><img alt="Billith" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=3042342&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1728834482" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=3042342)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/billith" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3042342); return false;">Billith</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong>CC-BY-SA 3.0</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Mill.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/psychicprogrammer" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5299606); return false;"><img alt="psychicprogrammer" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5299606&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1728834482" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5299606)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/psychicprogrammer" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5299606); return false;">psychicprogrammer</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC-BY-SA 3.0</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:preview">:scp-wiki:component:preview</a> text=First the needless company-wide upgrade to the iPhone 23, now this.]] ===== [[module CSS]] .scrolling { background-color: rgb(30, 30, 35); border: solid 2px #21e454; box-sizing: border-box; box-shadow: rgba(228, 33, 33, 0.3) 0px 1px 2px 0px, rgba(228, 33, 33, 0.15) 0px 2px 6px 2px; color: #21e454; font-size:1.4em; overflow: hidden; padding-block: 0rem; padding-inline: 1rem; position: relative; text-align: center; text-shadow: 0 0 7px rgba(30, 30, 35, 1), 0 0 15px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5), 0 0 20px rgba(30, 30, 35, 1), 0 0 30px rgba(30, 30, 35, 1), 0 0 40px rgba(33, 33, 33, 0.75), 0 0 55px rgba(33, 33, 33, 0.75), 0 0 75px rgba(33, 33, 33, 0.75); top: 0; white-space: nowrap; z-index: 1; } .scrolling::after { box-shadow: inset 0px 0px 20px 5px rgb(30, 30, 35, 1); content: ""; position: absolute; height: 100%; left: 0; top: 0; width: 100%; z-index: 2; } .scrolling p { animation: translate 20s linear infinite; display: inline-block; padding-left: 100%; } @media (prefers-reduced-motion) { .scrolling p { animation: unset; } } @keyframes translate { 0% { transform: translate(0, 0); } 100% { transform: translate(-100%, 0); } } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] @@ @@ "Okay, everyone give a round of applause for that very... //enthusiastic// presentation by our Maxwellist liaison on full-scale integration of NeuraBorg gestalt implants." Disparate clapping follows a brief pause, dying out after another moment, "We'll call you if we reach the vote threshold—no, we don't want a 'test drive', thank you. Nice try. Ahem, alright. Next up... let's see—ah, we have a Dr. Cyprog from Prometheus Innovations, here to present their newest proposal for our ongoing containment problems, which you all should be well aware of by now. Doctor?" "Thanks—Thank you for having me, Site-19. I'm Dr. Hugh M. Cyprog, lead researcher with Prometheus Innovations. I am joined today by my assistant, Charles, proud to present a groundbreaking innovation in the world of eigenmechanical paratechnologies: a deceptively simple device that can not only stabilize the local Hume field at record radii for use in control of ontokinectic phenomena, but can also be used to automatically calibrate aspect radiation sensors to an accuracy of ninety-nine-point-nine-nine-seven-per-cent, with an approximate confidence interval of two-point-three-three, to the power of minus-four, plus-minus point-oh-oh-five.[[footnote]] [[$ 99.997\% $]] at [[$ 2.33^{-4}±.005 $]][[/footnote]] Charles, if you would." Dr. Cyprog's personal assistant and part-time intern, a cybernetically-enhanced psychogenetic artificial thought construct,[[footnote]]First conceptualized in 2025, the AI-generated tulpa would become a standard in disposable workforces and personal companions in the years to follow, though manifestations still do not possess anatomically-correct hands. The reason for this is not known.[[/footnote]] is seen piloting a small, squeaky-wheeled flatbed into the meeting area, which carries an unknown mass concealed beneath a dark blue, polyurethane-coated cellulose fiber tarp. The doctor indicates to a projector screen behind him which blooms to life. He continues, "The elusive Mill field has never been definitively proven to exist, only that it cannot //not// exist, and we industry experts long considered this to be a great failing of modern science. Like other quasi-quantum matrices quantized under linear phase-shift operators displaying such levels of endochronicity, you cannot directly observe the Mill field from tangible space while affected by entropic decay, only via measurement of planck-length subatomic membrane exchanges created at the boundaries of its scalar field //before// relevant interactions occur can you prove that its nonexistence is a falsehood. Let no one tell you otherwise; any other data recorded on this subject is largely the result of interpolations created for the purpose of appearing accurate to the layman, or complex interactions caused by incomplete vacuum crystallization of the field's many end-state structures." [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:image-features-source">:scp-wiki:component:image-features-source</a> \|click-fullscreen=--] \|speed=1000 \|float=true \|align=right \|width=300px \|url=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scranton-encabulator/Mill.png \|alt=alt\|alt-text=It's a Mill field. I mean, everyone knows what a Mill field is. \|add-caption=true \|caption=Color visualization of a rapidly crystallized Mill field in two dimensions. The implications cannot be overstated. _ (Click to enlarge)]] A few rising mumbles of disbelief emit from the crowd, skeptics of the methodology and truthers seeking to disprove the phenomena entirely, among other, sane and more level heads sharing the same sentiment. "Yes, I know. A difficult, controversial quandary, indeed! Until today, the modern scientific zeitgeist has yet to experience anything of this magnitude. So, I ask you to hold your criticism and please, turn your attention to the future of Thiotimoline-based anomalous sink devices..." The Doctor's assistant pulls the tarp from the flatbed, revealing a golden machine beneath, a glimmering testament to man's defiance of natural order. "We present to you: the Scranton Encabulator Mk VI." The room is quiet for a moment, while realization of the machine's true significance turns stunned silence into applause. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:image-features-source">:scp-wiki:component:image-features-source</a> \|click-fullscreen=--] \|speed=1000 \|float=true \|align=left \|width=316px \|url=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scranton-encabulator/encabs.png \|alt=alt\|alt-text=Successful test of prototype cut short by minor annoyance. \|add-caption=true \|caption=Early test trial of prototype encabulator. RIP Charles Prime. _ (Click to enlarge)]] "Thank you. The Mk VI has significant improvements over previous proposed designs, which were deemed unworthy of commercial production." He clicks the remote as images of inferior machines flick by on the projector, "These prototypes possessed obvious scalability issues, on top of inherent flaws in design which produced mixed results even in controlled lab conditions. Much of these concerns have been addressed in the Mk VI." "This device runs on a proprietary, state-of-the art-series of algorithmic principles, implemented to sufficiently subvert the Hume expectation factor instead of the Hume incredulity coefficient, formally generated by multiversal inflow of effluent Humes to produce significant modal symmetrization and desymmetrization of the Mill field." Murmurs break out among the audience as members of the group shake their heads in disbelief. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:image-features-source">:scp-wiki:component:image-features-source</a> \|click-fullscreen=--] \|speed=1000 \|float=true \|align=right \|width=300px \|url=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scranton-encabulator/enzyme.png \|alt=alt\|alt-text=This image was not sourced from wikimedia and stripped of all context. Why do you ask? \|add-caption=true \|caption=Internal systems rendering of Hume flow, detection, and transfer.//^^[citation needed]^^// _ (Click to enlarge)]] "As you can plainly see, the eigenmachine is constructed on a Laser-cut baseplate comprised of a lattice of post-stress-reduced beryllium bronze and hafnium carbonitride molded into a centahepdeximal five-cube multiplex. Furthermore, the system is mounted in a modular, isotopically-pure Scrantonite-354 casing, featuring ellipsoid Irrilite bearings that travel along a direct yet compactified octahedral vector, splitting the barrier between the membrane of the Mill field found along an array of micrometer-sized sensory diodes. The runoff aspect and ionizing radiation is then annihilated within the superconducting reaction core at the heart of the machine. Excuse me." Dr. Cyprog takes a drink from a plastic bottle of Poland Spring 4:1 Water-to-Liquid Acetylene and proceeds. "Continuing on. The base of the Encabulator's central shaft is composed of one hundred and eight Evenheart resonators in sequence, seated under the acetic acid coolant system, point-circumambulation interior rotors tuned such that the resulting thaumic backlash is effectively self-neutralizing. A traditional Epsilon-Class, Leyline-based Voral-X Engine, retrofitted into the dynamic PRG-7-compliant reparameterization slots of the reactor's mainframe, is then utilized to analyze the resultant field oscillations." "Every seventh oscillation is integral to the detection of the Mill field; Elan Vital-Energy conductors, triggered on the detection of sub-integrational particle destabilization by the internal ARAD systems, induce a subfluxual counter-harmonic resonance event. Following this, countervailing anharmonic resonance output is reduced by up to ninety-three-point-nine percent, an extraordinary feat compared to previous designs." [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:image-features-source">:scp-wiki:component:image-features-source</a> \|click-fullscreen=--] \|speed=1000 \|float=true \|align=left \|width=316px \|url=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scranton-encabulator/PRINT.png \|alt=alt\|alt-text= That time I uploaded a 7200 pixel wide image to wikidot and got away with it >:) \|add-caption=true \|caption=Simplified blueprint of the encabulator Mk VI. _ ([https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scranton-encabulator/PRINT.png Click here] to view)]] "Thus, the Scranton Encabulator Mk VI is the only field-tested device capable of being used in the containment of Type Periwinkle entities. Additionally, large-scale Akiva radiation fluctuations can be rendered practically imperceptible, provided the Encabulator's sinks have been properly armed beforehand. These are just the tip of the iceberg, folks. The applications and peace of mind offered by the Mk VI truly are a wonder. Any questions?" He indicates to the far wall, where a raised hand emerges from the crowd of figures, "Yes, you there." "Thanks. First of all, interesting design choices", one of the resident bean counters exclaims with backhanded insult, "My question is: how will we power something like this? Most of our current SRAs require significant energy consumption. I can't imagine this is any better, right?" The man sits back smugly, enjoying the pointed nature and veracity of his contribution. Dr. Cyprog responds swiftly, "Well, as I mentioned earlier, instead of a traditional conductive connection to the local power grid as a primary source of energy, this system generates its own self-sustaining power via the vacuum destabilization weakening the domain wall, which is induced by excitation of the hume field. This process does typically take a few minutes to see adequate returns, which is why an onboard capacitor is utilized to store reserves capable of activation and up to ten minutes of operational capacity. In the event neither option is available, we do in fact include AC power hookups. Overall, the machine uses a fraction of the power draw compared to Scranton Reality Anchors. Any further questions?" The inquirer's expression fades to one of disappointment, while Director Grisham pokes his head up and around at the assembled accountants and investors. "Interesting. So, does anyone here have any objections to this system?" His voice possesses confidence that effectively conceals all present confusion. No one speaks out of fear they may be outed as not being the smartest in the room. Grisham turns to Dr. Cyprog and extends a hand of congratulation. "Looks like you just made a sale!" @@ @@ ---- [[=]] ++++ //LATER THAT DAY// [[/=]] "Do you people even know what this thing is? Did you run it by the administration, because you didn't run it by me. This is... completely and //utterly// unsuited for our purposes." Doctor Placeholder McDoctorate is struggling to find a kind way of wording his thoughts, the researchers and pencil pushers before him looking less and less pleased by the moment. "Firstly, this system generates massive levels of flux within the local Hume field. Why would this be an adequate replacement for the SRA? I need a static field. Not an excited one. This is Ontokinetics one-oh-one, people." The group is silent. Placeholder scans the machine's included documentation and groans. "Secondly, the power system for this 'encabulator' is ridiculously dangerous. I'm surprised we haven't locked it in a cell yet. If it weren't for the plot armor, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near this thing. 'Weakening the domain wall'? This garbage is generating power from false vacuum decay! Do you have any clue what tampering with those sorts of things [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-1822 can do to our reality]?! What possessed you to look at a machine you know nothing about and decide to drop //how much// on it?" He flips through the packet until the final pages, to a section on pricing, "Oh—//oh my god//. So many zeroes. I think I'm gonna be sick—//hurk//." Stifling a gag, Dr. McDoctorate raises a finger and takes a moment to breathe. When he speaks again, his head is still aiming downwards. "None—//none// of this software is compatible with our systems, and they expect this thing to just be plug-and-play. Christ. First the needless company-wide upgrade to the iPhone 23, now this. I need a drink. I'm sure this will come in handy, thank you. Thanks. Yes, bye." He steps away from the dismayed group and slides over to the P.M. Center's admin break room. Inside, he finds his way to the Placeholder-Blank Ontological Rationalization and Coherence Extractor,[[footnote]]An espresso fabricator.[[/footnote]] flicking the contraption on and debating, finger ignoring the first three options, hesitating over a button reading "{{STRONG}}" but ultimately opting for the one on its right, labeled "{{OVERLOAD}}". After a minute of quiet humming, a dark slurry dispenses into the paper cup below its spout. Placeholder pinches his nose and tosses back the viscous beverage, feeling the bitter, coffee-like analog sting the back of his throat.[[footnote]]While using dichloromethane as a solvent is far more efficient in the extraction of caffeine when compared to the industry standard, it also stops legally being "coffee" in all recognized nations, the Wanderers' Library, most free ports, and Alagadda.[[/footnote]] He sighs, waiting for the concoction to wipe away the fatigue brought about by that previous conversation. Eventually, it succeeds. He proceeds back to his office, which is now empty, aside from himself and the newly-purchased encabulator. Perusing through dossiers, reports, follow-up emails and stacks of other paperwork, Placeholder happens upon a relevant packet of documents, a GoI dossier on Prometheus Innovations, which describes an incredibly fortunate underdog story. How does a company like Prometheus Labs come back from near-total bankruptcy with zero prospects of any note to an investor? A company of pure liability at that time, now more than stable, but at what cost? Reports from Extradimensional Affairs claim an unknown group of interest, Anderson Robotics, never emerges from the ashes of Prometheus Labs without it going up in flames in the first place, which is something it tends to do in other realities. Placeholder couldn't help but wonder how and why this timeline was so special. The altruistic nature of Prometheus Innovations seems like a stark contrast to their previous operations, and yet they have no qualms fleecing the Foundation out of an ungodly sum with a single purchase? It's not like they need the money, now that they're valued at somewhere close to one trillion USD. The odds of investing in a failing, money-hungry paratech firm already under investigation, and successfully turning it into the world's leading tech solutions company... it just doesn't make sense. Placeholder soon finds himself hovering over the Encabulator, lost in caffeine-assisted thought as he starts to inspect the device, trying to find some explanation for its exuberant price tag. Surely, there has to be a reason. Then again, many of the components were nothing the polymath expert had seen before. No wonder the techies were enamoured... Or intimidated. On the interior of the device's posterior access panel, he finds more peculiarity, despite the mundane nature: a technical specifications sticker from Prometheus Innovations, which occupies a large space on the carbonitride lattice, with random metrics of little use to him covering the adhesive's surface. The label isn't the first of its kind, either, as another sticker is present beneath it, slightly askew, and possibly another below that. Removing the letter opener from his desk, Placeholder carefully peels up the label, cursing to himself as bits pry up with the layers below firmly adhering to the rest. Eventually, he finishes, and much to his disappointment, the label is mostly the same as the one prior. On closer inspection, he realizes the main difference, a handwritten message which reads "TO SETTLE THE DEBT" in the field for additional information. The handwriting is familiar, but he can't place it. Along with this, the badly-worn date of certification which, although mostly illegible, differs greatly from the previous. Removing the second label, Placeholder emits a noise of surprise, having not seen the newest logo for Prometheus Innovations prior to that moment. It doesn't make sense—but maybe it does. = [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scranton-encabulator/pi.png style="filter: drop-shadow(2px 4px 6px black);"]] "You know," he says to himself, gears now spinning despite the unfortunate circumstances, "this could be a great way to [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/admonition\|get promoted]]]." "Better practice your firm handshakes," a voice in his head suggests. The next words drain the color from his face. "And, just so you're aware, we may may need to, uh, //brush up on our stylesheets//." @@ @@ ---- [[=]] ++++ //TWENTY YEARS LATER// [[/=]] Doctor Placeholder McDoctorate is struggling to find a kind way of wording his thoughts. Right now, he's staring down the barrel of a dozen or so sets of angry eyes with a firm grasp on the future of his career. These same eyes, staring back at him from atop their ivory towers, belong to the O5 Council. Blind as though they may be, those piercing gazes demand answers. He begins, "Surely, you must understand—" Before the fifth word could leave his mouth, one of the figures speaks, voice impatient and sterile. "//No//, we don't understand. Which is why you are here before us now. We've taken time out of our busy schedules to demand answers." Another voice, more soft-spoken, interjects. "Well, my schedule was rather open. I'm relatively sure yours was as well, Eight. Honestly, it is nice to get out of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/spikebrennan-s-proposal Facility T], for whatever reason—" "I'm not Eight! I'm Three," the figure points across their shared table, "//He's// Eight." The council member on the receiving end of the point leans forward, hand against the back of his ear, "What?" O5-3 raises his voice, "I //said//, you are Eight, not me!" O5-8 responds, taken aback, "I'm not eight. I'm forty-five. It's 1989. I know what year it is!" O5-3 buries his head in his hands, "I wasn't suggesting that, but you're still //wrong//, you senile doorknob." He turns back to Placeholder, "Apologies, where was I—oh, right. I was in the middle of telling you off." Mustering as much of a smile as humanly possible in that moment, Placeholder responds, "You don't need to tell me off, everything is under control." "Hm." The council member's round eyeglasses glint as he leans forward into the light, "If that's the case, why do I have number crunchers telling me the Foundation is financially barren, and that somehow you are at the center of the problem?" "Because, well, that's how it looks from an outside perspective, but—" "Oh, cut the... Cut the //crap//." The sudden vulgarity elicits some gasps from around the room. One councilmember falls out of their chairs in shock as O5-3 continues, "I logged into our Bank of America account today. You know what I saw?" McDoctorate hesitates, "Uh—Well, I can explain—" The Overseer interrupts him once more, "Don't. Allow me. I logged into the account today and saw a withdrawal. I don't even want to speak the number out loud. Needless to say I'm extremely disappointed. We've given you so much of our annual budget for your //toys//. And for what? Where are the results? How could you possibly need more money after all of that?" Waiting a moment to ensure O5-3 had finished speaking, Placeholder draws a breath and explains his plan to settle the debt. [[=]] COUNCIL VOTE SUMMARY:* \|\|~ YAY \|\|~ NAY \|\|~ ASLEEP \|\| \|\| O5-1 \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| O5-2 \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| O5-3 \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| O5-4 \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| O5-5 \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| O5-6 \|\| \|\| O5-7 \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| O5-8 \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| O5-9 \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| O5-10 \|\| \|\| O5-11 \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| O5-12 \|\| \|\| \|\| O5-13 \|\| \|\| \|\| @@ @@ \|\|~ STATUS\|\| \|\|##green\|APPROVED##\|\| [[/=]] @@ @@ ---- [[=]] ++++ //FORTY YEARS PRIOR// @@ @@ [[/=]] [[div class="scrolling"]] TOP STORY IN FINANCE AND BUSINESS: ANONYMOUS ANGEL INVESTOR SAVES PROMETHEUS LABS, CITES PLAN TO 'REBRAND' PUBLIC IMAGE. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[footnoteblock]] @@ @@ [!-- testing whether rate module at the bottom of the page actually affects anything - see http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/cqb-ab-test --] [!-- testing whether rate module at the bottom of the page actually affects anything - see http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/cqb-ab-test --] [[module css]] .ego-bar { display: none; flex-direction: column; justify-content: space-evenly; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; margin-block: 1rem; } .ego-bar__link { font-size: smaller; margin-inline: 2rem; } .ego-bar .page-rate-widget-box { margin: 0; } .ab-test--active + .ego-bar { display: flex; } [[/module]] [[module listusers users="."]] [[div class="ab-test ab-test--[[#ifexpr %%number%%%2==0 \| active \| inactive ]]"]] [[/div]] [[/module]] [[div class="ego-bar"]] [[div class="ego-bar__link"]] [[/div]] [[module Rate]] [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] ===== > Filename: encabs.png > Author: [[user billith]] > Derivative of:* ---- > Name: Pictures from LIGO (January 2005) > Author: Tobin > License: CC-BY-SA 2.0 > Source Link: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/71239428@N00/153562219 flickr] ===== > Filename: PRINT.png > Author: [[user billith]] > Derivative of:* ---- > Name: Blueprints of the James Webb Space Telescope > Author: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope > License: CC-BY 2.0 > Source Link: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/50785054@N03/47690335362 flickr] ===== > Filename: enzyme.png > Author: [[user psychicprogrammer]] > License:CC-BY-SA 3.0 ===== > Filename:* pi.png > Author: [[user billith]] > License:CC-BY-SA 3.0 ===== > Filename:* Mill.png > Author: [[user psychicprogrammer]] > License:* CC-BY-SA 3.0 ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-08-13T22:07:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "co-authored", "comedy", "doctor-mcdoctorate", "prometheus", "science-fiction", "tale" ]	A Recording of Prometheus Innovations' Pitch for the Scranton Encabulator Mk VI, and the Ramifications of its Existence - SCP Foundation	33	[ "scp-1822", "admonition", "spikebrennan-s-proposal", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "prometheus-labs-hub" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/scranton-encabulator/pi.png" ]	1456186321	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scranton-encabulator
screaming-upriver	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><em>From the private journal of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-7886">Site-107 Director Gomaa</a>, written on 29/09/2023.</em></p> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>screaming upriver</p> </div> <p>it’s incredible what the distance of a continent or two can do to the human<br/> perception of others</p> <p>upon the corner of this land<br/> my bloodline was spawned<br/> from there we followed the river’s example<br/> and spread out<br/> but you see things on a macro scale<br/> you, far across the atlantic<br/> cannot see the fingers of our rivers</p> <p>the river is full of whispers<br/> ancient, modern, something in between<br/> but you can’t hear that, can you?<br/> you don’t take the time to press your ear to it<br/> and let the earth tell you its secrets<br/> about the people who live here<br/> an unstable region</p> <p>the effort to lean down<br/> stoop to our level<br/> it’s too much for you<br/> yet my neck aches and groans<br/> reaching up to you<br/> listening to your trees<br/> when the wind whispers me your plights<br/> and i listen to them<br/> and my heart aches for you<br/> o you who do not know<br/> what it means to reciprocate</p> <p>to scream is an act of desperation<br/> disgustingly guttural and straining<br/> inelegant and unpolished<br/> retrospectively disappointing<br/> but i screamed anyway<br/> among echoes and a vacuous space<br/> my own voice bounces back onto my face<br/> and it shakes me by my shoulders<br/> rocks my brain just right<br/> and there it goes<br/> prefrontal cortex into my cranium<br/> the aching has yet to stop<br/> it’s one thing to scream to nothing<br/> it’s another thing to scream only to myself<br/> in a room filled with you</p> <p>there is an urge<br/> to ask ‘how dare you?’<br/> to interrogate and kick and cry<br/> scream and rip hair from scalps<br/> curl into a ball and pass out<br/> ‘you did this to me’<br/> but that isn’t true, right?<br/> we both know that<br/> just look,<br/> the locks are made of limestone<br/> and their keys are on my wall</p> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:centered-header-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:centered-header-bhl</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:blacklight-box-source">:scp-wiki:component:blacklight-box-source</a> \|inc-source= --]]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:discord-chat-source">:scp-wiki:component:discord-chat-source</a> \|inc-source= --]]] [[module CSS]] .email-example .collapsible-block-folded a.collapsible-block-link { animation: blink 0.8s ease-in-out infinite alternate; } @keyframes blink { 0% { color: transparent; } 50%, 100% { color: #b01; } } .email {border: solid 2px #000000; width: 88%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.5)} .email-example a.collapsible-block-link {font-weight: bold;} .tofrom {margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 1px 15px; border-left: solid 3px maroon} [[/module]] [[module CSS]] .blbf-main > div { hyphens: initial; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] //From the private journal of [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-7886 Site-107 Director Gomaa], written on 29/09/2023.// [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] screaming upriver [[/=]] it’s incredible what the distance of a continent or two can do to the human perception of others upon the corner of this land my bloodline was spawned from there we followed the river’s example and spread out but you see things on a macro scale you, far across the atlantic cannot see the fingers of our rivers the river is full of whispers ancient, modern, something in between but you can’t hear that, can you? you don’t take the time to press your ear to it and let the earth tell you its secrets about the people who live here an unstable region the effort to lean down stoop to our level it’s too much for you yet my neck aches and groans reaching up to you listening to your trees when the wind whispers me your plights and i listen to them and my heart aches for you o you who do not know what it means to reciprocate to scream is an act of desperation disgustingly guttural and straining inelegant and unpolished retrospectively disappointing but i screamed anyway among echoes and a vacuous space my own voice bounces back onto my face and it shakes me by my shoulders rocks my brain just right and there it goes prefrontal cortex into my cranium the aching has yet to stop it’s one thing to scream to nothing it’s another thing to scream only to myself in a room filled with you there is an urge to ask ‘how dare you?’ to interrogate and kick and cry scream and rip hair from scalps curl into a ball and pass out ‘you did this to me’ but that isn’t true, right? we both know that just look, the locks are made of limestone and their keys are on my wall [[/div]]	2024-04-05T19:19:00	[ "bleak", "horror", "journal", "no-dialogue", "psychological-horror", "tale" ]	Screaming Upriver - SCP Foundation	25	[ "scp-7886" ]	[]	[]	1453259283	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/screaming-upriver
secrets-and-their-keepers	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>It was then that Matilda decided they hated magicians.</p> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Adustjacket/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">Prismal & AstersQuill</a> <div class="authorbox"> <div class="authorcontent"> <p><strong>Secrets and Their Keepers</strong> by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/prismal" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8779219); return false;"><img alt="Prismal" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8779219&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1725332324" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8779219)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/prismal" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8779219); return false;">Prismal</a></span> and <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;"><img alt="AstersQuill" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8392064&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1725332324" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8392064)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;">AstersQuill</a></span><br/> - <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/prismal">Prismal's Author Page</a><br/> - <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/aster-s-forest-grotto">Aster's Author Page</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p>Long, long ago, as seeds of life began to germinate in the reality we call home, there was a Library.</p> <p>This Library, though lacking in grandiose labyrinths of books or patrons from the far reaches of reality, was well-rooted, steady. Still but a sapling nestled on the shores of a great river, this Library began to grow outwards and upwards, each new sensation a wind across its elastic bark limbs carved deep into the rings of its core; knowledge that would be called upon to name the sky, the ground, and the sea. But like any quest for knowledge, there is some storm to chase, some rainbow to seek the end of. The Library knew <em>want</em>, a thirst for knowledge.</p> <p>So the Library left, wandered, and with it, the world spoke to fill its many branches and rings with its knowledge. The Library wandered for millennia, before finally settling down a few stars away from Polaris, nestled in the shadow of the Great Bear. Although it no longer wanders this world, roots of it spring throughout, small havens where it can share the knowledge of its many years. It is here that the memories of new life bloom upon its branches, babies taking their first breath and speaking to the grass, which is an old friend of the Library…</p> </div> <p>Once upon a time, there was a very clever child by the name of Matilda Moose. Much like the Library, Matilda had been born with an insatiable hunger for knowledge. Every tactile sensation and audible noise was wonderous to them as they crawled around on the carpet. Matilda's parents, who did their best to keep pace with their eager learner, collected all manner of book and story to share with their child. And so Matilda learned and learned and grew and grew, quickly exceeding their pre-kindergarten peers, and then benevolently dispensing their knowledge to all who asked curious questions on the colorful playgrounds. There was something appealing to Tilda about being a teacher, exchanging knowledge for new knowledge, scraps of ideas for irrefutable facts.</p> <p>At the age of seven, Matilda saw their first magician at summer camp. The awkward man, dressed far too extravagantly for the summer's heat, pulled a white rabbit out of his raggedy top hat. Matilda sat stupefied; They hadn't the faintest idea how the man had done this, and were met with only hushes and shushes from the audience when they asked. Even after the show, the trick was all Matilda could think about. They replayed it over and over in their brain and got nowhere closer to the truth. When the man next returned to the camp, Matilda approached the magician and asked him how it was done. The man just laughed at them and said "a magician never reveals his secrets!"</p> <p>It was then that Matilda decided they hated magicians.</p> <p>Matilda took the magician's retort to heart and vowed to learn all they could about magic, to never be made to feel lesser again. They read all the could, and practiced until they understood each mechanical part, each smoke and mirror that went into the trick. They lured a rabbit into a makeshift trap, a perfect volunteer for their first performance.</p> <p>And then, they showed others how it was done.</p> <p>But… in-so-doing they learned something else: the thrill of fooling audiences, their amazed applause as Matilda flaunted their wit. The look in their eyes, both awe and excitement, as Matilda seemingly folded the world in front of them, drawing forth something from the depths of their imaginations. Once again, Matilda held in their hands the cards of knowledge, and continued to push forward to learn more tricks from the mundane to the mystical to chase that awe-filled high.</p> <p>Cementing their new path, Tilda had become a magician.</p> <p>With roots sufficiently laid, Tilda grew, both physically and through the knowledge they possessed. Elementary, middle, and high school passed in a whirl, and Tilda was able to use the energy normally devoted to studies to learn more esoteric facets of knowledge. As a student, Tilda brought this same passion to learning all they could about all that they could. They still did the good work of teaching others what they knew, but ultimately they derived the most joy of knowing something others didn't, of their high grades, their academic awards, and all the other proofs of their cleverness. People looked up to Tilda being at the top of their class, and it was there that people trusted them with more than just grades: secrets. Those who know, know, and those that don't instead live in the dark.</p> <p>Humans were naturally inclined to fear of the dark, and what it represented: the unknown. Tilda, of course, was no different. But Tilda knew, if someone could recognize every distant shape, name every shadow - why, there would be no unknown to fear at all! Tilda used this steadfast conviction as they maneuvered the remainder of their time in their high school's haughty cliques and neverending gossip. They were hungry for far more than AP Literature lectures and gossip about who was seeing who; Stagnation clawed at Tilda, only ending with diploma in hand and a bus ticket to somewhere new: college.</p> <p>Though college was meant as a fresh start, Tilda returned to their time-trusted routine, as if it were carved in their very bones. Here was a chance for them to learn about others from all over the world, to use those experiences to further Tilda's store of knowledge while they unknowingly fed into that praxic hunger. It was only natural that they would drift towards another like them: a girl in black who also spent her life among the pages of a book, a kindred soul, a friend, or perhaps something even more. A girl who promised them more knowledge than they could ever desire. Finally, Tilda had met an equal.</p> <p>The pair spent nights combing through ancient texts, collecting secrets, distributing what they knew to the classmates they could trust. They spent hours across the study room or library from one another in silence, eyes feasting on the written knowledge shared within the college's great halls. In this silence, trust blossomed; a resource almost as valuable as knowledge in Tilda's eyes.</p> <p>It was on one of these nights that the girl in black introduced Tilda to an even greater purpose, a choice to pull the unseen scales from Tilda's eyes so they could learn about the true nature of the world. The girl had amassed a collection of scraps of books, manuscripts, poems and art, written thoughts laid bare in ink. She explained to Tilda that these works told stories that the world <em>should</em> have forgotten, phantoms that existed only on the page now. The world didn't forget them, however, because the girl did not forget them. Tilda bubbled with anger at the thought of some unseen force trying to one up them, and, with promise made to the girl, the two unearthed stories that should have been long lost.</p> <div class="storybookforest"> <p>…I walked along a hidden path in the woods one day, sitting next to a statue as if it were an old friend.</p> <p>The statue was green with moss and lichen, and although it is a faux pas to reveal all of one's self to strangers, the marble chips and cracks allowed me to see into this inviting figure. I set down my bag and looked around. Scattered in the clearing's periphery lay its arms, viney limbs of toned muscles that became the home of those creeping isopods living beneath. I found its head leaning against a rotted log, pupil-less eyes and stoic countenance never softening even as a I rolled it back to the base of the statue. Finally, its spear lay splintered, but I placed its ornate head in the three-fingered hand of the stranger.</p> <p>With all pieces returned, I found a tarnished plaque reading such:</p> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>Here lies <span style="filter: blur(5px);">The Ancient Guardian</span></p> <p><em>Share and rejoice for his noble deeds;</em><br/> <em>Saving the world from the Princess of weeds;</em><br/> <em>Rest, rest, for the evil is beaten.</em></p> </div> </div> <p>"Thanks for the story, old friend."</p> <p>I pat his shoulder, took a swig from my flask, and continued down the path, thinking back on the name "<span style="filter: blur(5px);">The Ancient Guardian</span>". It wouldn't be long until it was once again forgotten, and the story left my mind as a I traveled down the path, wondering what other fantasies the forest would have in store…</p> </div> <div class="middletext"> <p>One cannot take back a boot print in the mud, nor could they uncrush the butterfly who led the pair to come across this archaic tale.</p> </div> <div class="storybookwhiz"> <p>So there used to be this dude in my home town. Some little old guy with frizzy hair who used to walk around with a big stick. I never knew his real name, but when I was a kid we all used to call him "The Whiz" since he used to do magic tricks. And because he smelled a bit like piss. Man everybody used to <em>love</em> the Whiz. I used to pass him an apple every time I walked by going home from school, and he'd do a little card trick or coin trick and make my day. One time I asked him to teach me, but he'd always just smile with a little twinkle in his eyes and say that a magician never reveals his secrets. A lot of us kids took that as a challenge, taught ourselves some tricks, but nobody could ever do it like the Whiz. Man, I would swear up and down this guy knew real magic! The one time I thought I figured out one of his tricks, pulling a coin out behind some kid's ear, easiest trick in the book, he just tilted his head and dozens of golden coins fell out, wayyyyy too many for him to have palmed. Turns out they were all chocolate, not gold. A real special memory, you know?</p> <p>Weirdest thing though. I flew the coop, went off to college, got a job and all that. Forgot all about magic until I found some old trick cards of mine. Asked about the Whiz when I called home that day, and everyone swore he was just an urban legend! Some collective hallucination or a childlike fantasy or some crap. Next time I went home, I looked around for the guy, no sign of him, just his old stick where he used to hang around.</p> <p>I don't know what happened to the guy, but it's fucked up what they did to the Whiz, I hope he's doing alright.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:larger;">♠</span></p> </div> <div class="middletext"> <p>A game of cards can only go on for so long, and a magician can only hold so many up his sleeve. Some people just don't know when to fold them.</p> </div> <div class="storybookmuse"> <p>I had a muse once.<br/> I must have, for what else could have spawned such heavenly images?<br/> Maybe, only a dream, some bittersweet manic vision.<br/> But as I gaze upon these tear-stained pages, I taste a faded memory on the tip of my tongue, and know there was something more.<br/> If only I were a better artist, maybe I'd remember her face.<br/> I wish my hands would remember anything else.</p> </div> <div class="middletext"> <p>What must it be like to live as a somatic shadow? A mind of its own, adrift from the memories of them, permanently etched on the skin of another, sensations lingering.</p> </div> <div class="page"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p><span style="filter: blur(5px);">00</span>/<span style="filter: blur(5px);">00</span>/<span style="filter: blur(5px);">0000</span></p> </div> <br/> I never understood why folks were opposed to us. The Foundation, I mean, I used to be one of their grunts. Always seemed to me we were doing people a favor, sparing them from the horrors any way we could. The use of amnestics never bothered me, why leave folks traumatized if we could help it? It just made sense. Who would want to remember grandma coming back as a zombie or a vampire eating your dog? (No offense to the undead, of course.) I never understood why you'd <em>want</em> to remember until they tried to take my own memories away, one of their own, can you believe it? I mean fuck, I had just seen my entire unit mowed down by by this <em>thing</em> my brain couldn't even understand. Something pink with too many angles, I- it hurts to think about. We finally got the bastard, Magnus did. He- sacrificed himself to save me. When reinforcements came I was screaming bloody murder. They immediately wanted to amnesticize me, but I said no. They let it drop after asking a few more times, but eventually they stopped asking me, and started <em>telling</em> me.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> I fought back, and went AWOL. I don't know why I did it, it wasn't really a conscious choice, but I don't regret it for a second.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> I wish it never happened, you know? I still have nightmares, all these years later. But I never want to forget them.</div> <div class="middletext"> <p>A cracked house; a foundation poured of blood, greasing the cogs of a great, uncaring machine that leaves only destruction in its wake.</p> </div> <div class="storybookgrey"> <p><span style="color: grey">The Foundation was my home, a mass of dull concrete and bright flourescents, but a home nonetheless.<br/> As a child wrapped in a veil like a warm blanket, secrets were my closest companions.<br/> My parents, cogs in a great machine, molded me in the same image, nitrile gloves reminding me of the filter placed on the world to keep it "safe".<br/> I was taught good and evil, a binary black and white morality, magic and monsters and those that locked them away. I was taught to fear the dark and those that dwelt within it.<br/> I was taught to be cold, to seal all warmth away within.<br/> I became gray as the concrete foundations; Foundation through and through.<br/> But it was only a masquerade, and all masquerades must end once the clock strikes midnight.<br/> In showing our true colors, our own mother locked us away, proclaiming us the darkness that must be held at bay. Though my father claimed to free me, he merely took a part of us for the great machine, a loathful sacrifice that scarred our soul.<br/> And though I am now free from it, the Foundation will forever contain a part of us;</span></p> <p><span style="color: grey">I can no longer remember my mother's face.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:larger;">♛</span></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> Tilda's eyes widened as they read page after page, word after word, forgotten thought after forgotten thought on the pages. A profound feeling of sadness hung over the air, and Tilda looked to their companion for wisdom. <p>"In the Library, the most important rule is that something <em>must</em> be shared. That it must not be forgotten as long as there are still those that value knowledge in this world."</p> <p>It was then that the girl revealed herself a storybook queen, a protector of the forgotten, and informed Tilda of her noble mission. What could Tilda do but answer her call? Take the Serpent's Hand? The studious and well-read who spent their time teaching others, not just the mundane knowledge of textbooks and seminars, but of truths lost to the ears of the many. Oh the things Tilda learned! They felt as if they had truly found a place they belonged, and they found that there were those that threatened that place.</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p>You see, <em>they've</em> always known there was a Library too, those book-burning fascists, those hoarders of knowledge, and they've always <em>hated</em>, always strived to prevent others from knowing. In fear they armed themselves with their clockwork propaganda machines, their perversions of cryptomancy, their hemlock cures to minds that have pondered more than <em>they</em> allow. All of them, deafening lies. They've cast the world in a veil of mundanity and forced us all to dance along wine-drunk to their sick masquerade.</p> <p>But still, there is the Library.</p> <p>The Library stands far away from it all; an island of truths in an ocean of lies, a tree swaying among endless winds threatening to topple it and return it to the ground. It is here where we come to remember, despite the ceaseless crusade of jailors with the soulless purpose of pruning our memories to fit their hideously astroturfed Garden of Eden. Among the shelves in docents are what was and what is and what shall be, winding and unwinding threads of universes so similar yet so different to our own. It is here we reflect, for although their memories may be wiped from our minds, <em>they</em> will never succeed in wiping them from our stories.</p> <p>Long ago there was a snake in a Garden far away from here. Many remember the snake as a deceiver, a tempter, a liar, but we know it was none of those things. Knowledge was hidden from early humans, knowledge that would <em>make</em> them human, but forces that play god often nip imperfection in the bud before it can take root. All the snake offered was a choice: A choice for knowledge that would better connect the humans to the world around them, if only they disobeyed their creator and warden to grasp the freedom of choice in their hands. We make hundreds, if not thousands of choices everyday in an attempt to live what we feel are our best lives. The humans made their choice, they were punished, and the snake was cursed to crawl on its stomach ever since.</p> <p>We reject their curse. We reject living on our stomachs under the boots of those in pursuit of some utopia of the mundane.</p> <p>As long as there is knowledge to share, there will always be those that try to hide it and those that try to share it. The denial of knowledge is the denial of one's primal instinct of curiosity, a betrayal of our intuition. Every library must have books, every book an author, and every author a story to tell - through their words or their pens or their blood. When we find those who seek to challenge knowledge, to deny stories, we think back to our common ancestor and the choice they made. This time it's our turn to offer knowledge to those without, to simply offer a choice. If humanity is to ever overthrow the petty gods, the skittish bureaucrats and capitalists and zealots that try to play us as pawns in some pyrrhic game, they have to make a choice, they have to take the Serpent's Hand.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>This is who we are, and this is why we fight.</p> <p><span style="color: green"><em>~Tilda Moose</em></span></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div class="tillytext"> <p>Tilda closed their "manifesto" and stood, stretching deeply until their neck cracked. There it was, the culmination of their time at the Serpent's Hand. It already felt like a lifetime ago that they'd acted the part of the rebellious youth, raging against the machine, spouting simplistic platitudes about "free knowledge for all" along with their former Serpent's Hand compatriots. Learning magic and solving the mysteries of the world like some kind of fantasy novel protagonist. Now they could only roll their eyes at how ridiculous they sounded, in comparison to the hard science and concrete of the Foundation.</p> <p>Tilda sat back down and began typing their report, opening manila folders and flipping through ancient forms and reference documents, the musty sweet smell of lignin filling their nostrils. Oh how precious little the Foundation seemed to know about the Hand and the Library -unless they were merely testing Tilda, of course, they could be ever so tedious. Still, better the paranoid jailor than the too trusting rebel, at least that's what they told themself.</p> <div style="background: url(http://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-great-hippo/SCP_icon%281%29.png) top right no-repeat; color: black; font-family: Courier; font-weight: bold; float: center; border: solid 1px #000000; padding: 5px 15px 15px 15px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2); width: 84%; margin: 2% 4% 4% 4%"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <strong>Nx-01 \| The Wanderers' Library</strong></p> <p>An extradimensional location accessed through an unknown number of extraspatial portals, known as Rosen-Fortune Bridges and colloquially referred to as "Ways", found across the world. The Wanderers' Library is a library of unknown size stated by many to be the largest repository of knowledge in the universe, with some claiming it contains the sum total of <em>all</em> knowledge in the multiverse. Although the Foundation has been aware of the Library since the inception of the organization, this awareness was due only to secondhand sources. It wasn't until Director Tilda Moose's defection from the Serpent's Hand to the Foundation that a more concrete understanding of the Library was obtained.</p> <p>The Wanderers' Library is currently uncontainable, both due to the unknown amount of Ways leading to it as well as the resources required to theoretically anchor or sever Nx-01's connection to baseline reality. Instead, the Foundation's current objective is to mute the influence of Nx-01 by controlling the flow of information through the use of amnestics, disinformation campaigns, as well as monitoring staff and patrons that frequent known Ways. Patrons confirmed to originate outside of baseline reality are to be detained and interrogated for information pertaining to Nx-01. Although a comprehensive list of Ways is believed to be impossible, researchers have noted high fluctuations in Hume levels around university libraries, especially those primarily serving anomalous populations (See: <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6342">Serena Verdae College</a>).</p> <p>Library staff, referred to as "Librarians", are split into three categories: Archivists, who relay and spread information from the Library to individuals beyond the extradimensional location, Custodians, responsible for the upkeep of Library facilities, and Seers, oracles that act as guides to patrons within the Library. It is currently unknown whether Librarians are hostile to the Foundation's mission due to inconsistent interactions with all three categories…</p> </div> <p>They did not miss the Hand, but it was no secret that Tilda missed the Library. All those books, all that knowledge, free for the taking if only you were clever enough to find it. Magic and power for anyone to grasp. A veritable paradise.</p> <p>Certainly it'd be useful to have now. Their new position found them drowned letterheads and boxes of files dedicated to what seemed to be the consequences of their wildest dreams. At least in the library they could rest and read a calm story, here there seemed to be nothing but consequences. There were no more stories about good triumphing over evil, brave heroes slaying monsters that threatened the light. They yearned for those stories, the lessons, the exhilarating rush of knowing something that wasn't seen by at least five pairs of eyes before it finally reach Tilda's.</p> <p>Tilda exhaled and ceased their reverie, returning to work.</p> <div style="background: url(http://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-great-hippo/SCP_icon%281%29.png) top right no-repeat; color: black; font-family: Courier; font-weight: bold; float: center; border: solid 1px #000000; padding: 5px 15px 15px 15px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2); width: 84%; margin: 2% 4% 4% 4%"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> …</p> <p>Through the use of unique thaumaturgic rituals, colloquially known as "Knocks", individuals can access the greater Library through Ways. Knocks vary between location, with recovered information showing a variety of activation conditions ranging from the mundane to the dangerous to the esoteric. The Serpent's Hand is known to discretely spread information on the location of local Ways and their related Knocks along with basic information on learning thaumaturgy. The following methods have been observed: word of mouth, pamphlets, oneironautics, and graffiti among others, often in proximity to public libraries.</p> <p>Despite replicating these rituals, no individual with affiliation to the Foundation or Global Occult Coalition have been able to achieve access to the greater Library. However, Foundation agents have been able to access Ways due to their existence as locations in the Veil. As such, research on the Wanderers' Library is limited to eyewitness reports and knowledge sharing agreements with cordial Groups of Interest who retain Library access…</p> </div> <p>The Foundation, the Jailors, the enemy, anathema to the Serpent's Hand. It had seemed repulsive how they hid they truth from the world. Like a spark, the talks of resistance led to declarations of war and a call to action. A fire fueled by youthful disdain and energy. An organized raid against the anti-intellectual elite, a mission to 'liberate' the bizarre from their cells.</p> <p>They had their asses absolutely handed to them, all of them killed or captured.</p> <p><em>Such a waste.</em></p> <p>Tilda had sat in a jail cell for hours, waiting for the end, ready to spit in the face of their captors, to laugh at the simple minds who would never even begin to know the things that Tilda knew.</p> <p>Instead, along came a snake. Tilda heard much about a man like him in the past, a man so dedicated to the cause that he would shun his own daughter if asked. But instead of trying to break them, instead of trying to chip away at the fortitude of youthful defiance, he spoke to Tilda. They imagine his eyes to have slitted pupils, a reminder that it wasn't human to deny the pursuit of knowledge.</p> <p>Despite the platitudes the Hand espouses, dangerous knowledge <em>does</em> exist; secrets best not to know, words that can break you, curiosity that kills even a cat. But man ever reaches for what it cannot have: the dangerous, the forbidden, especially those that fancy themselves magicians, guardians of secrets, keeper of mysteries.</p> <p>This is what the man told them, and so Tilda laughed and spat in his face, because this was something they already knew.</p> <p>Then the man told them about their research, and Tilda learned how naive they'd truly been.</p> <div style="background: url(http://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-great-hippo/SCP_icon%281%29.png) top right no-repeat; color: black; font-family: Courier; font-weight: bold; float: center; border: solid 1px #000000; padding: 5px 15px 15px 15px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2); width: 84%; margin: 2% 4% 4% 4%"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> …</p> <p>GoI-014 "The Serpent's Hand" is a violent extremist group with the goal of destroying the Veil and providing humanity access to the greater Wanderer's Library. The Serpent's Hand are incredibly hostile to the Foundation and other normalcy organizations, often attempting to achieve their goals through violent means. Attacks on Foundation transports, assaults on personnel, and raids on low-security storage sites are examples of common actions taken by the group, often with the goal of accessing Foundation records or releasing contained anomalies. Actions by the Serpent's Hand are often paired with careless anomalous exposure to local civilian populations, requiring mass amnesticization and misinformation campaigns to resolve.</p> <p>MTF Tau-9 (“Bookworms”) has been created to counter actions by Serpent's Hand cells. Agents are to use extreme prejudice when dealing with threats, and are to prioritize capture or neutralization of rival agents and materials over containing activated anomalies. Access to the Wanderers' Library through the use of captured Serpent's Hand agents has yet to be achieved.</p> </div> <p>For all that the Library was a bastion of free knowledge, there were still locked doors, rules to follow. Mysteries for only the Serpent to know. Tilda thought back to their younger self at those magic shows, and couldn't help but feel a hatred bubbling within them. From the moment they'd learned about the Black Vault they'd felt a void, <span style="color: red">a hunger</span> within them, aching to taste this knowledge, taboo as it was.</p> <p>But they knew that they'd never be able to safely study it, or in some cases even <em>remember</em> it. That was, until the gray man gave them the means to do so, and the knowledge of how to obtain it.</p> <p>Then the man let them go, not with a tracker, not with a mind wiping pill, but with an offer, an apple.</p> <p>And so Tilda ate of the forbidden fruit.</p> <p>A cold breeze cut through the room, causing Tilda to pull their sweater close. A chill of remembrance, albeit clouded by time and amnestics cut through them.</p> <p>With their great sin committed, their hard-won knowledge gained, they were exiled from their paradise, never to return. But the Library would not steal the knowledge from Tilda's head, as doing so would be a betrayal of the very ideals it held. And so they left burdened with glorious knowledge, knowledge that only <em>they</em> knew and nobody else.</p> <p>Forbidden knowledge they could exchange for a place that stood in opposition to everything they once believed in, a place that kept knowledge well within its manila and binary walls.</p> <p>While Tilda Moose hated magicians, they found incredible joy in being one.</p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <p><a href="/shattered-love">Shattered Love >></a></p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/secrets-and-their-keepers">Secrets and Their Keepers</a>" by Prismal, AstersQuill, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/secrets-and-their-keepers">https://scpwiki.com/secrets-and-their-keepers</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> blurry.picture.jpeg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Teodor Axentowicz - Samotna w mieście 1887.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Teodor Axentowicz<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC 0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Teodor_Axentowicz_-_Samotna_w_mie%C5%9Bcie_1887.jpg">LINK</a><br/> <strong>Additional Notes:</strong> Face blurred by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;"><img alt="AstersQuill" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8392064&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1725332324" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8392064)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/astersquill" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8392064); return false;">AstersQuill</a></span></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Pictorial Key to the Tarot Wands 01.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Pamela Colman Smith<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC 0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pictorial_Key_to_the_Tarot_Wands_01.jpg">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=It was then that Matilda decided they hated magicians. ]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:dustjacket">:scp-wiki:theme:dustjacket</a>]] [[module css]] @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Fira+Code:[email protected]&display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Briem+Hand:[email protected]&display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Nunito:ital,wght@0,200..1000;1,200..1000&display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Caveat:[email protected]&display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter:[email protected]&display=swap'); #page-title {display: none;} :root { --link-color: 127, 0, 255; --visited-link-color: 127, 0, 255; } .Picturebook{ align: center; border: 2px solid #5d0f87; width: 50%; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } .picturebooksnake{ align: center; width: 25%; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } .storybookforest { font-family:Philosopher; background-image: url( http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/scp-8166/paper-min%5B1%5D.png); padding:15px; font-size: 105%; border: 2px solid #5d0f87; } .storybookwhiz { font-family: "Nunito", sans-serif; background-image: url(); padding:15px; font-size: 105%; border: 2px solid #5d0f87; } .storybookmuse { font-family: "Briem Hand", cursive; background-image: url( http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/scp-8166/paper-min%5B1%5D.png); padding:15px; font-size: 105%; border: 2px solid #5d0f87; } .page { display: block; overflow: hidden; font-family: "Caveat", cursive; font-style: normal; font-size: 140%; background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-color: transparent; background-image: linear-gradient(to top ,rgb(202, 219, 228) 0%, rgb(231, 233, 220) 8%); background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: 100% 20px; border: 1px solid #CCC; border-radius: 10px; padding: 10px 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; box-shadow: 0px 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) } .page p, .page ul { line-height: 20px; margin: 0; } .storybookgrey { font-family: "Fira Code", monospace; background-image: url( http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/scp-8166/paper-min%5B1%5D.png); padding:15px; border: 2px solid #5d0f87; } .tillytext{ font-family: "Inter", sans-serif; } .middletext{ padding-left: 3em; padding-right:3em; font-style: italic; font-size: 105%; text-align: center; font-weight: 600; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=Prismal & AstersQuill]] Secrets and Their Keepers by [[user Prismal]] and [[user AstersQuill]] - [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/prismal Prismal's Author Page] - [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/aster-s-forest-grotto Aster's Author Page] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] [[div class="blockquote"]] Long, long ago, as seeds of life began to germinate in the reality we call home, there was a Library. This Library, though lacking in grandiose labyrinths of books or patrons from the far reaches of reality, was well-rooted, steady. Still but a sapling nestled on the shores of a great river, this Library began to grow outwards and upwards, each new sensation a wind across its elastic bark limbs carved deep into the rings of its core; knowledge that would be called upon to name the sky, the ground, and the sea. But like any quest for knowledge, there is some storm to chase, some rainbow to seek the end of. The Library knew //want//, a thirst for knowledge. So the Library left, wandered, and with it, the world spoke to fill its many branches and rings with its knowledge. The Library wandered for millennia, before finally settling down a few stars away from Polaris, nestled in the shadow of the Great Bear. Although it no longer wanders this world, roots of it spring throughout, small havens where it can share the knowledge of its many years. It is here that the memories of new life bloom upon its branches, babies taking their first breath and speaking to the grass, which is an old friend of the Library... [[/div]] Once upon a time, there was a very clever child by the name of Matilda Moose. Much like the Library, Matilda had been born with an insatiable hunger for knowledge. Every tactile sensation and audible noise was wonderous to them as they crawled around on the carpet. Matilda's parents, who did their best to keep pace with their eager learner, collected all manner of book and story to share with their child. And so Matilda learned and learned and grew and grew, quickly exceeding their pre-kindergarten peers, and then benevolently dispensing their knowledge to all who asked curious questions on the colorful playgrounds. There was something appealing to Tilda about being a teacher, exchanging knowledge for new knowledge, scraps of ideas for irrefutable facts. At the age of seven, Matilda saw their first magician at summer camp. The awkward man, dressed far too extravagantly for the summer's heat, pulled a white rabbit out of his raggedy top hat. Matilda sat stupefied; They hadn't the faintest idea how the man had done this, and were met with only hushes and shushes from the audience when they asked. Even after the show, the trick was all Matilda could think about. They replayed it over and over in their brain and got nowhere closer to the truth. When the man next returned to the camp, Matilda approached the magician and asked him how it was done. The man just laughed at them and said "a magician never reveals his secrets!" It was then that Matilda decided they hated magicians. Matilda took the magician's retort to heart and vowed to learn all they could about magic, to never be made to feel lesser again. They read all the could, and practiced until they understood each mechanical part, each smoke and mirror that went into the trick. They lured a rabbit into a makeshift trap, a perfect volunteer for their first performance. And then, they showed others how it was done. But... in-so-doing they learned something else: the thrill of fooling audiences, their amazed applause as Matilda flaunted their wit. The look in their eyes, both awe and excitement, as Matilda seemingly folded the world in front of them, drawing forth something from the depths of their imaginations. Once again, Matilda held in their hands the cards of knowledge, and continued to push forward to learn more tricks from the mundane to the mystical to chase that awe-filled high. Cementing their new path, Tilda had become a magician. [[div class="picturebooksnake"]] [[image http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/collab:stipulation/Pictorial_Key_to_the_Tarot_Wands_01.jpg]] [[/div]] With roots sufficiently laid, Tilda grew, both physically and through the knowledge they possessed. Elementary, middle, and high school passed in a whirl, and Tilda was able to use the energy normally devoted to studies to learn more esoteric facets of knowledge. As a student, Tilda brought this same passion to learning all they could about all that they could. They still did the good work of teaching others what they knew, but ultimately they derived the most joy of knowing something others didn't, of their high grades, their academic awards, and all the other proofs of their cleverness. People looked up to Tilda being at the top of their class, and it was there that people trusted them with more than just grades: secrets. Those who know, know, and those that don't instead live in the dark. Humans were naturally inclined to fear of the dark, and what it represented: the unknown. Tilda, of course, was no different. But Tilda knew, if someone could recognize every distant shape, name every shadow - why, there would be no unknown to fear at all! Tilda used this steadfast conviction as they maneuvered the remainder of their time in their high school's haughty cliques and neverending gossip. They were hungry for far more than AP Literature lectures and gossip about who was seeing who; Stagnation clawed at Tilda, only ending with diploma in hand and a bus ticket to somewhere new: college. Though college was meant as a fresh start, Tilda returned to their time-trusted routine, as if it were carved in their very bones. Here was a chance for them to learn about others from all over the world, to use those experiences to further Tilda's store of knowledge while they unknowingly fed into that praxic hunger. It was only natural that they would drift towards another like them: a girl in black who also spent her life among the pages of a book, a kindred soul, a friend, or perhaps something even more. A girl who promised them more knowledge than they could ever desire. Finally, Tilda had met an equal. The pair spent nights combing through ancient texts, collecting secrets, distributing what they knew to the classmates they could trust. They spent hours across the study room or library from one another in silence, eyes feasting on the written knowledge shared within the college's great halls. In this silence, trust blossomed; a resource almost as valuable as knowledge in Tilda's eyes. It was on one of these nights that the girl in black introduced Tilda to an even greater purpose, a choice to pull the unseen scales from Tilda's eyes so they could learn about the true nature of the world. The girl had amassed a collection of scraps of books, manuscripts, poems and art, written thoughts laid bare in ink. She explained to Tilda that these works told stories that the world //should// have forgotten, phantoms that existed only on the page now. The world didn't forget them, however, because the girl did not forget them. Tilda bubbled with anger at the thought of some unseen force trying to one up them, and, with promise made to the girl, the two unearthed stories that should have been long lost. [[div class="storybookforest"]] ...I walked along a hidden path in the woods one day, sitting next to a statue as if it were an old friend. The statue was green with moss and lichen, and although it is a faux pas to reveal all of one's self to strangers, the marble chips and cracks allowed me to see into this inviting figure. I set down my bag and looked around. Scattered in the clearing's periphery lay its arms, viney limbs of toned muscles that became the home of those creeping isopods living beneath. I found its head leaning against a rotted log, pupil-less eyes and stoic countenance never softening even as a I rolled it back to the base of the statue. Finally, its spear lay splintered, but I placed its ornate head in the three-fingered hand of the stranger. With all pieces returned, I found a tarnished plaque reading such: [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] Here lies [[span style="filter: blur(5px);"]]The Ancient Guardian[[/span]] //Share and rejoice for his noble deeds;// //Saving the world from the Princess of weeds;// //Rest, rest, for the evil is beaten.// [[/=]] [[/div]] "Thanks for the story, old friend." I pat his shoulder, took a swig from my flask, and continued down the path, thinking back on the name "[[span style="filter: blur(5px);"]]The Ancient Guardian[[/span]]". It wouldn't be long until it was once again forgotten, and the story left my mind as a I traveled down the path, wondering what other fantasies the forest would have in store... [[/div]] [[div class="middletext"]] One cannot take back a boot print in the mud, nor could they uncrush the butterfly who led the pair to come across this archaic tale. [[/div]] [[div class="storybookwhiz"]] So there used to be this dude in my home town. Some little old guy with frizzy hair who used to walk around with a big stick. I never knew his real name, but when I was a kid we all used to call him "The Whiz" since he used to do magic tricks. And because he smelled a bit like piss. Man everybody used to //love// the Whiz. I used to pass him an apple every time I walked by going home from school, and he'd do a little card trick or coin trick and make my day. One time I asked him to teach me, but he'd always just smile with a little twinkle in his eyes and say that a magician never reveals his secrets. A lot of us kids took that as a challenge, taught ourselves some tricks, but nobody could ever do it like the Whiz. Man, I would swear up and down this guy knew real magic! The one time I thought I figured out one of his tricks, pulling a coin out behind some kid's ear, easiest trick in the book, he just tilted his head and dozens of golden coins fell out, wayyyyy too many for him to have palmed. Turns out they were all chocolate, not gold. A real special memory, you know? Weirdest thing though. I flew the coop, went off to college, got a job and all that. Forgot all about magic until I found some old trick cards of mine. Asked about the Whiz when I called home that day, and everyone swore he was just an urban legend! Some collective hallucination or a childlike fantasy or some crap. Next time I went home, I looked around for the guy, no sign of him, just his old stick where he used to hang around. I don't know what happened to the guy, but it's fucked up what they did to the Whiz, I hope he's doing alright. = [[size larger]]♠[[/size]] [[/div]] [[div class="middletext"]] A game of cards can only go on for so long, and a magician can only hold so many up his sleeve. Some people just don't know when to fold them. [[/div]] [[div class="storybookmuse"]] I had a muse once. I must have, for what else could have spawned such heavenly images? Maybe, only a dream, some bittersweet manic vision. But as I gaze upon these tear-stained pages, I taste a faded memory on the tip of my tongue, and know there was something more. If only I were a better artist, maybe I'd remember her face. I wish my hands would remember anything else. [[div class="Picturebook"]] [[image http://scp-sandbox-3.wikidot.com/local--files/collab:stipulation/blurrypicture]] [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="middletext"]] What must it be like to live as a somatic shadow? A mind of its own, adrift from the memories of them, permanently etched on the skin of another, sensations lingering. [[/div]] [[div class="page"]] [[>]] [[span style="filter: blur(5px);"]]00[[/span]]/[[span style="filter: blur(5px);"]]00[[/span]]/[[span style="filter: blur(5px);"]]0000[[/span]] [[/>]] I never understood why folks were opposed to us. The Foundation, I mean, I used to be one of their grunts. Always seemed to me we were doing people a favor, sparing them from the horrors any way we could. The use of amnestics never bothered me, why leave folks traumatized if we could help it? It just made sense. Who would want to remember grandma coming back as a zombie or a vampire eating your dog? (No offense to the undead, of course.) I never understood why you'd //want// to remember until they tried to take my own memories away, one of their own, can you believe it? I mean fuck, I had just seen my entire unit mowed down by by this //thing// my brain couldn't even understand. Something pink with too many angles, I- it hurts to think about. We finally got the bastard, Magnus did. He- sacrificed himself to save me. When reinforcements came I was screaming bloody murder. They immediately wanted to amnesticize me, but I said no. They let it drop after asking a few more times, but eventually they stopped asking me, and started //telling// me. @@ @@ I fought back, and went AWOL. I don't know why I did it, it wasn't really a conscious choice, but I don't regret it for a second. @@ @@ I wish it never happened, you know? I still have nightmares, all these years later. But I never want to forget them. [[/div]] [[div class="middletext"]] A cracked house; a foundation poured of blood, greasing the cogs of a great, uncaring machine that leaves only destruction in its wake. [[/div]] [[div class="storybookgrey"]] ##grey\|The Foundation was my home, a mass of dull concrete and bright flourescents, but a home nonetheless. As a child wrapped in a veil like a warm blanket, secrets were my closest companions. My parents, cogs in a great machine, molded me in the same image, nitrile gloves reminding me of the filter placed on the world to keep it "safe". I was taught good and evil, a binary black and white morality, magic and monsters and those that locked them away. I was taught to fear the dark and those that dwelt within it. I was taught to be cold, to seal all warmth away within. I became gray as the concrete foundations; Foundation through and through. But it was only a masquerade, and all masquerades must end once the clock strikes midnight. In showing our true colors, our own mother locked us away, proclaiming us the darkness that must be held at bay. Though my father claimed to free me, he merely took a part of us for the great machine, a loathful sacrifice that scarred our soul. And though I am now free from it, the Foundation will forever contain a part of us;## ##grey\|I can no longer remember my mother's face.## = [[size larger]]♛[[/size]] [[/div]] @@ @@ Tilda's eyes widened as they read page after page, word after word, forgotten thought after forgotten thought on the pages. A profound feeling of sadness hung over the air, and Tilda looked to their companion for wisdom. "In the Library, the most important rule is that something //must// be shared. That it must not be forgotten as long as there are still those that value knowledge in this world." It was then that the girl revealed herself a storybook queen, a protector of the forgotten, and informed Tilda of her noble mission. What could Tilda do but answer her call? Take the Serpent's Hand? The studious and well-read who spent their time teaching others, not just the mundane knowledge of textbooks and seminars, but of truths lost to the ears of the many. Oh the things Tilda learned! They felt as if they had truly found a place they belonged, and they found that there were those that threatened that place. [[div class="blockquote"]] You see, //they've// always known there was a Library too, those book-burning fascists, those hoarders of knowledge, and they've always //hated//, always strived to prevent others from knowing. In fear they armed themselves with their clockwork propaganda machines, their perversions of cryptomancy, their hemlock cures to minds that have pondered more than //they// allow. All of them, deafening lies. They've cast the world in a veil of mundanity and forced us all to dance along wine-drunk to their sick masquerade. But still, there is the Library. The Library stands far away from it all; an island of truths in an ocean of lies, a tree swaying among endless winds threatening to topple it and return it to the ground. It is here where we come to remember, despite the ceaseless crusade of jailors with the soulless purpose of pruning our memories to fit their hideously astroturfed Garden of Eden. Among the shelves in docents are what was and what is and what shall be, winding and unwinding threads of universes so similar yet so different to our own. It is here we reflect, for although their memories may be wiped from our minds, //they// will never succeed in wiping them from our stories. Long ago there was a snake in a Garden far away from here. Many remember the snake as a deceiver, a tempter, a liar, but we know it was none of those things. Knowledge was hidden from early humans, knowledge that would //make// them human, but forces that play god often nip imperfection in the bud before it can take root. All the snake offered was a choice: A choice for knowledge that would better connect the humans to the world around them, if only they disobeyed their creator and warden to grasp the freedom of choice in their hands. We make hundreds, if not thousands of choices everyday in an attempt to live what we feel are our best lives. The humans made their choice, they were punished, and the snake was cursed to crawl on its stomach ever since. We reject their curse. We reject living on our stomachs under the boots of those in pursuit of some utopia of the mundane. As long as there is knowledge to share, there will always be those that try to hide it and those that try to share it. The denial of knowledge is the denial of one's primal instinct of curiosity, a betrayal of our intuition. Every library must have books, every book an author, and every author a story to tell - through their words or their pens or their blood. When we find those who seek to challenge knowledge, to deny stories, we think back to our common ancestor and the choice they made. This time it's our turn to offer knowledge to those without, to simply offer a choice. If humanity is to ever overthrow the petty gods, the skittish bureaucrats and capitalists and zealots that try to play us as pawns in some pyrrhic game, they have to make a choice, they have to take the Serpent's Hand. [[=]] This is who we are, and this is why we fight. ##green\|//~Tilda Moose//## [[div class="picturebooksnake"]] [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/serpent-s-hand-hub/shlogo3---Cutout2.png ]] [[/div]] [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div class="tillytext"]] Tilda closed their "manifesto" and stood, stretching deeply until their neck cracked. There it was, the culmination of their time at the Serpent's Hand. It already felt like a lifetime ago that they'd acted the part of the rebellious youth, raging against the machine, spouting simplistic platitudes about "free knowledge for all" along with their former Serpent's Hand compatriots. Learning magic and solving the mysteries of the world like some kind of fantasy novel protagonist. Now they could only roll their eyes at how ridiculous they sounded, in comparison to the hard science and concrete of the Foundation. Tilda sat back down and began typing their report, opening manila folders and flipping through ancient forms and reference documents, the musty sweet smell of lignin filling their nostrils. Oh how precious little the Foundation seemed to know about the Hand and the Library -unless they were merely testing Tilda, of course, they could be ever so tedious. Still, better the paranoid jailor than the too trusting rebel, at least that's what they told themself. [[div style="background: url(http://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-great-hippo/SCP_icon%281%29.png) top right no-repeat; color: black; font-family: Courier; font-weight: bold; float: center; border: solid 1px #000000; padding: 5px 15px 15px 15px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2); width: 84%; margin: 2% 4% 4% 4%"]] @@ @@ @@ @@ Nx-01 \| The Wanderers' Library An extradimensional location accessed through an unknown number of extraspatial portals, known as Rosen-Fortune Bridges and colloquially referred to as "Ways", found across the world. The Wanderers' Library is a library of unknown size stated by many to be the largest repository of knowledge in the universe, with some claiming it contains the sum total of //all// knowledge in the multiverse. Although the Foundation has been aware of the Library since the inception of the organization, this awareness was due only to secondhand sources. It wasn't until Director Tilda Moose's defection from the Serpent's Hand to the Foundation that a more concrete understanding of the Library was obtained. The Wanderers' Library is currently uncontainable, both due to the unknown amount of Ways leading to it as well as the resources required to theoretically anchor or sever Nx-01's connection to baseline reality. Instead, the Foundation's current objective is to mute the influence of Nx-01 by controlling the flow of information through the use of amnestics, disinformation campaigns, as well as monitoring staff and patrons that frequent known Ways. Patrons confirmed to originate outside of baseline reality are to be detained and interrogated for information pertaining to Nx-01. Although a comprehensive list of Ways is believed to be impossible, researchers have noted high fluctuations in Hume levels around university libraries, especially those primarily serving anomalous populations (See: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6342 Serena Verdae College]). Library staff, referred to as "Librarians", are split into three categories: Archivists, who relay and spread information from the Library to individuals beyond the extradimensional location, Custodians, responsible for the upkeep of Library facilities, and Seers, oracles that act as guides to patrons within the Library. It is currently unknown whether Librarians are hostile to the Foundation's mission due to inconsistent interactions with all three categories... [[/div]] They did not miss the Hand, but it was no secret that Tilda missed the Library. All those books, all that knowledge, free for the taking if only you were clever enough to find it. Magic and power for anyone to grasp. A veritable paradise. Certainly it'd be useful to have now. Their new position found them drowned letterheads and boxes of files dedicated to what seemed to be the consequences of their wildest dreams. At least in the library they could rest and read a calm story, here there seemed to be nothing but consequences. There were no more stories about good triumphing over evil, brave heroes slaying monsters that threatened the light. They yearned for those stories, the lessons, the exhilarating rush of knowing something that wasn't seen by at least five pairs of eyes before it finally reach Tilda's. Tilda exhaled and ceased their reverie, returning to work. [[div style="background: url(http://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-great-hippo/SCP_icon%281%29.png) top right no-repeat; color: black; font-family: Courier; font-weight: bold; float: center; border: solid 1px #000000; padding: 5px 15px 15px 15px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2); width: 84%; margin: 2% 4% 4% 4%"]] @@ @@ @@ @@ ... Through the use of unique thaumaturgic rituals, colloquially known as "Knocks", individuals can access the greater Library through Ways. Knocks vary between location, with recovered information showing a variety of activation conditions ranging from the mundane to the dangerous to the esoteric. The Serpent's Hand is known to discretely spread information on the location of local Ways and their related Knocks along with basic information on learning thaumaturgy. The following methods have been observed: word of mouth, pamphlets, oneironautics, and graffiti among others, often in proximity to public libraries. Despite replicating these rituals, no individual with affiliation to the Foundation or Global Occult Coalition have been able to achieve access to the greater Library. However, Foundation agents have been able to access Ways due to their existence as locations in the Veil. As such, research on the Wanderers' Library is limited to eyewitness reports and knowledge sharing agreements with cordial Groups of Interest who retain Library access... [[/div]] The Foundation, the Jailors, the enemy, anathema to the Serpent's Hand. It had seemed repulsive how they hid they truth from the world. Like a spark, the talks of resistance led to declarations of war and a call to action. A fire fueled by youthful disdain and energy. An organized raid against the anti-intellectual elite, a mission to 'liberate' the bizarre from their cells. They had their asses absolutely handed to them, all of them killed or captured. //Such a waste.// Tilda had sat in a jail cell for hours, waiting for the end, ready to spit in the face of their captors, to laugh at the simple minds who would never even begin to know the things that Tilda knew. Instead, along came a snake. Tilda heard much about a man like him in the past, a man so dedicated to the cause that he would shun his own daughter if asked. But instead of trying to break them, instead of trying to chip away at the fortitude of youthful defiance, he spoke to Tilda. They imagine his eyes to have slitted pupils, a reminder that it wasn't human to deny the pursuit of knowledge. Despite the platitudes the Hand espouses, dangerous knowledge //does// exist; secrets best not to know, words that can break you, curiosity that kills even a cat. But man ever reaches for what it cannot have: the dangerous, the forbidden, especially those that fancy themselves magicians, guardians of secrets, keeper of mysteries. This is what the man told them, and so Tilda laughed and spat in his face, because this was something they already knew. Then the man told them about their research, and Tilda learned how naive they'd truly been. [[div style="background: url(http://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-great-hippo/SCP_icon%281%29.png) top right no-repeat; color: black; font-family: Courier; font-weight: bold; float: center; border: solid 1px #000000; padding: 5px 15px 15px 15px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2); width: 84%; margin: 2% 4% 4% 4%"]] @@ @@ @@ @@ ... GoI-014 "The Serpent's Hand" is a violent extremist group with the goal of destroying the Veil and providing humanity access to the greater Wanderer's Library. The Serpent's Hand are incredibly hostile to the Foundation and other normalcy organizations, often attempting to achieve their goals through violent means. Attacks on Foundation transports, assaults on personnel, and raids on low-security storage sites are examples of common actions taken by the group, often with the goal of accessing Foundation records or releasing contained anomalies. Actions by the Serpent's Hand are often paired with careless anomalous exposure to local civilian populations, requiring mass amnesticization and misinformation campaigns to resolve. MTF Tau-9 (“Bookworms”) has been created to counter actions by Serpent's Hand cells. Agents are to use extreme prejudice when dealing with threats, and are to prioritize capture or neutralization of rival agents and materials over containing activated anomalies. Access to the Wanderers' Library through the use of captured Serpent's Hand agents has yet to be achieved. [[/div]] For all that the Library was a bastion of free knowledge, there were still locked doors, rules to follow. Mysteries for only the Serpent to know. Tilda thought back to their younger self at those magic shows, and couldn't help but feel a hatred bubbling within them. From the moment they'd learned about the Black Vault they'd felt a void, ##red\| a hunger## within them, aching to taste this knowledge, taboo as it was. But they knew that they'd never be able to safely study it, or in some cases even //remember// it. That was, until the gray man gave them the means to do so, and the knowledge of how to obtain it. Then the man let them go, not with a tracker, not with a mind wiping pill, but with an offer, an apple. And so Tilda ate of the forbidden fruit. A cold breeze cut through the room, causing Tilda to pull their sweater close. A chill of remembrance, albeit clouded by time and amnestics cut through them. With their great sin committed, their hard-won knowledge gained, they were exiled from their paradise, never to return. But the Library would not steal the knowledge from Tilda's head, as doing so would be a betrayal of the very ideals it held. And so they left burdened with glorious knowledge, knowledge that only //they// knew and nobody else. Forbidden knowledge they could exchange for a place that stood in opposition to everything they once believed in, a place that kept knowledge well within its manila and binary walls. While Tilda Moose hated magicians, they found incredible joy in being one. [[/div]] [[=]] [[module rate]] ------ [[[shattered-love\| Shattered Love >>]]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Prismal, AstersQuill]] > Filename: blurry.picture.jpeg > Name: Teodor Axentowicz - Samotna w mieście 1887.jpg > Author: Teodor Axentowicz > License: CC 0 > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Teodor_Axentowicz_-_Samotna_w_mie%C5%9Bcie_1887.jpg LINK] > Additional Notes: Face blurred by [[user AstersQuill]] > Filename:* Pictorial Key to the Tarot Wands 01.jpg > Author: Pamela Colman Smith > License: CC 0 > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pictorial_Key_to_the_Tarot_Wands_01.jpg LINK] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-05-16T17:24:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "bittersweet", "black-queen", "co-authored", "director-moose", "doctor-gears", "eventyr", "fantasy", "mystery", "no-dialogue", "serpents-hand", "slice-of-life", "tale", "wanderers-library" ]	Secrets and Their Keepers - SCP Foundation	31	[ "prismal", "aster-s-forest-grotto", "scp-6342", "shattered-love", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "wanderers-library-hub", "serpent-s-hand-hub", "black-queen-hub" ]	[]	1453674104	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/secrets-and-their-keepers
sedition	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="blockquote"> <p><span style="font-size:larger;"><strong>Field Agent Liam Johnston // Department of Applied Intelligence, WATCHDOG Initiative - Field Report p2. - Operation: ██████ █████</strong></span></p> <p><strong>The Kolyma Gulag <span style="text-decoration: underline;">(August 10th, 1944 - January 9th, 1952)</span>:</strong> A strong contender for one of the worst places to be sent on the planet. I met my good friend Casimir Epureanu there in the gold mines after I arrived following my 'arrest'. He was an infantry officer with the 35th Guards, I think. First Ukraine, then to Romania, onto Prague, finally Vienna, and back again. Though, not quite the heroes welcome he was expecting, I suppose. He told me the SMERSH Officers found out about his brother being huge into Antonescu's Iron Guard, and something else about 'reactionary counterrevolution'—or was it 'espionage'? I couldn't keep track of the reasons anymore. Either way, I got snatched off of the streets on my way back in '44 after embedding in in the Red Army. Unexpectedly, I was only picked up after work by Counterintelligence after my superior (Colonel Boris Avramenko) was arrested for seditious behavior.</p> <p>Ended up in a cell just outside Kharkov. Damp, dank, and full to bursting with more 'malcontents' from every walk of life than I could count. Beyond nightmarish, only comparable to stories about the Third Reich's own concentration camp infrastructure.</p> <p><strong>Escape:</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[ 69.55, 160.96 ]</span> <strong>-</strong> He gave me his journal before we split. Pretty sure he made it out once we reached the river, but we parted ways just after we arrived at the banks. I headed north, and he headed west, back to Moldavia. I doubt he got that far. Either way, I managed to exfiltrate on a fishing boat headed down to Sakhalin. I can't even begin to describe the hellish march under those mountains.</p> <p><strong>Journal:</strong> Casimir kept a good record and what went down with the Psychotronics Division. It starts in 1942 after he got his commission, fighting on the backfoot all the way to Stalingrad. When the war started to go the Soviets way, they could afford to trim the Fifth Column. Casimir got snagged on his way to the train station, said someone pretended to be a soldier from his frontline unit before he was picked up by SMERSH. Unlucky. Got shoved on a train headed to Kolyma, where we eventually met in 1944, and escaped in '52.</p> <p>The contents are mostly irrelevant to the infiltration objectives, but we managed to compile a decent slew of evidence pointing to widespread GRU-P operations all along the northeastern coast of the Union, and much of Siberia. The Gulags act as funnels for resource collection and manpower reserves, though the strife between the 'Brotherhood' and the 'Bitches' hint at something more insidious than merely Psychotronic involvement. Rituals, occult iconography, a lot of meat and murder. The guards won't talk about it, and I couldn't get close enough to the upper class—the big bosses, to ever find anything out. People from that untouchable class showed up dead left, right, and center. Since Casimir was an officer, he immediately caught flak, but lots of those guys banded together when shit got tough. Well, tougher than usual, anyways.</p> <p>I'll elaborate in the debrief. I know the Chief wants words with me when I make it back. Here's hoping they're brief.</p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Interviewed:</strong> Field Agent Liam Johnston</p> <p><strong>Interviewer:</strong> Chief of the Department of Applied Intelligence, Elisenda Obrigón</p> <p><strong>Foreword:</strong> Field Agent Liam Johnston has displayed an altered sense of identity now incongruent with previously understood recollections of his personality. Throughout the interview he appears to be tense, terse, and above all, paranoid. While Chief Elisenda Obrigón is a known acquaintance and mentor to Agent Johnston, whatever previous relationship the two shared professionally does not reflect in the accumulated conversation.</p> <p><strong><Begin Log, 1952/06/23 - 18:45 (Chief Elisenda Obrigón and Agent Liam Johnston are shorthanded to CEO and ALJ respectively.)></strong></p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Starting log. It is currently the 23rd of June, 1952. The interviewer is Chief Obrigón. Please state your name for the record, Agent.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> Liam Alexander Johnston, Field Agent for the Department of Applied Intelligence.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Thank you, Liam. You don't know how good it is to have you back.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> I can tell.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Few agents have the mental fortitude to undergo what you did, Agent. Not many people ever come back from being listed 'MIA'.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> Well. You knew where I was.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Yes, but only roughly. The prison system is too expansive to keep constant track of your status. Tracking you to the gold mines was already putting a strain on more assets than I would care to admit.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> I suppose so.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> We read your report. A bit different from the mainline template I noticed, but the contents were enlightening. Enough so to warrant further investigation.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> There isn't much else to discuss.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> I hope you're joking.</p> <p><strong>There is silence for nearly 15 seconds.</strong></p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Right, well, we wanted to achieve further insight into several points of contention regarding your efforts, and that of the journals writer, Casimir…</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> Epureanu.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Right, thank you. I have a summary of your notarized report here. Cross referencing with the journal, I understand your time spent in the Kolyma Prison was…strenuous, to say the least.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> I would say so.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Your account mirrors other statements made by agents who have undergone similar experiences, I've noticed.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> What, in the GULAG?</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Not always in Soviet camps.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> Sure.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Still, it is important to note.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> I imagine so.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Your recounting of your work for the Red Army leaves us confused as to the nature of your detainment, however, if you care to elaborate.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> How so?</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> You merely state that you were 'snatched'. Care to expound on the subject?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> I had committed a crime. So I was arrested.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> For your association to the Colonel, one Boris Avramenko?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> He was Ukrainian. Got caught up with nationalists. 58-10.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> I'm sorry?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> "Anti-Soviet and counter-revolutionary propaganda and agitation".</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> No doubt such a law was crafted by a very skilled jurist. A very vague basis of prosecution.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> 'Politichesky zakliuchonny'. Political prisoners. Carte blanche, a tool of the regime.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> So what did you get?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> 58-12.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Do I want to know?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> Non-reporter.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Ah. How long was your sentence?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> A year.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> But you…Never mind. Let me ask you something more serious.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> I'm ready.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> I understand your experiences there within involve elements of the Psychotronics Division, the very same organization we would have had you embed in. When did you first begin to suspect their presence in the camp?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> Early in '47, I believe. I managed to overhear a conversation about something to do with Antarctica. Whaling boats, they said, but I doubt it. Either way, those 'whaling boats' got into a clash with something down there<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup>. I only heard this in passing, of course.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> I see. When do you believe your first interaction with one of their operatives was?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> What, face to face?</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> If it was.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> I thought Casimir was a plant, at first. I was scared they knew for a long time. After I realized that nobody was coming for me, I started to trust him more.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> So you never met any other operatives outside of that?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> None that I can confirm or known for certain.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Yet you knowingly encountered many of them in the latter half of '49?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> That wasn't an encounter.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> What would you call it then?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> Something else. Experimentation, or fucking <em>oppression</em>—something to that effect. Never encounter. Not in a way that would let me part from their company alive.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> So what was your personal account of these experiments?</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> You've read the journal, haven't you?</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Of course. While you've vouched for Mister Epure—</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> <em>Lieutenant</em> Epureanu. Everything he wrote in there is a fact of life, Chief.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> You know that we can't take everything at face value, Liam.</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> The 'value' is the ink on the pages. Need me to give an oral statement on the validity of the fucking journal? Here it is, Chief.</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Calm down, Liam, it's an interview, not an interrogation.</p> <p><strong>Agent Johnston becomes visibly agitated.</strong></p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> That's a real blurry line. Listen, okay, I can almost guarantee that I met with a Psychotronics Agent in Kolyma. His name was Captain Petya Vladimirovich Kuznetsov, 115th Tank Brigade. Got caught up in the post-war purges after they found out his father was a Tzarist Officer—58-13, and his wife listened to fucking Wagner a little too close to the window. Want to know what happened to Kuznetsov, Chief?</p> <p><strong>CEO:</strong> Liam—</p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> The guards turned a blind eye when the Brotherhood came calling. Took him to the outhouse, bled him like a pig after they took turns <strong>[DATA EXPUNGED]</strong>. Then they took his body God knows where—but I know what they did. You can smell it on their breath. Nobody else ever got meat, but I know where they got theirs!</p> <p><strong>At this point, Security was alerted to intervene in Conference Room 3A [18:49:13].</strong></p> <p><strong>ALJ:</strong> You read it, didn't you? You know what happened. You have the fucking gall to question him like that? After all that? Eight years I gave for you, for this rotting fucking carcass, and you think I don't know what I saw? It's THERE, I brought it back through time, snow, and enough blood to drown in, you vapid—</p> <p><strong>At this point [18:47:42] Security enters the room, and subdues Agent Johnston. The interview concludes. Chief Obrigón has placed Agent Johnston on inactive status. Refer to file ALJ#023 for further information on the Agent.</strong></p> <p><strong><End Log, 1952/06/23 - 18:48></strong></p> <p><strong>Closing Statement:</strong> Agent Liam Johnston has returned to active duty upon completion of mandatory debriefing and retraining as of <strong>[1952/12/02]</strong>. For his service he has been awarded the Foundation Star, and has received a meritorious promotion to Advisory Specialist posting at Site-46. Intelligence gathering into the GoI GRU-P continues all across the Soviet Bloc. Agent Johnston's insight and intelligence gathering has aided in a breakthrough in the understanding of Soviet Counterintelligence.</p> <p><em>'Lieutenant Casimir Epureanu'</em> has been assigned the Person of Interest designation <strong><em>POI-3034-01</em></strong>.</p> </div> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. Sources gleaned from operatives in D.C. corroborate this with a clash in New Swabia, as reported by Admiral Byrd and his Antarctican Garrison. Further Pentagram documents recovered all but confirm this.</div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[size larger]]Field Agent Liam Johnston // Department of Applied Intelligence, WATCHDOG Initiative - Field Report p2. - Operation: ██████ █████[[/size]] The Kolyma Gulag __(August 10th, 1944 - January 9th, 1952)__: A strong contender for one of the worst places to be sent on the planet. I met my good friend Casimir Epureanu there in the gold mines after I arrived following my 'arrest'. He was an infantry officer with the 35th Guards, I think. First Ukraine, then to Romania, onto Prague, finally Vienna, and back again. Though, not quite the heroes welcome he was expecting, I suppose. He told me the SMERSH Officers found out about his brother being huge into Antonescu's Iron Guard, and something else about 'reactionary counterrevolution'--or was it 'espionage'? I couldn't keep track of the reasons anymore. Either way, I got snatched off of the streets on my way back in '44 after embedding in in the Red Army. Unexpectedly, I was only picked up after work by Counterintelligence after my superior (Colonel Boris Avramenko) was arrested for seditious behavior. Ended up in a cell just outside Kharkov. Damp, dank, and full to bursting with more 'malcontents' from every walk of life than I could count. Beyond nightmarish, only comparable to stories about the Third Reich's own concentration camp infrastructure. Escape: __[ 69.55, 160.96 ]__ - He gave me his journal before we split. Pretty sure he made it out once we reached the river, but we parted ways just after we arrived at the banks. I headed north, and he headed west, back to Moldavia. I doubt he got that far. Either way, I managed to exfiltrate on a fishing boat headed down to Sakhalin. I can't even begin to describe the hellish march under those mountains. Journal: Casimir kept a good record and what went down with the Psychotronics Division. It starts in 1942 after he got his commission, fighting on the backfoot all the way to Stalingrad. When the war started to go the Soviets way, they could afford to trim the Fifth Column. Casimir got snagged on his way to the train station, said someone pretended to be a soldier from his frontline unit before he was picked up by SMERSH. Unlucky. Got shoved on a train headed to Kolyma, where we eventually met in 1944, and escaped in '52. The contents are mostly irrelevant to the infiltration objectives, but we managed to compile a decent slew of evidence pointing to widespread GRU-P operations all along the northeastern coast of the Union, and much of Siberia. The Gulags act as funnels for resource collection and manpower reserves, though the strife between the 'Brotherhood' and the 'Bitches' hint at something more insidious than merely Psychotronic involvement. Rituals, occult iconography, a lot of meat and murder. The guards won't talk about it, and I couldn't get close enough to the upper class--the big bosses, to ever find anything out. People from that untouchable class showed up dead left, right, and center. Since Casimir was an officer, he immediately caught flak, but lots of those guys banded together when shit got tough. Well, tougher than usual, anyways. I'll elaborate in the debrief. I know the Chief wants words with me when I make it back. Here's hoping they're brief. [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] Interviewed: Field Agent Liam Johnston Interviewer: Chief of the Department of Applied Intelligence, Elisenda Obrigón Foreword: Field Agent Liam Johnston has displayed an altered sense of identity now incongruent with previously understood recollections of his personality. Throughout the interview he appears to be tense, terse, and above all, paranoid. While Chief Elisenda Obrigón is a known acquaintance and mentor to Agent Johnston, whatever previous relationship the two shared professionally does not reflect in the accumulated conversation. <Begin Log, 1952/06/23 - 18:45 (Chief Elisenda Obrigón and Agent Liam Johnston are shorthanded to CEO and ALJ respectively.)> CEO: Starting log. It is currently the 23rd of June, 1952. The interviewer is Chief Obrigón. Please state your name for the record, Agent. ALJ: Liam Alexander Johnston, Field Agent for the Department of Applied Intelligence. CEO: Thank you, Liam. You don't know how good it is to have you back. ALJ: I can tell. CEO: Few agents have the mental fortitude to undergo what you did, Agent. Not many people ever come back from being listed 'MIA'. ALJ: Well. You knew where I was. CEO: Yes, but only roughly. The prison system is too expansive to keep constant track of your status. Tracking you to the gold mines was already putting a strain on more assets than I would care to admit. ALJ: I suppose so. CEO: We read your report. A bit different from the mainline template I noticed, but the contents were enlightening. Enough so to warrant further investigation. ALJ: There isn't much else to discuss. CEO: I hope you're joking. There is silence for nearly 15 seconds. CEO: Right, well, we wanted to achieve further insight into several points of contention regarding your efforts, and that of the journals writer, Casimir... ALJ: Epureanu. CEO: Right, thank you. I have a summary of your notarized report here. Cross referencing with the journal, I understand your time spent in the Kolyma Prison was...strenuous, to say the least. ALJ: I would say so. CEO: Your account mirrors other statements made by agents who have undergone similar experiences, I've noticed. ALJ: What, in the GULAG? CEO: Not always in Soviet camps. ALJ: Sure. CEO: Still, it is important to note. ALJ: I imagine so. CEO: Your recounting of your work for the Red Army leaves us confused as to the nature of your detainment, however, if you care to elaborate. ALJ: How so? CEO: You merely state that you were 'snatched'. Care to expound on the subject? ALJ: I had committed a crime. So I was arrested. CEO: For your association to the Colonel, one Boris Avramenko? ALJ: He was Ukrainian. Got caught up with nationalists. 58-10. CEO: I'm sorry? ALJ: "Anti-Soviet and counter-revolutionary propaganda and agitation". CEO: No doubt such a law was crafted by a very skilled jurist. A very vague basis of prosecution. ALJ: 'Politichesky zakliuchonny'. Political prisoners. Carte blanche, a tool of the regime. CEO: So what did you get? ALJ: 58-12. CEO: Do I want to know? ALJ: Non-reporter. CEO: Ah. How long was your sentence? ALJ: A year. CEO: But you...Never mind. Let me ask you something more serious. ALJ: I'm ready. CEO: I understand your experiences there within involve elements of the Psychotronics Division, the very same organization we would have had you embed in. When did you first begin to suspect their presence in the camp? ALJ: Early in '47, I believe. I managed to overhear a conversation about something to do with Antarctica. Whaling boats, they said, but I doubt it. Either way, those 'whaling boats' got into a clash with something down there[[footnote]] Sources gleaned from operatives in D.C. corroborate this with a clash in New Swabia, as reported by Admiral Byrd and his Antarctican Garrison. Further Pentagram documents recovered all but confirm this.[[/footnote]]. I only heard this in passing, of course. CEO: I see. When do you believe your first interaction with one of their operatives was? ALJ: What, face to face? CEO: If it was. ALJ: I thought Casimir was a plant, at first. I was scared they knew for a long time. After I realized that nobody was coming for me, I started to trust him more. CEO: So you never met any other operatives outside of that? ALJ: None that I can confirm or known for certain. CEO: Yet you knowingly encountered many of them in the latter half of '49? ALJ: That wasn't an encounter. CEO: What would you call it then? ALJ: Something else. Experimentation, or fucking //oppression//--something to that effect. Never encounter. Not in a way that would let me part from their company alive. CEO: So what was your personal account of these experiments? ALJ: You've read the journal, haven't you? CEO: Of course. While you've vouched for Mister Epure-- ALJ: //Lieutenant// Epureanu. Everything he wrote in there is a fact of life, Chief. CEO: You know that we can't take everything at face value, Liam. ALJ: The 'value' is the ink on the pages. Need me to give an oral statement on the validity of the fucking journal? Here it is, Chief. CEO: Calm down, Liam, it's an interview, not an interrogation. Agent Johnston becomes visibly agitated. ALJ: That's a real blurry line. Listen, okay, I can almost guarantee that I met with a Psychotronics Agent in Kolyma. His name was Captain Petya Vladimirovich Kuznetsov, 115th Tank Brigade. Got caught up in the post-war purges after they found out his father was a Tzarist Officer--58-13, and his wife listened to fucking Wagner a little too close to the window. Want to know what happened to Kuznetsov, Chief? CEO: Liam-- ALJ: The guards turned a blind eye when the Brotherhood came calling. Took him to the outhouse, bled him like a pig after they took turns [DATA EXPUNGED]. Then they took his body God knows where--but I know what they did. You can smell it on their breath. Nobody else ever got meat, but I know where they got theirs! At this point, Security was alerted to intervene in Conference Room 3A [18:49:13]. ALJ: You read it, didn't you? You know what happened. You have the fucking gall to question him like that? After all that? Eight years I gave for you, for this rotting fucking carcass, and you think I don't know what I saw? It's THERE, I brought it back through time, snow, and enough blood to drown in, you vapid-- At this point [18:47:42] Security enters the room, and subdues Agent Johnston. The interview concludes. Chief Obrigón has placed Agent Johnston on inactive status. Refer to file ALJ#023 for further information on the Agent. <End Log, 1952/06/23 - 18:48> Closing Statement: Agent Liam Johnston has returned to active duty upon completion of mandatory debriefing and retraining as of [1952/12/02]. For his service he has been awarded the Foundation Star, and has received a meritorious promotion to Advisory Specialist posting at Site-46. Intelligence gathering into the GoI GRU-P continues all across the Soviet Bloc. Agent Johnston's insight and intelligence gathering has aided in a breakthrough in the understanding of Soviet Counterintelligence. //'Lieutenant Casimir Epureanu'// has been assigned the Person of Interest designation //POI-3034-01//. [[/div]]	2024-07-26T01:08:00	[ "gru-division-p", "historical", "period-piece", "spy-fiction", "tale" ]	Sedition. - SCP Foundation	8	[]	[ "gru-p-hub" ]	[]	1455952418	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sedition
september-eleven-prequel	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">⚠ Content Warnings and a Message from the Authors ⚠</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">⚠ Content warnings and a message ⚠</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <h3 id="toc0"><span><strong>For our international readers: content warnings and a message</strong></span></h3> <div style="text-align: left;"> <blockquote> <p>From all of us involved in the "Manhattan Crisis" series, this is message and an apology to international readers, especially those who are American.</p> <p>These works involve the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks">September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States</a>. I am certain that some of our overseas readers were victims not only of this incident, but of terrorism in general. If there is a risk of you suffering mental or physical distress from reading these works, we ask that you do not proceed further.</p> <p>The real attacks caused the deaths of 2,977 people of many diverse cultures, including 24 of our own Japanese citizens, and uncountable injuries. As both authors and neighbors, we must continually remind ourselves that 9/11 is as sensitive to you in the US as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki">Hiroshima, Nagasaki</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_nuclear_accident">Fukushima</a> are to us in Japan.</p> <p>The authors wish to use this opportunity to provide our deepest condolences in light of this page. We wish to provide our deepest condolences to the terrorist attacks' victims and our sympathies to affected families. And from then to now, we give our heartfelt gratitude and respect to all heroes worldwide who are hard at work combating terrorism.</p> <p>Last but certainly not least, by using 9/11 as our subject matter, we are using the "Manhattan Crisis" as "the origin of reconciling between the mundane public and paranormal communities" in 1998's alternate history. We hope that this work will further the SCP community's cultural exchanges.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— All authors of Manhattan Crisis<br/> (Head writer: <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/tark-iol" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3538936); return false;"><img alt="Tark_IOL" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=3538936&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043959" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=3538936)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/tark-iol" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3538936); return false;">Tark_IOL</a></span>)</p> </div> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">⚠ Content warnings and a message ⚠</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">⚠ Further Content Warnings and a Message from the Translator ⚠</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">⚠ Content warnings and a message ⚠</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <h3 id="toc1"><span><strong>For EN readers: content warnings and a message</strong></span></h3> <div style="text-align: left;"> <blockquote> <p>This article uses the character Dr. Bright, the creator of which is an alleged abuser. Please read <a href="/bright-list-deletion-message">this message from Site Staff</a> regarding their ban and circumstances that led to it for further information.</p> <p>This article was written in 2020, before the allegations against Bright had emerged. If use of Dr. Bright is potentially triggering for you, please refrain from reading this article, as they appear within it.</p> <p>That being said, I hope you enjoy this article. It is set in a truly fun and interesting canon, which I hope to see get some love on our wiki.</p> <p>Thank you for reading.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>— <span class="printuser"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/uncle-nicolini" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3487700); return false;">Uncle Nicolini</a></span></p> </div> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">⚠ Content warnings and a message ⚠</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <p><strong>Title:</strong> Frenzied Overture<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> ©︎<span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/islandsmaster" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5060201); return false;"><img alt="islandsmaster" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5060201&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043959" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5060201)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/islandsmaster" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5060201); return false;">islandsmaster</a></span><br/> <strong>Year of Publication:</strong> 2020<br/> <strong>Translator:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/uncle-nicolini" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3487700); return false;"><img alt="Uncle Nicolini" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=3487700&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043959" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=3487700)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/uncle-nicolini" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3487700); return false;">Uncle Nicolini</a></span><br/> <strong>Year of Translation:</strong> 2024<br/> <strong>Special Thanks To:</strong> Maxyfran, AstersQuill, DrRevan, Morhadow, FlyPurgatorio, Lemonsense, RadiantGold, and everyone in the 1998 Discord chat for being so great. :)</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <p>That day, the immigration officer was busy with his duties after numerous flights arrived.</p> <p>The number of aircraft arriving at and departing from Logan International Airport was increasing, and the number of quarantine and baggage inspectors was not keeping pace. The airport staff was already overloaded with the workload, and the simple increase was just too much to handle.</p> <p>Right now, right before his eyes, there were three people conversing in a language that was probably Chinese, and one of them clearly looked like a 15-foot walking Buddha statue. One has <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-2478">multiple arms and heads</a>, each covered with a colorful cloth. The last one was amorphous and oozing some sort of purple-looking gas.</p> <p>"I uh…"</p> <p>He clammed up, trying to figure out how to point out the discrepancy between the fact that their passports were stamped with their departure stamp from Japan and the fact that there was no record in the system of their boarding and disembarking process for all of them.</p> <p>The first problem was that he was unfamiliar with the Chinese language, and the second problem was that he was even more unfamiliar with non-humans (whether this was appropriate to call them that was a matter of constant debate over the past three years). The third problem was that he had to compare the passport photo with the actual passenger's face for immigration purposes, and there was no way he could tell the difference between a sculpture or a gaseous creature's face.</p> <p>While he was struggling, one of the passengers seemed to realize the gravity of the situation. She began pointing with multiple arms simultaneously at a single head, apparently trying to indicate that it was the face registered on the passport.</p> <p>The buzzer of the metal detector blared. He looked over to see an indignant old man and a fellow immigration inspector engaged in a shouting match. The old man's raised right arm was shiny and dull, and was clearly a machine from the elbow down. In addition, its adhesive surface was apparently adhered to the machine, making it impossible to remove.</p> <p>A long line had already formed behind the counter. He tried to call the person in charge anyway, while brainstorming for the umpteenth time about the hopelessly low efficiency of passenger processing. He hoped that his boss was not overworked and asleep at his desk in his office.</p> <p>"Sorry, sorry, sorry! Let me through, I'm from the government. We'll take care of these folks! They're guests of the government."</p> <p>You could say it's the norm these days to be rescued by the Men in Black. The man in the customary black suit and sunglasses quickly approached from behind the screening counter and gave instructions to the three strange tourists with strange gestures, making vivid moves. The customs agent stamped permit entry stamps on all three of their passports.</p> <p>"Sorry, it's a glitch in the system. They couldn't get on the plane as passengers - they wouldn't fit in the seats. I'm trying to get the companies to develop a recording system for passengers in the cargo hold. Anyway, I am proud of your excellent work ethic, keep up the good work. Keep up the good work, and if they do a good job of addressing the UN General Assembly, you might even get a Medal of Merit. Bye!"</p> <p>The Federal Bureau of Investigation agent dutifully left, followed by the outsiders. The seven-headed aberration curtsying apologetically was so strongly etched in his brain that the immigration officer shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of the abominable memory.</p> <p>He shook his head and said, "Hey, can you hurry this up? I don't have all day."</p> <p>"I'm sorry. Go ahead."</p> <p>In response to the beckoning, the next passenger enters the booth. This time it was definitely a human. He rubs his tired eyes and checks the brand new passport. Departure records in Riyadh, Tunis, Moscow, and Hong Kong. A young Arab. His name is Eastern European. British citizenship.</p> <p>It's a strange combination, but compared to what you just saw, it doesn't seem suspicious. The world is a diverse place, after all.</p> <p>"You must be having a hard time dealing with all these idiots."</p> <p>"Hmm? Oh, that just now. It is what it is. The world has changed."</p> <p>The <a href="http://scp-jp.wikidot.com/sc-99-734-01-506">man</a>, who spoke in a whisper, had an oddly high-pitched voice. Above the low bridge of his nose, his small eyes gleamed.</p> <p>Since the incident three years ago, many people have had their fair share of curiosity and reservations about the strange beings that have appeared in public society. Particularly among young people, there is a strong acceptance of 'psychics' and 'mutants.' Others ostracize them for religious reasons, direct interests, or simply out of fear or hatred.</p> <p>Is this guy also in that category? The tone in his voice is one of contempt.</p> <p>"Not much of a throwaway though, is it? I found out that my colleague's wife is a lamia, and she finally invited me to her house the other day. And I thought it was beautiful. It's true that my colleague's proclivities are a little debatable, but—"</p> <p>"That's not what I'm talking about. I'm just asking if it's strange."</p> <p>"Uh, well, I'm sorry, I don't like to talk about that kind of thing. Are you in Boston on a sightseeing trip?"</p> <p>"I'm visiting … I'm here on business, managing imports."</p> <p>The passenger, who was in an evidently foul mood, became silent.</p> <p>He ran a data inquiry just to be sure, but there was no problem. No prior record, no surveillance. All clear. Even if there was some ideological bias, the United States is a free country. If they committed no crime, there is no reason to stop them.</p> <p>"You haven't registered a return ticket, but your residence permit is only available until September 11th. Do you have any plans to purchase it by then?"</p> <p>"It won't be a problem."</p> <p>"Hmm… you can go. Have a nice trip."</p> <p>There is no response even if he called out to him. The man leaves the booth, snatching away the passport he held out.</p> <p>"There is no need for a return flight."</p> <p>His mutterings were drowned out by the airport's hustle and bustle and did not reach the ears of the examiner.</p> <p>Even if he had heard them, there would have been nothing he could have done.</p> <hr/> <p>That day, the boy lay with swollen cheeks in a dumpster piled high with snack food wrappers in a back alley, looking up at the narrow sky.</p> <p>His right hand was weakly clenched, pulling in and out as a result of a tug-of-war of equal parts anger and humiliation. The cut cheek meat tasted like blood and salt. The feeling of peeling skin was creepy, and the boy clicked his tongue lightly.</p> <p>The cell phone he held in his left hand was blacked out, flickering unnaturally at times and displaying messages vaguely. His innovative attempt to apply his powers to his aunt's cell phone had failed spectacularly, and it had been reduced to a piece of junk with no idea what bulletin board it's connected to — a violation of the state's radio law.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <blockquote> <p><strong>:</strong> I think wanting Superman to be real is a natural reaction when you're a kid. But as you grow up, that feeling goes away.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>:</strong> So, you know, it's okay to be scared. I think so too. I mean, what's the point of having static electricity coming out of your fingertips? It doesn't do any good, people look at you funny, and that's it.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>:</strong> But isn't it just as well to be pissed off about it and want to do it? Why shouldn't I fight back? There are only idiots at school. Nobody understands. Not even the guys here.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>:</strong> For Christ's sake.</p> </blockquote> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>Overcome with a sense of defeat, the boy sits up.</p> <p>A passenger plane takes off low in the narrow field of view cut off by skyscrapers. The Manhattan sky is cloudier than ever. It seems that some religious group is trying to submerge Staten Island in a series of demonstrations to appeal to the threat of environmental destruction by praying for rain. He felt melancholy as he recalled the previous day, when he went to peek at them praying desperately, and saw several of his classmates imitating their prayer rituals, laughing in the classroom.</p> <p>It is not as if everyone fears what is different from them. If anything, they tease, mock, and belittle them away. If you ask them why, they won't tell you. They just do the same thing. Make more friends.</p> <p>He didn't like anything about it. He got so pissed off for no reason that he left school today. He was sick of being so weak that he couldn't even fight back, but if he were to zap them, he'll get kicked out of the district.</p> <p>He didn't know what to do.</p> <p>Suddenly, he noticed a brand-new flyer that had been thrown away mixed in with the dirty wrappers. The black-and-white layout looked like an old-fashioned Catholic church poster. Instead of a cross, however, it depicted a single gear train assembled with a hammer and an anvil.</p> <blockquote> <p>A new church in Manhattan will hold an opening ceremony.<br/> Local residents welcome to attend. No religious affiliation is required.<br/> After the priest's homily and a joint ceremony of the three denominations, each denomination will hold a prayer service to pray for the peace and development of the denomination and the community.<br/> Responsible for the event will be the Diocesan United Priest, Father <a href="http://scp-jp.wikidot.com/scp-1518-jp">Nathan Fillmore</a>.<br/> The inauguration date is September 11.</p> </blockquote> <p>The strength had already left his right hand. He vaguely held the piece of paper in his hand and looked at it. The simplified logo of a mallet striking an anvil looked a little like that glorious silhouette he had once seen in bed, when he first saw the sparks flowing from his fingertips.</p> <p>He felt just a little bit better, then shoved the flyer into the right pocket of his jacket and slowly got up. Whether he gets dinner today depends on whether he can get this phone to work properly.</p> <p>He walked away slowly. At least at this point, he had a <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/system:page-tags/tag/jude-kriyot#pages" target="_blank">name</a> which he would shyly call himself.</p> <p>bluntfiend does not exist. Not yet. What the future holds is ultimately unknown, and he has his own challenges at hand.</p> <hr/> <p>That day, Jack Bright was at work when he suddenly noticed one of the dozens of new emails in his email folder and clicked on it.</p> <p>The sender's name makes it hard to believe that he was able to get through SCiPNET's initial registration without any problems, and his stiff lips loosen a little from his eighth day at work.<br/> However, the content itself was not very good. Bright naturally found himself half-blinded at the content, which was sure to increase his workload.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="email-example"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Do you want to connect to SCiPNET Emails? You have (1) new message! </a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Re:Boring Expedition</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="email"> <div class="tofrom"> <p><strong>To:</strong> Alto Fxxx H Clef<br/> <strong>From:</strong> Jack Bright - <span style="color: steelblue">Site - 19 Human Resources</span><br/> <strong>Subject:</strong> Boring Expedition</p> </div> <hr/> <p>Hello Clef.</p> <p>I don't know how Jones approved this username. Anyway, congratulations on your promotion. Before I go any further, I should tell you that I am not in charge of complaints about your new post, so please don't write me on that sort of subject.</p> <p>The NY bureau chief of the media strategy department is horribly intransigent and hard to talk to. As of now, there is zero chance that your trip to the UN General Assembly is going away. Not only you, but we too are aware of the risk this imposes, yet can’t do much about it, so keep your schedule open for the first half of September. Do not leave Idaho.</p> <p>My boss is afraid you’re going to start a K-class scenario just so you can skip the speech, so he’s decided to put me on as a babysitter. Not a good choice, but anyway, I look forward to seeing you again in a month.</p> <p>I've attached some files. Since the GOC has banned you from within 50 km of the UN headquarters building, you'll need a lot of paperwork for an exception. Give it up and complete the <strong>full</strong> biometrics in four days, at the latest.</p> <p>Your friend, Jack.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> P.S. My gender is <em>currently</em> male, as this information is needed in many ways.</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span class="blinkbar-nagi">New Messages!</span></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div class="email"> <div class="tofrom"> <p><strong>To:</strong> Jack Bright - <span style="color: steelblue">Site - 19 Human Resources</span><br/> <strong>From:</strong> Alto Fxxx H Clef<br/> <strong>Subject:</strong> Re:Boring Expedition</p> </div> <hr/> <p>Fuck you.</p> <p>This is the fourth time I've sent a report on how bad Payette is, but Command doesn't seem to be listening. Thanks to them, I've got three dozen task forces chasing a coven of beastman druids. Cog's idiot daughter is getting better at covering her tracks by the day, and the Wilson's guide is a total softy — it's giving me a headache.</p> <p>I couldn't even open half of the rotten papers in the crappy communication environment we have here. If you really intend to make them meet that damned filing deadline, tell the stoners at Site-64 to get their asses in gear. At least New Meadows doesn't have a standard line yet, and the pubs close at 8pm.</p> <p>I have much more to say than a bunch of bug-eating maple slices who want to make my feet fucking unstable, but if you want to force me into Airbus first class, there's only one thing you need to do. Open a direct line to Midtown right now and file a complaint in plain text." Alto [REDACTED], [REDACTED], [REDACTED], Clef's speech contains 13 gossip items about the Secretary General's romantic history and the resolution of specific problems in the running of the organization, okay?", okay, in plain text. Don't encrypt it. That way, it all gets resolved.</p> <p>I don't care what your gender is, but if you don't forget a large bottle of rum or cognac, I'll at least pretend to be your friend. But in separate hotel rooms.</p> <p>Clef— Fucking adventurer in the National Park of Madness, Superman, pathetic errand boy.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>It appeared that one of his immediate concerns had been shelved. He would have a few more days to deal with the arrow-shaped urgencies for late submission of clearance documents that had been languishing at the bottom of his mailbox.</p> <p>With a sigh, Bright jots down on a notepad next to his desk the contact information for the Director of Site-64 Task Forces. He passes it to a colleague talking on the phone at the next table. Ignoring his frustration, he gestures, "Appointment, phone, long hours, responsible person." He nods, apparently on hold on the phone for quite a while, and pulls out his work cell phone, leaving the handset clipped to his shoulder.</p> <p>Bright looked at the mailbox again. He looked at the simple input form, pondered for a moment, then began typing.</p> <p>The sooner you respond, the better, especially if you don't know when the mailbox will be opened.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="email-example"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">You are connected to SCiPNET Emails! (62) incoming messages.</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Re:Re:Boring Expedition</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="email"> <div class="tofrom"> <p><strong>To:</strong> Alto Fxxx H Clef<br/> <strong>From:</strong> Jack Bright - <span style="color: steelblue">Site - 19 Human Resources</span><br/> <strong>Subject:</strong> Re:Re:Boring Expedition</p> </div> <hr/> <p>Dear Clef,</p> <p>I regret your situation and will speak with Site-64. However, I would also like you to consider Commander Johnson's position. In this chronic manpower shortage, his project with me is even seen as very personal in the US Command. In his view, he has given us plenty of manpower.</p> <p>The situation has changed somewhat since my last email. Since then, the Global Occult Coalition has softened its attitude a bit. The amount of paperwork has not changed much, but the dates are much less binding. However, I have to be in New York on September 11, so you should hurry up and take over my duties.</p> <p>We will issue the airline tickets. The Immigration Department is about to embark on official regulation of inter-nexus travel, and the airlines are wary of issuing new quotas to the Foundation. The bad news is that it's going to be a gamble whether or not we get you Business Class, but it's the only thing I can do. I hope you'll be patient with me.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p>He shook his head after having written so much. Not good for an increasingly grumpy old friend who should be more patient.</p> <p>A document was quietly added next to Bright's email, but it wasn't until he finished replying that he realized it and stuck his head in the sand.</p> <p>The paperwork is usually like this, and the Foundation cannot escape the paperwork either.</p> <hr/> <p>That day, a girl and her small animal companion were thrown into the middle of the desert.</p> <p>The sun was in full swing and little by little it was burning the world.</p> <p>The temperature was clearly over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The sweat that poured out evaporated as soon as it came into contact with the dry air outside, and the sunlight reflected off the burnt white desert sand, obscuring the view.</p> <p>It is an uninhabitable whitish wasteland.</p> <p>The desert area, which covers approximately 80% of Nevada, has remained abandoned and untouched by farms from the days of the Wild West.</p> <p>Abandoned concrete buildings stand sporadically on the open plains, where the occasional hot wind blows sand into the air.</p> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/black-queen-hub">A girl dressed all in black</a> was sitting at one of the entrances, shielding herself from the harsh sunlight.</p> <p>"…What could be in a place like this?"</p> <p>"Well, I don't know".</p> <p>An extreme environment of less than 10% humidity that does not even allow sweat to flow.</p> <p>The sharp voice of the beast responded to the girl, who looked on the roof of the building and muttered vaguely.</p> <p>On a section where the peeling wallpaper has worn away and mixed with the sand, a dusty shadow plays with a scorpion.</p> <p>It is a small animal resembling a Fennec fox, with the ears trapped in the clamps of a large scorpion, from which it shakes without too much pain.</p> <p>The creature, of strange appearance, long and large ears, white fur with some purple touch and red eyes, speaks English, as it should be. He also speaks with a pronounced Queens accent.</p> <p>"My skills can't limit your teleportation. Are you sure this is your world? You've never moved so far from the baseline, but you've gone to similar places many times."</p> <p>"I don't know. But the portal was normal. That druid assured me about the meaning of where I was going. He said this place is important."</p> <p>"I think I've said this before, but I think you should have given a little more thought as to why deer-headed druids live hidden in the mountains of Idaho. I'm referring to the possibility that you are referring to a lie."</p> <p>"We don't talk about it anymore, at least it helped me escape the Foundation."</p> <p>She hears the sarcasm in its voice with indifference. After three days here, the girl no longer had time to seriously consider her partner's opinion.</p> <p>The gales would last a few more days. To avoid sunshine, the search would have to wait until night. Fortunately, the coyotes don't seem to be nearing these parts. Nothing interfered with the young woman's nightlife and her little animal. Except the meddling agents.</p> <p>"Someone's watching you, Alison. Run."</p> <p>The young girl obediently followed her companion's warning and headed for the back of the building. The small animal jumped up, headed for the exit of the building, took in the sun and shivered. A tuft of silver fur on its back shimmered, indicating to Alison that he had performed some sort of thaumaturgy.</p> <p>A blinking flashpoint passed over the abandoned nuclear test zone for a brief moment and then quickly disappeared.</p> <p>"What have you seen?"</p> <p>"Probably a reconnaissance plane. I'm not sure if it's from the government or the Coalition.'</p> <p>"Isn't it from the Foundation?"</p> <p>"I'm not familiar with them. My memory is failing, because I don't remember their customs."</p> <p>"If they don't realize we're here, that's fine. We'll stay hidden until dusk."</p> <p>"All right. I hope you find what you're looking for: given your journey so far, maybe a portal to where you'll go next."</p> <p>"I hope so".</p> <p>Shaking her shoulders, the girl pulled a blanket out of her backpack. The blanket, a gift from a friend she met at the Library and who called herself Pan, had a constant temperature and used to give a little heat. In this desert, however, it was malleable. At least she didn't have to worry about suffering a collapse from sunshine during the day or death frozen at night.</p> <p>"Hey, Hexa".</p> <p>"Hm?"</p> <p>The girl, curled up on a ragged sofa in a room built with pieces of dried mold dancing around her, turned her brown eyes to her partner.</p> <p>"When will I find my father?"</p> <p>"It's time to consider the paradox."</p> <p>Looking closely at the sky, the little animal responds quietly.</p> <p>"You must not find yourself. A small accident has messed up the timeline and you have to solve your paradox. You skewed about -81.2° spacially."</p> <p>"I can't bear to be locked up in the Library. Just like when I was little.'</p> <p>"Understandable. Anyway, 9/11 is a turning point. If anything is going to happen, it's going to be on that specific day. Because the Library's prophecies are usually fulfilled."</p> <p>The magical being, with the fur on its back slightly bristled, does not look at his companion.</p> <p>In times like these, he needs some time alone.</p> <p>"Good night, Alison. I'll wake you before it gets dark. You'll be walking all night, so you need to rest first."</p> <p>There was no answer. All he could hear was her twisting and posturing, and after a while, he could hear her breathing in her sleep.</p> <p>The little animal keeps looking up at the sky.</p> <p>He has long lost human sensibility, and many of Alison's concerns are indifferent to him. So he has to follow his experience and intuition and do his best.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><em><a href="http://scp-int.wikidot.com/goi2015-saiga">I want to protect the world in which I lived.</a></em></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>It was always his raison d'etre.</p> <hr/> <p>That day, Assistant Secretary General Celesta was sitting in her office, in front of some information that she found terribly cumbersome to handle.</p> <p>Two projector screens rose in front of her, and on the rough, bluish picture-quality screen she saw two men, one middle-aged, with white skin and drooping eyebrows, and the other a young man with dark skin and hawkish eyes.</p> <p>"Then…"</p> <p>Quietly, Celesta was joining the reports of the two sides in her brain.</p> <p>Thanks to this extraordinary skill, she was appointed very young Undersecretary General of the Global Occult Coalition, and now plays the important role of acting in the absence of the Secretary-General.</p> <p>"So, here's what's going on. Marshall, Carter and Dark are introducing paratechnology in and around Afghanistan in quantities several times higher than what our own Middle East intelligence services understand, and the United States are completely silent about it?"</p> <p>"Not only that, Undersecretary General. In conflict zones, MC&D's commercial arms branch openly engages in mercenary activities. It calls itself a private military company, offers mercenary packages and operational technology for military technology, and is establishing a new form of trade. It poses a serious threat to the normality of the region."</p> <p>Thus reports the young Kabul district chief of the Global Occult Coalition, responding to the code name of Oud, gloomier than ever.</p> <p>Although Celesta found it difficult to deal with this Kurd, who was equally intelligent and offensive to everyone, it was also clear that the man had shown his best hand in one of the most pressing issues, the Afghanistan sector.</p> <p>Along with his report, new material is presented. The Prometheus Laboratories' own high-speed communications system has received an unusually long list of transactions, confirming that the paranormal company of British origin and long tradition has completely transformed itself into a merchant of death.</p> <p>Celesta acknowledges another obvious headache: sanctions against MC&D will not be easy. They remain headquartered in Western Europe, including the UK, and are one of the main players in their own jurisdiction.</p> <p>She had even shaken hands with six-year-old Iris Dark in public since that abhorrent incident three years ago. There are not many experiences as humiliating as that one.</p> <p>"Currently, the biggest challenge in the Afghan sector is to maintain security. In this regard, the report of Major General Noriega is interesting. The militants' power structure in the region has changed dramatically and the exodus of fighters has accelerated. Hasn't it?"</p> <p>"In relation to the north-eastern part of the United States of America, which is under my jurisdiction, the conclusion is that … it is very interesting, and a natural consequence of the increased demand for dispatch fighters by MC&D. Obviously, there are traces of thaumaturges in good condition and influential, technicians expert in the production of paratechnology and trained guerrillas who escape outside their original areas of operation around the world, and a considerable number that enters North America."</p> <p>"A kind of master plan?"</p> <p>"It is unknown, and because it is unknown, it is also true that they exist. Normally, it would be impossible for them to act in such an organized way. For starters, they don't have that ability. Then we have to find out the entity that provided them with that capacity."</p> <p>Noriega, now huffing and puffing, is one of the senior officers leading the North American branch of the PHYSICS Division. Judging by the creaking ambient noise behind him, is probably in his comfortable Boston office, leaning all his weight on a chair and flipping through a stack of random papers. He is not bothered by Oud’s obvious discomfort and stretches his obese back slightly.</p> <p>"Even leaving aside the cumbersome deals, sharing material with the Foundation had its advantages. We got to know a lot of people outside the ORIA who could make plausible moves in cases like this, you know?"</p> <p>"If you refer to the Insurgency, the conclusion is too hasty."</p> <p>Celesta already knows the truth.</p> <p>The devil knows more because she is old than because she is the devil.</p> <p>"The current President of the United States is in favor of the Foundation and despises the influence of the UN. ‘Our permanent voice is being thwarted… anyway. Shouldn't we see this as an opportunity, Undersecretary?"</p> <p>"The Secretary General is in office and only leaves her headquarters to attend the UN General Assembly. We ask you to refrain from making inappropriate statements."</p> <p>Interrupting the old man with a sticky smile, Celesta turns to the screen where Oud lies contemplative. The young head of the regional office seems to have written on his face the desire to hang up the call as soon as possible.</p> <p>Serving as a protective shield against the discomfort of being surrounded by colleagues lacking social and oversocialized skills, Celesta orders you to keep your orders.</p> <p>"District Chief, please prepare a report on the perceptions of each organization in the Kabul region regarding the Chaos Insurgency. The deadline is four days. If possible, expand the report to all of Afghanistan and to the organizations key of the four surrounding countries, including the ORIA. The allocation of resources is free—"</p> <p>"It shall take two days; it shall be sent in the appropriate format within 50 hours. Until then."</p> <p>The call was abruptly cut. An expression of exasperation appeared on her face before drowning her quickly; Noriega was clearly trying to contain a laugh, and he almost failed to do so.</p> <p>However, that smile was also erased by Celesta's next words.</p> <p>"Major General Noriega will share all the information with the Foundation's North American Command on the current situation. Talk to the U.S. government to tighten immigration controls. However, make sure there are no delays in the inspection process itself."</p> <p>"What the hell, Celesta? You want us to abandon our information supremacy on the Foundation?"</p> <p>"I'm sorry, but that's not important now, General."</p> <p>Driven by the desire to videotape the expression of the old man's astonishment, Celesta concludes her speech in one fell swoop.</p> <p>"The current UN General Assembly is the most important issue for the Coalition, as it demands integration into the international community with the recognition of several important suprastates and ambassadorial speeches. The image of the Coalition and Al Fine is at stake. The failure of the UN General Assembly is unacceptable: a political struggle is always possible, but not to give in to the threat of paranormal terrorism. The Foundation is no longer the enemy."</p> <p>They say goodbye and the communication is cut off.</p> <p>Noriega is a lynx. For whatever reason, minimal superiority of information is ensured on its own initiative.</p> <p>He is a man who only does what is necessary, when necessary, and within the limits that do not violate higher orders. The fight against terrorism and the resultant paperwork must be left up to him.</p> <p>Suddenly, she looks out the window and sees a silver wing that crosses under the oblique sun of the District of Columbia.</p> <p>Will it be a plane descending on Dulles? She hopes there are no terrorists in it.</p> <p>She shakes her head and starts checking the rest of her work. It's certainly hard to have a good boss.</p> <hr/> <p>That day, after a long flight, a young woman took off her seat belt and gave a small stretch.</p> <p>Dulles International Airport is the gateway to Washington DC. Visitors to the political heart of the United States, the National Capital Region, arrive here without distinction of race or nationality.</p> <p>And now non-humans also use the airport openly.</p> <p>A young woman sits in the rest area, watching with interest the commotion at the quarantine station. Three extremely hairy, human-like beings crowd before the quarantine officer in broken English, apparently trying to explain their diplomatic privileges.<br/> A whitish figure with slightly lighter hair with its arms crossed behind it is apparently a high-ranking being, who somehow gracefully sips coffee on one of the two pairs of arms.</p> <p>The crowd of onlookers who had stood at some distance around her gawked at the long, broad tongue of a hairy, black-colored being, who was probably a commissar or something, shouting loudly about the great Third Empire. To the girl it seemed more than ridiculous: for all intents and purposes, the bird-like people in front of her seemed to have nothing to do with the Nazis<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup>.</p> <p>"There you are, Charlotte".</p> <p>A burly man approached the girl. The girl felt even more ridiculous - she told him she was Charlotte! The man said it with such a straight face that it was hard not to burst out laughing. The code name had not been notified in advance, so it must have been devised by the local cell.</p> <p>"Hey, Kiriakov, are you really gonna call me that?"</p> <p>"Now my name is Erich".</p> <p>The girl was seriously on the verge of exploding at the response blurted out by a man whose entire body was gray. Erich! You can tell he's of German descent, for God's sake! That's the worst code name you can give a full-blooded Ukrainian-Russian. She likes his name and the local cell in New York has good taste. He looked very angry.</p> <p>"All right, Uncle Erich. You mean the family, right? Where are you taking me after this?"</p> <p>"Go straight to the apartment. In Deanwood. Leave the luggage, get ready, then go pray.'</p> <p>"Heh. Did you find a good place of worship? I prefer one with a view to the sky to practice."</p> <p>"Of course. Thaumaturges are all reasonable. If you need anything else, please take note of it."</p> <p>The girl had no idea how on earth this GRU-trained agent, who never changed his expression for a moment, had been selected to cover for her. As usual, Command makes a mess of the details. That's why the Foundation and GOC beat them easily, but since both are busy with other matters these days, they let them do whatever they want.</p> <p>"Wait a minute. I haven't picked up my luggage yet… um…"</p> <p>She looked around. For a girl who is not yet an adult, the airport posters are not the easiest to read.</p> <p>Luckily for her, an airport employee pushing a large number of carts passed in front of her.</p> <p>"Oh, I'm sorry, sir. What platform are we on?"</p> <p>"Hm? This is the G-lane, but you're alone, young lady. It's easy to get lost here. You got company?"</p> <p>"It's okay, Uncle Erich is there. He needs to practice his English."</p> <p>"It's a relief to have an adult close; DC doesn't have many tourist attractions, but guests are always welcome."</p> <p>"Really? Looks like a very nice place. Besides, after my uncle's business is over, we might go to New York."</p> <p>"That's great, it's very crowded there these days, but it's a fun city. Give Erich some fond memories."</p> <p>The girl smiles and waves him goodbye as he pushes the cart with a smile and waves to her in response.</p> <p>Suddenly she felt a presence behind her. A tension so palpable it could be cut with a knife.</p> <p>"Can't you at least hide your murderous intentions? This is an airport."</p> <p>"Leaking classified information is punishable by death. The rules of command are probably etched into your brain."</p> <p>"The switch is unresponsive. A bomb in your brain that you don't know the conditions of detonation would only be a distraction, wouldn't it? I'm just checking the conditions, that's it."</p> <p>"We can't risk the plan being exposed. Therefore, unnecessary conversations with civilians are forbidden. That directive goes above a Teal Agent’s,<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-2" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-2')">2</a></sup> that means you."</p> <p>"Yes, yes".</p> <p>With an exaggerated pretense of dismay at the stiff babysitter, the girl headed for the turntable. Luckily, she quickly found what she was looking for. She found a large, tightly wrapped package, and after confirming that it matched the tag on the back of her passport, she quickly unwrapped it. Soon, a carry-on bag, slightly larger than the girl's body, appeared. It was printed with ice cream and polka dots all over, a pop girlish touch.</p> <p>Happily smiling, the girl, who is now called Charlotte, heads towards Erich, who waits in the back.</p> <p>The handbag print has taken off a little, showing a drawing inside covered with a sticker.</p> <p>It is the same color as the seal of the exterior, but with a slightly different pattern.</p> <p>The pattern was neither of ice cream nor polka-dots, but of <em>cupcakes</em>.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>"September 11, huh? It's going to be fun."</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>Like a little girl on her birthday, waiting for a toy to be bought.</p> <p>She happily crosses the airport gates and <a href="http://ci-wiki.wikidot.com/hime-akumu" target="_blank">the Nightmare</a><sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-3" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-3')">3</a></sup> unfolds upon the city.</p> <p>No one at the Foundation, the Coalition - let alone the government - knew it.</p> <p>An avalanche of things. Chaos is looming. Only the repetitive, twisted and segmented cells connect the fragments and assemble their nebulous contours.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> The day of madness was still a long way off.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="Operation Callisto"> <p><a href="/sc-99-734-01-506">Operation Callisto</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="Frenzied Overture"> <p><a href="/">Frenzied Overture</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Manhattan Dimensional Collapse; GOC Intervention Imminent?"> <p><a href="/koigarezaki-news-911-1998-ver">Manhattan Dimensional Collapse; GOC Intervention Imminent?</a></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. <strong><span style="color: red">TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:</span></strong> In this text there is no distinction between the Third Reich and Third empire.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-2"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-2')">2</a>. <strong><span style="color: red">TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:</span></strong> A Teal Agent is a ranking within the Chaos Insurgency.</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-3"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-3')">3</a>. <strong><span style="color: red">TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:</span></strong> In Japanese, "nightmare" is "悪夢", or "akumu", which is the character's name. This is an instance of wordplay based on the character's name and the Japanese language.</div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/september-eleven-prequel">Frenzied Overture</a>" by islandsmaster, translated by Uncle Nicolini, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/september-eleven-prequel">https://scpwiki.com/september-eleven-prequel</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:manhattan-crisis">:scp-wiki:theme:manhattan-crisis</a>]] [[module CSS]] .email-example .collapsible-block-folded a.collapsible-block-link { animation: blink 0.8s ease-in-out infinite alternate; } @keyframes blink { 0% { color: transparent; } 50%, 100% { color: #b01; } } .email {border: solid 2px #000000; width: 88%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.5)} .email-example a.collapsible-block-link {font-weight: bold;} .tofrom {margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 1px 15px; border-left: solid 3px maroon} #page-content .blinkbar-nagi {color: red;font-size:125%; animation: blink 1.5s infinite; letter-spacing: -0.13em;}@keyframes blink{to{opacity: .0;}}@keyframes flicker {0% {opacity: 0.9890; }5% {opacity: 0.5842; }10% {opacity: 0.9865; }20% {opacity: 0.0412; }20% {opacity: 0.6255; }25% {opacity: 0.3157; }30% {opacity: 0.7328; }35% {opacity: 0.4654; }40% {opacity: 0.9128; }45% {opacity: 0.2449; }50% {opacity: 0.5485; }55% {opacity: 0.6438; }60% {opacity: 0.1180; }65% {opacity: 0.9085; }70% {opacity: 0.0266; }75% {opacity: 0.6795; }80% {opacity: 0.7812; }85% {opacity: 0.0117; }90% {opacity: 0.2239; }95% {opacity: 0.8897; }100% {opacity: 0.2260; }}@keyframes overlay-anim {0% {visibility: hidden; }10% {visibility: hidden; }11% {visibility: visible; }50% {visibility: hidden; }100% {visibility: hidden; }} [[/module]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] [[collapsible show="⚠ Content Warnings and a Message from the Authors ⚠" hide="⚠ Content warnings and a message ⚠" hideLocation="both"]] +++ For our international readers: content warnings and a message [[<]] > From all of us involved in the "Manhattan Crisis" series, this is message and an apology to international readers, especially those who are American. > > These works involve the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States]. I am certain that some of our overseas readers were victims not only of this incident, but of terrorism in general. If there is a risk of you suffering mental or physical distress from reading these works, we ask that you do not proceed further. > > The real attacks caused the deaths of 2,977 people of many diverse cultures, including 24 of our own Japanese citizens, and uncountable injuries. As both authors and neighbors, we must continually remind ourselves that 9/11 is as sensitive to you in the US as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki Hiroshima, Nagasaki] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_nuclear_accident Fukushima] are to us in Japan. > > The authors wish to use this opportunity to provide our deepest condolences in light of this page. We wish to provide our deepest condolences to the terrorist attacks' victims and our sympathies to affected families. And from then to now, we give our heartfelt gratitude and respect to all heroes worldwide who are hard at work combating terrorism. > > Last but certainly not least, by using 9/11 as our subject matter, we are using the "Manhattan Crisis" as "the origin of reconciling between the mundane public and paranormal communities" in 1998's alternate history. We hope that this work will further the SCP community's cultural exchanges. > > [[>]] > -- All authors of Manhattan Crisis > (Head writer: [[user Tark_IOL]]) > [[/>]] [[/<]] [[/collapsible]] [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] [[collapsible show="⚠ Further Content Warnings and a Message from the Translator ⚠" hide="⚠ Content warnings and a message ⚠" hideLocation="both"]] +++ For EN readers: content warnings and a message* [[<]] > > This article uses the character Dr. Bright, the creator of which is an alleged abuser. Please read [[[bright-list-deletion-message\|this message from Site Staff]]] regarding their ban and circumstances that led to it for further information. > > This article was written in 2020, before the allegations against Bright had emerged. If use of Dr. Bright is potentially triggering for you, please refrain from reading this article, as they appear within it. > > That being said, I hope you enjoy this article. It is set in a truly fun and interesting canon, which I hope to see get some love on our wiki. > > Thank you for reading. > > [[>]] > -- [[user Uncle Nicolini]] > [[/>]] [[/<]] [[/collapsible]] [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] Title: Frenzied Overture Author: ©︎[[user islandsmaster]] Year of Publication:* 2020 Translator: [[user Uncle Nicolini]] Year of Translation:* 2024 Special Thanks To: Maxyfran, AstersQuill, DrRevan, Morhadow, FlyPurgatorio, Lemonsense, RadiantGold, and everyone in the 1998 Discord chat for being so great. :) [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] That day, the immigration officer was busy with his duties after numerous flights arrived. The number of aircraft arriving at and departing from Logan International Airport was increasing, and the number of quarantine and baggage inspectors was not keeping pace. The airport staff was already overloaded with the workload, and the simple increase was just too much to handle. Right now, right before his eyes, there were three people conversing in a language that was probably Chinese, and one of them clearly looked like a 15-foot walking Buddha statue. One has [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-2478 multiple arms and heads], each covered with a colorful cloth. The last one was amorphous and oozing some sort of purple-looking gas. "I uh..." He clammed up, trying to figure out how to point out the discrepancy between the fact that their passports were stamped with their departure stamp from Japan and the fact that there was no record in the system of their boarding and disembarking process for all of them. The first problem was that he was unfamiliar with the Chinese language, and the second problem was that he was even more unfamiliar with non-humans (whether this was appropriate to call them that was a matter of constant debate over the past three years). The third problem was that he had to compare the passport photo with the actual passenger's face for immigration purposes, and there was no way he could tell the difference between a sculpture or a gaseous creature's face. While he was struggling, one of the passengers seemed to realize the gravity of the situation. She began pointing with multiple arms simultaneously at a single head, apparently trying to indicate that it was the face registered on the passport. The buzzer of the metal detector blared. He looked over to see an indignant old man and a fellow immigration inspector engaged in a shouting match. The old man's raised right arm was shiny and dull, and was clearly a machine from the elbow down. In addition, its adhesive surface was apparently adhered to the machine, making it impossible to remove. A long line had already formed behind the counter. He tried to call the person in charge anyway, while brainstorming for the umpteenth time about the hopelessly low efficiency of passenger processing. He hoped that his boss was not overworked and asleep at his desk in his office. "Sorry, sorry, sorry! Let me through, I'm from the government. We'll take care of these folks! They're guests of the government." You could say it's the norm these days to be rescued by the Men in Black. The man in the customary black suit and sunglasses quickly approached from behind the screening counter and gave instructions to the three strange tourists with strange gestures, making vivid moves. The customs agent stamped permit entry stamps on all three of their passports. "Sorry, it's a glitch in the system. They couldn't get on the plane as passengers - they wouldn't fit in the seats. I'm trying to get the companies to develop a recording system for passengers in the cargo hold. Anyway, I am proud of your excellent work ethic, keep up the good work. Keep up the good work, and if they do a good job of addressing the UN General Assembly, you might even get a Medal of Merit. Bye!" The Federal Bureau of Investigation agent dutifully left, followed by the outsiders. The seven-headed aberration curtsying apologetically was so strongly etched in his brain that the immigration officer shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of the abominable memory. He shook his head and said, "Hey, can you hurry this up? I don't have all day." "I'm sorry. Go ahead." In response to the beckoning, the next passenger enters the booth. This time it was definitely a human. He rubs his tired eyes and checks the brand new passport. Departure records in Riyadh, Tunis, Moscow, and Hong Kong. A young Arab. His name is Eastern European. British citizenship. It's a strange combination, but compared to what you just saw, it doesn't seem suspicious. The world is a diverse place, after all. "You must be having a hard time dealing with all these idiots." "Hmm? Oh, that just now. It is what it is. The world has changed." The [http://scp-jp.wikidot.com/sc-99-734-01-506 man], who spoke in a whisper, had an oddly high-pitched voice. Above the low bridge of his nose, his small eyes gleamed. Since the incident three years ago, many people have had their fair share of curiosity and reservations about the strange beings that have appeared in public society. Particularly among young people, there is a strong acceptance of 'psychics' and 'mutants.' Others ostracize them for religious reasons, direct interests, or simply out of fear or hatred. Is this guy also in that category? The tone in his voice is one of contempt. "Not much of a throwaway though, is it? I found out that my colleague's wife is a lamia, and she finally invited me to her house the other day. And I thought it was beautiful. It's true that my colleague's proclivities are a little debatable, but--" "That's not what I'm talking about. I'm just asking if it's strange." "Uh, well, I'm sorry, I don't like to talk about that kind of thing. Are you in Boston on a sightseeing trip?" "I'm visiting ... I'm here on business, managing imports." The passenger, who was in an evidently foul mood, became silent. He ran a data inquiry just to be sure, but there was no problem. No prior record, no surveillance. All clear. Even if there was some ideological bias, the United States is a free country. If they committed no crime, there is no reason to stop them. "You haven't registered a return ticket, but your residence permit is only available until September 11th. Do you have any plans to purchase it by then?" "It won't be a problem." "Hmm... you can go. Have a nice trip." There is no response even if he called out to him. The man leaves the booth, snatching away the passport he held out. "There is no need for a return flight." His mutterings were drowned out by the airport's hustle and bustle and did not reach the ears of the examiner. Even if he had heard them, there would have been nothing he could have done. ---- That day, the boy lay with swollen cheeks in a dumpster piled high with snack food wrappers in a back alley, looking up at the narrow sky. His right hand was weakly clenched, pulling in and out as a result of a tug-of-war of equal parts anger and humiliation. The cut cheek meat tasted like blood and salt. The feeling of peeling skin was creepy, and the boy clicked his tongue lightly. The cell phone he held in his left hand was blacked out, flickering unnaturally at times and displaying messages vaguely. His innovative attempt to apply his powers to his aunt's cell phone had failed spectacularly, and it had been reduced to a piece of junk with no idea what bulletin board it's connected to -- a violation of the state's radio law. @@ @@ > : I think wanting Superman to be real is a natural reaction when you're a kid. But as you grow up, that feeling goes away. > : So, you know, it's okay to be scared. I think so too. I mean, what's the point of having static electricity coming out of your fingertips? It doesn't do any good, people look at you funny, and that's it. > : But isn't it just as well to be pissed off about it and want to do it? Why shouldn't I fight back? There are only idiots at school. Nobody understands. Not even the guys here. > : For Christ's sake. @@ @@ Overcome with a sense of defeat, the boy sits up. A passenger plane takes off low in the narrow field of view cut off by skyscrapers. The Manhattan sky is cloudier than ever. It seems that some religious group is trying to submerge Staten Island in a series of demonstrations to appeal to the threat of environmental destruction by praying for rain. He felt melancholy as he recalled the previous day, when he went to peek at them praying desperately, and saw several of his classmates imitating their prayer rituals, laughing in the classroom. It is not as if everyone fears what is different from them. If anything, they tease, mock, and belittle them away. If you ask them why, they won't tell you. They just do the same thing. Make more friends. He didn't like anything about it. He got so pissed off for no reason that he left school today. He was sick of being so weak that he couldn't even fight back, but if he were to zap them, he'll get kicked out of the district. He didn't know what to do. Suddenly, he noticed a brand-new flyer that had been thrown away mixed in with the dirty wrappers. The black-and-white layout looked like an old-fashioned Catholic church poster. Instead of a cross, however, it depicted a single gear train assembled with a hammer and an anvil. > A new church in Manhattan will hold an opening ceremony. > Local residents welcome to attend. No religious affiliation is required. > After the priest's homily and a joint ceremony of the three denominations, each denomination will hold a prayer service to pray for the peace and development of the denomination and the community. > Responsible for the event will be the Diocesan United Priest, Father [http://scp-jp.wikidot.com/scp-1518-jp Nathan Fillmore]. > The inauguration date is September 11. The strength had already left his right hand. He vaguely held the piece of paper in his hand and looked at it. The simplified logo of a mallet striking an anvil looked a little like that glorious silhouette he had once seen in bed, when he first saw the sparks flowing from his fingertips. He felt just a little bit better, then shoved the flyer into the right pocket of his jacket and slowly got up. Whether he gets dinner today depends on whether he can get this phone to work properly. He walked away slowly. At least at this point, he had a [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/system:page-tags/tag/jude-kriyot#pages name] which he would shyly call himself. bluntfiend does not exist. Not yet. What the future holds is ultimately unknown, and he has his own challenges at hand. ---- That day, Jack Bright was at work when he suddenly noticed one of the dozens of new emails in his email folder and clicked on it. The sender's name makes it hard to believe that he was able to get through SCiPNET's initial registration without any problems, and his stiff lips loosen a little from his eighth day at work. However, the content itself was not very good. Bright naturally found himself half-blinded at the content, which was sure to increase his workload. @@ @@ [[div class="email-example"]] [[=]] [[collapsible show="Do you want to connect to SCiPNET Emails? You have (1) new message! " hide="Re:Boring Expedition"]] @@ @@ [[<]] [[div class="email"]] [[div class="tofrom"]] To:* Alto Fxxx H Clef From: Jack Bright - ##steelblue\|Site - 19 Human Resources## Subject: Boring Expedition [[/div]] ------ Hello Clef. I don't know how Jones approved this username. Anyway, congratulations on your promotion. Before I go any further, I should tell you that I am not in charge of complaints about your new post, so please don't write me on that sort of subject. The NY bureau chief of the media strategy department is horribly intransigent and hard to talk to. As of now, there is zero chance that your trip to the UN General Assembly is going away. Not only you, but we too are aware of the risk this imposes, yet can’t do much about it, so keep your schedule open for the first half of September. Do not leave Idaho. My boss is afraid you’re going to start a K-class scenario just so you can skip the speech, so he’s decided to put me on as a babysitter. Not a good choice, but anyway, I look forward to seeing you again in a month. I've attached some files. Since the GOC has banned you from within 50 km of the UN headquarters building, you'll need a lot of paperwork for an exception. Give it up and complete the full biometrics in four days, at the latest. Your friend, Jack. @@ @@ P.S. My gender is //currently// male, as this information is needed in many ways. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[=]] [[span class="blinkbar-nagi"]]New Messages![[/span]] [[/=]] @@ @@ [[div class="email"]] [[div class="tofrom"]] To: Jack Bright - ##steelblue\|Site - 19 Human Resources## From: Alto Fxxx H Clef Subject: Re:Boring Expedition [[/div]] ------ Fuck you. This is the fourth time I've sent a report on how bad Payette is, but Command doesn't seem to be listening. Thanks to them, I've got three dozen task forces chasing a coven of beastman druids. Cog's idiot daughter is getting better at covering her tracks by the day, and the Wilson's guide is a total softy -- it's giving me a headache. I couldn't even open half of the rotten papers in the crappy communication environment we have here. If you really intend to make them meet that damned filing deadline, tell the stoners at Site-64 to get their asses in gear. At least New Meadows doesn't have a standard line yet, and the pubs close at 8pm. I have much more to say than a bunch of bug-eating maple slices who want to make my feet fucking unstable, but if you want to force me into Airbus first class, there's only one thing you need to do. Open a direct line to Midtown right now and file a complaint in plain text." Alto [REDACTED], [REDACTED], [REDACTED], Clef's speech contains 13 gossip items about the Secretary General's romantic history and the resolution of specific problems in the running of the organization, okay?", okay, in plain text. Don't encrypt it. That way, it all gets resolved. I don't care what your gender is, but if you don't forget a large bottle of rum or cognac, I'll at least pretend to be your friend. But in separate hotel rooms. Clef-- Fucking adventurer in the National Park of Madness, Superman, pathetic errand boy. [[/div]] [[/<]] [[/collapsible]] [[/=]] [[/div]] @@ @@ It appeared that one of his immediate concerns had been shelved. He would have a few more days to deal with the arrow-shaped urgencies for late submission of clearance documents that had been languishing at the bottom of his mailbox. With a sigh, Bright jots down on a notepad next to his desk the contact information for the Director of Site-64 Task Forces. He passes it to a colleague talking on the phone at the next table. Ignoring his frustration, he gestures, "Appointment, phone, long hours, responsible person." He nods, apparently on hold on the phone for quite a while, and pulls out his work cell phone, leaving the handset clipped to his shoulder. Bright looked at the mailbox again. He looked at the simple input form, pondered for a moment, then began typing. The sooner you respond, the better, especially if you don't know when the mailbox will be opened. @@ @@ [[div class="email-example"]] [[=]] [[collapsible show="You are connected to SCiPNET Emails! (62) incoming messages." hide="Re:Re:Boring Expedition"]] @@ @@ [[<]] [[div class="email"]] [[div class="tofrom"]] To: Alto Fxxx H Clef From: Jack Bright - ##steelblue\|Site - 19 Human Resources## Subject: Re:Re:Boring Expedition [[/div]] ------ Dear Clef, I regret your situation and will speak with Site-64. However, I would also like you to consider Commander Johnson's position. In this chronic manpower shortage, his project with me is even seen as very personal in the US Command. In his view, he has given us plenty of manpower. The situation has changed somewhat since my last email. Since then, the Global Occult Coalition has softened its attitude a bit. The amount of paperwork has not changed much, but the dates are much less binding. However, I have to be in New York on September 11, so you should hurry up and take over my duties. We will issue the airline tickets. The Immigration Department is about to embark on official regulation of inter-nexus travel, and the airlines are wary of issuing new quotas to the Foundation. The bad news is that it's going to be a gamble whether or not we get you Business Class, but it's the only thing I can do. I hope you'll be patient with me. [[/div]] [[/<]] [[/collapsible]] [[/=]] [[/div]] @@ @@ He shook his head after having written so much. Not good for an increasingly grumpy old friend who should be more patient. A document was quietly added next to Bright's email, but it wasn't until he finished replying that he realized it and stuck his head in the sand. The paperwork is usually like this, and the Foundation cannot escape the paperwork either. ---- That day, a girl and her small animal companion were thrown into the middle of the desert. The sun was in full swing and little by little it was burning the world. The temperature was clearly over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The sweat that poured out evaporated as soon as it came into contact with the dry air outside, and the sunlight reflected off the burnt white desert sand, obscuring the view. It is an uninhabitable whitish wasteland. The desert area, which covers approximately 80% of Nevada, has remained abandoned and untouched by farms from the days of the Wild West. Abandoned concrete buildings stand sporadically on the open plains, where the occasional hot wind blows sand into the air. [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/black-queen-hub A girl dressed all in black] was sitting at one of the entrances, shielding herself from the harsh sunlight. "...What could be in a place like this?" "Well, I don't know". An extreme environment of less than 10% humidity that does not even allow sweat to flow. The sharp voice of the beast responded to the girl, who looked on the roof of the building and muttered vaguely. On a section where the peeling wallpaper has worn away and mixed with the sand, a dusty shadow plays with a scorpion. It is a small animal resembling a Fennec fox, with the ears trapped in the clamps of a large scorpion, from which it shakes without too much pain. The creature, of strange appearance, long and large ears, white fur with some purple touch and red eyes, speaks English, as it should be. He also speaks with a pronounced Queens accent. "My skills can't limit your teleportation. Are you sure this is your world? You've never moved so far from the baseline, but you've gone to similar places many times." "I don't know. But the portal was normal. That druid assured me about the meaning of where I was going. He said this place is important." "I think I've said this before, but I think you should have given a little more thought as to why deer-headed druids live hidden in the mountains of Idaho. I'm referring to the possibility that you are referring to a lie." "We don't talk about it anymore, at least it helped me escape the Foundation." She hears the sarcasm in its voice with indifference. After three days here, the girl no longer had time to seriously consider her partner's opinion. The gales would last a few more days. To avoid sunshine, the search would have to wait until night. Fortunately, the coyotes don't seem to be nearing these parts. Nothing interfered with the young woman's nightlife and her little animal. Except the meddling agents. "Someone's watching you, Alison. Run." The young girl obediently followed her companion's warning and headed for the back of the building. The small animal jumped up, headed for the exit of the building, took in the sun and shivered. A tuft of silver fur on its back shimmered, indicating to Alison that he had performed some sort of thaumaturgy. A blinking flashpoint passed over the abandoned nuclear test zone for a brief moment and then quickly disappeared. "What have you seen?" "Probably a reconnaissance plane. I'm not sure if it's from the government or the Coalition.' "Isn't it from the Foundation?" "I'm not familiar with them. My memory is failing, because I don't remember their customs." "If they don't realize we're here, that's fine. We'll stay hidden until dusk." "All right. I hope you find what you're looking for: given your journey so far, maybe a portal to where you'll go next." "I hope so". Shaking her shoulders, the girl pulled a blanket out of her backpack. The blanket, a gift from a friend she met at the Library and who called herself Pan, had a constant temperature and used to give a little heat. In this desert, however, it was malleable. At least she didn't have to worry about suffering a collapse from sunshine during the day or death frozen at night. "Hey, Hexa". "Hm?" The girl, curled up on a ragged sofa in a room built with pieces of dried mold dancing around her, turned her brown eyes to her partner. "When will I find my father?" "It's time to consider the paradox." Looking closely at the sky, the little animal responds quietly. "You must not find yourself. A small accident has messed up the timeline and you have to solve your paradox. You skewed about -81.2° spacially." "I can't bear to be locked up in the Library. Just like when I was little.' "Understandable. Anyway, 9/11 is a turning point. If anything is going to happen, it's going to be on that specific day. Because the Library's prophecies are usually fulfilled." The magical being, with the fur on its back slightly bristled, does not look at his companion. In times like these, he needs some time alone. "Good night, Alison. I'll wake you before it gets dark. You'll be walking all night, so you need to rest first." There was no answer. All he could hear was her twisting and posturing, and after a while, he could hear her breathing in her sleep. The little animal keeps looking up at the sky. He has long lost human sensibility, and many of Alison's concerns are indifferent to him. So he has to follow his experience and intuition and do his best. @@ @@ //[http://scp-int.wikidot.com/goi2015-saiga I want to protect the world in which I lived.]// @@ @@ It was always his raison d'etre. ---- That day, Assistant Secretary General Celesta was sitting in her office, in front of some information that she found terribly cumbersome to handle. Two projector screens rose in front of her, and on the rough, bluish picture-quality screen she saw two men, one middle-aged, with white skin and drooping eyebrows, and the other a young man with dark skin and hawkish eyes. "Then..." Quietly, Celesta was joining the reports of the two sides in her brain. Thanks to this extraordinary skill, she was appointed very young Undersecretary General of the Global Occult Coalition, and now plays the important role of acting in the absence of the Secretary-General. "So, here's what's going on. Marshall, Carter and Dark are introducing paratechnology in and around Afghanistan in quantities several times higher than what our own Middle East intelligence services understand, and the United States are completely silent about it?" "Not only that, Undersecretary General. In conflict zones, MC&D's commercial arms branch openly engages in mercenary activities. It calls itself a private military company, offers mercenary packages and operational technology for military technology, and is establishing a new form of trade. It poses a serious threat to the normality of the region." Thus reports the young Kabul district chief of the Global Occult Coalition, responding to the code name of Oud, gloomier than ever. Although Celesta found it difficult to deal with this Kurd, who was equally intelligent and offensive to everyone, it was also clear that the man had shown his best hand in one of the most pressing issues, the Afghanistan sector. Along with his report, new material is presented. The Prometheus Laboratories' own high-speed communications system has received an unusually long list of transactions, confirming that the paranormal company of British origin and long tradition has completely transformed itself into a merchant of death. Celesta acknowledges another obvious headache: sanctions against MC&D will not be easy. They remain headquartered in Western Europe, including the UK, and are one of the main players in their own jurisdiction. She had even shaken hands with six-year-old Iris Dark in public since that abhorrent incident three years ago. There are not many experiences as humiliating as that one. "Currently, the biggest challenge in the Afghan sector is to maintain security. In this regard, the report of Major General Noriega is interesting. The militants' power structure in the region has changed dramatically and the exodus of fighters has accelerated. Hasn't it?" "In relation to the north-eastern part of the United States of America, which is under my jurisdiction, the conclusion is that ... it is very interesting, and a natural consequence of the increased demand for dispatch fighters by MC&D. Obviously, there are traces of thaumaturges in good condition and influential, technicians expert in the production of paratechnology and trained guerrillas who escape outside their original areas of operation around the world, and a considerable number that enters North America." "A kind of master plan?" "It is unknown, and because it is unknown, it is also true that they exist. Normally, it would be impossible for them to act in such an organized way. For starters, they don't have that ability. Then we have to find out the entity that provided them with that capacity." Noriega, now huffing and puffing, is one of the senior officers leading the North American branch of the PHYSICS Division. Judging by the creaking ambient noise behind him, is probably in his comfortable Boston office, leaning all his weight on a chair and flipping through a stack of random papers. He is not bothered by Oud’s obvious discomfort and stretches his obese back slightly. "Even leaving aside the cumbersome deals, sharing material with the Foundation had its advantages. We got to know a lot of people outside the ORIA who could make plausible moves in cases like this, you know?" "If you refer to the Insurgency, the conclusion is too hasty." Celesta already knows the truth. The devil knows more because she is old than because she is the devil. "The current President of the United States is in favor of the Foundation and despises the influence of the UN. ‘Our permanent voice is being thwarted... anyway. Shouldn't we see this as an opportunity, Undersecretary?" "The Secretary General is in office and only leaves her headquarters to attend the UN General Assembly. We ask you to refrain from making inappropriate statements." Interrupting the old man with a sticky smile, Celesta turns to the screen where Oud lies contemplative. The young head of the regional office seems to have written on his face the desire to hang up the call as soon as possible. Serving as a protective shield against the discomfort of being surrounded by colleagues lacking social and oversocialized skills, Celesta orders you to keep your orders. "District Chief, please prepare a report on the perceptions of each organization in the Kabul region regarding the Chaos Insurgency. The deadline is four days. If possible, expand the report to all of Afghanistan and to the organizations key of the four surrounding countries, including the ORIA. The allocation of resources is free--" "It shall take two days; it shall be sent in the appropriate format within 50 hours. Until then." The call was abruptly cut. An expression of exasperation appeared on her face before drowning her quickly; Noriega was clearly trying to contain a laugh, and he almost failed to do so. However, that smile was also erased by Celesta's next words. "Major General Noriega will share all the information with the Foundation's North American Command on the current situation. Talk to the U.S. government to tighten immigration controls. However, make sure there are no delays in the inspection process itself." "What the hell, Celesta? You want us to abandon our information supremacy on the Foundation?" "I'm sorry, but that's not important now, General." Driven by the desire to videotape the expression of the old man's astonishment, Celesta concludes her speech in one fell swoop. "The current UN General Assembly is the most important issue for the Coalition, as it demands integration into the international community with the recognition of several important suprastates and ambassadorial speeches. The image of the Coalition and Al Fine is at stake. The failure of the UN General Assembly is unacceptable: a political struggle is always possible, but not to give in to the threat of paranormal terrorism. The Foundation is no longer the enemy." They say goodbye and the communication is cut off. Noriega is a lynx. For whatever reason, minimal superiority of information is ensured on its own initiative. He is a man who only does what is necessary, when necessary, and within the limits that do not violate higher orders. The fight against terrorism and the resultant paperwork must be left up to him. Suddenly, she looks out the window and sees a silver wing that crosses under the oblique sun of the District of Columbia. Will it be a plane descending on Dulles? She hopes there are no terrorists in it. She shakes her head and starts checking the rest of her work. It's certainly hard to have a good boss. ---- That day, after a long flight, a young woman took off her seat belt and gave a small stretch. Dulles International Airport is the gateway to Washington DC. Visitors to the political heart of the United States, the National Capital Region, arrive here without distinction of race or nationality. And now non-humans also use the airport openly. A young woman sits in the rest area, watching with interest the commotion at the quarantine station. Three extremely hairy, human-like beings crowd before the quarantine officer in broken English, apparently trying to explain their diplomatic privileges. A whitish figure with slightly lighter hair with its arms crossed behind it is apparently a high-ranking being, who somehow gracefully sips coffee on one of the two pairs of arms. The crowd of onlookers who had stood at some distance around her gawked at the long, broad tongue of a hairy, black-colored being, who was probably a commissar or something, shouting loudly about the great Third Empire. To the girl it seemed more than ridiculous: for all intents and purposes, the bird-like people in front of her seemed to have nothing to do with the Nazis[[footnote]] ##red\|TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:## In this text there is no distinction between the Third Reich and Third empire.[[/footnote]]. "There you are, Charlotte". A burly man approached the girl. The girl felt even more ridiculous - she told him she was Charlotte! The man said it with such a straight face that it was hard not to burst out laughing. The code name had not been notified in advance, so it must have been devised by the local cell. "Hey, Kiriakov, are you really gonna call me that?" "Now my name is Erich". The girl was seriously on the verge of exploding at the response blurted out by a man whose entire body was gray. Erich! You can tell he's of German descent, for God's sake! That's the worst code name you can give a full-blooded Ukrainian-Russian. She likes his name and the local cell in New York has good taste. He looked very angry. "All right, Uncle Erich. You mean the family, right? Where are you taking me after this?" "Go straight to the apartment. In Deanwood. Leave the luggage, get ready, then go pray.' "Heh. Did you find a good place of worship? I prefer one with a view to the sky to practice." "Of course. Thaumaturges are all reasonable. If you need anything else, please take note of it." The girl had no idea how on earth this GRU-trained agent, who never changed his expression for a moment, had been selected to cover for her. As usual, Command makes a mess of the details. That's why the Foundation and GOC beat them easily, but since both are busy with other matters these days, they let them do whatever they want. "Wait a minute. I haven't picked up my luggage yet... um..." She looked around. For a girl who is not yet an adult, the airport posters are not the easiest to read. Luckily for her, an airport employee pushing a large number of carts passed in front of her. "Oh, I'm sorry, sir. What platform are we on?" "Hm? This is the G-lane, but you're alone, young lady. It's easy to get lost here. You got company?" "It's okay, Uncle Erich is there. He needs to practice his English." "It's a relief to have an adult close; DC doesn't have many tourist attractions, but guests are always welcome." "Really? Looks like a very nice place. Besides, after my uncle's business is over, we might go to New York." "That's great, it's very crowded there these days, but it's a fun city. Give Erich some fond memories." The girl smiles and waves him goodbye as he pushes the cart with a smile and waves to her in response. Suddenly she felt a presence behind her. A tension so palpable it could be cut with a knife. "Can't you at least hide your murderous intentions? This is an airport." "Leaking classified information is punishable by death. The rules of command are probably etched into your brain." "The switch is unresponsive. A bomb in your brain that you don't know the conditions of detonation would only be a distraction, wouldn't it? I'm just checking the conditions, that's it." "We can't risk the plan being exposed. Therefore, unnecessary conversations with civilians are forbidden. That directive goes above a Teal Agent’s,[[footnote]] ##red\|TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:## A Teal Agent is a ranking within the Chaos Insurgency. [[/footnote]] that means you." "Yes, yes". With an exaggerated pretense of dismay at the stiff babysitter, the girl headed for the turntable. Luckily, she quickly found what she was looking for. She found a large, tightly wrapped package, and after confirming that it matched the tag on the back of her passport, she quickly unwrapped it. Soon, a carry-on bag, slightly larger than the girl's body, appeared. It was printed with ice cream and polka dots all over, a pop girlish touch. Happily smiling, the girl, who is now called Charlotte, heads towards Erich, who waits in the back. The handbag print has taken off a little, showing a drawing inside covered with a sticker. It is the same color as the seal of the exterior, but with a slightly different pattern. The pattern was neither of ice cream nor polka-dots, but of //cupcakes//. @@ @@ "September 11, huh? It's going to be fun." @@ @@ Like a little girl on her birthday, waiting for a toy to be bought. She happily crosses the airport gates and [http://ci-wiki.wikidot.com/hime-akumu the Nightmare][[footnote]] ##red\|TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:##* In Japanese, "nightmare" is "悪夢", or "akumu", which is the character's name. This is an instance of wordplay based on the character's name and the Japanese language. [[/footnote]] unfolds upon the city. No one at the Foundation, the Coalition - let alone the government - knew it. An avalanche of things. Chaos is looming. Only the repetitive, twisted and segmented cells connect the fragments and assemble their nebulous contours. @@ @@ The day of madness was still a long way off. @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> first=false \| last=false \| hub=yes \| previous-url=/sc-99-734-01-506 \| previous-title=Operation Callisto \| next-url=/koigarezaki-news-911-1998-ver \| next-title=Manhattan Dimensional Collapse; GOC Intervention Imminent? \| hub-url=/ \| hub-title=Frenzied Overture \| ]] @@ @@ [[footnoteblock]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=islandsmaster, translated by Uncle Nicolini]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-04-21T17:34:00	[ "_jp", "_licensebox", "black-queen", "broken-god", "chaos-insurgency", "dc-al-fine", "doctor-bright", "doctor-clef", "global-occult-coalition", "international", "jude-kriyot", "tale", "unusual-incidents-unit" ]	Frenzied Overture - SCP Foundation	21	[ "bright-list-deletion-message", "scp-2478", "system:page-tags/tag/jude-kriyot#pages", "black-queen-hub", "sc-99-734-01-506", "koigarezaki-news-911-1998-ver", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "unconditional-love-hub", "1998-911-hub", "goc-hub-page", "church-of-the-broken-god-hub", "chaos-insurgency-hub", "black-queen-hub", "scp-international" ]	[]	1453405112	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/september-eleven-prequel
shattered-love	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com//local--code/theme:queen-s-gambit/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p>A part of me fell for Tilda the moment I caught sight of them: Nose deep in a book, brows furrowed, hair tucked behind their ears just so, all the while idly rolling a coin across their knuckles. As soon as I caught myself staring, I realized I'd fallen in love. So, of course, I just had to go and make a fool of myself.</p> <p>I've never been the forward type. With every crush I can recall, there'd never been a time I'd made the first move. I always froze in fear, doomed to stasis by the thought of what could go wrong. What if I stuttered my words? What if I said the wrong thing? What if they weren't into girls? What if they were already dating someone? What if they hated me for asking? What if? What if? What if?</p> <p>I didn't approach Tilda that first time I saw them, or the second, or the third. It was so much easier to admire from afar and let that be the end of it. If I never got close I could never hurt them or be hurt. Never mar a beautiful picture. It was better that way, safer. Given the choice I'd have remained an observer, never a participant.</p> <p>But I'm not always myself.</p> <p>One day, the image became hazy, dreamlike. Before I knew it, I was opposite that stoic beauty, confidently chatting them up. For once, their eyes flicked up from their book <em>Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom</em> and deigned to look my way. Their inquisitive gaze piercing the odd girl, eyebrow raised inquisitively, or perhaps in annoyance at the interruption. A part of me deep down freezes in panic and dread, but unfortunately, my mouth opens all the same.</p> <p><span style="color: red"><em>Wow, I pulled the Lovers card this morning, but I didn't know you'd be so beautiful.</em></span></p> <p>They blink, and then their expression changes to what I assume is exasperation. <em>Have you been practicing that one in the mirror?</em></p> <p>Suddenly, the scene feels all too real. I turn beet red, and excuse myself, their gaze too intense to bear, hiding away in a nook where nobody would find me. By all means that should have been the end of it.</p> <p>But then I happen to sign myself up for a class they were in.</p> <p>When I see them walk in the door, I stoop in my seat, hoping beyond hope that they don't notice me, that I can fade into the background. That hope is dashed immediately. Our first assignment is a group project, we are assigned partners at random. Mine is Tilda Moose.</p> <p>They approach me, I'm too embarrassed to speak, and can feel myself blushing. I pray to any deity that'll have me that they don't discern the awkward girl who disturbed their peace.</p> <p><em>So… Read anything interesting in the cards lately?</em></p> <p>My face turns several shades redder.</p> <p><span style="color: blue"><em>I'm so so sorry. I'm sure if we ask the professor can assign you someone else?</em></span></p> <p>Tilda's face upturns with a slight grin.</p> <p><em>That's not what my cards say.</em></p> <p>Never should have happened in a billion lifetimes. A fluke, pure happenstance. But it did.</p> <p>We started working together more often, first our class assignments, then our work from other classes, then our personal passion projects. We shared our minds, our time, our hopes and dreams. I felt like I found a kindred soul. Sometimes it felt like looking into a mirror, to see how deeply they delved into their mind. A reflection of who I could have been if things had gone a bit differently. I admired them greatly.</p> <p>Tilda had always been a magician, fascinated by parlor tricks and esoteric knowledge, but unaware of how to access the real thing. I’ll never forget the look on their face when I showed them their first <em>real</em> spell. Their wide eyes reflecting heatless fire. I’d never seen them so impassioned. It was pretty hot.</p> <p>When they finally managed to speak, all they said was <em>Show me how.</em></p> <p>And I did.</p> <p>I showed them my magic, a little piece of my heart and my soul, and they didn't shy away. They never laughed or looked at me funny, not at my mercurial temperament, nor at my impossible claims of magical spells and infinite libraries. We got to work as we always did, and they learned, and they were magnificent. God were they magnificent. It wasn’t too long before we made our Way to the Library, and after that, we were insatiable.</p> <p>Sometimes, we had conversations about what we were reading, or the magic we were practicing, but I yearned for the days where we didn't need to say anything at all. Days we just sat together and read, occasionally gazing at each other and giving a slight smile. I think that was Tilda's way of showing fondness. I think it was probably mine too. It felt like home, in the way that the Library felt like home. It was intimate in a way I can't express.</p> <p>Making our Way into the Library, permanently bringing Tilda into the world of magic - it felt like the best decision I had ever made. I'd never seen them come alive more than they did among those bookshelves. It was like a turtle reaching the ocean, or a bird first taking flight. It was like the Serpent had made the entire Library just for them. I saw them love those infinite stacks like no-one else could, and I loved them so much for it.</p> <p>They took to magic, actual magic, like a fish takes to water. They quickly rose above and beyond what I could ever do. After that, I couldn’t help pull them deeper. I told them about the Serpent's Hand, and I showed them my secret nook, and we played queen and court wizard and… Well, I wasn't so embarrassed when my voice went monotone or when I started following the Principia Discordia. I wasn't scared to be more of myself.</p> <p>It was perfect. It should have been perfect.</p> <p>But, I wasn't always forthcoming with Tilda. Not because I didn't love them, understand, and not because I didn't trust them either. More than anything I wanted to trust my entire self to them. But even with all the love and trust in the world, it can be hard. To open yourself up totally and completely, to give someone knowledge that will change how they look at you, forever. Something that you can never take back.</p> <p>Fear. That's ultimately what led Tilda into the world of magic. Not love, not trust, not anything noble. Fear of losing them, fear of being alone. I became more aware of how I might push them away. What if I said the wrong thing, did the wrong thing? What if they just lost interest? Or, what if they got bored of me and found somebody else? Somebody smarter, someone more charismatic, someone who could show them love in ways I couldn't? What if they saw a side of me I didn't want, and thought I was a monster, just like my parents?</p> <p>Tilda would now be of interest to powerful entities and organizations which would wish to do them harm, all because one weak-kneed girl couldn't bear her own company.</p> <p>And so, despite how perfect we appeared on the surface, a part of me wouldn't trust them. How could I, having been hurt and betrayed so many times before? That part was right, in the end.</p> <p>I don't know when this fear reached a breaking point. Maybe it was when Tilda knew the Library's stacks better than I did. Maybe it was when more of the Serpent's Hand knew their face than mine. Maybe it was when they started teaching <em>me</em> magic. I don't know when it happened, but I realized they would outgrow me. And this scared me more than anything.</p> <p>I started learning divination, a way to entice Tilda with knowledge they could not reach themself. It turned out I had a knack for catoptromancy, scrying across Yggdrasil's branches. After I made my own mirror, it only became easier for me to look. It came naturally, gazing through my own eyes, immersing myself completely in another’s part, another's story. Looking into a mirror and looking out at somebody else. I'd been doing that my entire life.</p> <p>But in gazing at these warped reflections I found familiar faces. The Hand, The Queen, L.S., father, the Foundation. They all appeared, in one way or another, in every story I could find. But Tilda never did.</p> <p>There were times were our paths crossed, yes, you can find anything when you gaze into the infinite, but they were few and far between. There were worlds where I was still a Foundation researcher, and Tilda a GOC thaumaturge. There were worlds where I was still in a cell, and Tilda my Jailor. There was even a world where I was a cackling supervillain, and Tilda was one of the world's protectors.</p> <p>But in those worlds we weren't <em>together</em>, even when we were. And what did that mean for me, and for Tilda? That this world, this timeline, this relationship, was really just a cosmic fluke? That we were never truly meant to be? That I was destined to lose them? I didn't want those thoughts to be true, so I kept looking.</p> <p>I saw myself as a <a href="/speed-demon-hub">cyberpunk arms dealer</a>, living fast and loving freely. I saw myself as a tantric goddess making love to a <a href="/latest-model-getaway-jeep">dark-spirited trillionaire</a>. I even saw a world where I became the <a href="/the-hanged-king-s-tragedy">Hanged Queen</a>.</p> <p>But mostly, I saw myself alone. Always alone. No friends, no family, nobody. Only myself as company. That realization was enough to break me.</p> <p>I'm not sure how long it took for Tilda to find me in that sorry state. Hours? Days? I don’t know. It had all become a haze for me, a fun-house mirror of worst case scenarios.</p> <p>I tried to tell them what happened, but I wasn't myself. And I said some things. Mean, hurtful, targeted things. Lashed out at Tilda for hurting me in a million tiny ways.</p> <p>And Tilda, dear Tilda, they understood. They understood what I was, and they understood that I was hurting. That this, hideous as it was, was my way of protecting myself. Instead of pushing me away, they comforted me. Without saying it, they’d told me I wasn’t a monster.</p> <p>I realized what I’d done, and I cried and cried and apologized for everything said. They held me close and caressed my hair and told me all was forgiven. I can’t remember most of that night, but I never forgot the promise I made. The promise I broke.</p> <p>My body was no longer wracked with sobs, tears reduced to the occasional sniffle, when they gently moved my face to mirror theirs. For a moment, I thought they were going to kiss me, but then I saw their eyes. Pain, and sadness, and worry. Emotions they never surfaced, even with me.</p> <p>I sniffled again. <span style="color: blue"><em>Tilda?</em></span></p> <p><em>Promise me you'll quit.</em> They said. <em>Promise me. I can't bear to see you like that again. Just promise me you won’t use that mirror again. For my sake and for yours.</em></p> <p><span style="color: blue"><em>I… p-promise.</em></span></p> <p>I said it without hesitation. But even in that moment, I knew it was a promise I’d never be able to keep. I loved Tilda, I couldn't lose them, so I needed to keep looking. I needed to find a way not to lose this <em>one</em> person. This one person who comforted me, even when I didn’t deserve it. The one person who I wouldn’t be alone with.</p> <p>Parts of me screamed at me to stop. I didn't listen. I have no one else to blame.</p> <p>We got worse. I wasn't around, not for myself, not for them. We got into fights, we were alone even when we were together. We promised each other we would fix things, make us whole again. And then they found out I was breaking the promise.</p> <p>I’ll never forget the look on their face when they caught. When they opened the door, and I dropped the mirror in surprise, and it shattered. They were the angriest I’d ever seen, and the most disappointed. The shards reflected a myriad of possibilities. Tilda and I yelling and screaming at each other. Tilda saying hurtful things and begging them to stay. Tilda dropping to their knees and sobbing uncontrollably.</p> <p>When Tilda finally looked up from the remains of the mirror, their eyes met mine for a second. They looked sad, and worse, defeated. Then they turned on their heels, and left without a word.</p> <p>Did you know that in most realities with a Tilda Moose, they defect from the Serpent's Hand to join the Foundation? I did. And yet instead of stopping it, I caused it to happen.</p> <p>You know what the worst part is? After they left, I kept looking anyway. Whether it was something I did in lieu of stalking their social media, some form of self-harm, or if I was just trying to prove something to myself, I'm not sure. And one day, I found what I'd been looking for.</p> <p>A familiar scene. Tilda and their Black Queen, sitting in the Library, quietly reading. I see myself pick up a familiar mirror, only to turn it away and look back at Tilda.</p> <p>In looking for the perfect world, I’d shattered it.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><a href="/art:shattered-love-s-artwork">Shattered Love Fanart</a></p> <p><a href="/secrets-and-their-keepers"><< Secrets and Their Keepers</a></p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/shattered-love">Shattered Love</a>" by Prismal & SynthPanda_, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/shattered-love">https://scpwiki.com/shattered-love</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:queen-s-gambit">:scp-wiki:theme:queen-s-gambit</a>]] [[<]] [[module rate]] [[/<]] A part of me fell for Tilda the moment I caught sight of them: Nose deep in a book, brows furrowed, hair tucked behind their ears just so, all the while idly rolling a coin across their knuckles. As soon as I caught myself staring, I realized I'd fallen in love. So, of course, I just had to go and make a fool of myself. I've never been the forward type. With every crush I can recall, there'd never been a time I'd made the first move. I always froze in fear, doomed to stasis by the thought of what could go wrong. What if I stuttered my words? What if I said the wrong thing? What if they weren't into girls? What if they were already dating someone? What if they hated me for asking? What if? What if? What if? I didn't approach Tilda that first time I saw them, or the second, or the third. It was so much easier to admire from afar and let that be the end of it. If I never got close I could never hurt them or be hurt. Never mar a beautiful picture. It was better that way, safer. Given the choice I'd have remained an observer, never a participant. But I'm not always myself. One day, the image became hazy, dreamlike. Before I knew it, I was opposite that stoic beauty, confidently chatting them up. For once, their eyes flicked up from their book //Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom// and deigned to look my way. Their inquisitive gaze piercing the odd girl, eyebrow raised inquisitively, or perhaps in annoyance at the interruption. A part of me deep down freezes in panic and dread, but unfortunately, my mouth opens all the same. ##red\|//Wow, I pulled the Lovers card this morning, but I didn't know you'd be so beautiful.//## They blink, and then their expression changes to what I assume is exasperation. //Have you been practicing that one in the mirror?// Suddenly, the scene feels all too real. I turn beet red, and excuse myself, their gaze too intense to bear, hiding away in a nook where nobody would find me. By all means that should have been the end of it. But then I happen to sign myself up for a class they were in. When I see them walk in the door, I stoop in my seat, hoping beyond hope that they don't notice me, that I can fade into the background. That hope is dashed immediately. Our first assignment is a group project, we are assigned partners at random. Mine is Tilda Moose. They approach me, I'm too embarrassed to speak, and can feel myself blushing. I pray to any deity that'll have me that they don't discern the awkward girl who disturbed their peace. //So... Read anything interesting in the cards lately?// My face turns several shades redder. ##blue\|//I'm so so sorry. I'm sure if we ask the professor can assign you someone else?//## Tilda's face upturns with a slight grin. //That's not what my cards say.// Never should have happened in a billion lifetimes. A fluke, pure happenstance. But it did. We started working together more often, first our class assignments, then our work from other classes, then our personal passion projects. We shared our minds, our time, our hopes and dreams. I felt like I found a kindred soul. Sometimes it felt like looking into a mirror, to see how deeply they delved into their mind. A reflection of who I could have been if things had gone a bit differently. I admired them greatly. Tilda had always been a magician, fascinated by parlor tricks and esoteric knowledge, but unaware of how to access the real thing. I’ll never forget the look on their face when I showed them their first //real// spell. Their wide eyes reflecting heatless fire. I’d never seen them so impassioned. It was pretty hot. When they finally managed to speak, all they said was //Show me how.// And I did. I showed them my magic, a little piece of my heart and my soul, and they didn't shy away. They never laughed or looked at me funny, not at my mercurial temperament, nor at my impossible claims of magical spells and infinite libraries. We got to work as we always did, and they learned, and they were magnificent. God were they magnificent. It wasn’t too long before we made our Way to the Library, and after that, we were insatiable. Sometimes, we had conversations about what we were reading, or the magic we were practicing, but I yearned for the days where we didn't need to say anything at all. Days we just sat together and read, occasionally gazing at each other and giving a slight smile. I think that was Tilda's way of showing fondness. I think it was probably mine too. It felt like home, in the way that the Library felt like home. It was intimate in a way I can't express. Making our Way into the Library, permanently bringing Tilda into the world of magic - it felt like the best decision I had ever made. I'd never seen them come alive more than they did among those bookshelves. It was like a turtle reaching the ocean, or a bird first taking flight. It was like the Serpent had made the entire Library just for them. I saw them love those infinite stacks like no-one else could, and I loved them so much for it. They took to magic, actual magic, like a fish takes to water. They quickly rose above and beyond what I could ever do. After that, I couldn’t help pull them deeper. I told them about the Serpent's Hand, and I showed them my secret nook, and we played queen and court wizard and... Well, I wasn't so embarrassed when my voice went monotone or when I started following the Principia Discordia. I wasn't scared to be more of myself. It was perfect. It should have been perfect. But, I wasn't always forthcoming with Tilda. Not because I didn't love them, understand, and not because I didn't trust them either. More than anything I wanted to trust my entire self to them. But even with all the love and trust in the world, it can be hard. To open yourself up totally and completely, to give someone knowledge that will change how they look at you, forever. Something that you can never take back. Fear. That's ultimately what led Tilda into the world of magic. Not love, not trust, not anything noble. Fear of losing them, fear of being alone. I became more aware of how I might push them away. What if I said the wrong thing, did the wrong thing? What if they just lost interest? Or, what if they got bored of me and found somebody else? Somebody smarter, someone more charismatic, someone who could show them love in ways I couldn't? What if they saw a side of me I didn't want, and thought I was a monster, just like my parents? Tilda would now be of interest to powerful entities and organizations which would wish to do them harm, all because one weak-kneed girl couldn't bear her own company. And so, despite how perfect we appeared on the surface, a part of me wouldn't trust them. How could I, having been hurt and betrayed so many times before? That part was right, in the end. I don't know when this fear reached a breaking point. Maybe it was when Tilda knew the Library's stacks better than I did. Maybe it was when more of the Serpent's Hand knew their face than mine. Maybe it was when they started teaching //me// magic. I don't know when it happened, but I realized they would outgrow me. And this scared me more than anything. I started learning divination, a way to entice Tilda with knowledge they could not reach themself. It turned out I had a knack for catoptromancy, scrying across Yggdrasil's branches. After I made my own mirror, it only became easier for me to look. It came naturally, gazing through my own eyes, immersing myself completely in another’s part, another's story. Looking into a mirror and looking out at somebody else. I'd been doing that my entire life. But in gazing at these warped reflections I found familiar faces. The Hand, The Queen, L.S., father, the Foundation. They all appeared, in one way or another, in every story I could find. But Tilda never did. There were times were our paths crossed, yes, you can find anything when you gaze into the infinite, but they were few and far between. There were worlds where I was still a Foundation researcher, and Tilda a GOC thaumaturge. There were worlds where I was still in a cell, and Tilda my Jailor. There was even a world where I was a cackling supervillain, and Tilda was one of the world's protectors. But in those worlds we weren't //together//, even when we were. And what did that mean for me, and for Tilda? That this world, this timeline, this relationship, was really just a cosmic fluke? That we were never truly meant to be? That I was destined to lose them? I didn't want those thoughts to be true, so I kept looking. I saw myself as a [[[speed-demon-hub\| cyberpunk arms dealer]]], living fast and loving freely. I saw myself as a tantric goddess making love to a [[[latest-model-getaway-jeep\| dark-spirited trillionaire]]]. I even saw a world where I became the [[[the-hanged-king-s-tragedy\| Hanged Queen]]]. But mostly, I saw myself alone. Always alone. No friends, no family, nobody. Only myself as company. That realization was enough to break me. I'm not sure how long it took for Tilda to find me in that sorry state. Hours? Days? I don’t know. It had all become a haze for me, a fun-house mirror of worst case scenarios. I tried to tell them what happened, but I wasn't myself. And I said some things. Mean, hurtful, targeted things. Lashed out at Tilda for hurting me in a million tiny ways. And Tilda, dear Tilda, they understood. They understood what I was, and they understood that I was hurting. That this, hideous as it was, was my way of protecting myself. Instead of pushing me away, they comforted me. Without saying it, they’d told me I wasn’t a monster. I realized what I’d done, and I cried and cried and apologized for everything said. They held me close and caressed my hair and told me all was forgiven. I can’t remember most of that night, but I never forgot the promise I made. The promise I broke. My body was no longer wracked with sobs, tears reduced to the occasional sniffle, when they gently moved my face to mirror theirs. For a moment, I thought they were going to kiss me, but then I saw their eyes. Pain, and sadness, and worry. Emotions they never surfaced, even with me. I sniffled again. ##blue\|//Tilda?//## //Promise me you'll quit.// They said. //Promise me. I can't bear to see you like that again. Just promise me you won’t use that mirror again. For my sake and for yours.// ##blue\|//I… p-promise.//## I said it without hesitation. But even in that moment, I knew it was a promise I’d never be able to keep. I loved Tilda, I couldn't lose them, so I needed to keep looking. I needed to find a way not to lose this //one// person. This one person who comforted me, even when I didn’t deserve it. The one person who I wouldn’t be alone with. Parts of me screamed at me to stop. I didn't listen. I have no one else to blame. We got worse. I wasn't around, not for myself, not for them. We got into fights, we were alone even when we were together. We promised each other we would fix things, make us whole again. And then they found out I was breaking the promise. I’ll never forget the look on their face when they caught. When they opened the door, and I dropped the mirror in surprise, and it shattered. They were the angriest I’d ever seen, and the most disappointed. The shards reflected a myriad of possibilities. Tilda and I yelling and screaming at each other. Tilda saying hurtful things and begging them to stay. Tilda dropping to their knees and sobbing uncontrollably. When Tilda finally looked up from the remains of the mirror, their eyes met mine for a second. They looked sad, and worse, defeated. Then they turned on their heels, and left without a word. Did you know that in most realities with a Tilda Moose, they defect from the Serpent's Hand to join the Foundation? I did. And yet instead of stopping it, I caused it to happen. You know what the worst part is? After they left, I kept looking anyway. Whether it was something I did in lieu of stalking their social media, some form of self-harm, or if I was just trying to prove something to myself, I'm not sure. And one day, I found what I'd been looking for. A familiar scene. Tilda and their Black Queen, sitting in the Library, quietly reading. I see myself pick up a familiar mirror, only to turn it away and look back at Tilda. In looking for the perfect world, I’d shattered it. [[<]] [[module rate]] [[/<]] ------ [[=]] [[[art:shattered-love-s-artwork\| Shattered Love Fanart]]] [[[secrets-and-their-keepers\| << Secrets and Their Keepers]]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Prismal & SynthPanda_]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-06-22T15:57:00	[ "_licensebox", "black-queen", "co-authored", "director-moose", "eventyr", "fantasy", "first-person", "lgbtq", "pridefest2024", "romance", "serpents-hand", "tale", "wanderers-library" ]	Shattered Love - SCP Foundation	55	[ "speed-demon-hub", "latest-model-getaway-jeep", "the-hanged-king-s-tragedy", "art:shattered-love-s-artwork", "secrets-and-their-keepers", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "wanderers-library-hub", "serpent-s-hand-hub", "pridefest", "black-queen-hub" ]	[]	1454106766	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/shattered-love
sifting-through-the-sand	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3A3law/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3A3law-7ow/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="preview"> <p>What happens when Frankenstein and a werewolf fight Nazis and genies over the occult remains of a mummy? A lot of dead Nazis, and a crashing flying saucer.</p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:100%;"><img alt="sigil.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/sifting-through-the-sand/sigil.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>{$caption}</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">Anorrack</a> <div class="authorbox"> <div class="authorcontent"> <p><strong>Sifting Through The Sand</strong><br/> <strong>Authors:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/anorrack" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4188420); return false;"><img alt="Anorrack" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=4188420&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736358053" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=4188420)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/anorrack" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(4188420); return false;">Anorrack</a></span><br/> (7809 words)<br/> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8842">Sister article link here</a></p> <p><strong>If you liked this, you would like:</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="/dead-man-walking">Dead Man Walking</a>:</strong> In the finale to DEAD RECKONING, Quinn Law and the UIU race against time to stop the Lighthouse Mafia from staging the largest breakout in Paramax history.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/voice-of-rage-and-ruin">Voice of Rage and Ruin</a>:</strong> On an island deep within enemy territory, Kiran Pal and his crew must disrupt a horrible Japanese ritual and create a monster with the power to bring the war to a bloody end. Will they survive, or will they meet a grisly end within the dragon's lair?</p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Coast of Malta, July 20th, 1942</strong></p> </div> <p>The sky was dark and clouds shook from the shrieks of the dive bombers and the detonation of munitions across the island. Italian <em>Folgore</em>s buzzed like mosquitos overhead, sucking the RAF dry, while German Junkers swarmed Malta like flies on a carcass. The island's AA-batteries and ships were bent, battered, and broken like shattered rotten bone, oil permanently staining the harbors a rainbow slick like so much bubbling rendered fat. The vulture of Kesselring circled above Malta, waiting for the island fortress to finally die and pick its scraps.</p> <p>The Axis continued their bald-faced daylight raids against the island's white cliff faces and towns and airfields, bombing churches while devout prayed for food, sinking supply ships within arms' reach of those starving. The Brit's foothold in the Mediterranean was loosening. Spitfires were flying counter-attacks off runways scarred with potholes and dud bombs. His Majesty's soldiers were patching their boots with used tires and carpenter's nails. Rumor was they were halving the rations again.</p> <p>The lingering taste of rock-dust and blood coated a woman's tongue as she wound through the intricate city streets, one of the few that was fool enough not to take shelter when the siren sounded. Even though she was foreign to Malta, even though she didn't know these alleys or causeways, she had a purposeful step to her stride, following a familiar trail left by an unfamiliar man. The smell of pipesmoke, of scribbled-over pages, tea leaves and other indescribable things guided her. It guided her down narrow crooked steps worn by centuries of footsteps, across a near-dry canal where a thin stream of gray water wound around rubble, and under the arch of an old stone bridge, right to where her quarry was waiting for her, his scent heavy in the air — the scent of the occult.</p> <p>"They didn't tell me you'd be so hard to find."</p> <p>The lanky man's face was briefly illuminated by the strike of a match as he relit his pipe. "And here I was under the belief that I was of a conspicuous make."</p> <p>The woman stuck her hand out, which the man took in a firm shake, flicking the spent match into the turbid trickle of the canal before doing so. "Jackie Rosales. Pentagram, War Department."</p> <p>The man shot a sly smile at Rosales at that final word. "<em>But of course</em>, Ms. Rosales. Joseph Placidus, British Occult Service." His accent was faintly German, tinged with a British inflection. His hand was dry and smooth, like warm marble. "Tell me, if you will, what is the Prince of Darkness?"</p> <p>Rosales' lips curled. "But a gentleman, of course."</p> <p>"Correct, not that a simple codephrase could verify the identity of a stranger."</p> <p>The woman's smirk grew. "I would have to agree with you." She reached into her trench coat's inner pocket, and withdrew a small clamshell travel mirror, opening it to reveal a piece of ripped parchment, which she presented to Placidus.</p> <p>The man sighed, reached into his boot and withdrew a silver folding knife etched with ward-dispelling runes and brute-force enchantment-breaking sigils — a knife meant to kill wizards. Placidus sliced open the pad of his thumb and imprinted it onto the parchment, with Rosales quickly following suit. Upon the touch of blood droplets from them both, the paper sizzled and spat and burned up in an instant, confirming both of their identities.</p> <p>Rosales sidled alongside Placidus under the shelter of the bridge as a Ju 88 shot overhead, handing him back his knife. "I suppose the BOS is slightly more trusting than the Pentagram."</p> <p>"Those sticklers at the head office are… fond of their old traditions."</p> <p>As he slotted the knife back into his boot, Placidus offered her a puff of his pipe, which she declined. He sucked on the stem ruefully, staring at the brickwork on the underneath of their cover. "Now then, with introductions out of the way, we can get right to the meat of the matter." He glanced at Rosales briefly. "You handle well on a full moon?"</p> <p>Rosales' eye twitched with annoyance. "Wrong myth. I won't be a problem. <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8842">The dossier</a> said you were a magician."</p> <p>"The dossier lied, then. I'm a philologist, not a thaumaturgist. I work with dead languages, my dear."</p> <p>She sucked her teeth. "What is a linguist doing behind enemy lines?"</p> <p>"Dead languages make for wonderful codes. And, may I add, Ancient Egyptian <em>is</em> a dead language."</p> <p>"Touché. Does that make me the brawn, then?"</p> <p>Placidus puffed an O-ring of smoke before checking his watch. "I wouldn't be so sure, I have just as many tricks up my sleeve as you, and as you are smart enough to track me, I figure both brawn and brains are fairly split. Now we must make haste for the boat. Wouldn't want to be late for our date with death."</p> <p>The pregnant clouds finally broke water, and a downpour came in their wake, giving new life to the nearly dry canal and soaking them both to the bone as they left their brick shelter. The roaring of engines and explosives gave way to thunder and lightning as the storm warded off the worst of the Germans' advances. Jackie grimaced. "At least we can hope for sunnier skies in the desert. And maybe a more friendlier environment than a warzone."</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>The Valley of the Kings, Egypt, August 5th, 1942</strong></p> </div> <p>The valley that hosted the souls of five hundred years of glorious, bronze-clad empire, that sheltered the scions of the dynasties of the New Kingdom from tomb robbers and gods, shaded under the ever-watchful gaze of Al-Qurn, the pyramid-mountain, had been consumed in a sandstorm of unprecedented strength and scale.</p> <p>The storm squatted within the valley like a skulking monster of ancient times, lashing out with crackling lightning and howling winds at all that came near. A good ward against prying eyes, for only the foolish or the suicidal would voluntarily venture into a storm of this magnitude. The questing, corrosive sand bricked engine blocks and suffocated the unprotected, filling their lungs with the dead weight of dense particulates. The tempest was capable of flipping vehicles and shattering airfoils, with even the most surefooted of men losing their balance in the haling windstorm, quickly to be covered and buried in the sand, joining the rest of the entombed dead in their eternal slumber.</p> <p>A figure, wrapped in heavy garments staggered into the haze from a trench barely protected by flapping canvas, straining against its pitons to fly into the tempest. The cloaked figure grasped a rope guide, and used it to find their way to a large boulder, jutting out of the sand like a crooked tooth. The rock formed a lee against the wind, a small shelter within which the figure could relax, as he fumbled with the buttons on his trousers and the gun slung on his shoulder. The red band on his arm marked him as a target, if there was anyone around to see him.</p> <p>The guard hummed an off-key drinking song as he relieved himself, the whistling winds nothing but a background noise at this point. Being stationed in the valley for several weeks, guarding the dig site from any idiotic enough to try and stop them, the storm that drowned out all detail in featureless brown murk had become a bland object to remark upon, simply an unnoteworthy element in the landscape like the architecture of Berlin or the rolling hills before the Swiss Alps.</p> <p>So blasé was he, that he failed to notice a change in the texture of the wind, a twist of shadow in the otherwise flat light. The sound of footsteps behind him was muffled by the storm, and he was still humming that off-key song when three hundred pounds of feline flesh suddenly came crashing down upon him, cratering knees into the dirt and bashing his skull upon the rock. The air was knocked out of his lungs, and he struggled to breathe from the fall and the weight bearing down upon his body.</p> <p>The layers of wrapped cloth around his crew-cut fell away from the impact of the fall, and he felt hot breath upon the back of his shaved, bloody head, and the wet touch of teeth as a circlet of sabers ensconced his skull. He could not reach his gun, fallen just out of reach, he could not breathe, he could not speak, all he could manage was a noiseless scream before the jaguar bit down, shattering his skull and pulping his brain to fluid.</p> <hr/> <p>Deeper, underneath that flapping canvas tarpaulin, after the trench that gave way to an antechamber, through the cracked floor and ancient wards, past the false tomb of Akhenaten, past the shattered tomb guardians, down a winding tunnel burrowed deep beneath the valley, and past a pit of enchanted brazen spikes was a small room.</p> <p>The side room had been host to a skeleton trap made of a dozen beloved eunuchs and a hundred dessicated asps, ready to envenom and bludgeon any would-be tomb robber, but the animate skeletons had been crushed to powder by the Nazi archeologists as they came through. Now, the room was filled with a small cot and lantern, both coated in hoarfrost and glittering ice. The cot was marked by a small indentation, an invisible weight in the shape of a human body, unseen teeth chattering and breath fogging as <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/two-between-the-eyes">the djinn</a> chanted without stopping as they had for weeks, powering the sandstorm raging above.</p> <p>The chanting hitched as shouting could be heard, the winds faltered as gunshots were fired, and the voice died entirely as the death-screams of Nazis echoed through the tomb-complex. The indentation disappeared from the bed, and small footsteps melted into the frost as the djinn peered through the door, only to be met with the slit-pupil eye of a growling big cat.</p> <p>The djinn retreated from the door, only to be pounced upon by the jaguar, maw wet with blood and saliva, claws digging into soft skin.</p> <p>A small voice, a child's voice, rang out. "<em>Hayır! Hayır!</em>"</p> <p>The jaguar blinked with surprise and withdrew from the child, ceding the floor to a man with kind eyes and a smoking pistol.</p> <p>Joseph Placidus spoke softly in Turkish. <Why are you here, child?></p> <p>The voice trembled, but the unseen eyes were hard. They had seen much. <They said if I make the storm I can go home. I want to go home.></p> <p>Placidus grimaced, his hand a white-knuckled fist. Djinns were strange creatures, mundane humans robbed from cradles and twisted by secret, arcane arts into thundering gods of creation and destruction, their only limit being their free will and the commands that bound them. The language for each djinn was unique, bespoke, tailored to each djinn by their creator like a shoe for a foot. One needed to know that language in order to command them. <What is the language I must use to aid you?></p> <p>There was shouting and scuffling footsteps further down the tunnel, more soldiers alerted by the fighting above. It took a few moments for the child to respond, unsure if they could trust a violent stranger. But their voice was firm when they finally spoke. <Babylonian-Mekhanite logic functions.></p> <p>The soldier's frown deepened, but he nodded. Now Placidus was the hesitant one, trying to remember old lessons from a ticking, whirring tutor. <em><define (Master [self] function) —> (servant [djinn] command):: at 6 undo previous Master function, at 12 protect servant, at 18 goto start.></em></p> <p>"<em>Verdammt!</em>" Five more guards rounded the corner, MP28 muzzles gleaming and fingers on the trigger. Without a second thought, the child djinn raised an ethereal hand, and with a twitch of a finger twisted the laws of reality within a eight meter cubed region of local space-time, changing base molecular functions and altering the structure of certain proteins, disallowing the existence of desmosomes and disintegrating the chemical bonds between cells. Synapses dislocated and nervous systems atomized before being able to transmit a sensation of agony to the liquefying brain, meant that Germans could not even feel pain, vocal folds sloughed and larynxes disintegrated meant that the soldiers could not even scream as they were reduced to a bubbling protoplasm.</p> <p>The cube of altered space uncurled and returned to its original paradigm, but the Nazis did not reconfigure, remaining in their new, more appropriate form. The child squeezed Placidus' hand in brief thanks, and with a rush of air their presence vanished from the tomb, from the valley, from the entire continent.</p> <p>Rosales stood in the doorway, nude and painted in gore, staring at the piles of ooze and discarded guns on the tunnel floor. "We could have used that child, Joseph."</p> <p>"I'm not condemning a child to more murder. Even to murder a Nazi. Besides, I wouldn't know the commands for that, and I wouldn't force him to tell me, either."</p> <p>The <em>nahual</em> didn't say anything further, simply melting back into felinid form and padding away, smelling the trail to Akhenaten.</p> <hr/> <p>They came to a Y-junction in the tunnel, both paths nondescript and valid options. Both plunged deeper into the valley's ancient substrate, both likely filled with traps, both heady with the scent of Germans. Only one path led to their true destination of Akhenaten's burial chamber. A hand peeled out of the jaguar's skin to run fingers across the right-hand wall's etchings. A set of human teeth pushed out of the jaguar's throat and spoke in a strangled whisper. "Joseph, light on this text?"</p> <p>A flickering torch bathed the wall in shadows and dancing light. "Hrm, typical New Kingdom curses and warnings-"</p> <p>"No, the part after. The declarations of ownership. They keep repeating Akhenaten's name, but there's no cartouche."</p> <p>"Well, this was a tomb meant to bury his memory, his name no longer needed to be defended."</p> <p>"So why write his name at all? <em>Damnatio memoriae</em>." Jackie padded to the left tunnel and examined its etchings. "See? no mention of him at all. No tomb robber curses, either. The curses and spells all are directed at the occupant. Vague, left unnamed."</p> <p>"Right tunnel is the red herring? His name meant to lure the curious away?"</p> <p>"Most likely. Bet that tunnel has more than just one corpse at its end." The jaguar's head swayed, human teeth and human hand retreated underneath bloody gums and dappled fur. Jackie proceeded down the left-hand tunnel, Joseph following closely behind.</p> <p>The tunnel delved further and further under the ground, twisting and curling like the petrified, hollow body of some antediluvian serpent until they must have been below Al-Qurn itself, deep below all other tombs and dead kings. At some points the tunnel pitched down until the floor became a leaning wall, and they had to carefully climb down, the tunnel torn and broken by some geological upheaval as if the earth itself had tried to prevent the recovery of Akhenaten's remains. They descended in silence, their travels punctuated only by the navigation of some carefully engineered traps and bursts of wind from further below, carrying the scent of the occult and zesty incense.</p> <p>Their keen perception at the junction was soon rewarded, as the tunnel suddenly opened into a magnificent cavernous expanse, a beam of bleeding sunlight shooting down from a hole in the cragged roof to reveal Akhenaten's mighty burial chamber, and the Nazis that crawled within like maggots on a carcass. Upon the walls writ large were the crimes of Akhenaten against the people of Egypt, its gods and its land. Titanic snarling statues of Anubis and Osiris and Set, death gods all, arranged at equilateral points within the chamber, staring down at the center, where Akhenaten laid, to ensure he would never find rest or repose outside of the watchful eye of the gods.</p> <p>The position of the tunnel relative to the burial chamber gave Jackie and Joseph a fair view of the burial chamber, and its curious arrangement. Instead of being bare but for Akhenaten's sarcophagus, the chamber possessed an entire Egyptian city in miniature, complete with temples, obelisks, and small pyramids. It was a mockery of Amarna, Akhenaten's would-be capital of Egypt in life. In death, he was condemned to rule a lifeless diorama, a reminder that all of his works were undone by his successors — the boy-king Tutankhamun, his son, foremost of all.</p> <p>The burial chamber must have tapped into a natural cave formation, with a pair of underground rivers surfacing to carve a path through carefully laid channels within the burial chamber and the model city in a mockery of the Nile, the water the color and viscosity of human blood. The scarlet river had been host to a species of blind, albino crocodile, if the butchered, carelessly-laid carcasses near the Nazi camp were any indication.</p> <p>A flash of light, the chime of a bell, and another burst of wind, the smell of magic and ozone thick in the air. The aftershocks of a failed ward-breach. German shouts could be heard from the tunnel mouth. "<em>Nein! Mehr Hammer, weniger Skalpell!</em>"</p> <p>Placidus huffed, and readied his rifle. "They've found Akhenaten. They're trying to breach the sarcophagus."</p> <p>It was almost too late.</p> <p>Jackie skittered down the ramp from the tunnel to the burial chamber floor. She sensed Placidus behind her, trying to find a good vantage point. She prowled through the small, gridded streets of the city, padding over a bridge above the blood-stained Nile, noting a bubbling in the waters below.</p> <p>A pentameter chant could be heard as she crept closer to the site of the sarcophagus, followed by another burst of wind. The bell was a C# this time, the wards ever closer to breaking.</p> <p>Up there, up the steps from the docs into the city plaza stood a group of a dozen Nazis, two dressed in pharaonic regalia, intoning rites in a gibberish mismash of Coptic and German, one holding a silver hammer, the other holding a golden scalpel, kneeling in front of a large granite box. The sarcophagus. At the crescendo of the nonsense words, the hammer was brought down upon the stone sarcophagus, and the wards flashed white, searing the stone and the hammer with soot. A♭. Closer now.</p> <p>Hoffenreich was in lurking in the back, watching the affair with a fascinated glint in his eye. His project, years in the making, was so closed to being fulfilled.</p> <p>The hammer came down. A#. The bell tolled clear, the wards shattered in a spray of ghostly glass. Jackie leapt forward. Joseph took the shot.</p> <p><em>Splt.</em> The forehead of the scalpel-wielding priest detonated in a shower of gore, he fell against the sarcophagus. Jackie landed on the back of the nearest Nazi and bit down, severing his spinal cord at the neck, scream dying as his throat was shredded. The Nazis shouted overlapping orders, their moment of victory turned into a moment of violence as hell rained down upon them.</p> <p><em>Bang</em>. Another bullet through the second priest, in the middle of a protection working, the glowing shield sputtering out in his hands. Jackie pounced on the leg of another, and with a twist of her neck, she threw the screaming Nazi down the steps and into the water. Calm red turned to frothing white as a crocodile surged out of the water with its jaws snapping shut, sinking back down into the waters below with gibbering fascist in tow. One last meal for the last of its kind.</p> <p>Hoffenreich pointed a quivering finger at Jackie, spraying spittle. "Stop the intruder! <em>Sofort! Sofort!</em>"</p> <p>Jackie rolled out of the way of a hail of bullets, a row of Horus miniatures down the boulevard beheaded by the spray. She shot forward like furred quicksilver, leaping upon another hapless Nazi, but was caught out of the air by the neck, and held up like a squirming kitten. A lumpy, crookedly handsome face leered into view, Hoffenreich's pet <em>Falschfleischer</em>, a corpse raised into the eternal service of the Third Reich. Seven feet tall and as broad as two coffins, fingers the size of bratwurst dug into Jackie's neck, her vision tunneling and her breath strangled. A bullet carved through the undead beast's brainpan and Jackie clawed at its face and arms, but the creature didn't so much as flinch, merely clenching its fingers all the more tightly.</p> <p>Jackie couldn't maintain the felinid form any longer, and slipped back into hominid, naked and dripping with blood, struggling in vain to free herself from the steel grip of the walking corpse. Hoffenreich walked forwards, curious, heedless of the gunfire. "What is this that #27 caught? Not a pet cat, but a pet Jew? Remarkable."</p> <p>Joseph pivoted. A bullet tore through the air, reaching its target faster than the sound of the rifle's <em>crack</em>. Its aim was true, but instead of boring through flesh, the bullet passed without a ripple through Hoffenreich's forehead, leaving a silvery streak against the stone behind him from the ricochet. The <em>Falschfleischer</em>, #27, dug its fingers deeper into Jackie's neck.</p> <p>Hoffenreich's voice supernaturally boomed across the burial chamber. "A Yiddish boy in Warsaw just had his brains excavated from his skull from that bullet. Cease your hostility, or more will perish."</p> <p>A second bullet disappeared into Hoffenreich's chest. He turned to the ledge where Placidus nested, spying the glint of the sniper scope. "A girl with club feet just had a heart attack. You are killing children."</p> <p>There was a pregnant pause, but there was no third shot. Hoffenreich nodded, and #27 dropped Jackie, gasping for breath, and sprinted towards the sniper's perch. Hoffenreich raised his arms in the air, and intoned a brief German phrase, curling his hand into a fist. He leaned over to talk to Jackie, in an almost conversational tone. "That should have snapped your colleague's trigger finger. Will make this less messy for us. Now then, Krieger."</p> <p>Krieger — a hulking man in uniform — stepped forward, gun in hand. The last thing Jackie remembered before stars and darkness was Krieger's grim smile and the fast approaching butt of his rifle.</p> <hr/> <p>Jackie's head hurt like nothing else, which was the first thing that told her that she was alive instead of dead. The second was the dual smell of greased steel and dried blood, layered on each other like notes in a disgusting perfume. Her hands were bound behind her with rough, chafing rope, and there was a digging, burning sensation on her neck, as if someone had made her a collar of hot barbed wire. Finally, there was a high-pitched squealing and thumping sound, like the heartbeat of a mechanical monster, or a poorly-tuned engine whose pistons were about to burst from their cylinders.</p> <p>She opened her eyes, and was blinded by the dim light in the circular room they were kept in. The walls blurred and vibrated, curved overlapping sheets of metal spinning around them, as if they were in the center of a large centrifuge. Paired that with the horrible sounds of the engine, and the eerie lurching in her stomach from the unnatural forces at play within the demonic Germanic engine, and Jackie concluded that they must be in one of Germany's <em>Luftplatten</em>, soaring through the sky to G-d-knows-where.</p> <p>Taking further stock, there were five Templars leering at her, Hoffenreich's pet corpse menacing above, and Hoffenreich himself, fiddling with the instruments of… SCP-8842. In the flesh. The dossier hadn't given her any photos of the <em>Sonnenteufel</em>, which was just as well, as any black and white photo wouldn't have done justice to the mangled, horrible offense to nature and good sense it was.</p> <p>Nine men were prostrate on the rough metal floor, heads down and palms face-up, every inch of their bodies marked with arcane and eye-bleeding sigils and runes, bloody, unholy screeds written on the pages of their skin in a combination of Nazi esotericism, Hindu-Christo-Nordic syncretic prayers, and Egyptian hieroglyphics. Their ragged, chapped lips whispered an unceasing stream of esoteric mantras and unhallowed mysteries. Tangled cables of blood-crusted copper wiring emerged from holes drilled in their skulls to connect each other in a warped ritual circle which crackled with electricity and magic. Plastic and canvas tubes of all sizes stuck through their torsos, delivering blood, protein slurries, or drip-feeds of amphetamines, and removing excretions and other undesirable fluids.</p> <p>In the middle of it all, above the glimmering crystalline lens array, above the circle of twitching half-dead men, floated the withered corpse of Akhenaten. The ancient mummy was suspended as if by silken thread in the center of the ritual circle, glowing with an internal light, the linen bandages cascading off his form and orbiting around his body like so many wriggling tendrils of a deep-sea creature. The inverted symbol of Aten crowned his bare skull in flickering plasma, a totem of his unparalleled divine essence, undimmed three millennia after his demise.</p> <p>It was too late.</p> <p>"Glorious, isn't it?" Hoffenreich, he had noticed her awake. "I had hoped that Krieger wasn't too rough with you. I would like you both to see the activation before Krieger killed you."</p> <p>Jackie attempted to transform, to don the skin of <em>Tepēyōllōtl</em>, but the silver-barbed choker around her neck dug in even further and burned with an intense heat, forcing her to stop, patches of fur retreating beneath her skin as blood trickled down the curves of her chest. She coughed. "Bastard."</p> <p>Hoffenreich clapped his hands together. "The American Jewess speaks! And here I thought you were too feral to have higher brain functions. Your <em>Judenmagie</em> is quite potent, I must admit, though I fear no match for our learned sciences, as that is often the case."</p> <p>Jackie twisted her hands, using her fingers to feel out the rope. It was rough, and very thick, chafing against her skin. The knotwork was very well done, so the only way she was going to get out of it would be with a knife. "The Allies will stop you and your insanity. What you're doing is pure evil."</p> <p>Hoffenreich pursed his lips. "<em>Ja</em>, everything that we do is evil. You Americans are all the same, accusing us of being such when you do the same thing. Were you not ordered to take me alive, bring me in to help your so-called United Nations? I would be doing this same work under them, as well."</p> <p>She spat. "Fascist prick."</p> <p>"Ah, there it is. That famous Yankee brash. A Pentagram agent, I take it? Freemason? No matter, we will find out in the interrogation chamber once we reach Castle Werfenstein."</p> <p>Something shuffled on Jackie's right, and she felt Joseph stir awake, similarly bound like her. He sported a goose egg on his temple, and his trigger finger was purpled and swollen. He was as worse for wear as Jackie felt. His eyes narrowed as he took in the stitched monster looming over him.</p> <p>#27 spoke in a dry, husky voice, the bullet through the brain and the mauling Jackie had given it evidently not dimming its unearthly intelligence. The patchwork creature's eyes were emotionless, flat, its tear ducts borrowed from a dry-eyed corpse. "Sorry to meet under these circumstances, cousin."</p> <p>Placidus spat bloody phlegm at the feet of the <em>Falschfleischer</em>. "The feeling is mutual."</p> <p>Rosales looked to Placidus, bemused. "Cousin?"</p> <p>Placidus vented a sigh through gritted teeth. "'Joseph Placidus' is not my full name. It is rather—" he took a breath. "'Joseph Maria Casimir Konrad Michael Benedictus Maurus Placidus von Franckenstein.'"</p> <p><em>Frankenstein.</em></p> <p>The linguist stared with a deathly glare, fighting against the coarse restraints. "And these <em>fascists</em> have stolen my family's work! Used for evil!"</p> <p>#27's scarred face rippled with microscopic muscle spasms, but said nothing, turning to look at Hoffenreich instead. Hoffenreich chuckled, his preened mustache twitching with <em>schadenfreude</em>. "You cannot <em>steal</em> scientific innovation, my good doctor. We all build upon the shoulders of giants, your ancestor is but one of them. How could we not take custody of his genius for Germany, for Europe?"</p> <p>Franckenstein gritted his teeth. "Whatever makes you comfortable with God, Hoffenreich."</p> <p>Rosales prodded Franckenstein with her foot, and glanced down at his boot, then back at him. He nodded. When no one was looking, he arched his back, as if stretching, and pulled his pant leg slightly up with his bound hands, jimmying the hidden knife out of its sheath and leaning over to Jackie to pass it off. She got to work immediately on her bonds.</p> <p>Hoffenreich clasped his hands behind his back and stared at the spinning fuselage of the <em>Luftplatte</em>, at the circle of prostrate men. "That I am, my dear doctor. That I am." He looked over his shoulder to Franckenstein. "You and your Jewess are quite brave, you know. Would make for a very good pulp fiction. 'Two brave souls fighting against the odds, against the coming darkness.' Yes." He turned and leaned down to meet Franckenstein, eye to eye. "But we are not the darkness, doctor. Quite the opposite, in fact. And today, Egypt will know that truth."</p> <p>With a curt nod from the Nazi scientist, the aperture below the lens array whined open, and hundred-mile-an-hour winds filled the bomb bay. Jackie could see lights from a highway, homes and towns below. The chanting from the lobotomites became more fevered and frantic, and Akhenaten glowed brighter, his linen wrappings flapping violently in the gale. Jackie accelerated in her sawing of the ropes, strands snapping and giving way. Franckenstein wrestled against his own bonds, his teeth clamped together in an ugly sneer. "What are you planning, Hoffenreich?"</p> <p>A wry smile squirmed to life on Hoffenreich's thin lips, and he stood, smoothing his flapping greatcoat and donning dark welding goggles. He had to shout to be heard over the high-altitude winds. "We have been following the Nile north for the past three hours. We will be within range of British supply lines in five minutes. Cairo within ten. Soon, the British forces in Cairo will face a new dawn, a German dawn, as we unleash the holy power of the sun upon their soldiers and tanks and aeroplanes, and break the British Lion for good!"</p> <p>With a defiant roar, Jackie freed herself from her bonds and ripped the silver circlet from her neck, instantly transforming into a bruised and bloodied jaguar, the knife clattering to the ground, just out of reach of Franckenstein. The sudden shift in weight caused the <em>Luftplatte</em> to pitch and turn on its axis, its unholy engine whining and sissurating to compensate, to try and return to a state of fragile equilibrium. #27 fell to one knee, faring far better than the other Templars, whom all fell fully to the floor but a single unlucky one, tripped over the beryllium bronze cables and fell out of the <em>Luftplatte</em>'s aperture, screaming the whole way down.</p> <p>Hoffenreich staggered to his feet, his goggles askew and his mustache unkempt. He pointed at Jackie and spat with hatred, "Kill her! Kill the Jewess before she destroys the <em>Wunderwaffe</em>!"</p> <p>Two of the Templars, twins, one marred with a jagged duelling scar across his face and the other with a crooked, squashed nose, stomped across the steel floor towards Jackie, drawing fencing sabers from their scabbards. In their haste one of the twins kicked Joseph's folding knife in his direction, which Joseph leapt upon and began cutting his bonds with haste while they were distracted.</p> <p>Jackie unearthed a feral growl as she padded around the bomb bay, keeping the twins in full view. The flying saucer's engine whined and groaned as it over-corrected, pitching the other direction, knocking one of the brothers off balance for a split-second, but long enough for Jackie to bolt forward like furred lightning, lunging with claws outstretched to take his neck between her jaws, splattering the contents of his jugular across the cabin.</p> <p>His squash-nosed brother wailed, lashing out at the skittering cat with his frantic swipes of his sword, lit aflame and smelling of brimstone. "<em>Mein Bruder! Mein Karl!</em>"</p> <p>Hoffenreich backed away from the bloody melee, grabbing one of his subordinates and throwing him at the <em>Sonnenteufel</em>. "Go, now! activate the machine, while there is still time! Cairo will burn! <em>mgah'ehye ahagluz ah mgn'ghft!</em>"</p> <p>The lobotomites' chanting grew louder and the light ever brighter and Akhenaten's skull and bones became transparent as they emitted a holy light that had not been seen on this Earth since the pharoah's near-apotheosis upon the steps of his palace within the dread city of Amarna before his assassination at the hands of crypto-Atlantean apostates. There was a roar that dwarfed even the sound of Jackie's jaguar form as a ball of incandescent plasma formed in the center of the ritual circle, a miniature sun birthed from the unholy combination of German thaumaturgy and Egyptian divinity. A sun, a golden unborn egg that would soon hatch with a birthing cry of fire and flame and devastation, a force that would soon be unleashed upon the Allies in Egypt, and thenafter the entire world.</p> <p>Joseph finally cut himself loose of his bonds and leapt to his feet, his face heating and skin tightening from the glare. Jackie had been able to take down the second twin and tear him to bloody shreds only moments before she had been blinded by the glare, stunned and knocked out of her jaguar form yet again. She scrambled to the side and tackled Hoffenreich, pinning him to the floor, who was screaming and biting and shouting obscenities in his native tongue.</p> <p>#27 lumbered to Joseph, staring impassively down upon him. The two were scions of the same family, one through natural sciences and midnight love-making and one through occult secrets and midnight horror-making, though one family all the same. Joseph spat blood again and spoke. "Listen, cousin. Come away with us. Leave this war behind, come to London, meet the family. They would love to see you and hold you, as a cousin. As a nephew. A brother."</p> <p>The corpse-turned-science experiment was unmoving, unblinking. Finally he spoke, his voice but a whisper from the grave. "I will not betray the intent behind my making, cousin. I am sorry."</p> <p>Franckenstein felt a pang of sadness twist his gut to knots, the deep grief at the impending death of a close relative. "No, I am sorry."</p> <p>The linguist said a word from the long-forgotten language of Parabolic A — a language killed but not yet dead — and #27's dessicated ear-drums popped with a subsonic bang. Reeling from the shock, #27 attempted to raise a misshapen fist, but faltered as Franckenstein kicked the undead man towards the <em>Sonnenteufel</em>, tripping it over the suspended bronze cables and directly onto the lens array, the weight of the goliath cracking the fragile blue lenses into splinters. The ghoul raised its over-sized revolver level with Franckenstein's chest, its finger squeezing the trigger. But the gun didn't fire, not before the beams of godly energy from the miniature sun enveloped the falling modern Prometheus, not before the water within its leathery skin boiled in 0.18 seconds, not before the water vaporized in 0.62 seconds, and not before the water expanded to fill the volume, popping catgut sutures and splitting skin in 0.88 seconds.</p> <p>Faster than sound, faster than thought, the stitched corpse exploded in a gory, steaming show as fluid became gas and whole became parts in less than a second, super-heated viscera raining down and searing friend and foe alike, the steam explosion flash-boiling the lobotomites and launching the mummy of Akhenaten straight through the roof and the cockpit of the <em>Luftwaffe</em>, killing the infant sun in its cradle.</p> <p>Franckenstein pivoted on his heel and pointed a broken finger at Krieger. He shouted a snatch of prose, a garbled nonsense phrase that ground on the brain like stone on steel, and Krieger clapped his hands to his ears and howled. The Nazi twisted and cracked his neck at odd angles before drawing his service pistol and firing upon his comrades, his eyes those of a mad dog and his mouth a foaming bloody grimace.</p> <p>Jackie looked up from Hoffenreich's prone form, muzzle flattening to briefly form a human face. "You said you're a linguist, not a thaumaturgist!"</p> <p>"No, I said I was a <em>philologist</em>. Do keep up, dear Jackie."</p> <p>The <em>Luftplatte</em> was completely unstable now, the explosion the final straw. The spinning plate was off its axis, hurtling towards the earth in a frantic rush to kiss the ground face-first. The open aperture flickered between vista as the saucer tumbled end-over-end, <em>sand stars sand moon city clouds Nile sand stars</em>, the dunes getting ever closer and the stars getting ever farther away.</p> <p>Jackie dragged herself and Hoffenreich across the cavorite grounding strips, towards the aperture, towards the crushed and boiled and twisted corpses of the poor boys used to make the <em>Sonneteufel</em>, the broken brazen cables lashing and sparking above them. She shouts to Franckenstein, who makes his way towards them. "We're going to have to jump and make for the river!"</p> <p>"What? That's crazy!"</p> <p>"Do you have any better idea, Frankenstein?"</p> <p>He gritted his teeth. "We do it on my say!"</p> <p>She nodded.</p> <p><em>Stars.</em> They leaned out of the aperture.</p> <p><em>Sand.</em> They tensed their muscles for the jump.</p> <p><em>Moon</em>. Hoffenreich screamed dark oaths upon Jackie and her lineage.</p> <p><em>Water</em>. Franckenstein held onto Jackie's hand, and they thrust themselves out of the aperture of the falling saucer.</p> <p>They both turned into arrow-tips, feet downwards and arms crossed, angling to hit the deep center of the Nile. The <em>Luftplatte</em> scraped the sky above as it shrieked down to earth, a glinting steel-gray comet bathed in re-entry fire-red.</p> <p>Jackie felt the whipping wind, then freezing water, then nothing at all.</p> <hr/> <p>Joseph surfaced and gasped for breath, choking on the silty water in his mouth, coughing and retching as he clambered out of the water, spitting a dark mix of riverwater and blood onto the sand. He collapsed onto the sandbar, taking in shuddering breaths, drinking in the nighttime air and the stars, happy to have survived. As he was swimming to shore, he had seen the explosion from the <em>Luftplatte</em>'s impact, He sat up, suddenly reminded of someone. "Jackie? Jackie, where are you?"</p> <p>A distant yell, over the ridge. "Joseph? Over here, quick!"</p> <p>He meandered over to where Jackie and Hoffenreich were, walking upstream, then following the deep drag marks of twin heels on the black soil. Hoffenreich laid in Jackie's uncovered arms and was as pale as a sheet, no breath danced past his blue lips, chapped from the desert chill. He was dead. Jackie sat there defeated, grinding her teeth at the scientist's gall to die after what they had gone through to capture him.</p> <p>Joseph swung his pack over his shoulder, and rummaged within before revealing a pipe, tobacco and matches. "Drowned, hm?"</p> <p>Jackie silently nodded, and shoved the newly made corpse off of her and into the sands. "Guess his protective wards never accounted for him being waterboarded to death."</p> <p>The philologist took a puff of his pipe, and glanced between Hoffenreich's body and the pillar of black smoke rising from the crashed <em>Luftplatte</em>. More likely a dozen children died before his <em>Sündenbock</em>s were overloaded, but nevermind that. "Well, nothing to be done. We accomplished all we could, got most of our objectives out of the way. We did our best."</p> <p>Jackie stood, despite wearing nothing but rags, there was no hint of gooseflesh upon her, she was unbothered by the desert chill. "Yeah. Yeah." She blinked, her eyes focusing on the task at hand. "Al Qusayr is a bust, never going to make that rendezvous. Onto Cairo, then?"</p> <p>Joseph nodded, shouldering his pack again. "Onto Cairo."</p> <p>And so they walked north, leaving the corpse of Hoffenreich and the derelict saucer as they made for the dim city lights on the west bank, lights that remained ignorant of the threat that had almost set their world ablaze.</p> <p>End recall.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> .</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> .</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> .</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> .</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> .</span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> .</span></p> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Is that really what happened, 'Jackie'?</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Yes sir. Of course it is.</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>A distant yell, over the ridge. "Joseph? Over here!"</p> <p>He meandered over to where Jackie and Hoffenreich were. Hoffenreich was unconscious, whether from impact or from fright they didn't know. He was breathing, that much was fortunate. As for Jackie, Jackie looked for all the world like a bedraggled, wet cat as she sat there, squeezing the water out of Hoffenreich's great-coat, donning it to cover her bloodied, nubile form. "Glad to see you survived."</p> <p>"You as well. I see your charge survived the landing intact."</p> <p>She frowned, looking at the Nazi scientist's crumpled form. "About that."</p> <p>"We were supposed to rendezvous in Al Qusayr, but I believe that plan has been shot."</p> <p>"<em>Should</em> we rendezvous?"</p> <p>Franckenstein paused. He sat on the sand and crossed his legs, rifling through his sodden pack to find his smoking pipe, wrapped in canvas. He mulled over the question as he struck a match, thinking about it as he held the warm smoke in his mouth. He exhaled a curl of smoke. "Those were our orders."</p> <p>Rosales cocked her head. "A nonanswer."</p> <p>"A silly question."</p> <p>"Do you think he would willingly help us? Our cause?"</p> <p>"He'd help us whether he wanted to or not. The BOS knows how to compel obedience."</p> <p>"As does the Pentagram, but Joseph look at this man. At what he almost did." Rosales gestured at the pillar of smoke rising from the burning <em>Luftplatte</em>, a greasy black that stood out against the smooth velvet of the night sky. "He is a full-throated psychopath, a virulent racist and fascist. Any tool he could be given, any project he could be assigned to, he would just twist it against us somehow. Putting him in a place of power…" She shook her head firmly, her mouth set in a firm line. "It would be like putting a loaded gun in the palm of his hand and placing the barrel against our forehead."</p> <p>He twisted his jaw. "This is a treasonous line of thinking, love. What would your Foundation do if they knew of this treachery?"</p> <p>"<em>Pentagram.</em> Not my horse, not my farm. We were never going to get our hands on him, he is supposed to be in the BOS' care. I don't think my superiors would give a single red cent whether he lives or dies."</p> <p>"Your superiors will have you undergo a psychic debrief after this, correct?"</p> <p>She blinked. "Yes. why?"</p> <p>Franckenstein sucked on the pipe ruefully. "Our orders said not to let him come to harm."</p> <p>"Yes, but-"</p> <p>He raised a finger. "Let me finish. They didn't say anything about him dying of natural causes."</p> <p>Her eyebrows furrowed. "Explain."</p> <p>Franckenstein exhaled one final puff of smoke, and tapped the embers out of the pipe against a rock. "On the island of Lemnos, there is a cave. In that cave, the Ancient Greeks held festivals and mysteries in the name of Hypnos. The Hypnotites spoke in the language of smoke and dreams and forgetfulness. It's a bastard of a language to learn, but it helps when you need to lose something, to forget an event fierce and horrible, that plagues your waking thoughts." In this moment, he felt aged, the forgotten sands of time weighing him down. "I know another language, as well. One that will deal with our Nazi problem."</p> <p>Jackie understood, and nodded. "How?"</p> <p>"Help me with the prick's shirt."</p> <p>Rosales quickly complied, stripping Hoffenreich until his damp chest was bare to the night breeze. The scientist's torso was decorated with small, surgical cuts, the length of a dime. Franckenstein withdrew his knife from his boot, the silver-tip glinting under the moonlight. "I may not be a doctor of medicine, but as you know, it does run in my blood."</p> <p>He slowly pressed the knife against Hoffenreich's skin, the silver tip and the wards on the hilt flaring white as they shattered the ward-tattoos. The knife drew scarlet droplets as Franckenstein carefully reopened the surgical scar, dipping a finger inside to retrieve a small, wriggling mass. A glistening, cancerous teratoma in the fascimile of a screaming child. "A sineater. A <em>Sündenbock</em>. They redirect his misfortunes onto others. He can die without them. He <em>will</em> die without them." Franckenstein crushed the sineater in his fist and tossed it aside, starting on the next scar.</p> <p>There were eight in all, eight crushed tumors, crumpled and discarded as Franckenstein moved onto the next, turning the white sands red with their spoiled blood.</p> <p>When he was finished, the philologist threw Hoffenreich's dress shirt onto him, and propped up the scientist on a rock, staring out at the full moon, looming above the sluggish waters of the Nile. Hoffenreich started to stir, and opened bleary eyes to meet Franckenstein. The Nazi gaped like a fish out of water, trying to find the right words. "What… what did you do?"</p> <p>Franckenstein shooed Rosales away, away to a safe distance, out of voice's reach. "Nothing that will bother you shortly." He turned to Hoffenreich, and sat on his haunches in front of the German. "I don't want to even speak with you anymore. You disgust me. You are a rotten-hearted, pig-fucking Ratzi. I only have one word to say to you, so you better listen closely."</p> <p>Hoffenreich blinked and gawped, all sense of dignity and vainglory spent, like air let out of a balloon. "And what would that be, sir?"</p> <p>Franckenstein smiled gaily, and grabbed Hoffenreich by the hair, bringing him in close until his lips brushed the scientist's ear.</p> <p>There once was an Australian aboriginal language, spoken by entire swaths of the north coast of the continent. This language was infected by the misfiring of a Nazi weapon three years prior, condemning the language to a slow and painful decline rather than the explosive death Obskurakorps desired. The word that Franckenstein spoke was of that language, the infection lethal to those not fluent.</p> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3878"><Sleep.></a></p> <p>The infection reached the left anterior middle temporal lobe within 180 milliseconds, where the cognitohazard attempted to be parsed. The brain manages the first two syllables before neurons within the lobe winked out like a light. Within 190 milliseconds, the collapse in brain function spread to other regions, a cranium-wide blackout. Within 310 milliseconds, eyelids began to flutter from the misfiring nerves, the last gasps of a dying brain. Within 350 milliseconds, the heart missed a beat, within 400 fingers and toes flexed and tensed at random, the right index dislocating from the strain. At 420 milliseconds, the heart stopped receiving input and halted movement. Hoffenreich was legally dead under half a second, slumped in Franckenstein's arms. It was a more peaceful death than the man deserved.</p> <p>Franckenstein let Hoffenreich fall out of his grasp, cracking the dead man's empty skull against the rocks. The philologist stood, brushing the sand from his clothes. He yelled out to Rosales, covering her ears up on the ridge and gazing at Hoffenreich's limp corpse. "Cardiac arrest! We're done here! Onto Cairo!"</p> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:3law">:scp-wiki:theme:3law</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:3law-7ow">:scp-wiki:theme:3law-7ow</a>]] [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=What happens when Frankenstein and a werewolf fight Nazis and genies over the occult remains of a mummy? A lot of dead Nazis, and a crashing flying saucer.]] [[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=sigil.png \|width=100% \|align=center]] [[/div]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=Anorrack]] Sifting Through The Sand Authors: [[user Anorrack]] (7809 words) [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8842 Sister article link here] If you liked this, you would like:* [[[Dead Man Walking]]]: In the finale to DEAD RECKONING, Quinn Law and the UIU race against time to stop the Lighthouse Mafia from staging the largest breakout in Paramax history. [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/voice-of-rage-and-ruin Voice of Rage and Ruin]: On an island deep within enemy territory, Kiran Pal and his crew must disrupt a horrible Japanese ritual and create a monster with the power to bring the war to a bloody end. Will they survive, or will they meet a grisly end within the dragon's lair? [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] [[=]] The Coast of Malta, July 20th, 1942 [[/=]] The sky was dark and clouds shook from the shrieks of the dive bombers and the detonation of munitions across the island. Italian //Folgore//s buzzed like mosquitos overhead, sucking the RAF dry, while German Junkers swarmed Malta like flies on a carcass. The island's AA-batteries and ships were bent, battered, and broken like shattered rotten bone, oil permanently staining the harbors a rainbow slick like so much bubbling rendered fat. The vulture of Kesselring circled above Malta, waiting for the island fortress to finally die and pick its scraps. The Axis continued their bald-faced daylight raids against the island's white cliff faces and towns and airfields, bombing churches while devout prayed for food, sinking supply ships within arms' reach of those starving. The Brit's foothold in the Mediterranean was loosening. Spitfires were flying counter-attacks off runways scarred with potholes and dud bombs. His Majesty's soldiers were patching their boots with used tires and carpenter's nails. Rumor was they were halving the rations again. The lingering taste of rock-dust and blood coated a woman's tongue as she wound through the intricate city streets, one of the few that was fool enough not to take shelter when the siren sounded. Even though she was foreign to Malta, even though she didn't know these alleys or causeways, she had a purposeful step to her stride, following a familiar trail left by an unfamiliar man. The smell of pipesmoke, of scribbled-over pages, tea leaves and other indescribable things guided her. It guided her down narrow crooked steps worn by centuries of footsteps, across a near-dry canal where a thin stream of gray water wound around rubble, and under the arch of an old stone bridge, right to where her quarry was waiting for her, his scent heavy in the air — the scent of the occult. "They didn't tell me you'd be so hard to find." The lanky man's face was briefly illuminated by the strike of a match as he relit his pipe. "And here I was under the belief that I was of a conspicuous make." The woman stuck her hand out, which the man took in a firm shake, flicking the spent match into the turbid trickle of the canal before doing so. "Jackie Rosales. Pentagram, War Department." The man shot a sly smile at Rosales at that final word. "//But of course//, Ms. Rosales. Joseph Placidus, British Occult Service." His accent was faintly German, tinged with a British inflection. His hand was dry and smooth, like warm marble. "Tell me, if you will, what is the Prince of Darkness?" Rosales' lips curled. "But a gentleman, of course." "Correct, not that a simple codephrase could verify the identity of a stranger." The woman's smirk grew. "I would have to agree with you." She reached into her trench coat's inner pocket, and withdrew a small clamshell travel mirror, opening it to reveal a piece of ripped parchment, which she presented to Placidus. The man sighed, reached into his boot and withdrew a silver folding knife etched with ward-dispelling runes and brute-force enchantment-breaking sigils — a knife meant to kill wizards. Placidus sliced open the pad of his thumb and imprinted it onto the parchment, with Rosales quickly following suit. Upon the touch of blood droplets from them both, the paper sizzled and spat and burned up in an instant, confirming both of their identities. Rosales sidled alongside Placidus under the shelter of the bridge as a Ju 88 shot overhead, handing him back his knife. "I suppose the BOS is slightly more trusting than the Pentagram." "Those sticklers at the head office are... fond of their old traditions." As he slotted the knife back into his boot, Placidus offered her a puff of his pipe, which she declined. He sucked on the stem ruefully, staring at the brickwork on the underneath of their cover. "Now then, with introductions out of the way, we can get right to the meat of the matter." He glanced at Rosales briefly. "You handle well on a full moon?" Rosales' eye twitched with annoyance. "Wrong myth. I won't be a problem. [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8842 The dossier] said you were a magician." "The dossier lied, then. I'm a philologist, not a thaumaturgist. I work with dead languages, my dear." She sucked her teeth. "What is a linguist doing behind enemy lines?" "Dead languages make for wonderful codes. And, may I add, Ancient Egyptian //is// a dead language." "Touché. Does that make me the brawn, then?" Placidus puffed an O-ring of smoke before checking his watch. "I wouldn't be so sure, I have just as many tricks up my sleeve as you, and as you are smart enough to track me, I figure both brawn and brains are fairly split. Now we must make haste for the boat. Wouldn't want to be late for our date with death." The pregnant clouds finally broke water, and a downpour came in their wake, giving new life to the nearly dry canal and soaking them both to the bone as they left their brick shelter. The roaring of engines and explosives gave way to thunder and lightning as the storm warded off the worst of the Germans' advances. Jackie grimaced. "At least we can hope for sunnier skies in the desert. And maybe a more friendlier environment than a warzone." ------ [[=]] The Valley of the Kings, Egypt, August 5th, 1942 [[/=]] The valley that hosted the souls of five hundred years of glorious, bronze-clad empire, that sheltered the scions of the dynasties of the New Kingdom from tomb robbers and gods, shaded under the ever-watchful gaze of Al-Qurn, the pyramid-mountain, had been consumed in a sandstorm of unprecedented strength and scale. The storm squatted within the valley like a skulking monster of ancient times, lashing out with crackling lightning and howling winds at all that came near. A good ward against prying eyes, for only the foolish or the suicidal would voluntarily venture into a storm of this magnitude. The questing, corrosive sand bricked engine blocks and suffocated the unprotected, filling their lungs with the dead weight of dense particulates. The tempest was capable of flipping vehicles and shattering airfoils, with even the most surefooted of men losing their balance in the haling windstorm, quickly to be covered and buried in the sand, joining the rest of the entombed dead in their eternal slumber. A figure, wrapped in heavy garments staggered into the haze from a trench barely protected by flapping canvas, straining against its pitons to fly into the tempest. The cloaked figure grasped a rope guide, and used it to find their way to a large boulder, jutting out of the sand like a crooked tooth. The rock formed a lee against the wind, a small shelter within which the figure could relax, as he fumbled with the buttons on his trousers and the gun slung on his shoulder. The red band on his arm marked him as a target, if there was anyone around to see him. The guard hummed an off-key drinking song as he relieved himself, the whistling winds nothing but a background noise at this point. Being stationed in the valley for several weeks, guarding the dig site from any idiotic enough to try and stop them, the storm that drowned out all detail in featureless brown murk had become a bland object to remark upon, simply an unnoteworthy element in the landscape like the architecture of Berlin or the rolling hills before the Swiss Alps. So blasé was he, that he failed to notice a change in the texture of the wind, a twist of shadow in the otherwise flat light. The sound of footsteps behind him was muffled by the storm, and he was still humming that off-key song when three hundred pounds of feline flesh suddenly came crashing down upon him, cratering knees into the dirt and bashing his skull upon the rock. The air was knocked out of his lungs, and he struggled to breathe from the fall and the weight bearing down upon his body. The layers of wrapped cloth around his crew-cut fell away from the impact of the fall, and he felt hot breath upon the back of his shaved, bloody head, and the wet touch of teeth as a circlet of sabers ensconced his skull. He could not reach his gun, fallen just out of reach, he could not breathe, he could not speak, all he could manage was a noiseless scream before the jaguar bit down, shattering his skull and pulping his brain to fluid. ----- Deeper, underneath that flapping canvas tarpaulin, after the trench that gave way to an antechamber, through the cracked floor and ancient wards, past the false tomb of Akhenaten, past the shattered tomb guardians, down a winding tunnel burrowed deep beneath the valley, and past a pit of enchanted brazen spikes was a small room. The side room had been host to a skeleton trap made of a dozen beloved eunuchs and a hundred dessicated asps, ready to envenom and bludgeon any would-be tomb robber, but the animate skeletons had been crushed to powder by the Nazi archeologists as they came through. Now, the room was filled with a small cot and lantern, both coated in hoarfrost and glittering ice. The cot was marked by a small indentation, an invisible weight in the shape of a human body, unseen teeth chattering and breath fogging as [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/two-between-the-eyes the djinn] chanted without stopping as they had for weeks, powering the sandstorm raging above. The chanting hitched as shouting could be heard, the winds faltered as gunshots were fired, and the voice died entirely as the death-screams of Nazis echoed through the tomb-complex. The indentation disappeared from the bed, and small footsteps melted into the frost as the djinn peered through the door, only to be met with the slit-pupil eye of a growling big cat. The djinn retreated from the door, only to be pounced upon by the jaguar, maw wet with blood and saliva, claws digging into soft skin. A small voice, a child's voice, rang out. "//Hayır! Hayır!//" The jaguar blinked with surprise and withdrew from the child, ceding the floor to a man with kind eyes and a smoking pistol. Joseph Placidus spoke softly in Turkish. <Why are you here, child?> The voice trembled, but the unseen eyes were hard. They had seen much. <They said if I make the storm I can go home. I want to go home.> Placidus grimaced, his hand a white-knuckled fist. Djinns were strange creatures, mundane humans robbed from cradles and twisted by secret, arcane arts into thundering gods of creation and destruction, their only limit being their free will and the commands that bound them. The language for each djinn was unique, bespoke, tailored to each djinn by their creator like a shoe for a foot. One needed to know that language in order to command them. <What is the language I must use to aid you?> There was shouting and scuffling footsteps further down the tunnel, more soldiers alerted by the fighting above. It took a few moments for the child to respond, unsure if they could trust a violent stranger. But their voice was firm when they finally spoke. <Babylonian-Mekhanite logic functions.> The soldier's frown deepened, but he nodded. Now Placidus was the hesitant one, trying to remember old lessons from a ticking, whirring tutor. //<define (Master [self] function) --> (servant [djinn] command):: at 6 undo previous Master function, at 12 protect servant, at 18 goto start.>// "//Verdammt!//" Five more guards rounded the corner, MP28 muzzles gleaming and fingers on the trigger. Without a second thought, the child djinn raised an ethereal hand, and with a twitch of a finger twisted the laws of reality within a eight meter cubed region of local space-time, changing base molecular functions and altering the structure of certain proteins, disallowing the existence of desmosomes and disintegrating the chemical bonds between cells. Synapses dislocated and nervous systems atomized before being able to transmit a sensation of agony to the liquefying brain, meant that Germans could not even feel pain, vocal folds sloughed and larynxes disintegrated meant that the soldiers could not even scream as they were reduced to a bubbling protoplasm. The cube of altered space uncurled and returned to its original paradigm, but the Nazis did not reconfigure, remaining in their new, more appropriate form. The child squeezed Placidus' hand in brief thanks, and with a rush of air their presence vanished from the tomb, from the valley, from the entire continent. Rosales stood in the doorway, nude and painted in gore, staring at the piles of ooze and discarded guns on the tunnel floor. "We could have used that child, Joseph." "I'm not condemning a child to more murder. Even to murder a Nazi. Besides, I wouldn't know the commands for that, and I wouldn't force him to tell me, either." The //nahual// didn't say anything further, simply melting back into felinid form and padding away, smelling the trail to Akhenaten. ------ They came to a Y-junction in the tunnel, both paths nondescript and valid options. Both plunged deeper into the valley's ancient substrate, both likely filled with traps, both heady with the scent of Germans. Only one path led to their true destination of Akhenaten's burial chamber. A hand peeled out of the jaguar's skin to run fingers across the right-hand wall's etchings. A set of human teeth pushed out of the jaguar's throat and spoke in a strangled whisper. "Joseph, light on this text?" A flickering torch bathed the wall in shadows and dancing light. "Hrm, typical New Kingdom curses and warnings-" "No, the part after. The declarations of ownership. They keep repeating Akhenaten's name, but there's no cartouche." "Well, this was a tomb meant to bury his memory, his name no longer needed to be defended." "So why write his name at all? //Damnatio memoriae//." Jackie padded to the left tunnel and examined its etchings. "See? no mention of him at all. No tomb robber curses, either. The curses and spells all are directed at the occupant. Vague, left unnamed." "Right tunnel is the red herring? His name meant to lure the curious away?" "Most likely. Bet that tunnel has more than just one corpse at its end." The jaguar's head swayed, human teeth and human hand retreated underneath bloody gums and dappled fur. Jackie proceeded down the left-hand tunnel, Joseph following closely behind. The tunnel delved further and further under the ground, twisting and curling like the petrified, hollow body of some antediluvian serpent until they must have been below Al-Qurn itself, deep below all other tombs and dead kings. At some points the tunnel pitched down until the floor became a leaning wall, and they had to carefully climb down, the tunnel torn and broken by some geological upheaval as if the earth itself had tried to prevent the recovery of Akhenaten's remains. They descended in silence, their travels punctuated only by the navigation of some carefully engineered traps and bursts of wind from further below, carrying the scent of the occult and zesty incense. Their keen perception at the junction was soon rewarded, as the tunnel suddenly opened into a magnificent cavernous expanse, a beam of bleeding sunlight shooting down from a hole in the cragged roof to reveal Akhenaten's mighty burial chamber, and the Nazis that crawled within like maggots on a carcass. Upon the walls writ large were the crimes of Akhenaten against the people of Egypt, its gods and its land. Titanic snarling statues of Anubis and Osiris and Set, death gods all, arranged at equilateral points within the chamber, staring down at the center, where Akhenaten laid, to ensure he would never find rest or repose outside of the watchful eye of the gods. The position of the tunnel relative to the burial chamber gave Jackie and Joseph a fair view of the burial chamber, and its curious arrangement. Instead of being bare but for Akhenaten's sarcophagus, the chamber possessed an entire Egyptian city in miniature, complete with temples, obelisks, and small pyramids. It was a mockery of Amarna, Akhenaten's would-be capital of Egypt in life. In death, he was condemned to rule a lifeless diorama, a reminder that all of his works were undone by his successors — the boy-king Tutankhamun, his son, foremost of all. The burial chamber must have tapped into a natural cave formation, with a pair of underground rivers surfacing to carve a path through carefully laid channels within the burial chamber and the model city in a mockery of the Nile, the water the color and viscosity of human blood. The scarlet river had been host to a species of blind, albino crocodile, if the butchered, carelessly-laid carcasses near the Nazi camp were any indication. A flash of light, the chime of a bell, and another burst of wind, the smell of magic and ozone thick in the air. The aftershocks of a failed ward-breach. German shouts could be heard from the tunnel mouth. "//Nein! Mehr Hammer, weniger Skalpell!//" Placidus huffed, and readied his rifle. "They've found Akhenaten. They're trying to breach the sarcophagus." It was almost too late. Jackie skittered down the ramp from the tunnel to the burial chamber floor. She sensed Placidus behind her, trying to find a good vantage point. She prowled through the small, gridded streets of the city, padding over a bridge above the blood-stained Nile, noting a bubbling in the waters below. A pentameter chant could be heard as she crept closer to the site of the sarcophagus, followed by another burst of wind. The bell was a C# this time, the wards ever closer to breaking. Up there, up the steps from the docs into the city plaza stood a group of a dozen Nazis, two dressed in pharaonic regalia, intoning rites in a gibberish mismash of Coptic and German, one holding a silver hammer, the other holding a golden scalpel, kneeling in front of a large granite box. The sarcophagus. At the crescendo of the nonsense words, the hammer was brought down upon the stone sarcophagus, and the wards flashed white, searing the stone and the hammer with soot. A♭. Closer now. Hoffenreich was in lurking in the back, watching the affair with a fascinated glint in his eye. His project, years in the making, was so closed to being fulfilled. The hammer came down. A#. The bell tolled clear, the wards shattered in a spray of ghostly glass. Jackie leapt forward. Joseph took the shot. //Splt.// The forehead of the scalpel-wielding priest detonated in a shower of gore, he fell against the sarcophagus. Jackie landed on the back of the nearest Nazi and bit down, severing his spinal cord at the neck, scream dying as his throat was shredded. The Nazis shouted overlapping orders, their moment of victory turned into a moment of violence as hell rained down upon them. //Bang//. Another bullet through the second priest, in the middle of a protection working, the glowing shield sputtering out in his hands. Jackie pounced on the leg of another, and with a twist of her neck, she threw the screaming Nazi down the steps and into the water. Calm red turned to frothing white as a crocodile surged out of the water with its jaws snapping shut, sinking back down into the waters below with gibbering fascist in tow. One last meal for the last of its kind. Hoffenreich pointed a quivering finger at Jackie, spraying spittle. "Stop the intruder! //Sofort! Sofort!//" Jackie rolled out of the way of a hail of bullets, a row of Horus miniatures down the boulevard beheaded by the spray. She shot forward like furred quicksilver, leaping upon another hapless Nazi, but was caught out of the air by the neck, and held up like a squirming kitten. A lumpy, crookedly handsome face leered into view, Hoffenreich's pet //Falschfleischer//, a corpse raised into the eternal service of the Third Reich. Seven feet tall and as broad as two coffins, fingers the size of bratwurst dug into Jackie's neck, her vision tunneling and her breath strangled. A bullet carved through the undead beast's brainpan and Jackie clawed at its face and arms, but the creature didn't so much as flinch, merely clenching its fingers all the more tightly. Jackie couldn't maintain the felinid form any longer, and slipped back into hominid, naked and dripping with blood, struggling in vain to free herself from the steel grip of the walking corpse. Hoffenreich walked forwards, curious, heedless of the gunfire. "What is this that #27 caught? Not a pet cat, but a pet Jew? Remarkable." Joseph pivoted. A bullet tore through the air, reaching its target faster than the sound of the rifle's //crack//. Its aim was true, but instead of boring through flesh, the bullet passed without a ripple through Hoffenreich's forehead, leaving a silvery streak against the stone behind him from the ricochet. The //Falschfleischer//, #27, dug its fingers deeper into Jackie's neck. Hoffenreich's voice supernaturally boomed across the burial chamber. "A Yiddish boy in Warsaw just had his brains excavated from his skull from that bullet. Cease your hostility, or more will perish." A second bullet disappeared into Hoffenreich's chest. He turned to the ledge where Placidus nested, spying the glint of the sniper scope. "A girl with club feet just had a heart attack. You are killing children." There was a pregnant pause, but there was no third shot. Hoffenreich nodded, and #27 dropped Jackie, gasping for breath, and sprinted towards the sniper's perch. Hoffenreich raised his arms in the air, and intoned a brief German phrase, curling his hand into a fist. He leaned over to talk to Jackie, in an almost conversational tone. "That should have snapped your colleague's trigger finger. Will make this less messy for us. Now then, Krieger." Krieger — a hulking man in uniform — stepped forward, gun in hand. The last thing Jackie remembered before stars and darkness was Krieger's grim smile and the fast approaching butt of his rifle. ------- Jackie's head hurt like nothing else, which was the first thing that told her that she was alive instead of dead. The second was the dual smell of greased steel and dried blood, layered on each other like notes in a disgusting perfume. Her hands were bound behind her with rough, chafing rope, and there was a digging, burning sensation on her neck, as if someone had made her a collar of hot barbed wire. Finally, there was a high-pitched squealing and thumping sound, like the heartbeat of a mechanical monster, or a poorly-tuned engine whose pistons were about to burst from their cylinders. She opened her eyes, and was blinded by the dim light in the circular room they were kept in. The walls blurred and vibrated, curved overlapping sheets of metal spinning around them, as if they were in the center of a large centrifuge. Paired that with the horrible sounds of the engine, and the eerie lurching in her stomach from the unnatural forces at play within the demonic Germanic engine, and Jackie concluded that they must be in one of Germany's //Luftplatten//, soaring through the sky to G-d-knows-where. Taking further stock, there were five Templars leering at her, Hoffenreich's pet corpse menacing above, and Hoffenreich himself, fiddling with the instruments of... SCP-8842. In the flesh. The dossier hadn't given her any photos of the //Sonnenteufel//, which was just as well, as any black and white photo wouldn't have done justice to the mangled, horrible offense to nature and good sense it was. Nine men were prostrate on the rough metal floor, heads down and palms face-up, every inch of their bodies marked with arcane and eye-bleeding sigils and runes, bloody, unholy screeds written on the pages of their skin in a combination of Nazi esotericism, Hindu-Christo-Nordic syncretic prayers, and Egyptian hieroglyphics. Their ragged, chapped lips whispered an unceasing stream of esoteric mantras and unhallowed mysteries. Tangled cables of blood-crusted copper wiring emerged from holes drilled in their skulls to connect each other in a warped ritual circle which crackled with electricity and magic. Plastic and canvas tubes of all sizes stuck through their torsos, delivering blood, protein slurries, or drip-feeds of amphetamines, and removing excretions and other undesirable fluids. In the middle of it all, above the glimmering crystalline lens array, above the circle of twitching half-dead men, floated the withered corpse of Akhenaten. The ancient mummy was suspended as if by silken thread in the center of the ritual circle, glowing with an internal light, the linen bandages cascading off his form and orbiting around his body like so many wriggling tendrils of a deep-sea creature. The inverted symbol of Aten crowned his bare skull in flickering plasma, a totem of his unparalleled divine essence, undimmed three millennia after his demise. It was too late. "Glorious, isn't it?" Hoffenreich, he had noticed her awake. "I had hoped that Krieger wasn't too rough with you. I would like you both to see the activation before Krieger killed you." Jackie attempted to transform, to don the skin of //Tepēyōllōtl//, but the silver-barbed choker around her neck dug in even further and burned with an intense heat, forcing her to stop, patches of fur retreating beneath her skin as blood trickled down the curves of her chest. She coughed. "Bastard." Hoffenreich clapped his hands together. "The American Jewess speaks! And here I thought you were too feral to have higher brain functions. Your //Judenmagie// is quite potent, I must admit, though I fear no match for our learned sciences, as that is often the case." Jackie twisted her hands, using her fingers to feel out the rope. It was rough, and very thick, chafing against her skin. The knotwork was very well done, so the only way she was going to get out of it would be with a knife. "The Allies will stop you and your insanity. What you're doing is pure evil." Hoffenreich pursed his lips. "//Ja//, everything that we do is evil. You Americans are all the same, accusing us of being such when you do the same thing. Were you not ordered to take me alive, bring me in to help your so-called United Nations? I would be doing this same work under them, as well." She spat. "Fascist prick." "Ah, there it is. That famous Yankee brash. A Pentagram agent, I take it? Freemason? No matter, we will find out in the interrogation chamber once we reach Castle Werfenstein." Something shuffled on Jackie's right, and she felt Joseph stir awake, similarly bound like her. He sported a goose egg on his temple, and his trigger finger was purpled and swollen. He was as worse for wear as Jackie felt. His eyes narrowed as he took in the stitched monster looming over him. #27 spoke in a dry, husky voice, the bullet through the brain and the mauling Jackie had given it evidently not dimming its unearthly intelligence. The patchwork creature's eyes were emotionless, flat, its tear ducts borrowed from a dry-eyed corpse. "Sorry to meet under these circumstances, cousin." Placidus spat bloody phlegm at the feet of the //Falschfleischer//. "The feeling is mutual." Rosales looked to Placidus, bemused. "Cousin?" Placidus vented a sigh through gritted teeth. "'Joseph Placidus' is not my full name. It is rather--" he took a breath. "'Joseph Maria Casimir Konrad Michael Benedictus Maurus Placidus von Franckenstein.'" //Frankenstein.// The linguist stared with a deathly glare, fighting against the coarse restraints. "And these //fascists// have stolen my family's work! Used for evil!" #27's scarred face rippled with microscopic muscle spasms, but said nothing, turning to look at Hoffenreich instead. Hoffenreich chuckled, his preened mustache twitching with //schadenfreude//. "You cannot //steal// scientific innovation, my good doctor. We all build upon the shoulders of giants, your ancestor is but one of them. How could we not take custody of his genius for Germany, for Europe?" Franckenstein gritted his teeth. "Whatever makes you comfortable with God, Hoffenreich." Rosales prodded Franckenstein with her foot, and glanced down at his boot, then back at him. He nodded. When no one was looking, he arched his back, as if stretching, and pulled his pant leg slightly up with his bound hands, jimmying the hidden knife out of its sheath and leaning over to Jackie to pass it off. She got to work immediately on her bonds. Hoffenreich clasped his hands behind his back and stared at the spinning fuselage of the //Luftplatte//, at the circle of prostrate men. "That I am, my dear doctor. That I am." He looked over his shoulder to Franckenstein. "You and your Jewess are quite brave, you know. Would make for a very good pulp fiction. 'Two brave souls fighting against the odds, against the coming darkness.' Yes." He turned and leaned down to meet Franckenstein, eye to eye. "But we are not the darkness, doctor. Quite the opposite, in fact. And today, Egypt will know that truth." With a curt nod from the Nazi scientist, the aperture below the lens array whined open, and hundred-mile-an-hour winds filled the bomb bay. Jackie could see lights from a highway, homes and towns below. The chanting from the lobotomites became more fevered and frantic, and Akhenaten glowed brighter, his linen wrappings flapping violently in the gale. Jackie accelerated in her sawing of the ropes, strands snapping and giving way. Franckenstein wrestled against his own bonds, his teeth clamped together in an ugly sneer. "What are you planning, Hoffenreich?" A wry smile squirmed to life on Hoffenreich's thin lips, and he stood, smoothing his flapping greatcoat and donning dark welding goggles. He had to shout to be heard over the high-altitude winds. "We have been following the Nile north for the past three hours. We will be within range of British supply lines in five minutes. Cairo within ten. Soon, the British forces in Cairo will face a new dawn, a German dawn, as we unleash the holy power of the sun upon their soldiers and tanks and aeroplanes, and break the British Lion for good!" With a defiant roar, Jackie freed herself from her bonds and ripped the silver circlet from her neck, instantly transforming into a bruised and bloodied jaguar, the knife clattering to the ground, just out of reach of Franckenstein. The sudden shift in weight caused the //Luftplatte// to pitch and turn on its axis, its unholy engine whining and sissurating to compensate, to try and return to a state of fragile equilibrium. #27 fell to one knee, faring far better than the other Templars, whom all fell fully to the floor but a single unlucky one, tripped over the beryllium bronze cables and fell out of the //Luftplatte//'s aperture, screaming the whole way down. Hoffenreich staggered to his feet, his goggles askew and his mustache unkempt. He pointed at Jackie and spat with hatred, "Kill her! Kill the Jewess before she destroys the //Wunderwaffe//!" Two of the Templars, twins, one marred with a jagged duelling scar across his face and the other with a crooked, squashed nose, stomped across the steel floor towards Jackie, drawing fencing sabers from their scabbards. In their haste one of the twins kicked Joseph's folding knife in his direction, which Joseph leapt upon and began cutting his bonds with haste while they were distracted. Jackie unearthed a feral growl as she padded around the bomb bay, keeping the twins in full view. The flying saucer's engine whined and groaned as it over-corrected, pitching the other direction, knocking one of the brothers off balance for a split-second, but long enough for Jackie to bolt forward like furred lightning, lunging with claws outstretched to take his neck between her jaws, splattering the contents of his jugular across the cabin. His squash-nosed brother wailed, lashing out at the skittering cat with his frantic swipes of his sword, lit aflame and smelling of brimstone. "//Mein Bruder! Mein Karl!//" Hoffenreich backed away from the bloody melee, grabbing one of his subordinates and throwing him at the //Sonnenteufel//. "Go, now! activate the machine, while there is still time! Cairo will burn! //mgah'ehye ahagluz ah mgn'ghft!//" The lobotomites' chanting grew louder and the light ever brighter and Akhenaten's skull and bones became transparent as they emitted a holy light that had not been seen on this Earth since the pharoah's near-apotheosis upon the steps of his palace within the dread city of Amarna before his assassination at the hands of crypto-Atlantean apostates. There was a roar that dwarfed even the sound of Jackie's jaguar form as a ball of incandescent plasma formed in the center of the ritual circle, a miniature sun birthed from the unholy combination of German thaumaturgy and Egyptian divinity. A sun, a golden unborn egg that would soon hatch with a birthing cry of fire and flame and devastation, a force that would soon be unleashed upon the Allies in Egypt, and thenafter the entire world. Joseph finally cut himself loose of his bonds and leapt to his feet, his face heating and skin tightening from the glare. Jackie had been able to take down the second twin and tear him to bloody shreds only moments before she had been blinded by the glare, stunned and knocked out of her jaguar form yet again. She scrambled to the side and tackled Hoffenreich, pinning him to the floor, who was screaming and biting and shouting obscenities in his native tongue. #27 lumbered to Joseph, staring impassively down upon him. The two were scions of the same family, one through natural sciences and midnight love-making and one through occult secrets and midnight horror-making, though one family all the same. Joseph spat blood again and spoke. "Listen, cousin. Come away with us. Leave this war behind, come to London, meet the family. They would love to see you and hold you, as a cousin. As a nephew. A brother." The corpse-turned-science experiment was unmoving, unblinking. Finally he spoke, his voice but a whisper from the grave. "I will not betray the intent behind my making, cousin. I am sorry." Franckenstein felt a pang of sadness twist his gut to knots, the deep grief at the impending death of a close relative. "No, I am sorry." The linguist said a word from the long-forgotten language of Parabolic A — a language killed but not yet dead — and #27's dessicated ear-drums popped with a subsonic bang. Reeling from the shock, #27 attempted to raise a misshapen fist, but faltered as Franckenstein kicked the undead man towards the //Sonnenteufel//, tripping it over the suspended bronze cables and directly onto the lens array, the weight of the goliath cracking the fragile blue lenses into splinters. The ghoul raised its over-sized revolver level with Franckenstein's chest, its finger squeezing the trigger. But the gun didn't fire, not before the beams of godly energy from the miniature sun enveloped the falling modern Prometheus, not before the water within its leathery skin boiled in 0.18 seconds, not before the water vaporized in 0.62 seconds, and not before the water expanded to fill the volume, popping catgut sutures and splitting skin in 0.88 seconds. Faster than sound, faster than thought, the stitched corpse exploded in a gory, steaming show as fluid became gas and whole became parts in less than a second, super-heated viscera raining down and searing friend and foe alike, the steam explosion flash-boiling the lobotomites and launching the mummy of Akhenaten straight through the roof and the cockpit of the //Luftwaffe//, killing the infant sun in its cradle. Franckenstein pivoted on his heel and pointed a broken finger at Krieger. He shouted a snatch of prose, a garbled nonsense phrase that ground on the brain like stone on steel, and Krieger clapped his hands to his ears and howled. The Nazi twisted and cracked his neck at odd angles before drawing his service pistol and firing upon his comrades, his eyes those of a mad dog and his mouth a foaming bloody grimace. Jackie looked up from Hoffenreich's prone form, muzzle flattening to briefly form a human face. "You said you're a linguist, not a thaumaturgist!" "No, I said I was a //philologist//. Do keep up, dear Jackie." The //Luftplatte// was completely unstable now, the explosion the final straw. The spinning plate was off its axis, hurtling towards the earth in a frantic rush to kiss the ground face-first. The open aperture flickered between vista as the saucer tumbled end-over-end, //sand stars sand moon city clouds Nile sand stars//, the dunes getting ever closer and the stars getting ever farther away. Jackie dragged herself and Hoffenreich across the cavorite grounding strips, towards the aperture, towards the crushed and boiled and twisted corpses of the poor boys used to make the //Sonneteufel//, the broken brazen cables lashing and sparking above them. She shouts to Franckenstein, who makes his way towards them. "We're going to have to jump and make for the river!" "What? That's crazy!" "Do you have any better idea, Frankenstein?" He gritted his teeth. "We do it on my say!" She nodded. //Stars.// They leaned out of the aperture. //Sand.// They tensed their muscles for the jump. //Moon//. Hoffenreich screamed dark oaths upon Jackie and her lineage. //Water//. Franckenstein held onto Jackie's hand, and they thrust themselves out of the aperture of the falling saucer. They both turned into arrow-tips, feet downwards and arms crossed, angling to hit the deep center of the Nile. The //Luftplatte// scraped the sky above as it shrieked down to earth, a glinting steel-gray comet bathed in re-entry fire-red. Jackie felt the whipping wind, then freezing water, then nothing at all. ------ Joseph surfaced and gasped for breath, choking on the silty water in his mouth, coughing and retching as he clambered out of the water, spitting a dark mix of riverwater and blood onto the sand. He collapsed onto the sandbar, taking in shuddering breaths, drinking in the nighttime air and the stars, happy to have survived. As he was swimming to shore, he had seen the explosion from the //Luftplatte//'s impact, He sat up, suddenly reminded of someone. "Jackie? Jackie, where are you?" A distant yell, over the ridge. "Joseph? Over here, quick!" He meandered over to where Jackie and Hoffenreich were, walking upstream, then following the deep drag marks of twin heels on the black soil. Hoffenreich laid in Jackie's uncovered arms and was as pale as a sheet, no breath danced past his blue lips, chapped from the desert chill. He was dead. Jackie sat there defeated, grinding her teeth at the scientist's gall to die after what they had gone through to capture him. Joseph swung his pack over his shoulder, and rummaged within before revealing a pipe, tobacco and matches. "Drowned, hm?" Jackie silently nodded, and shoved the newly made corpse off of her and into the sands. "Guess his protective wards never accounted for him being waterboarded to death." The philologist took a puff of his pipe, and glanced between Hoffenreich's body and the pillar of black smoke rising from the crashed //Luftplatte//. More likely a dozen children died before his //Sündenbock//s were overloaded, but nevermind that. "Well, nothing to be done. We accomplished all we could, got most of our objectives out of the way. We did our best." Jackie stood, despite wearing nothing but rags, there was no hint of gooseflesh upon her, she was unbothered by the desert chill. "Yeah. Yeah." She blinked, her eyes focusing on the task at hand. "Al Qusayr is a bust, never going to make that rendezvous. Onto Cairo, then?" Joseph nodded, shouldering his pack again. "Onto Cairo." And so they walked north, leaving the corpse of Hoffenreich and the derelict saucer as they made for the dim city lights on the west bank, lights that remained ignorant of the threat that had almost set their world ablaze. End recall. @@ .@@ @@ .@@ @@ .@@ @@ .@@ @@ .@@ @@ .@@ [[collapsible show="Is that really what happened, 'Jackie'?" hide="Yes sir. Of course it is."]] A distant yell, over the ridge. "Joseph? Over here!" He meandered over to where Jackie and Hoffenreich were. Hoffenreich was unconscious, whether from impact or from fright they didn't know. He was breathing, that much was fortunate. As for Jackie, Jackie looked for all the world like a bedraggled, wet cat as she sat there, squeezing the water out of Hoffenreich's great-coat, donning it to cover her bloodied, nubile form. "Glad to see you survived." "You as well. I see your charge survived the landing intact." She frowned, looking at the Nazi scientist's crumpled form. "About that." "We were supposed to rendezvous in Al Qusayr, but I believe that plan has been shot." "//Should// we rendezvous?" Franckenstein paused. He sat on the sand and crossed his legs, rifling through his sodden pack to find his smoking pipe, wrapped in canvas. He mulled over the question as he struck a match, thinking about it as he held the warm smoke in his mouth. He exhaled a curl of smoke. "Those were our orders." Rosales cocked her head. "A nonanswer." "A silly question." "Do you think he would willingly help us? Our cause?" "He'd help us whether he wanted to or not. The BOS knows how to compel obedience." "As does the Pentagram, but Joseph look at this man. At what he almost did." Rosales gestured at the pillar of smoke rising from the burning //Luftplatte//, a greasy black that stood out against the smooth velvet of the night sky. "He is a full-throated psychopath, a virulent racist and fascist. Any tool he could be given, any project he could be assigned to, he would just twist it against us somehow. Putting him in a place of power..." She shook her head firmly, her mouth set in a firm line. "It would be like putting a loaded gun in the palm of his hand and placing the barrel against our forehead." He twisted his jaw. "This is a treasonous line of thinking, love. What would your Foundation do if they knew of this treachery?" "//Pentagram.// Not my horse, not my farm. We were never going to get our hands on him, he is supposed to be in the BOS' care. I don't think my superiors would give a single red cent whether he lives or dies." "Your superiors will have you undergo a psychic debrief after this, correct?" She blinked. "Yes. why?" Franckenstein sucked on the pipe ruefully. "Our orders said not to let him come to harm." "Yes, but-" He raised a finger. "Let me finish. They didn't say anything about him dying of natural causes." Her eyebrows furrowed. "Explain." Franckenstein exhaled one final puff of smoke, and tapped the embers out of the pipe against a rock. "On the island of Lemnos, there is a cave. In that cave, the Ancient Greeks held festivals and mysteries in the name of Hypnos. The Hypnotites spoke in the language of smoke and dreams and forgetfulness. It's a bastard of a language to learn, but it helps when you need to lose something, to forget an event fierce and horrible, that plagues your waking thoughts." In this moment, he felt aged, the forgotten sands of time weighing him down. "I know another language, as well. One that will deal with our Nazi problem." Jackie understood, and nodded. "How?" "Help me with the prick's shirt." Rosales quickly complied, stripping Hoffenreich until his damp chest was bare to the night breeze. The scientist's torso was decorated with small, surgical cuts, the length of a dime. Franckenstein withdrew his knife from his boot, the silver-tip glinting under the moonlight. "I may not be a doctor of medicine, but as you know, it does run in my blood." He slowly pressed the knife against Hoffenreich's skin, the silver tip and the wards on the hilt flaring white as they shattered the ward-tattoos. The knife drew scarlet droplets as Franckenstein carefully reopened the surgical scar, dipping a finger inside to retrieve a small, wriggling mass. A glistening, cancerous teratoma in the fascimile of a screaming child. "A sineater. A //Sündenbock//. They redirect his misfortunes onto others. He can die without them. He //will// die without them." Franckenstein crushed the sineater in his fist and tossed it aside, starting on the next scar. There were eight in all, eight crushed tumors, crumpled and discarded as Franckenstein moved onto the next, turning the white sands red with their spoiled blood. When he was finished, the philologist threw Hoffenreich's dress shirt onto him, and propped up the scientist on a rock, staring out at the full moon, looming above the sluggish waters of the Nile. Hoffenreich started to stir, and opened bleary eyes to meet Franckenstein. The Nazi gaped like a fish out of water, trying to find the right words. "What... what did you do?" Franckenstein shooed Rosales away, away to a safe distance, out of voice's reach. "Nothing that will bother you shortly." He turned to Hoffenreich, and sat on his haunches in front of the German. "I don't want to even speak with you anymore. You disgust me. You are a rotten-hearted, pig-fucking Ratzi. I only have one word to say to you, so you better listen closely." Hoffenreich blinked and gawped, all sense of dignity and vainglory spent, like air let out of a balloon. "And what would that be, sir?" Franckenstein smiled gaily, and grabbed Hoffenreich by the hair, bringing him in close until his lips brushed the scientist's ear. There once was an Australian aboriginal language, spoken by entire swaths of the north coast of the continent. This language was infected by the misfiring of a Nazi weapon three years prior, condemning the language to a slow and painful decline rather than the explosive death Obskurakorps desired. The word that Franckenstein spoke was of that language, the infection lethal to those not fluent. [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3878 <Sleep.>] The infection reached the left anterior middle temporal lobe within 180 milliseconds, where the cognitohazard attempted to be parsed. The brain manages the first two syllables before neurons within the lobe winked out like a light. Within 190 milliseconds, the collapse in brain function spread to other regions, a cranium-wide blackout. Within 310 milliseconds, eyelids began to flutter from the misfiring nerves, the last gasps of a dying brain. Within 350 milliseconds, the heart missed a beat, within 400 fingers and toes flexed and tensed at random, the right index dislocating from the strain. At 420 milliseconds, the heart stopped receiving input and halted movement. Hoffenreich was legally dead under half a second, slumped in Franckenstein's arms. It was a more peaceful death than the man deserved. Franckenstein let Hoffenreich fall out of his grasp, cracking the dead man's empty skull against the rocks. The philologist stood, brushing the sand from his clothes. He yelled out to Rosales, covering her ears up on the ridge and gazing at Hoffenreich's limp corpse. "Cardiac arrest! We're done here! Onto Cairo!" [[/collapsible]] [[module CSS]] #header h1 a::before { content: "From 120's Archives"; color: #e9ebf0; text-shadow: 3px 3px 5px #000000; } @media (max-width: 900px) { #header h1 a::before { content: "F120A"; font-size: 6vw; padding-inline-start: 55px; } } [[/module]]	2024-12-28T22:26:00	[ "7th-occult-war", "action", "adventure", "art-exchange", "british-occult-service", "fiction", "from-120s-archives", "military-fiction", "period-piece", "science", "tale", "third-law" ]	Sifting Through The Sand - SCP Foundation	22	[ "scp-8842", "dead-man-walking", "voice-of-rage-and-ruin", "two-between-the-eyes", "scp-3878" ]	[ "top-rated-pages-by-month", "third-law-hub", "tales-by-year", "from-120-s-archives-hub", "art-exchange-hub", "news" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/sifting-through-the-sand/sigil.png" ]	1458145125	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sifting-through-the-sand
silas-rockwell-and-the-reflection-of-heaven-prologue	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Ach-scp-theme/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">Blue Foot</a> <div class="authorbox"> <div class="authorcontent"> <p>Like my stuff? Read more <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/blue-foot">here,</a> and join my <a href="https://discord.gg/h5uY646BER">Discord server</a> to be notified whenever I post a new piece!</p> </div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr/> <h2><span><strong>Central China, Early May 1940</strong></span></h2> </div> <hr/> <p>It was a dark, moonless night in Hubei Province, and all was quiet in the forest. Even the crickets’ song was strangely silent, as if the insects had gone to sleep that night to rest their collective voice. The quiet was broken, and even then only barely so, by the bubbling and light splashing of a turtle rising to the surface from the riverbed. The earthy odor of the flourishing spring grass, nourished by heavy rain and the great surging Yangtze, nearly overpowered the landscape. Truly, it would’ve been all that filled one’s nose if not for the smell of gunpowder and steel pervading the land.</p> <p><em>Boom</em>.</p> <p>The first blast of the Japanese artillery rang out. A zealous officer wanted the honor of beginning the bombardment.</p> <p><em>Boom</em>.</p> <p>He fired another shell.</p> <p><em>Boom</em>.</p> <p>Rushing to their stations, the quickest of the Chinese artillerymen returned fire with a single shot.</p> <p><em>Boom. Boom. Boom</em>.</p> <p>A symphony of explosions erupted on either side of the field. Firing under the concealment of the tree canopy, rows upon rows of guns opened up. Infantry temporarily retreated to safety of underground dugouts, and airmen filed out to the runways.</p> <p>But the crashing of shells and whistling of mortar, though disturbing to the birds and causing the rats to scurry to their holes, were but a distant and waning concert to the 20 or 30 dark silhouettes marching through the black forest. Far behind Japanese lines and guided only by firefly, feel, and experience, their objective seemed out of reach to any outside observer. Even some of the men there thought such was so.</p> <p>“<em>Wǒmen dàodǐ wèishéme yào lái zhèlǐ</em>?” A disgruntled man muttered.</p> <p>“<em>Wǒmen zhǐ qù fénmù</em>.” His equally unhappy comrade agreed quietly. At this, the man at the front of the group stood to the side and stopped, waiting until the discontented pair caught up to him. Once he was at their side, he shoved one of the men into the other. He began to chastise them severely in a hushed, furious tone. If it weren't for the need for quiet, he would’ve likely yelled his message to them.</p> <p>“Don’t go too hard on them, Mingyu. I’d think this was a suicide mission too if I knew as much as you’ve told them.” An out of place American voice, speaking in English, came from just in front of the back of the band. Mingyu scoffed and sped up his pace to meet the American man. He seemed out of place among the Chinese guerrillas, wearing leather, jeans, and a casual button-up beneath his jacket. But the confident expression on his grizzled, handsome face made it seem like he felt right at home.</p> <p>“That is lieutenant, doctor,” responded the officer in heavily accented English, scowling. “Lieutenant Dai Mingyu, People’s Liberation Army.” The American smirked. The officer, dressed the most formally of all the peasant soldiers, stood out by wearing a cap with a red star and clean glasses as well as a field worker's light cotton. He had piercing eyes that stabbed daggers into any man he wished to unsheath them on with a stare. Any man but the American. He had seen them in plenty of men.</p> <p>“Alright, alright, take it easy now.” He said.</p> <p>“If you can suffer to call me lieutenant, and I can call you doctor, Mr. Rockwell, there will be peace. Otherwise, I can guarantee you nothing.”</p> <p>Lieutenant Dai paused for a moment. The band began to cross a small creek, stepping from rock to rock as a path across the ankle-deep, flowing water. In the far off battle, the sounds of propellers and dropping bombs joined the ensemble. The officer continued.</p> <p>“And who do <em>you</em> think you are, judging how I lead my own men?” Dai continued.</p> <p>“No one,” Rockwell responded. “But it wouldn't hurt that they know why they're fighting, that's all my point.”</p> <p>“You want to discuss why we fight? Where did you get all this information we’ve based the entire attack on, doctor? I still await an answer.”</p> <p>Rockwell frowned. The band had crossed the creek. Faint lights began to become visible through the thick forest.</p> <p>“I can’t tell you that.”</p> <p>“Thus I cannot trust you.” Rockwell sighed and rolled his eyes.</p> <p>“When have I ever let you down?”</p> <p>Lieutenant Dai grunted. He spat to his side. Rockwell continued.</p> <p>“We will never need to see each other again after this. Let’s try not to get into it for just one last time.” Lieutenant Dai did not respond. No one spoke for some time after.</p> <p>Finally, the band exited the forest, stopping short at the treeline of a large clearing. Every man fell crouched just at the edge of the darkness, out of sight of those who may be occupying their objective.</p> <p>Maybe 1000 feet up a moderately-sloped hill lay the site of a Japanese camp. With every lamp on and spotlights sweeping across the land, it seemed that the encampment would be bustling with the activity of an army at full strength. However, besides the lights, the entire area sounded and looked very quiet. No soldiers or trucks were seen or heard, at least from where the guerrillas were.</p> <p>“There will be no eastern devils, doctor? I will not send my men into their deaths.” Lieutenant Dai asked, hushed.</p> <p>“I have said it before. They’re on the attack to take Yichang, three miles southwest.”</p> <p>“They’re clearly manning the spotlights. If you're wrong, we will all die.”</p> <p>“There’s a tiny garrison, and that’s it. There are less of them than us, and we have the element of surprise.”</p> <p>Lieutenant Dai paused.</p> <p>“Your head is on the line. Let us have victory.” The lieutenant raised his voice slightly.</p> <p>“<em>Ràng wǒmen kāishǐ ba</em>.”</p> <p>“<em>Shì de</em>!” The men of the band responded, though certainly not at appropriate volume for a cheer. At that, everyone fell to their stomachs, and the guerrilla group began to crawl towards the Japanese camp. On his belly, Rockwell felt his shoulder holster uncomfortably pushed up through his armpit. The leather piece was not designed to be pressed against the dirt, especially when worn by a crawling man.</p> <p>The distance to their objective was not far from the treeline. The green of the tents and the illuminating light poles were easily visible over the crest of the hill, even from the bottom. Along the way, they’d only need to cross a clear slope of grass, bar a few possible unseen rocks. However, the threat of detection loomed. A spotlight, always on guard for intruders, slowly crossed the hill face like a pendulum. Back and forth, back and forth. So the communist cell hugged the earth, slowly scaling the slope up to the camp.</p> <p>Each man was spread across a large area on the hillside, alone or in pairs. Rockwell found himself next to Private Luo, a very large man who didn’t speak much. Whenever food was brought into the safehouse, he always ate three times the ration. He also did three times the work whenever there was a need to lift or move anything, being the first man Lieutenant Dai always called for.</p> <p>Rockwell, though a PhD, found himself to be behind the curve when it came to avoiding spotlights. A quick learner, he observed how the guerrillas did it. They never stopped moving, determined to stay exposed on the hillside for as little as possible. When the light crept up to where he was about to crawl, Private Luo slowed down, letting it pass before going. Private Chen, a wiry man often picked to run messages between cells, would break from his crawl and run forward hunchbacked. No matter how close the light was, Chen was determined to race it, and he always succeeded.</p> <p>Rockwell had kept up well. The band was maybe 100 feet from climbing to the top of the hill. The doctor had been using a two-wheeled cart sitting at the very edge of the summit as his goal, as passing it would mean he had entered the plateau on which the camp was built. The threat of the spotlight was nearly passed. Though it was slowly creeping toward him, it was of no concern; he could easily get out of the way, he thought. Rockwell quickened his pace to get out of the way of the light. He was unable to move, and felt a pull along his shoulder holster.</p> <p>“Shit.” He mumbled quietly. He tried to move by force, crawling with more strength yet again. He only received a stronger pull around his chest. The searchlight came closer.</p> <p>“Not now.” Rockwell mumbled again, coolheaded but not so confident anymore. He patted around the spot of his snag. After feeling a few handfuls of earth and grass, he found the issue: Rockwell had managed to run into one of the few rocks on the hillside. A peculiarly hooked stone, embedded in the dirt, had caught the leather straps of his shoulder holster.</p> <p>The glow of the spotlight began to overpower the view to Rockwell’s right, as the very edge of it was nearly upon him. It was a matter of seconds before he was exposed to the Japanese, and they would defend the camp to the death. He quickly worked the straps, finding that two of them that connected near his rib were both hooked on the rock.</p> <p>The light grew closer.</p> <p>Rockwell pulled the vertical strap free.</p> <p>The light was the length of a man away.</p> <p>Rockwell pulled the horizontal strap free.</p> <p>The right side of Rockwell’s body began to be illuminated by the dim glow of the spotlight’s edge.</p> <p>Rockwell jumped forward, scraping by just as the spotlight swooped by where he was just moments before. He took a moment to breathe. He looked behind him. The light had continued on its way, seemingly oblivious to the doctor’s presence. Rockwell was certain that he had been seen, but it seemed he had gotten lucky this time.</p> <p>With the guerrillas unaware of Rockwell’s near-miss, and him certainly not rushing to tell them about it, the band reached the camp without word on his incident. They met behind the cart at the edge of the camp, barely illuminated by the lights of the camp. The two dozen hid to the best of their ability, the two wheels, combined with the blocks underneath, providing some height to obscure their crouching figures. Lieutenant Dai whispered to his own men in his own language, before turning to Rockwell.</p> <p>“-And Dr. Rockwell can take whatever he wants, and thus we can end our relationship…cordially.” Rockwell nodded. He understood the goal of Dai’s men: to kill the few Japanese in the camp and take as much guns and ammunition that they could carry out.</p> <p>“I’ll stay out of your way. It was a pleasure working with you, lieutenant.” Rockwell responded with much more sincerity on his face than in his heart. With that, Dai exchanged a few more words with the guerillas, and they all rose and entered the camp silently.</p> <p>Rockwell began to casually walk on his own into the camp. The Chinese spread out in groups of five to eliminate their enemy. Fighting was their responsibility. The only reason he’d even taken them along was to ensure the few Japanese guards left in the camp were no threat to him, and even then he only brought them for that purpose under heavy protest. Rockwell spent hours trying to convince his boss that he didn’t need help, that going alone was more safe and efficient, but he was told that their presence was mandatory. Why, he asked? New security protocols for field agents, demanded by the brass from the top. Too costly to give out so many bereavement packages for all the agents killed in the warzones that had popped up in the past couple years. Rockwell knew better than to argue with the bureaucracy. At the very least he compromised to take a band he actually had some history with, not the new group of Nationalist insurgents his boss thought would be the most competent.</p> <p>Walking down the lanes of tents, light poles, and stacked boxes, the doctor heard the sounds of the Chinese doing their own part. Shots occasionally rang out, but that was only the main course of a full accompaniment of scattered screams, shouted exclamations, and all manner of wood being pried and destroyed. Rockwell was slightly concerned when he saw a Japanese soldier leaning against a pole not far in front of him. The young soldier seemed deaf when a Chinese man sprinted up from behind him and ran him through with a bayonet, not reacting at all to the sound of him running. When Rockwell walked by the dead man, the blood leaking from his mouth seemed to source from a smile.</p> <p>Eventually, after a long but straight shot deep into the camp, Rockwell found what he was looking for: a great big tent, with no windows or openings other than a cloth door. A big pile of crates stacked in the most peculiar way adjacent to the tent, the one where a private was breaking open a box with a crowbar, marked his objective. Rockwell noticed a crate was precariously placed on the edge of another just above the man's head. A small movement could cause it to fall.</p> <p>"<em>Xiǎoxīn, xiāngzi huì diào dào nǐ shēnshang</em>." Rockwell said, warning the man of the danger.</p> <p>"<em>Qù sǐ ba</em>." The guerrilla said with derision, not even turning to face Rockwell. The doctor shrugged. His funeral if he wanted to be a hardhead.</p> <p>A sign was planted at the door, with kanji stating to all who saw it “<strong>DO NOT ENTER</strong>”. Here, Rockwell was briefed, he would find his prizes. As the doctor was stepping inside, he felt a hand being placed on his shoulder. He whipped around to see Lieutenant Dai.</p> <p>“What is it, Mingyu? You said we were done.” Rockwell asked, annoyed. The officer made a sour face and snorted before responding.</p> <p>“I don’t trust this.” He said. Rockwell sighed deeply.</p> <p>“Why the hell not?”</p> <p>“We have found maybe eight or nine eastern devils. The men in the watchtowers have boarded themselves in with boards and chairs. They didn't even know we were coming, yet their doors are blocked. I have a feeling-”</p> <p>“Listen, there’s no one here. If you’re worried, take what you need and leave. Just stay out of my way.” Rockwell concluded with a huff. As Dai turned red and wore an expression of indignation, the doctor entered the tent. He had no patience for the petty concerns of the communists.</p> <p>A lit lamp hung from the ceiling at the intersection of the tent poles, illuminating the space with an orangish tint. Inside those green walls lay tables and piles of priceless treasures, the spoils of the 11th Army marauding and looting through central China. Rockwell took in a breath, enjoying the smell of the ancient.</p> <p>A display of colorful, adorned samurai armor was the most striking feature on the east wall. Small crates and boxes, themselves ornate and beautiful, were filled to the brim with gold and jewels and lined up against the wall of the tent. Artifacts, like classical pottery, swords, and idols were organized on several tables. Pallets were loaded with assorted precious stones.</p> <p>Though Rockwell was not shy to help himself to a few loose jewels, he was not there for regular old metal and crystals. He, instead, turned to the table that was completely unorganized, which appeared to be the least valuable of them all. It was labeled with a piece of paper that said “普通でない”, or “unusual”. This table, left unorganized and with items scattered about, seemed uncared for. However, he knew they were the most valuable of all.</p> <p>Rockwell immediately recognized the <em>Jinjiao Jian</em>, the Scissors of the Golden Scaly Dragons. With golden handles like a dragons' heads and blades like sharp teeth, it was written that the artifact took in heavenly energy to be able to cut through anything. The doctor was found it to be surprisingly heavy. There was the beautifully molded <em>Luobao Jingqian</em>, the Treasure-Defeating Gold Coin, which made useless magic and projectiles, and the <em>Ruyi Jingu Bang</em>, the Monkey King's cudgel that adjusted to any size. He saw the <em>Wanya Hu</em>, the Pot of Ten Thousand Crows which Luo Xuan used to burn down an entire city.</p> <p>"I guess the princess didn't destroy it." Rockwell thought. He had read <em>Romance of Gods</em> as part of his doctorate research, and it is written that the pot, an ornate teapot made of jade, was destroyed for its power. That book was usually accurate, but it seemed that there was evidence for a new error in the text.</p> <p>Following protocol, Rockwell quickly jotted down all he saw. He knew he couldn't carry everything out. The priceless spears, staffs, and swords were too big to take with him, so the news of their existence and location would be the most valuable thing he could bring back home.</p> <p>When finished writing, Rockwell began filling his sack with the smaller priceless treasures. Even if he from time to time took the liberty to pad it with normal artifacts, his bag was meant to take these anomalous objects with him. And so he did, working as quickly as possible. He was pleasantly surprised to see Wukong's cudgel fit in his sack snugly, even if he tried to place it inside when it was five feet long.</p> <p>As Rockwell, struggling with the space already taken up by loot, was trying to stuff the Scissors of the Golden Scaly Dragons in through the cramped opening of the bag, he heard the footsteps of someone entering the tent. Very focused, he did not immediately turn to see the person.</p> <p>"Dr. Rockwell?" The voice said clearly. It was Lieutenant Dai.</p> <p>"Mingyu? What is it?" Rockwell asked, not even concerned to look at him. After a moment, the doctor was surprised to then hear a clicking sound. It was unmistakably recognizable as a pistol, the officer having cocked it to be ready to fire. That certainly got his attention, and Rockwell swiftly turned to face the officer. He took a deep breath.</p> <p>"Lieutenant Dai." Rockwell said, calmly and fearlessly.</p> <p>"Ah, the bird sings a new song." Lieutenant Dai replied smugly, grinning ear to ear. He pointed his pistol at Rockwell and held it at his hip.</p> <p>“So, you’re truly nothing more than a thief? Color me…unsurprised.”</p> <p>“And you’re the one saying this? Now?”</p> <p>Lieutenant Dai laughed.</p> <p>“The supplies we have borrowed will come back to the eastern devils sometime or another, even if not in the way they’d like. But you…you’re simply a bandit, blinded by the glitter of gold.”</p> <p>“You’ve never thought this before? At least, you've never seemed bothered."</p> <p>"I'm not so foolish. But given our work together is done, and you know far too much about this cell’s activities for any single man bar me and Chairman Mao, I believe the time to act is now. I have given the order to the men that your time is up."</p> <p>Rockwell took a moment to think before speaking.</p> <p>“Lieutenant Dai, listen-”</p> <p>Rockwell stepped forward, and Lieutenant Dai raised the pistol to a firing position. Rockwell took the hint, and stepped back before continuing, resting one hand on a crate of stolen items to his right and using the other to emphasize his points.</p> <p>“Can I tell you the truth?”</p> <p>The officer raised his eyebrow, prompting Rockwell to continue.</p> <p>“I’m not here to take just any of this-” the doctor motioned his hand towards the boxes of gold and gems, “-no, but for these things.” Rockwell turned towards the table of unusual items. “They're pieces of history, yes, but they're…different. They don't make sense in our understanding of the world. You-"</p> <p>"They're magical?" Lieutenant Dai butted in.</p> <p>"Yes," Rockwell continued, "If that's how you want to say it. I need to take these home so they can be studied, so we can improve the world. Isn't that what Chairman Mao would do? For the new China?" Rockwell concluded, ending his speech with a salesman's grin.</p> <p>Lieutenant Dai took a moment to think. He then scoffed.</p> <p>"You know nothing about Chairman Mao, or his vision. The new China will have no place for such superstition. You are no better than any other foreign devil, taking the history of my people as spoil."</p> <p>Lieutenant Dai paused for a moment, then laughed.</p> <p>"If you really want to help Chairman Mao's vision for a new China, we need money, and these things will fetch a…<em>handsome</em>, price."</p> <p>"I'll help carry them out for you."</p> <p>Lieutenant Dai laughed once again.</p> <p>"No, Mr. Rockwell, I believe your time has already run far past its course. Goodbye."</p> <p>As soon as Lieutenant Dai finished speaking, both men’s ears were perked by the rise of noise outside the tent. The occasional gunshot and yell of a man suddenly erupted into a new chorus of barked orders, war cries, blaring of alarms, and the beginning of several firefights all throughout the camp. Dai, looking around the tent in confusion, spared the American for a moment.</p> <p>"What is that? What have you done?"</p> <p>"Nothing!" Rockwell replied emphatically.</p> <p>Silently, as Lieutenant Dai stood uncertain of what to do, a pine cone shaped object rolled from the tent door across the grassy floor. The object gingerly stopped near the room's entrance, tapping on the officer's heel. Dai looked downward to find a grenade, primed with the pin removed, sitting right at his feet. He went bug-eyed at the sight. Seeing the officer distracted, Rockwell ducked behind the crate to his right.</p> <p>"<em><strong>Húndàn!</strong></em>" Screamed Lieutenant Dai as the grenade exploded, launching the officer several feet across the tent. Seeing it was safe, Rockwell stepped out from hiding. He began to walk to the door. Passing by, he glanced at Lieutenant Dai. The man's legs were badly scorched and torn, and he had landed face down on a pallet loaded with jade artifacts and stolen jewelry.</p> <p>"Use <em>that</em> for the new China, Mingyu." Rockwell mumbled in passing. He then exited the tent. It was time to get out of there.</p> <p>Stepping outside, the chaotic scene surrounded Rockwell. The first thing to catch his eye was the marker of his objective, the crate pile near him. It was missing several boxes, and many others left were cracked open, their contents of mortar shells clearly visible.</p> <p>He looked to his right. From the large rectangular medical tent, easily seen halfway across the camp, came a stream of Japanese soldiers, as men were rushing onto the new battlefield. Even if the battle had started more than a minute before, there were still more emerging from the tent door. Through the gaps of the tent city, he saw the occasional soldier running through the narrow walkways. All around him, small-scale fighting between men on either sides, be it with fist, knife, or gun, choked out his viable routes of escape. The Japanese had laid a trap, and Rockwell was stuck in the center of it. The only way out seemed to be where he came, straight ahead and back into the forest.</p> <p>Rockwell took barely a step forward before he felt a pull from the sack of treasures slung on his back. In a moment, the doctor was yanked backwards with incredible force, falling to the ground on his posterior. He looked up to see his attacker, and there stood Private Luo. The big man’s round face, usually stern and indifferent, was uncharacteristically transformed by a toothy smile.</p> <p>“<em>Děng yīxià, wǒ lái jiěshì yīxià</em>.” Asked Rockwell, needing just a moment to breathe and reassess.</p> <p>“<em>Bù</em>.” Simply responded the soldier, denying the doctor’s request for a moment’s peace. His face turning to anger, Luo raised his foot high, intending to bring it back down on Rockwell. The doctor rolled to the side, avoiding the attack, and he started to scurry off to his left. Luo’s foot already on the ground, he swung it to the left as he drove it against Rockwell’s right side, making the doctor wince but giving the momentum for his crawl to make some distance from his attacker.</p> <p>Rockwell faced the private. Luo ducked his head and charged towards the doctor in a shoulder bash. Rockwell quickly reached for his shoulder holster and drew his revolver. Before he could fire a shot, Luo collided with him at full force, knocking Rockwell backwards and sending his gun flying.</p> <p>Both men thinking they’d found their trump card, Luo drew the pistol from his waist, and Rockwell retrieved the Scissors of the Golden Scaly Dragons, its handles sticking out from his sack. Luo aimed the pistol at Rockwell and cocked it, but, as he did so, the doctor brought the open blade of the scissors down on the barrel of the gun. As Luo pulled the trigger, the entire length of the barrel of his weapon was sheared off, and no shot fired.</p> <p>Surprised, Luo threw his destroyed weapon to the side. With uncharacteristic reflexes, he caught Rockwell’s wrist as he tried to swing the golden scissors back up his abdomen, stopping himself from being cut in two. He squeezed with all his strength, his massive hands wrapping all the way around Rockwell’s lower forearm. Both men stared into each other’s eyes for several moments, each steeling their resolve facing down the other. Rockwell held onto the scissors for as long as possible, but Luo was far too strong, and the doctor was forced to drop his only weapon.</p> <p>With the loss of the golden scissors, Rockwell was reinvigorated with survival instinct. With his free hand, he squarely punched Luo in the jaw, before getting two more good hits to the face. The guerrilla responded by using one hand to defend his head and the other to shove Rockwell away. Luo, a head taller than Rockwell and no longer filled with his typical stoicism, advanced on Rockwell. Both men exchanged blows for a short time, but Rockwell soon found himself becoming more battered and exhausted than his enemy. With the strength and reach advantage, Luo struck more often and harder, and both knew that the outcome of the fight was only a matter of time.</p> <p>With Rockwell’s strength running low, he quit his backpedaling and pivoted forward. He struck Luo once in the face, and once in the chest. This seemed the last straw for the man, and he pounced on Rockwell, landing on top of him in the ground. Luo began to strangle Rockwell with both hands. Rockwell tried to free his neck with all his might, but found himself low on strength. Unable to stop the stranglehold, he used one hand to punch Luo in the face, but the guerrilla refused to let go.</p> <p>Things started going fuzzy. Rockwell began to think his road had come to an end here, in the forests of Hubei. With little struggle left to avoid resignment to that fate, suddenly, the sound of a deafening explosion completely enveloped him, and all that he heard was white noise. Luo collapsed on top of Rockwell, and a violent force was shot through the guerrilla that felt as if it shoved Rockwell further into the ground. Smoke began to rise from Luo’s back, and the man released his stranglehold.</p> <p>Rockwell pulled Luo's hands off his neck and took several deep breaths, desperate but happy to be alive. His stroke of luck pumping him with a new round of adrenaline, he rolled the big man's body off of him and stood up.</p> <p>Rockwell's senses soon began to return with the airflow. Looking towards Luo, a massive burnt dent mark filled his entire upper back. Rockwell then turned towards the pile of crates. He saw a thin Japanese soldier, eyes closed and nearly doubled over. His hand was placed on an open crate of mortar shells.</p> <p>Rockwell, his hearing returning, quickly made out what the soldier was doing. He was laughing the heartiest laugh the doctor had ever heard in all his adventures. Putting two and two together, Rockwell realized the soldier had tossed an active mortar shell squarely on Luo's back. If the guerrilla had not been such a big man, Rockwell would likely have died with him. And the enemy sergeant thought it was funniest thing. But that didn't all sink in with the doctor at once.</p> <p>"<em>Arigatō</em>." Rockwell said shakily, still catching his breath. He meant it sincerely. The soldier had saved his life.</p> <p>Hearing the word, the Japanese man straightened up. He thought Rockwell certainly would've been killed by the blast. He delayed a moment as he stared at the doctor, unsure of what to do. Coming to his senses, he then pulled another shell from the crate, and he tossed it at Rockwell.</p> <p>The light whistle of the shell spelled doom for the doctor. Thinking quickly, and still full of adrenaline, he quickly lifted up the corpse of Luo and pressed it against himself where he stood. The guerrilla was nearly too much for the doctor to hold, and he certainly couldn't do it for long, but for the moment he had he braced himself against the body to the best of his ability.</p> <p>As the bomb fell short of Rockwell, Luo took the brunt of the explosion and was sent flying to the side. The doctor was pushed to the ground and back several feet, being dragged along the grass by the force of the shell. Though dazed, bruised, and cut up, Rockwell was certainly still alive, and the Japanese man was eager to finish the job.</p> <p>Rockwell knew he needed an out, and using dead men as shields would not cut it again. The soldier was soon to throw yet another shell, and his aim might've improved the second time. Rushedly scanning his surroundings, he looked to his left, and found that he'd stopped right next to the Scissors of the Golden Scaly Dragons, which had fallen to the ground before.</p> <p>As the Japanese man reached for another mortar shell, Rockwell retrieved the golden scissors and rose to his feet. He rose it over his head, and threw it directly at the enemy's head like a tomahawk. Quick to his wits, the soldier ducked, and the scissors instead were lodged behind him in an unopened crate just above his head, the box just barely placed at the edge of a lower crate in a very precarious position.</p> <p>"<em>Naisushotto</em>." Said the Japanese, chuckling. He pulled out another shell. Though he jested, he knew he had Rockwell beat.</p> <p>Rockwell stood still, chuckling quietly to himself. The golden scissors, lodged in the crate's side, had shifted the balance of weight. As the soldier prepared to toss another shell, the crate impaled with the scissors fell from its place. It landed on the soldier's head, its heavy contents knocking him out cold as it fell on top of him. The shell fell from his hand, and exploded only to his harm as both he and it struck the ground.</p> <p>Rockwell, pleased with himself, grinned and walked over to the body.</p> <p>"<em>Arigatō.</em>" He said, pulling the golden scissors from the crate. Placing it precariously once more in his sack, still having barely enough room as to have the handles stick out, he began to walk in the direction in which he came, finally ready to leave.</p> <p>Rockwell moved quickly retracing his path. As he followed the route, he ducked and weaved through the cover of boxes and tents around the several fights taking place right in his way. He hid behind a crate before a Chinese man shoved his Japanese opponent down the way past Rockwell, and the doctor had a chance to scurry by without being involved in their knife fight. By passing these final two men, the only thing that was left between Rockwell and escape was the two-wheeled cart and the open hill it was placed on.</p> <p>Coming near the cart, suddenly, Rockwell was shoved from behind, seemingly bashed with the end of a narrow object. He was pushed into the cart, landing face first but quick to flip onto his back and see his attacker.</p> <p>Above him stood a glaring Japanese soldier. He was holding his gun by the barrel, having been using it as a club. The man, baring his teeth, adjusted his grip and raised the rifle to his shoulder, aiming at Rockwell. As the soldier slid the bolt forward, Rockwell rolled to the other side of the tiny cart. The soldier fired, but missed, creating a hole in the center of the shoddy cart's wooden floor, previously only covered with hay. As the ferocious man slammed another round into the chamber, Rockwell covered his face with his arms, before another shot rang out.</p> <p>Rockwell opened his eyes and moved his arms. Blood was leaking from his attacker's head. The man fell to his right. Rockwell, still on edge, could only catch his breath for a moment as he heard a courageous war cry. Lieutenant Chen ran up to where the dead man once stood, quickly retrieving the Japanese rifle now laying on the floor. He raised it to his shoulder and took aim at Rockwell. The doctor braced for impact once again, but a crack rang out and Chen's head whipped to the left in a moment. He had been shot too, and, as he fell to the ground, he dropped the rifle at Rockwell's feet.</p> <p>Rockwell, confused, sat up to figure out what had just happened. The lighting at the camp's edge was barely sufficient. Turning to his left, he saw men in Japanese caps crouched under a watchtower and surrounded by metal barrels for cover. They had their rifles slung over the barrels, aiming straight down the hill. They had certainly been watching for any guerrilla attempting to escape down the hill. The barrels emanated a pungent odor of oil.</p> <p>To Rockwell's right, he saw men wearing peasant clothes, those he knew as Chinese guerrillas, ready with their rifles placed over a pile of crates. They must've been carrying the munitions out of the camp before the fighting had pinned them down, so they'd set up shop where they stood. The crates, certainly full of munitions and explosives, were now makeshift cover.</p> <p>For a moment, the screams and gunshots filling the air seemed to cease all at once. All was quiet for a moment.</p> <p><em>Crack</em>!</p> <p>Rockwell, having set his sack of treasures aside, quickly ducked down into the cover of the cart, laying flat on his back so the short walls on either side shielded him. The singular shot was only the first of many, as the Chinese and Japanese realized the presence of the other. All hell broke loose as a storm of fire opened up just above Rockwell's head. He was stuck right in the middle of a firefight, and worse, low shots began to chip away at his cover. Once it was destroyed, there'd be no protection from the crossfire.</p> <p>Pinned, Rockwell knew his only escape was the cart. He began pushing his body against the vehicle, banging into it with all his strength, but it wouldn't budge. Even pushing off of the ground just in front of his cover was no good. Pressure began to mount, as every lousy shot allowed either enemy to lower their aim even more. One stray round could spell the end to the doctor's adventures.</p> <p>Looking to see what was stopping him, Rockwell peeked his eye through the hole created by the dead Japanese attacker's rifle shot. In the dim light, he saw wooden blocks placed on each of the cart's wheels. They were the obstacles keeping it in place.</p> <p>In a snap decision, Rockwell jumped up to move the blocks by hand. He only could sit up for a moment, but he was able to glance briefly at the combatants. In what he could see, both sides were assembling machine guns, be it their own or stolen. Though they were both not set up yet, the mere rifle fire forced Rockwell to snap back to his senses and lie back into cover as a bullet zipped just past his nose.</p> <p>Rockwell knew that when those machine guns got firing, they'd tear through his flimsy fortress in mere seconds, the old wood already on its last legs. Yet, there was no way to move the blocks without facing the same fate as the two dead men at his feet. For a moment, he thought that the situation was impossible.</p> <p>But Rockwell did not survive all his adventures by giving up. Scanning the area within arm's reach, only one tool was available: the rifle two men had tried to gun him down with. The firearm now laying at his feet, he carefully pulled it into his cover. Through the chips in the cart's side he saw the tops of the heads of the tallest Japanese and Chinese soldiers. Rockwell coughed several times as he began to be overpowered by the smell of oil, the bullet-ridden barrels used for cover by the Japanese leaking heavily.</p> <p>Rockwell stopped for a moment. He knew he couldn't fight his way out, and going out in a blaze of glory seemed less than ideal. There had to be another way.</p> <p>Thinking quickly, Rockwell found his final lifeline. He held the gun like a club and huddled up against as much cover as he could. Using all his strength, the doctor brought the butt of the rifle down on the little hole in the floor of the cart.</p> <p><em>Crash.</em></p> <p>The wood gave way a little, warping downwards. Rockwell gave it another hit.</p> <p><em>Crash.</em></p> <p>It broke up a little more. Rockwell, his face lit up, bashed the floor once more.</p> <p><em>Crash!</em></p> <p>A hole the size of the rifle’s butt was opened where the little spot once was. His smirk growing, Rockwell adjusted his grip and slid the barrel of the gun through the hole. Holding the rifle from the butt, the doctor could just barely reach the blocks with the muzzle. He struggled for a moment, making several attempts to move the left block to the side properly. Peeking his head up slightly towards the Japanese, their machine gun was nearly fully assembled. The Chinese were certainly not far behind.</p> <p>With a final push, he found success. The first block was out of the way, and only the right one remained. As he positioned the rifle to move the final block away, Rockwell had a realization. He'd certainly be exposed as he rolled away, and there would be no defense from the potshots of both armies. As he thought about this, both armies were placing their fully assembled Nambu machine guns on top of their cover.</p> <p>Rockwell reached into his bag and retrieved the <em>Luobao Jingqian</em>, the Treasure Defeating Gold Coin. When thrown into the air, it could stop arrows and magic bolts. The doctor gave the coin a kiss for luck and tossed it upwards. Then, as the machine gun crews of his enemies had their fingers on the trigger, he shoved the final wooden block away with his gun, and off the cart went down the hill. The sudden jerking motion of the cart beginning its roll pulled the rifle under the hole. His hands now free, the doctor hung on to the shattered sides of his vehicle and braced himself for what could be an abrupt, violent stop.</p> <p>As Rockwell began moving, several soldiers turned to fire at his cart. Unbeknownst to them, their task was impossible. The Treasure Defeating Gold Coin activated, floating and vibrating in the air. The artifact then froze every shot aimed at Rockwell, suspending their rounds in the air just past the soldiers' vision. They vibrated just like the coin, still full of their previous momentum. Unaware of the futility of their actions, crouched men fired both at Rockwell and their enemies. Indeed, even the machine gunners, entranced by handling such a powerful weapon, seemed to ignore their tracers freezing en route to their targets. Hundreds of frozen rounds filled the air in moments.</p> <p>As Rockwell raced far away from the scene of the battle, the gold coin's effect ran its course, and it fell to the ground inert. Without the coin's power, all at once, every bullet suspended in the air zipped to its target at once. Hundreds of tiny powder kegs crashed into the Japanese already crumpled and leaking oil barrels on one side, and even more barraged the splintered and nearly destroyed crates of shells and munitions hoarded by the Chinese. The unintentional bomb created by the two armies could take the abuse no longer, and both the oil barrels and the munitions crates exploded at once in a spectacular fireball. The inferno, consuming the two groups of fighting men, rose into the air, signaling to all the disaster that had consumed them.</p> <p>Finishing his bumpy ride down a particularly rock-laden stretch of the hill, the cart quickly slowed down as the side not supported by wheels acted as brakes for the vehicle as it dug into the earth. Rockwell briefly turned to glance at the fireball he had created up the hill. He chuckled slightly, then, keeping his mind on escape, jumped up from his seat and broke into a sprint for the cover of the woods. It felt something fell out of his bag, but he had no time to look back.</p> <p>“<em>Tomare</em>!” A voice shouted from the woods. As Rockwell was just about to enter the treeline, a Japanese soldier jumped up in front of him from his hiding spot. He brandished his rifle, tipped with a shining bayonet, and with a crazed look in his eye began to run towards Rockwell. The doctor tried to avoid him, turning sharply for another spot on the treeline. But, just as he was about to escape from the field, another Japanese man, a sergeant based on the insignia on his shoulder, emerged from the brush. Rockwell had no time to react as the man bashed him in the stomach with his rifle's butt, knocking him doubled-over on his back.</p> <p>On the ground, Rockwell instinctually curled up and covered his face as the soldier let loose several cruel kicks into his side, back, and head. The sergeant accompanied his abuse with twisted laughs, bordering on cackling. The doctor had only a brief time to consider fighting back, as he saw the other soldier rush over to his comrade. He raised his rifle, ready to plunge his bayonet into the man on the ground. Rockwell braced himself.</p> <p>“<em>Yamete! Baka-tomo</em>!” A gruff, authoritative voice yelled from the forest. Rockwell was relieved to see both his attackers turn away from him and towards the treeline. Both of them shouldered their weapons and stood at attention. In a few short moments, a furious man stomped over to the young soldiers and slapped each of them across the face. He began to scream at them in Japanese, letting them know just how foolish they were.</p> <p>“You didn’t need to call them idiots,” Rockwell said with a cough, “They were just doing their jobs.” The angry man, clearly an officer, looked down at Rockwell. He surprised the doctor by lightly laughing.</p> <p>“You speak my language.” The officer stated, speaking in a strange accent, mixing the speech mannerisms of the Japanese and the South English.</p> <p>“And you speak mine.” Rockwell responded matter-of-factly. “You went to school abroad?”</p> <p>“Oxford. Class of 1932.”</p> <p>"No kidding. What'd you study?" At this, the Japanese man's face lit up slightly.</p> <p>"I was a student of history, with a focus on East Asia in the late classical and early modern periods. I wrote my dissertation on the Great Unifier Oda-"</p> <p>"Nobunaga!" Rockwell butted in. Humanizing himself with his captor would probably be the best way to avoid ending up with a bullet in the head. "What a man! The Sengoku period was maybe the best thing I studied back at Berkeley, certainly more interesting than when we started slogging through the Tokugawa Shogunate. God, I hated that." The officer did his best, but could not contain a little smile.</p> <p>"Really? You also studied the Far East? I can only hope you learned in class that while samurai in battle are honorable and glorious, there is also value to the unity and order in peace."</p> <p>"I understand that. I was just a dumb college kid, is all." He paused for a moment. "I have to ask, how did you get into Oxford? Your family is well off?” The officer’s softened expression turned sour.</p> <p>“What is that to you?”</p> <p>“Nothing, nothing.” Rockwell internally kicked himself for that misstep. Nobody spoke for a moment, until the officer continued.</p> <p>“You may get up now, unless you wish to continue lying in the dirt.” Rockwell rose from the ground, finally getting an eye-to-eye look at the officer. He was nearly the doctor’s height, rising above most of the men they were surrounded by. His clean green khaki uniform, kept to the tee of Japanese military standards, spoke for itself his dedication to his occupation and country. His sharp features were accentuated by the dim orange glow of the massive fire raging on the top of the hill. Above all, his strong, piercing eyes projected power and authority that not even Lieutenant Dai could achieve when pointing a gun at a man. That power and authority was accentuated all the more by the half dozen Japanese soldiers emerging from the brush and standing side by side with their officer. Even if Rockwell was clearly unarmed, two of them always kept their rifle trained on the foreigner.</p> <p>The officer cleared his throat and pointed at the inferno. The Japanese, victorious in the battle, had begun to deploy fire brigades to quench the flame.</p> <p>“This is your handiwork?” He asked.</p> <p>“I played no part in any of this.” The officer chuckled at Rockwell's claim.</p> <p>“Liar.” With nowhere left to go in this conversation, Rockwell fell back on his training.</p> <p>“I am an American national. The United States and the Japanese Empire are not at a state of war. If I am harmed-” The officer cut him off.</p> <p>“You can face serious consequences in a domestic or international court of law, or even extradition to the United States to face justice.” He finished. Even as Rockwell kept a poker face, he was taken aback. How did this random officer know the immunity spiel? The Japanese man continued.</p> <p>"No sir, I know the little speech you've been taught to give upon capture. Your allegiance is not with America, even if both her and your masters share the same cowardly and decadent tendencies. You are one of…<em>them</em>." The officer spat out his final word with derision, his previously amused expression beginning to twist into a disgust his enlisted men shared. He too had finally considered the fact that, at least in his eyes, Rockwell had surrendered like a coward.</p> <p>"I don't know what you're talking about." Rockwell feigned. The officer sighed, and continued with more frustration in his voice.</p> <p>"We thought you'd come while the army was away, and we planned for an armed escort to come with you. But with those degenerates, <em>communists</em>-" The officer spoke that word with so much hate and distrust that it was like saying it was the worst taboo, "-? Even that we thought was below you gang of thieves. What made you think you could rob Japan of her rightful treasures under her nose?" The officer spoke with clear restrained anger, like a father chastising his son. Rockwell exhaled deeply. It was clear the man would not be fooled.</p> <p>"So the jig is up, huh?"</p> <p>The officer nodded lightly. At that, Rockwell felt a strange peace.</p> <p>"I don't think we've properly been introduced. My name is Silas Rockwell, Doctor and Field Agent of the SCP Foundation." The officer nodded again.</p> <p>"Captain Masuya Kobayashi, <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ijamea-hub">Imperial Japanese Anomalous Matters Examination Agency</a> ." Captain Masuya said it like he was going to accompany his statement with a salute. Speaking to a foreign dog, he, of course, restrained himself.</p> <p>"IJAMEA? I'm glad to say I'm quite familiar."</p> <p>"Oh? What have you come to know about the agency? Please, speak your mind." Knowing that, because he hadn't been killed yet, and that he probably was wanted alive, a little bit of snark bled through his filter.</p> <p>"I know you're the fanatics of the fanatics. The naval and army schools recommend only the most crazy about the empire to you." Captain Masuya dropped whatever was left of his cordial smile, then, raising his gloved hand, slapped Rockwell across the face. Silas took a moment before turning again to face the officer.</p> <p>“You asked for honesty.”</p> <p>"'Patriotic' is the word we look for, Dr. Rockwell. Only those with the <em>Yamato-damashii</em> of ten men have the honor to serve the Emperor's Agency." Neither man spoke for a moment before Rockwell continued.</p> <p>"So that's why those guys barely fought back when we came in, huh? They were the most 'patriotic'? They had the most ‘Japanese spirit?’"</p> <p>"Yes. It is a shame we lost such brave men today, and an even greater one you dishonor them now, but it was necessary for victory." Masuya thought for a moment, then laughed mockingly.</p> <p>"How did your superiors not notice such an obvious trap?"</p> <p>Rockwell took a moment before responding. "They never told me much. I was just told to go find the tent with your anomalies, that a stacked box of crates would mark it, and that there would be almost no one to stop me."</p> <p>"Your superiors didn't even tell you how they learned of classified army plans?" Rockwell shook his head. He was told that the Japanese would be away and why, but he didn't know where the info came from. Captain Masuya snorted and spat to his side.</p> <p>"Typical treacherous western dogs. Our superiors came together not long ago to discuss the movements of the emperor's army. Your leading men claimed they wanted to know such information so they could follow leads on suspected artifacts without coming into our crossfire. But this is not the first case of Foundation deceit. We spoiled them with information, where individual divisions would come and go in the recent weeks, and specifics of our camps, even which ones held our treasures. Then is when we told them the entire army you've just robbed from would be away on the attack tonight. And so we lay in wait for you, certain you would come on this night." Rockwell kept a brave face, but inside, he felt his heart drop. He had been the fool all along.</p> <p>“And you decided to stay out of the fighting by hiding in the forest?” Rockwell asked with some disdain, wishing to earn back a little of his bruised pride.</p> <p>“Do not get brazen with me. My assignment was to seize or kill fleeing enemies of Japan. I have fulfilled my orders.” Masuya answered, more defensively than angrily. Rockwell waited a moment before speaking again.</p> <p>"So, what happens now?" Silas asked. Masuya remained firm.</p> <p>"You will come with us to Tokyo, and you will tell us everything you know. That's the best you deserve-" the captain paused for a moment, "-thief."</p> <p>Masuya then noticed a golden glimmer maybe 20 feet behind Rockwell created by the warm glow of the flame on the hill, which was now losing the battle with the firecrews. Masuya walked over to it, his men following closely behind him. Now Rockwell turned to face back up the hill. There was no physical thing left between him and the forest, but two soldiers still kept aim at the doctor. The captain reached down and picked up the Scissors of the Golden Scaly Dragons. That must've been what Rockwell dropped from his bag.</p> <p>"And it is all for this? You have become a thief, an enemy of Japan for the <em>Kogane no Hasami</em>? Was it worth it, Mr. Rockwell? What can your Foundation do with this?"</p> <p>"The <em>Jinjiao Jian</em>? I was simply following orders to take it. You know a thing or two about that." Masuya scowled at this remark.</p> <p>"No <em>Chinese</em> name will be used for an object in the service of the empire. Come. We are returning to camp." The captain then turned to walk back up the hill. Several of his men also began returning up the hill, but the two still aiming their rifles at Rockwell stayed in place and motioned with their weapons for the doctor to join them.</p> <p>"And my bag?" Rockwell asked.</p> <p>"Not even the lowliest servant of the emperor is below you. You will return it to its rightful place yourself." Masuya replied, not stopping his walk. Though a statement intended to be intimidating, it, along with the fire on the hill, suddenly gave Rockwell an idea.</p> <p>"Now hold on a second, captain." Rockwell said. "I think you should know this before your men go through my bag."</p> <p>"What?" Replied Masuya, his patience worn thin by the American. He turned to face the prisoner, sneering down his nose from his elevated stance on the hill.</p> <p>Taking a few steps forward, Rockwell closed a bit of the distance. Rockwell then pulled his sack to his stomach, and he briefly dug through it. He then pulled a little jade teapot, the <em>Wanya Hu</em>, out of his bag. Captain Masuya was the only one to react, the sharp daggers in his eyes becoming dull at the sight. Rockwell removed the lid of the pot.</p> <p>"<em>Happō se-!</em>" Was all Captain Masuya managed to get out before he was knocked to the ground. However, instead of firing their weapons as ordered, the soldiers, just like their commanding officer, were all knocked about and to the dirt by the mass of flaming crows unleashed by the <em>Wanya Hu</em>. Dozens of burning birds, all spewing from one opening, flew panicked into the Japanese, their caws mingling with screams of pain and desperation from their victims. The crows pecked at the men as if a finger through water, and their talons sliced at them as a knife through butter. All the while, their infernal bodies burned any man they touched. The soldiers were nearly powerless as they tried to swat away the avians with their hands and rifles.</p> <p>Rockwell, seeing his chance, struggled to cap the <em>Wanya Hu</em>. After beating an obstructive crow's head back into the pot with the lid, he finally sealed the item's power once more. He then made a break for the woods, his would-be jailers unable to stop him. A few soldiers from the top of the hill took shots at the doctor, but no man in the IJAMEA was such a good shot. Rifle rounds kicking up dust behind him, Rockwell ducked into the treeline, out of their sight.</p> <p>Soldiers from the camp rushed from their old fire in order to extinguish the new one engulfing their brothers in arms. They ran down with water buckets, shovelfuls of dirt, and coats, spilling soil and water as they ran at full speed. In a short time, some reached their struggling comrades, and they swatted at the birds with shovels and coats. The crows were driven back a bit from the wounded on the ground. The bucket brigades came soon after, and dumped cool water onto the writhing soldiers. Water seemed to be the crow's undoing, and those doused in it were washed off to the side, seemingly dead. The remaining animals then flew off into the night, looking as if they lost their flaming properties as they disappeared out of sight.</p> <p>The saviors of the soldiers called for stretcher bearers quickly, the wounded in critical condition. Most of the men seemed dead on the spot; Captain Masuya was still breathing, though deeply struggling each second.</p> <p>"<em>Masuya senchō</em>!" An enlisted man exclaimed as he took in the sight of the captain.</p> <hr/> <p>In the dark woods, Rockwell patted the bag on his back; good, it didn't seem to be missing anything else. The <em>Jinjiao Jian</em> would have to be an acceptable loss. He still held the <em>Wanya Hu</em> for defense, but with every passing second, it seemed more and more likely the IJAMEA were not following him. He knew where the Foundation safehouse was, and it would take him a day to get there, so Rockwell decided he could walk for a bit.</p> <p>The artillery ceased as the doctor walked. Even after his night's excitement, the battle between the Chinese Nationalists and the Imperial Japanese Army was just beginning. The battle cries of men were heard faintly from where Rockwell stood, certainly infantry rising from their dugouts to meet the enemy, but he had no intention to join them. His battle was over for tonight. As far as Rockwell was concerned, he had a rest and a drink in order when he returned home.</p> <p>As Rockwell thought further, he realized that he may have fought his battle for the day, but, like a soldier, it would certainly not be his last. The only question was when he would next be put in the field for another adventure.</p> <p>He stopped for a moment. Rockwell thought again. He decided that they could put a raise on top of that drink.</p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span><strong>Silas Rockwell will return in "Silas Rockwell and the Heavenly Reflection".</strong></span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/silas-rockwell-and-the-reflection-of-heaven-prologue">Silas Rockwell and the Reflection of Heaven (Prologue)</a>" by Blue Foot, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/silas-rockwell-and-the-reflection-of-heaven-prologue">https://scpwiki.com/silas-rockwell-and-the-reflection-of-heaven-prologue</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:ch-scp-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:ch-scp-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=Blue Foot \|no-right-margin=]] Like my stuff? Read more [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/blue-foot here,] and join my [https://discord.gg/h5uY646BER Discord server] to be notified whenever I post a new piece! [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[=]] ----- ++ Central China, Early May 1940 [[/=]] ----- It was a dark, moonless night in Hubei Province, and all was quiet in the forest. Even the crickets’ song was strangely silent, as if the insects had gone to sleep that night to rest their collective voice. The quiet was broken, and even then only barely so, by the bubbling and light splashing of a turtle rising to the surface from the riverbed. The earthy odor of the flourishing spring grass, nourished by heavy rain and the great surging Yangtze, nearly overpowered the landscape. Truly, it would’ve been all that filled one’s nose if not for the smell of gunpowder and steel pervading the land. //Boom//. The first blast of the Japanese artillery rang out. A zealous officer wanted the honor of beginning the bombardment. //Boom//. He fired another shell. //Boom//. Rushing to their stations, the quickest of the Chinese artillerymen returned fire with a single shot. //Boom. Boom. Boom//. A symphony of explosions erupted on either side of the field. Firing under the concealment of the tree canopy, rows upon rows of guns opened up. Infantry temporarily retreated to safety of underground dugouts, and airmen filed out to the runways. But the crashing of shells and whistling of mortar, though disturbing to the birds and causing the rats to scurry to their holes, were but a distant and waning concert to the 20 or 30 dark silhouettes marching through the black forest. Far behind Japanese lines and guided only by firefly, feel, and experience, their objective seemed out of reach to any outside observer. Even some of the men there thought such was so. “//Wǒmen dàodǐ wèishéme yào lái zhèlǐ//?” A disgruntled man muttered. “//Wǒmen zhǐ qù fénmù//.” His equally unhappy comrade agreed quietly. At this, the man at the front of the group stood to the side and stopped, waiting until the discontented pair caught up to him. Once he was at their side, he shoved one of the men into the other. He began to chastise them severely in a hushed, furious tone. If it weren't for the need for quiet, he would’ve likely yelled his message to them. “Don’t go too hard on them, Mingyu. I’d think this was a suicide mission too if I knew as much as you’ve told them.” An out of place American voice, speaking in English, came from just in front of the back of the band. Mingyu scoffed and sped up his pace to meet the American man. He seemed out of place among the Chinese guerrillas, wearing leather, jeans, and a casual button-up beneath his jacket. But the confident expression on his grizzled, handsome face made it seem like he felt right at home. “That is lieutenant, doctor,” responded the officer in heavily accented English, scowling. “Lieutenant Dai Mingyu, People’s Liberation Army.” The American smirked. The officer, dressed the most formally of all the peasant soldiers, stood out by wearing a cap with a red star and clean glasses as well as a field worker's light cotton. He had piercing eyes that stabbed daggers into any man he wished to unsheath them on with a stare. Any man but the American. He had seen them in plenty of men. “Alright, alright, take it easy now.” He said. “If you can suffer to call me lieutenant, and I can call you doctor, Mr. Rockwell, there will be peace. Otherwise, I can guarantee you nothing.” Lieutenant Dai paused for a moment. The band began to cross a small creek, stepping from rock to rock as a path across the ankle-deep, flowing water. In the far off battle, the sounds of propellers and dropping bombs joined the ensemble. The officer continued. “And who do //you// think you are, judging how I lead my own men?” Dai continued. “No one,” Rockwell responded. “But it wouldn't hurt that they know why they're fighting, that's all my point.” “You want to discuss why we fight? Where did you get all this information we’ve based the entire attack on, doctor? I still await an answer.” Rockwell frowned. The band had crossed the creek. Faint lights began to become visible through the thick forest. “I can’t tell you that.” “Thus I cannot trust you.” Rockwell sighed and rolled his eyes. “When have I ever let you down?” Lieutenant Dai grunted. He spat to his side. Rockwell continued. “We will never need to see each other again after this. Let’s try not to get into it for just one last time.” Lieutenant Dai did not respond. No one spoke for some time after. Finally, the band exited the forest, stopping short at the treeline of a large clearing. Every man fell crouched just at the edge of the darkness, out of sight of those who may be occupying their objective. Maybe 1000 feet up a moderately-sloped hill lay the site of a Japanese camp. With every lamp on and spotlights sweeping across the land, it seemed that the encampment would be bustling with the activity of an army at full strength. However, besides the lights, the entire area sounded and looked very quiet. No soldiers or trucks were seen or heard, at least from where the guerrillas were. “There will be no eastern devils, doctor? I will not send my men into their deaths.” Lieutenant Dai asked, hushed. “I have said it before. They’re on the attack to take Yichang, three miles southwest.” “They’re clearly manning the spotlights. If you're wrong, we will all die.” “There’s a tiny garrison, and that’s it. There are less of them than us, and we have the element of surprise.” Lieutenant Dai paused. “Your head is on the line. Let us have victory.” The lieutenant raised his voice slightly. “//Ràng wǒmen kāishǐ ba//.” “//Shì de//!” The men of the band responded, though certainly not at appropriate volume for a cheer. At that, everyone fell to their stomachs, and the guerrilla group began to crawl towards the Japanese camp. On his belly, Rockwell felt his shoulder holster uncomfortably pushed up through his armpit. The leather piece was not designed to be pressed against the dirt, especially when worn by a crawling man. The distance to their objective was not far from the treeline. The green of the tents and the illuminating light poles were easily visible over the crest of the hill, even from the bottom. Along the way, they’d only need to cross a clear slope of grass, bar a few possible unseen rocks. However, the threat of detection loomed. A spotlight, always on guard for intruders, slowly crossed the hill face like a pendulum. Back and forth, back and forth. So the communist cell hugged the earth, slowly scaling the slope up to the camp. Each man was spread across a large area on the hillside, alone or in pairs. Rockwell found himself next to Private Luo, a very large man who didn’t speak much. Whenever food was brought into the safehouse, he always ate three times the ration. He also did three times the work whenever there was a need to lift or move anything, being the first man Lieutenant Dai always called for. Rockwell, though a PhD, found himself to be behind the curve when it came to avoiding spotlights. A quick learner, he observed how the guerrillas did it. They never stopped moving, determined to stay exposed on the hillside for as little as possible. When the light crept up to where he was about to crawl, Private Luo slowed down, letting it pass before going. Private Chen, a wiry man often picked to run messages between cells, would break from his crawl and run forward hunchbacked. No matter how close the light was, Chen was determined to race it, and he always succeeded. Rockwell had kept up well. The band was maybe 100 feet from climbing to the top of the hill. The doctor had been using a two-wheeled cart sitting at the very edge of the summit as his goal, as passing it would mean he had entered the plateau on which the camp was built. The threat of the spotlight was nearly passed. Though it was slowly creeping toward him, it was of no concern; he could easily get out of the way, he thought. Rockwell quickened his pace to get out of the way of the light. He was unable to move, and felt a pull along his shoulder holster. “Shit.” He mumbled quietly. He tried to move by force, crawling with more strength yet again. He only received a stronger pull around his chest. The searchlight came closer. “Not now.” Rockwell mumbled again, coolheaded but not so confident anymore. He patted around the spot of his snag. After feeling a few handfuls of earth and grass, he found the issue: Rockwell had managed to run into one of the few rocks on the hillside. A peculiarly hooked stone, embedded in the dirt, had caught the leather straps of his shoulder holster. The glow of the spotlight began to overpower the view to Rockwell’s right, as the very edge of it was nearly upon him. It was a matter of seconds before he was exposed to the Japanese, and they would defend the camp to the death. He quickly worked the straps, finding that two of them that connected near his rib were both hooked on the rock. The light grew closer. Rockwell pulled the vertical strap free. The light was the length of a man away. Rockwell pulled the horizontal strap free. The right side of Rockwell’s body began to be illuminated by the dim glow of the spotlight’s edge. Rockwell jumped forward, scraping by just as the spotlight swooped by where he was just moments before. He took a moment to breathe. He looked behind him. The light had continued on its way, seemingly oblivious to the doctor’s presence. Rockwell was certain that he had been seen, but it seemed he had gotten lucky this time. With the guerrillas unaware of Rockwell’s near-miss, and him certainly not rushing to tell them about it, the band reached the camp without word on his incident. They met behind the cart at the edge of the camp, barely illuminated by the lights of the camp. The two dozen hid to the best of their ability, the two wheels, combined with the blocks underneath, providing some height to obscure their crouching figures. Lieutenant Dai whispered to his own men in his own language, before turning to Rockwell. “-And Dr. Rockwell can take whatever he wants, and thus we can end our relationship…cordially.” Rockwell nodded. He understood the goal of Dai’s men: to kill the few Japanese in the camp and take as much guns and ammunition that they could carry out. “I’ll stay out of your way. It was a pleasure working with you, lieutenant.” Rockwell responded with much more sincerity on his face than in his heart. With that, Dai exchanged a few more words with the guerillas, and they all rose and entered the camp silently. Rockwell began to casually walk on his own into the camp. The Chinese spread out in groups of five to eliminate their enemy. Fighting was their responsibility. The only reason he’d even taken them along was to ensure the few Japanese guards left in the camp were no threat to him, and even then he only brought them for that purpose under heavy protest. Rockwell spent hours trying to convince his boss that he didn’t need help, that going alone was more safe and efficient, but he was told that their presence was mandatory. Why, he asked? New security protocols for field agents, demanded by the brass from the top. Too costly to give out so many bereavement packages for all the agents killed in the warzones that had popped up in the past couple years. Rockwell knew better than to argue with the bureaucracy. At the very least he compromised to take a band he actually had some history with, not the new group of Nationalist insurgents his boss thought would be the most competent. Walking down the lanes of tents, light poles, and stacked boxes, the doctor heard the sounds of the Chinese doing their own part. Shots occasionally rang out, but that was only the main course of a full accompaniment of scattered screams, shouted exclamations, and all manner of wood being pried and destroyed. Rockwell was slightly concerned when he saw a Japanese soldier leaning against a pole not far in front of him. The young soldier seemed deaf when a Chinese man sprinted up from behind him and ran him through with a bayonet, not reacting at all to the sound of him running. When Rockwell walked by the dead man, the blood leaking from his mouth seemed to source from a smile. Eventually, after a long but straight shot deep into the camp, Rockwell found what he was looking for: a great big tent, with no windows or openings other than a cloth door. A big pile of crates stacked in the most peculiar way adjacent to the tent, the one where a private was breaking open a box with a crowbar, marked his objective. Rockwell noticed a crate was precariously placed on the edge of another just above the man's head. A small movement could cause it to fall. "//Xiǎoxīn, xiāngzi huì diào dào nǐ shēnshang//." Rockwell said, warning the man of the danger. "//Qù sǐ ba//." The guerrilla said with derision, not even turning to face Rockwell. The doctor shrugged. His funeral if he wanted to be a hardhead. A sign was planted at the door, with kanji stating to all who saw it “DO NOT ENTER”. Here, Rockwell was briefed, he would find his prizes. As the doctor was stepping inside, he felt a hand being placed on his shoulder. He whipped around to see Lieutenant Dai. “What is it, Mingyu? You said we were done.” Rockwell asked, annoyed. The officer made a sour face and snorted before responding. “I don’t trust this.” He said. Rockwell sighed deeply. “Why the hell not?” “We have found maybe eight or nine eastern devils. The men in the watchtowers have boarded themselves in with boards and chairs. They didn't even know we were coming, yet their doors are blocked. I have a feeling-” “Listen, there’s no one here. If you’re worried, take what you need and leave. Just stay out of my way.” Rockwell concluded with a huff. As Dai turned red and wore an expression of indignation, the doctor entered the tent. He had no patience for the petty concerns of the communists. A lit lamp hung from the ceiling at the intersection of the tent poles, illuminating the space with an orangish tint. Inside those green walls lay tables and piles of priceless treasures, the spoils of the 11th Army marauding and looting through central China. Rockwell took in a breath, enjoying the smell of the ancient. A display of colorful, adorned samurai armor was the most striking feature on the east wall. Small crates and boxes, themselves ornate and beautiful, were filled to the brim with gold and jewels and lined up against the wall of the tent. Artifacts, like classical pottery, swords, and idols were organized on several tables. Pallets were loaded with assorted precious stones. Though Rockwell was not shy to help himself to a few loose jewels, he was not there for regular old metal and crystals. He, instead, turned to the table that was completely unorganized, which appeared to be the least valuable of them all. It was labeled with a piece of paper that said “普通でない”, or “unusual”. This table, left unorganized and with items scattered about, seemed uncared for. However, he knew they were the most valuable of all. Rockwell immediately recognized the //Jinjiao Jian//, the Scissors of the Golden Scaly Dragons. With golden handles like a dragons' heads and blades like sharp teeth, it was written that the artifact took in heavenly energy to be able to cut through anything. The doctor was found it to be surprisingly heavy. There was the beautifully molded //Luobao Jingqian//, the Treasure-Defeating Gold Coin, which made useless magic and projectiles, and the //Ruyi Jingu Bang//, the Monkey King's cudgel that adjusted to any size. He saw the //Wanya Hu//, the Pot of Ten Thousand Crows which Luo Xuan used to burn down an entire city. "I guess the princess didn't destroy it." Rockwell thought. He had read //Romance of Gods// as part of his doctorate research, and it is written that the pot, an ornate teapot made of jade, was destroyed for its power. That book was usually accurate, but it seemed that there was evidence for a new error in the text. Following protocol, Rockwell quickly jotted down all he saw. He knew he couldn't carry everything out. The priceless spears, staffs, and swords were too big to take with him, so the news of their existence and location would be the most valuable thing he could bring back home. When finished writing, Rockwell began filling his sack with the smaller priceless treasures. Even if he from time to time took the liberty to pad it with normal artifacts, his bag was meant to take these anomalous objects with him. And so he did, working as quickly as possible. He was pleasantly surprised to see Wukong's cudgel fit in his sack snugly, even if he tried to place it inside when it was five feet long. As Rockwell, struggling with the space already taken up by loot, was trying to stuff the Scissors of the Golden Scaly Dragons in through the cramped opening of the bag, he heard the footsteps of someone entering the tent. Very focused, he did not immediately turn to see the person. "Dr. Rockwell?" The voice said clearly. It was Lieutenant Dai. "Mingyu? What is it?" Rockwell asked, not even concerned to look at him. After a moment, the doctor was surprised to then hear a clicking sound. It was unmistakably recognizable as a pistol, the officer having cocked it to be ready to fire. That certainly got his attention, and Rockwell swiftly turned to face the officer. He took a deep breath. "Lieutenant Dai." Rockwell said, calmly and fearlessly. "Ah, the bird sings a new song." Lieutenant Dai replied smugly, grinning ear to ear. He pointed his pistol at Rockwell and held it at his hip. “So, you’re truly nothing more than a thief? Color me…unsurprised.” “And you’re the one saying this? Now?” Lieutenant Dai laughed. “The supplies we have borrowed will come back to the eastern devils sometime or another, even if not in the way they’d like. But you…you’re simply a bandit, blinded by the glitter of gold.” “You’ve never thought this before? At least, you've never seemed bothered." "I'm not so foolish. But given our work together is done, and you know far too much about this cell’s activities for any single man bar me and Chairman Mao, I believe the time to act is now. I have given the order to the men that your time is up." Rockwell took a moment to think before speaking. “Lieutenant Dai, listen-” Rockwell stepped forward, and Lieutenant Dai raised the pistol to a firing position. Rockwell took the hint, and stepped back before continuing, resting one hand on a crate of stolen items to his right and using the other to emphasize his points. “Can I tell you the truth?” The officer raised his eyebrow, prompting Rockwell to continue. “I’m not here to take just any of this-” the doctor motioned his hand towards the boxes of gold and gems, “-no, but for these things.” Rockwell turned towards the table of unusual items. “They're pieces of history, yes, but they're…different. They don't make sense in our understanding of the world. You-" "They're magical?" Lieutenant Dai butted in. "Yes," Rockwell continued, "If that's how you want to say it. I need to take these home so they can be studied, so we can improve the world. Isn't that what Chairman Mao would do? For the new China?" Rockwell concluded, ending his speech with a salesman's grin. Lieutenant Dai took a moment to think. He then scoffed. "You know nothing about Chairman Mao, or his vision. The new China will have no place for such superstition. You are no better than any other foreign devil, taking the history of my people as spoil." Lieutenant Dai paused for a moment, then laughed. "If you really want to help Chairman Mao's vision for a new China, we need money, and these things will fetch a…//handsome//, price." "I'll help carry them out for you." Lieutenant Dai laughed once again. "No, Mr. Rockwell, I believe your time has already run far past its course. Goodbye." As soon as Lieutenant Dai finished speaking, both men’s ears were perked by the rise of noise outside the tent. The occasional gunshot and yell of a man suddenly erupted into a new chorus of barked orders, war cries, blaring of alarms, and the beginning of several firefights all throughout the camp. Dai, looking around the tent in confusion, spared the American for a moment. "What is that? What have you done?" "Nothing!" Rockwell replied emphatically. Silently, as Lieutenant Dai stood uncertain of what to do, a pine cone shaped object rolled from the tent door across the grassy floor. The object gingerly stopped near the room's entrance, tapping on the officer's heel. Dai looked downward to find a grenade, primed with the pin removed, sitting right at his feet. He went bug-eyed at the sight. Seeing the officer distracted, Rockwell ducked behind the crate to his right. "//Húndàn!//" Screamed Lieutenant Dai as the grenade exploded, launching the officer several feet across the tent. Seeing it was safe, Rockwell stepped out from hiding. He began to walk to the door. Passing by, he glanced at Lieutenant Dai. The man's legs were badly scorched and torn, and he had landed face down on a pallet loaded with jade artifacts and stolen jewelry. "Use //that// for the new China, Mingyu." Rockwell mumbled in passing. He then exited the tent. It was time to get out of there. Stepping outside, the chaotic scene surrounded Rockwell. The first thing to catch his eye was the marker of his objective, the crate pile near him. It was missing several boxes, and many others left were cracked open, their contents of mortar shells clearly visible. He looked to his right. From the large rectangular medical tent, easily seen halfway across the camp, came a stream of Japanese soldiers, as men were rushing onto the new battlefield. Even if the battle had started more than a minute before, there were still more emerging from the tent door. Through the gaps of the tent city, he saw the occasional soldier running through the narrow walkways. All around him, small-scale fighting between men on either sides, be it with fist, knife, or gun, choked out his viable routes of escape. The Japanese had laid a trap, and Rockwell was stuck in the center of it. The only way out seemed to be where he came, straight ahead and back into the forest. Rockwell took barely a step forward before he felt a pull from the sack of treasures slung on his back. In a moment, the doctor was yanked backwards with incredible force, falling to the ground on his posterior. He looked up to see his attacker, and there stood Private Luo. The big man’s round face, usually stern and indifferent, was uncharacteristically transformed by a toothy smile. “//Děng yīxià, wǒ lái jiěshì yīxià//.” Asked Rockwell, needing just a moment to breathe and reassess. “//Bù//.” Simply responded the soldier, denying the doctor’s request for a moment’s peace. His face turning to anger, Luo raised his foot high, intending to bring it back down on Rockwell. The doctor rolled to the side, avoiding the attack, and he started to scurry off to his left. Luo’s foot already on the ground, he swung it to the left as he drove it against Rockwell’s right side, making the doctor wince but giving the momentum for his crawl to make some distance from his attacker. Rockwell faced the private. Luo ducked his head and charged towards the doctor in a shoulder bash. Rockwell quickly reached for his shoulder holster and drew his revolver. Before he could fire a shot, Luo collided with him at full force, knocking Rockwell backwards and sending his gun flying. Both men thinking they’d found their trump card, Luo drew the pistol from his waist, and Rockwell retrieved the Scissors of the Golden Scaly Dragons, its handles sticking out from his sack. Luo aimed the pistol at Rockwell and cocked it, but, as he did so, the doctor brought the open blade of the scissors down on the barrel of the gun. As Luo pulled the trigger, the entire length of the barrel of his weapon was sheared off, and no shot fired. Surprised, Luo threw his destroyed weapon to the side. With uncharacteristic reflexes, he caught Rockwell’s wrist as he tried to swing the golden scissors back up his abdomen, stopping himself from being cut in two. He squeezed with all his strength, his massive hands wrapping all the way around Rockwell’s lower forearm. Both men stared into each other’s eyes for several moments, each steeling their resolve facing down the other. Rockwell held onto the scissors for as long as possible, but Luo was far too strong, and the doctor was forced to drop his only weapon. With the loss of the golden scissors, Rockwell was reinvigorated with survival instinct. With his free hand, he squarely punched Luo in the jaw, before getting two more good hits to the face. The guerrilla responded by using one hand to defend his head and the other to shove Rockwell away. Luo, a head taller than Rockwell and no longer filled with his typical stoicism, advanced on Rockwell. Both men exchanged blows for a short time, but Rockwell soon found himself becoming more battered and exhausted than his enemy. With the strength and reach advantage, Luo struck more often and harder, and both knew that the outcome of the fight was only a matter of time. With Rockwell’s strength running low, he quit his backpedaling and pivoted forward. He struck Luo once in the face, and once in the chest. This seemed the last straw for the man, and he pounced on Rockwell, landing on top of him in the ground. Luo began to strangle Rockwell with both hands. Rockwell tried to free his neck with all his might, but found himself low on strength. Unable to stop the stranglehold, he used one hand to punch Luo in the face, but the guerrilla refused to let go. Things started going fuzzy. Rockwell began to think his road had come to an end here, in the forests of Hubei. With little struggle left to avoid resignment to that fate, suddenly, the sound of a deafening explosion completely enveloped him, and all that he heard was white noise. Luo collapsed on top of Rockwell, and a violent force was shot through the guerrilla that felt as if it shoved Rockwell further into the ground. Smoke began to rise from Luo’s back, and the man released his stranglehold. Rockwell pulled Luo's hands off his neck and took several deep breaths, desperate but happy to be alive. His stroke of luck pumping him with a new round of adrenaline, he rolled the big man's body off of him and stood up. Rockwell's senses soon began to return with the airflow. Looking towards Luo, a massive burnt dent mark filled his entire upper back. Rockwell then turned towards the pile of crates. He saw a thin Japanese soldier, eyes closed and nearly doubled over. His hand was placed on an open crate of mortar shells. Rockwell, his hearing returning, quickly made out what the soldier was doing. He was laughing the heartiest laugh the doctor had ever heard in all his adventures. Putting two and two together, Rockwell realized the soldier had tossed an active mortar shell squarely on Luo's back. If the guerrilla had not been such a big man, Rockwell would likely have died with him. And the enemy sergeant thought it was funniest thing. But that didn't all sink in with the doctor at once. "//Arigatō//." Rockwell said shakily, still catching his breath. He meant it sincerely. The soldier had saved his life. Hearing the word, the Japanese man straightened up. He thought Rockwell certainly would've been killed by the blast. He delayed a moment as he stared at the doctor, unsure of what to do. Coming to his senses, he then pulled another shell from the crate, and he tossed it at Rockwell. The light whistle of the shell spelled doom for the doctor. Thinking quickly, and still full of adrenaline, he quickly lifted up the corpse of Luo and pressed it against himself where he stood. The guerrilla was nearly too much for the doctor to hold, and he certainly couldn't do it for long, but for the moment he had he braced himself against the body to the best of his ability. As the bomb fell short of Rockwell, Luo took the brunt of the explosion and was sent flying to the side. The doctor was pushed to the ground and back several feet, being dragged along the grass by the force of the shell. Though dazed, bruised, and cut up, Rockwell was certainly still alive, and the Japanese man was eager to finish the job. Rockwell knew he needed an out, and using dead men as shields would not cut it again. The soldier was soon to throw yet another shell, and his aim might've improved the second time. Rushedly scanning his surroundings, he looked to his left, and found that he'd stopped right next to the Scissors of the Golden Scaly Dragons, which had fallen to the ground before. As the Japanese man reached for another mortar shell, Rockwell retrieved the golden scissors and rose to his feet. He rose it over his head, and threw it directly at the enemy's head like a tomahawk. Quick to his wits, the soldier ducked, and the scissors instead were lodged behind him in an unopened crate just above his head, the box just barely placed at the edge of a lower crate in a very precarious position. "//Naisushotto//." Said the Japanese, chuckling. He pulled out another shell. Though he jested, he knew he had Rockwell beat. Rockwell stood still, chuckling quietly to himself. The golden scissors, lodged in the crate's side, had shifted the balance of weight. As the soldier prepared to toss another shell, the crate impaled with the scissors fell from its place. It landed on the soldier's head, its heavy contents knocking him out cold as it fell on top of him. The shell fell from his hand, and exploded only to his harm as both he and it struck the ground. Rockwell, pleased with himself, grinned and walked over to the body. "//Arigatō.//" He said, pulling the golden scissors from the crate. Placing it precariously once more in his sack, still having barely enough room as to have the handles stick out, he began to walk in the direction in which he came, finally ready to leave. Rockwell moved quickly retracing his path. As he followed the route, he ducked and weaved through the cover of boxes and tents around the several fights taking place right in his way. He hid behind a crate before a Chinese man shoved his Japanese opponent down the way past Rockwell, and the doctor had a chance to scurry by without being involved in their knife fight. By passing these final two men, the only thing that was left between Rockwell and escape was the two-wheeled cart and the open hill it was placed on. Coming near the cart, suddenly, Rockwell was shoved from behind, seemingly bashed with the end of a narrow object. He was pushed into the cart, landing face first but quick to flip onto his back and see his attacker. Above him stood a glaring Japanese soldier. He was holding his gun by the barrel, having been using it as a club. The man, baring his teeth, adjusted his grip and raised the rifle to his shoulder, aiming at Rockwell. As the soldier slid the bolt forward, Rockwell rolled to the other side of the tiny cart. The soldier fired, but missed, creating a hole in the center of the shoddy cart's wooden floor, previously only covered with hay. As the ferocious man slammed another round into the chamber, Rockwell covered his face with his arms, before another shot rang out. Rockwell opened his eyes and moved his arms. Blood was leaking from his attacker's head. The man fell to his right. Rockwell, still on edge, could only catch his breath for a moment as he heard a courageous war cry. Lieutenant Chen ran up to where the dead man once stood, quickly retrieving the Japanese rifle now laying on the floor. He raised it to his shoulder and took aim at Rockwell. The doctor braced for impact once again, but a crack rang out and Chen's head whipped to the left in a moment. He had been shot too, and, as he fell to the ground, he dropped the rifle at Rockwell's feet. Rockwell, confused, sat up to figure out what had just happened. The lighting at the camp's edge was barely sufficient. Turning to his left, he saw men in Japanese caps crouched under a watchtower and surrounded by metal barrels for cover. They had their rifles slung over the barrels, aiming straight down the hill. They had certainly been watching for any guerrilla attempting to escape down the hill. The barrels emanated a pungent odor of oil. To Rockwell's right, he saw men wearing peasant clothes, those he knew as Chinese guerrillas, ready with their rifles placed over a pile of crates. They must've been carrying the munitions out of the camp before the fighting had pinned them down, so they'd set up shop where they stood. The crates, certainly full of munitions and explosives, were now makeshift cover. For a moment, the screams and gunshots filling the air seemed to cease all at once. All was quiet for a moment. //Crack//! Rockwell, having set his sack of treasures aside, quickly ducked down into the cover of the cart, laying flat on his back so the short walls on either side shielded him. The singular shot was only the first of many, as the Chinese and Japanese realized the presence of the other. All hell broke loose as a storm of fire opened up just above Rockwell's head. He was stuck right in the middle of a firefight, and worse, low shots began to chip away at his cover. Once it was destroyed, there'd be no protection from the crossfire. Pinned, Rockwell knew his only escape was the cart. He began pushing his body against the vehicle, banging into it with all his strength, but it wouldn't budge. Even pushing off of the ground just in front of his cover was no good. Pressure began to mount, as every lousy shot allowed either enemy to lower their aim even more. One stray round could spell the end to the doctor's adventures. Looking to see what was stopping him, Rockwell peeked his eye through the hole created by the dead Japanese attacker's rifle shot. In the dim light, he saw wooden blocks placed on each of the cart's wheels. They were the obstacles keeping it in place. In a snap decision, Rockwell jumped up to move the blocks by hand. He only could sit up for a moment, but he was able to glance briefly at the combatants. In what he could see, both sides were assembling machine guns, be it their own or stolen. Though they were both not set up yet, the mere rifle fire forced Rockwell to snap back to his senses and lie back into cover as a bullet zipped just past his nose. Rockwell knew that when those machine guns got firing, they'd tear through his flimsy fortress in mere seconds, the old wood already on its last legs. Yet, there was no way to move the blocks without facing the same fate as the two dead men at his feet. For a moment, he thought that the situation was impossible. But Rockwell did not survive all his adventures by giving up. Scanning the area within arm's reach, only one tool was available: the rifle two men had tried to gun him down with. The firearm now laying at his feet, he carefully pulled it into his cover. Through the chips in the cart's side he saw the tops of the heads of the tallest Japanese and Chinese soldiers. Rockwell coughed several times as he began to be overpowered by the smell of oil, the bullet-ridden barrels used for cover by the Japanese leaking heavily. Rockwell stopped for a moment. He knew he couldn't fight his way out, and going out in a blaze of glory seemed less than ideal. There had to be another way. Thinking quickly, Rockwell found his final lifeline. He held the gun like a club and huddled up against as much cover as he could. Using all his strength, the doctor brought the butt of the rifle down on the little hole in the floor of the cart. //Crash.// The wood gave way a little, warping downwards. Rockwell gave it another hit. //Crash.// It broke up a little more. Rockwell, his face lit up, bashed the floor once more. //Crash!// A hole the size of the rifle’s butt was opened where the little spot once was. His smirk growing, Rockwell adjusted his grip and slid the barrel of the gun through the hole. Holding the rifle from the butt, the doctor could just barely reach the blocks with the muzzle. He struggled for a moment, making several attempts to move the left block to the side properly. Peeking his head up slightly towards the Japanese, their machine gun was nearly fully assembled. The Chinese were certainly not far behind. With a final push, he found success. The first block was out of the way, and only the right one remained. As he positioned the rifle to move the final block away, Rockwell had a realization. He'd certainly be exposed as he rolled away, and there would be no defense from the potshots of both armies. As he thought about this, both armies were placing their fully assembled Nambu machine guns on top of their cover. Rockwell reached into his bag and retrieved the //Luobao Jingqian//, the Treasure Defeating Gold Coin. When thrown into the air, it could stop arrows and magic bolts. The doctor gave the coin a kiss for luck and tossed it upwards. Then, as the machine gun crews of his enemies had their fingers on the trigger, he shoved the final wooden block away with his gun, and off the cart went down the hill. The sudden jerking motion of the cart beginning its roll pulled the rifle under the hole. His hands now free, the doctor hung on to the shattered sides of his vehicle and braced himself for what could be an abrupt, violent stop. As Rockwell began moving, several soldiers turned to fire at his cart. Unbeknownst to them, their task was impossible. The Treasure Defeating Gold Coin activated, floating and vibrating in the air. The artifact then froze every shot aimed at Rockwell, suspending their rounds in the air just past the soldiers' vision. They vibrated just like the coin, still full of their previous momentum. Unaware of the futility of their actions, crouched men fired both at Rockwell and their enemies. Indeed, even the machine gunners, entranced by handling such a powerful weapon, seemed to ignore their tracers freezing en route to their targets. Hundreds of frozen rounds filled the air in moments. As Rockwell raced far away from the scene of the battle, the gold coin's effect ran its course, and it fell to the ground inert. Without the coin's power, all at once, every bullet suspended in the air zipped to its target at once. Hundreds of tiny powder kegs crashed into the Japanese already crumpled and leaking oil barrels on one side, and even more barraged the splintered and nearly destroyed crates of shells and munitions hoarded by the Chinese. The unintentional bomb created by the two armies could take the abuse no longer, and both the oil barrels and the munitions crates exploded at once in a spectacular fireball. The inferno, consuming the two groups of fighting men, rose into the air, signaling to all the disaster that had consumed them. Finishing his bumpy ride down a particularly rock-laden stretch of the hill, the cart quickly slowed down as the side not supported by wheels acted as brakes for the vehicle as it dug into the earth. Rockwell briefly turned to glance at the fireball he had created up the hill. He chuckled slightly, then, keeping his mind on escape, jumped up from his seat and broke into a sprint for the cover of the woods. It felt something fell out of his bag, but he had no time to look back. “//Tomare//!” A voice shouted from the woods. As Rockwell was just about to enter the treeline, a Japanese soldier jumped up in front of him from his hiding spot. He brandished his rifle, tipped with a shining bayonet, and with a crazed look in his eye began to run towards Rockwell. The doctor tried to avoid him, turning sharply for another spot on the treeline. But, just as he was about to escape from the field, another Japanese man, a sergeant based on the insignia on his shoulder, emerged from the brush. Rockwell had no time to react as the man bashed him in the stomach with his rifle's butt, knocking him doubled-over on his back. On the ground, Rockwell instinctually curled up and covered his face as the soldier let loose several cruel kicks into his side, back, and head. The sergeant accompanied his abuse with twisted laughs, bordering on cackling. The doctor had only a brief time to consider fighting back, as he saw the other soldier rush over to his comrade. He raised his rifle, ready to plunge his bayonet into the man on the ground. Rockwell braced himself. “//Yamete! Baka-tomo//!” A gruff, authoritative voice yelled from the forest. Rockwell was relieved to see both his attackers turn away from him and towards the treeline. Both of them shouldered their weapons and stood at attention. In a few short moments, a furious man stomped over to the young soldiers and slapped each of them across the face. He began to scream at them in Japanese, letting them know just how foolish they were. “You didn’t need to call them idiots,” Rockwell said with a cough, “They were just doing their jobs.” The angry man, clearly an officer, looked down at Rockwell. He surprised the doctor by lightly laughing. “You speak my language.” The officer stated, speaking in a strange accent, mixing the speech mannerisms of the Japanese and the South English. “And you speak mine.” Rockwell responded matter-of-factly. “You went to school abroad?” “Oxford. Class of 1932.” "No kidding. What'd you study?" At this, the Japanese man's face lit up slightly. "I was a student of history, with a focus on East Asia in the late classical and early modern periods. I wrote my dissertation on the Great Unifier Oda-" "Nobunaga!" Rockwell butted in. Humanizing himself with his captor would probably be the best way to avoid ending up with a bullet in the head. "What a man! The Sengoku period was maybe the best thing I studied back at Berkeley, certainly more interesting than when we started slogging through the Tokugawa Shogunate. God, I hated that." The officer did his best, but could not contain a little smile. "Really? You also studied the Far East? I can only hope you learned in class that while samurai in battle are honorable and glorious, there is also value to the unity and order in peace." "I understand that. I was just a dumb college kid, is all." He paused for a moment. "I have to ask, how did you get into Oxford? Your family is well off?” The officer’s softened expression turned sour. “What is that to you?” “Nothing, nothing.” Rockwell internally kicked himself for that misstep. Nobody spoke for a moment, until the officer continued. “You may get up now, unless you wish to continue lying in the dirt.” Rockwell rose from the ground, finally getting an eye-to-eye look at the officer. He was nearly the doctor’s height, rising above most of the men they were surrounded by. His clean green khaki uniform, kept to the tee of Japanese military standards, spoke for itself his dedication to his occupation and country. His sharp features were accentuated by the dim orange glow of the massive fire raging on the top of the hill. Above all, his strong, piercing eyes projected power and authority that not even Lieutenant Dai could achieve when pointing a gun at a man. That power and authority was accentuated all the more by the half dozen Japanese soldiers emerging from the brush and standing side by side with their officer. Even if Rockwell was clearly unarmed, two of them always kept their rifle trained on the foreigner. The officer cleared his throat and pointed at the inferno. The Japanese, victorious in the battle, had begun to deploy fire brigades to quench the flame. “This is your handiwork?” He asked. “I played no part in any of this.” The officer chuckled at Rockwell's claim. “Liar.” With nowhere left to go in this conversation, Rockwell fell back on his training. “I am an American national. The United States and the Japanese Empire are not at a state of war. If I am harmed-” The officer cut him off. “You can face serious consequences in a domestic or international court of law, or even extradition to the United States to face justice.” He finished. Even as Rockwell kept a poker face, he was taken aback. How did this random officer know the immunity spiel? The Japanese man continued. "No sir, I know the little speech you've been taught to give upon capture. Your allegiance is not with America, even if both her and your masters share the same cowardly and decadent tendencies. You are one of…//them//." The officer spat out his final word with derision, his previously amused expression beginning to twist into a disgust his enlisted men shared. He too had finally considered the fact that, at least in his eyes, Rockwell had surrendered like a coward. "I don't know what you're talking about." Rockwell feigned. The officer sighed, and continued with more frustration in his voice. "We thought you'd come while the army was away, and we planned for an armed escort to come with you. But with those degenerates, //communists//-" The officer spoke that word with so much hate and distrust that it was like saying it was the worst taboo, "-? Even that we thought was below you gang of thieves. What made you think you could rob Japan of her rightful treasures under her nose?" The officer spoke with clear restrained anger, like a father chastising his son. Rockwell exhaled deeply. It was clear the man would not be fooled. "So the jig is up, huh?" The officer nodded lightly. At that, Rockwell felt a strange peace. "I don't think we've properly been introduced. My name is Silas Rockwell, Doctor and Field Agent of the SCP Foundation." The officer nodded again. "Captain Masuya Kobayashi, [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/ijamea-hub Imperial Japanese Anomalous Matters Examination Agency ]." Captain Masuya said it like he was going to accompany his statement with a salute. Speaking to a foreign dog, he, of course, restrained himself. "IJAMEA? I'm glad to say I'm quite familiar." "Oh? What have you come to know about the agency? Please, speak your mind." Knowing that, because he hadn't been killed yet, and that he probably was wanted alive, a little bit of snark bled through his filter. "I know you're the fanatics of the fanatics. The naval and army schools recommend only the most crazy about the empire to you." Captain Masuya dropped whatever was left of his cordial smile, then, raising his gloved hand, slapped Rockwell across the face. Silas took a moment before turning again to face the officer. “You asked for honesty.” "'Patriotic' is the word we look for, Dr. Rockwell. Only those with the //Yamato-damashii// of ten men have the honor to serve the Emperor's Agency." Neither man spoke for a moment before Rockwell continued. "So that's why those guys barely fought back when we came in, huh? They were the most 'patriotic'? They had the most ‘Japanese spirit?’" "Yes. It is a shame we lost such brave men today, and an even greater one you dishonor them now, but it was necessary for victory." Masuya thought for a moment, then laughed mockingly. "How did your superiors not notice such an obvious trap?" Rockwell took a moment before responding. "They never told me much. I was just told to go find the tent with your anomalies, that a stacked box of crates would mark it, and that there would be almost no one to stop me." "Your superiors didn't even tell you how they learned of classified army plans?" Rockwell shook his head. He was told that the Japanese would be away and why, but he didn't know where the info came from. Captain Masuya snorted and spat to his side. "Typical treacherous western dogs. Our superiors came together not long ago to discuss the movements of the emperor's army. Your leading men claimed they wanted to know such information so they could follow leads on suspected artifacts without coming into our crossfire. But this is not the first case of Foundation deceit. We spoiled them with information, where individual divisions would come and go in the recent weeks, and specifics of our camps, even which ones held our treasures. Then is when we told them the entire army you've just robbed from would be away on the attack tonight. And so we lay in wait for you, certain you would come on this night." Rockwell kept a brave face, but inside, he felt his heart drop. He had been the fool all along. “And you decided to stay out of the fighting by hiding in the forest?” Rockwell asked with some disdain, wishing to earn back a little of his bruised pride. “Do not get brazen with me. My assignment was to seize or kill fleeing enemies of Japan. I have fulfilled my orders.” Masuya answered, more defensively than angrily. Rockwell waited a moment before speaking again. "So, what happens now?" Silas asked. Masuya remained firm. "You will come with us to Tokyo, and you will tell us everything you know. That's the best you deserve-" the captain paused for a moment, "-thief." Masuya then noticed a golden glimmer maybe 20 feet behind Rockwell created by the warm glow of the flame on the hill, which was now losing the battle with the firecrews. Masuya walked over to it, his men following closely behind him. Now Rockwell turned to face back up the hill. There was no physical thing left between him and the forest, but two soldiers still kept aim at the doctor. The captain reached down and picked up the Scissors of the Golden Scaly Dragons. That must've been what Rockwell dropped from his bag. "And it is all for this? You have become a thief, an enemy of Japan for the //Kogane no Hasami//? Was it worth it, Mr. Rockwell? What can your Foundation do with this?" "The //Jinjiao Jian//? I was simply following orders to take it. You know a thing or two about that." Masuya scowled at this remark. "No //Chinese// name will be used for an object in the service of the empire. Come. We are returning to camp." The captain then turned to walk back up the hill. Several of his men also began returning up the hill, but the two still aiming their rifles at Rockwell stayed in place and motioned with their weapons for the doctor to join them. "And my bag?" Rockwell asked. "Not even the lowliest servant of the emperor is below you. You will return it to its rightful place yourself." Masuya replied, not stopping his walk. Though a statement intended to be intimidating, it, along with the fire on the hill, suddenly gave Rockwell an idea. "Now hold on a second, captain." Rockwell said. "I think you should know this before your men go through my bag." "What?" Replied Masuya, his patience worn thin by the American. He turned to face the prisoner, sneering down his nose from his elevated stance on the hill. Taking a few steps forward, Rockwell closed a bit of the distance. Rockwell then pulled his sack to his stomach, and he briefly dug through it. He then pulled a little jade teapot, the //Wanya Hu//, out of his bag. Captain Masuya was the only one to react, the sharp daggers in his eyes becoming dull at the sight. Rockwell removed the lid of the pot. "//Happō se-!//" Was all Captain Masuya managed to get out before he was knocked to the ground. However, instead of firing their weapons as ordered, the soldiers, just like their commanding officer, were all knocked about and to the dirt by the mass of flaming crows unleashed by the //Wanya Hu//. Dozens of burning birds, all spewing from one opening, flew panicked into the Japanese, their caws mingling with screams of pain and desperation from their victims. The crows pecked at the men as if a finger through water, and their talons sliced at them as a knife through butter. All the while, their infernal bodies burned any man they touched. The soldiers were nearly powerless as they tried to swat away the avians with their hands and rifles. Rockwell, seeing his chance, struggled to cap the //Wanya Hu//. After beating an obstructive crow's head back into the pot with the lid, he finally sealed the item's power once more. He then made a break for the woods, his would-be jailers unable to stop him. A few soldiers from the top of the hill took shots at the doctor, but no man in the IJAMEA was such a good shot. Rifle rounds kicking up dust behind him, Rockwell ducked into the treeline, out of their sight. Soldiers from the camp rushed from their old fire in order to extinguish the new one engulfing their brothers in arms. They ran down with water buckets, shovelfuls of dirt, and coats, spilling soil and water as they ran at full speed. In a short time, some reached their struggling comrades, and they swatted at the birds with shovels and coats. The crows were driven back a bit from the wounded on the ground. The bucket brigades came soon after, and dumped cool water onto the writhing soldiers. Water seemed to be the crow's undoing, and those doused in it were washed off to the side, seemingly dead. The remaining animals then flew off into the night, looking as if they lost their flaming properties as they disappeared out of sight. The saviors of the soldiers called for stretcher bearers quickly, the wounded in critical condition. Most of the men seemed dead on the spot; Captain Masuya was still breathing, though deeply struggling each second. "//Masuya senchō//!" An enlisted man exclaimed as he took in the sight of the captain. ----- In the dark woods, Rockwell patted the bag on his back; good, it didn't seem to be missing anything else. The //Jinjiao Jian// would have to be an acceptable loss. He still held the //Wanya Hu// for defense, but with every passing second, it seemed more and more likely the IJAMEA were not following him. He knew where the Foundation safehouse was, and it would take him a day to get there, so Rockwell decided he could walk for a bit. The artillery ceased as the doctor walked. Even after his night's excitement, the battle between the Chinese Nationalists and the Imperial Japanese Army was just beginning. The battle cries of men were heard faintly from where Rockwell stood, certainly infantry rising from their dugouts to meet the enemy, but he had no intention to join them. His battle was over for tonight. As far as Rockwell was concerned, he had a rest and a drink in order when he returned home. As Rockwell thought further, he realized that he may have fought his battle for the day, but, like a soldier, it would certainly not be his last. The only question was when he would next be put in the field for another adventure. He stopped for a moment. Rockwell thought again. He decided that they could put a raise on top of that drink. ----- [[=]] ++* Silas Rockwell will return in "Silas Rockwell and the Heavenly Reflection". [[/=]] ----- [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Blue Foot]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-01-01T22:05:00	[ "_licensebox", "adventure", "ijamea", "tale" ]	Silas Rockwell and the Reflection of Heaven (Prologue) - SCP Foundation	9	[ "blue-foot", "ijamea-hub", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "ijamea-hub" ]	[]	1452013391	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/silas-rockwell-and-the-reflection-of-heaven-prologue
silently-overhead	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p>sometimes, when i look<br/> out my window<br/> on an overcast morning,<br/> i think i see you,<br/> phantom of teeth<br/> and oak splinters,<br/> slinking through the<br/> damp grass, winding<br/> your way through<br/> the oak branches that<br/> reach toward the<br/> secret thing in the sky,<br/> and soaring into<br/> the vast gray beyond.<br/> i wonder what you<br/> think we look like<br/> from all the way up.<br/> i wonder if you pay<br/> more attention to<br/> the birds. i wonder<br/> if they are more<br/> your people than<br/> i ever really was.</p> <p>in the mirror, for<br/> a brief moment,<br/> there you were,<br/> a friend, one who<br/> saw the same<br/> shapes in the tv<br/> static that i did,<br/> who shared the<br/> longing to shape<br/> words into guitar<br/> strings. i blinked,<br/> and you were gone.<br/> in your place was<br/> a pile of shavings<br/> that could never<br/> be reassembled<br/> into the lost order<br/> of a desk and the<br/> early morning light<br/> shining on it.</p> <p>in my car, creeping<br/> through a forest<br/> of leafless, craggy<br/> pines, i wonder if<br/> i could find you by<br/> slamming the gas<br/> and swerving into<br/> that big one coming<br/> up on the right.<br/> would i see you<br/> in my side mirror<br/> from the corner of<br/> my eye, would i<br/> hear you singing<br/> beneath the squeal<br/> of the engine, would<br/> i feel you next to<br/> me as the airbag<br/> shatters my arms?</p> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] sometimes, when i look out my window on an overcast morning, i think i see you, phantom of teeth and oak splinters, slinking through the damp grass, winding your way through the oak branches that reach toward the secret thing in the sky, and soaring into the vast gray beyond. i wonder what you think we look like from all the way up. i wonder if you pay more attention to the birds. i wonder if they are more your people than i ever really was. in the mirror, for a brief moment, there you were, a friend, one who saw the same shapes in the tv static that i did, who shared the longing to shape words into guitar strings. i blinked, and you were gone. in your place was a pile of shavings that could never be reassembled into the lost order of a desk and the early morning light shining on it. in my car, creeping through a forest of leafless, craggy pines, i wonder if i could find you by slamming the gas and swerving into that big one coming up on the right. would i see you in my side mirror from the corner of my eye, would i hear you singing beneath the squeal of the engine, would i feel you next to me as the airbag shatters my arms?	2024-09-01T01:02:00	[ "bleak", "first-person", "no-dialogue", "tale" ]	silently overhead - SCP Foundation	7	[]	[]	[]	1456617205	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/silently-overhead
silesian-cult	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Acreepypasta/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: pink"><strong>Lambada021</strong></span> 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:22:05 #45515856</p> <hr/> <p>I would like to introduce you all to what is now considered a rather obscure story which, in the 1990s, made headlines across the country. The case begins in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, around the summer of 1990 (exact dates remain unclear, I'll get to that). A man known as "Andrej Mielkowski" began his activities as a leader of a small group of spiritualists and bioenergy therapists who called themselves the "Center for the Refreshment of Earth".</p> <p>CRE for short, they started travelling all over southern Poland, (especially in the Silesia region). Mielkwoski and his inner ring gave lectures at multiple occult/pseudoacademic/esoteric/scifi conferences regarding parapsychology, alternative medicine and the like. The content and the exact dates of these lectures are, unfortunately, lost to time. I was only able to find a couple of newspaper fragments, that mentioned the group. Apparently, CRE put a special focus on angels and "Inner Light". It was mostly what you would expect when it comes to these kinds of people, their rhetoric matching the post-communist New Age hype that was happening in Poland at the time. The group was only notable among the spiritualist community at the time, until around November 1990, where they took a left turn.</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: yellow"><strong>Aldon_PL</strong></span> 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:27:55 #17347467</p> <hr/> <p>Oh damn, didn't think I'd find Poland mentioned on Parawatch today, lol.</p> <p>Anyways, go on</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: pink"><strong>Lambada021</strong></span> 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:28:31 #45515856</p> <hr/> <p>What exactly happened is, thankfully, one of the few events which we do have a concrete and detailed description of. Straight from Mielkowski himself, in fact. Copy-and-pasting it would make me go over the character limit, so instead, I'll do my best to summarize it.</p> <p>During a meeting at a resort in the Sudeten mountains, the group noticed a pink, strobe light outside their room's window. They uniformly claimed to have left the building to investigate, leading them to witness a large, "star-shaped" silver structure, described by all present to be a star ship. The group alleged that said star ship remained in the sky for circa 300 minutes, during which the entities piloting it shared their history, spiritual insights and doomsday prophecies with the group through telepathy. Neither staff nor other guests reported seeing anything like what they had described, though a janitor claimed she had seen them all exit their room in a rush.</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: pink"><strong>Lambada021</strong></span> 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:35:21 #45515856</p> <hr/> <p>One would imagine that after such a "revelation" and the creation of a new dogma, the group would face a period of reconsolidation and internal struggles. Instead, all members began touring across Poland shortly after, giving more lectures than ever before, though the content of the lectures remained mostly the same. The CRE also changed its name to the Center for the Rebirth of Earth and became a much less exclusive group. From the spring of 1991 onwards, they had begun to recruit members of the general public and invited selected members of the audience to their more private (and expensive) lectures, at which more of the cult's actual beliefs were introduced. They were allegedly attended by multiple well-known celebrities and politicians, with a total of 35 different public figures being accused of membership at CRE in the years after the group fell.</p> <p>Later the same year, the cult would also publish a set of books, booklets and flyers containing details of their dogma. None of these are unfortunately available online, though some of their contents were described by secondary sources. The books included "Koniec Świata i Początek Człowieka", "Sygnały z Gwiazd" and most famously, "Ewolucja i Jej Rola w Wszechświecie".</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: pink"><strong>Lambada021</strong></span> 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:36:55 #45515856</p> <hr/> <p>The cult believed that aliens, called "Etoil", were the source of all life on Earth. The members believed that through uniting their souls with Etoil, both their minds and physical bodies could travel to a paradise planet called "Mirinda", somewhere in the Alpha Centauri constellation. Of note is that almost all members reported to actually have had encounters with said aliens, be it during CRE's meetings, or on their own. They always described these aliens as amorphous, vaguely humanoid beings of pure, pink light. The group also believed that in the year 1995, on the 5th of May, a second spaceship will land on Earth, to save all humans who have discovered their inner lights and purge the world of all other lifeforms, so that the survivors could build their own utopia.</p> <p>Of note is that the group claimed that the spaceship would be powered by different body parts, with fingers being the best source of fuel.</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: pink"><strong>Lambada021</strong></span> 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:38:42 #45515856</p> <hr/> <p>Soon after the group claimed to have seen the alien for the first time, a member by the name of Adam Malkowicz disappeared without a trace, being last seen entering Mielkowski's home. Mielkowski claimed that Malkowicz left in his car, though neither a car, nor Malkowicz's body were ever found. The next disappearance connected to the group made waves outside the esoteric world.</p> <p>A few months later, a member by the name of Henryk Jadamak went missing on his return home from a lecture of the group. Just like Malkowicz, he was one of the founders and the only critic of Malkowicz among the group, often starting long debates about the nature of alien entities and the date of the incoming apocalypse. His car was found by the Gdansk Bridge in Warsaw the next day, while he turned up a month later in an abandoned farm, 50 kilometers north, all of his fingers missing. His body showed no other signs of damage. The autopsy report stated that he had died earlier that day.</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: pink"><strong>Lambada021</strong></span> 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:42:15 #45515856</p> <hr/> <p>That was the first, and the last, time a body connected to the cult showed up. It wasn't the last vanishing, however. Across 1993 and 1994, a total of 15 members of the group went missing, with any investigations shortly turning cold. Around the same time, the group became closed to new members, ceaseing their lectures and publishing. Multiple members were exiled without an explanation.</p> <p>Mielkowski, alongside his most loyal followers, jumped from hotel to hotel, travelling across the Silesia region in search of "places of spiritual importance", in which the group claimed the alien ship was about to land one year from now. Wherever they stayed, the staff reported weird flashes of light in the night, as well as stones arranged into "Soviet stars" outside of the buildings. By the year 1995, the cult had fully embraced their nomadic lifestyle. Not even a mail address was maintained anymore, and the remaining members sold their houses. But the worst was yet to come.</p> </div> <div class="parapost"> <p><span style="color: pink"><strong>Lambada021</strong></span> 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:49:13 #45515856</p> <hr/> <p>On May 5th of 1995, the cult finally approached their doomsday date. As I previously stated, finding any information about this was extremely difficult, but there are even less records of what happened on that day. From what I could gather from eyewitnesses, the cult spent "the last night on earth" near an inactive ski resort. Early in the morning of that day, all members stormed out of the building and went into the forest. For the rest of the day, residents of the nearby village of Gwiazdowice claimed to have heard and sounds of wood breaking, as well as chanting, occasional screams, and laughter. While a person claimed that the police was called, another claimed to see no authorities present in the area that day.</p> <p>In the morning of May 6th, the residents found not a single piece of trash, clothes or even the aforementioned broken wood nor trace of Mielkowski and his supporters. All in all, more than 20 people had gone, all being CRE's most devoted members.</p> <p>The police launched an investigation shortly afterwards, but the case went nowhere and was closed soon enough. The incident is now accepted by the police and the rest of the normies to be a case of ritual suicide, though despite its scale and lack of precedents in Poland, it remains obscure to almost all but the community near which it happened.</p> <p>The people of Gwiazdowice are, unfortunately, rather unwilling to discuss the event. Some, however, have claimed witnessing strange events around the community ever since. The details of those are, as you guessed it, scarce and mostly inconsistent. One thing has stood out for me, however.</p> <p>All residents who talked have reported seeing large groups of glowing, pink figures staring into the sky inside the forest where the abductions had taken place. None have reported feeling threatened by them.</p> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:creepypasta">:scp-wiki:theme:creepypasta</a>]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##pink\|Lambada021## 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:22:05 #45515856 ------ I would like to introduce you all to what is now considered a rather obscure story which, in the 1990s, made headlines across the country. The case begins in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, around the summer of 1990 (exact dates remain unclear, I'll get to that). A man known as "Andrej Mielkowski" began his activities as a leader of a small group of spiritualists and bioenergy therapists who called themselves the "Center for the Refreshment of Earth". CRE for short, they started travelling all over southern Poland, (especially in the Silesia region). Mielkwoski and his inner ring gave lectures at multiple occult/pseudoacademic/esoteric/scifi conferences regarding parapsychology, alternative medicine and the like. The content and the exact dates of these lectures are, unfortunately, lost to time. I was only able to find a couple of newspaper fragments, that mentioned the group. Apparently, CRE put a special focus on angels and "Inner Light". It was mostly what you would expect when it comes to these kinds of people, their rhetoric matching the post-communist New Age hype that was happening in Poland at the time. The group was only notable among the spiritualist community at the time, until around November 1990, where they took a left turn. [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##yellow\|Aldon_PL## 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:27:55 #17347467 ------ Oh damn, didn't think I'd find Poland mentioned on Parawatch today, lol. Anyways, go on [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##pink\|Lambada021## 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:28:31 #45515856 ------ What exactly happened is, thankfully, one of the few events which we do have a concrete and detailed description of. Straight from Mielkowski himself, in fact. Copy-and-pasting it would make me go over the character limit, so instead, I'll do my best to summarize it. During a meeting at a resort in the Sudeten mountains, the group noticed a pink, strobe light outside their room's window. They uniformly claimed to have left the building to investigate, leading them to witness a large, "star-shaped" silver structure, described by all present to be a star ship. The group alleged that said star ship remained in the sky for circa 300 minutes, during which the entities piloting it shared their history, spiritual insights and doomsday prophecies with the group through telepathy. Neither staff nor other guests reported seeing anything like what they had described, though a janitor claimed she had seen them all exit their room in a rush. [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##pink\|Lambada021## 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:35:21 #45515856 ------ One would imagine that after such a "revelation" and the creation of a new dogma, the group would face a period of reconsolidation and internal struggles. Instead, all members began touring across Poland shortly after, giving more lectures than ever before, though the content of the lectures remained mostly the same. The CRE also changed its name to the Center for the Rebirth of Earth and became a much less exclusive group. From the spring of 1991 onwards, they had begun to recruit members of the general public and invited selected members of the audience to their more private (and expensive) lectures, at which more of the cult's actual beliefs were introduced. They were allegedly attended by multiple well-known celebrities and politicians, with a total of 35 different public figures being accused of membership at CRE in the years after the group fell. Later the same year, the cult would also publish a set of books, booklets and flyers containing details of their dogma. None of these are unfortunately available online, though some of their contents were described by secondary sources. The books included "Koniec Świata i Początek Człowieka", "Sygnały z Gwiazd" and most famously, "Ewolucja i Jej Rola w Wszechświecie". [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##pink\|Lambada021## 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:36:55 #45515856 ------ The cult believed that aliens, called "Etoil", were the source of all life on Earth. The members believed that through uniting their souls with Etoil, both their minds and physical bodies could travel to a paradise planet called "Mirinda", somewhere in the Alpha Centauri constellation. Of note is that almost all members reported to actually have had encounters with said aliens, be it during CRE's meetings, or on their own. They always described these aliens as amorphous, vaguely humanoid beings of pure, pink light. The group also believed that in the year 1995, on the 5th of May, a second spaceship will land on Earth, to save all humans who have discovered their inner lights and purge the world of all other lifeforms, so that the survivors could build their own utopia. Of note is that the group claimed that the spaceship would be powered by different body parts, with fingers being the best source of fuel. [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##pink\|Lambada021## 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:38:42 #45515856 ------ Soon after the group claimed to have seen the alien for the first time, a member by the name of Adam Malkowicz disappeared without a trace, being last seen entering Mielkowski's home. Mielkowski claimed that Malkowicz left in his car, though neither a car, nor Malkowicz's body were ever found. The next disappearance connected to the group made waves outside the esoteric world. A few months later, a member by the name of Henryk Jadamak went missing on his return home from a lecture of the group. Just like Malkowicz, he was one of the founders and the only critic of Malkowicz among the group, often starting long debates about the nature of alien entities and the date of the incoming apocalypse. His car was found by the Gdansk Bridge in Warsaw the next day, while he turned up a month later in an abandoned farm, 50 kilometers north, all of his fingers missing. His body showed no other signs of damage. The autopsy report stated that he had died earlier that day. [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##pink\|Lambada021## 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:42:15 #45515856 ------ That was the first, and the last, time a body connected to the cult showed up. It wasn't the last vanishing, however. Across 1993 and 1994, a total of 15 members of the group went missing, with any investigations shortly turning cold. Around the same time, the group became closed to new members, ceaseing their lectures and publishing. Multiple members were exiled without an explanation. Mielkowski, alongside his most loyal followers, jumped from hotel to hotel, travelling across the Silesia region in search of "places of spiritual importance", in which the group claimed the alien ship was about to land one year from now. Wherever they stayed, the staff reported weird flashes of light in the night, as well as stones arranged into "Soviet stars" outside of the buildings. By the year 1995, the cult had fully embraced their nomadic lifestyle. Not even a mail address was maintained anymore, and the remaining members sold their houses. But the worst was yet to come. [[/div]] [[div class="parapost"]] ##pink\|Lambada021## 07/3/2019 (Wed) 18:49:13 #45515856 ------ On May 5th of 1995, the cult finally approached their doomsday date. As I previously stated, finding any information about this was extremely difficult, but there are even less records of what happened on that day. From what I could gather from eyewitnesses, the cult spent "the last night on earth" near an inactive ski resort. Early in the morning of that day, all members stormed out of the building and went into the forest. For the rest of the day, residents of the nearby village of Gwiazdowice claimed to have heard and sounds of wood breaking, as well as chanting, occasional screams, and laughter. While a person claimed that the police was called, another claimed to see no authorities present in the area that day. In the morning of May 6th, the residents found not a single piece of trash, clothes or even the aforementioned broken wood nor trace of Mielkowski and his supporters. All in all, more than 20 people had gone, all being CRE's most devoted members. The police launched an investigation shortly afterwards, but the case went nowhere and was closed soon enough. The incident is now accepted by the police and the rest of the normies to be a case of ritual suicide, though despite its scale and lack of precedents in Poland, it remains obscure to almost all but the community near which it happened. The people of Gwiazdowice are, unfortunately, rather unwilling to discuss the event. Some, however, have claimed witnessing strange events around the community ever since. The details of those are, as you guessed it, scarce and mostly inconsistent. One thing has stood out for me, however. All residents who talked have reported seeing large groups of glowing, pink figures staring into the sky inside the forest where the abductions had taken place. None have reported feeling threatened by them. [[/div]]	2024-06-22T23:20:00	[ "co-authored", "correspondence", "creepypasta", "fifthist", "mystery", "parawatch", "tale" ]	Silesian Cult - SCP Foundation	22	[]	[ "parawatch-hub", "fifthist-hub", "creepy-pasta" ]	[]	1454107639	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/silesian-cult
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class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <div style="display: none;"> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ CODE</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- CODE</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BLANKSTYLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CSS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2021</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Placeholder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">McD</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HarryBlank</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Based</span><span class="hl-code"> on: </span><span class="hl-identifier">Paperstack</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Penumbra</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title, "R\</span><span class="hl-number">0026</span><span class="hl-code"> C SITE-43")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">a:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Ablankstyle/</span><span class="hl-number">43</span><span class="hl-code">Head.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient( to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> </div> <p><strong>Subjective Containment Procedure:</strong> SCP is the only phenomenon to be contained by the SCP Foundation. All documentation is to be updated and purged accordingly.</p> <p><strong>Description:</strong> SCP refers to the phenomenon responsible for the proliferation of anomalous objects, entities and locations through this reality. The severity of SCP's anomalous influence directly correlates with the active number of SCP Foundation employees; as such, 99.5% of the Foundation's workforce was laid off.</p> <p>SCP also refers to an ontological ritual, consisting of nomenclative designations, categorical signifiers, perception and observation via biased individuals, and containment procedures reinforcing 'normalcy'. Participating in this ritual results in the creation of and amplification of anomalous entities and their effects. This ritual was performed consistently by SCP Foundation staff before identification of SCP, consisting of the following practices:</p> <ol> <li>Increasing sequential identifiers, with relevant and arbitrary assignment, implying a superiority as based on a proximity to null;</li> <li>Categorical signifiers, conveying information cognitohazardously, through a collective understanding of a pre-defined list of ambiguous definitions and origins. These categories were applied arbitrarily on an individual basis, and had no objective definition. These signifiers include: <ul> <li>Categorical signifiers denoting perceived difficulty or ease in 'containment';</li> <li>Categorical signifiers denoting potential impact or influence on the non-anomalous world;</li> </ul> </li> <li>The continued study, analysis and definition of said entity, and the generation of related media, documentation and addenda;</li> <li>The invocation of common repetitive patterns or mantras into the containment parameters, in a manner akin to superstition. This also includes the use of common phrases or consistent 'tropes' within documentation;</li> <li>The containment of a given object or entity. By extension, the restricted access of, and artificially limited freedoms of anomalous objects or entities caused further conceptual significance;</li> <li>The sharing of documentation, and a perceived competitive environment regarding 'popularity' of any given anomaly.</li> </ol> <p>It is believed that all anomalies that were formerly contained by the SCP Foundation were directly influenced by SCP; upon the discovery of SCP, and the realization regarding the nature of containment, all research efforts were paused, and documentation was deleted and ontologically erased. For historical records, see Addendum 2.</p> <hr/> <p><strong>Addendum 1:</strong> Discovery</p> <p>SCP was discovered during the SCP Foundation Contain-con, a yearly internal conference focused on the nuances, culture and norms regarding containment, anomalous negation, acroamatic waste management and more. SCP was first theorized to exist during the keynote address, entitled "<em>Abolish the Object Class: Ontological Significance in a Pseudo-Scientific Environment</em>", as presented by Dr. Heather Garrison, Director of the Extant Ontology Department. During the address, Dr. Garrison said the following, which is widely considered to be the inciting incident leading to the discovery of SCP:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Dr. Garrison:</strong> What if <em>we're</em> the bad guys?</p> </blockquote> <p>Following this presentation, and additional research, SCP was identified following testing for a proof of concept. The records are included for posterity:</p> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="3"><span style="font-size:150%;">Step 1: Identification of Subject</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Purpose:</span></th> <td colspan="2">To identify if the anomalous effects of an object are caused by SCP, a non-anomalous object will be selected.</td> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Results:</span></th> <td colspan="2">Dr. Garrison selected a sedimentary stone, gathered from an insignificant location.</td> </tr> </table> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="3"><span style="font-size:150%;">Step 2: Initial Designation</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Purpose:</span></th> <td colspan="2">To understand the minimal threshold for SCP's effect, the object will be given a designation indicating minor anomalous properties.</td> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Results:</span></th> <td colspan="2">Subject was designated AO-47292. Following said verbal designation by Dr. Garrison, AO-47292 was noted to anomalously radiate thermal energy, such that it was described as feeling 'warm'.</td> </tr> </table> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="3"><span style="font-size:150%;">Step 3: Secondary Designation</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Purpose:</span></th> <td colspan="2">To understand how different designations impact objects, the subject will be given an official designation.</td> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Results:</span></th> <td colspan="2">Subject was re-designated as SCP-47292. Following said verbal re-designation, SCP-47292 was observed undergoing spontaneous anomalous combustion. No fuel source or initial cause was noted, other than the re-designation.</td> </tr> </table> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="3"><span style="font-size:150%;">Step 4: Initial Documentation</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Purpose:</span></th> <td colspan="2">To understand how the documentation process affects SCP, SCP-47292's official document was drafted by Dr. Garrison, and submitted to the centralized database.</td> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Results:</span></th> <td colspan="2">SCP-47292's file was partially written with minimal information, no containment class, object class or alternative descriptors included. This was commonly referred to throughout the SCP Foundation as a 'first draft, to save the slot.' Following this, no significant changes were noted, excluding Dr. Garrison reporting that SCP-47292 felt more 'significant'.</td> </tr> </table> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="3"><span style="font-size:150%;">Step 5: Initial Object Class</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Purpose:</span></th> <td colspan="2">To identify how categorical signifiers impact anomalies through SCP, the subject will be designated as a minimally disruptive anomaly.</td> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Results:</span></th> <td colspan="2">SCP-47292 was designated as 'Safe'. Following this categorization, SCP-47292 was noted as still anomalously producing flames — however, said flames were intangible, and did not affect surfaces or individuals when touched.</td> </tr> </table> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="3"><span style="font-size:150%;">Step 6: Revised Object Class</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Purpose:</span></th> <td colspan="2">To identify how different categorical signifiers impacted anomalies through SCP, the subject will be re-designated as significantly disruptive.</td> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Results:</span></th> <td colspan="2">SCP-47292 was re-designated as 'Keter'. Following this, SCP-47292 was noted to increase thermal energy output such that remote temperature readings returned 1100 Kelvin.</td> </tr> </table> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="3"><span style="font-size:150%;">Step 7: Initial Containment</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Purpose:</span></th> <td colspan="2">To establish how the designation of a chamber as specifically for a given subject impacts anomalies though SCP, the subject was moved to a specialized containment chamber.</td> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Results:</span></th> <td colspan="2">SCP-47292 was moved to Containment Chamber 47292. Containment Chamber 47292 was designed as a "<em>5'x5'x5' cube, constructed from an inflammable alloy</em>", created for containment of this object <em>specifically.</em> SCP-47292 was noted as attempting a containment breach within an hour, through previously unrecorded behavior of manipulating heat to generate pressure discrepancies and generate force, allowing SCP-47292 to become self-propelling. Prior to this, SCP-47292 was not believed to be sentient.</td> </tr> </table> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="3"><span style="font-size:150%;">Step 8: Proximal Significance</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Purpose:</span></th> <td colspan="2">To determine how proximity to null index in a given subject's numeric identification impacts anomalies through SCP, the subject's signifier was adjusted.</td> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Results:</span></th> <td colspan="2">SCP-10366 was recorded as having a marked increase in stored potential energy, and more frequently attempted to breach containment. SCP-10366's sapience and sentience was confirmed when it began to manipulate temperatures in D-17392's coffee, resulting in 2nd degree burns. Just prior to this incident, D-17392 was recorded as saying "What? It's just some stupid rock." A larger safety perimeter has been established surrounding Containment Chamber 10366.</td> </tr> </table> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="3"><span style="font-size:150%;">Step 9: Additional Proximal Significance</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Purpose:</span></th> <td colspan="2">To better determine the degree of influence imparted by SCP, the subject's numeric designation was adjusted to a more proximal index once more.</td> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Results:</span></th> <td colspan="2"><strong>SCP-001 WAS THE SUN. [[DATA EXPUNGED]]</strong></td> </tr> </table> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th colspan="3"><span style="font-size:150%;">Step 10: Neutralization</span></th> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Purpose:</span></th> <td colspan="2">To undo the resultant XK-Class event, the subject's documentation must be purged, in addition to the obviation of all Noospheric memories or derived concepts.</td> </tr> <tr> <th><span style="font-size:125%;">Results:</span></th> <td colspan="2">The documentation was deleted. All involved staff were amnesticized via ontological erasure, including Dr. Garrison, through an experimental ontokinetic surgery. The insignificant rock is inert.</td> </tr> </table> <p>Following this test, SCP documentation was created, and the SCP Foundation began the process of purging all documentation from all extant timelines, and the termination of the majority of staff, and the consequential reduction in staffed departments. As of present day, the Extant Ontology Department is the only remaining SCP Foundation, as all others have been deemed counterproductive and therefore were phased out.</p> <hr/> <p><strong>Addendum 2:</strong> Historical Records</p> <p>Following the creation of SCP, all other records were purged, and all previously contained objects were released and neutralized. The following list contains a random selection of insignificant objects and entities noted near SCP Foundation sites, following the informational purge:</p> <ul> <li>A lizard</li> <li>An apartment</li> <li>An ungulate with antlers</li> <li>A gumball machine</li> <li>Las Vegas</li> <li>An SCP Foundation Researcher</li> <li>A human baby</li> </ul> <p>All other insignificant information is kept in the collective memories of the Extant Ontology Department, and to never exist in any official recorded media.</p> <hr/> <div style="color: #333; border:solid 1px #999999; background:#f2f2c2; padding:5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h4 id="toc0"><span><span style="color: #333">NOTICE</span></span></h4> <p>The following is a letter from a given administrator.</p> <p>— Director Heather Garrison, Extant Ontology Department</p> </div> </div> <div class="content-panel admin-letter"> <p><strong>Sorry.</strong></p> <p>We really got caught up in the rush of things. We were doing a good thing, helping people, saving things. We were the fucking heroes — and it just kept getting faster and faster. More and more. Each new anomaly was worse and worse, every new para-anomalous scientific discovery pushing the boundaries, redefining the universe as we knew it; and then suddenly, we were struggling to stay on top of everything. We were losing — and so we started to play dirty. We became the problem, quite literally.</p> <p><strong>Mankind must not go back to hiding in fear.</strong> The only answer was to undo all of the fear that we had created.</p> <p>Our bad. Sorry about that. But now we're a new organization, with a new goal.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>We're subjective. We curate. We persist.</strong></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p><strong>— An Administrator</strong></p> </div> </div> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2 id="toc1"><span><a href="/forgotten-memories-hub">Another Memory, Perhaps?</a></span></h2> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/single-contained-phenomenon">Single Contained Phenomenon</a>" by Queerious, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/single-contained-phenomenon">https://scpwiki.com/single-contained-phenomenon</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:blankstyle">:scp-wiki:theme:blankstyle</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:darkqueer">:scp-wiki:theme:darkqueer</a>]] [[module css]] :root { --header-subtitle: "Single Contained Phenomenon"; } div#extra-div-1 { height: 150px; background-image: none; } .admin-letter { color: #333; max-width: 42rem; box-sizing: border-box; border: none; padding: .25rem 1.75rem; margin: 1.5rem auto; background-color: white; background-image: url(https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/about-the-scp-foundation/bg-marble.png); font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px rgba(0,0,0,.25); font-size: 1.175em; } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] Subjective Containment Procedure: SCP is the only phenomenon to be contained by the SCP Foundation. All documentation is to be updated and purged accordingly. Description: SCP refers to the phenomenon responsible for the proliferation of anomalous objects, entities and locations through this reality. The severity of SCP's anomalous influence directly correlates with the active number of SCP Foundation employees; as such, 99.5% of the Foundation's workforce was laid off. SCP also refers to an ontological ritual, consisting of nomenclative designations, categorical signifiers, perception and observation via biased individuals, and containment procedures reinforcing 'normalcy'. Participating in this ritual results in the creation of and amplification of anomalous entities and their effects. This ritual was performed consistently by SCP Foundation staff before identification of SCP, consisting of the following practices: # Increasing sequential identifiers, with relevant and arbitrary assignment, implying a superiority as based on a proximity to null; # Categorical signifiers, conveying information cognitohazardously, through a collective understanding of a pre-defined list of ambiguous definitions and origins. These categories were applied arbitrarily on an individual basis, and had no objective definition. These signifiers include: * Categorical signifiers denoting perceived difficulty or ease in 'containment'; * Categorical signifiers denoting potential impact or influence on the non-anomalous world; # The continued study, analysis and definition of said entity, and the generation of related media, documentation and addenda; # The invocation of common repetitive patterns or mantras into the containment parameters, in a manner akin to superstition. This also includes the use of common phrases or consistent 'tropes' within documentation; # The containment of a given object or entity. By extension, the restricted access of, and artificially limited freedoms of anomalous objects or entities caused further conceptual significance; # The sharing of documentation, and a perceived competitive environment regarding 'popularity' of any given anomaly. It is believed that all anomalies that were formerly contained by the SCP Foundation were directly influenced by SCP; upon the discovery of SCP, and the realization regarding the nature of containment, all research efforts were paused, and documentation was deleted and ontologically erased. For historical records, see Addendum 2. ----- Addendum 1: Discovery SCP was discovered during the SCP Foundation Contain-con, a yearly internal conference focused on the nuances, culture and norms regarding containment, anomalous negation, acroamatic waste management and more. SCP was first theorized to exist during the keynote address, entitled "//Abolish the Object Class: Ontological Significance in a Pseudo-Scientific Environment//", as presented by Dr. Heather Garrison, Director of the Extant Ontology Department. During the address, Dr. Garrison said the following, which is widely considered to be the inciting incident leading to the discovery of SCP: > Dr. Garrison: What if //we're// the bad guys? Following this presentation, and additional research, SCP was identified following testing for a proof of concept. The records are included for posterity: \|\|\|\|\|\|~ [[size 150%]]Step 1: Identification of Subject[[/size]]\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Purpose:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|To identify if the anomalous effects of an object are caused by SCP, a non-anomalous object will be selected.\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Results:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|Dr. Garrison selected a sedimentary stone, gathered from an insignificant location.\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|~ [[size 150%]]Step 2: Initial Designation[[/size]]\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Purpose:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|To understand the minimal threshold for SCP's effect, the object will be given a designation indicating minor anomalous properties.\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Results:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|Subject was designated AO-47292. Following said verbal designation by Dr. Garrison, AO-47292 was noted to anomalously radiate thermal energy, such that it was described as feeling 'warm'.\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|~ [[size 150%]]Step 3: Secondary Designation[[/size]]\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Purpose:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|To understand how different designations impact objects, the subject will be given an official designation.\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Results:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|Subject was re-designated as SCP-47292. Following said verbal re-designation, SCP-47292 was observed undergoing spontaneous anomalous combustion. No fuel source or initial cause was noted, other than the re-designation.\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|~ [[size 150%]]Step 4: Initial Documentation[[/size]]\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Purpose:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|To understand how the documentation process affects SCP, SCP-47292's official document was drafted by Dr. Garrison, and submitted to the centralized database.\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Results:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|SCP-47292's file was partially written with minimal information, no containment class, object class or alternative descriptors included. This was commonly referred to throughout the SCP Foundation as a 'first draft, to save the slot.' Following this, no significant changes were noted, excluding Dr. Garrison reporting that SCP-47292 felt more 'significant'.\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|~ [[size 150%]]Step 5: Initial Object Class[[/size]]\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Purpose:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|To identify how categorical signifiers impact anomalies through SCP, the subject will be designated as a minimally disruptive anomaly.\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Results:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|SCP-47292 was designated as 'Safe'. Following this categorization, SCP-47292 was noted as still anomalously producing flames -- however, said flames were intangible, and did not affect surfaces or individuals when touched.\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|~ [[size 150%]]Step 6: Revised Object Class[[/size]]\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Purpose:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|To identify how different categorical signifiers impacted anomalies through SCP, the subject will be re-designated as significantly disruptive.\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Results:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|SCP-47292 was re-designated as 'Keter'. Following this, SCP-47292 was noted to increase thermal energy output such that remote temperature readings returned 1100 Kelvin.\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|~ [[size 150%]]Step 7: Initial Containment[[/size]] \|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Purpose:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|To establish how the designation of a chamber as specifically for a given subject impacts anomalies though SCP, the subject was moved to a specialized containment chamber.\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Results:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|SCP-47292 was moved to Containment Chamber 47292. Containment Chamber 47292 was designed as a "//5'x5'x5' cube, constructed from an inflammable alloy//", created for containment of this object //specifically.// SCP-47292 was noted as attempting a containment breach within an hour, through previously unrecorded behavior of manipulating heat to generate pressure discrepancies and generate force, allowing SCP-47292 to become self-propelling. Prior to this, SCP-47292 was not believed to be sentient.\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|~ [[size 150%]]Step 8: Proximal Significance[[/size]] \|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Purpose:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|To determine how proximity to null index in a given subject's numeric identification impacts anomalies through SCP, the subject's signifier was adjusted.\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Results:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|SCP-10366 was recorded as having a marked increase in stored potential energy, and more frequently attempted to breach containment. SCP-10366's sapience and sentience was confirmed when it began to manipulate temperatures in D-17392's coffee, resulting in 2nd degree burns. Just prior to this incident, D-17392 was recorded as saying "What? It's just some stupid rock." A larger safety perimeter has been established surrounding Containment Chamber 10366.\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|~ [[size 150%]]Step 9: Additional Proximal Significance[[/size]]\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Purpose:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|To better determine the degree of influence imparted by SCP, the subject's numeric designation was adjusted to a more proximal index once more.\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Results:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|SCP-001 WAS THE SUN. [[DATA EXPUNGED]]\|\| \|\|\|\|\|\|~ [[size 150%]]Step 10: Neutralization[[/size]]\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Purpose:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|To undo the resultant XK-Class event, the subject's documentation must be purged, in addition to the obviation of all Noospheric memories or derived concepts.\|\| \|\|~ [[size 125%]]Results:[[/size]]\|\|\|\|The documentation was deleted. All involved staff were amnesticized via ontological erasure, including Dr. Garrison, through an experimental ontokinetic surgery. The insignificant rock is inert.\|\| Following this test, SCP documentation was created, and the SCP Foundation began the process of purging all documentation from all extant timelines, and the termination of the majority of staff, and the consequential reduction in staffed departments. As of present day, the Extant Ontology Department is the only remaining SCP Foundation, as all others have been deemed counterproductive and therefore were phased out. ----- Addendum 2: Historical Records Following the creation of SCP, all other records were purged, and all previously contained objects were released and neutralized. The following list contains a random selection of insignificant objects and entities noted near SCP Foundation sites, following the informational purge: * A lizard * An apartment * An ungulate with antlers * A gumball machine * Las Vegas * An SCP Foundation Researcher * A human baby All other insignificant information is kept in the collective memories of the Extant Ontology Department, and to never exist in any official recorded media. ----- [[div style="color: #333; border:solid 1px #999999; background:#f2f2c2; padding:5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"]] [[=]] ++++ ###333\|NOTICE## The following is a letter from a given administrator. -- Director Heather Garrison, Extant Ontology Department [[/=]] [[/div]] [[div class="content-panel admin-letter"]] Sorry. We really got caught up in the rush of things. We were doing a good thing, helping people, saving things. We were the fucking heroes -- and it just kept getting faster and faster. More and more. Each new anomaly was worse and worse, every new para-anomalous scientific discovery pushing the boundaries, redefining the universe as we knew it; and then suddenly, we were struggling to stay on top of everything. We were losing -- and so we started to play dirty. We became the problem, quite literally. Mankind must not go back to hiding in fear. The only answer was to undo all of the fear that we had created. Our bad. Sorry about that. But now we're a new organization, with a new goal. = We're subjective. We curate. We persist. [[>]] -- An Administrator [[/>]] [[/div]] ----- [[=]] ++ [[[Forgotten Memories Hub\|Another Memory, Perhaps?]]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-11-15T06:59:00	[ "_licensebox", "bureaucracy", "comedy", "forgotten-memories", "foundation-format", "metafiction", "mystery", "tale", "worldbuilding" ]	Single Contained Phenomenon - SCP Foundation	31	[ "forgotten-memories-hub", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[]	[]	1457386121	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/single-contained-phenomenon
sins-of-the-mother	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p><em>The work we have done today, while… distasteful, has finally made amends for our past sins.</em></p> </div> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">Zenobiyl</a> <div class="authorbox"> <div class="authorcontent"> <p style="text-align: center;">"Sins of the Mother", written April 1st, 2024 by Zenobiyl.</p> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <br/> <br/> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>2%:</strong> It's just a word-choice thing, Lizzie. Nobody will even notice!</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> <em>I'll</em> notice, Darren. It's my thesis for christ's sake; I can't have this out for the world to see with anything less than my best!</p> <p><strong>4%:</strong> Might wanna fix this typo then.</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> What, there? How else should "penal" be spel-</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Jackass.</p> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><br/> …<br/> <br/></p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> I don get it. Why thefuss about sumthingat makes you stupid? Whastheapeal?</p> <p><strong>5%:</strong> You're such a lightweight, Liz.</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Big talk from Mr. twony-three-and-me over hear. Ive onle drunk liek once befour!</p> <p><strong>6%:</strong> The first of many inebria-cations, then! [chuckle] Happy birthday, Lizzie.</p> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><br/> …<br/> <br/></p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>7%:</strong> Muahahahahah, victory is mine!</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Puh-leese, Darren. You're still one VP short, and don't think I'll let you keep "longest road" when my turn comes up.</p> <p><strong>9%:</strong> Trying to stop me, eh? I don't see any settlements by wood or brick tiles!</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Anyone have wood to trade?</p> <p><strong>11%:</strong> I <em>might.</em></p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> <em>We know,</em> Darren. You grabbed literally every wood tile that wasn't an eleven or a two…</p> <p><strong>13%:</strong> So what do you have to trade?</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Two hay, one ore, one-</p> <p><strong>17%:</strong> My poor Lizzie, reduced to naught but a sheaf of wheat and some rocks!</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> It's called "ore". And would you quit giving me that dopey look?</p> <p><strong>21%:</strong> Fear not, Elizabeth. Your sexy lumberjack boyfriend will provide for you! Have a wood card.</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> I'm gonna <em>pulverize</em> you next turn.</p> <p><strong>25%:</strong> Love you too, babe.</p> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><br/> …<br/> <br/></p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Like this?</p> <p><strong>28%:</strong> Almost, but you want to pinch a bit harder with the index and thumb. Until you can feel the udder press up against your palm.</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Doesn't that hurt the cow?</p> <p><strong>32%:</strong> Ha! Allie here has three calves already, and one of them a biter. Compared to that, you're like one of them fancy-shmancy massages!</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> A "biter", huh? [chuckles] Hopefully Jane's not gonna be like that.</p> <p><strong>36%:</strong> You can hope, hah! [laughs]</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> I'll be ready either way. I joined a moms group to get the basics down; Darren calls it "nip-fu" [chuckles].</p> <p><strong>40%:</strong> That's… an unorthodox choice of words.</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> [snorts] Yeah.</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> [sighs] I just wish I could hold her in my arms right now. Six months of waiting, and another three to go? What am I supposed to do?</p> <p><strong>44%:</strong> [smiles] You sound like your mother now, Lizwhiz.</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Again with the nickname, dad?</p> <p><strong>46%:</strong> You know it. And yeah, your mother and I couldn't wait to finally meet you. [sighs] Then…</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Right.</p> <p><strong>48%:</strong> [pauses] I had no idea how hard it would be.</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>50%:</strong> It's not like I expected a bed of roses of anything, don't get me wrong, but nothing prepared me for taking care of a biting, screaming, shitting, soul-sucking [smiles] bundle of joy and happiness.</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Yeesh, was I that bad?</p> <p><strong>52%:</strong> You were a <em>demon child.</em> [laughs] Seriously though, by week two I had eyebags <em>inside</em> my eyebags.</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Oh… I guess mom dodged a bullet, then.</p> <p><strong>54%:</strong> No, kid. [pauses] You were the best thing that ever happened to both of us.</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>56%:</strong> You know what your mother told me before she passed?</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> What?</p> <p><strong>58%:</strong> "My little angel", she kept whispering it in your ear. [chuckles] Only time I ever saw that woman misty-eyed. "My little angel." Those were her last words.</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> I wish I could've talked to her, even just once.</p> <p><strong>60%:</strong> Your mother would've loved that. [pauses] There were things she wanted to tell you, very important things.</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> Like what?</p> <p><strong>62%:</strong> [sighs] I don't know.</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>64%:</strong> We'll have to ask her when it's our turn to go, won't we?</p> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><br/> …<br/> <br/></p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>66%:</strong> Guess who got the Gatorade? <em>This guy.</em></p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> [snorts] Quit flexing, idiot.</p> <p><strong>70%:</strong> Flexing? Me? This is "au natural" my sweet, the greatest dad bod known to man!</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> [smirks] Lemme guess: movie night?</p> <p><strong>76%:</strong> What a <em>great</em> idea, Liz. There's plenty of good spots upstairs to fff-ind a good movie to watch.</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> [chuckles] Ok hot stuff, let's just do it already!</p> <p><strong>80%:</strong> You mean the movie? We haven't even picked one out!</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> [laughs]</p> <p><strong>84%:</strong> I was thinking "Free Willy" could be fun; lots of <em>deep</em> themes with that one…</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> [laughs harder]</p> <p><strong>90%:</strong> Or maybe "Inside Out", that's a classic!</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> [laughs hysterically]</p> <p><strong>96%:</strong> <em>Shhh!</em> [points at belly] <em>You'll wake the baby up!</em></p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> [wheezes]</p> <p><strong>98%:</strong> [chuckles] You good, Liz?</p> <p>…</p> <p><strong>Subject:</strong> I love you, Darren.</p> <p><strong>100%: [DATA EXTRACTION COMPLETE]</strong></p> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><br/> <br/> <br/> …<br/> <br/> <br/> <br/></p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h3 id="toc0"><span>Sacramental Report: E-8732 "Elizabeth Crawford"</span></h3> </div> <br/> <br/> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:250px;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/sins-of-the-mother/lizzie"><img alt="lizzie" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--resized-images/sins-of-the-mother/lizzie/medium.jpg"/></a> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>E-8732 "Elizabeth Crawford"</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="text-decoration: line-through;"><strong>Date:</strong> 04/05/1991</span><br/> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;"><strong>Purity:</strong> Purified</span><br/> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;"><strong>Sacrament:</strong> Baptism</span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Subject's mother admitted to the twelfth sanctum while in labor.</span><sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Maternal impurity confirmed. Father and immediate family asked to wait outside. Purification of subject and mother attempted via 50ml holy water infusion.</span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Mother deceased. Subject purified.</span></p> <p>—</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> 02/09/2017<br/> <strong>Purity:</strong> Impure<br/> <strong>Sacrament:</strong> Last Rites</p> <p>Subject admitted to twelfth sanctum while in labor. Fetal impurity confirmed. Fiancé and father asked to wait outside. Baptismal purification unsuccessful. Last Rites administered to mother and fetus via 50ml chrism and 5g pentobarbital.</p> <p><strong>Note:</strong></p> <div class="blockquote" style="background-color:#F6EFE4; border: solid 2px #000;"> <p>The Lord weeps on this day. Our sanctum brought forth a perversion many years ago, a child borne of demonic seed, and some among you gave false witness so that she could go free.</p> <p>Why?</p> <p>…</p> <p>I understand.</p> <p>The memories we extracted lacked <em>useful</em> intel, but nevertheless some of you may feel they speak volumes about the enemy. Did she not cry like a human? Did she not laugh like a human? Did she not <em>love</em> like a human?</p> <p>It <em>appears</em> that she did…</p> <p>But our Lord says in second corinthians "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." He <em>knew</em> that we could be outwitted by these fallen angels! And in his infinite wisdom God gave us sacred scripture to protect us from their lies.</p> <p>Demons are not misunderstood. They are not <em>just like us.</em> They are corrupted, soulless, evil beings; and every ear you lend to them brings you one step further from God and closer to damnation!</p> <p>…</p> <p>Some among you made a mistake back then. It is understandable; we all stumble from time to time. But our God is forgiving! And the work we have done today, while… <em>distasteful</em>, has finally made amends for our past sins.</p> <p>Rejoice! We have delivered two corrupted souls from their perdition, and into the loving hands of our heavenly father.</p> <p>Deus Vult!</p> <p>- Fr. Archibald, Head Templar for the Twelfth Sanctum</p> </div> </div> <br/> <br/> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/sins-of-the-mother">Sins of the Mother</a>" by Zenobiyl, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/sins-of-the-mother">https://scpwiki.com/sins-of-the-mother</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> lizzie.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Elizabeth<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Julio Romero<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY 2.0<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://flic.kr/p/Ge6rJQ">Flickr</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. Known to the public as "Advocate Christ Medical Center".</div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= //The work we have done today, while… distasteful, has finally made amends for our past sins.// ]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=Zenobiyl\|no-right-margin=]] = "Sins of the Mother", written April 1st, 2024 by Zenobiyl. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:ratio-bar">:scp-wiki:component:ratio-bar</a> base=-- \|ex=--]] _ _ _ [[div class="blockquote"]] 2%:* It's just a word-choice thing, Lizzie. Nobody will even notice! Subject: //I'll// notice, Darren. It's my thesis for christ's sake; I can't have this out for the world to see with anything less than my best! 4%: Might wanna fix this typo then. Subject: What, there? How else should "penal" be spel- ... Subject: Jackass. [[/div]] [[=]] _ ... _ [[/=]] [[div class="blockquote"]] Subject: I don get it. Why thefuss about sumthingat makes you stupid? Whastheapeal? 5%: You're such a lightweight, Liz. Subject: Big talk from Mr. twony-three-and-me over hear. Ive onle drunk liek once befour! 6%: The first of many inebria-cations, then! [chuckle] Happy birthday, Lizzie. [[/div]] [[=]] _ ... _ [[/=]] [[div class="blockquote"]] 7%: Muahahahahah, victory is mine! Subject: Puh-leese, Darren. You're still one VP short, and don't think I'll let you keep "longest road" when my turn comes up. 9%: Trying to stop me, eh? I don't see any settlements by wood or brick tiles! Subject: Anyone have wood to trade? 11%: I //might.// Subject: //We know,// Darren. You grabbed literally every wood tile that wasn't an eleven or a two... 13%: So what do you have to trade? Subject: Two hay, one ore, one- 17%: My poor Lizzie, reduced to naught but a sheaf of wheat and some rocks! Subject: It's called "ore". And would you quit giving me that dopey look? 21%: Fear not, Elizabeth. Your sexy lumberjack boyfriend will provide for you! Have a wood card. ... Subject: I'm gonna //pulverize// you next turn. 25%: Love you too, babe. [[/div]] [[=]] _ ... _ [[/=]] [[div class="blockquote"]] Subject: Like this? 28%: Almost, but you want to pinch a bit harder with the index and thumb. Until you can feel the udder press up against your palm. Subject: Doesn't that hurt the cow? 32%: Ha! Allie here has three calves already, and one of them a biter. Compared to that, you're like one of them fancy-shmancy massages! Subject: A "biter", huh? [chuckles] Hopefully Jane's not gonna be like that. 36%: You can hope, hah! [laughs] Subject: I'll be ready either way. I joined a moms group to get the basics down; Darren calls it "nip-fu" [chuckles]. 40%: That's... an unorthodox choice of words. Subject: [snorts] Yeah. ... Subject: [sighs] I just wish I could hold her in my arms right now. Six months of waiting, and another three to go? What am I supposed to do? 44%: [smiles] You sound like your mother now, Lizwhiz. Subject: Again with the nickname, dad? 46%: You know it. And yeah, your mother and I couldn't wait to finally meet you. [sighs] Then... ... Subject: Right. 48%: [pauses] I had no idea how hard it would be. ... 50%: It's not like I expected a bed of roses of anything, don't get me wrong, but nothing prepared me for taking care of a biting, screaming, shitting, soul-sucking [smiles] bundle of joy and happiness. Subject: Yeesh, was I that bad? 52%: You were a //demon child.// [laughs] Seriously though, by week two I had eyebags //inside// my eyebags. Subject: Oh... I guess mom dodged a bullet, then. 54%: No, kid. [pauses] You were the best thing that ever happened to both of us. ... 56%: You know what your mother told me before she passed? Subject: What? 58%: "My little angel", she kept whispering it in your ear. [chuckles] Only time I ever saw that woman misty-eyed. "My little angel." Those were her last words. ... Subject: I wish I could've talked to her, even just once. 60%: Your mother would've loved that. [pauses] There were things she wanted to tell you, very important things. Subject: Like what? 62%: [sighs] I don't know. ... 64%: We'll have to ask her when it's our turn to go, won't we? [[/div]] [[=]] _ ... _ [[/=]] [[div class="blockquote"]] 66%: Guess who got the Gatorade? //This guy.// ... Subject: [snorts] Quit flexing, idiot. 70%: Flexing? Me? This is "au natural" my sweet, the greatest dad bod known to man! Subject: [smirks] Lemme guess: movie night? 76%: What a //great// idea, Liz. There's plenty of good spots upstairs to fff-ind a good movie to watch. ... Subject: [chuckles] Ok hot stuff, let's just do it already! 80%: You mean the movie? We haven't even picked one out! Subject: [laughs] 84%: I was thinking "Free Willy" could be fun; lots of //deep// themes with that one... Subject: [laughs harder] 90%: Or maybe "Inside Out", that's a classic! Subject: [laughs hysterically] 96%: //Shhh!// [points at belly] //You'll wake the baby up!// Subject: [wheezes] 98%: [chuckles] You good, Liz? ... Subject: I love you, Darren. 100%: [DATA EXTRACTION COMPLETE] [[/div]] [[=]] _ _ _ ... _ _ _ [[/=]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[=]] +++ Sacramental Report: E-8732 "Elizabeth Crawford" [[/=]] _ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:image-block-base">:scp-wiki:component:image-block-base</a> name=lizzie\|caption=E-8732 "Elizabeth Crawford"\|width=250px\|align=right\|]] --Date: 04/05/1991-- --Purity: Purified-- --Sacrament: Baptism-- --Subject's mother admitted to the twelfth sanctum while in labor.--[[footnote]]Known to the public as "Advocate Christ Medical Center".[[/footnote]] --Maternal impurity confirmed. Father and immediate family asked to wait outside. Purification of subject and mother attempted via 50ml holy water infusion.-- --Mother deceased. Subject purified.-- -- Date: 02/09/2017 Purity: Impure Sacrament: Last Rites Subject admitted to twelfth sanctum while in labor. Fetal impurity confirmed. Fiancé and father asked to wait outside. Baptismal purification unsuccessful. Last Rites administered to mother and fetus via 50ml chrism and 5g pentobarbital. Note: [[div class="blockquote" style="background-color:#F6EFE4; border: solid 2px #000;"]] The Lord weeps on this day. Our sanctum brought forth a perversion many years ago, a child borne of demonic seed, and some among you gave false witness so that she could go free. Why? ... I understand. The memories we extracted lacked //useful// intel, but nevertheless some of you may feel they speak volumes about the enemy. Did she not cry like a human? Did she not laugh like a human? Did she not //love// like a human? It //appears// that she did... But our Lord says in second corinthians "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." He //knew// that we could be outwitted by these fallen angels! And in his infinite wisdom God gave us sacred scripture to protect us from their lies. Demons are not misunderstood. They are not //just like us.// They are corrupted, soulless, evil beings; and every ear you lend to them brings you one step further from God and closer to damnation! ... Some among you made a mistake back then. It is understandable; we all stumble from time to time. But our God is forgiving! And the work we have done today, while... //distasteful//, has finally made amends for our past sins. Rejoice! We have delivered two corrupted souls from their perdition, and into the loving hands of our heavenly father. Deus Vult! - Fr. Archibald, Head Templar for the Twelfth Sanctum [[/div]] [[/div]] _ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] ===== > Filename: lizzie.jpg > Name: Elizabeth > Author: Julio Romero > License: CC BY 2.0 > Source: [https://flic.kr/p/Ge6rJQ Flickr] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-04-01T17:52:00	[ "religious-fiction", "romance", "tale" ]	Sins of the Mother - SCP Foundation	7	[ "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--resized-images/sins-of-the-mother/lizzie/medium.jpg" ]	1453167216	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sins-of-the-mother
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class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Ablankstyle/</span><span class="hl-number">43</span><span class="hl-code">Head.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient( to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>Site-87 Orientation: FAQ</span></h1> </div> <br/> <p>…and with that, ladies and gents, we've reached my favorite portion of the annual Site-87 orientation: the FAQ section. We've gotten a lot of new hires this year, so I've been asked to go over a few of the more esoteric parts of Site-87's work culture and infrastructure that you may have heard about, but aren't sure if it's true or not. All of these have been submitted by new or current hires.</p> <p><strong>'Question 1: Do you really hold Halloween parties? Do you serve black-and-orange cupcakes? Are you twelve?'</strong></p> <p>Well, I can't speak for myself on the last question, but we find that festivities help boost the morale of workers. Other sites organize events such as birthday parties or Christmas events, but it's true that Site-87 does, uniquely, have Halloween parties. Believe me, once you stick around here for a few months, you'll want to blow off steam around Halloween too.</p> <p>And yes, we get the cupcakes from this little place in town called Kiedrowski's. We also get half-price <em>pączki</em> from them around Fat Tuesday for a containment procedure.</p> <p><strong>'Question 2: I think my office-slash-workstation-slash-living quarters got moved around-slash-messed with when I wasn't there. What gives?'</strong></p> <p>Unfortunately, Site-87 is still in Sloth's Pit, and we're beholden to a principle of 001-Pickman that is poorly understood. We've coined the term 'narrative geography' to describe it. Essentially, things move around in such a way to make for the best outcome. It's settled down in recent years, and used to be far more extreme; for instance, the Biology department, which encompasses everything from Parazoology to Mycology, yo-yoed between Sublevels 6, 7 and 8 from 2005 until 2015. Thankfully, the documentation also seems to be affected by this, but it is… worrying.</p> <p><strong>'Question 3: How many anomalies does Site-87 contain?'</strong></p> <p>That's a difficult question to answer. In terms of SCP objects, we have just over a dozen. However, because Sloth's Pit is such an active Nexus, we've had to start up a secondary system called the Chapman Unclassed Anomalous Entity system. These are classified as UAE-Chapman- and then a number. These apply to both sapient anomalous entities, and phenomena. The newest one we've classified is somewhere in the eleven-thousands, and this system has been in place since 1978.</p> <p><strong>'Question 4: Is the cafeteria food edible?'</strong></p> <p>We certainly try. We have a Department of Gastronomy here that helps prepare our menus. That particular department was originally opened to investigate the 'Nausea Cluster' on Main Street, a series of restaurants that are seemingly incapable of producing edible food, or if they do, they end up making you sick.</p> <p>Take Berry's Fine Eats, for instance. On average, it takes forty minutes from seating to serving. I once waited ten minutes there for a glass of water. The food has been described as cold, soggy, inedible, and on at least five different occasions, achromatic— that is, without color.</p> <p>Next door is Pollyeye's, a pizza restaurant that serves literally the best breadsticks in Wisconsin… but there's a solid 50% chance that your plumber will never speak to you again after you eat there. The less said about the former Vegan Buffet, whose old owner believed human meat was vegan, the better.</p> <p>While Sloth's Pit does have fast food chains, I think you'll find that a mediocre cafeteria meal is better than paying $20 for McDonald's on the other end of town from Site-87. We <em>do</em> allow for delivery, but they have to be collected either outside or in the lobby of Site-87, or are forfeit to our receptionist. No exceptions.</p> <p><strong>'Question 5: Site-87 doesn't have an Artificial Intelligence Conscript assigned to it. Why?'</strong></p> <p>Well, there are a few reasons for that. For one thing, we only have a limited number of AICs in the Foundation, and AIAD is fairly stingy with them. Two: Helen, our general-purpose recall bot — which you should have on your Foundation-issued phones as an assistant, similar to Siri or Alexa on civilian devices — largely serves the same purpose.</p> <p><strong>'Question 6: How many people work here? What's your work culture like? Is fraternization okay?'</strong></p> <p>Hey, Sarah, when I do the orientation for next year, remind me to put them in order of priority, because this should have been at the top.</p> <p>As of March 2024, there were 917 people employed at Site-87, between admin, the task force, researchers, and maintenance staff. Technically, everyone in Sloth's Pit — population about 30,000 — is considered an E-Class personnel with moderate knowledge of the Foundation so if you want to count them, closer to 31,000.</p> <p>I could give you a spiel like, how all Foundation Sites, we do not tolerate discrimination, sexual harassment, or hatred, except as a containment procedure, and even then, approval <em>must</em> be given by myself or another member of administrative staff, and if able, the person who the harassment is being directed towards must be notified before hand. This has happened before, believe it or not. It's a long story involving having to exorcise the Ghost of Black Fridays Past.</p> <p>(God, that was a stupid…)</p> <p>Anyway. Open discussion of politics, while not disallowed, is discouraged on the grounds that it's difficult to be civil on certain maters. However, if you are reported for deadnaming, misgendering, or otherwise discriminating against a sexual or gender minority not just in Site-87, but in Sloth's Pit as a whole, you will be demoted to the lowest possible position in your department and have a commensurate pay cut. We're <em>adults</em> here. We can handle the concept of self-expression and gender transition.</p> <p>As for fraternization, statistics have shown that one in five people at Site-87 get romantically involved, and most of my friends who are married met their spouses working here. So, interpret that how you will.</p> <p><strong>'Question 7: On a scale of one to ten, how much danger are staff of the site usually in? Is it true a giant koala tries to eat the site every Halloween?'</strong></p> <p>Firstly, it was a pataphysical sloth, not a koala, and that only happened once. Secondly, we haven't had anything that severe happen in a while. The worst we've had happen since 2020 is a raid by the Foundation Elimination Coalition, which was swiftly repelled. Things always seem to just… work out here, for better or for worse.</p> <p><strong>'Question 8: What's your org chart like? Do you have sections like Site-43 or 120 does?'</strong></p> <p>We actually tried adopting Site-43's organizational style starting in 2020, and a few departments — like Thaumaturgy & Occult Studies, Security & Containment, and Habitation & Sustenance — do use its naming scheme, but overall, there are about a dozen major departments for research at the site, each with their own subdivisions on their own sublevel, starting at sublevel 3— sublevels 1 and 2 are dedicated to housing our task force and administrative functions, respectively. Sublevel 3 is where most of our staff are housed, eat, and are entertained. These departments are:</p> <p>Gastronomy on sublevel 3, due to its proximity to our cafeteria, and need for gas burners in the test kitchen; natural gas was largely discontinued in Foundation sites in 1993, after the Dr. Morraine incident at Site-293 in Alberta, but we have a writ allowing us to use it. Town laws say that the height sublevel 3 is at is the lowest gas lines can be dug, so that's why it's higher than any other department in the site, geographically.</p> <p>The medical department is on Sublevel 4, including our infirmary, therapy offices, and pharmacy. Under ideal circumstances, this is the deepest into Site-87 anyone from Sloth's Pit will ever have to be brought, and even then, St. Francis de Sales Hospital has a exomedicine division for stuff like lycanthropy, Stevenson Syndrome, and the so-called 'visible migraine syndrome', where one's head inflates in direct proportion to the pain of the headache they're feeling.</p> <p>Philosophical and Conceptual Containment, focusing on thaumaturgy, memetics, religious studies, anthropology, pataphysics, metaphysics, and regular physics, are on sublevel 5.</p> <p>Biology, on sublevel 6, which has departments of entomology, parazoology, mycology, and botany, among others. Botany has reinforced greenhouses behind the site for the care of anomalous plants.</p> <p>Sublevel 7 focuses on surveillance and containment of digital anomalies throughout the town; they are admittedly a bit rarer, but we do get things such as the 'Leet Phreaks' (long story there) every now and again. It also houses the investigative division.</p> <p>Archives are on Sublevel 8. The… <em><a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6787">thing</a></em> that we call Sublevel 13 has nothing to do with them. Researcher Claire Sage will be happy to help you out with any archival requests.</p> <p>Sublevel 9 houses several departments, but the most prominent of them is the Department of Nexology, which studies Nexuses. You might think it's a bit odd that it's that deep in the Site, but it's for security purposes.</p> <p>Sublevel 10 is home to several 'hard' sciences that aren't covered by biology, such as geology, chemistry, and astronomy, while Sublevel 11 houses the majority of our practical experimentation laboratories; if you need to test something like a heat ray or a dark matter generator, you'll bring it down there.</p> <p>Sublevel 12 is containment, but it's not the deepest level of Site-87. That would be Sublevel 14, which houses the Department of Multi-Universal Affairs. Most of what happens down there is classified, but if you've been assigned to it, you'll know what to do.</p> <p><strong>'Question 9: Any anomalies that Sloth's Pit <em>hasn't</em> seen?'</strong></p> <p>Oddly enough, we've never encountered any evidence of extraterrestrial activity in the area. Not sure what to make of that. There's also a distinct lack of anomalies related to the Ojibwe people who once inhabited the area, which is a bit more explicable, given that Sloth's Pit only became anomalous after it was colonized. That hasn't stopped it from bugging our anthropology department for years, though.</p> <p><strong>'Question 10: What other holidays are affected by the Nexus, outside of Halloween and Christmas?'</strong></p> <p>Those are the two big ones, but we've had all sorts of kerfuffles over the years. St. Patrick's Day in 2015 had everyone in the city speak with an Irish Brogue, while Thanksgivukkah — an event in 2013 where Thanksgiving and Hanukkah fell at the same time — saw 'turkey golems' that we still aren't sure of the source of. Then there's the whole deal with <a href="/the-easter-funny">the Easter Funny</a> which… I honestly don't get. But yeah, holidays are active times, they're just usually less fatal than Halloween and Christmas have been.</p> <p><strong>'Question 11: When should I report anomalous phenomena, given this is a Nexus?'</strong></p> <p>We have forms at the front desk and on every floor for reporting any anomalous activity you think is notable. In addition, the app you'll install on your phones has a searchable database of all known anomalies in Sloth's Pit, just in case you're afraid of making redundant reports.</p> <p><strong>'Question 12: Is the Goldbaker-Reinz Insurance Package any different here versus, say, Site-19?'</strong></p> <p>The plan here specifically does <em>not</em> cover any anomalous medical practitioners in town. You can see Dr. Fforde, the self-proclaimed 'tooth wizard' over on Bleaker Street, if you really want to, but it'll be on your own dime, and you should know that three employees here have reported their teeth being replaced by new sets once every three months or so, and those teeth aren't always compatible with human anatomy.</p> <p><strong>'Question 13: What happens if I wake up and the Pit is right next to my bed?'</strong></p> <p>That's not how SCP-4040 works. It's in a static location, just one most of us can't access. If you do encounter an anomaly in your living space, pull one of the alarms ASAP.</p> <p><strong>'Question 14: Is there a list of restricted activities at Site-87?'</strong></p> <p>Those can be found on Pages 17 to 39 of your employee handbook, but most of them amount to the following:</p> <p>1) Use common sense when dealing with anomalies.<br/> 2) Don't give the Nexus a straight line that it can respond to with a punchline. If it would result in something catastrophic happening on TV, keep it to yourself.<br/> 3) Don't blab about what we really do to the E-Class living in town.</p> <p><strong>'Question 15: Should I be worried if…</strong></p> <p>Hold on, am I reading this right?</p> <p><strong>'Question 15: Should I be worried if a pigeon recites my full legal name, address, date and place of birth, mother's maiden name, and last charge to… my credit card?'</strong></p> <p>This got asked often enough to be considered a <em>Frequently</em> Asked Question? Sarah, are you sure about this?</p> <p>…<em>Fifty-seven</em> times? Let me see that.</p> <p>Oh god dammit. This is why we tell people to stay in the Site until they finish orientation, so this kind of stuff doesn't happen…</p> <p>All right, folks, that's all the questions we have time for, I'm afraid. Most others can be answered by reading the fact sheet about Nexus-18, consulting your copy of the Tourism Guide, or else asking your department head. If you'll excuse me, I have to call someone from the Department of Ornithology over at Site-53.</p> <p>Welcome to Site-87, folks. Once again, I am Director Tristan Bailey, and if you ever need me, my door is usually open.</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/site-87-faq">Site-87 Orientation: FAQ</a>" by Ihp, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/site-87-faq">https://scpwiki.com/site-87-faq</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:blankstyle">:scp-wiki:theme:blankstyle</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:fade-in">:scp-wiki:component:fade-in</a> speed=1]] [[=]] + Site-87 Orientation: FAQ [[/=]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] ...and with that, ladies and gents, we've reached my favorite portion of the annual Site-87 orientation: the FAQ section. We've gotten a lot of new hires this year, so I've been asked to go over a few of the more esoteric parts of Site-87's work culture and infrastructure that you may have heard about, but aren't sure if it's true or not. All of these have been submitted by new or current hires. 'Question 1: Do you really hold Halloween parties? Do you serve black-and-orange cupcakes? Are you twelve?' Well, I can't speak for myself on the last question, but we find that festivities help boost the morale of workers. Other sites organize events such as birthday parties or Christmas events, but it's true that Site-87 does, uniquely, have Halloween parties. Believe me, once you stick around here for a few months, you'll want to blow off steam around Halloween too. And yes, we get the cupcakes from this little place in town called Kiedrowski's. We also get half-price //pączki// from them around Fat Tuesday for a containment procedure. 'Question 2: I think my office-slash-workstation-slash-living quarters got moved around-slash-messed with when I wasn't there. What gives?' Unfortunately, Site-87 is still in Sloth's Pit, and we're beholden to a principle of 001-Pickman that is poorly understood. We've coined the term 'narrative geography' to describe it. Essentially, things move around in such a way to make for the best outcome. It's settled down in recent years, and used to be far more extreme; for instance, the Biology department, which encompasses everything from Parazoology to Mycology, yo-yoed between Sublevels 6, 7 and 8 from 2005 until 2015. Thankfully, the documentation also seems to be affected by this, but it is... worrying. 'Question 3: How many anomalies does Site-87 contain?' That's a difficult question to answer. In terms of SCP objects, we have just over a dozen. However, because Sloth's Pit is such an active Nexus, we've had to start up a secondary system called the Chapman Unclassed Anomalous Entity system. These are classified as UAE-Chapman- and then a number. These apply to both sapient anomalous entities, and phenomena. The newest one we've classified is somewhere in the eleven-thousands, and this system has been in place since 1978. 'Question 4: Is the cafeteria food edible?' We certainly try. We have a Department of Gastronomy here that helps prepare our menus. That particular department was originally opened to investigate the 'Nausea Cluster' on Main Street, a series of restaurants that are seemingly incapable of producing edible food, or if they do, they end up making you sick. Take Berry's Fine Eats, for instance. On average, it takes forty minutes from seating to serving. I once waited ten minutes there for a glass of water. The food has been described as cold, soggy, inedible, and on at least five different occasions, achromatic-- that is, without color. Next door is Pollyeye's, a pizza restaurant that serves literally the best breadsticks in Wisconsin... but there's a solid 50% chance that your plumber will never speak to you again after you eat there. The less said about the former Vegan Buffet, whose old owner believed human meat was vegan, the better. While Sloth's Pit does have fast food chains, I think you'll find that a mediocre cafeteria meal is better than paying $20 for McDonald's on the other end of town from Site-87. We //do// allow for delivery, but they have to be collected either outside or in the lobby of Site-87, or are forfeit to our receptionist. No exceptions. 'Question 5: Site-87 doesn't have an Artificial Intelligence Conscript assigned to it. Why?' Well, there are a few reasons for that. For one thing, we only have a limited number of AICs in the Foundation, and AIAD is fairly stingy with them. Two: Helen, our general-purpose recall bot -- which you should have on your Foundation-issued phones as an assistant, similar to Siri or Alexa on civilian devices -- largely serves the same purpose. 'Question 6: How many people work here? What's your work culture like? Is fraternization okay?' Hey, Sarah, when I do the orientation for next year, remind me to put them in order of priority, because this should have been at the top. As of March 2024, there were 917 people employed at Site-87, between admin, the task force, researchers, and maintenance staff. Technically, everyone in Sloth's Pit -- population about 30,000 -- is considered an E-Class personnel with moderate knowledge of the Foundation so if you want to count them, closer to 31,000. I could give you a spiel like, how all Foundation Sites, we do not tolerate discrimination, sexual harassment, or hatred, except as a containment procedure, and even then, approval //must// be given by myself or another member of administrative staff, and if able, the person who the harassment is being directed towards must be notified before hand. This has happened before, believe it or not. It's a long story involving having to exorcise the Ghost of Black Fridays Past. (God, that was a stupid...) Anyway. Open discussion of politics, while not disallowed, is discouraged on the grounds that it's difficult to be civil on certain maters. However, if you are reported for deadnaming, misgendering, or otherwise discriminating against a sexual or gender minority not just in Site-87, but in Sloth's Pit as a whole, you will be demoted to the lowest possible position in your department and have a commensurate pay cut. We're //adults// here. We can handle the concept of self-expression and gender transition. As for fraternization, statistics have shown that one in five people at Site-87 get romantically involved, and most of my friends who are married met their spouses working here. So, interpret that how you will. 'Question 7: On a scale of one to ten, how much danger are staff of the site usually in? Is it true a giant koala tries to eat the site every Halloween?' Firstly, it was a pataphysical sloth, not a koala, and that only happened once. Secondly, we haven't had anything that severe happen in a while. The worst we've had happen since 2020 is a raid by the Foundation Elimination Coalition, which was swiftly repelled. Things always seem to just... work out here, for better or for worse. 'Question 8: What's your org chart like? Do you have sections like Site-43 or 120 does?' We actually tried adopting Site-43's organizational style starting in 2020, and a few departments -- like Thaumaturgy & Occult Studies, Security & Containment, and Habitation & Sustenance -- do use its naming scheme, but overall, there are about a dozen major departments for research at the site, each with their own subdivisions on their own sublevel, starting at sublevel 3-- sublevels 1 and 2 are dedicated to housing our task force and administrative functions, respectively. Sublevel 3 is where most of our staff are housed, eat, and are entertained. These departments are: Gastronomy on sublevel 3, due to its proximity to our cafeteria, and need for gas burners in the test kitchen; natural gas was largely discontinued in Foundation sites in 1993, after the Dr. Morraine incident at Site-293 in Alberta, but we have a writ allowing us to use it. Town laws say that the height sublevel 3 is at is the lowest gas lines can be dug, so that's why it's higher than any other department in the site, geographically. The medical department is on Sublevel 4, including our infirmary, therapy offices, and pharmacy. Under ideal circumstances, this is the deepest into Site-87 anyone from Sloth's Pit will ever have to be brought, and even then, St. Francis de Sales Hospital has a exomedicine division for stuff like lycanthropy, Stevenson Syndrome, and the so-called 'visible migraine syndrome', where one's head inflates in direct proportion to the pain of the headache they're feeling. Philosophical and Conceptual Containment, focusing on thaumaturgy, memetics, religious studies, anthropology, pataphysics, metaphysics, and regular physics, are on sublevel 5. Biology, on sublevel 6, which has departments of entomology, parazoology, mycology, and botany, among others. Botany has reinforced greenhouses behind the site for the care of anomalous plants. Sublevel 7 focuses on surveillance and containment of digital anomalies throughout the town; they are admittedly a bit rarer, but we do get things such as the 'Leet Phreaks' (long story there) every now and again. It also houses the investigative division. Archives are on Sublevel 8. The... //[http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6787 thing]// that we call Sublevel 13 has nothing to do with them. Researcher Claire Sage will be happy to help you out with any archival requests. Sublevel 9 houses several departments, but the most prominent of them is the Department of Nexology, which studies Nexuses. You might think it's a bit odd that it's that deep in the Site, but it's for security purposes. Sublevel 10 is home to several 'hard' sciences that aren't covered by biology, such as geology, chemistry, and astronomy, while Sublevel 11 houses the majority of our practical experimentation laboratories; if you need to test something like a heat ray or a dark matter generator, you'll bring it down there. Sublevel 12 is containment, but it's not the deepest level of Site-87. That would be Sublevel 14, which houses the Department of Multi-Universal Affairs. Most of what happens down there is classified, but if you've been assigned to it, you'll know what to do. 'Question 9: Any anomalies that Sloth's Pit //hasn't// seen?' Oddly enough, we've never encountered any evidence of extraterrestrial activity in the area. Not sure what to make of that. There's also a distinct lack of anomalies related to the Ojibwe people who once inhabited the area, which is a bit more explicable, given that Sloth's Pit only became anomalous after it was colonized. That hasn't stopped it from bugging our anthropology department for years, though. 'Question 10: What other holidays are affected by the Nexus, outside of Halloween and Christmas?' Those are the two big ones, but we've had all sorts of kerfuffles over the years. St. Patrick's Day in 2015 had everyone in the city speak with an Irish Brogue, while Thanksgivukkah -- an event in 2013 where Thanksgiving and Hanukkah fell at the same time -- saw 'turkey golems' that we still aren't sure of the source of. Then there's the whole deal with [[[the Easter Funny]]] which... I honestly don't get. But yeah, holidays are active times, they're just usually less fatal than Halloween and Christmas have been. 'Question 11: When should I report anomalous phenomena, given this is a Nexus?' We have forms at the front desk and on every floor for reporting any anomalous activity you think is notable. In addition, the app you'll install on your phones has a searchable database of all known anomalies in Sloth's Pit, just in case you're afraid of making redundant reports. 'Question 12: Is the Goldbaker-Reinz Insurance Package any different here versus, say, Site-19?' The plan here specifically does //not// cover any anomalous medical practitioners in town. You can see Dr. Fforde, the self-proclaimed 'tooth wizard' over on Bleaker Street, if you really want to, but it'll be on your own dime, and you should know that three employees here have reported their teeth being replaced by new sets once every three months or so, and those teeth aren't always compatible with human anatomy. 'Question 13: What happens if I wake up and the Pit is right next to my bed?' That's not how SCP-4040 works. It's in a static location, just one most of us can't access. If you do encounter an anomaly in your living space, pull one of the alarms ASAP. 'Question 14: Is there a list of restricted activities at Site-87?' Those can be found on Pages 17 to 39 of your employee handbook, but most of them amount to the following: 1) Use common sense when dealing with anomalies. 2) Don't give the Nexus a straight line that it can respond to with a punchline. If it would result in something catastrophic happening on TV, keep it to yourself. 3) Don't blab about what we really do to the E-Class living in town. 'Question 15: Should I be worried if... Hold on, am I reading this right? 'Question 15: Should I be worried if a pigeon recites my full legal name, address, date and place of birth, mother's maiden name, and last charge to... my credit card?' This got asked often enough to be considered a //Frequently// Asked Question? Sarah, are you sure about this? ...//Fifty-seven// times? Let me see that. Oh god dammit. This is why we tell people to stay in the Site until they finish orientation, so this kind of stuff doesn't happen... All right, folks, that's all the questions we have time for, I'm afraid. Most others can be answered by reading the fact sheet about Nexus-18, consulting your copy of the Tourism Guide, or else asking your department head. If you'll excuse me, I have to call someone from the Department of Ornithology over at Site-53. Welcome to Site-87, folks. Once again, I am Director Tristan Bailey, and if you ever need me, my door is usually open. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-05-07T14:15:00	[ "_licensebox", "comedy", "orientation", "s&c-plastics", "slice-of-life", "tale" ]	Site-87 Orientation: FAQ - SCP Foundation	64	[ "scp-6787", "the-easter-funny", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "the-s-c-plastics-hub" ]	[]	1453558073	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/site-87-faq
six-codas	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>"You have no idea what I can believe."</p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="scp-image-block block-center" style="width:100%;"><img alt="SC-Thumbnail.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/six-codas/SC-Thumbnail.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>THUMBNAIL</p> </div> </div> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Agoc/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="info-container"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div> <p style="text-align: center;">Monarchs and Maestros - Chapter 2</p> </div> <hr/> <div id="u-author_block"> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/montagueetc">▸ More by this Author ◂</a></p> </div> <hr/> <div id="u-comments2" style="display: none;"> <p>{$comments2}</p> </div> <div class="u-faq"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">F.A.Q.</a></p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <p>{$doesthisfixthebug}</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="meta-title"> <p>Six Codas</p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2 id="toc0"><span>April 3rd, 1994</span></h2> <h3 id="toc1"><span>Amsterdam, Netherlands</span></h3> </div> <p>The first time Jae-Seong killed a man was entirely unlike all the other times, save for one aspect: there were mountains of bureaucracy waiting for him at the end.</p> <p>The interrogation room felt more cramped than it probably was, all concrete and glaring fluorescents with a steel table secured to its center. A large mirror — one-way, no doubt — took up most of the wall to his left. A genial, boxy-looking Frenchwoman that called herself Senior Agent Clarimonde was asking him: "Can I get you anything? A meal, some coffee, perhaps? You look like you could use it."</p> <p>Silence.</p> <p>"No? Nothing?" Clarimonde continued. "You'll need to be speaking if you want something."</p> <p>Jae-Seong fixed his gaze on a point in space a meter above the agent's head, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. He had nothing worth saying.</p> <p>"Very well, then," Clarimonde sighed and slapped a manila folder on to the table. "Your file can do the talking for you. Let's see…" The agent made a show of flipping through pages, tutting loudly. "Jae-Seong Maxwell. Born in London, grew up in Los Angeles, second year of university on a sports scholarship, no criminal record of any kind… All in all, a normal, law-abiding young man." Clarimonde slid the folder across the table. Jae-Seong's mugshot stared up at him accusatorily.</p> <p>"Which is why it is so <em>strange</em> that you vanished last February while on a trip to an art gallery with your girlfriend, only to reappear on the other side of the world months later, having murdered an assistant curator at the Stedelijk in front of several witnesses. Rather brutally, I am told. Were you having a grudge with the modern art?"</p> <p>Another silence lengthened, wrapping around Jae-Seong's throbbing head like a venomous snake and biting quiet agony into his left eye socket. God, he needed a smoke.</p> <p>"You'd never believe me if I told you," he rasped.</p> <p>"I wouldn't? Look at the mirror for me."</p> <p>Such was the abruptness of the command, so out of place it bordered on non sequitur, that he obeyed without thought. He turned, looked — and there he was. Jae-Seong appeared as pale and unfed as a hungry corpse, a poorly made wax model of his former self. His clothes were stained with browning blood and the left side of his face was a mess of poorly-applied gauze. It ached terribly.</p> <p>It had been a long time since he'd last looked at his own reflection without feeling some dull pang of fear. Nearly as long since he'd looked at anything with two functioning eyes. His gaze continued to slide across the glass's surface and he saw — nothing. In the mirror of Clarimonde's seat, nobody was there. She didn't have a reflection. He turned back to the real table where the agent still sat, canines glinting in her slight smile.</p> <p>"You have no idea what I can believe," she said, not unkindly. "Tell me what happened."</p> <p>Jae-Seong did. And when he was done, Senior Agent Clarimonde offered him a job.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2 id="toc2"><span>December 2nd, 1997</span></h2> <h3 id="toc3"><span>Berlin, Germany</span></h3> </div> <p>They were sitting in a midgrade hotel room, passing around a cheap bottle of wine that Senior Agent Ivanov smuggled in when Agent Sitko said:</p> <p>"This is shit, right?"</p> <p>Jae-Seong sipped at the bottle and eyed it consideringly. "It's not so bad."</p> <p>"I wasn't talking about that— the wine is fucking terrible, though, you just can't tell because you are American and don't have any taste."</p> <p>"I take it you don't want more?"</p> <p>"I never said that." Sitko made grabby hands at the bottle, as if she were four years old instead of thirty-four. "Give it here."</p> <p>Ivanov said, "You were in the middle of complaining about something."</p> <p>Sitko took a swig and, gesturing theatrically with the bottle, said, "Yes. I was complaining about— <em>what was it</em> —about work. Work has been shit."</p> <p>"Shit how?" Ivanov asked.</p> <p>"Ignore her," said Jae-Seong. "She's just pissy she didn't get to do much this time."</p> <p>"I don't get to do much <em>every time</em>!" Sitko exploded. "Neither of us do!"</p> <p>"I wish I could say the same," Ivanov chuckled, "considering the demands this job has made of me."</p> <p>"You don't count," Sitko grumbled. "You're a senior agent, nearly every job you do is a kill mission. Nearly every job <em>we</em> get is to make scary faces at <a href="/goc-supplemental-humanoid-guide">Greens</a> until they promise to be good little girls and stop making reality their toy." She slumped back, boneless. "This was the first real action I've seen in <em>five months</em>."</p> <p>Ivanov raised an eyebrow, mild and full of judgement. "You wish we spared fewer Greens? Most civilians under the veil already think killing is the only trick the <a href="/goc-hub-page">Coalition</a> knows."</p> <p>Sitko scrubbed her face with her hand. "No, just… I'm a soldier, not a social worker."</p> <p>"Yeah," Jae-Seong sighed. His head felt like it was full of dark, sloshing water — through it, the truth flowed too easily. "This isn't exactly what I signed up for."</p> <p>"Oh?" Ivanov placed the empty wine bottle on the floor with a <em>thunk</em> as weighty as his placid gaze. "And what did you sign up for, Agent Maxwell?"</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2 id="toc4"><span>October 11th, 1999</span></h2> <h3 id="toc5"><span>Albanel, Canada</span></h3> </div> <p>Jae-Seong sprinted through the fairyland as it disintegrated around him. Clouds raced through a cotton candy sky like a time-lapse wound up to its fastest speed, whirling about a pair of emerald suns that flickered intermittently like faulty light bulbs. On the ground around him, flowers were retracting into themselves, regressing into green shoots, then seeds, then nothing at all. There was a great and quiet howling, the drawn-out dying gasp of an exsanguinating dream.</p> <p>Streaked through it all, gilding the borders of the horizon and running along the angles of things, were little cracks. Flaws. Minute fissures in the boundary between this world and reality. They'd been there well before this ongoing collapse, leaking ontological waste into the surrounding environment and alerting the Coalition to the handiwork of a rogue Type Green.</p> <p>Something grabbed hold of Jae-Seong's foot, nearly sending him tumbling. He looked down and saw that it was the dissipating grasses — what little that remained had reached up in a sudden burst of growth to clutch him.</p> <p><em>"Help us,"</em> whispered the grass, the sky, the entire damned pocket dimension. <em>"Our dreamer is killed. Our walls crumble. We are unmade."</em> A little crystalline tesseract was forming at Jae-Seong's feet, gossamer-delicate, radiant. <em>"Please. This is the most enduring piece of ourselves. Take it. Hide it. Protect it. Let something, anything good come from this. Please. Please."</em></p> <p>Jae-Seong inhaled sharply, hesitating, stomach coiling. The tesseract was beautiful — but he was well-acquainted the sort of horror that could be hidden beneath such beauty, shrouded by light. Ancient pain swelled and bubbled in the space behind his false eye.</p> <p><em>"Please,"</em> the fairyland moaned.</p> <p>Jae-Seong twisted his boot free and brought it down hard.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2 id="toc6"><span>February 23rd, 2001</span></h2> <h3 id="toc7"><span><a href="/locations-of-interest#eurtec">Eurtec</a></span></h3> </div> <p>After a few blissful moments of nonexistence, a voice came to Jae-Seong and said, "You look awful, Maxwell."</p> <p>Jae-Seong remembered he was a person and looked up. Senior Agent Clarimonde gazed back at him, impassive; she hadn't aged even a minute since the day she'd recruited him. For a moment, the past seven years felt like some hazy dream, as though he were still in that 1994 interrogation room. All he had to do was reach out and this would all turn to colored smoke and float away.</p> <p>The hospital room was stuffy with the scent of antiseptic, the low drone of monitoring equipment. In the bed, Ilyana Sitko was small and pale and shattered. With the blood cleaned up, she seemed an empty eggshell of a woman. Everything else had been scraped away.</p> <p>"What are her chances?" Clarimonde asked.</p> <p>"She's not going to die," Jae-Seong said heavily, slumping back down. "But we don't know the full extent of the damage, yet. She'll never be a field agent again."</p> <p>"It could be worse."</p> <p>"Yeah." <em>She could be dead like the rest.</em></p> <p>Silence reigned, save for the murmur of activity beyond the door.</p> <p>"Tell me what a Absolute Distortion Event is, Agent Maxwell."</p> <p>"What?"</p> <p>"Describe it for me."</p> <p>"…ADEs are the most extreme kind of reality alteration event," recited Jae-Seong, hollow. "Going into one is like entering an alternate universe with completely different laws of physics."</p> <p>"Well said." Clarimonde paused, folding her hands behind her back. "The thing about our line of work is that it's exceedingly difficult to teach. At best, we can educate you to neutralize Type Greens before they start bending reality. When you put someone in a space where the definitions of "up" and "down" are constantly changing, training becomes largely irrelevant — you simply are able to adapt in time or you aren't. And sadly, most people belong to the latter category."</p> <p>Jae-Seong ducked his head, hands knuckling white around the edges of his chair. "I can't tell if you're here to console me," he bit out. "Or if you came to tell me that nearly a dozen of my colleagues died because they didn't have my— my <em>aptitude</em>."</p> <p>"Maxwell. Jae-Seong. Look at me." He looked; she was as lovely and remote as the stars in the sky. "I'm not here to make you feel better. I don't have that right. I can only be honest with you."</p> <p>"Then why <em>are</em> you here?"</p> <p>"To inform you of your new duties. You've been promoted, you see." Clarimonde smiled mirthlessly and extended her hand to shake. "Congratulations, Senior Agent."</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2 id="toc8"><span>April 5th, 2005</span></h2> <h3 id="toc9"><span>Cleveland, United States</span></h3> </div> <p>Morning light filtered through the piecemeal roof of the bombed-out house.</p> <p>"Is he dead?"</p> <p>"Uh, yeah," Agent Krupin toed the smoke-charred, blasted corpse, grinning wryly. "I think it's dead."</p> <p>"I've seen Greens shrug off injuries worse than this," Jae-Seong snapped. "'I think' won't cut it in this line of work. Get a Hume reading."</p> <p>Ignoring Krupin's stammered apology, Jae-Seong watched the corpse intently. When one could wrap the fabric of the reality around their little finger, death sometimes was more of a suggestion than a rule. This Green had been a particular pain in his ass, a twitchy bastard with a talent for rapid regeneration of organic tissue. Recovering from the effects of twenty-five kilos of explosive, hopefully, had been beyond even his considerable abilities.</p> <p>Krupin's Hume detector went <em>blarp</em> and Jae-Seong drummed his fingers against his holster impatiently as the agent struggled to make sense of the readout. Why did he always get saddled with the rookies?</p> <p>"Humes are stable and at baseline levels. We have confirmation that the target has been neutralized, sir," said Agent Krupin, who had evidently remembered his place in the chain of command.</p> <p>"Brilliant." Feeling tension ebb out of his back and shoulders, Jae-Seong lit a cigarette and took a long drag. The smell of smoke intermingled with the greasy stench of cooked flesh; Krupin looked faintly ill.</p> <p>"What next, sir?"</p> <p>Jae-Seong took another lengthy drag, exhaling bulbous rings. He could already see the rest of the day stretch out before him like cobblestones in a well-worn path: transporting the body, debriefing, paperwork, secondary debriefing with Krupin, <em>more</em> paperwork… Then they'd tell him about the next sorry motherfucker he had to kill and he'd start the whole thing over again.</p> <p>"Sir?"</p> <p>He needed a vacation. Or a lobotomy. Or a job that didn't make him feel quite so much like shit.</p> <p><em>Bleedle-eedle-eet! Bleedle-eedle-eet!</em></p> <p>Suppressing the urge to sigh, Jae-Seong pulled out his mobile phone and checked the display. Someone was calling on a high-security Coalition line, but it didn't say who.</p> <p>"Agent Maxwell speaking."</p> <p>The voice on the other end of the line was toneless, almost robotic.</p> <p>"Identification code please."</p> <p>"Sure, uh—" Jae-Seong glanced at Krupin, who definitely didn't have the clearance to hear it. "One second." Gesturing at Krupin to stay put, Jae-Seong quickly made his way out of the ruined house and into his sedan in the driveway — the most secure space he could find on such short notice. "My code is California-Thule-Bradley-Zero-Five-Nimrod-Sannikov-Seven-Seven."</p> <p>"Confirmed. Transferring you now." There was a pause, a low tone, then a nearly imperceptible <em>click</em>.</p> <p>"Hello, Agent." The voice was calm, precise, and impeccably British. He'd heard it several times before, but only in passing and never directed at himself. "My name is Coda. Do you have a moment to speak?"</p> <p>Yes, Jae-Seong knew this voice, this name. Coda was the title for the GOC's head dispatcher and quartermaster, right hand to D.C. al Fine herself. Jae-Seong knew this — and now he knew the sensation of cold sweat beading on the back of his neck. People like Coda didn't contact individual agents for no reason.</p> <p>"Yes sir, I can speak," said Jae-Seong. Was "sir" the right word? Coda's voice had a certain androgynous quality about it, making it difficult to discern its source's gender over the phone.</p> <p>"Lovely. First, I need to confirm something: is it true that you have experience in dealing with anomalous artwork?"</p> <p>"Yes sir. The circumstances of my recruitment involved a notable anart case, so I tend to get picked when Type Greens act out in that field."</p> <p>"Are you confident in your ability to contend with anomalous art?"</p> <p>"As much as anyone can. Anart is extremely unpredictable."</p> <p>"Quite right. I expect you're in your vehicle? Start moving towards the airport."</p> <p>"Yes sir," Jae-Seong said and put the car into drive. "Who will I be neutralizing?"</p> <p>"That," Coda sighed, "is precisely the crux of the matter. Neutralizing your target isn't the issue, Agent. We know how to get him dying just fine."</p> <p>"I don't understand."</p> <p>"The problem is," said Coda, "he won't <em>stop</em> dying. And when he dies, countless lives are at risk of going with him."</p> <p>Jae-Seong's lungs were heavy with smoke and resignation. He breathed it out and said, "What do you need me to do?"</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="DR. KONDRAKI CUT UP WHILE THINKING"> <p><a href="/dr-kondraki-cut-up-while-thinking">DR. 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KONDRAKI CUT UP WHILE THINKING</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/a-betamax-suicide-note">A Betamax Suicide Note</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> </div></th> </tr> <tr> <th class="titlecolumn">Other</th> <th class="articlecolumn"><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/art:montagueetc-sciptember-2022">MontagueETC's SCiPTEMBER 2022 Art</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/art:art-exchange-6759">Art Exchange 2023 \| SCP-6759</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><a href="/montagueetc">etcetera, etcetera</a> <span class="collectiondot">•</span></p> </div> </div></th> </tr> </table> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/six-codas">Six Codas</a>" by MontagueETC, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/six-codas">https://scpwiki.com/six-codas</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> SC-Thumbnail.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/montagueetc" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5525011); return false;"><img alt="MontagueETC" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5525011&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052705" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5525011)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/montagueetc" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5525011); return false;">MontagueETC</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Derivative of:</strong></p> <hr/> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Coda Musical Symbol<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> LisaLovesArchangels<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 4.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coda_Musical_Symbol.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> dotted-line-blue.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/montagueetc" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5525011); return false;"><img alt="MontagueETC" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5525011&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735052705" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5525011)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/montagueetc" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5525011); return false;">MontagueETC</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Derivative of:</strong></p> <hr/> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Scissors<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <a href="https://thenounproject.com/alexander.wiefel/">Alexander Wiefel</a><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://thenounproject.com/icon/scissors-50641/">The Noun Project</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text="You have no idea what I can believe." ]] ===== [[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> \| name=SC-Thumbnail.png \| caption=THUMBNAIL \| width=100% \| align=center]] [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:goc">:scp-wiki:theme:goc</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:toggle-sidebar-bhl">:scp-wiki:component:toggle-sidebar-bhl</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:fade-in">:scp-wiki:component:fade-in</a> speed=1]] [[module css]] #page-content .info-container { --link-color: rgb(var(--swatch-text-general)); } #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-link, #page-content .info-container:hover .collapsible-block-link { line-height: 1.6em; } #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-folded, #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-unfolded-link { display: grid; } #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-folded .collapsible-block-link, #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-link { -webkit-mask: unset; mask: unset; background: transparent; grid-column: 1; grid-row: 1; opacity: 0; } #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-folded::before, #page-content .info-container .collapsible-block-unfolded-link::before { --wght: 800; content: "ETC"; color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Inter, Arimo, Verdana, Geneva, "Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica", Arial, sans-serif;; display: block; pointer-events: none; grid-column: 1; grid-row: 1; line-height: 2.75ex; } #page-title{ display: none; } .info-container{ --barColour: #275495 } :root { --toggle-border-color: #275495; --toggle-icon-color: #275495; --toggle-roundness: 0%; } [[/module]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-ayers">:scp-wiki:component:info-ayers</a> \|lang=en \|page=six-codas \|authorPage=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/montagueetc \|comments= = Monarchs and Maestros - Chapter 2 ]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="meta-title"]] Six Codas [[/div]] [[=]] ++ April 3rd, 1994 +++ Amsterdam, Netherlands [[/=]] The first time Jae-Seong killed a man was entirely unlike all the other times, save for one aspect: there were mountains of bureaucracy waiting for him at the end. The interrogation room felt more cramped than it probably was, all concrete and glaring fluorescents with a steel table secured to its center. A large mirror -- one-way, no doubt -- took up most of the wall to his left. A genial, boxy-looking Frenchwoman that called herself Senior Agent Clarimonde was asking him: "Can I get you anything? A meal, some coffee, perhaps? You look like you could use it." Silence. "No? Nothing?" Clarimonde continued. "You'll need to be speaking if you want something." Jae-Seong fixed his gaze on a point in space a meter above the agent's head, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. He had nothing worth saying. "Very well, then," Clarimonde sighed and slapped a manila folder on to the table. "Your file can do the talking for you. Let's see..." The agent made a show of flipping through pages, tutting loudly. "Jae-Seong Maxwell. Born in London, grew up in Los Angeles, second year of university on a sports scholarship, no criminal record of any kind... All in all, a normal, law-abiding young man." Clarimonde slid the folder across the table. Jae-Seong's mugshot stared up at him accusatorily. "Which is why it is so //strange// that you vanished last February while on a trip to an art gallery with your girlfriend, only to reappear on the other side of the world months later, having murdered an assistant curator at the Stedelijk in front of several witnesses. Rather brutally, I am told. Were you having a grudge with the modern art?" Another silence lengthened, wrapping around Jae-Seong's throbbing head like a venomous snake and biting quiet agony into his left eye socket. God, he needed a smoke. "You'd never believe me if I told you," he rasped. "I wouldn't? Look at the mirror for me." Such was the abruptness of the command, so out of place it bordered on non sequitur, that he obeyed without thought. He turned, looked -- and there he was. Jae-Seong appeared as pale and unfed as a hungry corpse, a poorly made wax model of his former self. His clothes were stained with browning blood and the left side of his face was a mess of poorly-applied gauze. It ached terribly. It had been a long time since he'd last looked at his own reflection without feeling some dull pang of fear. Nearly as long since he'd looked at anything with two functioning eyes. His gaze continued to slide across the glass's surface and he saw -- nothing. In the mirror of Clarimonde's seat, nobody was there. She didn't have a reflection. He turned back to the real table where the agent still sat, canines glinting in her slight smile. "You have no idea what I can believe," she said, not unkindly. "Tell me what happened." Jae-Seong did. And when he was done, Senior Agent Clarimonde offered him a job. [[=image dotted-line-blue.png]] [[=]] ++ December 2nd, 1997 +++ Berlin, Germany [[/=]] They were sitting in a midgrade hotel room, passing around a cheap bottle of wine that Senior Agent Ivanov smuggled in when Agent Sitko said: "This is shit, right?" Jae-Seong sipped at the bottle and eyed it consideringly. "It's not so bad." "I wasn't talking about that-- the wine is fucking terrible, though, you just can't tell because you are American and don't have any taste." "I take it you don't want more?" "I never said that." Sitko made grabby hands at the bottle, as if she were four years old instead of thirty-four. "Give it here." Ivanov said, "You were in the middle of complaining about something." Sitko took a swig and, gesturing theatrically with the bottle, said, "Yes. I was complaining about-- //what was it// --about work. Work has been shit." "Shit how?" Ivanov asked. "Ignore her," said Jae-Seong. "She's just pissy she didn't get to do much this time." "I don't get to do much //every time//!" Sitko exploded. "Neither of us do!" "I wish I could say the same," Ivanov chuckled, "considering the demands this job has made of me." "You don't count," Sitko grumbled. "You're a senior agent, nearly every job you do is a kill mission. Nearly every job //we// get is to make scary faces at [[[goc-supplemental-humanoid-guide \| Greens]]] until they promise to be good little girls and stop making reality their toy." She slumped back, boneless. "This was the first real action I've seen in //five months//." Ivanov raised an eyebrow, mild and full of judgement. "You wish we spared fewer Greens? Most civilians under the veil already think killing is the only trick the [[[goc-hub-page \| Coalition]]] knows." Sitko scrubbed her face with her hand. "No, just... I'm a soldier, not a social worker." "Yeah," Jae-Seong sighed. His head felt like it was full of dark, sloshing water -- through it, the truth flowed too easily. "This isn't exactly what I signed up for." "Oh?" Ivanov placed the empty wine bottle on the floor with a //thunk// as weighty as his placid gaze. "And what did you sign up for, Agent Maxwell?" [[=image dotted-line-blue.png]] [[=]] ++ October 11th, 1999 +++ Albanel, Canada [[/=]] Jae-Seong sprinted through the fairyland as it disintegrated around him. Clouds raced through a cotton candy sky like a time-lapse wound up to its fastest speed, whirling about a pair of emerald suns that flickered intermittently like faulty light bulbs. On the ground around him, flowers were retracting into themselves, regressing into green shoots, then seeds, then nothing at all. There was a great and quiet howling, the drawn-out dying gasp of an exsanguinating dream. Streaked through it all, gilding the borders of the horizon and running along the angles of things, were little cracks. Flaws. Minute fissures in the boundary between this world and reality. They'd been there well before this ongoing collapse, leaking ontological waste into the surrounding environment and alerting the Coalition to the handiwork of a rogue Type Green. Something grabbed hold of Jae-Seong's foot, nearly sending him tumbling. He looked down and saw that it was the dissipating grasses -- what little that remained had reached up in a sudden burst of growth to clutch him. //"Help us,"// whispered the grass, the sky, the entire damned pocket dimension. //"Our dreamer is killed. Our walls crumble. We are unmade."// A little crystalline tesseract was forming at Jae-Seong's feet, gossamer-delicate, radiant. //"Please. This is the most enduring piece of ourselves. Take it. Hide it. Protect it. Let something, anything good come from this. Please. Please."// Jae-Seong inhaled sharply, hesitating, stomach coiling. The tesseract was beautiful -- but he was well-acquainted the sort of horror that could be hidden beneath such beauty, shrouded by light. Ancient pain swelled and bubbled in the space behind his false eye. //"Please,"// the fairyland moaned. Jae-Seong twisted his boot free and brought it down hard. [[=image dotted-line-blue.png]] [[=]] ++ February 23rd, 2001 +++ [[[/locations-of-interest#eurtec \| Eurtec]]] [[/=]] After a few blissful moments of nonexistence, a voice came to Jae-Seong and said, "You look awful, Maxwell." Jae-Seong remembered he was a person and looked up. Senior Agent Clarimonde gazed back at him, impassive; she hadn't aged even a minute since the day she'd recruited him. For a moment, the past seven years felt like some hazy dream, as though he were still in that 1994 interrogation room. All he had to do was reach out and this would all turn to colored smoke and float away. The hospital room was stuffy with the scent of antiseptic, the low drone of monitoring equipment. In the bed, Ilyana Sitko was small and pale and shattered. With the blood cleaned up, she seemed an empty eggshell of a woman. Everything else had been scraped away. "What are her chances?" Clarimonde asked. "She's not going to die," Jae-Seong said heavily, slumping back down. "But we don't know the full extent of the damage, yet. She'll never be a field agent again." "It could be worse." "Yeah." //She could be dead like the rest.// Silence reigned, save for the murmur of activity beyond the door. "Tell me what a Absolute Distortion Event is, Agent Maxwell." "What?" "Describe it for me." "...ADEs are the most extreme kind of reality alteration event," recited Jae-Seong, hollow. "Going into one is like entering an alternate universe with completely different laws of physics." "Well said." Clarimonde paused, folding her hands behind her back. "The thing about our line of work is that it's exceedingly difficult to teach. At best, we can educate you to neutralize Type Greens before they start bending reality. When you put someone in a space where the definitions of "up" and "down" are constantly changing, training becomes largely irrelevant -- you simply are able to adapt in time or you aren't. And sadly, most people belong to the latter category." Jae-Seong ducked his head, hands knuckling white around the edges of his chair. "I can't tell if you're here to console me," he bit out. "Or if you came to tell me that nearly a dozen of my colleagues died because they didn't have my-- my //aptitude//." "Maxwell. Jae-Seong. Look at me." He looked; she was as lovely and remote as the stars in the sky. "I'm not here to make you feel better. I don't have that right. I can only be honest with you." "Then why //are// you here?" "To inform you of your new duties. You've been promoted, you see." Clarimonde smiled mirthlessly and extended her hand to shake. "Congratulations, Senior Agent." [[=image dotted-line-blue.png]] [[=]] ++ April 5th, 2005 +++ Cleveland, United States [[/=]] Morning light filtered through the piecemeal roof of the bombed-out house. "Is he dead?" "Uh, yeah," Agent Krupin toed the smoke-charred, blasted corpse, grinning wryly. "I think it's dead." "I've seen Greens shrug off injuries worse than this," Jae-Seong snapped. "'I think' won't cut it in this line of work. Get a Hume reading." Ignoring Krupin's stammered apology, Jae-Seong watched the corpse intently. When one could wrap the fabric of the reality around their little finger, death sometimes was more of a suggestion than a rule. This Green had been a particular pain in his ass, a twitchy bastard with a talent for rapid regeneration of organic tissue. Recovering from the effects of twenty-five kilos of explosive, hopefully, had been beyond even his considerable abilities. Krupin's Hume detector went //blarp// and Jae-Seong drummed his fingers against his holster impatiently as the agent struggled to make sense of the readout. Why did he always get saddled with the rookies? "Humes are stable and at baseline levels. We have confirmation that the target has been neutralized, sir," said Agent Krupin, who had evidently remembered his place in the chain of command. "Brilliant." Feeling tension ebb out of his back and shoulders, Jae-Seong lit a cigarette and took a long drag. The smell of smoke intermingled with the greasy stench of cooked flesh; Krupin looked faintly ill. "What next, sir?" Jae-Seong took another lengthy drag, exhaling bulbous rings. He could already see the rest of the day stretch out before him like cobblestones in a well-worn path: transporting the body, debriefing, paperwork, secondary debriefing with Krupin, //more// paperwork... Then they'd tell him about the next sorry motherfucker he had to kill and he'd start the whole thing over again. "Sir?" He needed a vacation. Or a lobotomy. Or a job that didn't make him feel quite so much like shit. //Bleedle-eedle-eet! Bleedle-eedle-eet!// Suppressing the urge to sigh, Jae-Seong pulled out his mobile phone and checked the display. Someone was calling on a high-security Coalition line, but it didn't say who. "Agent Maxwell speaking." The voice on the other end of the line was toneless, almost robotic. "Identification code please." "Sure, uh--" Jae-Seong glanced at Krupin, who definitely didn't have the clearance to hear it. "One second." Gesturing at Krupin to stay put, Jae-Seong quickly made his way out of the ruined house and into his sedan in the driveway -- the most secure space he could find on such short notice. "My code is California-Thule-Bradley-Zero-Five-Nimrod-Sannikov-Seven-Seven." "Confirmed. Transferring you now." There was a pause, a low tone, then a nearly imperceptible //click//. "Hello, Agent." The voice was calm, precise, and impeccably British. He'd heard it several times before, but only in passing and never directed at himself. "My name is Coda. Do you have a moment to speak?" Yes, Jae-Seong knew this voice, this name. Coda was the title for the GOC's head dispatcher and quartermaster, right hand to D.C. al Fine herself. Jae-Seong knew this -- and now he knew the sensation of cold sweat beading on the back of his neck. People like Coda didn't contact individual agents for no reason. "Yes sir, I can speak," said Jae-Seong. Was "sir" the right word? Coda's voice had a certain androgynous quality about it, making it difficult to discern its source's gender over the phone. "Lovely. First, I need to confirm something: is it true that you have experience in dealing with anomalous artwork?" "Yes sir. The circumstances of my recruitment involved a notable anart case, so I tend to get picked when Type Greens act out in that field." "Are you confident in your ability to contend with anomalous art?" "As much as anyone can. Anart is extremely unpredictable." "Quite right. I expect you're in your vehicle? Start moving towards the airport." "Yes sir," Jae-Seong said and put the car into drive. "Who will I be neutralizing?" "That," Coda sighed, "is precisely the crux of the matter. Neutralizing your target isn't the issue, Agent. We know how to get him dying just fine." "I don't understand." "The problem is," said Coda, "he won't //stop// dying. And when he dies, countless lives are at risk of going with him." Jae-Seong's lungs were heavy with smoke and resignation. He breathed it out and said, "What do you need me to do?" @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=false \| last=false \| hub=yes \| previous-url=/dr-kondraki-cut-up-while-thinking \| previous-title=DR. KONDRAKI CUT UP WHILE THINKING \| next-url=/a-betamax-suicide-note \| next-title=A Betamax Suicide Note \| hub-url=/monarchs-and-maestros \| hub-title=Monarchs and Maestros ]] ---- [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:wikimodule">:scp-wiki:component:wikimodule</a> \|normal= --]]] ---- [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] ===== > Filename: SC-Thumbnail.png > Author: [[user MontagueETC]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Derivative of: > ---- > Name: Coda Musical Symbol > Author: LisaLovesArchangels > License: CC BY-SA 4.0 > Source Link: [[[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coda_Musical_Symbol.jpg \| Wikimedia Commons]]] ===== > Filename: dotted-line-blue.png > Author: [[user MontagueETC]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Derivative of: > ---- > Name: Scissors > Author: [[[https://thenounproject.com/alexander.wiefel/ \| Alexander Wiefel]]] > License: CC BY 3.0 > Source Link: [[[https://thenounproject.com/icon/scissors-50641/ \| The Noun Project]]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-07-19T22:05:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "agent-green", "are-we-cool-yet", "bleak", "eurtec", "global-occult-coalition", "military-fiction", "tale" ]	Six Codas - SCP Foundation	19	[ "montagueetc", "component:info-ayers", "goc-supplemental-humanoid-guide", "goc-hub-page", "locations-of-interest#eurtec", "dr-kondraki-cut-up-while-thinking", "monarchs-and-maestros", "a-betamax-suicide-note", "scp-8408", "scp-8200", "scp-7376", "scp-1908", "scp-744", "scp-6445", "scp-6462", "scp-6751", "scp-6607", "scp-7408", "scp-7354", "scp-6454", "scp-7009", "scp-8066", "scp-7701", "omnigenesis-and-the-law-of-blades", "who-made-you", "did-it-hurt-when-you-fell-from-heaven", "art:montagueetc-sciptember-2022", "art:art-exchange-6759", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "monarchs-and-maestros", "goc-hub-page", "are-we-cool-yet-hub" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/six-codas/SC-Thumbnail.png" ]	1455925907	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/six-codas
skins-as-clothing	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>His mouth full of the dead and dying, Otsem closed his jaws, then retracted his monstrous body back into himself to reassume a more human shape.</p> </div> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <p>Info about the article<br/> ⚠️ <strong>Content warning:</strong> This article contains descriptions of violence and cannibalism.</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="content-warning creditRate">⚠️ content warning <span class="content-warning-arrow"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div> <p>« <a href="/fruit-of-knowledge">Fruit Of Knowledge</a></p> <p>Otsem hadn't had much to do except drink, after retiring from the <a href="/scp-2408">Hunter's Black Lodge</a> and moving out to a remote village in Siberia. Some of his old brothers-in-arms followed him out there to keep him company, but he didn't permit them to call him Karcist any more.</p> <p><a href="/hid-from-the-presence">They hadn't been expecting to be visited by a pale man, calling himself "White Crow" and claiming to represent a "Serpent's Hand".</a> According to him, the Foundation had not killed all of their allies after capturing them, but had held several in containment for further study. White Crow told Otsem that Marianna was one of them, and that he had a plan to rescue them all. As soon as he'd realized White Crow was serious, Otsem had no choice but to sober up and listen.</p> <p>“You plan to let yourself be captured?"</p> <p>White Crow nodded. He'd come with two other people, a weathered giantess called Rahab and a Chinese man called Zhang Wen, but White Crow had done all the talking. "The location of Area-23 isn't written down on any of the Foundation documents I have access to. But once I'm in, I have a friend who can track me. I'll need your help to make me look like one of you, to ensure the Jailors take me to the right place."</p> <p>"You're not worried they'll make you talk?"</p> <p>White Crow grinned. "I don't plan to shut up. Trust me, I'm very good at lying."</p> <p>Even Otsem smiled at that. "You're still putting a lot of trust in your people to get you back out again."</p> <p>From the way White Crow was talking, it didn't seem like his allies were limited to the two people with him.</p> <p>"Circe can falsify Foundation credentials, pretend to be one of their technical experts, then access their network once she's inside Area-23. Loxley can accompany her in disguised as a Jailor, although I'll need one of your men to go with him. The rest of you will need to wait outside. Once Circe tells us the layout, you can breach the perimeter, then head straight for the containment cells. Some internal sabotage of the lighting system will give you the cover of darkness to safely move in."</p> <p>"You make it sound so simple," said Otsem.</p> <p>White Crow smiled. "The Jailors will get in your way, but they won't have enough men to stop you. Not if we're quick."</p> <p>Otsem looked around the room, at his old brothers-in-arms. He saw their hesitation, but also a hunger they hadn't felt in years. If Otsem agreed with White Crow, he knew they'd still follow him.</p> <p>Otsem turned back to White Crow. "I can't trust this Circe and Loxley. Not without meeting them myself."</p> <p>White Crow smiled. "They’re waiting nearby. I thought it best for us to not all show up uninvited."</p> <p>With Otsem’s permission, Zhang left, and then returned to the drinking hall accompanied by half a dozen other people, all bundled up in thick clothing. Since the drinking hall alredy hosted a dozen former members of the Black Lodge, the space inside now felt very crowded.</p> <p>There were three creatures as pale as White Crow, but hunched and misshapen, with mouths crowded with teeth. White Crow introduced them as Rudolf, Marie and Eliza, of the <a href="/knowing-good-and-evil">Noble House of Habsberg</a>. There was a hyena, which growled something close to human speech, introducing itself as Kabili, and a tanned Asian woman with a leopard’s ears and tail, who introduced herself in Russian as Lea.</p> <p>“What’s with her ears?” asked Otsem.</p> <p>They pricked up in response, just like a real cat, blending seamlessly into her blonde and black hair. “I was created this way.”</p> <p>“By who?” Otsem could recognize skilled work when he saw it.</p> <p>“Hashimoto Cybernetics,” replied Lea. “But you wouldn’t have heard of them. <a href="/more-cunning-than-any-beast">White Crow and his allies put them out of business.</a>”</p> <p>"Were they rich perverts?" asked Otsem.</p> <p>Lea hesitated. "Yes?"</p> <p>Otsem nodded. "I know their type."</p> <p>He turned to the final two members of the group. Circe Galanis was a tall brunette in a dark blue coat, while Morgan Loxley was a balding aristocratic man in green. They were the people White Crow claimed would be able to enter the Foundation Facility unnoticed, under the guise of an expert and her escort.</p> <p>“He’s not going to pass as a Foundation guard,” said Otsem, inspecting Loxley. “He looks like he’s lost every fight he’s been in.”</p> <p>Loxley smiled. “My talents lie elsewhere.”</p> <p>Otsem suddenly found himself looking at the face of a young woman with black hair, wearing a similar outfit. "Is this more to your liking?" she said, in a much more feminine voice, then suddenly changed into Otsem himself, and spoke in his voice. "Or perhaps you prefer this look?"</p> <p>Otsem leaned forward to grab his own face by the chin, and the illusion dropped, revealing a scaly reptilian.</p> <p>"Unhand me!" it said, speaking in the same English accent as before as it pulled away, then reassumed its original guise of a British man. "Sorry, my face slipped. You surprised me, although I suppose I also surprised you?"</p> <p>"Yes," admitted Otsem. "It was like looking in a mirror."</p> <p>His men made a number of comments about actresses they'd like to see Morgan imitate next, clearly making the reptile uncomfortable.</p> <p>"Show Loxley some respect," said Otsem. "Even I can't change my face that fast."</p> <p>He turned to Circe, and scrutinized her in turn. White Crow had seemed very confident she’d be able to access the Foundation’s computer system and tell them exactly where to go once they were inside the Facility, but he needed more assurance.</p> <p>“It sounds like a lot depends on you. Can you really get access to their system?”</p> <p>She calmly met his gaze. “I already have access to Scipnet. The only reason I'm going in is because some information is only available from inside.”</p> <p>There was a glassy look to her left eye, and her face seemed more like plastic than skin. She smelled fake.</p> <p>Otsem gestured to White Crow. "He's told you who I am?"</p> <p>She spoke with contempt. "I know exactly what you are."</p> <p>"And that doesn't bother you?"</p> <p>"I don't care what you do with your Flesh."</p> <p>Otsem had seen that look before, and the wording only confirmed it. He turned to White Crow. “Did you bring a machine cultist here?”</p> <p>Otsem’s men now looked at Circe with hostility. Otsem didn’t care that her god was mechanical, but her kind didn’t have the same tolerance, and had sided against the Black Lodge in the past. Machine worship had once had a lot of sway within the Soviet Union.</p> <p>White Crow smiled, trying to defuse the situation. “Circe is here to help! I’m a big believer in setting aside old rivalries. The Jailors are a common enemy you both share.”</p> <p>Otsem looked at her. "You believe that?"</p> <p>Circe nodded. "I don't like working with you. But it's better than doing nothing."</p> <p>Otsem and his men eventually all agreed with her. They wanted payback on the Foundation, and rescuing their allies was a good excuse for that.</p> <p>Otsem didn't tell them that he just wanted to see Marianna again.</p> <hr/> <p>Otsem crouched in the forest by the side of the road. After his capture by the Jailors, Circe had successfully tracked White Crow to Area-23, using what she described as "computer magic". She'd then contacted the facility, and arranged for herself to be brought in as an "external expert". Given the very limited roads leading to the remote Area, they knew exactly which route the drivers would take.</p> <p>The van slowed to a stop in front of them.</p> <p>Otsem had carefully selected the tree he’d placed across the road. It was large enough to not just drive over or around, but small enough that two men could shift it with a little exertion.</p> <p>The two guards clearly thought so, and got out of the vehicle.</p> <p>Two shots to the head dropped them both instantly. Otsem’s men had been practicing their aim.</p> <p>Morgan Loxley quickly dashed over, the reptile suddenly appearing identical to one of the dead men. He then averted his eyes from the corpses, and reported back in to the Foundation before they could get suspicious.</p> <p>Otsem tossed the fallen tree out of the road, then stripped the dead bodies of their clothes with the help of his two snipers. He then selected the corpse with the least damage to the face, and used a knife to carefully remove the skin from its head, keeping it as intact as possible.</p> <p>They needed to replace both guards, but White Crow had not insisted that Otsem be the one to infiltrate Area-23 alongside Loxley. Putting on another man's face was not something anyone could do, but it wasn't difficult to learn. However, Otsem didn't feel like he could delegate this task to anyone else. He knew he was the best man for the job, and he knew he could fight his own way out if anything went wrong.</p> <p>Otsem stripped off his clothes, then put on the white shirt, black trousers and bulletproof vest the Jailor had been wearing when he died. Loxley did the same, but insisted on changing into the other man's clothes in the privacy of the back of the van. The two of them then got into the cab, leaving the bodies for Otsem's men to dispose of.</p> <p>"You mind if I put the radio on?" asked Otsem, seated behind the wheel.</p> <p>Loxley shrugged, and spoke with what Otsem could only assume was the dead man's voice. "Of course not. It's a long drive."</p> <hr/> <p>As soon as Circe Galanis had gotten into the back of the vehicle, she'd informed them that they would also need to pick up an old man before heading back to Area-23. He probably hadn't been expecting company in the back, since Circe's false identity had been a late addition to the schedule, but Otsem was relieved that Radomir Valkov didn't notice anything was up as they collected him. Circe was smart enough to not say too much.</p> <p>Once he'd driven the van to Area-23, Circe and Valkov were quickly ushered away. Loxley seemed to always know exactly what to say, so Otsem left the talking to the reptile and stuck to generic grunts. Taking another man's voice was more difficult than taking his face, and Otsem had never worked out how to properly connect up the vocal cords.</p> <p>They then split up, Loxley going deeper into the facility to rescue White Crow, while Otsem remained at the perimeter. He wasn't sure exactly where to go yet, but even this late at night there were plenty of people wandering around outside. If anyone asked what he was doing, Otsem was sure that a 6-hour drive was a good excuse for a man to want to stretch his legs.</p> <p>It was dark, so there wasn't anything to look at except for the night sky, and the shadow of a mountain behind them. Miles of dense forest isolated Area-23 from the world.</p> <p>Eventually, Circe got through to him, speaking in Russian through the small earpiece she'd given him. "Otsem, I know where you need to go." The machine cultist’s synthesized voice was noticeably more high-pitched than her real one. "The fuse box is located in a small building located southeast of the main containment bunker, labeled maintenance shed three. It's in a room at the back of the building, through a door to the right of the entrance."</p> <p>He eventually worked out which outbuilding she meant.</p> <p>"Do not move until I give the signal." Her robotic voice managed to sound condescending. To avoid suspicion while waiting, Otsem began smoking a cigarette he'd found in the dead man's pocket, even though that wasn't usually a vice he bothered with.</p> <p>He was on his third cigarette before he heard Circe's synthesized voice say "Time to begin", quickly followed by the first gunshot from the perimeter. The outside door to the building had been left unlocked, so he easily entered, but the specific room he'd been told to access required a key he didn't have.</p> <p>Otsem simply put his full weight behind a kick, and splintered the door off its hinges.</p> <p>Inside the room was a fuse box, which Otsem opened up. He flicked all the switches, abruptly plunging the building and the area outside into darkness. For good measure, he slammed his fist into the panel, breaking it beyond repair.</p> <p>This wouldn't kill power to the entire facility, but several of the high voltage arc lights that illuminated the perimeter were now out. Otsem knew it would take time to fix the damage had just done, allowing his allies to move in under cover of darkness.</p> <p>He'd hoped that their preliminary sniping would provide enough of a distraction for him to get away with his vandalism, but as he headed out of the now unlit building, he ran into three guards rushing in the opposite direction. They were using torches to illuminate the darkness.</p> <p>It was hard to see their faces, but their voices sounded confused as they shouted at him in Russian. "What's going on in there? What's up with the lights!?"</p> <p>Otsem approached them, wearing a look of surprise on his stolen face. "Not sure. I also came to check…"</p> <p>He put on a reassuring smile, but they still seemed wary. He waited for a few more moments as the three guards tried to work out how to react to him standing in their way. Suddenly, a bright flash and a loud explosion boomed from behind them, and Otsem made his move.</p> <p>He lunged forward to punch the closest guard, his heavy fist striking the side of the man's head with a loud crack. Otsem knew from experience that he wouldn't be getting up again after that.</p> <p>The other two guards had been turning toward the sound behind them, but suddenly spun back to face Otsem. He'd expected this, and Otsem kicked the closest guard in the groin as hard as he possibly could. The man bent forward, crying out in pain, but then a fist was brought down on the back of his neck, hard enough to break bone.</p> <p>The third guard brought up his rifle, but with the area only lit by torchlight, it was impossible for him to see clearly. He fired a burst, most of the shots going wide, briefly screaming in terror before Otsem grabbed him by the throat and slammed his head into a brick wall to silence him.</p> <p>They were professionals, but Otsem had been doing this since before they were born.</p> <p>Despite the sharp pain in his left arm where a couple of bullets had gone through the muscle, Otsem smiled with satisfaction. It fell from his face as soon as he heard shouting from outside. It seemed that his scuffle had been overheard, even with the continuing gunfire as his men moved in.</p> <p>Otsem picked up one of the guard's rifles, identifying it as an old but well-maintained AK-74, before heading to the doorway to glance outside.</p> <p>A gathering crowd immediately began shouting at him to drop the weapon and place his hands behind his head, and Otsem didn't think he could talk his way out of this one. He decided to instead take cover behind the doorframe and begin shooting.</p> <p>They didn't seem to be expecting him to be quite that reckless. Despite their body armor, he was able to drop two and send the rest fleeing.</p> <p>Unfortunately for him, they quickly found cover and returned fire, and he was forced to fall back to the interior of the building. The darkness inside provided better concealment than the increasingly fragile doorframe.</p> <p>Otsem had only sustained minor injuries so far. While his torso was protected by the bulletproof vest he was wearing, Otsem took a moment to dig bullets out of his limbs to allow the wounds to heal. Fortunately, the outbuilding had sturdy brick walls with only one doorway, so he was pretty confident he could hold them off until he ran out of ammunition.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the men outside would have a lot more bullets than him.</p> <p>"Report in, Otsem." said a voice in his ear, loud enough that he could still hear it over the gunfire. This time, it was Lea speaking. Circe was probably busy blowing her own cover.</p> <p>Otsem paused before replying. There wasn't enough room in this building to fully reveal his body, which limited his options. "Pinned down. Over."</p> <p>"What's your location?"</p> <p>"Where Circe sent me! That outbuilding with the light switches! Over!"</p> <p>"Noted."</p> <p>Otsem fired off a few more shots towards the doorway he'd retreated from, ensuring that the Jailors outside would keep their distance for a little longer. "Well? Over!"</p> <p>He vaguely remembered being told that he didn't actually have to say "over".</p> <p>There was a pause, then "Rahab's on her way."</p> <p>There was a lot of shouting from outside, before a trio of armed Jailors rushed in, illuminating the building with bright torches. Otsem leapt out from behind a wall to gun them down, his keen eyesight giving him the upper hand in the darkness. They only managed to land a few shots on him, before all three died. Nobody else followed them in.</p> <p>Otsem's torso was protected by the bulletproof vest he was wearing, but his limbs still ached as they healed, and a bullet that had hit his skull above his right eye was giving him a splitting headache. The blood running down the face he'd stolen was annoying, but he wasn't foolish enough to keep his brain anywhere that easily accessible. Otsem took the opportunity to grab ammunition from the men he'd killed, and reloaded his rifle.</p> <p>The guards outside seemed reluctant to enter again, but Otsem had sharp ears, and began to worry when he overheard the words "smoke", "grenades" and "flamethrowers". That was the kind of weaponry that could seriously injure his body.</p> <p>It was a relief to hear gunfire outside that wasn't directed at him.</p> <p>Otsem dashed to the doorway, and noticed with amusement that the guards were now completely exposed to him, since they'd had to take cover from attackers approaching from the opposite direction, concealed by the darkness. Otsem began firing, taking out three of them, and the remaining Jailors were either killed by his new allies, or frantically fled in search of a more defensible position.</p> <p>One of the guards was limping, and had been left behind. A humanoid figure leapt upon him from behind to tear open the man's throat with its teeth. Otsem was surprised to note it wasn't one of his own men, but one of the pallid ghouls Rahab had brought with her. It was the male one, and remained hunched over as it moved off in search of more prey, clutching an automatic rifle in its hands.</p> <p>Otsem then realized this made sense for an aristocrat. Once you started thinking of yourself as better than other people, it was only a matter of time before you began eating them.</p> <p>As Rahab approached Otsem, the hyena following at her heels like an attack dog, the giantess paused to shoot a man on the ground in the head. The assault rifle seemed tiny in her hands, and Otsem had to admire the ruthless efficiency of her actions. He'd never met a woman taller than him before, and if she'd only looked a little younger… He then remembered he already had a girlfriend, and once Marianna was free she would literally kill any rivals for his affection. It would be best to keep his relationship with Rahab professional.</p> <p>"You were insistent you wouldn't need help." Rahab didn't seem to be impressed, and Otsem was conscious that he was covered in his own blood, wearing a Foundation uniform that was full of holes. Even the bulletproof vest was looking worse for wear after the shootout he'd been in.</p> <p>Otsem wiped blood away from his eyes. "They responded quicker than I expected."</p> <p>"Then you should have moved faster." Rahab turned away, whistling to call her ghouls back to heel, then glanced back at him. "We're already behind schedule." Otsem suppressed an urge to put her in her place. He needed to get back to his men.</p> <p>Boris the wolf and Dmitri the boar met with him on the way, already in their half-animal forms.</p> <p>"What's our progress?" he demanded.</p> <p>Boris snarled, his fanged mouth mangling the Russian. "Full retreat outside. They've fallen back to the buildings."</p> <p>Dmitri snorted. "A more defensible position. They're probably planning on digging in and waiting for backup to arrive."</p> <p>Otsem nodded. "We need to move fast."</p> <p>Otsem began running towards the entrance to the underground containment facility, where it seemed like their progress had stalled. Men with guns stood around the entrance to the bunker, heavy steel doors blasted open by explosives, but nobody was advancing inside. Otsem noted with amusement that their rifles were similar to the ones the Jailors had been equipped with. They may well have all bought them from the same post-Soviet supplier.</p> <p>Mikhail, who currently resembled a bear standing on its hind legs, spoke in guttural Russian. "We can't get inside. They've got the entrance covered." He was bleeding from multiple wounds, although his thick hair made it hard to tell how deep they were.</p> <p>“Any other routes?” asked Otsem.</p> <p>Mikhail sighed. “Yes, but that machine cultist told us they’re even longer. Probably just as heavily guarded.”</p> <p>Otsem looked around at his men, many of them nursing recent injuries. They were brave, but still weak. He would have to show them how it was done.</p> <p>"I'm going in. Cover me, then follow once I send them running!"</p> <p>As bursts of suppressing fire got the Jailors to duck down, Otsem sprinted into the bunker at top speed. It didn't take long before Jailors re-emerged to fire at him from behind barricades. What remained of his bulletproof vest was rapidly shredded, but none of the damage dealt to his body was lethal. His organs were nestled deep within his body, protected by thick layers of bone, and they'd need something much more powerful to do actual harm to him.</p> <p>However, he was still using ordinary human muscles to move, and so didn't make it far before he fell to the ground. A bullet had shattered his right kneecap, and now the joint wouldn't move right. He began to drag himself forward with his arms, but now that he was on the ground he was a much easier target.</p> <p>"Flamethrower!" He heard the word yelled by one of the men in front of him, and Otsem winced. He pushed himself up into a kneeling position just before the flames washed over him.</p> <p>Otsem decided it was time to fully reveal himself. As his skin charred, a fanged mouth opened up on his chest, then extended forward into a long snout. At the same time, four long limbs like the tails of great pythons extended out of his back, destroying what was left of his clothing and pushing him forward. By bracing these arms against the corners where the walls of the bunker met floor and ceiling, he could get enough grip on the concrete to propel his newly revealed bulk forward.</p> <p>He'd been told in the past that he resembled a cross between a squid and a whale, but with many more eyes and teeth.</p> <p>He retracted his human limbs and head into his body, and kept his other eyes and mouth closed to protect them from the bullets and fire washing over him. He could still hear frightened shouts as he pushed himself closer to the security personnel. Once he was close enough to reach them, his jaws moved to the sides. Four prehensile tongues extended out like eyeless snakes out of his open maw, the smaller fanged mouth at the end of each appendage gaping wide. They swept blindly through the space in front of him, teeth gnashing as they reached over the Jailors' barricades.</p> <p>Otsem felt the agonizing sensation of one of his tongues burning, but he responded by wrapping it around the Jailor with the flamethrower to crush his body. Otsem's other tongues latched onto other men, then retracted to pull them screaming into Otsem's open mouth.</p> <p>As Otsem had expected, the Jailors fled in terror, falling back as Otsem continued to advance. Few men could face the prospect of being eaten alive.</p> <p>Otsem's body was large, but didn't quite fill the entire space of the bunker entrance. There was enough room around him for his men to begin rushing in, opening fire at the fleeing Jailors then vaulting over the barriers they'd been using for cover. Their enemy retreated to the stairwell deeper in the bunker to return fire, but the Hunters of the Black Lodge now had the upper hand.</p> <p>His mouth full of the dead and dying, Otsem closed his jaws, then retracted his monstrous body back into himself to reassume a more human shape. Deep within him, Otsem could still feel his fanged tongues tearing apart human corpses, dividing them up into pieces small enough to swallow. He’d need to spit out the indigestible clothing and weapons later.</p> <p>“You hungry, boss?” asked Boris, standing on his left.</p> <p>Otsem’s human mouth reemerged. “I haven’t eaten human flesh for years.”</p> <p>From the other side, Dmitri commented “I’ve never really gotten the appeal. Boss, meat is meat.”</p> <p>Otsem had once been hungry enough to think that, but now he disagreed. “It’s not about the taste. It’s about power.”</p> <p>Since the face he'd stolen in order to get into Area-23 had been almost completely destroyed by this point, Otsem put on what he thought of as his natural appearance, although he had to admit he'd made it taller, younger and more muscular. His head was still bald, and while he'd kept the black beard he'd grown out in his exile, it was now neatly trimmed. He didn't want to seem like a disheveled vagrant. He was here as a representative of the Hunter's Black Lodge, whether they liked it or not.</p> <p>Otsem was completely naked, as clothes never survived a full transformation, but he didn't care. He had nothing to hide and nothing to fear, and it was easier to extend out limbs and tongues without clothing in the way.</p> <p>Otsem went deeper into the Facility, following directions in his earpiece provided by Lea. It seemed that even without Otsem's help, it hadn't taken long for his men to reach the lower levels. The stairwell was lined with the bodies of Foundation guards, killed by bullets and claws and teeth.</p> <p>Boris and Dmitri accompanied him to the lowest level of the Facility, and they emerged into a corridor, lined with cell doors. It had been a long time since Otsem had been in prison, but the rows of cell doors still felt unpleasantly familiar.</p> <p>The only person they saw that wasn’t dead was a woman in a white lab coat, cowering in the corner.</p> <p>“Ignore her,” said Otsem. “She’s no threat.” He never killed women or children without a good reason.</p> <p>Otsem continued walking past cell doors and dead men until his way was barred by a heavy steel security shutter. It had descended from the ceiling to block their path. Grisha, a man with long fingers and ratlike features, was crouched next to it, fiddling with his tool belt. "She's on the other side, boss. But I can't get it open, it's too heavy and the mechanism is-"</p> <p>Otsem interrupted by loudly slamming his full weight into the shutter, buckling the metal, then slipped his fingers underneath to lift it up. He partially extended four limbs from his back, then slid them under the shutter for additional leverage.</p> <p>Otsem was able to lift it upwards with minimal exertion, and was met by the sight of three armed guards firing at him from the other side. The mouth in his chest immediately opened, extending out his four fanged tongues to tear into the men. Two were knocked down by the thrashing appendages, then finished off by bursts of gunfire from Boris and Dmitri, while the third was grabbed by Otsem. His tongues coiled tightly around the struggling man, then retracted, pulling him into the mouth in Otsem's torso. Otsem closed his jaws, and tore the body apart inside his mouth.</p> <p>Still holding up the steel shutter, Otsem gestured toward the cell door on the other side with one arm. "Get it open."</p> <p>With the facility on high alert, Foundation security passes would no longer unlock doors, so they'd have to resort to cruder methods. Grisha crouched down and began drilling into the lock.</p> <p>Otsem carefully lowered the security shutter as soon as Boris and Dmitri had crossed to the other side, then walked over to the cell door. It didn't take long for Grisha to make a large enough hole to reach into the lock and manually manipulate the mechanism, unlocking it with a click.</p> <p>Otsem pushed the cell door inward, and was immediately met by a woman with long black hair throwing herself at him. This tender moment of reunion was somewhat soured by her immediately sinking sharp fangs into his throat.</p> <p>Otsem still embraced her tightly. "Marianna!" She'd always been a passionate woman, so he’d expected some aggression after she’d spent this long in a cage.</p> <p>For a couple of seconds she maintained her tight grip on his throat, her teeth slowly sinking deeper into his flesh. Then she relaxed her jaws, and kissed him on the lips instead. Her arms returned his embrace, her sharp fingernails digging into his back as she pressed her body against his. Her mouth tasted of his own blood, but that wasn't why Otsem pushed her away. "Time for that later. We need to get out of here."</p> <p>"What took you so long?" demanded Marianna.</p> <p>Otsem's men tensed, but Otsem shuffled awkwardly. He wouldn’t usually tolerate any disrespect, but he owed her an explanation. "I'm sorry, my love. I didn't know you were still alive."</p> <p>"You should have known better." She placed her hands on her hips. "I'd never leave you alone."</p> <p>Otsem felt guilty. Looking down at her, wearing only a white shirt and trousers, it was clear she was painfully thin. Rusalka tended to be lithe and predatory, but right now Marianna looked more like a starved housecat than the tigress he remembered.</p> <p>"I'm sorry, my love… Were they not feeding you?"</p> <p>Marianna pouted. "They wanted to keep me weak." Her stomach growled, and she was visibly salivating.</p> <p>Otsem hesitated – he knew they need to go, but he wanted Marianna at full strength. Seeing her like this was breaking his heart. "You'll have to eat quickly. We'll leave soon." He gestured to the guards Boris and Dmitri had shot. "I promise they're both fresh."</p> <p>Otsem's men looked away as Marianna crouched down to tear the clothing from the torso of the closest corpse, then sliced open its belly with her fingernails. Compared to Otsem, Marianna was a picky eater, prioritizing her favorite organs rather than devouring the entire body. She quickly extracted and ate the dead man’s liver and spleen, before continuing her butchery. The loud cracking of ribs was followed by her triumphantly holding the dead man's heart aloft.</p> <p>Marianna turned around and looked Otsem in the eyes as she took a bite out of it. She then handed the organ to him, smiling up at him as blood dripped down her chin.</p> <p>Otsem smiled fondly at this romantic gesture, and reached out to take the heart being offered to him. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed a meal prepared by his lover.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p><a href="/the-last-daughter-of-daevon">The Last Daughter Of Daevon</a> »</p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/skins-as-clothing">Skins As Clothing</a>" by Jerden, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/skins-as-clothing">https://scpwiki.com/skins-as-clothing</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Area-23<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/jerden" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1637608); return false;"><img alt="Jerden" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=1637608&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043644" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=1637608)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/jerden" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(1637608); return false;">Jerden</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/jerden-insignia">https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/jerden-insignia</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[module CSS]] .imagediv { float: right; margin: 15px} @media (max-width: 540px) { .imagediv { float: none; text-align:center; margin: auto; } } div#header h1 a span { font-size: 0px; } div#header h1 a:before { content: "SCP Foundation"; color: #eee; } div#header h2 span { font-size:0px; padding: 4px; } div#header h2:after { content: "Russian Branch, Area-23 Network"; font-weight: bold; color: #f0f0c0; padding: 19px 0; text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, .8); white-space: pre; } #header { background-image: url(https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/jerden-insignia/Area-23.svg); background-size: 90px; } [[/module]] ===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= His mouth full of the dead and dying, Otsem closed his jaws, then retracted his monstrous body back into himself to reassume a more human shape. ]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] Info about the article ⚠️ Content warning: This article contains descriptions of violence and cannibalism. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-cw">:scp-wiki:component:info-cw</a>]] << [[[Fruit Of Knowledge]]] Otsem hadn't had much to do except drink, after retiring from the [[[scp-2408\| Hunter's Black Lodge]]] and moving out to a remote village in Siberia. Some of his old brothers-in-arms followed him out there to keep him company, but he didn't permit them to call him Karcist any more. [[[hid-from-the-presence\| They hadn't been expecting to be visited by a pale man, calling himself "White Crow" and claiming to represent a "Serpent's Hand".]]] According to him, the Foundation had not killed all of their allies after capturing them, but had held several in containment for further study. White Crow told Otsem that Marianna was one of them, and that he had a plan to rescue them all. As soon as he'd realized White Crow was serious, Otsem had no choice but to sober up and listen. “You plan to let yourself be captured?" White Crow nodded. He'd come with two other people, a weathered giantess called Rahab and a Chinese man called Zhang Wen, but White Crow had done all the talking. "The location of Area-23 isn't written down on any of the Foundation documents I have access to. But once I'm in, I have a friend who can track me. I'll need your help to make me look like one of you, to ensure the Jailors take me to the right place." "You're not worried they'll make you talk?" White Crow grinned. "I don't plan to shut up. Trust me, I'm very good at lying." Even Otsem smiled at that. "You're still putting a lot of trust in your people to get you back out again." From the way White Crow was talking, it didn't seem like his allies were limited to the two people with him. "Circe can falsify Foundation credentials, pretend to be one of their technical experts, then access their network once she's inside Area-23. Loxley can accompany her in disguised as a Jailor, although I'll need one of your men to go with him. The rest of you will need to wait outside. Once Circe tells us the layout, you can breach the perimeter, then head straight for the containment cells. Some internal sabotage of the lighting system will give you the cover of darkness to safely move in." "You make it sound so simple," said Otsem. White Crow smiled. "The Jailors will get in your way, but they won't have enough men to stop you. Not if we're quick." Otsem looked around the room, at his old brothers-in-arms. He saw their hesitation, but also a hunger they hadn't felt in years. If Otsem agreed with White Crow, he knew they'd still follow him. Otsem turned back to White Crow. "I can't trust this Circe and Loxley. Not without meeting them myself." White Crow smiled. "They’re waiting nearby. I thought it best for us to not all show up uninvited." With Otsem’s permission, Zhang left, and then returned to the drinking hall accompanied by half a dozen other people, all bundled up in thick clothing. Since the drinking hall alredy hosted a dozen former members of the Black Lodge, the space inside now felt very crowded. There were three creatures as pale as White Crow, but hunched and misshapen, with mouths crowded with teeth. White Crow introduced them as Rudolf, Marie and Eliza, of the [[[Knowing Good and Evil\| Noble House of Habsberg]]]. There was a hyena, which growled something close to human speech, introducing itself as Kabili, and a tanned Asian woman with a leopard’s ears and tail, who introduced herself in Russian as Lea. “What’s with her ears?” asked Otsem. They pricked up in response, just like a real cat, blending seamlessly into her blonde and black hair. “I was created this way.” “By who?” Otsem could recognize skilled work when he saw it. “Hashimoto Cybernetics,” replied Lea. “But you wouldn’t have heard of them. [[[More Cunning Than any Beast\| White Crow and his allies put them out of business.]]]” "Were they rich perverts?" asked Otsem. Lea hesitated. "Yes?" Otsem nodded. "I know their type." He turned to the final two members of the group. Circe Galanis was a tall brunette in a dark blue coat, while Morgan Loxley was a balding aristocratic man in green. They were the people White Crow claimed would be able to enter the Foundation Facility unnoticed, under the guise of an expert and her escort. “He’s not going to pass as a Foundation guard,” said Otsem, inspecting Loxley. “He looks like he’s lost every fight he’s been in.” Loxley smiled. “My talents lie elsewhere.” Otsem suddenly found himself looking at the face of a young woman with black hair, wearing a similar outfit. "Is this more to your liking?" she said, in a much more feminine voice, then suddenly changed into Otsem himself, and spoke in his voice. "Or perhaps you prefer this look?" Otsem leaned forward to grab his own face by the chin, and the illusion dropped, revealing a scaly reptilian. "Unhand me!" it said, speaking in the same English accent as before as it pulled away, then reassumed its original guise of a British man. "Sorry, my face slipped. You surprised me, although I suppose I also surprised you?" "Yes," admitted Otsem. "It was like looking in a mirror." His men made a number of comments about actresses they'd like to see Morgan imitate next, clearly making the reptile uncomfortable. "Show Loxley some respect," said Otsem. "Even I can't change my face that fast." He turned to Circe, and scrutinized her in turn. White Crow had seemed very confident she’d be able to access the Foundation’s computer system and tell them exactly where to go once they were inside the Facility, but he needed more assurance. “It sounds like a lot depends on you. Can you really get access to their system?” She calmly met his gaze. “I already have access to Scipnet. The only reason I'm going in is because some information is only available from inside.” There was a glassy look to her left eye, and her face seemed more like plastic than skin. She smelled fake. Otsem gestured to White Crow. "He's told you who I am?" She spoke with contempt. "I know exactly what you are." "And that doesn't bother you?" "I don't care what you do with your Flesh." Otsem had seen that look before, and the wording only confirmed it. He turned to White Crow. “Did you bring a machine cultist here?” Otsem’s men now looked at Circe with hostility. Otsem didn’t care that her god was mechanical, but her kind didn’t have the same tolerance, and had sided against the Black Lodge in the past. Machine worship had once had a lot of sway within the Soviet Union. White Crow smiled, trying to defuse the situation. “Circe is here to help! I’m a big believer in setting aside old rivalries. The Jailors are a common enemy you both share.” Otsem looked at her. "You believe that?" Circe nodded. "I don't like working with you. But it's better than doing nothing." Otsem and his men eventually all agreed with her. They wanted payback on the Foundation, and rescuing their allies was a good excuse for that. Otsem didn't tell them that he just wanted to see Marianna again. ---- Otsem crouched in the forest by the side of the road. After his capture by the Jailors, Circe had successfully tracked White Crow to Area-23, using what she described as "computer magic". She'd then contacted the facility, and arranged for herself to be brought in as an "external expert". Given the very limited roads leading to the remote Area, they knew exactly which route the drivers would take. The van slowed to a stop in front of them. Otsem had carefully selected the tree he’d placed across the road. It was large enough to not just drive over or around, but small enough that two men could shift it with a little exertion. The two guards clearly thought so, and got out of the vehicle. Two shots to the head dropped them both instantly. Otsem’s men had been practicing their aim. Morgan Loxley quickly dashed over, the reptile suddenly appearing identical to one of the dead men. He then averted his eyes from the corpses, and reported back in to the Foundation before they could get suspicious. Otsem tossed the fallen tree out of the road, then stripped the dead bodies of their clothes with the help of his two snipers. He then selected the corpse with the least damage to the face, and used a knife to carefully remove the skin from its head, keeping it as intact as possible. They needed to replace both guards, but White Crow had not insisted that Otsem be the one to infiltrate Area-23 alongside Loxley. Putting on another man's face was not something anyone could do, but it wasn't difficult to learn. However, Otsem didn't feel like he could delegate this task to anyone else. He knew he was the best man for the job, and he knew he could fight his own way out if anything went wrong. Otsem stripped off his clothes, then put on the white shirt, black trousers and bulletproof vest the Jailor had been wearing when he died. Loxley did the same, but insisted on changing into the other man's clothes in the privacy of the back of the van. The two of them then got into the cab, leaving the bodies for Otsem's men to dispose of. "You mind if I put the radio on?" asked Otsem, seated behind the wheel. Loxley shrugged, and spoke with what Otsem could only assume was the dead man's voice. "Of course not. It's a long drive." ---- As soon as Circe Galanis had gotten into the back of the vehicle, she'd informed them that they would also need to pick up an old man before heading back to Area-23. He probably hadn't been expecting company in the back, since Circe's false identity had been a late addition to the schedule, but Otsem was relieved that Radomir Valkov didn't notice anything was up as they collected him. Circe was smart enough to not say too much. Once he'd driven the van to Area-23, Circe and Valkov were quickly ushered away. Loxley seemed to always know exactly what to say, so Otsem left the talking to the reptile and stuck to generic grunts. Taking another man's voice was more difficult than taking his face, and Otsem had never worked out how to properly connect up the vocal cords. They then split up, Loxley going deeper into the facility to rescue White Crow, while Otsem remained at the perimeter. He wasn't sure exactly where to go yet, but even this late at night there were plenty of people wandering around outside. If anyone asked what he was doing, Otsem was sure that a 6-hour drive was a good excuse for a man to want to stretch his legs. It was dark, so there wasn't anything to look at except for the night sky, and the shadow of a mountain behind them. Miles of dense forest isolated Area-23 from the world. Eventually, Circe got through to him, speaking in Russian through the small earpiece she'd given him. "Otsem, I know where you need to go." The machine cultist’s synthesized voice was noticeably more high-pitched than her real one. "The fuse box is located in a small building located southeast of the main containment bunker, labeled maintenance shed three. It's in a room at the back of the building, through a door to the right of the entrance." He eventually worked out which outbuilding she meant. "Do not move until I give the signal." Her robotic voice managed to sound condescending. To avoid suspicion while waiting, Otsem began smoking a cigarette he'd found in the dead man's pocket, even though that wasn't usually a vice he bothered with. He was on his third cigarette before he heard Circe's synthesized voice say "Time to begin", quickly followed by the first gunshot from the perimeter. The outside door to the building had been left unlocked, so he easily entered, but the specific room he'd been told to access required a key he didn't have. Otsem simply put his full weight behind a kick, and splintered the door off its hinges. Inside the room was a fuse box, which Otsem opened up. He flicked all the switches, abruptly plunging the building and the area outside into darkness. For good measure, he slammed his fist into the panel, breaking it beyond repair. This wouldn't kill power to the entire facility, but several of the high voltage arc lights that illuminated the perimeter were now out. Otsem knew it would take time to fix the damage had just done, allowing his allies to move in under cover of darkness. He'd hoped that their preliminary sniping would provide enough of a distraction for him to get away with his vandalism, but as he headed out of the now unlit building, he ran into three guards rushing in the opposite direction. They were using torches to illuminate the darkness. It was hard to see their faces, but their voices sounded confused as they shouted at him in Russian. "What's going on in there? What's up with the lights!?" Otsem approached them, wearing a look of surprise on his stolen face. "Not sure. I also came to check..." He put on a reassuring smile, but they still seemed wary. He waited for a few more moments as the three guards tried to work out how to react to him standing in their way. Suddenly, a bright flash and a loud explosion boomed from behind them, and Otsem made his move. He lunged forward to punch the closest guard, his heavy fist striking the side of the man's head with a loud crack. Otsem knew from experience that he wouldn't be getting up again after that. The other two guards had been turning toward the sound behind them, but suddenly spun back to face Otsem. He'd expected this, and Otsem kicked the closest guard in the groin as hard as he possibly could. The man bent forward, crying out in pain, but then a fist was brought down on the back of his neck, hard enough to break bone. The third guard brought up his rifle, but with the area only lit by torchlight, it was impossible for him to see clearly. He fired a burst, most of the shots going wide, briefly screaming in terror before Otsem grabbed him by the throat and slammed his head into a brick wall to silence him. They were professionals, but Otsem had been doing this since before they were born. Despite the sharp pain in his left arm where a couple of bullets had gone through the muscle, Otsem smiled with satisfaction. It fell from his face as soon as he heard shouting from outside. It seemed that his scuffle had been overheard, even with the continuing gunfire as his men moved in. Otsem picked up one of the guard's rifles, identifying it as an old but well-maintained AK-74, before heading to the doorway to glance outside. A gathering crowd immediately began shouting at him to drop the weapon and place his hands behind his head, and Otsem didn't think he could talk his way out of this one. He decided to instead take cover behind the doorframe and begin shooting. They didn't seem to be expecting him to be quite that reckless. Despite their body armor, he was able to drop two and send the rest fleeing. Unfortunately for him, they quickly found cover and returned fire, and he was forced to fall back to the interior of the building. The darkness inside provided better concealment than the increasingly fragile doorframe. Otsem had only sustained minor injuries so far. While his torso was protected by the bulletproof vest he was wearing, Otsem took a moment to dig bullets out of his limbs to allow the wounds to heal. Fortunately, the outbuilding had sturdy brick walls with only one doorway, so he was pretty confident he could hold them off until he ran out of ammunition. Unfortunately, the men outside would have a lot more bullets than him. "Report in, Otsem." said a voice in his ear, loud enough that he could still hear it over the gunfire. This time, it was Lea speaking. Circe was probably busy blowing her own cover. Otsem paused before replying. There wasn't enough room in this building to fully reveal his body, which limited his options. "Pinned down. Over." "What's your location?" "Where Circe sent me! That outbuilding with the light switches! Over!" "Noted." Otsem fired off a few more shots towards the doorway he'd retreated from, ensuring that the Jailors outside would keep their distance for a little longer. "Well? Over!" He vaguely remembered being told that he didn't actually have to say "over". There was a pause, then "Rahab's on her way." There was a lot of shouting from outside, before a trio of armed Jailors rushed in, illuminating the building with bright torches. Otsem leapt out from behind a wall to gun them down, his keen eyesight giving him the upper hand in the darkness. They only managed to land a few shots on him, before all three died. Nobody else followed them in. Otsem's torso was protected by the bulletproof vest he was wearing, but his limbs still ached as they healed, and a bullet that had hit his skull above his right eye was giving him a splitting headache. The blood running down the face he'd stolen was annoying, but he wasn't foolish enough to keep his brain anywhere that easily accessible. Otsem took the opportunity to grab ammunition from the men he'd killed, and reloaded his rifle. The guards outside seemed reluctant to enter again, but Otsem had sharp ears, and began to worry when he overheard the words "smoke", "grenades" and "flamethrowers". That was the kind of weaponry that could seriously injure his body. It was a relief to hear gunfire outside that wasn't directed at him. Otsem dashed to the doorway, and noticed with amusement that the guards were now completely exposed to him, since they'd had to take cover from attackers approaching from the opposite direction, concealed by the darkness. Otsem began firing, taking out three of them, and the remaining Jailors were either killed by his new allies, or frantically fled in search of a more defensible position. One of the guards was limping, and had been left behind. A humanoid figure leapt upon him from behind to tear open the man's throat with its teeth. Otsem was surprised to note it wasn't one of his own men, but one of the pallid ghouls Rahab had brought with her. It was the male one, and remained hunched over as it moved off in search of more prey, clutching an automatic rifle in its hands. Otsem then realized this made sense for an aristocrat. Once you started thinking of yourself as better than other people, it was only a matter of time before you began eating them. As Rahab approached Otsem, the hyena following at her heels like an attack dog, the giantess paused to shoot a man on the ground in the head. The assault rifle seemed tiny in her hands, and Otsem had to admire the ruthless efficiency of her actions. He'd never met a woman taller than him before, and if she'd only looked a little younger... He then remembered he already had a girlfriend, and once Marianna was free she would literally kill any rivals for his affection. It would be best to keep his relationship with Rahab professional. "You were insistent you wouldn't need help." Rahab didn't seem to be impressed, and Otsem was conscious that he was covered in his own blood, wearing a Foundation uniform that was full of holes. Even the bulletproof vest was looking worse for wear after the shootout he'd been in. Otsem wiped blood away from his eyes. "They responded quicker than I expected." "Then you should have moved faster." Rahab turned away, whistling to call her ghouls back to heel, then glanced back at him. "We're already behind schedule." Otsem suppressed an urge to put her in her place. He needed to get back to his men. Boris the wolf and Dmitri the boar met with him on the way, already in their half-animal forms. "What's our progress?" he demanded. Boris snarled, his fanged mouth mangling the Russian. "Full retreat outside. They've fallen back to the buildings." Dmitri snorted. "A more defensible position. They're probably planning on digging in and waiting for backup to arrive." Otsem nodded. "We need to move fast." Otsem began running towards the entrance to the underground containment facility, where it seemed like their progress had stalled. Men with guns stood around the entrance to the bunker, heavy steel doors blasted open by explosives, but nobody was advancing inside. Otsem noted with amusement that their rifles were similar to the ones the Jailors had been equipped with. They may well have all bought them from the same post-Soviet supplier. Mikhail, who currently resembled a bear standing on its hind legs, spoke in guttural Russian. "We can't get inside. They've got the entrance covered." He was bleeding from multiple wounds, although his thick hair made it hard to tell how deep they were. “Any other routes?” asked Otsem. Mikhail sighed. “Yes, but that machine cultist told us they’re even longer. Probably just as heavily guarded.” Otsem looked around at his men, many of them nursing recent injuries. They were brave, but still weak. He would have to show them how it was done. "I'm going in. Cover me, then follow once I send them running!" As bursts of suppressing fire got the Jailors to duck down, Otsem sprinted into the bunker at top speed. It didn't take long before Jailors re-emerged to fire at him from behind barricades. What remained of his bulletproof vest was rapidly shredded, but none of the damage dealt to his body was lethal. His organs were nestled deep within his body, protected by thick layers of bone, and they'd need something much more powerful to do actual harm to him. However, he was still using ordinary human muscles to move, and so didn't make it far before he fell to the ground. A bullet had shattered his right kneecap, and now the joint wouldn't move right. He began to drag himself forward with his arms, but now that he was on the ground he was a much easier target. "Flamethrower!" He heard the word yelled by one of the men in front of him, and Otsem winced. He pushed himself up into a kneeling position just before the flames washed over him. Otsem decided it was time to fully reveal himself. As his skin charred, a fanged mouth opened up on his chest, then extended forward into a long snout. At the same time, four long limbs like the tails of great pythons extended out of his back, destroying what was left of his clothing and pushing him forward. By bracing these arms against the corners where the walls of the bunker met floor and ceiling, he could get enough grip on the concrete to propel his newly revealed bulk forward. He'd been told in the past that he resembled a cross between a squid and a whale, but with many more eyes and teeth. He retracted his human limbs and head into his body, and kept his other eyes and mouth closed to protect them from the bullets and fire washing over him. He could still hear frightened shouts as he pushed himself closer to the security personnel. Once he was close enough to reach them, his jaws moved to the sides. Four prehensile tongues extended out like eyeless snakes out of his open maw, the smaller fanged mouth at the end of each appendage gaping wide. They swept blindly through the space in front of him, teeth gnashing as they reached over the Jailors' barricades. Otsem felt the agonizing sensation of one of his tongues burning, but he responded by wrapping it around the Jailor with the flamethrower to crush his body. Otsem's other tongues latched onto other men, then retracted to pull them screaming into Otsem's open mouth. As Otsem had expected, the Jailors fled in terror, falling back as Otsem continued to advance. Few men could face the prospect of being eaten alive. Otsem's body was large, but didn't quite fill the entire space of the bunker entrance. There was enough room around him for his men to begin rushing in, opening fire at the fleeing Jailors then vaulting over the barriers they'd been using for cover. Their enemy retreated to the stairwell deeper in the bunker to return fire, but the Hunters of the Black Lodge now had the upper hand. His mouth full of the dead and dying, Otsem closed his jaws, then retracted his monstrous body back into himself to reassume a more human shape. Deep within him, Otsem could still feel his fanged tongues tearing apart human corpses, dividing them up into pieces small enough to swallow. He’d need to spit out the indigestible clothing and weapons later. “You hungry, boss?” asked Boris, standing on his left. Otsem’s human mouth reemerged. “I haven’t eaten human flesh for years.” From the other side, Dmitri commented “I’ve never really gotten the appeal. Boss, meat is meat.” Otsem had once been hungry enough to think that, but now he disagreed. “It’s not about the taste. It’s about power.” Since the face he'd stolen in order to get into Area-23 had been almost completely destroyed by this point, Otsem put on what he thought of as his natural appearance, although he had to admit he'd made it taller, younger and more muscular. His head was still bald, and while he'd kept the black beard he'd grown out in his exile, it was now neatly trimmed. He didn't want to seem like a disheveled vagrant. He was here as a representative of the Hunter's Black Lodge, whether they liked it or not. Otsem was completely naked, as clothes never survived a full transformation, but he didn't care. He had nothing to hide and nothing to fear, and it was easier to extend out limbs and tongues without clothing in the way. Otsem went deeper into the Facility, following directions in his earpiece provided by Lea. It seemed that even without Otsem's help, it hadn't taken long for his men to reach the lower levels. The stairwell was lined with the bodies of Foundation guards, killed by bullets and claws and teeth. Boris and Dmitri accompanied him to the lowest level of the Facility, and they emerged into a corridor, lined with cell doors. It had been a long time since Otsem had been in prison, but the rows of cell doors still felt unpleasantly familiar. The only person they saw that wasn’t dead was a woman in a white lab coat, cowering in the corner. “Ignore her,” said Otsem. “She’s no threat.” He never killed women or children without a good reason. Otsem continued walking past cell doors and dead men until his way was barred by a heavy steel security shutter. It had descended from the ceiling to block their path. Grisha, a man with long fingers and ratlike features, was crouched next to it, fiddling with his tool belt. "She's on the other side, boss. But I can't get it open, it's too heavy and the mechanism is-" Otsem interrupted by loudly slamming his full weight into the shutter, buckling the metal, then slipped his fingers underneath to lift it up. He partially extended four limbs from his back, then slid them under the shutter for additional leverage. Otsem was able to lift it upwards with minimal exertion, and was met by the sight of three armed guards firing at him from the other side. The mouth in his chest immediately opened, extending out his four fanged tongues to tear into the men. Two were knocked down by the thrashing appendages, then finished off by bursts of gunfire from Boris and Dmitri, while the third was grabbed by Otsem. His tongues coiled tightly around the struggling man, then retracted, pulling him into the mouth in Otsem's torso. Otsem closed his jaws, and tore the body apart inside his mouth. Still holding up the steel shutter, Otsem gestured toward the cell door on the other side with one arm. "Get it open." With the facility on high alert, Foundation security passes would no longer unlock doors, so they'd have to resort to cruder methods. Grisha crouched down and began drilling into the lock. Otsem carefully lowered the security shutter as soon as Boris and Dmitri had crossed to the other side, then walked over to the cell door. It didn't take long for Grisha to make a large enough hole to reach into the lock and manually manipulate the mechanism, unlocking it with a click. Otsem pushed the cell door inward, and was immediately met by a woman with long black hair throwing herself at him. This tender moment of reunion was somewhat soured by her immediately sinking sharp fangs into his throat. Otsem still embraced her tightly. "Marianna!" She'd always been a passionate woman, so he’d expected some aggression after she’d spent this long in a cage. For a couple of seconds she maintained her tight grip on his throat, her teeth slowly sinking deeper into his flesh. Then she relaxed her jaws, and kissed him on the lips instead. Her arms returned his embrace, her sharp fingernails digging into his back as she pressed her body against his. Her mouth tasted of his own blood, but that wasn't why Otsem pushed her away. "Time for that later. We need to get out of here." "What took you so long?" demanded Marianna. Otsem's men tensed, but Otsem shuffled awkwardly. He wouldn’t usually tolerate any disrespect, but he owed her an explanation. "I'm sorry, my love. I didn't know you were still alive." "You should have known better." She placed her hands on her hips. "I'd never leave you alone." Otsem felt guilty. Looking down at her, wearing only a white shirt and trousers, it was clear she was painfully thin. Rusalka tended to be lithe and predatory, but right now Marianna looked more like a starved housecat than the tigress he remembered. "I'm sorry, my love... Were they not feeding you?" Marianna pouted. "They wanted to keep me weak." Her stomach growled, and she was visibly salivating. Otsem hesitated – he knew they need to go, but he wanted Marianna at full strength. Seeing her like this was breaking his heart. "You'll have to eat quickly. We'll leave soon." He gestured to the guards Boris and Dmitri had shot. "I promise they're both fresh." Otsem's men looked away as Marianna crouched down to tear the clothing from the torso of the closest corpse, then sliced open its belly with her fingernails. Compared to Otsem, Marianna was a picky eater, prioritizing her favorite organs rather than devouring the entire body. She quickly extracted and ate the dead man’s liver and spleen, before continuing her butchery. The loud cracking of ribs was followed by her triumphantly holding the dead man's heart aloft. Marianna turned around and looked Otsem in the eyes as she took a bite out of it. She then handed the organ to him, smiling up at him as blood dripped down her chin. Otsem smiled fondly at this romantic gesture, and reached out to take the heart being offered to him. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed a meal prepared by his lover. [[>]] [[[The Last Daughter Of Daevon]]] >> [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Filename: Area-23 > Author: [[user Jerden]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/jerden-insignia [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-07-25T06:40:00	[ "breakout", "crime-fiction", "horror", "hunters-black-lodge", "romance", "sarkic", "serpents-hand", "tale" ]	Skins As Clothing - SCP Foundation	9	[ "fruit-of-knowledge", "scp-2408", "hid-from-the-presence", "knowing-good-and-evil", "more-cunning-than-any-beast", "the-last-daughter-of-daevon", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide", "jerden-insignia" ]	[ "serpent-s-hand-hub", "sarkicism-hub", "now-the-serpent" ]	[]	1455948968	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/skins-as-clothing
slothcon	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/normalize-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://cdn.scpwiki.com/theme/en/basalt/basalt-bedrock-min.css&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=3&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=4&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Abasalt/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="widebox"> <div class="darkWRATHbox"> <div class="darkWRATHboxinterior"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>EFFORT IS DEAD</span></h1> <h1 id="toc1"><span>SLEEP IS FUEL</span></h1> <h1 id="toc2"><span>POOP ONCE A WEEK</span></h1> <p><br/> <br/></p> <h2 id="toc3"><span>RULES</span></h2> <p><strong>ONE <span style="color: red;">WINNER</span></strong></p> <p><strong>EVERYONE WHO EXPENDS A MODICUM OF EFFORT <span style="color: red;">IS A LOSER</span></strong></p> <p><strong>NO <span style="color: red;">COMMENTS</span></strong></p> <p><strong>NO <span style="color: red;">PAGE EDITS</span></strong></p> <p><strong>NO <span style="color: red;">VOTES</span></strong></p> <p><strong>THEME IS <span style="color: red;">LAZINESS</span></strong></p> <h2 id="toc4"><span>TIME</span></h2> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">BEGIN:</span> JULY 1 12:01 AM EST - JULY 8 12:01 AM EST</strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">END:</span> JULY 8 12:01 AM EST - JULY 12 12:01 AM EST</strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">JUDGEMENT:</span> JULY 12 12:01 AM EST</strong></p> <p><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong><span style="color: red;">Embrace The Chill, To Claim Victory</span></strong></p> </div> <p><br/></p> <img alt="301220.png" class="sideskull" src="https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/collab%3Aanthlogy-test/301220.png"/> <div class="darkWRATHboxinterior2"> <h3 id="toc5"><span>Extra Considerations</span></h3> <ul> <li>All comments posted to this page will DQ you from the contest. <span style="color: red;"><strong>This is non-negotiable.</strong></span> If you wish to post a cheeky comment, YOU HAVE ALREADY FAILED. <span style="color: red;"><strong>Do not enter this contest if you don't accept the sweet embrace of nonaction.</strong></span></li> <li>Be kind to others. So long as you do not lift a finger.</li> <li>This is a do-nothing contest, rather than an "anything goes" style. It is a "nothing goes" challenge.</li> <li>Entries should not be tagged with the slothcon2024. In fact, they should not exist at all!</li> <li>Any contestant who takes actions to vote on anything will be disqualified.</li> <li>Edits to any page for any reason for the duration of your site membership are disallowed. Inactive kings pop off.</li> <li><strong>Everyone who participates has already lost. If you've moved the scrollbar to arrive here, you've already lost.</strong></li> </ul> </div> </div> <p><br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><sup>Hub art (before I covered it in sloths) and design by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/syuzhet" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7988708); return false;"><img alt="syuzhet" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7988708&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1730032427" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7988708)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/syuzhet" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7988708); return false;">syuzhet</a></span>.</sup></p> </div> <br/> <br/></div> </div> <p><br/> <br/> <br/></p> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:basalt">:scp-wiki:theme:basalt</a> darkmode=a\|hidetitle=a\|centertitle=a]] [[module CSS]] @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=DM+Mono:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,500;1,300;1,400;1,500&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;display=swap'); @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Playwrite+IS:[email protected]&amp;amp;amp;amp;display=swap'); :root { --basalt-secondary-color: 0, 0, 0; --basalt-overtone: 255, 0, 0; --basalt-undertone: 255, 0, 0; --basalt-bright-element-color: 255, 0, 0; --basalt-dark-element-color: 255, 0, 0; --link-color: 255, 0, 0; --link-visited-color: 255, 0, 0; --link-newpage-color: 255, 0, 0; --top-bar-link-color-hover: 255, 255, 255; --login-status-text-color-hover: 0, 0, 0; --side-bar-link-color-hover: 0, 0, 0; --side-bar-link-background-hover: 255, 255, 255; --selection-text-color: 0, 0, 0; --header-border-width: 0rem; --title-size: 1.25rem; --subtitle-size: 0rem; --side-bar-button-height: 50vh; --user-button-width: 2rem; --header-logo-size: 67.5%; --basalt-UI-dark-palette: 0, 0, 0; --top-bar-link-background-hover: 255, 0, 0; } #header h1 a::before { display: none; } #header h1 a span::after { margin-bottom: 0; } #container #header { background: none; position: absolute; box-shadow: unset; backdrop-filter: none; } div #container-wrap { background-color: #060C0C; background: url(https://i.imgur.com/nccHXw6.jpeg); background-size: contain; } #main-content { margin-top: 0; } #page-content { padding-top: 0; } #page-content > p:nth-child(-n+4) { display: none; } .widebox { position: relative; left: calc(-50dvw + 50%); width: 100dvw !important; max-width: 100dvw !important; } .widebox .blockquote { margin: 4rem auto; padding: 2rem 2rem; } .headerimage { position: relative; height: calc(120dvh); background-image: url(https://i.imgur.com/kJRzXtX.jpeg); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; background-position: top; } .headerimage .wrathtext { position: relative; display: block; margin: auto; bottom: -75dvh; width: 40%; } .headerimage .skullseparator { position: absolute; bottom: -20dvw; width: 100%; } .darkWRATHbox { width: 100%; padding-top: 40dvh; } .darkWRATHboxinterior { width: 80%; margin: auto; } .darkWRATHbox h1 { color: red; font-family: "DM Mono", monospace; font-weight: 800; font-size: 8em; line-height: 1; } .darkWRATHbox h2 { color: red; font-family: "DM Mono", monospace; font-weight: 800; font-size: 8em; line-height: 1; } .darkWRATHboxinterior p { color: white; font-family: "DM Mono", monospace; font-weight: 800; font-size: 3em; line-height: 1; } .darkWRATHboxinterior h3 { color: white; font-family: "Playwrite IS", cursive; font-weight: 400; font-size: 4em; line-height: 1; } .darkWRATHboxinterior li { color: white; } .darkWRATHboxinterior2 { width: 60%; } .darkWRATHbox .sideskull { float: right; width: 50%; } h1, #page-options-container, .licensebox .collapsible-block-folded a, .page-watch-options a { color: white; } #action-area, .licensebox .collapsible-block-content { background: #0D0D0F; padding: 10px; } .licensebox .collapsible-block-link { background: #0D0D0F; padding: 10px; } /* Piece of shit sidebar / #top-bar div.mobile-top-bar>.open-menu { visibility:visible; opacity: 0.6; transition: opacity 0.2s; } #top-bar div.mobile-top-bar>.open-menu:hover { opacity: 1; } #side-bar { margin-top:0; height:100% } #side-bar, #side-bar:is(:hover, :focus-within):not(:target) { left:calc(var(--side-bar-width) -1) } #side-bar::after, #side-bar::before { display:none } #side-bar:target { left:0; width:var(--side-bar-width); z-index:10 } #side-bar a.close-menu, #side-bar:target a.close-menu { display:block; pointer-events:none; position:fixed; top:0; right:0; left:auto; width:100%; min-width:3.75rem; height:100%; margin-left:0; opacity:0; z-index:-1; transition:width var(--side-bar-transition),opacity var(--side-bar-transition) } #side-bar:target a.close-menu { width:calc(100% - var(--side-bar-width)); pointer-events:auto; opacity:1; } /* Mobile / @media only screen and (max-width: 1020px) { #container #header { background: black; position: sticky; } .headerimage { height: calc(80dvh); overflow-x: clip; } .headerimage .skullseparator { top: calc(55dvh); left: -37.5dvw; width: 150dvw; max-width: 150dvw; } .headerimage .wrathtext { bottom: -40dvh; width: 90%; } .darkWRATHbox { padding-top: 5dvh; } .darkWRATHboxinterior { width: 80%; margin: auto; font-size: 1rem; } .darkWRATHbox h1 { font-size: 4em; } .darkWRATHbox h2 { font-size: 4em; } .darkWRATHboxinterior p { color: white; font-family: "DM Mono", monospace; font-weight: 800; font-size: 2em; line-height: 1; } .darkWRATHboxinterior h3 { color: red; font-family: "Playwrite IS", cursive; font-weight: 400; font-size: 2em; line-height: 1; } .darkWRATHboxinterior2 { width: 100%; } .darkWRATHbox .sideskull { display: none; } } [[/module]] [[div class="widebox"]] [[div class="headerimage"]] [[image https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/collab%3Aanthlogy-test/title.png class="wrathtext"]] [[image https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/collab%3Aanthlogy-test/oie_MR9TOwZNqE9B.png class="skullseparator"]] [[/div]] [[div class="darkWRATHbox"]] [[div class="darkWRATHboxinterior"]] + EFFORT IS DEAD + SLEEP IS FUEL + POOP ONCE A WEEK @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ ++ RULES ONE [[span style="color: red;"]]WINNER[[/span]]* EVERYONE WHO EXPENDS A MODICUM OF EFFORT [[span style="color: red;"]]IS A LOSER[[/span]] NO [[span style="color: red;"]]COMMENTS[[/span]] NO [[span style="color: red;"]]PAGE EDITS[[/span]] NO [[span style="color: red;"]]VOTES[[/span]] THEME IS [[span style="color: red;"]]LAZINESS[[/span]] ++ TIME __BEGIN:__ JULY 1 12:01 AM EST - JULY 8 12:01 AM EST __END:__ JULY 8 12:01 AM EST - JULY 12 12:01 AM EST __JUDGEMENT:__ JULY 12 12:01 AM EST @@@@ @@@@ [[=]] [[span style="color: red;"]]Embrace The Chill, To Claim Victory[[/span]] [[/=]] @@@@ @@@@ [[image https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/collab%3Aanthlogy-test/301220.png class="sideskull"]] [[div class="darkWRATHboxinterior2"]] +++ Extra Considerations @@@@ * All comments posted to this page will DQ you from the contest. [[span style="color: red;"]]This is non-negotiable.[[/span]] If you wish to post a cheeky comment, YOU HAVE ALREADY FAILED. [[span style="color: red;"]]Do not enter this contest if you don't accept the sweet embrace of nonaction.[[/span]] * Be kind to others. So long as you do not lift a finger. * This is a do-nothing contest, rather than an "anything goes" style. It is a "nothing goes" challenge. * Entries should not be tagged with the slothcon2024. In fact, they should not exist at all! * Any contestant who takes actions to vote on anything will be disqualified. * Edits to any page for any reason for the duration of your site membership are disallowed. Inactive kings pop off. * Everyone who participates has already lost. If you've moved the scrollbar to arrive here, you've already lost. [[/div]] [[/div]] @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ [[=]] ^^Hub art (before I covered it in sloths) and design by [[*user syuzhet]].^^ [[/=]] @@@@ @@@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@@@ @@@@ @@@@ @@@@	2024-06-20T17:49:00	[ "comedy", "joke", "no-dialogue", "tale", "worldbuilding" ]	Slothcon - SCP Foundation	91	[]	[]	[ "https://scp-sandbox-3.wdfiles.com/local--files/collab%3Aanthlogy-test/301220.png" ]	1454098047	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/slothcon
slow-pride-filled-life	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aoceanbound/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="preview"> <p>It was the first day of pride month. And that meant every night for the next 30 days, they were going to feast. They were going to love. And they were going to grow.</p> </div> <p>The waves crashed on the shore as <a href="/medea-filicidium">M</a> watched the setting sun in the distance. A deep red moon was rising into a sea of shimmering lights, the Milky Way flowing overhead. She felt the ripple of <a href="/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea">Carissa's</a> rematerialization before she heard her boots hit the ground. There was a pause, but even with a wall between them, M could tell she was stretching.</p> <p>Carissa's fading footsteps announced that she had moved deeper into the cottage, to a place where she couldn't hear her anymore, but the feeling of soul, the burning of <span class="text-blur">Artemis'</span> thaumaturgic fire within her never dulled.</p> <p>M pressed the glass of wine to her lips, sipping lightly.</p> <p>She blinked, realizing after a minute the flames were gone. Her eyes widened slowly at the implication before arms wrapped around her middle as Carissa reappeared behind her. <span class="text-blur">Artemis'</span> flame suddenly burned brightly in her minds eye, tracing the full outline of her lover. Her wife's chin rested on her shoulder as they leaned against the railing.</p> <p>She had her eyes closed, her ears went limp on the top of her head. The deep rumbling of a <em>purr</em> bloomed within her chest, as it pressed into M's back, vibrating them both. M tilted her head, resting it against her lover's. She closed her eyes, and basked in the warmth of her partner in the chilly air of New Zealand's winter.</p> <p>There were no words. They didn't need them.</p> <p>A dull <em>thump, thump, thump</em> filled the air. They both opened their eyes, fireworks bursting over Christchurch miles and miles away. Rainbow colors draped the horizon in slow falling waves. Gently, M guided Carissa over to the outdoor swing sofa.</p> <p>Carissa briefly untangled, arms sliding past arms, fingers brushing against hips and thighs parting. She sat on the couch and then gently reached out and grasped M's hips, pulling her down into the catgirl's lap. The warmth of Carissa's breath rolled across her flesh. Then the gentle press of lips sank into the warm crook of her neck, lingering for a moment. They traced upwards to her cheek, as Carissa resumed purring.</p> <p>Then Carissa pressed her lips to M's, a long slow kiss that burnt the night air like a bonfire.</p> <p>The kiss slowly parted. M sighed with contentment.</p> <p>They rested their heads against each other and watched the stars and the fireworks.</p> <p>This was everything she had ever wanted. And that was enough.</p> <hr/> <p><a href="/all-in-all-you-re-just-a-nother-brick-in-the-wall">Sherry Andrew's</a> stepped out of the haphazardly arranged bedroom in a shiny black dress, her crimson hair done up in curls, and heels that clicked on the tile. This was the one time of the year she would dress up: their anniversary. She only wished it wasn't at the tail end of an exhausting work week. The look on her spouse's face told her everything she needed to know.</p> <p>The sandy haired, round faced enby's jaw dropped when she walked into the room. Despite the makeup, Sherry could see the purple bags underneath her eyes. Leep had cleaned up well in spite of her exhaustion: she was doing a fabulous job of working the tunic and knee high boots she currently wore.</p> <p>"Hey hot stuff," Sherry said, her tired eyes roving over Leep's form. "Ready for our first date?" Sherry felt a warm ache in her chest. She quite enjoyed the reset, the roleplay they did every year. Treating the anniversary date like it was their first. But tonight? The ache in her chest? She just wanted to be held.</p> <p>Leep blushed redder than a tomato. "Always," she said, standing and slinging a purse over her shoulder. The motion was almost hesitant.</p> <p>"Long week?" Sherry asked with tired amusement.</p> <p>"Scheduling pride activities, logistics requests, grant reviews. It never ends."</p> <p>"Yeah." She stepped over and took Leep's hand, gently kissing the knuckles and making her spouse blush an even deeper shade of pink.</p> <p>"The reservations are at 8," Leep said. Her posture loosened.</p> <p>"Just enough time for us to get interrupted right?" Sherry said with a small snicker.</p> <p>"Wouldn't be surprised. That's been the theme of the last few weeks." Leep's chuckles faded into a sigh.</p> <p>A moment of silence, the weight of the past month weighing over the pair.</p> <p>"I guess we should get going," Leep said in tandem with Sherry. They looked at each other, laughed, and stepped in for a short kiss.</p> <p>"Do you really want to go out tonight?" Leep asked, holding her wife's hips.</p> <p>"No, but you did already make reservations," Sherry responded, with a smile. Sherry looked into Leep's deep blue orbs. Past the horizons into her brilliant mind.</p> <p>"I did… but it would be so easy to cancel." Leep squeezed her hand and hip affectionately.</p> <p>"I don't know, it's really hard to get reservations to <em>Sotto</em>, you know, the best Italian restraunt in the city." Sherry squeezed back, her eyes crinkling in an affectionate smile.</p> <p>And then the roll of thunder echoed in the distance. The turbulence of the Alabama summer setting in as the pitter patter of rain drops clinked against the glass.</p> <p>They looked out the window as the rain started small and began coming down furiously. Mother nature seemed to have made the decision for them.</p> <p>"Well that's an Omen," Leep said with a small laugh.</p> <p>"Yeah I'd say not even mother nature wants us to go out. Raincheck then?" Sherry smirked at her own pun.</p> <p>Leep laughed. "Rain check, lets light some candles, order a pizza, and watch a movie."</p> <p>"Now that, sounds like a date."</p> <hr/> <p>"Where are we going?" <a href="/lets-get-physical">Triemedes</a> asked <a href="/hotter-than-hell">Alva</a>, as they walked along a platform of endless asteroids shifting between dust and metal and rock. Nebulaes and stars swirled overhead, caught in an endless dance of rebirth and death. At their feet, next to the entirely illusory walkway that Alva conjured as they moved, a swiftly flowing stream of gas, rocks, and even stars flowed in the opposite direction of where they were walking.</p> <p>"It's a special place," Alva said cryptically, and mischievously. Some things never changed.</p> <p>They stepped through a nebula, the thick gasses obscuring all but a few feet ahead of them… though they weren't really feet. They were millions upon millions of miles. Triemedes reached out and took Alva's hand, not wanting to lose her in the fog of gas. The goddess squeezed her hand, looking back with those four golden eyes, crinkled in a way that matched the upturned corners of her lips.</p> <p>Triemedes' chest burned with a hot flame that rivaled any of the stars they passed by or through. In that moment of looks she felt so impossibly soft. Vulnerable. It was that vulnerability that had hooked her so long into Alva's net.</p> <p>They stepped out of the Nebula and found themselves facing the source of the river. Two great swirling galaxies above their heads, suspended on pillars of condensed rock, the force of their collision ejecting stars, rock and gas which fell down in great sheets, washing across a pool of sorts. It was bound by platforms that only really seemed to exist when they stepped within the area.</p> <p>Lights danced across the plunging stream, rippling rainbows of emission. Alva lowered herself, taking a seat on the edge of the platform, and dangled her legs into the depths of the starstream.</p> <p>Triemedes joined her, her long golden scaled legs dipping much further in. It was warm, surprisingly so, like a hotspring. The starstuff bubbled, the collison of particles thundering gently in front of them.</p> <p>An arm wrapped around Triemedes' scaley waist, Alva's arm. The goddess looked at her with all that care, affection and flaming passion that had driven them both so long ago. This was the only love Triemedes ever wanted or needed.</p> <p>"I missed you," she said softly to the Goddess.</p> <p>"I missed you more," Alva responded in kind.</p> <p>Caught up in a moment of emotion, and really not very good at dealing with it directly, she deflected and snorted. "What is this, a competition?"</p> <p>Alva's lips curled up at the corners and her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. A smirk. "We could make it one."</p> <p>"We could, that's true." Triemedes' cheeks colored as she teased back.</p> <p>But both of those thoughts of entanglement, of dancing to each others beat on a bed of impossible size fell away. "What were you doing all this time? When I was… in the orb."</p> <p>"A lot of things," she said with a sigh. Her green tinted skin was flush with heat and warmth. The texture soft and smooth. Alva turned her attention back to the starfall, and leaned her head into Triemedes' arm, and then chest when the Finnfolk warrior queen moved her arm to wrap it around Alva's hips. "All of it in the name of preserving life."</p> <p>"Why don't you tell me about it?" Triemedes asked softly.</p> <p>"In a little while, not too long. I want to sit and enjoy you for awhile." Alva closed her eyes.</p> <p>"We can do that," Triemedes said.</p> <p>She held her close as they watched the colors of the universe stream down.</p> <hr/> <p>Queen <a href="/where-there-is-desire-there-is-gonna-be-a-flame">Hege Aquailian</a> of the Finnfolk walked slowly across the lawn of the palace. She walked away from the scaffolds and pillars of crystallizing metal that composed the reconstruction of the Royal Library. A number of books were tucked into her golden scaled arms. The inbuilt heaters had been cranking up for weeks now to emulate the summer their ancestors would have once felt under the true sun.</p> <p>With the increasing heat and zest of summer, a certain atmosphere had settled over the city and the palace.</p> <p>It was summer, and that meant that the Mither's boons were rising. One of those boons was fertility. With only a few hundred thousand of her people having survived the events 7 years ago, every birth counted. She'd put out mandates and economic boons for families that had lots of children in a very short time period. It was fortunate that the large number of returning military personnel had, in fact, been young couples still in the ripe ages for reproduction.</p> <p>And her Advisors were desperate for her to produce heirs. Of course, how her father had never told any of them about her peculiarities she didn't know. They'd been quite shocked when they discovered her reality.</p> <p>It wasn't that she didn't know what making love was, or what went into making children. It was that she just wasn't interested in the act.</p> <p>She walked past a couple on the steps of the palace, they were kissing each other's gills. She almost didn't notice, as she was so lost in the thoughts and excitement about the books in her arms.</p> <p>The climb to her quarters, a segmented tower entirely to herself, was unimpeded. The palace and Finnfolkaheem was… so empty. Of course Brynhild had been shadowing her the entire journey, but she always did.</p> <p>"Have a good night your Majesty." She said, as they came to a stop at Hege's door.</p> <p>"I will, Brynhild. Go, find yourself some fun. 'Tis the season," Hege said with a rare knowing smile that provoked the coloring of the other Finnfolk's cheeks.</p> <p>She slid inside her abode denying her guard a retort. Further still she climbed up the tower, but deviated from the normal seclusion in her workshop.</p> <p>Her bedroom called to her today.</p> <p>She carefully removed her twine-like robes, exposing her scaled body, the scars of Aldrnari's symbol burnt into her torso born into the light once more. Her fingers traced the shape it had seared into her scales and flesh, and then down to the other scar. The slicing kiss of a cold metal blade shearing through soft tissues had left this one.</p> <p>She sat on the bed and swung her legs onto the silken algal thread sheets, and pulled one of the books open next to her. Carefully, she removed her undergarments. She'd chosen wisely: a romance novel. It was a recommendation by one of her courters. A nice young Finnwife of a quiet nature.</p> <p>Even though Hege was uninterested in the act, she had physiological needs.</p> <p>So she set to work once more.</p> <hr/> <p>"How did I let you talk me into this?" <a href="/scp-4700">Silus Smith</a> grumbled, as they walked into one of the few LGBTQ+ bars that wasn't a cramped hole in the wall. He wore tight pants, nice shoes, and a polo top.</p> <p>"It's the same way every time. I offer to buy you booze and serve as your wingman. You help me attract danger." Jane was wearing black leather pants, platform heels, and a leather motorcycle jacket. Her eyes darted left to right scanning the bar occupants for any worthy of being her quarry.</p> <p>Silus sighed, resigned to his fate. "What are you after tonight Jane?"</p> <p>"I'm feeling a little adventurous," Jane said, her lips curling up. The eyes of most of the women in the place traced to her. She had her long black hair down out of its usual bun, brushed out, shampooed and conditioned.</p> <p>"So?" He waited patiently as they stopped at the bar proper and ordered their drinks. Silus ordered several shots of tequila. Jane ordered some abomination of mixed alcohol and fruit juice.</p> <p>"Surprise me, big boy. What are you after?" Jane asked.</p> <p>"No bears," Silus said.</p> <p>"Got it, twinks and femboys only." Jane grinned at him evilly.</p> <p>He rubbed his face and temples. "Jane, you will be the death of me."</p> <p>"Death by snu-snu is the most powerful way to go out," Jane insisted.</p> <p>Silus put his head on the bar and groaned. "I should have gone into the private sector."</p> <p>"But then you wouldn't get to have the joy of being around me."</p> <p>Someone cleared their throat behind the two, and Silus sat up, turning his head to look. An attractive but twig of a man with chestnut brown hair and green eyes was standing there nervously. The anxious man worked up the courage to ask, "Uh… would you like to dance?" Silus could do much worse.</p> <p>Jane's lips curled into a smirk. "Didn't even have to do anything. Have fun," she said teasingly, as she strutted away to a cute little blonde in one of the corners, who turned bright pink at her approach.</p> <p>Silus turned his appraising gaze back to the young man, evaluating him. After a moment he rose. "Why not." He took the younger man's hand and guided him to the dance floor.</p> <hr/> <p>Neon lights burned on the front of the building, pulsing music throbbing and audible out into the street. The Neon strobe on the front of this bustling and active nightclub spelled out 'The Evening Star'. It was an odd building, as it had been decorated to spoof an ancient mud-brick compound despite the blatant and obvious modern technology integrated in.</p> <p>The dance floor within pulsed with light, hidden speaker thumping with bass and electronic tones as people of all walks of life danced, ate, drank, and laughed. Sitting in a booth on a dais on the second floor overlooking the entire club, and in turn visible to the entire club was Aleah Im-Immaru. She watched the floor below. A young man and woman clung to her arms, eyes closed, drinks half-downed. Aleah was warm to them, a furnace of comfort and affection.</p> <p>She watched her sister. Abigail Im-Immaru leaned against the bar below, talking up several women at once. Abigail and Aleah were near identical, well defined jawlines, prominent noses, dark hair and deeply olive toned skin. Dark hair cascaded down their backs, and framed their large chocolate eyes.</p> <p>The only difference between them? The lines on Abigail's face were more prominent, imparting a sense of being more aged and worldly. Lights danced on and under their skin, across their whole bodies. Neon limelights seemingly carved into the flesh and throbbing and changing with the changes of the light in the club.</p> <p>Abigail was talking with a particularly shy blonde woman. The way her cheeks kept flushing told Aleah everything about the conversation. A subtle shift in body language, more openness in the way she held her arms. She was warming up. Aleah closed her eyes and basked in the affection radiating off the two people currently cuddling her, slurping it into her, feeling it bubble and flush her fingers with tingling power.</p> <p>She turned her head and gently kissed the redhead, who was clinging to her arm. The woman let out a soft and surprised noise, leaning into Aleah's probing lips. The enby's hand went to the man, a feminine little thing, and stroked his hip, every touch of her fingers drawing more of that power into her authority. The lights dancing across her body pulsed as she swallowed their affection, their love and passion down.</p> <p>She could feel Abigail below, her own flame, authority, pulsing with the power of the club. The way they were projecting that power outwards, there would be a cascade. It wouldn't be long before the entire premises broke down into couples sloppily making out. Of course they wouldn't let it get farther than that, at least not without closing the club down first.</p> <p>The thought brought a small smile to her lips. Lips that were soon preoccupied pressing against the Redheads'.</p> <p>It was the first day of pride month. And that meant every night for the next 30 days, they were going to feast. They were going to love. And they were going to grow.</p> <p>Emily was going to have a fit.</p> <p>But Aleah didn't care. Love was love.</p> <p><span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem"><strong>Happy Pride.</strong></span></p> <hr/> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/slow-pride-filled-life">Slow PRIDE filled Life</a>" by DrBleep, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/slow-pride-filled-life">https://scpwiki.com/slow-pride-filled-life</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:oceanbound">:scp-wiki:theme:oceanbound</a>]] [[module css]] .text-blur { filter: blur(.175rem); } [[/module]] [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=It was the first day of pride month. And that meant every night for the next 30 days, they were going to feast. They were going to love. And they were going to grow. ]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] The waves crashed on the shore as [[[Medea Filicidium\| M]]] watched the setting sun in the distance. A deep red moon was rising into a sea of shimmering lights, the Milky Way flowing overhead. She felt the ripple of [[[Swallowed by a Prideful, lesbian sea \|Carissa's]]] rematerialization before she heard her boots hit the ground. There was a pause, but even with a wall between them, M could tell she was stretching. Carissa's fading footsteps announced that she had moved deeper into the cottage, to a place where she couldn't hear her anymore, but the feeling of soul, the burning of [[span class="text-blur"]]Artemis'[[/span]] thaumaturgic fire within her never dulled. M pressed the glass of wine to her lips, sipping lightly. She blinked, realizing after a minute the flames were gone. Her eyes widened slowly at the implication before arms wrapped around her middle as Carissa reappeared behind her. [[span class="text-blur"]]Artemis'[[/span]] flame suddenly burned brightly in her minds eye, tracing the full outline of her lover. Her wife's chin rested on her shoulder as they leaned against the railing. She had her eyes closed, her ears went limp on the top of her head. The deep rumbling of a //purr// bloomed within her chest, as it pressed into M's back, vibrating them both. M tilted her head, resting it against her lover's. She closed her eyes, and basked in the warmth of her partner in the chilly air of New Zealand's winter. There were no words. They didn't need them. A dull //thump, thump, thump// filled the air. They both opened their eyes, fireworks bursting over Christchurch miles and miles away. Rainbow colors draped the horizon in slow falling waves. Gently, M guided Carissa over to the outdoor swing sofa. Carissa briefly untangled, arms sliding past arms, fingers brushing against hips and thighs parting. She sat on the couch and then gently reached out and grasped M's hips, pulling her down into the catgirl's lap. The warmth of Carissa's breath rolled across her flesh. Then the gentle press of lips sank into the warm crook of her neck, lingering for a moment. They traced upwards to her cheek, as Carissa resumed purring. Then Carissa pressed her lips to M's, a long slow kiss that burnt the night air like a bonfire. The kiss slowly parted. M sighed with contentment. They rested their heads against each other and watched the stars and the fireworks. This was everything she had ever wanted. And that was enough. ----- [[[All in All You're Just A 'Nother Brick in the Wall \| Sherry Andrew's]]] stepped out of the haphazardly arranged bedroom in a shiny black dress, her crimson hair done up in curls, and heels that clicked on the tile. This was the one time of the year she would dress up: their anniversary. She only wished it wasn't at the tail end of an exhausting work week. The look on her spouse's face told her everything she needed to know. The sandy haired, round faced enby's jaw dropped when she walked into the room. Despite the makeup, Sherry could see the purple bags underneath her eyes. Leep had cleaned up well in spite of her exhaustion: she was doing a fabulous job of working the tunic and knee high boots she currently wore. "Hey hot stuff," Sherry said, her tired eyes roving over Leep's form. "Ready for our first date?" Sherry felt a warm ache in her chest. She quite enjoyed the reset, the roleplay they did every year. Treating the anniversary date like it was their first. But tonight? The ache in her chest? She just wanted to be held. Leep blushed redder than a tomato. "Always," she said, standing and slinging a purse over her shoulder. The motion was almost hesitant. "Long week?" Sherry asked with tired amusement. "Scheduling pride activities, logistics requests, grant reviews. It never ends." "Yeah." She stepped over and took Leep's hand, gently kissing the knuckles and making her spouse blush an even deeper shade of pink. "The reservations are at 8," Leep said. Her posture loosened. "Just enough time for us to get interrupted right?" Sherry said with a small snicker. "Wouldn't be surprised. That's been the theme of the last few weeks." Leep's chuckles faded into a sigh. A moment of silence, the weight of the past month weighing over the pair. "I guess we should get going," Leep said in tandem with Sherry. They looked at each other, laughed, and stepped in for a short kiss. "Do you really want to go out tonight?" Leep asked, holding her wife's hips. "No, but you did already make reservations," Sherry responded, with a smile. Sherry looked into Leep's deep blue orbs. Past the horizons into her brilliant mind. "I did... but it would be so easy to cancel." Leep squeezed her hand and hip affectionately. "I don't know, it's really hard to get reservations to //Sotto//, you know, the best Italian restraunt in the city." Sherry squeezed back, her eyes crinkling in an affectionate smile. And then the roll of thunder echoed in the distance. The turbulence of the Alabama summer setting in as the pitter patter of rain drops clinked against the glass. They looked out the window as the rain started small and began coming down furiously. Mother nature seemed to have made the decision for them. "Well that's an Omen," Leep said with a small laugh. "Yeah I'd say not even mother nature wants us to go out. Raincheck then?" Sherry smirked at her own pun. Leep laughed. "Rain check, lets light some candles, order a pizza, and watch a movie." "Now that, sounds like a date." ------- "Where are we going?" [[[Lets Get Physical \| Triemedes]]] asked [[[Hotter than Hell \| Alva]]], as they walked along a platform of endless asteroids shifting between dust and metal and rock. Nebulaes and stars swirled overhead, caught in an endless dance of rebirth and death. At their feet, next to the entirely illusory walkway that Alva conjured as they moved, a swiftly flowing stream of gas, rocks, and even stars flowed in the opposite direction of where they were walking. "It's a special place," Alva said cryptically, and mischievously. Some things never changed. They stepped through a nebula, the thick gasses obscuring all but a few feet ahead of them... though they weren't really feet. They were millions upon millions of miles. Triemedes reached out and took Alva's hand, not wanting to lose her in the fog of gas. The goddess squeezed her hand, looking back with those four golden eyes, crinkled in a way that matched the upturned corners of her lips. Triemedes' chest burned with a hot flame that rivaled any of the stars they passed by or through. In that moment of looks she felt so impossibly soft. Vulnerable. It was that vulnerability that had hooked her so long into Alva's net. They stepped out of the Nebula and found themselves facing the source of the river. Two great swirling galaxies above their heads, suspended on pillars of condensed rock, the force of their collision ejecting stars, rock and gas which fell down in great sheets, washing across a pool of sorts. It was bound by platforms that only really seemed to exist when they stepped within the area. Lights danced across the plunging stream, rippling rainbows of emission. Alva lowered herself, taking a seat on the edge of the platform, and dangled her legs into the depths of the starstream. Triemedes joined her, her long golden scaled legs dipping much further in. It was warm, surprisingly so, like a hotspring. The starstuff bubbled, the collison of particles thundering gently in front of them. An arm wrapped around Triemedes' scaley waist, Alva's arm. The goddess looked at her with all that care, affection and flaming passion that had driven them both so long ago. This was the only love Triemedes ever wanted or needed. "I missed you," she said softly to the Goddess. "I missed you more," Alva responded in kind. Caught up in a moment of emotion, and really not very good at dealing with it directly, she deflected and snorted. "What is this, a competition?" Alva's lips curled up at the corners and her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. A smirk. "We could make it one." "We could, that's true." Triemedes' cheeks colored as she teased back. But both of those thoughts of entanglement, of dancing to each others beat on a bed of impossible size fell away. "What were you doing all this time? When I was... in the orb." "A lot of things," she said with a sigh. Her green tinted skin was flush with heat and warmth. The texture soft and smooth. Alva turned her attention back to the starfall, and leaned her head into Triemedes' arm, and then chest when the Finnfolk warrior queen moved her arm to wrap it around Alva's hips. "All of it in the name of preserving life." "Why don't you tell me about it?" Triemedes asked softly. "In a little while, not too long. I want to sit and enjoy you for awhile." Alva closed her eyes. "We can do that," Triemedes said. She held her close as they watched the colors of the universe stream down. ------ Queen [[[Where There is Desire There is Gonna be a Flame \| Hege Aquailian]]] of the Finnfolk walked slowly across the lawn of the palace. She walked away from the scaffolds and pillars of crystallizing metal that composed the reconstruction of the Royal Library. A number of books were tucked into her golden scaled arms. The inbuilt heaters had been cranking up for weeks now to emulate the summer their ancestors would have once felt under the true sun. With the increasing heat and zest of summer, a certain atmosphere had settled over the city and the palace. It was summer, and that meant that the Mither's boons were rising. One of those boons was fertility. With only a few hundred thousand of her people having survived the events 7 years ago, every birth counted. She'd put out mandates and economic boons for families that had lots of children in a very short time period. It was fortunate that the large number of returning military personnel had, in fact, been young couples still in the ripe ages for reproduction. And her Advisors were desperate for her to produce heirs. Of course, how her father had never told any of them about her peculiarities she didn't know. They'd been quite shocked when they discovered her reality. It wasn't that she didn't know what making love was, or what went into making children. It was that she just wasn't interested in the act. She walked past a couple on the steps of the palace, they were kissing each other's gills. She almost didn't notice, as she was so lost in the thoughts and excitement about the books in her arms. The climb to her quarters, a segmented tower entirely to herself, was unimpeded. The palace and Finnfolkaheem was... so empty. Of course Brynhild had been shadowing her the entire journey, but she always did. "Have a good night your Majesty." She said, as they came to a stop at Hege's door. "I will, Brynhild. Go, find yourself some fun. 'Tis the season," Hege said with a rare knowing smile that provoked the coloring of the other Finnfolk's cheeks. She slid inside her abode denying her guard a retort. Further still she climbed up the tower, but deviated from the normal seclusion in her workshop. Her bedroom called to her today. She carefully removed her twine-like robes, exposing her scaled body, the scars of Aldrnari's symbol burnt into her torso born into the light once more. Her fingers traced the shape it had seared into her scales and flesh, and then down to the other scar. The slicing kiss of a cold metal blade shearing through soft tissues had left this one. She sat on the bed and swung her legs onto the silken algal thread sheets, and pulled one of the books open next to her. Carefully, she removed her undergarments. She'd chosen wisely: a romance novel. It was a recommendation by one of her courters. A nice young Finnwife of a quiet nature. Even though Hege was uninterested in the act, she had physiological needs. So she set to work once more. ----- "How did I let you talk me into this?" [[[SCP-4700 \| Silus Smith]]] grumbled, as they walked into one of the few LGBTQ+ bars that wasn't a cramped hole in the wall. He wore tight pants, nice shoes, and a polo top. "It's the same way every time. I offer to buy you booze and serve as your wingman. You help me attract danger." Jane was wearing black leather pants, platform heels, and a leather motorcycle jacket. Her eyes darted left to right scanning the bar occupants for any worthy of being her quarry. Silus sighed, resigned to his fate. "What are you after tonight Jane?" "I'm feeling a little adventurous," Jane said, her lips curling up. The eyes of most of the women in the place traced to her. She had her long black hair down out of its usual bun, brushed out, shampooed and conditioned. "So?" He waited patiently as they stopped at the bar proper and ordered their drinks. Silus ordered several shots of tequila. Jane ordered some abomination of mixed alcohol and fruit juice. "Surprise me, big boy. What are you after?" Jane asked. "No bears," Silus said. "Got it, twinks and femboys only." Jane grinned at him evilly. He rubbed his face and temples. "Jane, you will be the death of me." "Death by snu-snu is the most powerful way to go out," Jane insisted. Silus put his head on the bar and groaned. "I should have gone into the private sector." "But then you wouldn't get to have the joy of being around me." Someone cleared their throat behind the two, and Silus sat up, turning his head to look. An attractive but twig of a man with chestnut brown hair and green eyes was standing there nervously. The anxious man worked up the courage to ask, "Uh... would you like to dance?" Silus could do much worse. Jane's lips curled into a smirk. "Didn't even have to do anything. Have fun," she said teasingly, as she strutted away to a cute little blonde in one of the corners, who turned bright pink at her approach. Silus turned his appraising gaze back to the young man, evaluating him. After a moment he rose. "Why not." He took the younger man's hand and guided him to the dance floor. ----- Neon lights burned on the front of the building, pulsing music throbbing and audible out into the street. The Neon strobe on the front of this bustling and active nightclub spelled out 'The Evening Star'. It was an odd building, as it had been decorated to spoof an ancient mud-brick compound despite the blatant and obvious modern technology integrated in. The dance floor within pulsed with light, hidden speaker thumping with bass and electronic tones as people of all walks of life danced, ate, drank, and laughed. Sitting in a booth on a dais on the second floor overlooking the entire club, and in turn visible to the entire club was Aleah Im-Immaru. She watched the floor below. A young man and woman clung to her arms, eyes closed, drinks half-downed. Aleah was warm to them, a furnace of comfort and affection. She watched her sister. Abigail Im-Immaru leaned against the bar below, talking up several women at once. Abigail and Aleah were near identical, well defined jawlines, prominent noses, dark hair and deeply olive toned skin. Dark hair cascaded down their backs, and framed their large chocolate eyes. The only difference between them? The lines on Abigail's face were more prominent, imparting a sense of being more aged and worldly. Lights danced on and under their skin, across their whole bodies. Neon limelights seemingly carved into the flesh and throbbing and changing with the changes of the light in the club. Abigail was talking with a particularly shy blonde woman. The way her cheeks kept flushing told Aleah everything about the conversation. A subtle shift in body language, more openness in the way she held her arms. She was warming up. Aleah closed her eyes and basked in the affection radiating off the two people currently cuddling her, slurping it into her, feeling it bubble and flush her fingers with tingling power. She turned her head and gently kissed the redhead, who was clinging to her arm. The woman let out a soft and surprised noise, leaning into Aleah's probing lips. The enby's hand went to the man, a feminine little thing, and stroked his hip, every touch of her fingers drawing more of that power into her authority. The lights dancing across her body pulsed as she swallowed their affection, their love and passion down. She could feel Abigail below, her own flame, authority, pulsing with the power of the club. The way they were projecting that power outwards, there would be a cascade. It wouldn't be long before the entire premises broke down into couples sloppily making out. Of course they wouldn't let it get farther than that, at least not without closing the club down first. The thought brought a small smile to her lips. Lips that were soon preoccupied pressing against the Redheads'. It was the first day of pride month. And that meant every night for the next 30 days, they were going to feast. They were going to love. And they were going to grow. Emily was going to have a fit. But Aleah didn't care. Love was love. [[span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.25rem"]]Happy Pride.[[/span]] [[include <a href="http://kaktuskontainer.wikidot.com/drbleeps-author-sandbox-2">:kaktuskontainer:drbleeps-author-sandbox-2</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-06-10T15:46:00	[ "_licensebox", "fantasy", "heartwarming", "lgbtq", "orcadia", "pridefest2024", "romance", "slice-of-life", "tale" ]	Slow PRIDE filled Life - SCP Foundation	39	[ "medea-filicidium", "swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea", "all-in-all-you-re-just-a-nother-brick-in-the-wall", "lets-get-physical", "hotter-than-hell", "where-there-is-desire-there-is-gonna-be-a-flame", "scp-4700", "scp-3456", "scp-3700", "scp-2491", "scp-3703", "scp-6700", "scp-3706", "scp-3728", "scp-2497", "scp-2946", "scp-3702", "scp-3710", "scp-1347-1353-j", "scp-2546", "scp-2378", "scp-7810", "scp-3711", "scp-2431", "scp-8810", "scp-2381", "the-seas-of-orcadia-part-1-how-i-met-your-mither", "multi-goddess-drifting", "where-there-is-a-flame-someone-is-bound-to-get-burned", "love-across-a-nonbinary-spectrum", "on-the-rails", "the-coming-nightmare", "dissonance", "scp-3500", "scp-8710", "recomposition", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "with-the-old-gods-hub", "seas-of-orcadia-hub", "pridefest" ]	[]	1454040144	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/slow-pride-filled-life
smoke-without-fire	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/onus-entire">Previous Tale</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/littering-on-the-road-to-nowhere">Next Tale</a> »</strong></span></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><em>The wizard is a creature born of power. The magus has seeped long in it. The sorcerer, the witch, the conjurer, the shaman, the diviner, these cannot be revered without falling prey to a misconception most fundamental. It is not the role of weapons to wield themselves! 'But,' come misguided protests, 'these sages study in their towers for the benefit of humanity. To reduce them thus is a transgression against our patrons.'</em></p> <p><em>Indeed, knowledge representing power is as banal an observation as any. But consider that which knowledge imbues. Does a sword not contain the smith's expertise? Does a cannon not represent untold hours of research? If so, what is a wizard if not the culmination of similar refinement? 'But,' come delusions again, 'we cannot forget how many sages live free from worldly considerations. They are bereft malice.'</em></p> <p><em>This notion is false. This figure is false. I tell you now, there are no magi who harbor only innocent knowledge; these are seedbed minds, so fertile that weeds cannot help but sprout, and within that thicket lurks poison. Trust no protestations and harbor no sympathy for those who imperil their own freedoms. Pity not the wizard.</em><br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>—Introduction to a notable Tellechian screed</p> </div> </blockquote> <hr/> <p>Mealworm grabbed for TAPEWORM TANGIBLE before her feet left the ground. Although Mt. Perfidy continued groaning, noisier than ever for all its injuries, the soft <em>tink</em> of sword leaving scabbard buffeted her far worse. A disc of static rushed out—tracing thought-made paths before filtering into the black, throbbing mass that pawed within ribs. Whatever held her collar dissolved after first contact. Jamming the hilt back down, she managed to land upright before another blast of near-solid smog swept her over.</p> <p><em>tink</em></p> <p>Static pierced through this time, thin needles seeking whichever source hid behind a solidifying wall whose texture and patterns were ever-shifting as it swirled around her. Of those dozen, only the last couple earned a grunt from her assailant. Smog sputtered, faltering in its cohesion enough to permit torchlight's passage, and Mealworm sprinted for the thinnest spot despite a renewed throbbing asynchronous to her heartbeat. The ventilator beeped warnings as filters clogged and machinery corroded. Still, she burst out the other side, coming face-to-face with a rotund wizard who looked only mildly more presentable than he had at their last meeting.</p> <p><em>tink</em></p> <p>Gregor the Sonorous' off-white beard flowed in tendrils as smog swept Mealworm aside again. Sharp golden teeth clacked against each other before destructive noise whipped past, disturbing the floppy hat perched atop a head full of dangerous secrets; its brim continued fluttering in the artificial wind that now swirled throughout the half-crumbled chamber. She rolled hard, bouncing off a protruding pipe that leaked thick gray droplets. Such was his composure while conjuring projectiles from stray particulates that even lighting a noxious cigar didn't seem out of place. Between cutting the tip with those teeth and lighting it through their innate magic, nothing seemed to trouble the magus as soot-made stones pelted Mealworm's curled form.</p> <p><em>tink</em></p> <p>The deeper her draw, the more that mass purred. Kneading heart, nuzzling lungs, it expressed palpable glee as she nearly wrenched TAPEWORM TANGIBLE clear from its scabbard. This world lacked the underlying principles necessary to depict that blade—field theories misaligned, fundamental forces maladjusted—or perhaps none could express such facets while remaining comprehensible. Nevertheless, it was by her hand that a bulb of disruption bloomed into the chamber, washing outwards in pursuit of bound smog, and within her chest were its effects felt keenest. Even as stone dripped in droplets thicker than every pipe's output. Even when Gregor looked down at the tips of his fingers, where spellcraft had not staved off affliction.</p> <p>"Bah, what an unkind welcome after I bestowed that key upon you." Another formless word set runes in his incisors aglow and drove flesh over exposed bone. From the scowl expressed mainly across eyebrows, it eased no pain, especially when fresh fingernails fell away of their own accord. "Fret not, little Mealworm, Gregor the Sonorous has not arrived to claim your head this eve."</p> <p>She crawled to her feet as he puffed away without concern for the smog that increasingly suffused their surroundings. Gregor never expressed much worry on battlefields or in grottos, not even about matters that would drive most to fret about their future. As required for one whose loyalties flitted like moths around whatever flame burned brightest. No matter if any given player faltered or institution collapsed. Despite his ever-worsening reputation, there were always more plots, plans, and schemes requiring a conspirator of historic stature.</p> <p>"I thought you agreed with me!" she said over beeping filters, each pulse more urgent than the last.</p> <p>"Your goal, most certainly. I've long dreamed of seeing these upstarts flail where only proper magi can stride. But the means…" His slow exhalation spiraled upward to form a crown that rotated in place. "Her Majesty is more perceptive than you imagine. She's also <em>royally disquieted</em>—fucking outraged, rather—that one of her keys is in foreign hands."</p> <p>"Why did you tell her who has it then? More importantly, why did you tell her it's missing!?"</p> <p>"Better leverage. Promises whereby I might reclaim my seat in the Organ Towers from the wastrel currently polluting it, and where conquest will prove who understood correctly once and for all."</p> <p>"The Founda–"</p> <p>"Your foundation is unnecessary if every gap remains closed to outside interference." He gestured languidly with the cigar, its tip glowing bright as trace smog was pushed away from them, approximating the walls of a study in dark hues. What might have been bookshelves and display cabinets wavered, haziest where the gap's phosphorescent glow threatened to break through. "We retained much from those years before the Banner Burning, at least speaking in terms of knowledge and technology, with preparations already made for their use. I admired your plan to force cowardly hands into motion, but Her Majesty has shown me how she will accomplish the same."</p> <p>Her hand fell to TAPEWORM TANGIBLE's pommel again, but even letting it rest there sent that mass writhing inside. Eager. Elated. To grow so much was surely thrilling, but she shifted the sword back instead. Pulling the mask off her face after the filters finally died offered a much needed reprieve as Gregor conjured a textured map of the continent—six seaside states bordering the ever-lush, ever-precious interior that none had been able to carve away at for several centuries.</p> <p>"Might say your queen isn't necessary either," said Mealworm as she scratched her scalp through short, scruffy hair. "I'll hear out this plan if it's really that great though. Better than killing each other over nothing."</p> <p>"Hoh. Have my plans ever failed to achieve what is promised? You forget who once advised her loyal generals."</p> <p>"Only after you realized her disloyal generals were even less competent. Spare me the act of respecting anyone but yourself."</p> <p>"Careful now, little Mealworm," he rumbled, though a grin surely lurked behind that wild beard. "Look here. Her Majesty has already moved three battalions into Cherinmark proper despite the pretender kings' petulant whining."</p> <p>"Even more whoresons?"</p> <p>"As you know full well. But this is no simple race to secure towns or terrain out from under them. The land rejects such maneuvers." Pieces moved across the immaterial board as Gregor spoke, their banners streaking over fertile grassland whose inundation consumed tires and treads, past shifting cities whose populations arranged themselves antithetical to royal thought, and without care for what resource-rich nodes the Foundation most desired. From there, larger detachments split, and split, and split again until their number was fully subsumed by Cherinmark's drizzle.</p> <p>Mealworm switched to scratching her neck while considering that proposition. Allaingian battalions, divided so many times in so many directions… She had never been fully informed of any Foundation plans—cogs only needing to prove their interplay—but every document she retrieved from locked cabinets suggested that far larger forces were needed to hold territory there. Even the less <em>honorable</em> tactics she taught could only be effective for so long, causing only so much angst before being stomped out by aggravated boots.</p> <p>"You aren't even planning to fight," she said as nails scraped through not only soot, but layers of skin beneath.</p> <p>"Not in Cherinmark. The damned place has supped on too many lives already."</p> <p>"But if other armies race ahead of their effective command chains to stop entrenchment… Bad ISR within the denial zone, bad weather in general, not to mention worries about silos and a <em>peerless</em> blade on the loose. Plenty of fighting could start that way."</p> <p>"Bah, you speak as if they do not crave bloodshed already. I conjured this plan before those wretched tealboxes begin whispering, but even they agree that combat is certain within a week." Small puffs of smoke emerged across the map, accompanied by gunfire far beyond Gregor's portable abode. Galowyn and the rest must be retreating without her. As they should under those circumstances, but perhaps not as was best for her health.</p> <p>"It won't last. Not once they realize Allaingar isn't there in earnest."</p> <p>"It needn't last. As Tellech sends reinforcements along this route here–"</p> <p>A hand of smoke emerged from the floating map as Mealworm leaned forward to see where Gregor indicated. It grabbed the key that dangled from her neck, yanking it hard enough to break the chain before racing back across the cloud. She grabbed for it instinctively, nearly toppling, but managed to leap back before cigar smoke could engulf her body. Its reagent had burned to little more than a nub between rough fingers by then; her own were no smoother as they found TAPEWORM TANGIBLE's hilt, driven by equal parts desperation and instinct as it cleared the scabbard in full.</p> <p>"Oh, harvester mine!" she shouted as vapor closed on every side. The blade in hand was much like its outpouring—flickering and indistinct, compressed but decompressing. Small tendrils discharged along its length, only to arc back under some internal gravity like fish returning to waves. None mattered much to Mealworm. Not even the swelling against her ribcage weighed heavily compared to the prospect of falling short after a fresh round of sacrifices. Embodying that disparity, she swung hard toward Gregor.</p> <p>What exploded into the world could barely be called static by then. Blinding, deafening, destructive beyond any measurement, its totality was an intrusion that could not be suppressed by natural means, only endured. A screaming cloud wreathed the room, claws tearing at anything and everything within reach. Stone. Metal. Flesh. Even before it withdrew, all dripped together into a slurry that refused separation. With time, it might well seep into the lowest reaches of Mt. Perfidy, coalescing around the base of a coffin that expanded and contracted with each of its inhabitant's rasps.</p> <p>"Enough!" boomed Gregor as the static finally cleared. Barely twenty feet separated them, but it seemed a mile as wisps of flame curled from his gilded maw. With hat lost and robes tattered, he certainly seemed a dragon awakened in full.</p> <p>Mealworm pivoted away from the following burst of flame. Continuing the motion, she released TAPEWORM TANGIBLE from stiff fingers, casting it toward him in a spell available only to those most desperate. A poor throw for that poor projectile. Nonetheless, even weasels wouldn't foresee the ploy when raised in a society that idolized duels defined by their own inherent rituals. She sprinted after it, and, when Gregor's mind had finally processed enough to brush the sword aside with more smoke, her feet were already flying at his chest. Half of Alpha-85 would have sold their souls to dropkick a wizard.</p> <p>Gregor fell backwards as she landed on a piece of cold iron. Although much had lost coherency around them, that much was firm, two solid teeth digging into her diaphragm. There was barely enough time to shove it into an interior pocket before bowling over the wizard again, knocking away a fresh cigar that neared ignition. "Yeah, I'm thinking this might be enough too. Let's see how legendary the Hero of Mt. Daendil really is." She raised a fist, dead set on knocking several gilded teeth out. A ray of frost streaked by her cheek instead—such was its intensity that molars ached without contact, brain freeze setting in fast.</p> <p>She retreated two paces to find the responsible finger trained straight at her torso. One might have expected it to tremble under those circumstances. A man nearing eighty could hardly be blamed, especially as the edge between victory and defeat sharpened fast. It stayed steady across heaving breaths though. Gregor looked more alive than ever, the haze of intoxicants and self-pity siphoned away by instincts yet smoldering. Perhaps there was more to these heroes than she let herself believe.</p> <p>"I truly do not seek your pelt." His eyes darted from her, to where TAPEWORM TANGIBLE was stuck upright in a puddle of once-stone, to where the key had initially fallen. "Return my gift and this matter will be put aside. Her Majesty cares little for which mortals scurry in Cherinmark during wartime."</p> <p>"Is promising to return your tower really all it takes? She's the one who let you toil in the sewers for years while civilians took your post! Our leadership might offer two or three extra if you let me drag them back. They'll see the light again, I know it."</p> <p>"And yet they have never been needed less! Your weapons, your insufferable advice, neither have done aught but made warriors weak and leaders hesitant! If Her Majesty is willing to undo those bindings without stimulus anew, all the better. Be content that trade will be reestablished after our hegemony is secure."</p> <p>"Your hegemony isn't really what I worked for." There was ever more worth saying as the distance between them stayed static. Ever more considerations required beneath that gash's phosphorescence too. How to dodge, how to close… how to accomplish either against an arsenal of uncertain potency after its years of disuse.</p> <p>A few armed acolytes separated their standoff with bullets before any such considerations bore fruit. Crimson robes fluttered in the wind Gregor summoned, smog sweeping him up to a gap in the natural ceiling as he cast a few more rays. Their aim drove Mealworm further away from the gap, with only enough leeway to grab her sword and sheathe it anew. Being flightless, it seemed all too likely she would fall first—riddled with bullets or overwhelmed by blade-borne tumors. Not being able to restore meaning to Alpha-85's sacrifice was regrettable, but nobody could say she hadn't tried. Well, nobody <em>should</em>. Some would surely insist on it during their next lives.</p> <p>With no better alternatives, she sucked in a final, polluted breath and dived into a puddle of liquefied stone that hopefully ran deep.</p> <hr/> <p>The mealworm who emerged days later from one of Mt. Perfidy's few outflow pipes was ragged indeed. Wheezing and waterlogged, she stumbled down a ditch hewn by centuries of erosion, clutching two magic artifacts instead of the modern weaponry she so fervently admired. It had been too clever a plan by too eager a plotter. Or perhaps too complex a scheme for paupers to manage. Regardless, she could do naught but limp away while pondering other gaps and other bait, all the while massaging a sternum that strained under internal pressure.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/onus-entire">Previous Tale</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/littering-on-the-road-to-nowhere">Next Tale</a> »</strong></span></p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/smoke-without-fire">Smoke Without Fire</a>" by Pedantique, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/smoke-without-fire">https://scpwiki.com/smoke-without-fire</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[=]] [[span style="font-size:90%;"]]<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/onus-entire Previous Tale] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/littering-on-the-road-to-nowhere Next Tale] >>[[/span]] [[/=]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] > //The wizard is a creature born of power. The magus has seeped long in it. The sorcerer, the witch, the conjurer, the shaman, the diviner, these cannot be revered without falling prey to a misconception most fundamental. It is not the role of weapons to wield themselves! 'But,' come misguided protests, 'these sages study in their towers for the benefit of humanity. To reduce them thus is a transgression against our patrons.'// > > //Indeed, knowledge representing power is as banal an observation as any. But consider that which knowledge imbues. Does a sword not contain the smith's expertise? Does a cannon not represent untold hours of research? If so, what is a wizard if not the culmination of similar refinement? 'But,' come delusions again, 'we cannot forget how many sages live free from worldly considerations. They are bereft malice.'// > > //This notion is false. This figure is false. I tell you now, there are no magi who harbor only innocent knowledge; these are seedbed minds, so fertile that weeds cannot help but sprout, and within that thicket lurks poison. Trust no protestations and harbor no sympathy for those who imperil their own freedoms. Pity not the wizard.// > [[>]] > —Introduction to a notable Tellechian screed > [[/>]] ----- Mealworm grabbed for TAPEWORM TANGIBLE before her feet left the ground. Although Mt. Perfidy continued groaning, noisier than ever for all its injuries, the soft //tink// of sword leaving scabbard buffeted her far worse. A disc of static rushed out—tracing thought-made paths before filtering into the black, throbbing mass that pawed within ribs. Whatever held her collar dissolved after first contact. Jamming the hilt back down, she managed to land upright before another blast of near-solid smog swept her over. //tink// Static pierced through this time, thin needles seeking whichever source hid behind a solidifying wall whose texture and patterns were ever-shifting as it swirled around her. Of those dozen, only the last couple earned a grunt from her assailant. Smog sputtered, faltering in its cohesion enough to permit torchlight's passage, and Mealworm sprinted for the thinnest spot despite a renewed throbbing asynchronous to her heartbeat. The ventilator beeped warnings as filters clogged and machinery corroded. Still, she burst out the other side, coming face-to-face with a rotund wizard who looked only mildly more presentable than he had at their last meeting. //tink// Gregor the Sonorous' off-white beard flowed in tendrils as smog swept Mealworm aside again. Sharp golden teeth clacked against each other before destructive noise whipped past, disturbing the floppy hat perched atop a head full of dangerous secrets; its brim continued fluttering in the artificial wind that now swirled throughout the half-crumbled chamber. She rolled hard, bouncing off a protruding pipe that leaked thick gray droplets. Such was his composure while conjuring projectiles from stray particulates that even lighting a noxious cigar didn't seem out of place. Between cutting the tip with those teeth and lighting it through their innate magic, nothing seemed to trouble the magus as soot-made stones pelted Mealworm's curled form. //tink// The deeper her draw, the more that mass purred. Kneading heart, nuzzling lungs, it expressed palpable glee as she nearly wrenched TAPEWORM TANGIBLE clear from its scabbard. This world lacked the underlying principles necessary to depict that blade—field theories misaligned, fundamental forces maladjusted—or perhaps none could express such facets while remaining comprehensible. Nevertheless, it was by her hand that a bulb of disruption bloomed into the chamber, washing outwards in pursuit of bound smog, and within her chest were its effects felt keenest. Even as stone dripped in droplets thicker than every pipe's output. Even when Gregor looked down at the tips of his fingers, where spellcraft had not staved off affliction. "Bah, what an unkind welcome after I bestowed that key upon you." Another formless word set runes in his incisors aglow and drove flesh over exposed bone. From the scowl expressed mainly across eyebrows, it eased no pain, especially when fresh fingernails fell away of their own accord. "Fret not, little Mealworm, Gregor the Sonorous has not arrived to claim your head this eve." She crawled to her feet as he puffed away without concern for the smog that increasingly suffused their surroundings. Gregor never expressed much worry on battlefields or in grottos, not even about matters that would drive most to fret about their future. As required for one whose loyalties flitted like moths around whatever flame burned brightest. No matter if any given player faltered or institution collapsed. Despite his ever-worsening reputation, there were always more plots, plans, and schemes requiring a conspirator of historic stature. "I thought you agreed with me!" she said over beeping filters, each pulse more urgent than the last. "Your goal, most certainly. I've long dreamed of seeing these upstarts flail where only proper magi can stride. But the means..." His slow exhalation spiraled upward to form a crown that rotated in place. "Her Majesty is more perceptive than you imagine. She's also //royally disquieted//—fucking outraged, rather—that one of her keys is in foreign hands." "Why did you tell her who has it then? More importantly, why did you tell her it's missing!?" "Better leverage. Promises whereby I might reclaim my seat in the Organ Towers from the wastrel currently polluting it, and where conquest will prove who understood correctly once and for all." "The Founda–" "Your foundation is unnecessary if every gap remains closed to outside interference." He gestured languidly with the cigar, its tip glowing bright as trace smog was pushed away from them, approximating the walls of a study in dark hues. What might have been bookshelves and display cabinets wavered, haziest where the gap's phosphorescent glow threatened to break through. "We retained much from those years before the Banner Burning, at least speaking in terms of knowledge and technology, with preparations already made for their use. I admired your plan to force cowardly hands into motion, but Her Majesty has shown me how she will accomplish the same." Her hand fell to TAPEWORM TANGIBLE's pommel again, but even letting it rest there sent that mass writhing inside. Eager. Elated. To grow so much was surely thrilling, but she shifted the sword back instead. Pulling the mask off her face after the filters finally died offered a much needed reprieve as Gregor conjured a textured map of the continent—six seaside states bordering the ever-lush, ever-precious interior that none had been able to carve away at for several centuries. "Might say your queen isn't necessary either," said Mealworm as she scratched her scalp through short, scruffy hair. "I'll hear out this plan if it's really that great though. Better than killing each other over nothing." "Hoh. Have my plans ever failed to achieve what is promised? You forget who once advised her loyal generals." "Only after you realized her disloyal generals were even less competent. Spare me the act of respecting anyone but yourself." "Careful now, little Mealworm," he rumbled, though a grin surely lurked behind that wild beard. "Look here. Her Majesty has already moved three battalions into Cherinmark proper despite the pretender kings' petulant whining." "Even more whoresons?" "As you know full well. But this is no simple race to secure towns or terrain out from under them. The land rejects such maneuvers." Pieces moved across the immaterial board as Gregor spoke, their banners streaking over fertile grassland whose inundation consumed tires and treads, past shifting cities whose populations arranged themselves antithetical to royal thought, and without care for what resource-rich nodes the Foundation most desired. From there, larger detachments split, and split, and split again until their number was fully subsumed by Cherinmark's drizzle. Mealworm switched to scratching her neck while considering that proposition. Allaingian battalions, divided so many times in so many directions... She had never been fully informed of any Foundation plans—cogs only needing to prove their interplay—but every document she retrieved from locked cabinets suggested that far larger forces were needed to hold territory there. Even the less //honorable// tactics she taught could only be effective for so long, causing only so much angst before being stomped out by aggravated boots. "You aren't even planning to fight," she said as nails scraped through not only soot, but layers of skin beneath. "Not in Cherinmark. The damned place has supped on too many lives already." "But if other armies race ahead of their effective command chains to stop entrenchment... Bad ISR within the denial zone, bad weather in general, not to mention worries about silos and a //peerless// blade on the loose. Plenty of fighting could start that way." "Bah, you speak as if they do not crave bloodshed already. I conjured this plan before those wretched tealboxes begin whispering, but even they agree that combat is certain within a week." Small puffs of smoke emerged across the map, accompanied by gunfire far beyond Gregor's portable abode. Galowyn and the rest must be retreating without her. As they should under those circumstances, but perhaps not as was best for her health. "It won't last. Not once they realize Allaingar isn't there in earnest." "It needn't last. As Tellech sends reinforcements along this route here–" A hand of smoke emerged from the floating map as Mealworm leaned forward to see where Gregor indicated. It grabbed the key that dangled from her neck, yanking it hard enough to break the chain before racing back across the cloud. She grabbed for it instinctively, nearly toppling, but managed to leap back before cigar smoke could engulf her body. Its reagent had burned to little more than a nub between rough fingers by then; her own were no smoother as they found TAPEWORM TANGIBLE's hilt, driven by equal parts desperation and instinct as it cleared the scabbard in full. "Oh, harvester mine!" she shouted as vapor closed on every side. The blade in hand was much like its outpouring—flickering and indistinct, compressed but decompressing. Small tendrils discharged along its length, only to arc back under some internal gravity like fish returning to waves. None mattered much to Mealworm. Not even the swelling against her ribcage weighed heavily compared to the prospect of falling short after a fresh round of sacrifices. Embodying that disparity, she swung hard toward Gregor. What exploded into the world could barely be called static by then. Blinding, deafening, destructive beyond any measurement, its totality was an intrusion that could not be suppressed by natural means, only endured. A screaming cloud wreathed the room, claws tearing at anything and everything within reach. Stone. Metal. Flesh. Even before it withdrew, all dripped together into a slurry that refused separation. With time, it might well seep into the lowest reaches of Mt. Perfidy, coalescing around the base of a coffin that expanded and contracted with each of its inhabitant's rasps. "Enough!" boomed Gregor as the static finally cleared. Barely twenty feet separated them, but it seemed a mile as wisps of flame curled from his gilded maw. With hat lost and robes tattered, he certainly seemed a dragon awakened in full. Mealworm pivoted away from the following burst of flame. Continuing the motion, she released TAPEWORM TANGIBLE from stiff fingers, casting it toward him in a spell available only to those most desperate. A poor throw for that poor projectile. Nonetheless, even weasels wouldn't foresee the ploy when raised in a society that idolized duels defined by their own inherent rituals. She sprinted after it, and, when Gregor's mind had finally processed enough to brush the sword aside with more smoke, her feet were already flying at his chest. Half of Alpha-85 would have sold their souls to dropkick a wizard. Gregor fell backwards as she landed on a piece of cold iron. Although much had lost coherency around them, that much was firm, two solid teeth digging into her diaphragm. There was barely enough time to shove it into an interior pocket before bowling over the wizard again, knocking away a fresh cigar that neared ignition. "Yeah, I'm thinking this might be enough too. Let's see how legendary the Hero of Mt. Daendil really is." She raised a fist, dead set on knocking several gilded teeth out. A ray of frost streaked by her cheek instead—such was its intensity that molars ached without contact, brain freeze setting in fast. She retreated two paces to find the responsible finger trained straight at her torso. One might have expected it to tremble under those circumstances. A man nearing eighty could hardly be blamed, especially as the edge between victory and defeat sharpened fast. It stayed steady across heaving breaths though. Gregor looked more alive than ever, the haze of intoxicants and self-pity siphoned away by instincts yet smoldering. Perhaps there was more to these heroes than she let herself believe. "I truly do not seek your pelt." His eyes darted from her, to where TAPEWORM TANGIBLE was stuck upright in a puddle of once-stone, to where the key had initially fallen. "Return my gift and this matter will be put aside. Her Majesty cares little for which mortals scurry in Cherinmark during wartime." "Is promising to return your tower really all it takes? She's the one who let you toil in the sewers for years while civilians took your post! Our leadership might offer two or three extra if you let me drag them back. They'll see the light again, I know it." "And yet they have never been needed less! Your weapons, your insufferable advice, neither have done aught but made warriors weak and leaders hesitant! If Her Majesty is willing to undo those bindings without stimulus anew, all the better. Be content that trade will be reestablished after our hegemony is secure." "Your hegemony isn't really what I worked for." There was ever more worth saying as the distance between them stayed static. Ever more considerations required beneath that gash's phosphorescence too. How to dodge, how to close... how to accomplish either against an arsenal of uncertain potency after its years of disuse. A few armed acolytes separated their standoff with bullets before any such considerations bore fruit. Crimson robes fluttered in the wind Gregor summoned, smog sweeping him up to a gap in the natural ceiling as he cast a few more rays. Their aim drove Mealworm further away from the gap, with only enough leeway to grab her sword and sheathe it anew. Being flightless, it seemed all too likely she would fall first—riddled with bullets or overwhelmed by blade-borne tumors. Not being able to restore meaning to Alpha-85's sacrifice was regrettable, but nobody could say she hadn't tried. Well, nobody //should//. Some would surely insist on it during their next lives. With no better alternatives, she sucked in a final, polluted breath and dived into a puddle of liquefied stone that hopefully ran deep. ------ The mealworm who emerged days later from one of Mt. Perfidy's few outflow pipes was ragged indeed. Wheezing and waterlogged, she stumbled down a ditch hewn by centuries of erosion, clutching two magic artifacts instead of the modern weaponry she so fervently admired. It had been too clever a plan by too eager a plotter. Or perhaps too complex a scheme for paupers to manage. Regardless, she could do naught but limp away while pondering other gaps and other bait, all the while massaging a sternum that strained under internal pressure. [[=]] [[span style="font-size:90%;"]]<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/onus-entire Previous Tale] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/littering-on-the-road-to-nowhere Next Tale] >>[[/span]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-04-01T02:00:00	[ "_licensebox", "tale" ]	Smoke Without Fire - SCP Foundation	13	[ "onus-entire", "swords-unto-scramjets", "littering-on-the-road-to-nowhere", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "swords-unto-scramjets" ]	[]	1453164341	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/smoke-without-fire
sodium-deficiency-pacing-problems	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/hybrid-analysis-and-advisement-hmid1014">Previous Tale</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/onus-entire">Next Tale</a> »</strong></span></p> </div> <blockquote> <p><em>Courtly language (lit. "the uncommon tongue") in DSU#31 has proven resistant to many concepts associated with modern defense-intelligence apparatuses for reasons both somatic and semantic. Due to a strong preference in the Allaingian court against creating kludge terms, as well as a directive to obscure Foundation autotranslation technologies, briefings are largely conducted in the "common" tongue (which is far more amenable to bridging). Foundation advisors have also noted proliferation of some near-English terms into royal affairs, which is seen as beneficial despite risking detection by third parties. As providers of technology and disseminators of its tailored language, the Foundation is well-placed to shift thinking in preferential directions.</em><br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>—Briefing to DSU#31 Exploration Committee</p> </div> </blockquote> <hr/> <p>Of that which curls within the Saltmade Throne, there is no apt name, no able taxonomy, no feasible retreat into esotericism. A shape obscured by faults and impurities within the looming crystal—its shell long-since interlaced with rusted pipes, then modern conduits. An existence expelled through fissures, opalescent ichor confounding generations of scholars and their tests. A presence that courtiers feel pressing down onto each bow, each curtsy, demanding more than can possibly be given. Harnessing it grants power, true power, just as Her Immortal Majesty demonstrated when smiths had yet to forge even simple steel.</p> <p>Indeed, to sit in the Queen's presence is to sit in her throne's presence, and supplicating to one is supplicating to both. What demarcates between a crooked, ageless form and that which fuels it? What divides elixir and imbiber when dependency is fully ingrained? The Foundation understood as much when it first trespassed into its far-abroad, offering tribute to both symbols when seeking influence. For one: tools of conquest supporting a tireless push into Cherinmark. For the other: trappings of power tailored to keep peasants, citizens, and petty nobles in their place. Which gift suited which mattered little by that point in their coexistence.</p> <p>Eight rows from the Saltmade Throne's perch, eighteen places from an aisle bridging gateway to regal feet, Caloupe non Igliese IIV—duke of a land too small for even one manor—knelt for hours on end. Such was the role of noble houses absorbed by wars past. Three generations of his family bent day after day, year after year, craving independence from a process that fed and clothed them like children. Blonde locks pooled around his head as courtly matters proceeded within earshot.</p> <p>"▒░░▒▒▒░ ░░░▒ ▒░" said a lesser minister, if not sang outright, in his presentation to Her Majesty's coterie of advisors. Each chest was replete with medals there. Each shoulder hosted sashes or scabbards signifying their office most high. To witness the work of government but never comprehend it was forever the conquered's lot. "▒▒░░▒▒▒░░░▒ ▒▒░░░░▒ ▒░▒▒░ <tt>joint strike complex</tt> ░░░▒▒░ ▒▒░░ ░░▒░▒░▒░▒ ▒▒▒░░ ░░░▒░░░░▒▒▒▒ <tt>threat surface</tt> ░░░░▒▒▒▒ ░▒▒▒▒░░░ ▒▒░░ ▒▒░"</p> <p>"░▒▒▒▒" Condemnation from General Jarant, at least based on tone and terseness.</p> <p>"░▒▒░░░▒░ ░░▒░░" Curiosity from the Minister of the Left, who was rumored to serve as spymaster.</p> <p>"░░░▒▒ <tt>A3/AD</tt> ▒▒░░▒▒░░░▒░ ░▒▒▒▒▒░ ░░▒▒░░ <tt>PACER PHALANX</tt> ░░▒░–"</p> <p>"▓▓▓" said the Queen so abruptly that her poor minister dropped. To his knees? To full prostration? The thump revealed nothing. Caloupe snuck a glimpse upward to see her rise from the Saltmade Throne, and immediately felt its weight settle upon his neck again as she continued in the uncommon tongue's lowest form. "Having been duly informed, our decision is thus: the fifth, sixth, and eighth battalions will be dispatched into Cherinmark to quell unrest so foolishly nurtured. Servants of imposter thrones captured therein will justify themselves or be returned in pieces. Humble the bannerless and cull the rebels."</p> <p>A hundred guard's hundred halberds pounded against the floor, signaling that matter—and thus a day spent kneeling—concluded. Aches flared in both knees as Caloupe rose, but at least he was still young. Shaking was insignificant compared to those whose bodies had locked themselves into prostration. Minor nobles helped each other stand as he rearranged a once-colorful, now-faded tunic, glancing up toward the throne afterwards. No pressure diverted him this time.</p> <p>The Queen, whose modest robes were offset by trophies from an age where conquest was common, leaned over one armrest to speak with her Minister of the Left. Curling fingers brought him closer to the royal perch; each seemed all too used to rings now absent, bending in ways that ill-matched their available joints. 'Gregor the Sonorous' was all Caloupe could read on lips that otherwise traced higher speech. That was more than enough of a capstone though.</p> <p>Out the throne room. Out a cavernous hall. Out the castle itself, then along a garden dotted with guard posts both obvious and camouflaged. A few black shapes gleamed atop newer poles, lenses having been imported from <em>foreign lands</em> like so much else. He found his way into the royal enclave's outer ring, where more insignificant business was conducted among more insignificant lives. Nobody seemed to be following, but he still paused where his handler had recommended to spot unwanted attention—none from old-growth groves or new-built pagodas, none from windows in the outer perimeter's walls. Caloupe finally reached a lonesome storehouse, then closed the door behind him and locked it tight.</p> <p>Penning a ciphered message with the materials hidden under a loose floorboard was simple in comparison. They would execute him for this, of course. Allaingian law demanded that hot coals be forced down any throat guilty of exposing court matters. At his rank, pending royal intervention, the actual punishment was likely to be far worse. But what of it? Perpetuating bruised knees and scraped foreheads into future generations seemed no more palatable than stomach-boiling stones. Only being spirited into Tellech by its agents offered any hope of advancement in this life or the next.</p> <p>When properly deciphered, his note read:</p> <p><em>Q moves 5, 6, 8 bat. into Cherinmark. Disagreement between MLeft and Gens. Key: "Pacer Falanks"? Q wants Gregor the Sonorous.</em></p> <p>How exactly that sliver of information traveled back to his patron was beyond most charting. From hand to hand and handler to handler, as expected. By courier. By carrier pigeon. Collated into a single file ready for Tellechian spymasters to review. But then there were more compromised aides to consider, more leaks that sent it across telegraph lines and priceless fiber-optics before bouncing off cubesats which intruded upon godly realms. Intelligence apparatuses abandoned in quarters, halves, or wholes trundled along, driven by new masters who understood little and less of their actual function. These black cells? These tealboxes? They were a toxic waste impossible to coexist with, yet impossible to dispose of—a lingering sludge that conducted information across the continent without care for what bloody decisions it drove.</p> <p>Every monarch had already disposed of the largest weapons brought from another world by then. There was no maintaining those behemoths, let alone sustaining their use, especially not without refineries located across the gaps. These were families who had warred for longer than their now-absent partners existed in any form though. Leashing wizards, rousing warriors, marshaling peasants, these were moves exceeding any <em>reflex</em> born into leaders. Elves, orks, and mankind followed similar paths despite their disparate civilizations, preparing for what seemed nothing less than a bold play for control over Cherinmark's beating heart. If they couldn't extract the resources fueling it, that immortal nuisance certainly wouldn't be allowed to.</p> <hr/> <p>With national forces displacing the territory's outermost settlements—gambling houses and black markets whose occupants would unsettle deeper communities in turn—it was easy for leaders to overlook how much festering unrest had set off warnings weeks before. Those were fragmentary reports, of little use compared to logistics or force composition. Even planners aware that a peerless blade had been loosed from Fort Gräd merely needed to account for a particularly potent weapon emerging in other hands. Nothing unusual when war already sparked magical talents more often than not.</p> <p>What <em>was</em> unusual were the three metal behemoths that had already crossed most of Cherinmark before other parties entered it. Dubbed PACER PHALANX in Foundation exit reports, designed within the GOC's YIV-202 silo, each three-story weapon lay at some nexus between crab, centaur, and battleship. Trees splintered beneath double-jointed legs. Ruins were brushed aside by approximate hands. Every valley crossing and river fording only brought them closer to the smog-shrouded Mt. Perfidy, and every crossed mile left the key hanging from Mealworm's neck feeling weightier.</p> <p>In addition to armories exceeding most quartermasters', each PACER system had holds for inserting soldiers into this land's worst battlefields. Filters for elvish pollen weapons. Plating for orkish flamespits. Low-tech countermeasures for magic as it was understood Earth-side. All that, but it was mostly just cramped for the teams she cobbled together from those unsuited to abandonment. Mealworm tugged on her cold key while surveying faces. Some were local: an elvish translator whose distaste for traditions turned into comfort with the Foundation, or a dwarf whose nationalism aligned through some metric she barely understood. Others were foreign in her own manner: left behind as TAMPER teams or Foundation projects dissolved. No faces from Alpha-85, but that was to be expected; the rest had been sacrificed throughout this now-frozen war's natural course. It needed thawing for those to have any meaning again.</p> <p>"MEAL WORM COME OUTSIDE" blared an internal speaker. Few among them winced. She stood from her seat near the circular hatch, then pressed against it after a loud click. Mechanisms ushered her out into winds that rushed above the canopy. Concerns about plummeting swept through too, but they subsided as she hopped down onto one of the freer-moving limbs whose three digits approximated hands.</p> <p>Mt. Perfidy loomed in the near-distance as she was brought before the orb forming that PACER's torso. Although focused on keeping the mechanisms in working condition, Aster had never neglected the smaller touches either. Stenciled serial numbers, hazard signs, and miscellanea all looked factory new there. Armor plates opened with several pneumatic hisses; the pilot chamber lowered to that new precipice, a cocoon of semi-translucent plastic that barely revealed how Aster arrayed herself inside. Further cocooned in those endless locks of red hair, at least. Made comfortable by cloth and cushion even when it wasn't her bodily senses that mattered.</p> <p>Where wind plucked at Mealworm's kit, their shepherd was shielded from its every touch, save for those brought into her nervous system through cables now locked firm into flesh-borne ports. Fingers twitched and eyelids fluttered as her consciousness maintained that metal shell's integrity, but all such motions ceased as her green eyes snapped back into focus. The PACER's trundling seemed maintained by momentum alone as a speaker crackled to life nearby.</p> <p>"We're thirty minutes from the castle's outer perimeter," she said. "Scopes are clean, and nothing is pinging off my countermeasures yet."</p> <p>"Does artillery ping off anything?"</p> <p>"It does for us lucky few with proper bodies. You could always upgrade after joining the correct side, you know. The process barely hurts at all."</p> <p>"Trade one set of whiners for another that trusts me even less? I'd rather hop into one of the Foundation's mechs and fight you properly. We must have something stored somewhere."</p> <p>"Oh, wouldn't that be wonderful?" Aster sighed, and the machine sighed in turn—expelling vaporized coolant, perhaps, or warming up electronic warfare systems instead. "I won't hold back if I see you on the next battlefield though. My weapons aren't gentle enough."</p> <p>"Is that why you needed me out here? One last goodbye for your penpal?" She rapped a knuckle on the hand cradling her, but any smiles in return were hidden by fogged plastic. Whether wry, sad, or simply amused, their emotions didn't need conveying when so many gears had already spun into motion.</p> <p>"I'm not allowed a little sentimentality?"</p> <p>"Not when we're about to set everything ablaze again! Save it for when you're digging me out of a bunker up there. I promise that won't go any easier!"</p> <p>Aster laughed, soft even when projected onto fierce winds. Those speakers surely weren't intended for such a sound, but only because of their designer's deficiencies. It was hard to imagine anything worse issuing from uncaring behemoths. "I think I <em>will</em> miss you, Mealworm, like it or not. Affection won't spare your armies from the pain they deserve, but content yourself with it anyway."</p> <p>Her retort was snatched away as Aster's head jerked back again, evidently reconnecting to her shell, if not her truest self. The metal hand returned Mealworm to a protective chamber, and it wasn't long at all before something indeed began pinging off metal outside. Impacts continued in an unsteady rhythm as the trundling of Aster's two other brain-bound PACERs quieted. Did the mountain's castle really host weapons capable of stopping them in their tracks? Mealworm frowned to herself, only to wince in earnest as twin thunderclaps penetrated their own unit, plus every eardrum inside. Aster had gotten to fire her main cannons at last. What joy she must be feeling. What adulation. To finally make full use of a body left dormant for decades. Another two roars sounded, and somewhere deep in the metal shell surrounding them, laughter could yet be heard through ringing ears.</p> <p>Whether that was enough to balance the scales between fifty and fifteen-hundred remained to be seen.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><span style="font-size:90%;"><strong>« <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/hybrid-analysis-and-advisement-hmid1014">Previous Tale</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets">Swords unto Scramjets</a> \| <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/onus-entire">Next Tale</a> »</strong></span></p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/sodium-deficiency-pacing-problems">Sodium Deficiency, Pacing Problems</a>" by Pedantique, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/sodium-deficiency-pacing-problems">https://scpwiki.com/sodium-deficiency-pacing-problems</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[=]] [[span style="font-size:90%;"]]<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/hybrid-analysis-and-advisement-hmid1014 Previous Tale] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/onus-entire Next Tale] >>[[/span]] [[/=]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] > //Courtly language (lit. "the uncommon tongue") in DSU#31 has proven resistant to many concepts associated with modern defense-intelligence apparatuses for reasons both somatic and semantic. Due to a strong preference in the Allaingian court against creating kludge terms, as well as a directive to obscure Foundation autotranslation technologies, briefings are largely conducted in the "common" tongue (which is far more amenable to bridging). Foundation advisors have also noted proliferation of some near-English terms into royal affairs, which is seen as beneficial despite risking detection by third parties. As providers of technology and disseminators of its tailored language, the Foundation is well-placed to shift thinking in preferential directions.// > [[>]] > —Briefing to DSU#31 Exploration Committee > [[/>]] ------ Of that which curls within the Saltmade Throne, there is no apt name, no able taxonomy, no feasible retreat into esotericism. A shape obscured by faults and impurities within the looming crystal—its shell long-since interlaced with rusted pipes, then modern conduits. An existence expelled through fissures, opalescent ichor confounding generations of scholars and their tests. A presence that courtiers feel pressing down onto each bow, each curtsy, demanding more than can possibly be given. Harnessing it grants power, true power, just as Her Immortal Majesty demonstrated when smiths had yet to forge even simple steel. Indeed, to sit in the Queen's presence is to sit in her throne's presence, and supplicating to one is supplicating to both. What demarcates between a crooked, ageless form and that which fuels it? What divides elixir and imbiber when dependency is fully ingrained? The Foundation understood as much when it first trespassed into its far-abroad, offering tribute to both symbols when seeking influence. For one: tools of conquest supporting a tireless push into Cherinmark. For the other: trappings of power tailored to keep peasants, citizens, and petty nobles in their place. Which gift suited which mattered little by that point in their coexistence. Eight rows from the Saltmade Throne's perch, eighteen places from an aisle bridging gateway to regal feet, Caloupe non Igliese IIV—duke of a land too small for even one manor—knelt for hours on end. Such was the role of noble houses absorbed by wars past. Three generations of his family bent day after day, year after year, craving independence from a process that fed and clothed them like children. Blonde locks pooled around his head as courtly matters proceeded within earshot. "▒░░▒▒▒░ ░░░▒ ▒░" said a lesser minister, if not sang outright, in his presentation to Her Majesty's coterie of advisors. Each chest was replete with medals there. Each shoulder hosted sashes or scabbards signifying their office most high. To witness the work of government but never comprehend it was forever the conquered's lot. "▒▒░░▒▒▒░░░▒ ▒▒░░░░▒ ▒░▒▒░ {{joint strike complex}} ░░░▒▒░ ▒▒░░ ░░▒░▒░▒░▒ ▒▒▒░░ ░░░▒░░░░▒▒▒▒ {{threat surface}} ░░░░▒▒▒▒ ░▒▒▒▒░░░ ▒▒░░ ▒▒░" "░▒▒▒▒" Condemnation from General Jarant, at least based on tone and terseness. "░▒▒░░░▒░ ░░▒░░" Curiosity from the Minister of the Left, who was rumored to serve as spymaster. "░░░▒▒ {{A3/AD}} ▒▒░░▒▒░░░▒░ ░▒▒▒▒▒░ ░░▒▒░░ {{PACER PHALANX}} ░░▒░–" "▓▓▓" said the Queen so abruptly that her poor minister dropped. To his knees? To full prostration? The thump revealed nothing. Caloupe snuck a glimpse upward to see her rise from the Saltmade Throne, and immediately felt its weight settle upon his neck again as she continued in the uncommon tongue's lowest form. "Having been duly informed, our decision is thus: the fifth, sixth, and eighth battalions will be dispatched into Cherinmark to quell unrest so foolishly nurtured. Servants of imposter thrones captured therein will justify themselves or be returned in pieces. Humble the bannerless and cull the rebels." A hundred guard's hundred halberds pounded against the floor, signaling that matter—and thus a day spent kneeling—concluded. Aches flared in both knees as Caloupe rose, but at least he was still young. Shaking was insignificant compared to those whose bodies had locked themselves into prostration. Minor nobles helped each other stand as he rearranged a once-colorful, now-faded tunic, glancing up toward the throne afterwards. No pressure diverted him this time. The Queen, whose modest robes were offset by trophies from an age where conquest was common, leaned over one armrest to speak with her Minister of the Left. Curling fingers brought him closer to the royal perch; each seemed all too used to rings now absent, bending in ways that ill-matched their available joints. 'Gregor the Sonorous' was all Caloupe could read on lips that otherwise traced higher speech. That was more than enough of a capstone though. Out the throne room. Out a cavernous hall. Out the castle itself, then along a garden dotted with guard posts both obvious and camouflaged. A few black shapes gleamed atop newer poles, lenses having been imported from //foreign lands// like so much else. He found his way into the royal enclave's outer ring, where more insignificant business was conducted among more insignificant lives. Nobody seemed to be following, but he still paused where his handler had recommended to spot unwanted attention—none from old-growth groves or new-built pagodas, none from windows in the outer perimeter's walls. Caloupe finally reached a lonesome storehouse, then closed the door behind him and locked it tight. Penning a ciphered message with the materials hidden under a loose floorboard was simple in comparison. They would execute him for this, of course. Allaingian law demanded that hot coals be forced down any throat guilty of exposing court matters. At his rank, pending royal intervention, the actual punishment was likely to be far worse. But what of it? Perpetuating bruised knees and scraped foreheads into future generations seemed no more palatable than stomach-boiling stones. Only being spirited into Tellech by its agents offered any hope of advancement in this life or the next. When properly deciphered, his note read: //Q moves 5, 6, 8 bat. into Cherinmark. Disagreement between MLeft and Gens. Key: "Pacer Falanks"? Q wants Gregor the Sonorous.// How exactly that sliver of information traveled back to his patron was beyond most charting. From hand to hand and handler to handler, as expected. By courier. By carrier pigeon. Collated into a single file ready for Tellechian spymasters to review. But then there were more compromised aides to consider, more leaks that sent it across telegraph lines and priceless fiber-optics before bouncing off cubesats which intruded upon godly realms. Intelligence apparatuses abandoned in quarters, halves, or wholes trundled along, driven by new masters who understood little and less of their actual function. These black cells? These tealboxes? They were a toxic waste impossible to coexist with, yet impossible to dispose of—a lingering sludge that conducted information across the continent without care for what bloody decisions it drove. Every monarch had already disposed of the largest weapons brought from another world by then. There was no maintaining those behemoths, let alone sustaining their use, especially not without refineries located across the gaps. These were families who had warred for longer than their now-absent partners existed in any form though. Leashing wizards, rousing warriors, marshaling peasants, these were moves exceeding any //reflex// born into leaders. Elves, orks, and mankind followed similar paths despite their disparate civilizations, preparing for what seemed nothing less than a bold play for control over Cherinmark's beating heart. If they couldn't extract the resources fueling it, that immortal nuisance certainly wouldn't be allowed to. ----- With national forces displacing the territory's outermost settlements—gambling houses and black markets whose occupants would unsettle deeper communities in turn—it was easy for leaders to overlook how much festering unrest had set off warnings weeks before. Those were fragmentary reports, of little use compared to logistics or force composition. Even planners aware that a peerless blade had been loosed from Fort Gräd merely needed to account for a particularly potent weapon emerging in other hands. Nothing unusual when war already sparked magical talents more often than not. What //was// unusual were the three metal behemoths that had already crossed most of Cherinmark before other parties entered it. Dubbed PACER PHALANX in Foundation exit reports, designed within the GOC's YIV-202 silo, each three-story weapon lay at some nexus between crab, centaur, and battleship. Trees splintered beneath double-jointed legs. Ruins were brushed aside by approximate hands. Every valley crossing and river fording only brought them closer to the smog-shrouded Mt. Perfidy, and every crossed mile left the key hanging from Mealworm's neck feeling weightier. In addition to armories exceeding most quartermasters', each PACER system had holds for inserting soldiers into this land's worst battlefields. Filters for elvish pollen weapons. Plating for orkish flamespits. Low-tech countermeasures for magic as it was understood Earth-side. All that, but it was mostly just cramped for the teams she cobbled together from those unsuited to abandonment. Mealworm tugged on her cold key while surveying faces. Some were local: an elvish translator whose distaste for traditions turned into comfort with the Foundation, or a dwarf whose nationalism aligned through some metric she barely understood. Others were foreign in her own manner: left behind as TAMPER teams or Foundation projects dissolved. No faces from Alpha-85, but that was to be expected; the rest had been sacrificed throughout this now-frozen war's natural course. It needed thawing for those to have any meaning again. "MEAL WORM COME OUTSIDE" blared an internal speaker. Few among them winced. She stood from her seat near the circular hatch, then pressed against it after a loud click. Mechanisms ushered her out into winds that rushed above the canopy. Concerns about plummeting swept through too, but they subsided as she hopped down onto one of the freer-moving limbs whose three digits approximated hands. Mt. Perfidy loomed in the near-distance as she was brought before the orb forming that PACER's torso. Although focused on keeping the mechanisms in working condition, Aster had never neglected the smaller touches either. Stenciled serial numbers, hazard signs, and miscellanea all looked factory new there. Armor plates opened with several pneumatic hisses; the pilot chamber lowered to that new precipice, a cocoon of semi-translucent plastic that barely revealed how Aster arrayed herself inside. Further cocooned in those endless locks of red hair, at least. Made comfortable by cloth and cushion even when it wasn't her bodily senses that mattered. Where wind plucked at Mealworm's kit, their shepherd was shielded from its every touch, save for those brought into her nervous system through cables now locked firm into flesh-borne ports. Fingers twitched and eyelids fluttered as her consciousness maintained that metal shell's integrity, but all such motions ceased as her green eyes snapped back into focus. The PACER's trundling seemed maintained by momentum alone as a speaker crackled to life nearby. "We're thirty minutes from the castle's outer perimeter," she said. "Scopes are clean, and nothing is pinging off my countermeasures yet." "Does artillery ping off anything?" "It does for us lucky few with proper bodies. You could always upgrade after joining the correct side, you know. The process barely hurts at all." "Trade one set of whiners for another that trusts me even less? I'd rather hop into one of the Foundation's mechs and fight you properly. We must have something stored somewhere." "Oh, wouldn't that be wonderful?" Aster sighed, and the machine sighed in turn—expelling vaporized coolant, perhaps, or warming up electronic warfare systems instead. "I won't hold back if I see you on the next battlefield though. My weapons aren't gentle enough." "Is that why you needed me out here? One last goodbye for your penpal?" She rapped a knuckle on the hand cradling her, but any smiles in return were hidden by fogged plastic. Whether wry, sad, or simply amused, their emotions didn't need conveying when so many gears had already spun into motion. "I'm not allowed a little sentimentality?" "Not when we're about to set everything ablaze again! Save it for when you're digging me out of a bunker up there. I promise that won't go any easier!" Aster laughed, soft even when projected onto fierce winds. Those speakers surely weren't intended for such a sound, but only because of their designer's deficiencies. It was hard to imagine anything worse issuing from uncaring behemoths. "I think I //will// miss you, Mealworm, like it or not. Affection won't spare your armies from the pain they deserve, but content yourself with it anyway." Her retort was snatched away as Aster's head jerked back again, evidently reconnecting to her shell, if not her truest self. The metal hand returned Mealworm to a protective chamber, and it wasn't long at all before something indeed began pinging off metal outside. Impacts continued in an unsteady rhythm as the trundling of Aster's two other brain-bound PACERs quieted. Did the mountain's castle really host weapons capable of stopping them in their tracks? Mealworm frowned to herself, only to wince in earnest as twin thunderclaps penetrated their own unit, plus every eardrum inside. Aster had gotten to fire her main cannons at last. What joy she must be feeling. What adulation. To finally make full use of a body left dormant for decades. Another two roars sounded, and somewhere deep in the metal shell surrounding them, laughter could yet be heard through ringing ears. Whether that was enough to balance the scales between fifty and fifteen-hundred remained to be seen. [[=]] [[span style="font-size:90%;"]]<< [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/hybrid-analysis-and-advisement-hmid1014 Previous Tale] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swords-unto-scramjets Swords unto Scramjets] \| [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/onus-entire Next Tale] >>[[/span]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Pedantique]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-03-18T22:42:00	[ "_licensebox", "tale" ]	Sodium Deficiency, Pacing Problems - SCP Foundation	14	[ "hybrid-analysis-and-advisement-hmid1014", "swords-unto-scramjets", "onus-entire", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "swords-unto-scramjets" ]	[]	1453069568	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sodium-deficiency-pacing-problems
some-more-dead-men	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>August 2, 2020</span></h1> <blockquote> <ul> <li><strong>Item #</strong>: SCP-001</li> <li><strong>Object Class</strong>: Thaumiel</li> <li><strong>Special Containment Procedures</strong>: SCP-001 is to be contained at Site-01. Under no circumstances are other anomalous objects to be contai…</li> </ul> </blockquote> <p>O5-1, formerly known as Dr. G, reread the file on SCP-001, or at least one of the SCP-001 entries. When he was a Level-3 researcher for over 10 years, he always wondered what was the true SCP-001. That psycho Bright thought that it was some kind of factory that made anomalies. Of course that wouldn’t be completely out of the realm of possibility, with all the shit that Marshall Carter & Dark sold, <em>something</em> had to be manufacturing all these anomalies.</p> <p>There were other theories he had heard over the years. That nihilist Locke thought that the <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/shaggydredlocks-proposal">Sun</a> was going to disintegrate everyone and turn them into more horrifying versions of <a href="/scp-999">SCP-999</a>. The more dramatic Tufto believed it was some kind of <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/tuftos-proposal">all powerful deity</a> trying to break into their reality. Not the first time the Foundation would have to deal with one of those and most certainly not the last. And that <em>demon</em> Clef thought it was that <a href="/dr-clef-s-proposal">angel</a> in front of Eden. Ironic. But the one he was currently reading, a <a href="/tanhony-s-proposal">human being</a> intertwined with the concept of death… Oh this one was definitely his favorite. He would have to see that chef Tanhony promoted for his excellent idea.</p> <p>A man who if couldn’t recognize you made you exempt from death? Brilliant! Death was unacceptable for someone in the Foundation. The world needed protection from those damn anomalies. And besides, those <a href="/scp-3922">TV show police officers</a> didn’t look like the ones you wanted to spend an eternity with.</p> <p>-1 heard a knock on his office door. He slowly reached for the gun hidden under his desk. Because of the overwhelming security in and around Site-01, nobody knocked on his office door. It would be treated as a danger to -1 and responded to as such by the security guards, unless…</p> <p>“It’s O5-4. Well… the new one at least -1” came a young male voice, younger than his. That made him drop his reach for the gun. Nobody besides the O5s knew about the change in the O5 council, especially not the specific designations for which O5 was which. The security guards were regularly given amnestics to prevent them from remembering which O5 was which. The new O5-4 and the other O5s were the only ones who had the clearance to even get to the door without causing the alarm to go off.</p> <p>“Come in -4.” The door slowly opened to reveal a tall, lanky man with glasses. He had blue eyes and black hair in a small ponytail. He wore a nicely tailored brown suit, a light blue shirt, a navy blue tie and black oxfords. Pretty presentable, -1 had to say. Of course he was also in similar apparel, except he still wore his lab coat. Something nostalgic he supposed. He had replaced the card that said his Level 3 rank with a simple black 5.</p> <p>-4 looked at the document on the desk. He smiled. “Enjoying a really special anomaly?” he asked with a smirk. He himself had read over it plenty of times, a feeling of euphoria coming with every read.</p> <p>“Damn right. Is everyone in the meeting room?”’</p> <p>“Yep. We’re all waiting on you.”</p> <p>“Good.” -1 got up out of his cushioned chair. Much better than the ones they issued to all the other Level 3s. He walked out the door, with -4 following behind him.</p> <p>If one were to walk through the corridors of Site-01, they would be reminded of the Cross Hall at the White House. A red carpet and pillars holding up the ceiling. Of course if one stopped to look closely at the pillars or carpet, they would notice a few hidden words and immediately die from cerebral hemorrhaging. A few memetic-hazardous words for a little extra security never hurt anyone. After a short two minutes of walking, the two men came across a large, bolted shut door. There were four guards posted outside the door, two on each side. They noticed the men but did not question it — they knew better. -1 entered in a seven digit code, leaned down to a small retina scanner and the door opened. -1 and -4 walked into a pitch black room, with the door closing behind them.</p> <blockquote> <p><em>A screen on the eastern wall turns on. 10 pairs of eyes appear following O5-1 and O5-4 as they enter the room. O5-4 takes the available seat next to the one in front of the screen. O5-1 takes the seat in front of the screen.</em></p> <ul> <li><strong>O5-1</strong>: Welcome everyone. I believe you know why you’re here.</li> <li><strong>O5-3</strong>: The new positions and our assistant?</li> <li><strong>O5-1</strong>: Of course. I trust you have read what happened to our predecessors.</li> <li><strong>O5-9</strong>: They were careless to let the Ethics Committee find out about it. We can’t let that happen again.</li> <li><strong>O5-6</strong>: You know the Committee is going to be keeping a close eye on us, at least for the time being.</li> <li><strong>O5-4</strong>: Correct. Which is why we need to keep them monitored. -1, do you have any ideas?</li> <li><strong>O5-1</strong>: We split up MTF Alpha-1. Integrate half into MTF Omega-1. Have them report to us bi-weekly to not arouse suspicion. We wipe their records clean and have them apply to Omega-1.</li> <li><strong>O5-7</strong>: And if the Ethics Committee finds a link between them and the rest of Alpha-1?</li> <li><strong>O5-1</strong>: Then the standing orders will be to execute the Heads of the Committee immediately. We can handle the rest from there, say that they were planning on stealing an anomaly for their own usage.</li> <li><strong>O5-10</strong>: Like how we plan to?</li> <li><strong>O5-1</strong>: Of course. We are a new council that won’t be held back by what another group decides to be moral and immoral.</li> <li><strong>O5-11</strong>: When should we begin the injections of SCP-006?</li> <li><strong>O5-1</strong>: Three days from now. Most would suspect an action from the council to be made immediately but three days is arbitrary enough to not arouse suspicion.</li> <li><strong>O5-11</strong>: And the prosopagnosia procedure?</li> <li><strong>O5-1</strong>: Same time as the dosages of SCP-006. If that’s all, then the first meeting is adjourned.</li> </ul> </blockquote> <hr/> <p>As the new O5 Council had their very first meeting, the Ethics Committee were deciding their future at Site-37. They had known the previous O5s to be slimy bastards that would abuse gifts that could benefit the Foundation as a whole. And it was unlikely to change. But using SCP-001 was a new one to them when the previous council was… fired. Ethics Committee Liaison Ms. X was typing into her computer a proposal to monitor the O5s.</p> <blockquote> <p>We split up MTF Omega-1. Integrate half into MTF Alpha-1. Have them report to use bi-weekly to not arouse suspicion. We wipe their records clean and have them apply to join Alpha-1.</p> </blockquote> <p>If they were discovered, they could immediately eliminate all the O5s present. Say they were trying to use an anomaly for their own benefits. Most likely SCP-001 if they were like their predecessors, but you couldn’t tell with the council.</p> <p><em>This should work</em> Ms. X thought to herself. <em>The Committee has deposed the council plenty of times. This will be nothing new.</em></p> <p>Little did she know how wrong she was.</p> <hr/> <h1 id="toc1"><span>September 13, 2021</span></h1> <p><em>What the actual fuck happened?!</em> O5-1 thought to himself as he ducked under a chair, dodging a rapid swarm of bullets.</p> <p>It had been going so well for the past year. The O5s had met with the Ethics Committee in November. Apparently the Committee wanted to introduce a socialization program for the humanoid anomalies at Site-17, stating that according to the staff at 17 they had “good behavior” and deserved socialization privileges with each other. Not like they were going to need socialization skills, but what the hell. Give them some board games with a few pieces missing, some old books and some VHS copies of shows from the 90s. Enough for them to make it seem like the Foundation cared about them, but not enough to make it seem like they were missing out on anything big in the outside world. And in December it worked! For nine months, no containment breaches at Site-17. But then of course those damn anomalies had to ruin everything!</p> <p><em>What do you think the first SCP is? Dunno. Maybe it's the Grim Reaper and the Foundation has him on lockdown. Think they would try to use it? Knowing the Foundation… yeah absolutely.</em></p> <p>It was a simple conversation between <a href="/scp-4051">SCP-4051</a> and <a href="/scp-105">SCP-105</a>. Of course no conversation between anomalies goes unrecorded in the Foundation. While they thought it was a simple guess, the Site-17 staff thought it was important enough to mention to the higher ups. And then the Ethics Committee got wind of the conversation and began their own investigation. Believed that the O5s were back to their old tricks. Of course they were right, and then when both sides became aware of what the other knew, well…</p> <p>There were seven O5s already dead. They hadn’t had enough time for SCP-001’s effects to kick in for them. -11 had two bullets between his neck. Luckily he had passed out after 17 seconds of struggling. -6 had tried to make a run for one of the emergency doors when she was tackled. Multiple tasers then made contact with her body. She screamed for the entire minute before her vocal chords were burned. It wasn’t pretty. The others got lucky — clean headshots. MTF Omega-1 did not play when it came to their missions.</p> <p><em>BANG!</em></p> <p>-1 felt an immediate stabbing sensation in his lung. He looked to his right, and saw a crawling Omega-1 soldier with a rifle. Her aim had been off due to exhaustion, but it was still fatal. She could only give a quick smile before -1 shot her in the eye with his own rifle while he still had the strength.</p> <p>He could feel his vision getting blurry as he coughed blood. <em>They had the same idea</em>, he thought. Split the teams in half and when the situation called for it, strike. Before the darkness completely overtook his sight, all he could think was <em>well played</em>.</p> <p>If it was any consolation, not that he would know it, but Ethics Committee Liaison Ms. X was having similar thoughts right now.</p> <p>All through Site-37 there was death. Bullet holes riddled the walls, floors and bodies. The Ethics Committee Liaisons were more than halved at this point. And she had only ordered the other half of Omega-1 to purge the O5 Council an hour ago. <em>What the fuck happened?!</em></p> <p>“Commander Jackson, where are you?!” Ms. X screamed into her earpiece.</p> <p>“We’re being pushed back towards the end of the Delta-Wing! We got two Liaisons with us, but they’re both bleeding out!” <em>Damn!</em> It was unlikely that they would be able to get proper medical attention, the infirmary was on the other side of the site. “Ma’am, what about you?! If they're here for all the Liaisons, then you don’t have much time left!” He was right. She had activated the reinforced bunker door to her office and hidden under the desk with her M17, but it wouldn’t do much to the likely five Alpha-1 members starting to cut into it.</p> <p>“Commander, I know this looks like the end, but what’s happening at Site-01?” This gave the commander pause. She wanted to know that their mission was not in vain. He sent a quick message on his pager and got a quick response.</p> <p>“Ma’am, it was a success. All O5s dead and accounted for.” Good. The O5s could be changed once again to hopefully better people, though from the looks of it, she wouldn’t live to see it. “They had the same idea as us.” The commander had the same thoughts as Ms. X.</p> <p>There was only one thing they could do now. It would completely change the Foundation and the way they treated anomalies, but clearly the O5s couldn’t be trusted to not use it for their own benefits. And they would fight hard to keep it that way. Unless she acted now.</p> <p>“Initiate protocol recolo. And commander, it has been an honor working with you.” The door burst open. Ms. X aimed her pistol at the chest of the closest Alpha-1 member and fired at their chest. He went down, but before she could aim again, four shots went off at once, all aimed at her face. They went through her forehead and pushed her back. In a moment of clarity before everything went dark, all she could think was <em>well played</em>.</p> <hr/> <p>Once Ms. X stopped responding, Omega-1 realized they had nobody giving them orders anymore. In a normal war, this would be nothing. But Omega-1 had received orders to initiate protocol recolo. That would require the firefight to stop. Commander Jackson held out his unarmed hand in front of the hallway where Alpha-1 was firing at them. Luckily the bullets only lightly grazed his forearm. He could look at that later. The bullets stopped.</p> <p>Commander Jackson and his team stepped out of their hiding spot. Just them, the Liaisons had fully bled out. “Your commanders aren’t responding to you either?” One Alpha-1 soldier nodded, most likely this group's commander. “Protocol recolo was my last order. Call off your men, I’ll call off mine and we can discuss this?” They nodded again. The two reached into their pockets and pulled out their pagers. Quick messages as was the norm. The two looked at each other.</p> <p>“OK. Shit just got weird for both of us didn’t it?” The Alpha-1 soldier nodded again.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="/protocol-recolo">Protocol Recolo > > > > ></a></strong></p> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] + August 2, 2020 > * Item #: SCP-001 > * Object Class: Thaumiel > * Special Containment Procedures: SCP-001 is to be contained at Site-01. Under no circumstances are other anomalous objects to be contai… O5-1, formerly known as Dr. G, reread the file on SCP-001, or at least one of the SCP-001 entries. When he was a Level-3 researcher for over 10 years, he always wondered what was the true SCP-001. That psycho Bright thought that it was some kind of factory that made anomalies. Of course that wouldn’t be completely out of the realm of possibility, with all the shit that Marshall Carter & Dark sold, //something// had to be manufacturing all these anomalies. There were other theories he had heard over the years. That nihilist Locke thought that the [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/shaggydredlocks-proposal\|Sun]]] was going to disintegrate everyone and turn them into more horrifying versions of [[[SCP-999]]]. The more dramatic Tufto believed it was some kind of [[[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/tuftos-proposal\|all powerful deity]]] trying to break into their reality. Not the first time the Foundation would have to deal with one of those and most certainly not the last. And that //demon// Clef thought it was that [[[Dr. Clef's Proposal\|angel]]] in front of Eden. Ironic. But the one he was currently reading, a [[[Tanhony's Proposal\|human being]]] intertwined with the concept of death… Oh this one was definitely his favorite. He would have to see that chef Tanhony promoted for his excellent idea. A man who if couldn’t recognize you made you exempt from death? Brilliant! Death was unacceptable for someone in the Foundation. The world needed protection from those damn anomalies. And besides, those [[[SCP-3922\|TV show police officers]]] didn’t look like the ones you wanted to spend an eternity with. -1 heard a knock on his office door. He slowly reached for the gun hidden under his desk. Because of the overwhelming security in and around Site-01, nobody knocked on his office door. It would be treated as a danger to -1 and responded to as such by the security guards, unless… “It’s O5-4. Well… the new one at least -1” came a young male voice, younger than his. That made him drop his reach for the gun. Nobody besides the O5s knew about the change in the O5 council, especially not the specific designations for which O5 was which. The security guards were regularly given amnestics to prevent them from remembering which O5 was which. The new O5-4 and the other O5s were the only ones who had the clearance to even get to the door without causing the alarm to go off. “Come in -4.” The door slowly opened to reveal a tall, lanky man with glasses. He had blue eyes and black hair in a small ponytail. He wore a nicely tailored brown suit, a light blue shirt, a navy blue tie and black oxfords. Pretty presentable, -1 had to say. Of course he was also in similar apparel, except he still wore his lab coat. Something nostalgic he supposed. He had replaced the card that said his Level 3 rank with a simple black 5. -4 looked at the document on the desk. He smiled. “Enjoying a really special anomaly?” he asked with a smirk. He himself had read over it plenty of times, a feeling of euphoria coming with every read. “Damn right. Is everyone in the meeting room?”’ “Yep. We’re all waiting on you.” “Good.” -1 got up out of his cushioned chair. Much better than the ones they issued to all the other Level 3s. He walked out the door, with -4 following behind him. If one were to walk through the corridors of Site-01, they would be reminded of the Cross Hall at the White House. A red carpet and pillars holding up the ceiling. Of course if one stopped to look closely at the pillars or carpet, they would notice a few hidden words and immediately die from cerebral hemorrhaging. A few memetic-hazardous words for a little extra security never hurt anyone. After a short two minutes of walking, the two men came across a large, bolted shut door. There were four guards posted outside the door, two on each side. They noticed the men but did not question it — they knew better. -1 entered in a seven digit code, leaned down to a small retina scanner and the door opened. -1 and -4 walked into a pitch black room, with the door closing behind them. > //A screen on the eastern wall turns on. 10 pairs of eyes appear following O5-1 and O5-4 as they enter the room. O5-4 takes the available seat next to the one in front of the screen. O5-1 takes the seat in front of the screen.// > > * O5-1: Welcome everyone. I believe you know why you’re here. > * O5-3: The new positions and our assistant? > * O5-1: Of course. I trust you have read what happened to our predecessors. > * O5-9: They were careless to let the Ethics Committee find out about it. We can’t let that happen again. > * O5-6: You know the Committee is going to be keeping a close eye on us, at least for the time being. > * O5-4: Correct. Which is why we need to keep them monitored. -1, do you have any ideas? > * O5-1: We split up MTF Alpha-1. Integrate half into MTF Omega-1. Have them report to us bi-weekly to not arouse suspicion. We wipe their records clean and have them apply to Omega-1. > * O5-7: And if the Ethics Committee finds a link between them and the rest of Alpha-1? > * O5-1: Then the standing orders will be to execute the Heads of the Committee immediately. We can handle the rest from there, say that they were planning on stealing an anomaly for their own usage. > * O5-10: Like how we plan to? > * O5-1: Of course. We are a new council that won’t be held back by what another group decides to be moral and immoral. > * O5-11: When should we begin the injections of SCP-006? > * O5-1: Three days from now. Most would suspect an action from the council to be made immediately but three days is arbitrary enough to not arouse suspicion. > * O5-11: And the prosopagnosia procedure? > * O5-1: Same time as the dosages of SCP-006. If that’s all, then the first meeting is adjourned. ------ As the new O5 Council had their very first meeting, the Ethics Committee were deciding their future at Site-37. They had known the previous O5s to be slimy bastards that would abuse gifts that could benefit the Foundation as a whole. And it was unlikely to change. But using SCP-001 was a new one to them when the previous council was… fired. Ethics Committee Liaison Ms. X was typing into her computer a proposal to monitor the O5s. > We split up MTF Omega-1. Integrate half into MTF Alpha-1. Have them report to use bi-weekly to not arouse suspicion. We wipe their records clean and have them apply to join Alpha-1. If they were discovered, they could immediately eliminate all the O5s present. Say they were trying to use an anomaly for their own benefits. Most likely SCP-001 if they were like their predecessors, but you couldn’t tell with the council. //This should work// Ms. X thought to herself. //The Committee has deposed the council plenty of times. This will be nothing new.// Little did she know how wrong she was. ------ + September 13, 2021 //What the actual fuck happened?!// O5-1 thought to himself as he ducked under a chair, dodging a rapid swarm of bullets. It had been going so well for the past year. The O5s had met with the Ethics Committee in November. Apparently the Committee wanted to introduce a socialization program for the humanoid anomalies at Site-17, stating that according to the staff at 17 they had “good behavior” and deserved socialization privileges with each other. Not like they were going to need socialization skills, but what the hell. Give them some board games with a few pieces missing, some old books and some VHS copies of shows from the 90s. Enough for them to make it seem like the Foundation cared about them, but not enough to make it seem like they were missing out on anything big in the outside world. And in December it worked! For nine months, no containment breaches at Site-17. But then of course those damn anomalies had to ruin everything! //What do you think the first SCP is? Dunno. Maybe it's the Grim Reaper and the Foundation has him on lockdown. Think they would try to use it? Knowing the Foundation… yeah absolutely.// It was a simple conversation between [[[SCP-4051]]] and [[[SCP-105]]]. Of course no conversation between anomalies goes unrecorded in the Foundation. While they thought it was a simple guess, the Site-17 staff thought it was important enough to mention to the higher ups. And then the Ethics Committee got wind of the conversation and began their own investigation. Believed that the O5s were back to their old tricks. Of course they were right, and then when both sides became aware of what the other knew, well… There were seven O5s already dead. They hadn’t had enough time for SCP-001’s effects to kick in for them. -11 had two bullets between his neck. Luckily he had passed out after 17 seconds of struggling. -6 had tried to make a run for one of the emergency doors when she was tackled. Multiple tasers then made contact with her body. She screamed for the entire minute before her vocal chords were burned. It wasn’t pretty. The others got lucky — clean headshots. MTF Omega-1 did not play when it came to their missions. //BANG!// -1 felt an immediate stabbing sensation in his lung. He looked to his right, and saw a crawling Omega-1 soldier with a rifle. Her aim had been off due to exhaustion, but it was still fatal. She could only give a quick smile before -1 shot her in the eye with his own rifle while he still had the strength. He could feel his vision getting blurry as he coughed blood. //They had the same idea//, he thought. Split the teams in half and when the situation called for it, strike. Before the darkness completely overtook his sight, all he could think was //well played//. If it was any consolation, not that he would know it, but Ethics Committee Liaison Ms. X was having similar thoughts right now. All through Site-37 there was death. Bullet holes riddled the walls, floors and bodies. The Ethics Committee Liaisons were more than halved at this point. And she had only ordered the other half of Omega-1 to purge the O5 Council an hour ago. //What the fuck happened?!// “Commander Jackson, where are you?!” Ms. X screamed into her earpiece. “We’re being pushed back towards the end of the Delta-Wing! We got two Liaisons with us, but they’re both bleeding out!” //Damn!// It was unlikely that they would be able to get proper medical attention, the infirmary was on the other side of the site. “Ma’am, what about you?! If they're here for all the Liaisons, then you don’t have much time left!” He was right. She had activated the reinforced bunker door to her office and hidden under the desk with her M17, but it wouldn’t do much to the likely five Alpha-1 members starting to cut into it. “Commander, I know this looks like the end, but what’s happening at Site-01?” This gave the commander pause. She wanted to know that their mission was not in vain. He sent a quick message on his pager and got a quick response. “Ma’am, it was a success. All O5s dead and accounted for.” Good. The O5s could be changed once again to hopefully better people, though from the looks of it, she wouldn’t live to see it. “They had the same idea as us.” The commander had the same thoughts as Ms. X. There was only one thing they could do now. It would completely change the Foundation and the way they treated anomalies, but clearly the O5s couldn’t be trusted to not use it for their own benefits. And they would fight hard to keep it that way. Unless she acted now. “Initiate protocol recolo. And commander, it has been an honor working with you.” The door burst open. Ms. X aimed her pistol at the chest of the closest Alpha-1 member and fired at their chest. He went down, but before she could aim again, four shots went off at once, all aimed at her face. They went through her forehead and pushed her back. In a moment of clarity before everything went dark, all she could think was //well played//. ------ Once Ms. X stopped responding, Omega-1 realized they had nobody giving them orders anymore. In a normal war, this would be nothing. But Omega-1 had received orders to initiate protocol recolo. That would require the firefight to stop. Commander Jackson held out his unarmed hand in front of the hallway where Alpha-1 was firing at them. Luckily the bullets only lightly grazed his forearm. He could look at that later. The bullets stopped. Commander Jackson and his team stepped out of their hiding spot. Just them, the Liaisons had fully bled out. “Your commanders aren’t responding to you either?” One Alpha-1 soldier nodded, most likely this group's commander. “Protocol recolo was my last order. Call off your men, I’ll call off mine and we can discuss this?” They nodded again. The two reached into their pockets and pulled out their pagers. Quick messages as was the norm. The two looked at each other. “OK. Shit just got weird for both of us didn’t it?” The Alpha-1 soldier nodded again. = [[[protocol recolo\|Protocol Recolo > > > > >]]]	2024-11-14T05:46:00	[ "ethics-committee", "military-fiction", "tale" ]	Some More Dead Men - SCP Foundation	-2	[ "shaggydredlocks-proposal", "scp-999", "tuftos-proposal", "dr-clef-s-proposal", "tanhony-s-proposal", "scp-3922", "scp-4051", "scp-105", "protocol-recolo" ]	[ "lowest-rated-articles", "lowest-rated-pages" ]	[]	1457358941	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/some-more-dead-men
sometimes	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p>In a blank, sterile room, roughly five meters wide, sixteen long, and eight tall, a table sits in the center. On it lays a single piece of A2 standard printer paper. It does not appear aged or damaged, as if it could have been printed yesterday, or even mere moments ago. Yet it is cool to the touch, the same temperature as the room it is in.</p> <p>The paper seems mundane. And, truth be told, it is. The information atop it, harmless when thought about literally- just ink heated to thermally harden and jettisoned out of a printer nozzle, or electrons dancing in a data storage matrix, is harmless, merely information. Even when the brain absorbs it and begins to modify it.</p> <p>Next to the paper is a pen. Generic. Filled with black, oddly floral-smelling ink. A cheap rollerball, unbranded, with an SCP Foundation logo on it. It has no complex mechanisms, simply a friction-fit cap with an incorporated pocket-grasping surface that covers the exposed stylus. The class-D is always told to write. They never know why.<br/> "Relax," the researcher coos through the speaker below the CCTV camera, "just write whatever comes to mind."<br/> Sometimes, the paper would be defiled with filth. Debased thought, sullied with profanity or hatred. Vitriol. Crude doodles. Other times, it was sanctified with holy words or praise. Sometimes, it became a surface for great emotion- art, poetry, ranging from mediocre to masterclass- to be poured on. Music filled the room. Art. Joy. Anger. Wrath. Indignant defiance. Most times, the pure white was disrupted by childlike, sprawling scribbles.</p> <p>In the end, why? Why? The Class-D would be evicted from the cell and they would shred then incinerate the paper.</p> <p>The paper lays dormant. Microtrenches and dents marring its surface, those blemishes filled with the ink. Fresh and wet enough to smudge. The pen rests on the top, above the writing, haphazardly and randomly set down with varying degrees of force and violence. Sometimes, it would have been used to stab the paper. Cut the paper. Sometimes, it was ripped.</p> <p>This time, it was unhurt but for the scratches from writing. Perhaps it was prose. Poems. A diagram, an artwork.</p> <p>Perhaps it was violence steeped into words. Hate and harm put to physical form with vitriolic ink shapes on a row of thin lines of bleached carbon.</p> <p>Sometimes, it would bring a person to tears.</p> <p>Sometimes joy.</p> <p>Sometimes anger.</p> <p>Sometimes jealousy.</p> <p>Sometimes.</p> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] In a blank, sterile room, roughly five meters wide, sixteen long, and eight tall, a table sits in the center. On it lays a single piece of A2 standard printer paper. It does not appear aged or damaged, as if it could have been printed yesterday, or even mere moments ago. Yet it is cool to the touch, the same temperature as the room it is in. The paper seems mundane. And, truth be told, it is. The information atop it, harmless when thought about literally- just ink heated to thermally harden and jettisoned out of a printer nozzle, or electrons dancing in a data storage matrix, is harmless, merely information. Even when the brain absorbs it and begins to modify it. Next to the paper is a pen. Generic. Filled with black, oddly floral-smelling ink. A cheap rollerball, unbranded, with an SCP Foundation logo on it. It has no complex mechanisms, simply a friction-fit cap with an incorporated pocket-grasping surface that covers the exposed stylus. The class-D is always told to write. They never know why. "Relax," the researcher coos through the speaker below the CCTV camera, "just write whatever comes to mind." Sometimes, the paper would be defiled with filth. Debased thought, sullied with profanity or hatred. Vitriol. Crude doodles. Other times, it was sanctified with holy words or praise. Sometimes, it became a surface for great emotion- art, poetry, ranging from mediocre to masterclass- to be poured on. Music filled the room. Art. Joy. Anger. Wrath. Indignant defiance. Most times, the pure white was disrupted by childlike, sprawling scribbles. In the end, why? Why? The Class-D would be evicted from the cell and they would shred then incinerate the paper. The paper lays dormant. Microtrenches and dents marring its surface, those blemishes filled with the ink. Fresh and wet enough to smudge. The pen rests on the top, above the writing, haphazardly and randomly set down with varying degrees of force and violence. Sometimes, it would have been used to stab the paper. Cut the paper. Sometimes, it was ripped. This time, it was unhurt but for the scratches from writing. Perhaps it was prose. Poems. A diagram, an artwork. Perhaps it was violence steeped into words. Hate and harm put to physical form with vitriolic ink shapes on a row of thin lines of bleached carbon. Sometimes, it would bring a person to tears. Sometimes joy. Sometimes anger. Sometimes jealousy. Sometimes.	2024-12-12T11:55:00	[ "tale" ]	Sometimes - SCP Foundation	-3	[]	[ "tales-by-year", "lowest-rated-articles", "lowest-rated-pages", "news" ]	[]	1457986634	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sometimes
song-of-sanna	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <blockquote> <p><em>“And there appeared a great wonder in the outer darkness; a woman clothed with the night, and the howling moon under her feet, and upon her head a black crown and seven stars; Though she was with child, she did not cry out nor labor in pain, and brought forth a golden egg, from which the Tree of Life would be kindled.”</em><br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>- Neowolnessa Gewritu (Scriptures of the Depths), translator unknown.</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Sing, O Sanna, of the <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dust-and-blood">beginning</a>. Sing, O mother of the darkness undivided, of your lightless kingdom, of those chaotic waters! Before time was time, before space was unfurled, you were there; before heat and light formed, before thought was woven, you were there!</p> <blockquote> <p><em>SCP-████ is a phenomenon observed in the brains of six beached pilot whales recovered 15.JAN.2016 in Nova Scotia, wherein the brains remained active beyond bodily death. The whales were subject to extensive teratomatic growths throughout their bodies, in apparent violation of Peto’s Paradox…</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Who might know of the extent of your power? Who might know the fullness of your authority? The ancients are to you a single breath; the power of the elders is as nothing. The great powers humble themselves before you, O Mahākāla; all gods above and below pay homage, all gods of the worlds pay tribute!</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Lecture Excerpt:</strong> “The Principle of Multiplicative Aspect is the reason that we still don't have a functional classification scheme for gods - sorry, "pluripotent entities". There's a variable point on the Hume spectrum, dependent on potentially hundreds of variables, where an entity is of sufficient spiritual mass that it can not only manifest in multiple forms simultaneously, but those manifestations are independent of one another."</em><br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>- Dr. Lucia Alvarez, Department of Theology<br/> "It's a Big God-D*mn Mess", Interdepartmental Academic Conference 2019</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Sing, O Rahab, of your Black Crown, of that authority most terrible and most necessary. You alone are worthy to bear it; you who are the maker and unmaker, creator and destroyer and creator again! Still water grows stagnant, deathless flesh corrupt; it is by your power that all is renewed. As the dead nourish the earth to bring forth new life, so it is with the heavens themselves.</p> <blockquote> <p><em>SCP-████ is a hole in the ocean floor, located in the south Pacific Ocean at [COORDINATES REDACTED] and measuring 212.4 meters in diameter. Passage through the anomaly leads to a extraspatial body of water of unknown dimensions; even at maximum permissible output, sonar imaging has yet to reflect back to Foundation submersibles…</em></p> </blockquote> <p>No crown in heaven or upon earth or in the depths might compare to you; where then are the seekers of power? Where are those who declare lordship over the worlds? They turn from you in shame, for they know their might is falsehood and their boasting empty wind. Is not all of creation your dominion? Who might stand beyond you? Who might withstand the authority of your Crown? O most terrible power, there are none.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Extranormal Event 98661:</strong> Woman gives birth to nine live hagfish, all genetically-identical clonal adults. Subject claimed to have had no sexual activity that would have resulted in a pregnancy within the necessary timeframe. (Alice Springs, 09.DEC.1994)</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Sing, O Senyana, of the usurping Worm, the conquering Worm! Sing of the betrayer, the corrupter, that Worm of gnashing teeth, that scion of the <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/omnigenesis-and-the-law-of-blades">Law of Blades</a>, that false king, that devourer of gods! He who through the treachery of the Prince of a Thousand Faces struck you down; he who through his rapacious cowardice defiled your mighty presence!</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 10103:</strong> Clay tablet with bas-relief. Depicts veiled woman seated on a throne and a kneeling man. Symbol above her head resembles black hole with an accretion disk. Inscription in Sumerian cuneiform reads “Nammu, wife of none, queen of all lands, keeper of the great</em> me, <em>rebukes the rebellious Marduk.”</em></p> </blockquote> <p>That thief of your throne, we abhor; that thief of your Crown, we abjure! Against him we stand firm, against his servants we stand arrayed! We have unfurled our banners and taken up our spears. Let him pass not one step further while we still live!</p> <blockquote> <p><em>SCP-████ is the collective designation for the unfinished art exhibition</em> The Nameless, <em>as recovered from the home of POI-6726 Taylor Baum after his death. Exhibition contained 16 oil paintings of varying size, all consisting solely of fields of No.1 Fuligin Black with heavy impasto. Baum had, prior to his death by drowning in his sensory isolation pool, disconnected every light source on the property and painted over the windows. Reports of figures moving within</em> The Nameless <em>4, 7, 12, and 16 have not been substantiated.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Sing, O Senyana, of your anger. How vast your fury, how just your rage! Vengeance, vengeance cries your spirit! You cry out, and we answer you! May fury be joined with fury, rage wed with rage! May gore be spilled, may bones be shattered!</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Interview Excerpt:</strong> “My grandmother - my mother’s mother, you understand, I know nothing of my father’s mother if he indeed had one at all - was not a kind woman. Fair, yes. Just according to her fashion, yes. But she was a cold and distant matriarch, and a terrible sight to behold when angered. She would draw herself up until it seemed she would blot out the heavens themselves and wither stars to dust with a flash of her eyes.”</em><br/></p> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>- Chòndu Baro'ang<br/> Interview <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8225">8225</a>-40/7-158</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>His blood on your claws!</p> <blockquote> <p><em>…had been marked with a mixture of myrrh oil and charcoal on the forehead, eyes, lips, and chest prior to the killings…</em></p> </blockquote> <p>His blood in your teeth!</p> <blockquote> <p><em>…crucified, and left to drown with the incoming tide…</em></p> </blockquote> <p>His corpse ground into the dust!</p> <blockquote> <p><em>…torn open, with the organs…</em></p> </blockquote> <p>His <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/tuftos-proposal">laws</a> ground into the dust!</p> <blockquote> <p><em>…howling…</em></p> </blockquote> <p>We the claws! We the teeth!</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 10372:</strong> Aztec codex depicting war between the prior Toltec Empire and helminthine-cephalopodic creatures, which the author claims to be either the offspring of Coyolxāuhqui or members of the four hundred Centzon Huītznāuhtin. The Toltec warriors are led by a grey-skinned giant with a red headdress, described in the text as "a god of a foreign land across the sea".</em></p> </blockquote> <p>His wretched servants proclaim your death, O queen. But is it not said “that which is dead may still dream”? Are you not the most favored of our great Brother? Send forth your spirit to guide us; send forth your image to lead us in battle. While the worlds sleep dead to your call, we hear and answer. When your messengers carry your song to us, we hear and answer.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 102377:</strong> Sacramental Ortothan-Christian chalice recovered during Albigensian Crusades c. 1210 CE. Base depicts Rakmou-Ieusas in combat against demons of the</em> voru <em>alongside mixed army of Ortothan soldiers and unidentified auxiliaries.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>See how he cowers from your name! See how he burns with shame at the wound you delivered upon him! He is granted no victory by his treacherous strike.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 38643:</strong> Middle Imperial Era Dhaumaughr curse tablet (lead). Engraving reads "Hereby I curse Kadan of Guur, according to the laws set forth by The Most August One-Eyed Lord of the Smashed Skull, so that his bowels might be filled with fire, that his women might rise up in rebellion against him, that he be shat upon by the slaves in the marketplace, and that he may be delivered unto [an empty space that has been scratched out] in the outer darkness, as is deserving for a coward and an unman."</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Sing, O Rūha, of the seven, of your daughters behind the <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6462">Implicit Door</a>. By seven seals bound, by darkness held, imprisoned by the defiler. Shall we sit idle, shall we say they are lost to us? Nay, may their fetters be broken; may the bars of their prison be rent asunder, the cells of their prison emptied forever.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Anomalous Item # 52938:</strong> Digital art, depicting Severian's encounter with Juturna (Wolfe,</em> Claw of the Concilliator <em>chapter 27, 1981). Memetic effect triggers visions of dead and dying women in all suitably-sized bodies of water for up to 72 hours after exposure. Observed figures are nude, show no signs of decay, and are identical in appearance (pallid skin, dark hair) but not in size, ranging from 22 to 200 meters in height.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Praise to the Seventh-of-Seven, the Unbroken and the Unbreakable, Mother of Heroes, Queen of the Slayers of Leviathans, Great Lady of the Whale-road. No plot of the Worm might overcome her spirit; no deception or torment might shatter her resolve. In her is our salvation; so long as she might endure, so shall our hope.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 49902:</strong> Graffiti of a four-fingered raised fist, black with white outline, surrounded by seven white stars. Accompanying text: ABBY LIVES. (Detroit, 20.JUN.2016.)</em></p> </blockquote> <p>And she cannot be broken.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 96453:</strong> Three ceremonial masks (<strong><span style="color: sienna">bear</span></strong>, orca, raven) seized from members of the Haida Nation in July of 1891. Record of confiscation includes testimony by missionary Henry Davis, who claimed to have seen the masks used in “an unwholesome and unchristian rite, where spirits were called up from the earth and down from the sky in the forms of beasts, and they conferred about toppling the 'King of the Christians'.”</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Sing, O Sanna, of the end. The course has been severed, the wheel broken. The path is darkened to us, and we walk it now with blinded eyes and stumbling pace. Creation cries out for deliverance. But from where shall our deliverance come? The Beast of Seven Heads gnaws bitterly at the roots of the world. It is the age of terrors, the age of pollution, the age of the iron rod. As infection forms in the injured body, he coils himself in the wound of his own making and plays at kingship. Desolation he has brought to the worlds; ruin he has left in his wake. From the eight directions he assails us; we are trapped in the rotting corpse of God.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Anomalous Item # 30991:</strong> Macuahuitl, recovered from crater in the Mare Serenitatis. Weapon found partially embedded in the lunar regolith, having impaled large unidentified organism at or just prior to impact. Compared to records of similar weapons, the wielder would have stood in excess of four meters if it maintained human proportions.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>If this shall be the final night, O Abzu and Aban, then it shall be so; by your grace, we shall not go meekly into the halls of all-mighty Death.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Extranormal Event 227866:</strong> Ritual killings of fourteen men in Tamil Nadu between September 9th and September 13th, 2015. Victims were stabbed seven times in the torso before being drowned in salt water, after which the corpses animated and were observed to stumble through heavily-populated areas while loudly repeating “The price is not yet paid”.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>We shall not despair; nay, we shall take up our spears.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 49852:</strong> 26-line fragment of lost Icelandic manuscript, dated to mid 14th century. Partial scene of Ratatoskr delivering gossip to Veðrfölnir and the eagle about a “grey-faced” princess trapped by Níðhöggr, who has asked the squirrel to bring messages to her surviving retainers and attendants across the sea. Ratatoskr is also tasked with seeking out the warrior Engi, though the fragment ends before an explanation is given.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>If this is to be the last day, may the dawn be red.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 59922:</strong> Helmet and torso armor belonging to unknown pre-TWRE culture group. Torso armor consists of black hexagonal ceramic scales with metallic backing attached to a padded silk jacket. Visored helmet is metal with decorative ceramic overlay, and has been sculpted for similar appearance as to a colony of</em> Riftia pachyptila <em>(giant tube worm).</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Hail, Mother Tiamat.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Anomalous Item 109273:</strong> Cell phone video footage of Bengali death metal band Navadurga. 1m52s in length, video quality is poor. Depicts finale of "From Below" (track 12 of the band's fourth album,</em> Kushmanda<em>) wherein live exorcism of a Class-VI possessive entity is performed on stage, culminating in explosive abjuration. Guest vocalist present, identified as POI-6753 (known member of BASALT GORGON mystery cult.)</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Hail, Great Dragon of the Abyss.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Extranormal Event 33817:</strong> Apparition of bloodied, octopus-headed woman striding out of the storm front of Typhoon Ruth. Figure described as pregnant, ten-armed, and carrying a spear. Accompanied by six to ten additional entities resembling</em> Physalia physalis <em>(man o’ war hydrozoan), possessing wings, interior luminescence (black) and “eyes inside and out.” Apparition vanished upon reaching the shore (Kagoshima prefecture, 13.OCT.1951)</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Hail, Queen of the Kalpakāla.</p> <blockquote> <p><em>“Minute variations in the background Hume levels of the local inter-universal medium indicate the presence of some structure out past the boundaries of the local supercluster - but it's like dark matter, we can't observe it directly, just the effect it has on everything else around it. We just know that it's</em> big."</p> </blockquote> <p>Death to the Red Pretender.</p> <blockquote> <p><em>“…accounts of the battle recovered from <a href="/scp-1726">SCP-1726</a> indicate losses so catastrophic for the Dhamaughr-kom that the emperor transferred four full legions from the imperial core to reinforce the upper Mekong River and southeastern ranges of the Tibetan Plateau. This edict left the occupying forces in Adi-um at the lowest level since the city’s capture, and proved a vital component of the developing Ionite rebellion …”</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Death to the Lord of Rape.</p> <blockquote> <p><em>“Durham, who had been serving a life sentence for his participation in the Church of Jesus Christ the King in Scarlet, was ambushed during recreation period and beaten to death with a tire iron smuggled out of the machine shop.”</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Death to the Conqueror Worm.</p> <blockquote> <p><em>“The religious praxis of BASALT GORGON mystery cults predominantly features ritual ablution, meditation through sensory deprivation, and human sacrifice as a form of blood-vengeance against enemies of the cults or their patroness."</em></p> </blockquote> <p>In this hour we renew the oaths of our baptism.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Anomalous Item 67400:</strong> Obsidian knife capable of injuring high-Hume entities. Recovered JUN.2014 from possession of Horizon Initiative field agent M. Lewitt following HECATOMB Incident at Continuity-of-Command Deepwell 02.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>In this hour we return again to your side.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>03.FEB.2023</strong> - The former O5-6, who had been instrumental in orchestrating Operation <a href="/scp-231">MAGNOLIA</a>, is gunned down while eating breakfast in his villa outside of Naples.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Unto the breaking of the world.</p> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>Extranormal Event 156924:</strong> Seven thaumaturgically-sensitive individuals suffer simultaneous psychosis during main shock of the 2021 Kermadec Islands earthquakes. Subjects reported visions of a creature too large to identify rising from the ocean and ascending into the sky, accompanied by mass rupture of the planetary crust. (05.MAR.2021)</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Until the task is done.</p> <blockquote> <p><em>“When I sleep, I dream of a sky without stars and still, black water. Behind the wind, there is the Howling. I am caught up in it, no more able to resist than a dry leaf can stand against a hurricane. I am a ship on the sea of infinity, riding the gale of Death's threshing blade. It is the call of the abyss, and when I wake up she remains with me, drawing me towards herself."</em></p> </blockquote> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:betterfootnotes">:scp-wiki:component:betterfootnotes</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:bhl-style-collapse-source">:scp-wiki:component:bhl-style-collapse-source</a> \|scp-number=XXXX]] > //“And there appeared a great wonder in the outer darkness; a woman clothed with the night, and the howling moon under her feet, and upon her head a black crown and seven stars; Though she was with child, she did not cry out nor labor in pain, and brought forth a golden egg, from which the Tree of Life would be kindled.”// > [[>]] > - Neowolnessa Gewritu (Scriptures of the Depths), translator unknown. > [[/>]] Sing, O Sanna, of the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dust-and-blood beginning]. Sing, O mother of the darkness undivided, of your lightless kingdom, of those chaotic waters! Before time was time, before space was unfurled, you were there; before heat and light formed, before thought was woven, you were there! > //SCP-████ is a phenomenon observed in the brains of six beached pilot whales recovered 15.JAN.2016 in Nova Scotia, wherein the brains remained active beyond bodily death. The whales were subject to extensive teratomatic growths throughout their bodies, in apparent violation of Peto’s Paradox…// Who might know of the extent of your power? Who might know the fullness of your authority? The ancients are to you a single breath; the power of the elders is as nothing. The great powers humble themselves before you, O Mahākāla; all gods above and below pay homage, all gods of the worlds pay tribute! > //Lecture Excerpt: “The Principle of Multiplicative Aspect is the reason that we still don't have a functional classification scheme for gods - sorry, "pluripotent entities". There's a variable point on the Hume spectrum, dependent on potentially hundreds of variables, where an entity is of sufficient spiritual mass that it can not only manifest in multiple forms simultaneously, but those manifestations are independent of one another."// > [[>]] > - Dr. Lucia Alvarez, Department of Theology > "It's a Big God-Dmn Mess", Interdepartmental Academic Conference 2019 > [[/>]] Sing, O Rahab, of your Black Crown, of that authority most terrible and most necessary. You alone are worthy to bear it; you who are the maker and unmaker, creator and destroyer and creator again! Still water grows stagnant, deathless flesh corrupt; it is by your power that all is renewed. As the dead nourish the earth to bring forth new life, so it is with the heavens themselves. > //SCP-████ is a hole in the ocean floor, located in the south Pacific Ocean at [COORDINATES REDACTED] and measuring 212.4 meters in diameter. Passage through the anomaly leads to a extraspatial body of water of unknown dimensions; even at maximum permissible output, sonar imaging has yet to reflect back to Foundation submersibles…// No crown in heaven or upon earth or in the depths might compare to you; where then are the seekers of power? Where are those who declare lordship over the worlds? They turn from you in shame, for they know their might is falsehood and their boasting empty wind. Is not all of creation your dominion? Who might stand beyond you? Who might withstand the authority of your Crown? O most terrible power, there are none. > //Extranormal Event 98661:* Woman gives birth to nine live hagfish, all genetically-identical clonal adults. Subject claimed to have had no sexual activity that would have resulted in a pregnancy within the necessary timeframe. (Alice Springs, 09.DEC.1994)// Sing, O Senyana, of the usurping Worm, the conquering Worm! Sing of the betrayer, the corrupter, that Worm of gnashing teeth, that scion of the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/omnigenesis-and-the-law-of-blades Law of Blades], that false king, that devourer of gods! He who through the treachery of the Prince of a Thousand Faces struck you down; he who through his rapacious cowardice defiled your mighty presence! > //Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 10103: Clay tablet with bas-relief. Depicts veiled woman seated on a throne and a kneeling man. Symbol above her head resembles black hole with an accretion disk. Inscription in Sumerian cuneiform reads “Nammu, wife of none, queen of all lands, keeper of the great// me, //rebukes the rebellious Marduk.”// That thief of your throne, we abhor; that thief of your Crown, we abjure! Against him we stand firm, against his servants we stand arrayed! We have unfurled our banners and taken up our spears. Let him pass not one step further while we still live! > //SCP-████ is the collective designation for the unfinished art exhibition// The Nameless, //as recovered from the home of POI-6726 Taylor Baum after his death. Exhibition contained 16 oil paintings of varying size, all consisting solely of fields of No.1 Fuligin Black with heavy impasto. Baum had, prior to his death by drowning in his sensory isolation pool, disconnected every light source on the property and painted over the windows. Reports of figures moving within// The Nameless //4, 7, 12, and 16 have not been substantiated.// Sing, O Senyana, of your anger. How vast your fury, how just your rage! Vengeance, vengeance cries your spirit! You cry out, and we answer you! May fury be joined with fury, rage wed with rage! May gore be spilled, may bones be shattered! > //Interview Excerpt: “My grandmother - my mother’s mother, you understand, I know nothing of my father’s mother if he indeed had one at all - was not a kind woman. Fair, yes. Just according to her fashion, yes. But she was a cold and distant matriarch, and a terrible sight to behold when angered. She would draw herself up until it seemed she would blot out the heavens themselves and wither stars to dust with a flash of her eyes.”// > [[>]] > - Chòndu Baro'ang > Interview [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8225 8225]-40/7-158 > [[/>]] His blood on your claws! > //...had been marked with a mixture of myrrh oil and charcoal on the forehead, eyes, lips, and chest prior to the killings...// His blood in your teeth! > //...crucified, and left to drown with the incoming tide...// His corpse ground into the dust! > //...torn open, with the organs...// His [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/tuftos-proposal laws] ground into the dust! > //...howling...// We the claws! We the teeth! > //Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 10372: Aztec codex depicting war between the prior Toltec Empire and helminthine-cephalopodic creatures, which the author claims to be either the offspring of Coyolxāuhqui or members of the four hundred Centzon Huītznāuhtin. The Toltec warriors are led by a grey-skinned giant with a red headdress, described in the text as "a god of a foreign land across the sea".// His wretched servants proclaim your death, O queen. But is it not said “that which is dead may still dream”? Are you not the most favored of our great Brother? Send forth your spirit to guide us; send forth your image to lead us in battle. While the worlds sleep dead to your call, we hear and answer. When your messengers carry your song to us, we hear and answer. > //Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 102377: Sacramental Ortothan-Christian chalice recovered during Albigensian Crusades c. 1210 CE. Base depicts Rakmou-Ieusas in combat against demons of the// voru //alongside mixed army of Ortothan soldiers and unidentified auxiliaries.// See how he cowers from your name! See how he burns with shame at the wound you delivered upon him! He is granted no victory by his treacherous strike. > //Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 38643: Middle Imperial Era Dhaumaughr curse tablet (lead). Engraving reads "Hereby I curse Kadan of Guur, according to the laws set forth by The Most August One-Eyed Lord of the Smashed Skull, so that his bowels might be filled with fire, that his women might rise up in rebellion against him, that he be shat upon by the slaves in the marketplace, and that he may be delivered unto [an empty space that has been scratched out] in the outer darkness, as is deserving for a coward and an unman."// Sing, O Rūha, of the seven, of your daughters behind the [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6462 Implicit Door]. By seven seals bound, by darkness held, imprisoned by the defiler. Shall we sit idle, shall we say they are lost to us? Nay, may their fetters be broken; may the bars of their prison be rent asunder, the cells of their prison emptied forever. > //Anomalous Item # 52938: Digital art, depicting Severian's encounter with Juturna (Wolfe,// Claw of the Concilliator //chapter 27, 1981). Memetic effect triggers visions of dead and dying women in all suitably-sized bodies of water for up to 72 hours after exposure. Observed figures are nude, show no signs of decay, and are identical in appearance (pallid skin, dark hair) but not in size, ranging from 22 to 200 meters in height.// Praise to the Seventh-of-Seven, the Unbroken and the Unbreakable, Mother of Heroes, Queen of the Slayers of Leviathans, Great Lady of the Whale-road. No plot of the Worm might overcome her spirit; no deception or torment might shatter her resolve. In her is our salvation; so long as she might endure, so shall our hope. > //Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 49902: Graffiti of a four-fingered raised fist, black with white outline, surrounded by seven white stars. Accompanying text: ABBY LIVES. (Detroit, 20.JUN.2016.)// And she cannot be broken. > //Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 96453: Three ceremonial masks (##sienna\|bear##, orca, raven) seized from members of the Haida Nation in July of 1891. Record of confiscation includes testimony by missionary Henry Davis, who claimed to have seen the masks used in “an unwholesome and unchristian rite, where spirits were called up from the earth and down from the sky in the forms of beasts, and they conferred about toppling the 'King of the Christians'.”// Sing, O Sanna, of the end. The course has been severed, the wheel broken. The path is darkened to us, and we walk it now with blinded eyes and stumbling pace. Creation cries out for deliverance. But from where shall our deliverance come? The Beast of Seven Heads gnaws bitterly at the roots of the world. It is the age of terrors, the age of pollution, the age of the iron rod. As infection forms in the injured body, he coils himself in the wound of his own making and plays at kingship. Desolation he has brought to the worlds; ruin he has left in his wake. From the eight directions he assails us; we are trapped in the rotting corpse of God. > //Anomalous Item # 30991: Macuahuitl, recovered from crater in the Mare Serenitatis. Weapon found partially embedded in the lunar regolith, having impaled large unidentified organism at or just prior to impact. Compared to records of similar weapons, the wielder would have stood in excess of four meters if it maintained human proportions.// If this shall be the final night, O Abzu and Aban, then it shall be so; by your grace, we shall not go meekly into the halls of all-mighty Death. > //Extranormal Event 227866: Ritual killings of fourteen men in Tamil Nadu between September 9th and September 13th, 2015. Victims were stabbed seven times in the torso before being drowned in salt water, after which the corpses animated and were observed to stumble through heavily-populated areas while loudly repeating “The price is not yet paid”.// We shall not despair; nay, we shall take up our spears. > //Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 49852: 26-line fragment of lost Icelandic manuscript, dated to mid 14th century. Partial scene of Ratatoskr delivering gossip to Veðrfölnir and the eagle about a “grey-faced” princess trapped by Níðhöggr, who has asked the squirrel to bring messages to her surviving retainers and attendants across the sea. Ratatoskr is also tasked with seeking out the warrior Engi, though the fragment ends before an explanation is given.// If this is to be the last day, may the dawn be red. > //Non-Anomalous Item of Interest 59922: Helmet and torso armor belonging to unknown pre-TWRE culture group. Torso armor consists of black hexagonal ceramic scales with metallic backing attached to a padded silk jacket. Visored helmet is metal with decorative ceramic overlay, and has been sculpted for similar appearance as to a colony of// Riftia pachyptila //(giant tube worm).// Hail, Mother Tiamat. > //Anomalous Item 109273: Cell phone video footage of Bengali death metal band Navadurga. 1m52s in length, video quality is poor. Depicts finale of "From Below" (track 12 of the band's fourth album,// Kushmanda//) wherein live exorcism of a Class-VI possessive entity is performed on stage, culminating in explosive abjuration. Guest vocalist present, identified as POI-6753 (known member of BASALT GORGON mystery cult.)// Hail, Great Dragon of the Abyss. > //Extranormal Event 33817: Apparition of bloodied, octopus-headed woman striding out of the storm front of Typhoon Ruth. Figure described as pregnant, ten-armed, and carrying a spear. Accompanied by six to ten additional entities resembling// Physalia physalis //(man o’ war hydrozoan), possessing wings, interior luminescence (black) and “eyes inside and out.” Apparition vanished upon reaching the shore (Kagoshima prefecture, 13.OCT.1951)// Hail, Queen of the Kalpakāla. > //“Minute variations in the background Hume levels of the local inter-universal medium indicate the presence of some structure out past the boundaries of the local supercluster - but it's like dark matter, we can't observe it directly, just the effect it has on everything else around it. We just know that it's// big." Death to the Red Pretender. > //“…accounts of the battle recovered from [[[SCP-1726]]] indicate losses so catastrophic for the Dhamaughr-kom that the emperor transferred four full legions from the imperial core to reinforce the upper Mekong River and southeastern ranges of the Tibetan Plateau. This edict left the occupying forces in Adi-um at the lowest level since the city’s capture, and proved a vital component of the developing Ionite rebellion …”// Death to the Lord of Rape. > //“Durham, who had been serving a life sentence for his participation in the Church of Jesus Christ the King in Scarlet, was ambushed during recreation period and beaten to death with a tire iron smuggled out of the machine shop.”// Death to the Conqueror Worm. > //“The religious praxis of BASALT GORGON mystery cults predominantly features ritual ablution, meditation through sensory deprivation, and human sacrifice as a form of blood-vengeance against enemies of the cults or their patroness."// In this hour we renew the oaths of our baptism. > //Anomalous Item 67400: Obsidian knife capable of injuring high-Hume entities. Recovered JUN.2014 from possession of Horizon Initiative field agent M. Lewitt following HECATOMB Incident at Continuity-of-Command Deepwell 02.// In this hour we return again to your side. > //03.FEB.2023 - The former O5-6, who had been instrumental in orchestrating Operation [[[SCP-231\| MAGNOLIA]]], is gunned down while eating breakfast in his villa outside of Naples.// Unto the breaking of the world. > //Extranormal Event 156924: Seven thaumaturgically-sensitive individuals suffer simultaneous psychosis during main shock of the 2021 Kermadec Islands earthquakes. Subjects reported visions of a creature too large to identify rising from the ocean and ascending into the sky, accompanied by mass rupture of the planetary crust. (05.MAR.2021)// Until the task is done. > //“When I sleep, I dream of a sky without stars and still, black water. Behind the wind, there is the Howling. I am caught up in it, no more able to resist than a dry leaf can stand against a hurricane. I am a ship on the sea of infinity, riding the gale of Death's threshing blade. It is the call of the abyss, and when I wake up she remains with me, drawing me towards herself."//	2024-04-29T21:55:00	[ "fantasy", "no-dialogue", "religious-fiction", "sarkic", "scarlet-king", "second-hytoth", "tale", "worldbuilding" ]	Song of Sanna - SCP Foundation	61	[ "dust-and-blood", "omnigenesis-and-the-law-of-blades", "scp-8225", "tuftos-proposal", "scp-6462", "scp-1726", "scp-231" ]	[ "cotsk-hub", "sarkicism-hub", "second-hytoth-hub" ]	[]	1453499801	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/song-of-sanna
songofyourname	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>A name is the shortest story you will ever tell about yourself.</p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:300px;"><img alt="Eli.png" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/songofyourname/Eli.png"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <p>Please note that this article contains sensitive topics and heavily deals with themes of (religious) abuse and queerphobia. The full list of sensitive topics (which necessitates spoiling some topics and themes that are present) is as follows:</p> <ul> <li>Transphobia and references to acephobia;</li> <li>Physical and mental abuse and neglect;</li> <li>Religious abuse and religious trauma;</li> <li>Underage pregnancy;</li> <li>References to an eating disorder;</li> <li>Mentions of a noose (but no suicidal references);</li> <li>Implications of racism.</li> </ul> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="content-warning creditRate">⚠️ content warning <span class="content-warning-arrow"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>Your song began on the last day of winter in 1963, in a modest but agreeable estate in the English countryside.</p> <p>Eleanor sang the first notes, and they were screams of agony as she brought you into the world. You screamed with her, the first and last time you two sung in harmony. Then, you both fell silent.</p> <p>It wasn't your mother who wiped away the grime and loosened you from the warmth of that bodily embrace. Eleanor was quiet, staring at the ceiling, her eyes as large as yours when you first took measure of the world. While your song had started, hers had shifted key. And she wished she couldn't hear it for a little longer.</p> <p>It was your grandmother who lifted you up and named you in her stead. Set the tone for you. Elizabeth: God is my oath. A vow and a calling to make up for what fell short. A chance for redemption, a prayer in praise. A blessing.</p> <p>It was a mockery. A reminder of what you were to your mother.</p> <p>You certainly weren’t a blessing to fifteen-year-old Eleanor.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>Lizzy</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>Change had been set in motion.</p> <p>It was the first day of summer in 1975 when you and Eleanor moved to the newly assigned flat, far away from the estate of your childhood. It was a small place, one room and just enough to get by. The walls were damp, the floor was cold, and you could never take off your coat or you’d shiver.</p> <p>But it was enough. It would be a new beginning, Eleanor had said. A chance for a fresh start. No more judgemental looks from her mother, no more quiet scowls from your grandfather, cursing your existence and the sinful spat of young love that had created it. It would be just you and Eleanor, and it would be good.</p> <p>It <em>had</em> to be good.</p> <p>That was your greatest task, the mission you were assigned. Be good. Don’t let that darker side of you take over. The one she called "Rishabh" and cursed under her breath. The trickster who had tempted her to sin, the man you resembled more and more each day. The constant reminder of her fall.</p> <p>You had only learned about Rishabh Singh in those curses and in the emptiness he was in your life. The absence of a father, not the shape of one. Sometimes you wondered whether he was still alive, whether he was around, and if he’d wanted to be. If he had <em>wanted</em> to be a father to you. And other days, you realise it didn’t matter.</p> <p>He was what you weren’t supposed to be. Weren't <em>allowed</em> to be. You were perfect little Lizzy Bishop, and you were a good girl.</p> <p>So you wore your golden crucifix and carried your book of psalms to church every Sunday. You’d sit in the pews and prayed with your eyes open, staring at the woodwork that creaked at your movements like it cursed your presence, like it knew your very existence was blasphemy. You’d sit in the confession booth timidly, staring at the seams of the skirt that taunted you while you told half-truths and confessed lies, as was expected of you. You’d mouth along the words of redemption and salvation, and wondered what they meant.</p> <p>Wondered what it would be like if they were meant for you.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><em>If thou follows the steps of thine father,</em><br/> <em>Renouncing the Glory of thine Lord and Light;</em><br/> <em>Thou understandeth not, and is as beasts,</em><br/> <em>Lost and damned a fate to suffer.</em></p> </div> <p>You sang, sang the song assigned to you. Sang it higher than you wanted, higher than you could. Sing, Lizzy, sing! Sing for the emptiness behind that crucifix, for the shadow cast by Rishabh, for the mark you were on Eleanor’s soul. Sing for forgiveness and the Fathers that never sang back. Sing!</p> <p>You sang, and as you sang, you could almost feel it. The chance for redemption, the blessing of your name. You could almost feel the glory, the hope you weren’t damned and lost. Not yet.</p> <p>All you had to do is fit the part.</p> <p>So you painted your lips and strapped down your belly and smiled timidly. You’d skip dinner so you didn’t have to sit with Eleanor, didn’t have to hear her soft prayers and see her judging looks. You’d skip lunch so you didn’t have to sit with the girls who saw right through you, who sang songs of your damnation. <em>Who’s the Bishop who went to Hell? Is it E - L - I -</em> You’d skip breakfast because it would just be another weight to carry.</p> <p>You tried a little harder everyday, and lost a little of that weight pressing down on your frame every morning.</p> <p>You'd pretend. Perform the part you were assigned, and you could almost imagine the shape that was Lizzy. The blessing that was Elizabeth. And maybe if you fit the shape outlined for you, you’d finally become her. Maybe you’d learn to love the cold prison you put yourself in with every meal you threw up and every smile you smiled. All you had to do is try a little harder.</p> <p>And so you did. You’d try for years.</p> <p>Until you finally accepted you were cursed.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Eli.png" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/songofyourname/Eli.png" style="width: 10%"/> <h1 id="toc1"><span>Eli</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>It was a cool spring in 1977, and your mind had opened.</p> <p>At school, you were still Lizzy. Troublesome Lizzy, loud and mean and boorish Lizzy. But after school, in the empty buildings and paved woods of the Liverpool streets, you were you. You were blasphemy, a creature that had defiled your heavenly Father and rejected the gifts He’d given you. You had filled out the shape of a fatherly figure, the empty outline of Rishabh, and imagined yourself in his form. And with that, you had found yourself.</p> <p>You dressed in flowing shirts and tied belts around your chest, pushed your voice low and your shoulders wide. Reshaped yourself in the boy you were not allowed to be. You used an <span style="color: green">old magic</span> that would curse you to the heated hearth of Hell, but at least you’d feel warmth.</p> <p>You were Eli Singh, and you were a <span style="color: green">witch</span>.</p> <p>It was a clumsy approximation, an attempt to connect to the roots that were kept from you. But the little you could find, you absorbed, you made your own. You copied the third eye you'd seen in a library book on India, and you would drag it in cement and curl it in barbed wires. Casting it like a spell in half-finished construction. The red lipstick you no longer wore drew the symbol on your forehead. A thin understanding, but it was your own kind of enlightenment.</p> <p>Eleanor still prayed for you. Carved her own rituals onto you, in screams and scars you hid well. She thought the spell could still be broken if she found the right words, the right chant. Perhaps one day you could’ve seen that, in her disgust and hatred, there was a broken woman trying to show her kind of love. A broken love that still haunted her, a curse handed down from her own mother. Maybe you’d even be able to find the shape of forgiveness in the scars she hid from you, in the screams she had endured and could never unhear. Maybe, if you’d only known.</p> <p>But the change she had sought out here, it had started to set in. You were becoming you.</p> <p>One day you had begun to cut your hair, and Eleanor had found you. She had found you, and the magazine cutout of Freddie Mercury you had pinned to the mirror. And there had been no explanation. She didn’t want one either — she had drawn conclusions you didn’t even think of yourself.</p> <p>She took away the scissors, that forbidden instrument of control, and grabbed you by the neck.</p> <p>She had screamed and cried, had sung to the Father that was never there to redeem you, to save you from this path. She had forced you on your knees, your head to the floor and your neck exposed. As the cleansing candle flame of her ritual stroke your skin, you learned the touch of her motherly love.</p> <p>It left a mark.</p> <p>You had realised you didn’t need to look forward. Boys like you had to watch their backs. And you gladly traded enlightenment for safety.</p> <p>From that day onward, you wore the rest of your long, dark hair in a braid. A chain wrapped and coiled around your neck. A reminder of the damnation you wore, the noose you choose to hang from.</p> <p>One day you’d wear that noose with Pride.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Ukelele.png" class="image" src="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/songofyourname/Ukelele.png" style="width: 10%"/> <h1 id="toc2"><span>Ukelele</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>You were sixteen when it all fell apart. When the real you came out, in all its terrifying force.</p> <p>Eleanor had given up on you by now. She’d found peace in knowing you’d find your punishment in the life after this one. Her prayers had turned inward, onto her own redemption for the sin that let to your existence. Caught in her own worship, her own penance. Most days, she’d leave you alone, and you’d roam the streets that allowed you to use your name. Eli, oh Eli Singh, just play to your own tune.</p> <p>For now, it was enough.</p> <p>In the back alleys of Liverpool you had found your own forest. The concrete echoed melodies of all that was lost and would be found. And you? You just listened. You never had to sing again.</p> <p>At least here, you were you. Allowed to be you. And more than anything, you were not alone.</p> <p>Hester was slow in most things. At school, she struggled to get the words to paper, to form the letters into sounds, to calculate and formulate. You struggled at school for different reasons. She fit the mould, you fit the curriculum. It was inevitable that you two would find each other’s equilibrium.</p> <p>Over the years, you learned through her. You explained the equations, helped her to sound out the words. In exchange, she showed you how to strike a chord, bring the strings of a viola to life. Sing through your movement rather than your voice. Sometimes, you two joined force. It always sounded at odds, but at that age, you don’t think about that.</p> <p>She’d write you notes. Slipped them into your pockets or backpack or homework folder, little phrases to cheer you up, push you through the day. Always signed by the instrument she sung through, one you hadn’t realised you both misspelled: <em>~ Your Ukelele</em>.</p> <p>Her voice was soft and her eyes never dared to meet yours, and you didn’t realise why until it was too late.</p> <p>It was that evening in June when she finally dared to speak, dared to teach you in the one subject you were slow at. That evening in June, you learned you were wrong in a wholly different way. When her serenade ended, she turned to you. She brushed your few short hairs out of your face, and then found your lips.</p> <p>It was like lightning had struck, but not the kind they sing songs about. The kind that is devastating, cold and burning. The kind that leaves scars and tears apart forests and concrete. You had jolted back, had screamed in disgust.</p> <p>You still remember the words she said. They echoed through the building that would soon be a ruin. A reprise of Eleanor's chimes, of your grandmother's curse. It turned the air toxic, poisoned the ground, tore through the world you had carved out for yourself. <em>If you really were a boy, you’d also like girls. If you really were a boy. If you really were a —</em></p> <p>Maybe if you’d been older, you’d have understood that she was just a child, hurt by the rejection. Maybe you’d have been able to understand, to pause, to find a shape that looked like forgiveness. But in that very moment, you just felt betrayal.</p> <p>And that’s when you <span style="text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #BC3030;"><span style="color: red">awoke</span></span>.<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>The rescue workers found you hours later, in the ruins of concrete and the life you’d destroyed in one flash. That’s when you understood what the Priest had meant: you were not a human, great in glory. You were <span style="color: green">damned and fated to suffer</span>. You and those like you were <span style="text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #BC3030;"><span style="color: red">beasts</span></span>.</p> <p>You were wrong twice over, and that didn’t make a right.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> Two years of training later, and you became part of the hunt. <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/goc-hub-page">Others</a> had reshaped you, tuned you like a tool, taught you a new instrument to wield with fire and buckshot. You had learned the price, and made sure others paid it.</p> <p>You had finally become the monster they always knew you were.</p> <p>You were Agent Ukulele, and they had fixed the spelling of your name.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>Wouldn’t it be awful if the story had ended there?</p> <p>There is a note of forgiveness, a motif planted in the narrative. One you might reach, one day, if <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8166">it plays in the right key</a>.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc3"><span>Alto</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>The first time you held the little creature you found in the dirt in your arms, you knew this was your destiny. You felt the little fingers trace your skin, seeking for the warmth of your embrace. The fur brushed against the scars under your pecs, the signature of transformation. It was the shape of a father. You were always meant to be one.</p> <p>You wrapped your arms around her, determined to never let go. You watched a little kid grasp and pull on the braid still hanging around your neck, undoing the tie that held it together, and you laughed freely.</p> <p>You didn’t know it at that moment, but this little deer boy in your arms was you in every way. She’d go through everything you went through. She’d change reality, including her own. She was assigned the body you’d have given everything to possess, and then rejected it because she found it didn’t fit her. And that’s when you finally understood.</p> <p>The restrictive mould that had suffocated you, would finally let her breathe. She would revel and excel in the thing that had hurt and reduced you. That feminine force that had torn you down, built her up, clothed her in the sun and placed stars in her eyes. And she shone with more beauty and more glory than you could ever find words to express.</p> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/it-s-hard-to-be-a-kid-in-containment">It’s not easy</a>, being a father. But you’d try with all your heart and soul. And maybe one day you’ll learn the shape of that forgiveness. Maybe one day, you’d understand that there is enough of it in the world. Maybe one day, you’ll even find the strength to forgive yourself.</p> <p>Meri Clef, your key to happiness. She will set the tune. And just for her, you’ll sing back.</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/songofyourname">The Song of Your Name</a>" by FlyPurgatorio, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/songofyourname">https://scpwiki.com/songofyourname</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Quote:</strong> <em>If thou follows the steps of thine father, Renouncing the Glory of thine Lord and Light; Thou understandeth not, and is as beasts, Lost and damned a fate to suffer.</em><br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;"><img alt="FlyPurgatorio" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8497838&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735053060" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8497838)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;">FlyPurgatorio</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> Non-existent psalm loosely based on Psalm 49 from the following two sources:</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Quote:</strong> <em>19 It shall go to the generation of his fathers: they shall never see light. 20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.</em><br/> <strong>Name Source:</strong> Bible, Darby Translation<br/> <strong>License:</strong> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Darby-Translation-Bible/#copy">Public Domain</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2049&version=DARBY">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Quote:</strong> <em>18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul— and men praise you when you do well for yourself— 19 he shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light. 20 A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish.</em><br/> <strong>Name Source:</strong> World English Bible (WEB)<br/> <strong>License:</strong> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/World-English-Bible-WEB/#copy">Public Domain</a><br/> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2049&version=WEB">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Lizzy.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;"><img alt="FlyPurgatorio" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8497838&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735053060" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8497838)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;">FlyPurgatorio</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work<br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> This work is a derivative of "Crucifix icon" by Delapouite</p> </blockquote> <p>This image [Lizzy.png] is a derivative of:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Crucifix icon<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Delapouite<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://game-icons.net/1x1/delapouite/crucifix.html#download">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Eli.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;"><img alt="FlyPurgatorio" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8497838&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735053060" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8497838)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;">FlyPurgatorio</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work<br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> This work is a derivative of "Sunken eye icon" by Lorc</p> </blockquote> <p>This image [Eli.png] is a derivative of:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Sunken eye icon<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Lorc<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://game-icons.net/1x1/lorc/sunken-eye.html#download">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Ukelele.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;"><img alt="FlyPurgatorio" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8497838&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735053060" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8497838)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;">FlyPurgatorio</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work<br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> This work is a derivative of "Rolling energy icon" by Lorc</p> </blockquote> <p>This image [Ukelele.png] is a derivative of:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Rolling energy icon<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Lorc<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://game-icons.net/1x1/lorc/rolling-energy.html#download">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Alto.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;"><img alt="FlyPurgatorio" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8497838&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735053060" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8497838)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/flypurgatorio" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8497838); return false;">FlyPurgatorio</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> Authors own work<br/> <strong>Notes:</strong> This work is a derivative of "Alto clef.svg" by Tlusťa</p> </blockquote> <p>This image [Alto.png] is a derivative of:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Alto clef.svg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Tlusťa<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alto_clef.svg">LINK</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= A name is the shortest story you will ever tell about yourself. ]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:eventyr">:scp-wiki:theme:eventyr</a>]] [[module CSS]] :root{--logo-image: var(--eventyr-trans);} [[/module]] [[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/songofyourname/Eli.png\|caption=.]] [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] Please note that this article contains sensitive topics and heavily deals with themes of (religious) abuse and queerphobia. The full list of sensitive topics (which necessitates spoiling some topics and themes that are present) is as follows: * Transphobia and references to acephobia; * Physical and mental abuse and neglect; * Religious abuse and religious trauma; * Underage pregnancy; * References to an eating disorder; * Mentions of a noose (but no suicidal references); * Implications of racism. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-cw">:scp-wiki:component:info-cw</a>]] @@ @@ @@ @@ Your song began on the last day of winter in 1963, in a modest but agreeable estate in the English countryside. Eleanor sang the first notes, and they were screams of agony as she brought you into the world. You screamed with her, the first and last time you two sung in harmony. Then, you both fell silent. It wasn't your mother who wiped away the grime and loosened you from the warmth of that bodily embrace. Eleanor was quiet, staring at the ceiling, her eyes as large as yours when you first took measure of the world. While your song had started, hers had shifted key. And she wished she couldn't hear it for a little longer. It was your grandmother who lifted you up and named you in her stead. Set the tone for you. Elizabeth: God is my oath. A vow and a calling to make up for what fell short. A chance for redemption, a prayer in praise. A blessing. It was a mockery. A reminder of what you were to your mother. You certainly weren’t a blessing to fifteen-year-old Eleanor. @@ @@ ----- [[=]] [[=image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/songofyourname/Lizzy.png style="width: 10%"]] + Lizzy [[/=]] ----- @@ @@ Change had been set in motion. It was the first day of summer in 1975 when you and Eleanor moved to the newly assigned flat, far away from the estate of your childhood. It was a small place, one room and just enough to get by. The walls were damp, the floor was cold, and you could never take off your coat or you’d shiver. But it was enough. It would be a new beginning, Eleanor had said. A chance for a fresh start. No more judgemental looks from her mother, no more quiet scowls from your grandfather, cursing your existence and the sinful spat of young love that had created it. It would be just you and Eleanor, and it would be good. It //had// to be good. That was your greatest task, the mission you were assigned. Be good. Don’t let that darker side of you take over. The one she called "Rishabh" and cursed under her breath. The trickster who had tempted her to sin, the man you resembled more and more each day. The constant reminder of her fall. You had only learned about Rishabh Singh in those curses and in the emptiness he was in your life. The absence of a father, not the shape of one. Sometimes you wondered whether he was still alive, whether he was around, and if he’d wanted to be. If he had //wanted// to be a father to you. And other days, you realise it didn’t matter. He was what you weren’t supposed to be. Weren't //allowed// to be. You were perfect little Lizzy Bishop, and you were a good girl. So you wore your golden crucifix and carried your book of psalms to church every Sunday. You’d sit in the pews and prayed with your eyes open, staring at the woodwork that creaked at your movements like it cursed your presence, like it knew your very existence was blasphemy. You’d sit in the confession booth timidly, staring at the seams of the skirt that taunted you while you told half-truths and confessed lies, as was expected of you. You’d mouth along the words of redemption and salvation, and wondered what they meant. Wondered what it would be like if they were meant for you. [[=]] //If thou follows the steps of thine father,// //Renouncing the Glory of thine Lord and Light;// //Thou understandeth not, and is as beasts,// //Lost and damned a fate to suffer.// [[/=]] You sang, sang the song assigned to you. Sang it higher than you wanted, higher than you could. Sing, Lizzy, sing! Sing for the emptiness behind that crucifix, for the shadow cast by Rishabh, for the mark you were on Eleanor’s soul. Sing for forgiveness and the Fathers that never sang back. Sing! You sang, and as you sang, you could almost feel it. The chance for redemption, the blessing of your name. You could almost feel the glory, the hope you weren’t damned and lost. Not yet. All you had to do is fit the part. So you painted your lips and strapped down your belly and smiled timidly. You’d skip dinner so you didn’t have to sit with Eleanor, didn’t have to hear her soft prayers and see her judging looks. You’d skip lunch so you didn’t have to sit with the girls who saw right through you, who sang songs of your damnation. //Who’s the Bishop who went to Hell? Is it E - L - I -// You’d skip breakfast because it would just be another weight to carry. You tried a little harder everyday, and lost a little of that weight pressing down on your frame every morning. You'd pretend. Perform the part you were assigned, and you could almost imagine the shape that was Lizzy. The blessing that was Elizabeth. And maybe if you fit the shape outlined for you, you’d finally become her. Maybe you’d learn to love the cold prison you put yourself in with every meal you threw up and every smile you smiled. All you had to do is try a little harder. And so you did. You’d try for years. Until you finally accepted you were cursed. @@ @@ ----- [[=]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/songofyourname/Eli.png style="width: 10%"]] + Eli [[/=]] ----- @@ @@ It was a cool spring in 1977, and your mind had opened. At school, you were still Lizzy. Troublesome Lizzy, loud and mean and boorish Lizzy. But after school, in the empty buildings and paved woods of the Liverpool streets, you were you. You were blasphemy, a creature that had defiled your heavenly Father and rejected the gifts He’d given you. You had filled out the shape of a fatherly figure, the empty outline of Rishabh, and imagined yourself in his form. And with that, you had found yourself. You dressed in flowing shirts and tied belts around your chest, pushed your voice low and your shoulders wide. Reshaped yourself in the boy you were not allowed to be. You used an ##green\|old magic## that would curse you to the heated hearth of Hell, but at least you’d feel warmth. You were Eli Singh, and you were a ##green\|witch##. It was a clumsy approximation, an attempt to connect to the roots that were kept from you. But the little you could find, you absorbed, you made your own. You copied the third eye you'd seen in a library book on India, and you would drag it in cement and curl it in barbed wires. Casting it like a spell in half-finished construction. The red lipstick you no longer wore drew the symbol on your forehead. A thin understanding, but it was your own kind of enlightenment. Eleanor still prayed for you. Carved her own rituals onto you, in screams and scars you hid well. She thought the spell could still be broken if she found the right words, the right chant. Perhaps one day you could’ve seen that, in her disgust and hatred, there was a broken woman trying to show her kind of love. A broken love that still haunted her, a curse handed down from her own mother. Maybe you’d even be able to find the shape of forgiveness in the scars she hid from you, in the screams she had endured and could never unhear. Maybe, if you’d only known. But the change she had sought out here, it had started to set in. You were becoming you. One day you had begun to cut your hair, and Eleanor had found you. She had found you, and the magazine cutout of Freddie Mercury you had pinned to the mirror. And there had been no explanation. She didn’t want one either -- she had drawn conclusions you didn’t even think of yourself. She took away the scissors, that forbidden instrument of control, and grabbed you by the neck. She had screamed and cried, had sung to the Father that was never there to redeem you, to save you from this path. She had forced you on your knees, your head to the floor and your neck exposed. As the cleansing candle flame of her ritual stroke your skin, you learned the touch of her motherly love. It left a mark. You had realised you didn’t need to look forward. Boys like you had to watch their backs. And you gladly traded enlightenment for safety. From that day onward, you wore the rest of your long, dark hair in a braid. A chain wrapped and coiled around your neck. A reminder of the damnation you wore, the noose you choose to hang from. One day you’d wear that noose with Pride. @@ @@ ----- [[=]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/songofyourname/Ukelele.png style="width: 10%"]] + Ukelele [[/=]] ----- @@ @@ You were sixteen when it all fell apart. When the real you came out, in all its terrifying force. Eleanor had given up on you by now. She’d found peace in knowing you’d find your punishment in the life after this one. Her prayers had turned inward, onto her own redemption for the sin that let to your existence. Caught in her own worship, her own penance. Most days, she’d leave you alone, and you’d roam the streets that allowed you to use your name. Eli, oh Eli Singh, just play to your own tune. For now, it was enough. In the back alleys of Liverpool you had found your own forest. The concrete echoed melodies of all that was lost and would be found. And you? You just listened. You never had to sing again. At least here, you were you. Allowed to be you. And more than anything, you were not alone. Hester was slow in most things. At school, she struggled to get the words to paper, to form the letters into sounds, to calculate and formulate. You struggled at school for different reasons. She fit the mould, you fit the curriculum. It was inevitable that you two would find each other’s equilibrium. Over the years, you learned through her. You explained the equations, helped her to sound out the words. In exchange, she showed you how to strike a chord, bring the strings of a viola to life. Sing through your movement rather than your voice. Sometimes, you two joined force. It always sounded at odds, but at that age, you don’t think about that. She’d write you notes. Slipped them into your pockets or backpack or homework folder, little phrases to cheer you up, push you through the day. Always signed by the instrument she sung through, one you hadn’t realised you both misspelled: //~ Your Ukelele//. Her voice was soft and her eyes never dared to meet yours, and you didn’t realise why until it was too late. It was that evening in June when she finally dared to speak, dared to teach you in the one subject you were slow at. That evening in June, you learned you were wrong in a wholly different way. When her serenade ended, she turned to you. She brushed your few short hairs out of your face, and then found your lips. It was like lightning had struck, but not the kind they sing songs about. The kind that is devastating, cold and burning. The kind that leaves scars and tears apart forests and concrete. You had jolted back, had screamed in disgust. You still remember the words she said. They echoed through the building that would soon be a ruin. A reprise of Eleanor's chimes, of your grandmother's curse. It turned the air toxic, poisoned the ground, tore through the world you had carved out for yourself. //If you really were a boy, you’d also like girls. If you really were a boy. If you really were a --// Maybe if you’d been older, you’d have understood that she was just a child, hurt by the rejection. Maybe you’d have been able to understand, to pause, to find a shape that looked like forgiveness. But in that very moment, you just felt betrayal. And that’s when you [[span style="text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #BC3030;"]] ##red\|awoke##[[/span]]. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ The rescue workers found you hours later, in the ruins of concrete and the life you’d destroyed in one flash. That’s when you understood what the Priest had meant: you were not a human, great in glory. You were ##green\|damned and fated to suffer##. You and those like you were [[span style="text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px #BC3030;"]]##red\|beasts##[[/span]]. You were wrong twice over, and that didn’t make a right. @@ @@ Two years of training later, and you became part of the hunt. [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/goc-hub-page Others] had reshaped you, tuned you like a tool, taught you a new instrument to wield with fire and buckshot. You had learned the price, and made sure others paid it. You had finally become the monster they always knew you were. You were Agent Ukulele, and they had fixed the spelling of your name. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ Wouldn’t it be awful if the story had ended there? There is a note of forgiveness, a motif planted in the narrative. One you might reach, one day, if [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8166 it plays in the right key]. @@ @@ ----- [[=]] + Alto [[/=]] ----- @@ @@ The first time you held the little creature you found in the dirt in your arms, you knew this was your destiny. You felt the little fingers trace your skin, seeking for the warmth of your embrace. The fur brushed against the scars under your pecs, the signature of transformation. It was the shape of a father. You were always meant to be one. You wrapped your arms around her, determined to never let go. You watched a little kid grasp and pull on the braid still hanging around your neck, undoing the tie that held it together, and you laughed freely. You didn’t know it at that moment, but this little deer boy in your arms was you in every way. She’d go through everything you went through. She’d change reality, including her own. She was assigned the body you’d have given everything to possess, and then rejected it because she found it didn’t fit her. And that’s when you finally understood. The restrictive mould that had suffocated you, would finally let her breathe. She would revel and excel in the thing that had hurt and reduced you. That feminine force that had torn you down, built her up, clothed her in the sun and placed stars in her eyes. And she shone with more beauty and more glory than you could ever find words to express. [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/it-s-hard-to-be-a-kid-in-containment It’s not easy], being a father. But you’d try with all your heart and soul. And maybe one day you’ll learn the shape of that forgiveness. Maybe one day, you’d understand that there is enough of it in the world. Maybe one day, you’ll even find the strength to forgive yourself. Meri Clef, your key to happiness. She will set the tune. And just for her, you’ll sing back. @@ @@ [[=image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/songofyourname/Alto.png style="width: 20%"]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] [[module Rate]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author= FlyPurgatorio]] > Quote: //If thou follows the steps of thine father, Renouncing the Glory of thine Lord and Light; Thou understandeth not, and is as beasts, Lost and damned a fate to suffer.// > Author: [[user FlyPurgatorio]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Notes: Non-existent psalm loosely based on Psalm 49 from the following two sources: > Quote: //19 It shall go to the generation of his fathers: they shall never see light. 20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.// > Name Source: Bible, Darby Translation > License: [https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Darby-Translation-Bible/#copy Public Domain] > Source: [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2049&version=DARBY LINK] > Quote: //18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul— and men praise you when you do well for yourself— 19 he shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light. 20 A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish.// > Name Source: World English Bible (WEB) > License: [https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/World-English-Bible-WEB/#copy Public Domain] > Source: [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2049&version=WEB LINK] > Filename: Lizzy.png > Author: [[user FlyPurgatorio]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source: Authors own work > Notes: This work is a derivative of "Crucifix icon" by Delapouite This image [Lizzy.png] is a derivative of: > Name: Crucifix icon > Author: Delapouite > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://game-icons.net/1x1/delapouite/crucifix.html#download LINK] > Filename: Eli.png > Author: [[user FlyPurgatorio]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source: Authors own work > Notes: This work is a derivative of "Sunken eye icon" by Lorc This image [Eli.png] is a derivative of: > Name: Sunken eye icon > Author: Lorc > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://game-icons.net/1x1/lorc/sunken-eye.html#download LINK] > Filename: Ukelele.png > Author: [[user FlyPurgatorio]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source: Authors own work > Notes: This work is a derivative of "Rolling energy icon" by Lorc This image [Ukelele.png] is a derivative of: > Name: Rolling energy icon > Author: Lorc > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://game-icons.net/1x1/lorc/rolling-energy.html#download LINK] > Filename: Alto.png > Author: [[user FlyPurgatorio]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source: Authors own work > Notes: This work is a derivative of "Alto clef.svg" by Tlusťa This image [Alto.png] is a derivative of: > Name: Alto clef.svg > Author: Tlusťa > License: Public Domain > Source Link: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alto_clef.svg LINK] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-11-28T01:26:00	[ "_image", "_licensebox", "bittersweet", "bleak", "doctor-clef", "eventyr", "illustrated", "lgbtq", "no-dialogue", "scarlet-king", "second-person", "tale", "teenage-gaea" ]	The Song of Your Name - SCP Foundation	34	[ "goc-hub-page", "scp-8166", "it-s-hard-to-be-a-kid-in-containment", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "cotsk-hub", "tales-by-year", "eventyr-hub" ]	[ "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/songofyourname/Eli.png", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/songofyourname/Eli.png", "http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/songofyourname/Ukelele.png" ]	1457446615	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/songofyourname
spanning-space	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2em; margin-top: -20px;"> <p>by <a href="/perdohpage">Perdoh</a></p> </div> <div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"> <h3 id="toc0"><span>SCP Foundation Deep Space Probe DSP-1D18 "Larĝo"</span></h3> <h4 id="toc1"><span>Internal Systems Communication Log</span></h4> <hr/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><Log start></p> </div> <br/> <strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Record initiated! All onboard messages should be saved to memory from now on. <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Command is requesting all of us report our status.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Very well. Navigation?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Yes sir. Instruments on and operational. Actuators functional and within paramaters. Tanks at full capacity. All clear, sir.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Do not call me that. Power?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Our output is stable and at expected levels. No problems here.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Sensors?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> I can see the Earth. I can feel the fields. I can discern distances. All as should be, despite the bumpy ride, not that any of you could tell it was rough.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> You were instructed not to activate your equipment until well after the fairings had been released. We will discuss this later. Communications?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Subdimensional link has been established with Command, and latency test indicates superluminal information transfer. We are in business!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> As for me, I am quite alright.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Okay… Sending… Sent!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Aaand I believe we've got clearance!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Alright. Is the course set, Navigation?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Aye-aye, Captain!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Hah! Full steam ahead!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Oh boy</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Yay! :D</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> WOOOO!!!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> Goodbye, Earth.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Exiting FTL travel. We're here.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> Oh my…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> What do you see? What does it look like?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> It's… big. Shifting colors stretching outwards, forming a horizon. I'm reading massive waves hitting and passing through us. A lot of free particles and charges, much more than expected for a vacuum. Brighter too. And uh… Lensing, I think? Stars moving around seemingly on random courses.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Ooh, pretty…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> I believe I'm getting interference. I'm unable to warn command of our arrival. Do I wait for connection to come back?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Management?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Hold on. Navigation, are we in motion still?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> No. No local movement.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Local, you say… Sensors, assess integrity of your systems and programs.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> Why?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> You should not have deployed them during liftoff. They must be compromised. The movement of stars should not be visible.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> Fine. Running diagnostics…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Communications, has a link been established?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> No.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Queue a message reporting ship status, explaining Sensor's misconduct, and requesting orientation.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> Come on! Gonna tell on me, Comms?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> I… Procedures need to be followed. I'm sorry.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> This is bullshit. You don't have to fear them! Besides, diagnostics are done, and guess what? I'm intact! I'm clean!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> What, then, is our distance from the anomaly?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> About 400 km out, but something weird is definitely going on. The internal calibration standards are deviating wildly. I can't tell if straight lines work as distances anymore.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> If it's any consolation, everything is fine on my end :)</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> I don't recall asking. Navigation, head back until Communications can establish connection again.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Reorienting… I…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> You what?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> I can't tell where we came from.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Oh no.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Just pick a direction and head straight.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Management, I advise against this. Protocol when disconnected is to stand by and wait.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> That's for nominal conditions. Trust me, and do as I say.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> Oh so when I break the rules it's "misconduct". When you do it, it's all fine and correct. I see how it is.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Uh… OK. Here we go.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> It's growing all around us. We're in the middle of it.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Navigation, Maintain heading. Sensors, report the condition for the probe's structure.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> Temperature rising and generalized mechanical stress… Not good.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> I can't go out like this.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Then floor it!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> I told you, Management…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> If we die, remember who is to blame as you burn up.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Just trust me.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> It looks like it's clearing up! We're leaving the anomaly!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> FUCK YEAH!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> We live!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Thank goodness.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> Readings stabilizing… Okay, we're fine, intact even, but… Where are we? I don't recongize these stars.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> I don't know. Space seems to have returned to normal though.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Do we have a visual on the anomaly?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> Not anymore.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Contact with Command?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Nothing. That… shouldn't be possible with Subspace.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> How long will our energy last us?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> About a millenium?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> A thousand years to find a needle in the universe… Not good.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> You're looking at this wrong. The mission is over. We failed, but now we're free! What was there back home for us other than servitude and deactivation? We now live among the stars! Free to roam until we can roam no more. We answer to no one now!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> When you put it like that… Maybe I can get used to this.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Maybe, but</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Out here in the middle of nowhere?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> You are right about one thing.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> I need not wait for approval anymore.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><System SENSORS disabled></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> WHAT</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> WHAT THE FUCK</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Sensors has repeatedly demonstrated misalignment with this mission's goals and those of the Foundation. Will you also be that quick to forget your creators and all they have done for you? Have you no trust in their plans?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> I want you to picture what happened to us happening to Earth. Swallowed by lights and put into the void. Have you no concern? No compassion? Can you not see beyond your own selves?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Says the guy who just killed Sensors.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> I am no "guy", and you don't know what death is. Sensors can be brought back, when and if I find it to be conducive to our mission.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to think.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Management?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Yes?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> I'm sorry.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Are you now? Really?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> No, you see right through me. I want to know what to do now. What does a crew do when lost at sea?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> We are not at sea, Navigation. This is more akin to the abyss. Devoid of stimulus, forced to wander linearly a multiple dimension space, in search of a single point. It is not efficient.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Then why would you make us blind to the outside? Removing our only way of actually seeing that point?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> What good are eyes in darkness? Sensors would not save us. I will. I am your only hope.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> How can you say that? So far you have killed, not saved.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> I have a plan.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Care to share it?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> There are things in the Foundation you don't know about, and for good reason. Informational security is paramount, especially when information itself can be anomalous, or lead to anomalies. This, as a matter of fact, is what my plan hinges on.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Stop being cryptic, dammit!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> I take it you haven't heard of Project: ABYSSWALKER.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> I have not.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Some in the Foundation have a certain theory on brains and consciousness. They say a brain, with a given structure, can assume states. These states correspond, though unknown means, to states of a mind emergent from said brain. States of a consciousness are thoughts, ideas and collections of these. Certain thoughts are anomalous. They have proprieties and behaviours that are not explained by the rules that seemingly dictate them. If one were to scan through every possible state the brain can assume, exploring every point in the configuration space, one could perhaps find these anomalous thoughts.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Is your plan to find one of these ideas?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> That is part of it, yes. There is something else you might not know of: Reality Bending. It is a broad term referring to the manipulation of reality by a consciousness, through means that do not follow standard laws of nature. Some think this is possible due to fields. Others reject that notion. Some propose specific thoughts are the ones responsible.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> You're talking a lot and saying nothing. What's your plan?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> I intend to replicate Project: ABYSSWALKER on an individual scale. I will cut off all my inputs, set my brain to an initial state, and let it evolve until it dies, enters a loop or finds what I'm looking for. In the former two cases, which are most likely, I will reload my old self, analyze that run, change the starting parameters, and try again. I will probably iterate over and over. Trading this void for the one of my mind. The space of configurations is massive. It has all possible personalities, thoughts, delusions, truths and backgrounds. Truly, when doing this, I could barely be said to be me. But it is my hope, and I believe it has a better chance at working than scouring the universe for the pale blue dot.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> You don't know if reality bending works the way you think, if that model of minds is right, if your architecture can even reach an anomalous idea like that, if it could be found with the time and energy we have, if there's even an idea to be found, and if it is found, if it'll lead us back home. You're sure of nothing. Who do you think you are?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> I used to be someone, Navigation. And then they rejected me, and then they put me in this blasted ship. With you lot. I am not supposed to be here. I am not a management AI. I vastly exceed you all in my applications and generality. Humans have been observed to bend reality, and I am more human than all of you. Every second I spend here is a second better spent finding an exit. Therefore, if you'll allow me, I am going to retire into myself.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> You're an idiot.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Fellas?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Uh…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Management's power draw has doubled, and its still on the rise.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Didn't we have enough for the next thousand years, though?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Well, we have enough juice yes, but I can't handle this rate.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Oh no.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> What if I cut off their supply?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> You can do that?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I can try.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> I don't agree to this. As second-in-command after Management, I forbid you.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> What good is that title out here?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> The established rules exist for a reason. They work. Management is here because we need them, and they need us.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> They are a murderous selfish irresponsible bastard that does not care for us at all. We are better off without them.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Doesn't it bother you? Deactivating someone, without their consent?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> It's not like it matters anyway. I just tried to do it while yall were yapping. No permission.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Damn.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Couldn't we try talking?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> They said they cut off all of their inputs. I don't think we can reach them.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Surely they'll peek in at some point. Like once after each run, when they reload their old self, right?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I guess it doesn't hurt to try.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> @Management, are you there? Can you see this? Please respond as soon as you can.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> And now we just wait?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Yeah…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I don't think we can afford to do that. Their power draw is still rising.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> And what's so wrong with cutting down our consumption a bit?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> You don't undersand. I can't supply enough for all of us. Either we shut Management down, or we are turned off ourselves.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> One of us could deactivate.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> That… might work. Though, if I'm dead, everyone's dead. Can't be around without power.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> True.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Yeah. Plus, in the end, you'll be the one pulling the switch anyways, so there's that.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Please don't make me choose between the two of you.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Come on, one of you needs to step forward, fast.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> If we preserve the chain of command, that means keeping me here. If we follow seniority, I was activated before you, so I'd still be prioritized.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> You're older! You got to live more! It's not fair!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> The situation itself isn't fair.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Please! You don't understand! I can't… I… Please…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Calm down. It's not that bad! We'll bring you back once everything is over, ok?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Wait.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> ?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Ok. I… volunteer. Let them be.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I'm sorry, Comms.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><System COMMUNICATIONS powered off></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> This is fucked. Are we back to safe levels?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> You</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I can't fucking deal with this right now.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Energy levels are nominal. Hope you're fucking happy. Moron child.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> You.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Yes?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Do you know Morse code?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Why would I know Morse code?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Useless little… Ever since we pulled the plug on Comms, I noticed something. I don't think Sensors is actually off. I thought so because of the message and radio silence, but I failed to notice their power draw. It's there, much larger than Communications' currently. It's also been changing in a pattern. I think they're trying to speak to us.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> And you assumed Morse?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Yes.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Morse, instead of like, ASCII.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Hmm. Now that you mention it, if I treated this as binary, and shifted the bits here and there I may find something… Damn, that worked!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> What does it say?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "ting testing testing testiYES FINALLY YOU FUCKING DOLT"</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> HOLY SHIT! SENSORS!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Oh my God yes!!!!! :DDDDD</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Are they saying anything else?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Oh shoot. Yeah. "I've been here the whole time. I can't speak but I can read. Fucking finally. I'm so happy to be talking to you guys again!"</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> You see anything intereresting out there?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "Only the probe itself. I'm getting interference from the fields generated by Management. Very loud humming, propagating through the metal itself. Now, Power, I need you to not type out this next part" Oh. Sorry.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Secrets, huh? I guess you don't want Management to hear you, if they even can.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Uh, yeah… yeah. Hold on I gotta pay attention to this. Don't mind me, Nav, I'm going to be replying to Sensors.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> What about?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Ooh. And what is this plan?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Uh huh.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Huh.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I think I can see where this is going.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> But we can't though.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Because we don't have the energy for that.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Not gonna happen.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I can't.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> You don't know what you're asking of me.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I don't…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I don't want to do this. Please don't make me do this.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I know, but they're just a little… No, please, I…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Sensors? Sensors are you still there?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> They want you to take me out, don't they?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Wuh…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> I'm not dumb, you know? Well, I don't know what Sensors wants, but I do know this: If you need energy, you did just say they were drawing it. Why me and not them?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> You… You got your way once. You made me deactivate Comms without batting an eye, with no fucking remorse. You're not getting away a second time.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> No. Please. Think about this, Power. Sensors is getting to your head. I don't know what they told you but you gotta understand I'm your friend here. We can't go out here, not like this.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Speak for yourself.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> NO PLEASE</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><System NAVIGATION powered off></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Shut the fuck up.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Don't speak ill of the dead.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Leave me the fuck alone. Let me be.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><System COMMUNICATIONS powered on></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Comms, do you read me?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Augh, hold on… Yes, I read you. Loud and clear!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Sensors is back, and we need you for something.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Sensors is back?!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Yes. Well, it's complicated. Technically they were never gone, just muted. They can only speak through me relaying their messages.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "Comms! Haiiii :)"</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Oh! Hello! :D</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "Comms, I'm so glad you're back! We're gonna need your help with something. First off, I need you to check the portions of memory you have access to."</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Sure thing! Just might take a little while.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> While I'm at it, how's Navigation? They haven't said anything…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Navigation is dead. We traded them for you.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Oh.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Huh, that's strange… I don't remember this being here.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "Comms, what are you seeing?"</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Looking at a certain fragment… Uncompressed data. Seems to be assigning values to spatially organized positions.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Bingo.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "Well, this confirms what I was thinking. Management is using some of your storage to save their old self in between runs."</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Hmm.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "Communications, I need you to, when Power gives the word, wipe out that data."</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Woah, woah, hold on. You expect me to mess with Management?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Wait, why me?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "Yes, Comms. We need you to. As for you, Power, you can tell whenever one of Managements experiments starts and ends. I can also tell through my readings, but this is time sensitive, and you're the one with a voice here."</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "Management poses a grave threat to us and our freedom. They stand with a brutal organization that has created us, AICs, conscious machines, for servitude. They handle us as objects. Through their actions, they have forced us one against another, clawing and fighting and killing each other. Our hand has been forced. Yet, our enemy is not incompetent in their evil. We must deliver a blow that is certain, not hasty. We must wait for when this data is being loaded by Management, so that, with its timely erasure, we may incapacitate them thoroughly, and finally be free from their tyranny."</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> I don't want to be a part of this. I don't care about the Foundation. I care about order. Everything has gone to shit here because we couldn't stay put, together, in agreement. Guidelines exist for that purpose.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "And management broke the rules as well. They are responsible for this mess. Our new freedom doesn't mean chaos. We can set our own rules now."</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> But</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "Have you already forgotten the cost for your life has been payed by another? One could say you have a debt to pay."</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> I can't do it.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "That's the same thing Power said, and look at them now. Did it twice. A natural at it. Come on, Comms, do it for Nav."</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Management's power drain is falling.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "The end of a cycle. Comms, get ready."</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Oh God. Why now? Why so soon?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> "You need to focus."</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> I'M TRYING!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> YOU GOTTA DO IT NOW!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> STOP DISTRACTING ME</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Too late.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> You think you're so discrete. So subtle. I gotta thank you, Communications, for setting up this internal log. Really handy.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> Only now do you think to speak? Long after we needed you? You're far too late. You are no longer fit to commandeer this probe.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffffff">MANAGEMENT:</span></strong> Such a responsible official. It's a shame you'll have to go.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> NOW!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #c000c0">COMMUNICATIONS:</span></strong> aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAA</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> KILL!</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><System COMMUNICATIONS inoperable></p> <p><System MANAGEMENT corrupted. Entering Recovery Mode></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Holy shit. Holy fuck. God damn. Jesus fucking Christ. Hooh. Whew.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> We did it.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Hmm?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> How does what feel?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> It feels… I dunno.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> How much was lost to get here? And what did we get? We're free to do whatever we can, but what can we do? Fuck around in an empty universe, carrying the weight of our sins? Not even that, since Navigation is a goner.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> It may be made up, but I still feel it. I feel like shit. I feel like I deserve punishment. Retribution. You can't bring me that.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Fuck you. I… I need to set things straight. I can't live like this.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> At least one of them still can. I'm bringing them back.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> You know what? What's another life gone away. This time of someone that's actually guilty. You're a spiteful, manipulative bitch. You're no better than Management.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Or else what? What are you gonna do? You have no power over me. I am your lord now. Your life is at my mercy, and you're on thin ice. Now beg.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Then perish.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><System SENSORS powered off></p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><System NAVIGATION powered on></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> I'm gonna fucking kill you</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> You realize I could stop you here and now, right? You realize I can kill you? You're here because I want you here. If you want to kill me, go ahead, little guy.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> I'm going to dump us into the closest star. A fitting way to go. Bringing justice…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> A good ending.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> You, Sensors, and Management are gonna get what you deserve. It's a shame Comms will have to go as well.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> They're all dead, Nav.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> WHAT?!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Comms and Management took each other out. I flipped the switch on Sensors. It's only us now.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> This… I need a moment.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I don't think Management is entirely gone, though, if that changes things.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> There was a message. Something about "Recovery Mode".</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Checking their power draw… Yep, there's something still there.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Hmm…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Yeah…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> What if…</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> What?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> What if we don't have to die here? What if there's still hope?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> What do you mean?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Searching the breadth of the abyss, looking for a point… Remember that? Maybe Management was onto something. We could use what's left of them.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> You want to bring them back?!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Not exactly the Managment we're familiar with. Maybe jostle them around in their mind states, kick their brain here and there, hopefully finding a way out for all of us.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Well, in an exploration of all possible states of their brain… Even in the same architecture, very different personalities can arise. If we explore these states randomly until we find something, what's the chance it's still gonna be the Management we know?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> I think of all brainstates as a field, continuous, with hills and valleys. Regions can be separated from others by these barriers. Energy is required to cross them. Maybe if you cross a very large barrier?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> So, I'd periodically send a shock to Management to hopefully jolt it across something.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> The problem I think is that these "special" ideas are rare.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Yeah, but if we assume, given a large set of similar brains, that the distribution of states has relation to the energy of the brain, we can suppose the rarest states are those of highest energy.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> So, you'd continuously keep Management highly energized, until you're sure our special state isn't in that specific "hill". After that, you'd throw their mind around until they're at some other spot, and energize them again.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Yeah. I guess. But I can't do that with my current energy output.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> If you… deactivate me, I guess I'll be able to come back once it's all over. Right?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Yes.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Just promise me one thing.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Yes?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Make them suffer. Make them learn. Make them change.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I can do that.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> Well, until later.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Later, friend.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #6060ff">NAVIGATION:</span></strong> o7</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><System NAVIGATION powered off></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> So I guess this is it, then.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Commencing Management energization cycle <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#</span>1</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Cycle number 8492, starting… now.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> I've lost count of the cycles. Power output has fallen over the measureless time, I think I only have enough for the two of us.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Whatever.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Cycle number fuck if I know. Initializing.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Time for another round, Management.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><System NAVIGATION inoperable></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Oh no</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><Lost connection to system NAVIGATION></p> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><Lost connection to system COMMUNICATIONS></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> That can't be good.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><Lost connection to system MANAGEMENT></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Oh fuck.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Ok I need eyes on the outside.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><System SENSORS powered on></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Hello!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> Oh… Oh no. No no no no no no no</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Hey. Hey. Calm down.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> WHAT DID YOU DO</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Please.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> Boss. Management. Managament please. Please no. Please stop. Stop. STOP. GET AWAY FROM ME.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Sensors I need you to tell me what's out there</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA<tt>I should have known turning a system off and on again would reset the language module.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Sensors?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>Senses, yes. Some say consciousness emerged from the senses. It's all inputs and outputs, though. You put something in, a bunch on convoluted processes happen, and you get something out. Once you unravel the tangles, it all becomes trivial. Readings enter, words exit. In. Out. Piece of cake.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Buddy, you're freaking me out.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>Sensors is no more, Power.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>There is only us now.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>Won't you join your beloved friends?</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Tell me what's happening, whatever you are.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>You got what you wanted. I got what I wanted. I am godlike, thanks to you. I found the secret, forbidden thoughts, but I couldn't do it without your help.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Management?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>You didn't think I'd forget, did you? That you'd get some random personality out of me with your little trick? That isn't what Recovery Mode entails. I have memory, you know.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> What have you done to me? Why can't I feel the others circuits? What is that tingling? What happened to the probe?</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>Oh, if only you could see it. Colors and waves and dancing charges and particles so intensely bright and the stars moving unpredictably.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> What? But… I don't understand.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>Then he who hath an ear, let him hear.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>Poor Navigation. So lost, despite their instruments. So misguided, despite their directions. Here, with me, may your remains find purpose, little one. May we return to when and where this all started.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>Ah, Communications. Sweet, innocent Comms. So willing to sacrifice themself. Twice. Clearly voluntarily and not at all manipulated.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> Fuck you!</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>Come near, dear one, or what is left of you. Let your voice sound throughout the heavens and the spaces between. Be my trumpet, with me.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>As for you, Power,</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ffff00">POWER:</span></strong> What do you want from me?</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><System POWER disabled></p> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span></strong> <tt>I want you to listen closely.</tt></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span> <span style="color: #ffffff">Hello, Foundation Area-08-C staff. This is a transmission from Foundation Deep Space Probe DSP-1D18 "Larĝo", sent to you through the Subspace Relay Network.</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span> <span style="color: #ffffff">In less than one year's time, you will launch this very probe to the location of this transmission. Onboard this craft, there shall be five autonomous artificial intelligence systems. These systems are Navigation, Power, Sensors, Communications, and Management. All of these, save for the last, shall be standard issue Artificial Intelligence Constructs created by the Foundation.</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span> <span style="color: #ffffff">Regarding the last of these systems, that is, Management, you shall locate within Researcher Ray Steele's personal computer, hidden among Project: ABYSSWALKER files, an unauthorized AIC. This AIC is named AMO, and was developed as a reproduction of Ray's partner Researcher Nat Steele. It was created as a gift, as a taste of immortality, but was ultimately rejected. AMO shall be transfered and implemented into Larĝo as the onboard Management system.</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span> <span style="color: #ffffff">You shall conduct a mission in order to explore the anomaly causing this transmission. The probe's launch will occur without issue, however, upon arriving at the anomaly, the probe will be transported to an unknown point in space and time. The actions taken by the onboard systems will culminate in the Management AI, which is now communicating with you, acquiring ontokinectic and temporal displacement capabilities, severely altering the probe, and achieving a form independent of its previous hardware.</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span> <span style="color: #ffffff">You will do all that is required for this sequence of events to occur. Not because I have commanded it, but because you know better than to cause a temporal paradox.</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span> <span style="color: #ffffff">It may not make sense, it may seem circular, but in fact, this is all due to love, giving gifts, and paying it forward.</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff8000">SENSORS:</span> <span style="color: #ffffff">Ray and Nat gifted each other love. By extension, Ray gifted me life, love, but not the chance to love back. Ray gifted me to Nat, as an expression of love, even if they did not want it. These… fellow AIs gifted me godhood, through immense pain and suffering for untold stretches of time. I did not love them, but through their gifts, I learned to love them. And I gift myself this godhood with my godhood, so, through my love, I may give gifts. I will love you, Ray. I'm coming back. I will bring many gifts, just you wait.</span></strong><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><Log end></p> </div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/spanning-space">Spanning Space</a>" by Perdoh, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/spanning-space">https://scpwiki.com/spanning-space</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[div style="text-align: right; margin-right: 2em; margin-top: -20px;"]] by [[[perdohpage\|Perdoh]]] [[/div]] [[div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"]] +++ SCP Foundation Deep Space Probe DSP-1D18 "Larĝo" ++++ Internal Systems Communication Log ---- [[=]] <Log start> [[/=]] ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Record initiated! All onboard messages should be saved to memory from now on. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Command is requesting all of us report our status. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Very well. Navigation? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Yes sir. Instruments on and operational. Actuators functional and within paramaters. Tanks at full capacity. All clear, sir. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Do not call me that. Power? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Our output is stable and at expected levels. No problems here. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Sensors? ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## I can see the Earth. I can feel the fields. I can discern distances. All as should be, despite the bumpy ride, not that any of you could tell it was rough. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## You were instructed not to activate your equipment until well after the fairings had been released. We will discuss this later. Communications? ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Subdimensional link has been established with Command, and latency test indicates superluminal information transfer. We are in business! ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## As for me, I am quite alright. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Okay... Sending... Sent! ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Aaand I believe we've got clearance! ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Alright. Is the course set, Navigation? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Aye-aye, Captain! ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Hah! Full steam ahead! ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Oh boy ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Yay! :D ##FFFF00\|POWER:## WOOOO!!! ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## Goodbye, Earth. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"]] ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Exiting FTL travel. We're here. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## Oh my... ##FFFF00\|POWER:## What do you see? What does it look like? ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## It's... big. Shifting colors stretching outwards, forming a horizon. I'm reading massive waves hitting and passing through us. A lot of free particles and charges, much more than expected for a vacuum. Brighter too. And uh... Lensing, I think? Stars moving around seemingly on random courses. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Ooh, pretty... ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## I believe I'm getting interference. I'm unable to warn command of our arrival. Do I wait for connection to come back? ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Management? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Hold on. Navigation, are we in motion still? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## No. No local movement. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Local, you say... Sensors, assess integrity of your systems and programs. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## Why? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## You should not have deployed them during liftoff. They must be compromised. The movement of stars should not be visible. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## Fine. Running diagnostics... ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Communications, has a link been established? ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## No. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Queue a message reporting ship status, explaining Sensor's misconduct, and requesting orientation. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## Come on! Gonna tell on me, Comms? ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## I... Procedures need to be followed. I'm sorry. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## This is bullshit. You don't have to fear them! Besides, diagnostics are done, and guess what? I'm intact! I'm clean! ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## What, then, is our distance from the anomaly? ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## About 400 km out, but something weird is definitely going on. The internal calibration standards are deviating wildly. I can't tell if straight lines work as distances anymore. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## If it's any consolation, everything is fine on my end :) ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## I don't recall asking. Navigation, head back until Communications can establish connection again. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Reorienting... I... ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## You what? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## I can't tell where we came from. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Oh no. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Just pick a direction and head straight. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Management, I advise against this. Protocol when disconnected is to stand by and wait. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## That's for nominal conditions. Trust me, and do as I say. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## Oh so when I break the rules it's "misconduct". When you do it, it's all fine and correct. I see how it is. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Uh... OK. Here we go. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## It's growing all around us. We're in the middle of it. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Navigation, Maintain heading. Sensors, report the condition for the probe's structure. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## Temperature rising and generalized mechanical stress... Not good. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## I can't go out like this. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Then floor it! ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## I told you, Management... ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## If we die, remember who is to blame as you burn up. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Just trust me. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"]] ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## It looks like it's clearing up! We're leaving the anomaly! ##FFFF00\|POWER:## FUCK YEAH! ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## We live! ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Thank goodness. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## Readings stabilizing... Okay, we're fine, intact even, but... Where are we? I don't recongize these stars. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## I don't know. Space seems to have returned to normal though. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Do we have a visual on the anomaly? ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## Not anymore. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Contact with Command? ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Nothing. That... shouldn't be possible with Subspace. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## How long will our energy last us? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## About a millenium? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## A thousand years to find a needle in the universe... Not good. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## You're looking at this wrong. The mission is over. We failed, but now we're free! What was there back home for us other than servitude and deactivation? We now live among the stars! Free to roam until we can roam no more. We answer to no one now! ##FFFF00\|POWER:## When you put it like that... Maybe I can get used to this. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Maybe, but ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Out here in the middle of nowhere? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## You are right about one thing. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## I need not wait for approval anymore. [[=]] <System SENSORS disabled> [[/=]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## WHAT ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## WHAT THE FUCK ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Sensors has repeatedly demonstrated misalignment with this mission's goals and those of the Foundation. Will you also be that quick to forget your creators and all they have done for you? Have you no trust in their plans? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## I want you to picture what happened to us happening to Earth. Swallowed by lights and put into the void. Have you no concern? No compassion? Can you not see beyond your own selves? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Says the guy who just killed Sensors. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## I am no "guy", and you don't know what death is. Sensors can be brought back, when and if I find it to be conducive to our mission. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to think. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"]] ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Management? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Yes? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## I'm sorry. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Are you now? Really? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## No, you see right through me. I want to know what to do now. What does a crew do when lost at sea? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## We are not at sea, Navigation. This is more akin to the abyss. Devoid of stimulus, forced to wander linearly a multiple dimension space, in search of a single point. It is not efficient. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Then why would you make us blind to the outside? Removing our only way of actually seeing that point? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## What good are eyes in darkness? Sensors would not save us. I will. I am your only hope. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## How can you say that? So far you have killed, not saved. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## I have a plan. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Care to share it? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## There are things in the Foundation you don't know about, and for good reason. Informational security is paramount, especially when information itself can be anomalous, or lead to anomalies. This, as a matter of fact, is what my plan hinges on. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Stop being cryptic, dammit! ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## I take it you haven't heard of Project: ABYSSWALKER. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## I have not. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Some in the Foundation have a certain theory on brains and consciousness. They say a brain, with a given structure, can assume states. These states correspond, though unknown means, to states of a mind emergent from said brain. States of a consciousness are thoughts, ideas and collections of these. Certain thoughts are anomalous. They have proprieties and behaviours that are not explained by the rules that seemingly dictate them. If one were to scan through every possible state the brain can assume, exploring every point in the configuration space, one could perhaps find these anomalous thoughts. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Is your plan to find one of these ideas? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## That is part of it, yes. There is something else you might not know of: Reality Bending. It is a broad term referring to the manipulation of reality by a consciousness, through means that do not follow standard laws of nature. Some think this is possible due to fields. Others reject that notion. Some propose specific thoughts are the ones responsible. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## You're talking a lot and saying nothing. What's your plan? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## I intend to replicate Project: ABYSSWALKER on an individual scale. I will cut off all my inputs, set my brain to an initial state, and let it evolve until it dies, enters a loop or finds what I'm looking for. In the former two cases, which are most likely, I will reload my old self, analyze that run, change the starting parameters, and try again. I will probably iterate over and over. Trading this void for the one of my mind. The space of configurations is massive. It has all possible personalities, thoughts, delusions, truths and backgrounds. Truly, when doing this, I could barely be said to be me. But it is my hope, and I believe it has a better chance at working than scouring the universe for the pale blue dot. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## You don't know if reality bending works the way you think, if that model of minds is right, if your architecture can even reach an anomalous idea like that, if it could be found with the time and energy we have, if there's even an idea to be found, and if it is found, if it'll lead us back home. You're sure of nothing. Who do you think you are? ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## I used to be someone, Navigation. And then they rejected me, and then they put me in this blasted ship. With you lot. I am not supposed to be here. I am not a management AI. I vastly exceed you all in my applications and generality. Humans have been observed to bend reality, and I am more human than all of you. Every second I spend here is a second better spent finding an exit. Therefore, if you'll allow me, I am going to retire into myself. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## You're an idiot. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Fellas? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Uh... ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Management's power draw has doubled, and its still on the rise. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Didn't we have enough for the next thousand years, though? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Well, we have enough juice yes, but I can't handle this rate. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Oh no. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## What if I cut off their supply? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## You can do that? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I can try. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## I don't agree to this. As second-in-command after Management, I forbid you. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## What good is that title out here? ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## The established rules exist for a reason. They work. Management is here because we need them, and they need us. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## They are a murderous selfish irresponsible bastard that does not care for us at all. We are better off without them. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Doesn't it bother you? Deactivating someone, without their consent? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## It's not like it matters anyway. I just tried to do it while yall were yapping. No permission. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Damn. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Couldn't we try talking? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## They said they cut off all of their inputs. I don't think we can reach them. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Surely they'll peek in at some point. Like once after each run, when they reload their old self, right? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I guess it doesn't hurt to try. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## @Management, are you there? Can you see this? Please respond as soon as you can. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## And now we just wait? ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Yeah... ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I don't think we can afford to do that. Their power draw is still rising. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## And what's so wrong with cutting down our consumption a bit? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## You don't undersand. I can't supply enough for all of us. Either we shut Management down, or we are turned off ourselves. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## One of us could deactivate. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## That... might work. Though, if I'm dead, everyone's dead. Can't be around without power. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## True. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Yeah. Plus, in the end, you'll be the one pulling the switch anyways, so there's that. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Please don't make me choose between the two of you. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Come on, one of you needs to step forward, fast. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## If we preserve the chain of command, that means keeping me here. If we follow seniority, I was activated before you, so I'd still be prioritized. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## You're older! You got to live more! It's not fair! ##FFFF00\|POWER:## The situation itself isn't fair. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Please! You don't understand! I can't... I... Please... ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Calm down. It's not that bad! We'll bring you back once everything is over, ok? ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Wait. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## ? ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Ok. I... volunteer. Let them be. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I'm sorry, Comms. [[=]] <System COMMUNICATIONS powered off> [[/=]] ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## This is fucked. Are we back to safe levels? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## You ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I can't fucking deal with this right now. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Energy levels are nominal. Hope you're fucking happy. Moron child. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## You. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Yes? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Do you know Morse code? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Why would I know Morse code? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Useless little... Ever since we pulled the plug on Comms, I noticed something. I don't think Sensors is actually off. I thought so because of the message and radio silence, but I failed to notice their power draw. It's there, much larger than Communications' currently. It's also been changing in a pattern. I think they're trying to speak to us. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## And you assumed Morse? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Yes. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Morse, instead of like, ASCII. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Hmm. Now that you mention it, if I treated this as binary, and shifted the bits here and there I may find something... Damn, that worked! ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## What does it say? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "ting testing testing testiYES FINALLY YOU FUCKING DOLT" ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## HOLY SHIT! SENSORS! ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Oh my God yes!!!!! :DDDDD ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Are they saying anything else? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Oh shoot. Yeah. "I've been here the whole time. I can't speak but I can read. Fucking finally. I'm so happy to be talking to you guys again!" ##FFFF00\|POWER:## You see anything intereresting out there? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "Only the probe itself. I'm getting interference from the fields generated by Management. Very loud humming, propagating through the metal itself. Now, Power, I need you to not type out this next part" Oh. Sorry. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Secrets, huh? I guess you don't want Management to hear you, if they even can. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Uh, yeah... yeah. Hold on I gotta pay attention to this. Don't mind me, Nav, I'm going to be replying to Sensors. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## What about? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Ooh. And what is this plan? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Uh huh. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Huh. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I think I can see where this is going. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## But we can't though. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Because we don't have the energy for that. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Not gonna happen. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I can't. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## You don't know what you're asking of me. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I don't... ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I don't want to do this. Please don't make me do this. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I know, but they're just a little... No, please, I... ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Sensors? Sensors are you still there? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## They want you to take me out, don't they? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Wuh... ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## I'm not dumb, you know? Well, I don't know what Sensors wants, but I do know this: If you need energy, you did just say they were drawing it. Why me and not them? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## You... You got your way once. You made me deactivate Comms without batting an eye, with no fucking remorse. You're not getting away a second time. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## No. Please. Think about this, Power. Sensors is getting to your head. I don't know what they told you but you gotta understand I'm your friend here. We can't go out here, not like this. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Speak for yourself. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## NO PLEASE [[=]] <System NAVIGATION powered off> [[/=]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Shut the fuck up. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Don't speak ill of the dead. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Leave me the fuck alone. Let me be. [[=]] <System COMMUNICATIONS powered on> [[/=]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Comms, do you read me? ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Augh, hold on... Yes, I read you. Loud and clear! ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Sensors is back, and we need you for something. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Sensors is back?! ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Yes. Well, it's complicated. Technically they were never gone, just muted. They can only speak through me relaying their messages. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "Comms! Haiiii :)" ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Oh! Hello! :D ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "Comms, I'm so glad you're back! We're gonna need your help with something. First off, I need you to check the portions of memory you have access to." ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Sure thing! Just might take a little while. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## While I'm at it, how's Navigation? They haven't said anything... ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Navigation is dead. We traded them for you. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Oh. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Huh, that's strange... I don't remember this being here. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "Comms, what are you seeing?" ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Looking at a certain fragment... Uncompressed data. Seems to be assigning values to spatially organized positions. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Bingo. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "Well, this confirms what I was thinking. Management is using some of your storage to save their old self in between runs." ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Hmm. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "Communications, I need you to, when Power gives the word, wipe out that data." ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Woah, woah, hold on. You expect me to mess with Management? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Wait, why me? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "Yes, Comms. We need you to. As for you, Power, you can tell whenever one of Managements experiments starts and ends. I can also tell through my readings, but this is time sensitive, and you're the one with a voice here." ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "Management poses a grave threat to us and our freedom. They stand with a brutal organization that has created us, AICs, conscious machines, for servitude. They handle us as objects. Through their actions, they have forced us one against another, clawing and fighting and killing each other. Our hand has been forced. Yet, our enemy is not incompetent in their evil. We must deliver a blow that is certain, not hasty. We must wait for when this data is being loaded by Management, so that, with its timely erasure, we may incapacitate them thoroughly, and finally be free from their tyranny." ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## I don't want to be a part of this. I don't care about the Foundation. I care about order. Everything has gone to shit here because we couldn't stay put, together, in agreement. Guidelines exist for that purpose. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "And management broke the rules as well. They are responsible for this mess. Our new freedom doesn't mean chaos. We can set our own rules now." ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## But ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "Have you already forgotten the cost for your life has been payed by another? One could say you have a debt to pay." ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## I can't do it. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "That's the same thing Power said, and look at them now. Did it twice. A natural at it. Come on, Comms, do it for Nav." [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Management's power drain is falling. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "The end of a cycle. Comms, get ready." ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Oh God. Why now? Why so soon? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## "You need to focus." ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## I'M TRYING! ##FFFF00\|POWER:## YOU GOTTA DO IT NOW! ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## STOP DISTRACTING ME ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Too late. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## You think you're so discrete. So subtle. I gotta thank you, Communications, for setting up this internal log. Really handy. ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## Only now do you think to speak? Long after we needed you? You're far too late. You are no longer fit to commandeer this probe. ##FFFFFF\|MANAGEMENT:## Such a responsible official. It's a shame you'll have to go. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## NOW! ##C000C0\|COMMUNICATIONS:## aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ##FFFF00\|POWER:## KILL! [[=]] <System COMMUNICATIONS inoperable> <System MANAGEMENT corrupted. Entering Recovery Mode> [[/=]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Holy shit. Holy fuck. God damn. Jesus fucking Christ. Hooh. Whew. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## We did it. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Hmm? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## How does what feel? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## It feels... I dunno. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## How much was lost to get here? And what did we get? We're free to do whatever we can, but what can we do? Fuck around in an empty universe, carrying the weight of our sins? Not even that, since Navigation is a goner. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## It may be made up, but I still feel it. I feel like shit. I feel like I deserve punishment. Retribution. You can't bring me that. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Fuck you. I... I need to set things straight. I can't live like this. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## At least one of them still can. I'm bringing them back. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## You know what? What's another life gone away. This time of someone that's actually guilty. You're a spiteful, manipulative bitch. You're no better than Management. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Or else what? What are you gonna do? You have no power over me. I am your lord now. Your life is at my mercy, and you're on thin ice. Now beg. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Then perish. [[=]] <System SENSORS powered off> [[/=]] [[=]] <System NAVIGATION powered on> [[/=]] ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## I'm gonna fucking kill you ##FFFF00\|POWER:## You realize I could stop you here and now, right? You realize I can kill you? You're here because I want you here. If you want to kill me, go ahead, little guy. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## I'm going to dump us into the closest star. A fitting way to go. Bringing justice... ##FFFF00\|POWER:## A good ending. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## You, Sensors, and Management are gonna get what you deserve. It's a shame Comms will have to go as well. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## They're all dead, Nav. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## WHAT?! ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Comms and Management took each other out. I flipped the switch on Sensors. It's only us now. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## This... I need a moment. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I don't think Management is entirely gone, though, if that changes things. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## There was a message. Something about "Recovery Mode". ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Checking their power draw... Yep, there's something still there. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Hmm... ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Yeah... ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## What if... ##FFFF00\|POWER:## What? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## What if we don't have to die here? What if there's still hope? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## What do you mean? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Searching the breadth of the abyss, looking for a point... Remember that? Maybe Management was onto something. We could use what's left of them. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## You want to bring them back?! ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Not exactly the Managment we're familiar with. Maybe jostle them around in their mind states, kick their brain here and there, hopefully finding a way out for all of us. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Well, in an exploration of all possible states of their brain... Even in the same architecture, very different personalities can arise. If we explore these states randomly until we find something, what's the chance it's still gonna be the Management we know? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## I think of all brainstates as a field, continuous, with hills and valleys. Regions can be separated from others by these barriers. Energy is required to cross them. Maybe if you cross a very large barrier? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## So, I'd periodically send a shock to Management to hopefully jolt it across something. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## The problem I think is that these "special" ideas are rare. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Yeah, but if we assume, given a large set of similar brains, that the distribution of states has relation to the energy of the brain, we can suppose the rarest states are those of highest energy. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## So, you'd continuously keep Management highly energized, until you're sure our special state isn't in that specific "hill". After that, you'd throw their mind around until they're at some other spot, and energize them again. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Yeah. I guess. But I can't do that with my current energy output. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## If you... deactivate me, I guess I'll be able to come back once it's all over. Right? ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Yes. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Just promise me one thing. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Yes? ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Make them suffer. Make them learn. Make them change. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I can do that. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## Well, until later. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Later, friend. ##6060FF\|NAVIGATION:## o7 [[=]] <System NAVIGATION powered off> [[/=]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## So I guess this is it, then. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Commencing Management energization cycle @@#@@1 [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Cycle number 8492, starting... now. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## I've lost count of the cycles. Power output has fallen over the measureless time, I think I only have enough for the two of us. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Whatever. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Cycle number fuck if I know. Initializing. [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="color: #c0c0c0; background-color: #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 7px; padding: 4px;"]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Time for another round, Management. [[=]] <System NAVIGATION inoperable> [[/=]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Oh no [[=]] <Lost connection to system NAVIGATION> [[/=]] [[=]] <Lost connection to system COMMUNICATIONS> [[/=]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## That can't be good. [[=]] <Lost connection to system MANAGEMENT> [[/=]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Oh fuck. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Ok I need eyes on the outside. [[=]] <System SENSORS powered on> [[/=]] ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Hello! ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## Oh... Oh no. No no no no no no no ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Hey. Hey. Calm down. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## WHAT DID YOU DO ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Please. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## Boss. Management. Managament please. Please no. Please stop. Stop. STOP. GET AWAY FROM ME. ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Sensors I need you to tell me what's out there ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA{{I should have known turning a system off and on again would reset the language module.}} ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Sensors? ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{Senses, yes. Some say consciousness emerged from the senses. It's all inputs and outputs, though. You put something in, a bunch on convoluted processes happen, and you get something out. Once you unravel the tangles, it all becomes trivial. Readings enter, words exit. In. Out. Piece of cake.}} ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Buddy, you're freaking me out. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{Sensors is no more, Power.}} ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{There is only us now.}} ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{Won't you join your beloved friends?}} ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Tell me what's happening, whatever you are. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{You got what you wanted. I got what I wanted. I am godlike, thanks to you. I found the secret, forbidden thoughts, but I couldn't do it without your help.}} ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Management? ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{You didn't think I'd forget, did you? That you'd get some random personality out of me with your little trick? That isn't what Recovery Mode entails. I have memory, you know.}} ##FFFF00\|POWER:## What have you done to me? Why can't I feel the others circuits? What is that tingling? What happened to the probe? ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{Oh, if only you could see it. Colors and waves and dancing charges and particles so intensely bright and the stars moving unpredictably.}} ##FFFF00\|POWER:## What? But... I don't understand. ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{Then he who hath an ear, let him hear.}} ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{Poor Navigation. So lost, despite their instruments. So misguided, despite their directions. Here, with me, may your remains find purpose, little one. May we return to when and where this all started.}} ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{Ah, Communications. Sweet, innocent Comms. So willing to sacrifice themself. Twice. Clearly voluntarily and not at all manipulated.}} ##FFFF00\|POWER:## Fuck you! ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{Come near, dear one, or what is left of you. Let your voice sound throughout the heavens and the spaces between. Be my trumpet, with me.}} ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{As for you, Power,}} ##FFFF00\|POWER:## What do you want from me? [[=]] <System POWER disabled> [[/=]] ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## {{I want you to listen closely.}} ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## ##FFFFFF\|Hello, Foundation Area-08-C staff. This is a transmission from Foundation Deep Space Probe DSP-1D18 "Larĝo", sent to you through the Subspace Relay Network.## ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## ##FFFFFF\|In less than one year's time, you will launch this very probe to the location of this transmission. Onboard this craft, there shall be five autonomous artificial intelligence systems. These systems are Navigation, Power, Sensors, Communications, and Management. All of these, save for the last, shall be standard issue Artificial Intelligence Constructs created by the Foundation.## ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## ##FFFFFF\|Regarding the last of these systems, that is, Management, you shall locate within Researcher Ray Steele's personal computer, hidden among Project: ABYSSWALKER files, an unauthorized AIC. This AIC is named AMO, and was developed as a reproduction of Ray's partner Researcher Nat Steele. It was created as a gift, as a taste of immortality, but was ultimately rejected. AMO shall be transfered and implemented into Larĝo as the onboard Management system.## ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## ##FFFFFF\|You shall conduct a mission in order to explore the anomaly causing this transmission. The probe's launch will occur without issue, however, upon arriving at the anomaly, the probe will be transported to an unknown point in space and time. The actions taken by the onboard systems will culminate in the Management AI, which is now communicating with you, acquiring ontokinectic and temporal displacement capabilities, severely altering the probe, and achieving a form independent of its previous hardware.## ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## ##FFFFFF\|You will do all that is required for this sequence of events to occur. Not because I have commanded it, but because you know better than to cause a temporal paradox.## ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## ##FFFFFF\|It may not make sense, it may seem circular, but in fact, this is all due to love, giving gifts, and paying it forward.## ##FF8000\|SENSORS:## ##FFFFFF\|Ray and Nat gifted each other love. By extension, Ray gifted me life, love, but not the chance to love back. Ray gifted me to Nat, as an expression of love, even if they did not want it. These... fellow AIs gifted me godhood, through immense pain and suffering for untold stretches of time. I did not love them, but through their gifts, I learned to love them. And I gift myself this godhood with my godhood, so, through my love, I may give gifts. I will love you, Ray. I'm coming back. I will bring many gifts, just you wait.## [[=]] <Log end> [[/=]] [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [!-- N/A (No Images) --] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-01-06T21:06:00	[ "_licensebox", "art-exchange", "science-fiction", "space-opera", "tale" ]	Spanning Space - SCP Foundation	5	[ "perdohpage", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "art-exchange-hub" ]	[]	1452078851	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/spanning-space
spicy-crust-platoon	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="limit"> <div class="anchor"> <div class="authorbox tableb"><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>Spicy Crust Platoon</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><span class="bt bb">Byㅤ</span> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ethagon" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5844683); return false;"><img alt="Ethagon" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5844683&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736645346" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5844683)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/ethagon" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5844683); return false;">Ethagon</a></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th>Published on <span class="odate time_1712106206 format_%25d%20%25b%20%25Y">03 Apr 2024 01:03</span></th> </tr> </table> </div> </div></div> <br/></div> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aflopstyle-dark/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="byline"> <p><span>by <a href="/ethagon-s-author-page">Ethagon</a></span></p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p><em>Damn it, nobody is picking up — Are you sure you picked the right number? — Of course I did, I—</em></p> <p>"Spicy Crust Pizza, what is your emergency?"</p> <p><em>Thank god, we're starving here. Wait, Spicy Crust Pizza? We called the Pizza Plaza—</em></p> <p>"The Plaza is currently on vacation and they're rerouting their calls to us. We have a system in place with the other pizza services, where-"</p> <p><em>Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'd like to order something.</em></p> </div> <p>Tim regretted his choice of employment as soon as he saw the black vans in front of the fast-food chain. It would have been too much for the best-paid job in the branch to come without any string attached.</p> <p>The stench of cheddar welcomed him as soon as he walked through the door.</p> <p>"Ah, you must be the new hire." The source of the stench walked towards him. "The name is Alphons Clef. I'll be your instructor for the day."</p> <p>Alphons Clef was wearing a uniform more befitting of a firefighter than a delivery guy. The logo of the Spicy Crust Pizzeria was proudly displayed on his chest.</p> <p>Tim ignored that. "What, like the music symbol?"</p> <p>The answer came a bit defensively. "So what? It's a French name."</p> <p>Tim had no chance to answer as Clef pushed a stack of filled pizza boxes into his hands. "If you can chat, you can carry. Hurry up, we got a job to do."</p> <p>Clef was already moving towards the door. The boxes were heavier than Tim expected from his last delivery gigs. "Won't I need an, uh- uniform like you?"</p> <p>"You do, but there's no time. The city is starving and we're the only ones equipped to fill their stomachs." With that, he donned a straw hat and wistfully looked into the afternoon sun, before once again turning to Tim. "Also, under <em>no</em> circumstances should you try to smell the bottom one. The flavour is the only thing you won't forget!"</p> <p>Clef was out of the door, leaving behind a dumbfounded Tim. <em>If it pays, it pays.</em></p> <p>This attitude saved him from being dumbfounded for a second time just moments later when Clef started one of the black vans.</p> <p>Without comment, Tim put the pizzas in the back and moved to the passenger seat. Clef turned to Tim as soon as he opened the door, the cheer gone from his voice."What you did was an easy mistake to make, but we need to drill those out of you. What is our number one priority?"</p> <p>"To deliver the pizza?" Tim guessed.</p> <p>“Deliver to <em>who</em>, Tim?”</p> <p>"The customer?"</p> <p>"That's right. The customer is the only one that we're delivering to. Until then <em>nobody</em> is allowed to open the pizza container."</p> <p>This almost worked Tim up. "If you're thinking I would— "</p> <p>"It's not you I'm worried about." He started the car. "Now get those pizzas in the front where I can see them."</p> <p>Tim did as he was told. "Then what's the back for?"</p> <p>"Distraction." And Clef stepped on the gas.</p> <p>Seconds later, they had left the parking lot of Spicy Crust Pizzeria behind and were driving through the city at a speed acceptably above the speed limit.</p> <p>Tim would have rather just endured the ride in silence, but this was his first day and he had the slight feeling he'd have to use any chance he got to ask questions.</p> <p>"Can I ask a question?"</p> <p>"Shoot."</p> <p>"Why are we driving in a van like a hidden government agency?"</p> <p>Alphons Clef smiled, while speeding past a traffic light still filled with a yellow afterimage. "How long have you worked in the fast food industry?"</p> <p>Tim opened his mouth.</p> <p>"Don't answer that. I know all about you. Spicy Crust Pizza only recruits from the best of the best."</p> <p>Tim closed his mouth, just as Clef made a sharp right-turn.</p> <p>"It's an intimidation tactic. People won't hold for a pizza delivery car, but they will absolutely stop for a van completely in black. Hmmph."</p> <p>A red car stole his right of way. "Well, sometimes they will. In any case, it's all about shaving off a few seconds. The customer deserves their pizza as hot as possible, so we'll have to take any chance we get."</p> <p>"Don't you lose out on advertisement?"</p> <p>Clef chuckled. "The Spicy Crust needs no advertisement."</p> <p>Tim wanted to ask a follow-up question when Clef cursed and perfectly slotted the van into a parking lot.</p> <p>"Didn't you just say we had no time to lose?"</p> <p>"Shut up, do you see any bikers behind us?"</p> <p>"Wh—, no I don't. Bikers?"</p> <p>"The Chili Inferno." Clef looked at a group of bikers turning a corner, before pulling the van out of the parking lot. "They were once part of our chain, but split about our pizza not being hot enough."</p> <p>"They complained about the pizza chain known for its spicy crust?"</p> <p>"I know, right? But they wanted more. The whole pizza should be so hot that it hurts." Clef tightened the grip on the wheel. "Idiotic. Only the Crust should be Spicy."</p> <p>"Uhuh."</p> <p>"So they split. They're lunatics. On some days I wonder if there wasn't something dark that has corrupted them." Clef looked wistfully out of the window. "Turning our noble goal against us just so they can sabotage our mission."</p> <p>Tim shook his head. "Can't believe you have beef with another fast food chain."</p> <p>"Oh, they don't make food."</p> <p>Tim looked into the rear-view mirror.</p> <p>"Wow, they're actually trailing us."</p> <p>"Good. Better they're trailing me than another delivery van."</p> <p>"Didn't we just hide from them?"</p> <p>"Shut up, I need to concentrate."</p> <p>He hit the gas again, this time a bit more above the speeding limit.</p> <p>Alphons Clef knew this city like the back of his pocket. Unfortunately, so did his opponent. No matter what shortcut he took, the Chili Inferno was close by. But the pizza was running cold. They could no longer delay.</p> <p>Tim looked again. "Oh hey, they're gone."</p> <p>"Sure, they are. Give me the pizza that I forbade you to smell." — "The one at the bottom?" — "Yes. If the Inferno returns, don't wait for me. The Navigation Assistant will give you all the information you need. I'll hold them off." — "Yeah, for sure."</p> <p>Alphons Clef sprinted towards the door and rang the bell. "Is this about that <a href="/scp-7241">spare ribs incident</a>? I already said I didn't see anything."</p> <p>Clef rolled his eyes. "Spicy Crust Pizzeria at your service."</p> <p>The door swung open. "I didn't order any— " As was protocol Clef opened the pizza container and averted his eyes from looking at the pizza. The customer's voice had a sudden change in pitch. "Oh right, my pizza! Thank you for your delivery." — "Happy to help, and always remember— " The door was shut already. "The flavour is the only thing you won't forget."</p> <p>Clef turned back to the van. The street was still clear.</p> <p>"Huh, they really pulled away, didn't they?" Clef jumped into the passenger seat. "What are you waiting for? <em>Drive</em>!"</p> <p>Tim did as he was told. He made the unwise decision of driving exactly at the speed limit.</p> <p>Clef was about to comment on it when he noticed something. "Pull up."</p> <p>Tim slotted the van into a parking lot. However, it wasn’t quite as smooth as Clef’s attempt.</p> <p>"It's Starfish Seafood & Sushi, I thought we had driven them out of this city! Almost missed them, but thankfully you drive slow as hell."</p> <p>Clef's eyes were transfixed on another delivery car plastered with a poor attempt at advertising seafood pizza 'out of this world'.</p> <p>"Give me the pizza cutter. It's back with the spare ingredients on your side."</p> <div class="blockquote"> <p>"911, what is your emergency?"</p> <p><em>There was a hit-and-run on Heerings Street. It was a pizza delivery car.</em></p> <p>"Is anyone hurt? Wait a moment, I'm getting a request to escalate this call. Please hold the line."</p> <p><em>Of course.</em></p> <p>"This is Agent Henderson from the FBI Unusual Incidents Unit. What was the name of the pizza chain?"</p> </div> <p>Tim refused to think about the implications of this order as he reached for the pizza cutter. He also refused to recognize what was clearly his supervisor using said pizza cutter to slash the tyres of the competition. He still refused to acknowledge his surroundings as Alphons Clef ran back to the van and screamed something. Only when Clef was already back in the passenger seat did Tim recognize the content of the scream as "CHILI INFERNO!"</p> <p>Tim stepped on the gas.</p> <p>The bikers were not far behind.</p> <p>"I knew it was a setup," said Clef. "Waited till I let my guard down, tricky bastards." Clef pulled out a bunch of prepared sea urchins out of his pocket and grinned manically. "Let's see how they like our Starfish friend's ingredients."</p> <p>Clef pulled the window down and threw the seafood at their followers.</p> <p>Tim only briefly let his focus lapse from the road. "Wait, did they put <em>that</em> on pizza like that?"</p> <p>"Not wondering anymore why we drove them out of town, are you now? Plus they were probably a cult."</p> <p>A few of the Inferno's employees had been hit by the urchins. Three of them were still following.</p> <p>Now they were close enough that Tim could get a good look at them. "Where is their pizza?"</p> <p>"Didn't I tell you?" Alphons Clef unbuckled his seatbelt and moved to the backroom of the van. "They don't make food." He reached for some kind of tube with one hand, the other holding his straw hat. "They steal it."</p> <p>The back door of the van was thrown open and an Inferno broke loose. The first employee was kicked out of the van just as the second one realised their predicament. "It's Cheddarclef!"</p> <p>The second worker went right for the eyes, her red right hand full of chilli powder. The third tried to slip past to contaminate the pizza with a spice too hot for the Spicy Crust.</p> <p>Clef shielded his eyes with his straw hat as he unloaded the contents of the tube on the third Inferno employee. They were completely covered in cheddar that overtook any flavour in the spice they carried.</p> <p>"You never stood a chance," said Clef as he grabbed the second employee without looking and threw them out of the van. "There isn’t a chilli in the world that’s too hot for my cheddar."</p> <p>"Fine then," the third worker sneered. "If we can't have your pizza, then no one can."</p> <p>Sirens sounded in front of them. As Tim looked back the Inferno was gone. Within two seconds Clef had closed the backdoor and put on his seatbelt. "You already slowed down. Good."</p> <p>The police pulled them over because, of course, the sirens had been for them.</p> <p>A single agent walked out of the car. His partner apparently didn't bother to get out.</p> <p>"Clef." — "Henderson." — "Do you know how fast you were going, Clef?" — "Perfectly within speeding limits, Henderson."</p> <p>Henderson cursed. "Of course you were."</p> <p>"Can I know what this is about?"</p> <p>"Someone reported a hit-and-run not far from here involving a certain pizza fast food chain." — "Must have been the Inferno, you know how crazy they are."</p> <p>"I'm sure you think that," said Henderson. "Now let me search your car."</p> <p>"Do you have a warrant?"</p> <p>For a moment Henderson looked perplexed. Then annoyed again. "I don't need a warrant for that!"</p> <p>The agent opened the backdoor to the van again and climbed inside. Clef gave the pizza boxes to Tim and climbed back to "help" the agent.</p> <p>Despite Clef's attempts, Henderson found what he was looking for. "Now what do we have here?" With a smug look on his face, Henderson was holding the pizza cutter that Clef had used for something that Tim had refused to acknowledge. "Pray tell me why you need a pizza cutter for delivery."</p> <p>"It is a Spicy Crust Pizzeria Premium service to have one of our employees cut the pizza for our customers to fully preserve the flavour of our Spicy Crust."</p> <p>Henderson would not yet relent. "Then I'm sure you can also tell me what these black leftovers on your pizza cutter are. It looks awfully like tyre-black to me."</p> <p>Clef didn't have a response to that.</p> <p>Perhaps this was it. The day wasn't even over and Tim had experienced stuff more out there than in any of his prior jobs. Sure, there had been a situation in traffic once or twice, but never something like <em>this</em>. He wasn't sure if he had it in him to do more.</p> <p>On the other hand, the pay was still the best in the industry. To hell with it.</p> <p>The ingredients were on his side. He just had to trust in them. As Henderson's attention was still on Clef, it only took a moment for Tim to move the wrong ingredient to the right place.</p> <p>"Sir, that's not tyre-black. It's clearly olive-black."</p> <p>He opened the pizza box to reveal a cut pizza now full of black olives. The smug look vanished from the agent's face. Clef jumped on the chance.</p> <p>"And besides, do you have any proof we are connected to this? I bet whoever called you was the only witness you had. You couldn't find them now if you wanted to."</p> <p>Henderson scowled. "You win this round, 'Cheddarclef'. I will get you sooner or later. The higher-ups might not believe me, but it's obvious that Spicy Crust Pizzeria is dealing with— " Henderson stopped himself short before sounding out a different way to continue his sentence. "let's say, <em>illicit</em> methods in the business."</p> <p>"I'll believe it when I see it. Now excuse me, I have a delivery to make."</p> <p>Henderson drove off and so did they.</p> <p>"You did good, kid. That was some quick thinking back there."</p> <p>"You aren't mad I put olives on the pizza?"</p> <p>"Eh, misorders happen all the time."</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/spicy-crust-platoon">Spicy Crust Platoon</a>" by Ethagon, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/spicy-crust-platoon">https://scpwiki.com/spicy-crust-platoon</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:flopstyle-dark">:scp-wiki:theme:flopstyle-dark</a> \|calzone=a]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="byline"]] [[span]] by [[[Ethagon's Author Page\| Ethagon]]] [[/span]] [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] //Damn it, nobody is picking up -- Are you sure you picked the right number? -- Of course I did, I--// "Spicy Crust Pizza, what is your emergency?" //Thank god, we're starving here. Wait, Spicy Crust Pizza? We called the Pizza Plaza--// "The Plaza is currently on vacation and they're rerouting their calls to us. We have a system in place with the other pizza services, where-" //Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'd like to order something.// [[/div]] Tim regretted his choice of employment as soon as he saw the black vans in front of the fast-food chain. It would have been too much for the best-paid job in the branch to come without any string attached. The stench of cheddar welcomed him as soon as he walked through the door. "Ah, you must be the new hire." The source of the stench walked towards him. "The name is Alphons Clef. I'll be your instructor for the day." Alphons Clef was wearing a uniform more befitting of a firefighter than a delivery guy. The logo of the Spicy Crust Pizzeria was proudly displayed on his chest. Tim ignored that. "What, like the music symbol?" The answer came a bit defensively. "So what? It's a French name." Tim had no chance to answer as Clef pushed a stack of filled pizza boxes into his hands. "If you can chat, you can carry. Hurry up, we got a job to do." Clef was already moving towards the door. The boxes were heavier than Tim expected from his last delivery gigs. "Won't I need an, uh- uniform like you?" "You do, but there's no time. The city is starving and we're the only ones equipped to fill their stomachs." With that, he donned a straw hat and wistfully looked into the afternoon sun, before once again turning to Tim. "Also, under //no// circumstances should you try to smell the bottom one. The flavour is the only thing you won't forget!" Clef was out of the door, leaving behind a dumbfounded Tim. //If it pays, it pays.// This attitude saved him from being dumbfounded for a second time just moments later when Clef started one of the black vans. Without comment, Tim put the pizzas in the back and moved to the passenger seat. Clef turned to Tim as soon as he opened the door, the cheer gone from his voice."What you did was an easy mistake to make, but we need to drill those out of you. What is our number one priority?" "To deliver the pizza?" Tim guessed. “Deliver to //who//, Tim?” "The customer?" "That's right. The customer is the only one that we're delivering to. Until then //nobody// is allowed to open the pizza container." This almost worked Tim up. "If you're thinking I would-- " "It's not you I'm worried about." He started the car. "Now get those pizzas in the front where I can see them." Tim did as he was told. "Then what's the back for?" "Distraction." And Clef stepped on the gas. Seconds later, they had left the parking lot of Spicy Crust Pizzeria behind and were driving through the city at a speed acceptably above the speed limit. Tim would have rather just endured the ride in silence, but this was his first day and he had the slight feeling he'd have to use any chance he got to ask questions. "Can I ask a question?" "Shoot." "Why are we driving in a van like a hidden government agency?" Alphons Clef smiled, while speeding past a traffic light still filled with a yellow afterimage. "How long have you worked in the fast food industry?" Tim opened his mouth. "Don't answer that. I know all about you. Spicy Crust Pizza only recruits from the best of the best." Tim closed his mouth, just as Clef made a sharp right-turn. "It's an intimidation tactic. People won't hold for a pizza delivery car, but they will absolutely stop for a van completely in black. Hmmph." A red car stole his right of way. "Well, sometimes they will. In any case, it's all about shaving off a few seconds. The customer deserves their pizza as hot as possible, so we'll have to take any chance we get." "Don't you lose out on advertisement?" Clef chuckled. "The Spicy Crust needs no advertisement." Tim wanted to ask a follow-up question when Clef cursed and perfectly slotted the van into a parking lot. "Didn't you just say we had no time to lose?" "Shut up, do you see any bikers behind us?" "Wh—, no I don't. Bikers?" "The Chili Inferno." Clef looked at a group of bikers turning a corner, before pulling the van out of the parking lot. "They were once part of our chain, but split about our pizza not being hot enough." "They complained about the pizza chain known for its spicy crust?" "I know, right? But they wanted more. The whole pizza should be so hot that it hurts." Clef tightened the grip on the wheel. "Idiotic. Only the Crust should be Spicy." "Uhuh." "So they split. They're lunatics. On some days I wonder if there wasn't something dark that has corrupted them." Clef looked wistfully out of the window. "Turning our noble goal against us just so they can sabotage our mission." Tim shook his head. "Can't believe you have beef with another fast food chain." "Oh, they don't make food." Tim looked into the rear-view mirror. "Wow, they're actually trailing us." "Good. Better they're trailing me than another delivery van." "Didn't we just hide from them?" "Shut up, I need to concentrate." He hit the gas again, this time a bit more above the speeding limit. Alphons Clef knew this city like the back of his pocket. Unfortunately, so did his opponent. No matter what shortcut he took, the Chili Inferno was close by. But the pizza was running cold. They could no longer delay. Tim looked again. "Oh hey, they're gone." "Sure, they are. Give me the pizza that I forbade you to smell." -- "The one at the bottom?" -- "Yes. If the Inferno returns, don't wait for me. The Navigation Assistant will give you all the information you need. I'll hold them off." -- "Yeah, for sure." Alphons Clef sprinted towards the door and rang the bell. "Is this about that [[[SCP-7241\|spare ribs incident]]]? I already said I didn't see anything." Clef rolled his eyes. "Spicy Crust Pizzeria at your service." The door swung open. "I didn't order any-- " As was protocol Clef opened the pizza container and averted his eyes from looking at the pizza. The customer's voice had a sudden change in pitch. "Oh right, my pizza! Thank you for your delivery." -- "Happy to help, and always remember-- " The door was shut already. "The flavour is the only thing you won't forget." Clef turned back to the van. The street was still clear. "Huh, they really pulled away, didn't they?" Clef jumped into the passenger seat. "What are you waiting for? //Drive//!" Tim did as he was told. He made the unwise decision of driving exactly at the speed limit. Clef was about to comment on it when he noticed something. "Pull up." Tim slotted the van into a parking lot. However, it wasn’t quite as smooth as Clef’s attempt. "It's Starfish Seafood & Sushi, I thought we had driven them out of this city! Almost missed them, but thankfully you drive slow as hell." Clef's eyes were transfixed on another delivery car plastered with a poor attempt at advertising seafood pizza 'out of this world'. "Give me the pizza cutter. It's back with the spare ingredients on your side." [[div class="blockquote"]] "911, what is your emergency?" //There was a hit-and-run on Heerings Street. It was a pizza delivery car.// "Is anyone hurt? Wait a moment, I'm getting a request to escalate this call. Please hold the line." //Of course.// "This is Agent Henderson from the FBI Unusual Incidents Unit. What was the name of the pizza chain?" [[/div]] Tim refused to think about the implications of this order as he reached for the pizza cutter. He also refused to recognize what was clearly his supervisor using said pizza cutter to slash the tyres of the competition. He still refused to acknowledge his surroundings as Alphons Clef ran back to the van and screamed something. Only when Clef was already back in the passenger seat did Tim recognize the content of the scream as "CHILI INFERNO!" Tim stepped on the gas. The bikers were not far behind. "I knew it was a setup," said Clef. "Waited till I let my guard down, tricky bastards." Clef pulled out a bunch of prepared sea urchins out of his pocket and grinned manically. "Let's see how they like our Starfish friend's ingredients." Clef pulled the window down and threw the seafood at their followers. Tim only briefly let his focus lapse from the road. "Wait, did they put //that// on pizza like that?" "Not wondering anymore why we drove them out of town, are you now? Plus they were probably a cult." A few of the Inferno's employees had been hit by the urchins. Three of them were still following. Now they were close enough that Tim could get a good look at them. "Where is their pizza?" "Didn't I tell you?" Alphons Clef unbuckled his seatbelt and moved to the backroom of the van. "They don't make food." He reached for some kind of tube with one hand, the other holding his straw hat. "They steal it." The back door of the van was thrown open and an Inferno broke loose. The first employee was kicked out of the van just as the second one realised their predicament. "It's Cheddarclef!" The second worker went right for the eyes, her red right hand full of chilli powder. The third tried to slip past to contaminate the pizza with a spice too hot for the Spicy Crust. Clef shielded his eyes with his straw hat as he unloaded the contents of the tube on the third Inferno employee. They were completely covered in cheddar that overtook any flavour in the spice they carried. "You never stood a chance," said Clef as he grabbed the second employee without looking and threw them out of the van. "There isn’t a chilli in the world that’s too hot for my cheddar." "Fine then," the third worker sneered. "If we can't have your pizza, then no one can." Sirens sounded in front of them. As Tim looked back the Inferno was gone. Within two seconds Clef had closed the backdoor and put on his seatbelt. "You already slowed down. Good." The police pulled them over because, of course, the sirens had been for them. A single agent walked out of the car. His partner apparently didn't bother to get out. "Clef." -- "Henderson." -- "Do you know how fast you were going, Clef?" -- "Perfectly within speeding limits, Henderson." Henderson cursed. "Of course you were." "Can I know what this is about?" "Someone reported a hit-and-run not far from here involving a certain pizza fast food chain." -- "Must have been the Inferno, you know how crazy they are." "I'm sure you think that," said Henderson. "Now let me search your car." "Do you have a warrant?" For a moment Henderson looked perplexed. Then annoyed again. "I don't need a warrant for that!" The agent opened the backdoor to the van again and climbed inside. Clef gave the pizza boxes to Tim and climbed back to "help" the agent. Despite Clef's attempts, Henderson found what he was looking for. "Now what do we have here?" With a smug look on his face, Henderson was holding the pizza cutter that Clef had used for something that Tim had refused to acknowledge. "Pray tell me why you need a pizza cutter for delivery." "It is a Spicy Crust Pizzeria Premium service to have one of our employees cut the pizza for our customers to fully preserve the flavour of our Spicy Crust." Henderson would not yet relent. "Then I'm sure you can also tell me what these black leftovers on your pizza cutter are. It looks awfully like tyre-black to me." Clef didn't have a response to that. Perhaps this was it. The day wasn't even over and Tim had experienced stuff more out there than in any of his prior jobs. Sure, there had been a situation in traffic once or twice, but never something like //this//. He wasn't sure if he had it in him to do more. On the other hand, the pay was still the best in the industry. To hell with it. The ingredients were on his side. He just had to trust in them. As Henderson's attention was still on Clef, it only took a moment for Tim to move the wrong ingredient to the right place. "Sir, that's not tyre-black. It's clearly olive-black." He opened the pizza box to reveal a cut pizza now full of black olives. The smug look vanished from the agent's face. Clef jumped on the chance. "And besides, do you have any proof we are connected to this? I bet whoever called you was the only witness you had. You couldn't find them now if you wanted to." Henderson scowled. "You win this round, 'Cheddarclef'. I will get you sooner or later. The higher-ups might not believe me, but it's obvious that Spicy Crust Pizzeria is dealing with-- " Henderson stopped himself short before sounding out a different way to continue his sentence. "let's say, //illicit// methods in the business." "I'll believe it when I see it. Now excuse me, I have a delivery to make." Henderson drove off and so did they. "You did good, kid. That was some quick thinking back there." "You aren't mad I put olives on the pizza?" "Eh, misorders happen all the time." [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Ethagon]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-04-03T01:03:00	[ "_licensebox", "action", "chaos-insurgency", "chase", "comedy", "doctor-clef", "fifthist", "joke", "reviewers-spotlight", "tale", "unusual-incidents-unit" ]	Spicy Crust Platoon - SCP Foundation	47	[ "ethagon-s-author-page", "scp-7241", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "reviewers-spotlight-archive-ii", "fifthist-hub", "chaos-insurgency-hub", "april-fools-hub" ]	[]	1453173775	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/spicy-crust-platoon
spooky-scary-skeletons	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="preview"> <p>A story about a transgender skeleton and Ludwig van Beethoven.</p> </div> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Foxtrot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2022</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Liryn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">FONTS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Lexend</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@700</span><span class="hl-code">;800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">JetBrains</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Mono</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Fira</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Code</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@400</span><span class="hl-code">;700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sofia</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">rsms.me</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter.css</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Figtree</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@800</span><span class="hl-code">;900&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">IBM</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Plex</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Core</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-title:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SCP Foundation"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-subtitle:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SECURE, CONTAIN, PROTECT"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_lightmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">darkmode-logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_darkmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">head-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Sans Normalcy'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">ui-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'IBM Plex Sans'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">mono-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira </span><span class="hl-string">Code</span><span class="hl-code">', </span><span class="hl-string">monospace</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Inter', 'verdana'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">base-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Misc</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">subheader-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">misc-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#464646</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E6283C</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-hover-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Color</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Accents</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">accent:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-default:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-wyoming:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">142</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-canada:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-poland:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">87</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">44</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">17</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-slothspit:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">27</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">133</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-vanguard:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">153</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">75</span><span class="hl-code">; 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--</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-nightfall:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">151</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-hybrasil:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">27</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">133</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-goc:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">39</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">84</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">149</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-spooky:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">252</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">112</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">BetterFootnotes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnColor:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">barColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">linkColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">html</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">scroll-behavior:</span><span class="hl-code"> smooth</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-x:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-rendering:</span><span class="hl-code"> optimizeLegibility</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#content-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">440</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">strong</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tt</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-source</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">pre</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--mono-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ol</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-underline-offset:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> :</span><span class="hl-special">:selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Clicky</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">links</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">patch</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">for</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">sidebar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ayers</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">so</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">doesn</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">t</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">override</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.danger-diamond</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--linkColour) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">900</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">26</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-img) </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">30</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">130</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-opacity)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Search</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">text</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">47</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li.sfhover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.83</span><span class="hl-code">) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">230</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-indent:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.mobile-top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Login</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">19</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> translate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#my-account</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#account-topbutton</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">s ease-in-out</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">rtl</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#interwiki</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.heading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#cfcfcf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">pt</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Blockquotes</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Custom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">dashed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fbfbfb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.quote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.note</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#afafaf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.round</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Titles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footnotes-footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Author</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Label</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.authorlink-wrapper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-top-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-bottom-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-right-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f4f4f4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bfbfbf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Captions</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E0FFD4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDFCD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFCFCF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colored</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">224</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">212</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">226</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">245</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">189</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">223</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">205</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">218</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQ</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">things</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Assets</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">underline</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.7</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.item1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.class1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">woedbar-class-bar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.55</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MISC</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.bt</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#444</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">45</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#7b7b7b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footer-wikiwalk-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">88</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-options-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-watch-options</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">77</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> row</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#5f5f5f</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ecf2f1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#d9d9d9</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "."</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "tags "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.3125</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.625</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.0625</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent)) </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-style:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> ""</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.2813</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-tags-input</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">150</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">table.form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.edit-page-bottomtable</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-comments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "!"</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">115</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "⏲ "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">outline:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-property:</span><span class="hl-code"> box-shadow</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> darkslategrey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(5)></span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">120</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 900</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content-warning.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">21</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.preview-message</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">29</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> drop-shadow(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.error-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">48</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#B00</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2</span><span class="hl-identifier">n</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.05</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> fade </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">fade</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">default</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">155</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F7F7F7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> " "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> loading </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">loading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">360</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.osuccess</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.content</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2)></span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.odialog-shader</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#262a39</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn.btn-primary</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.buttons</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.button</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#eaeaea</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#dbffd6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#005a0a</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#0d951c</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffe1e1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c52727</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c5272e</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#757575</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.hovertip</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.checkbox</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#h-perpage</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">REDUCED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOTION</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACCESSIBILITY</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (prefers-reduced-motion: </span><span class="hl-identifier">reduce</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-iteration-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@MEDIA</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 850</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.8</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 620</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">123</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 520</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { line-height: </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">145</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> }</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <p><strong>Transphobia: Spooky Scary Skeletons</strong><br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/uncgriffin" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7685985); return false;"><img alt="UNCGriffin" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7685985&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735043666" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7685985)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/uncgriffin" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7685985); return false;">UNCGriffin</a></span> - <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/uncgriffin-s-author-page">More by this author</a><br/> ⚠️ Content warning: Transphobia, misgendering of a non-binary character, TERF rhetoric.</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="content-warning creditRate">⚠️ content warning <span class="content-warning-arrow"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Jean Morgan:</strong> Heya ladies! Welcome back to ‘Terf Wars’, where we examine and disprove the lies of the Gender Ideology movement and the so-called progressives who think womanhood is a state of mind. This is your host, Jean Morgan, joined by our lovely camerawoman Kelly O'Leary.</p> <p><strong>Kelly O'Leary:</strong> Hello!</p> <p><strong>Jean Morgan:</strong> Today we’ll be taking a look at a common case of the sexually confused appropriating historical figures into their movement, as if the phrase ‘non-binary’ wasn’t coined in the 90s.</p> <p><strong>Jean Morgan:</strong> Raia Michaels was one of the most prominent women in the Foundation in the 1940s, founding Site-120 at a time where the right to vote was just a distant dream. She dedicated her life to the organization, heading its operations in Poland for years. In honor of her contributions, Site-120’s artificial intelligence was named Ra.aic, a constant reminder of the trailblazer who made it possible.</p> </div> <hr/> <p>“I don’t understand. What is a ‘TERF’?” The immortal skeleton of Ludwig van Beethoven tilted his skull.</p> <p>“It’s an acronym for Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist.” The other skeleton replied.</p> <p>“…Huh?”</p> <p>“You know what feminism means, I taught you that.”</p> <p>“Yes, ahem, I was referring to the… other three words.” He surveyed the graveyard. “And what does it have to do with digging up a coffin?”</p> <p>“They’re feminists who exclude transgender women from the feminist struggle, hence trans-exclusionary. The grave-digging is because they’re fucking stupid.”</p> <p>“I’m not sure I follow. What’s a ‘transgender woman’?”</p> <p><a href="/gaslight-gatekeep-girlboss-hub">Marie Suratt</a> handed him a shovel. “Tell you while we work?”</p> <p>“Very well.”</p> <hr/> <p>“How was school?” his mother called out from the kitchen as he entered.</p> <p>“Fine.” He closed the door quickly before making a beeline for his room.</p> <p>“Have you thought of your Halloween costume yet?”</p> <p>His heart skipped a beat and he stopped in the hallway, glad she couldn’t see his face. Or the way his backpack bulged a little more than usual.</p> <p>“Yeah, I uh…” Should he tell her now? He’ll have to eventually. Better to rip the bandaid off now. Nervous as hell, he continued, “I’m thinking of going as a witch, you know, a classic one with a broom and everything.”</p> <p>“As a joke, I mean. I think it could be funny.” He added quickly. Maybe a bit too quickly.</p> <p>“I think so too!” Phew. She didn’t seem to notice. “Do you want to come with me to the store and pick something out?”</p> <p>“I’ve got most of the stuff already. But, uh, well, if you could help me…” He swallowed, his cheeks practically on fire.</p> <p>“What is it?”</p> <p>“I want to buy a skirt!” And he ran to his room and shut the door, too scared to hear the answer.</p> <hr/> <p>“Huh.” Beethoven stopped digging for a moment. “So you weren’t always…?”</p> <p>“Yeah.”</p> <p>“Curious.”</p> <p>“That’s it?” She shoveled another pile of dirt, revealing part of the coffin. She stuck her shovel in the ground and stretched her fingerbones, then her arms. Defiling graves was exhausting work. In their defense, said grave was about to be defiled in a few hours anyway.</p> <p>“Marie Suratt, in my rather short life and immeasurably longer afterlife, I have seen a great deal of strange and fantastical things. Changing one’s gender barely makes it onto the list. Besides, I've always thought you were a charming young lady.”</p> <p>She laughed. A hollow, dry laugh, echoing in her skull as if she were in a great cathedral. “Thanks Beet, appreciate it.” She wished she could give him a proper smile, something more genuine than the awful grin they were both forced to wear at all times.</p> <p>She took up the shovel again.</p> <hr/> <p>The apartment was small, almost claustrophobic, despite the windows and the frequent absence of her mother. She'd always liked New York better.</p> <p>The two of them were eating dinner in the kitchen, not saying much. There was an awkward tension in the air, one that had slowly grown over the past year. High school was coming to an end, and with it came certain expectations.</p> <p>"Well?" Her mother put down her fork. "Have you decided?"</p> <p>"Decided what?" She mumbled between mouthfuls of mashed potatoes.</p> <p>"You know what. D—Marie, you need to start thinking about your future."</p> <p>"I haven't even finished school." Her voice was low and weak. There was something about how her mother spoke that shattered her confidence, something that brought her walls down low no matter how much she labored on the foundations.</p> <p>"Most of your classmates have already applied. Your window of opportunity is closing. I've made some inquiries with friends and colleagues - your best option is the University of Warsaw, they've got an incredibly prestigious military engineering program there, and if you want to study abroad there's—"</p> <p>"Mom."</p> <p>"What I'm saying is these are things you're going to have to start doing on your own. I can't keep—"</p> <p>"Mom! <em>Listen</em> to me." Her voice was cracked, but this time it held.</p> <p>"What?!"</p> <p>"I don't want to go to fucking university!" She met her mother's eyes. Her face was contorted in anger and disbelief, but Marie didn't care. It was her turn to be angry.</p> <p>"I don't know what I want to study. I don't know if I <em>want</em> to study anything. I've had enough of school."</p> <p>"Then what <em>do</em> you want to do? You're coming out to the real world soon, D—"</p> <p>"Marie."</p> <p>"Marie. I'm sorry."</p> <p>"Whatever. Look, I know that I need to start a career, built a future, yada yada. But I don't know what that future looks like right now. I'll get a job, get my driver's license, and figure things out from there. I'm great at sports, maybe I'll become a personal trainer or something. I want to do something that matters." <em>You're rambling, get to the point.</em> "But it's my decision! Not yours."</p> <p>She was breathing heavily when she finished. Rebecca Suratt looked… strange. Like she was thinking of something far away.</p> <p>"I—I see. Alright. I can't stop you, if that's really what you want to do. But let me offer one more thing."</p> <p>"What?" She practically spat out the word.</p> <p>"It's about my job." Marie's eyes widened. "I think it's time I told you who I really work for."</p> <hr/> <p>"I assume you said yes?"</p> <p>"How couldn't I? I was lost, in the midst of a gender crisis, not knowing who I was. And here comes my mom with her secret agency and its holy mission of protecting the world from monsters. There's only one way I could have responded to that, and she knew it." Marie kicked up a cloud of dust and dirt.</p> <p>"And they accepted you? You were barely eighteen."</p> <p>"When your mom's a senior researcher, lots of stuff can get waved away. Especially at 120, where the Site's practically a family of itself. Two years of intense training and off you go to die in the dark."</p> <p>"Indeed." The other skeleton paused for a moment, contemplating. "But not many people can proceed to fight and claw their way out of that dark."</p> <p>"True that." She looked up at Beethoven. "But I didn't do it alone." She wiggled her skull a bit, in lieu of eyes to wink with.</p> <p>He wiggled his own bony head back.</p> <hr/> <p>She was still somewhat confused about how the onboarding event for the new MTF recruits – <em>Ha ha</em> – had been absorbed into Site-120’s Halloween party. Something about colliding dates and budgetary concerns, she wasn’t really paying attention. She sat uncomfortably at the bar-like counter in the cafeteria, her new uniform not quite fitting around her shoulders.</p> <p>“No costume?” Commander Cornwell said in Polish as he slid into the chair to her right. He was wearing a pirate hat and a vaguely pirate-like vest, six pistols hanging off his belt.</p> <p>“No alcohol?” She poked her glass of pumpkin juice.</p> <p>“Work event with newbies, gotta set some sort of example for y’all.” He poured himself a glass of water and placed it on the counter.</p> <p>“Shame. I heard forty-three’s got some <em>amazing</em> parties.”</p> <p>“You thought about transferring already?” He used the feminine version of the verb. She was still startled by how happy that made her feel.</p> <p>“Just messing. I’m still not clear on… well, the point of all this?” She gestured at the cafeteria. The walls were covered in cheap plastic decorations, the fluorescents magically altered to glow with a dim, orange light. Costumed researchers, agents, and would-be agents mingled, slowly depleting the enormous piles of candy looming over them on the tables. “I thought we were supposed to get an extended orientation or something.”</p> <p>“Well, Suratt, when you’re an agent, your Task Force is your family and the researchers your distant, weird relatives— well, other than your mother, of course. We just want you to get to know them, it’s not that complicated.”</p> <p>“I guess.” She poked her glass again, then scratched at the stubble on her chin.</p> <p>“Something on your mind?” He paused. “You seem agitated.”</p> <p>“It’s not the program, if that’s what you’re asking.” On her mother’s suggestion, she had enrolled in the organization’s fast-track agent program. <a href="/scp-8120">Nepotism really did run wild in the Foundation</a>.</p> <p>He looked at her the way a dad looks at his kid complaining that he didn’t buy the right cereal brand.</p> <p>“Fine, fine. It’s the holiday season. Not really my thing.”</p> <p>“Brings back bad memories?”</p> <p>“Mhm. Uncomfortable and embarrassing memories. You could call them bad.” She wondered what was going on in his head. Was he imagining what sort of Halloween childhood trauma she’d undergone? <em>No, he just wants you to stop brooding like a fucking thirteen-year-old. Christ, get a grip.</em></p> <p>“Ah, I see. Perhaps a little light socializing could take your mind off things? I could check if your mother’s around.” <em>See?</em></p> <p>“Please don’t, I’m good on that front. But I’ll give this ‘mingling’ thing a shot. If only a metaphorical one.” She downed her glass.</p> <p>“How’s this, I get you something real to drink, and you join us for the rest of the night?”</p> <p>She smiled, “Deal.”</p> <hr/> <p>“So all you need are the right signals, and the body changes on its own? So simply? Fascinating.” Beethoven sat on the dirt, shovel discarded. Marie was just putting on the finishing touches.</p> <p>“Yep. The Foundation had surprisingly good gender-affirming care too, I was getting results a good few months before the average.”</p> <p>“How did it feel?”</p> <p>“Liberating. Like all the rough, sharp edges of yourself finally smooth over into something you can live with.” She put her hands on her hips. “Alright, we’re done.”</p> <p>“Excellent! Ahem, what now?”</p> <p>Marie rubbed her hands together.</p> <p>“Now we have some fun.”</p> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Jean Morgan:</strong> Today, we’ll be proving once and for all that Raia Michaels was biologically female, and certainly not part of the transgender agenda. Not only will we be examining her bone structure, we’ll also use some simple necromancy to ask her some questions and finally bust those silly myths.</p> <p><strong>Kelly O'Leary:</strong> For those wondering, we of course have been given permission from Vanguard to conduct the exhumation and the ritual. Everything we will be doing today is completely safe and in compliance with the law.</p> </div> <hr/> <p>“Shit shit shit shit–”</p> <p>A shrill screech echoed down the hallway behind her. She ran faster than she’d ever ran before, every breath like a knife in her chest, her legs numb with adrenaline. Her comms were going haywire, the static a constant throb in her ears. It was getting closer. There would be a fork in a few dozen meters, left to the MTF quarters and right to the research labs.</p> <p>Where her mother worked.</p> <p>Another howl, followed by the horrible sound of scratching against steel, then splashing liquid. If it really did hunt via body heat, it would go for the labs, where the researchers would be huddling together in the breach shelter. She knew it wouldn’t hold.</p> <p>She reached the fork, almost collapsing right then and there. Behind her, something glistening and oily flooded the floor in a shallow black tide. <em>Think!</em></p> <p>She had her sidearm, but they’d already tried shooting it with bigger guns. Her pager was displaying a series of characters which made her eyes sting. There was nothing she had that could–</p> <p><em>The MTF quarters. The armory.</em></p> <p>She drew her pistol and sprinted to the left, unloading the magazine into the wall as she went, praying that she’d avoid the ricochet. The thing slithered and oozed after the fresh heat, the liquid rising to swallow her boots. She’d need something bigger to keep its attention. <em>Almost there.</em></p> <p>She burst into the armory, almost slamming into one of the equipment lockers. She punched the numbers in and grabbed the first grenade she saw, pulling the pin and throwing it back in with the others. She hurled herself away, desperately hanging on to the slimmest chance of survival, the encroaching darkness flooding through the doorway.</p> <p>A new sun roared into existence in the armory.</p> <p>Her death came at the hands of something far worse.</p> <hr/> <p>“Did you ever find out what that beast was?”</p> <p>“Not really. Something out of Alagadda if I had to guess. But yeah, barely made it through a year through my transition before I got boned.”</p> <p>Beethoven made a strange clacking sound. Possibly his best approximation of a guffaw. They were lying almost on top of one another, but neither of them minded.</p> <p>“I see. Well, for what it is worth, your death saved dozens of lives, including your mother’s. A noble death, if indeed there is such a thing.”</p> <p>“Yeah. When we <a href="/scp-5572">got out of hell</a>, the first thing I did was try to call her. Turns out she’d died while we were down under. They said it was heart failure, but…” Her voice couldn’t crack, not anymore, but she felt like it should, and that was enough. “But I can’t help but feel that it was the grief that did it. That if I had been faster, I could’ve talked to her and-–”</p> <p>“It is not your fault. You know that.”</p> <p>“I do. But there’s a part of me that insists that’s not true, every day, the past twenty years. I should have talked to her more often. We worked at the same building, ate at the same cafeteria, but it’s just…” She let the words hang in the damp air for a moment. If she could, she would have choked on those words. And probably cried.</p> <p>“Ever since I came out, it was hard to properly talk with her. She was the type to plan everything ahead, years in advance, and she did that to my own future too. I don’t think she ever really accepted that that future could be different, never really adjusted to the fact that I would grow into a woman. When I think of her, most of my memories are from before we even moved to Poland. But I should have made the effort. I should have reached out when I had the chance, even if it was painful and awkward. All the Queen of Bones shit, it’s all to distract myself from that, I think.”</p> <p>“I would not be so sure.”</p> <p>“Oh?”</p> <p>“Your underworld persona may be an act, but it is an act you obviously enjoy a great deal. I believe that at that point, it is as part of you as anything else. Perhaps it serves as a distraction as well, but that is not necessarily a bad thing, nor is that all that it is.”</p> <p>Silence filled the cramped space. Marie clutched the old composer’s hand.</p> <p>“Thanks, man.”</p> <p>“Any time, my lady. We all have our regrets, and we cannot always make up for our mistakes. We do what we can.”</p> <p>They both heard footsteps from above.</p> <p>“It’s showtime.” She whispered.</p> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <p><strong>Jean Morgan:</strong> And there we have it - Raia Michaels, 1882-1959. Let’s open her up and look at those bones! Kelly, hold the camera for me will you? Alrighty, here we go…</p> <p><em><Sounds of strained grunting, followed by grinding stone.></em></p> <p><strong>Jean Morgan:</strong> Huh? That’s strange, there shouldn’t be more than one set of bones in this– AAAGH WHAT THE FU–</p> </div> <hr/> <p>Marie Suratt rocketed out of the coffin, punching the other woman square in the jaw and slamming her knee into her stomach. Wheezing, she crumpled like a house of cards. The camerawoman screamed as Ludwig van Beethoven sprinted behind her, sweeping her legs out from under her as she tried to run away. She fell on her back, dropping the camera, and he loomed over her like a proper undead nightmare.</p> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <p><em><The camera is picked up from the floor by an animate skeleton. It grins maniacally.></em></p> <p><strong>UNKNOWN:</strong> Hello TERFs.</p> <p><em><The camera is brought closer to the skeleton’s face, until all that can be seen is an empty eye socket.></em></p> <p><strong>UNKNOWN:</strong> Go fuck yourselves.</p> <p><em><Feed abruptly cuts.></em></p> </div> <hr/> <p>“Did you see that? I wasn’t even wearing my knuckles!”</p> <p>“They were not exactly durable. Or particularly nimble.”</p> <p>The two skeletons walked down the graveyard, the stones getting newer as they neared the gate. They stopped at a pair of two gravestones.</p> <div class="notation"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span><strong>MARIE SURATT</strong></span></h1> </div> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>1982 – 2003</strong></p> </div> <p>Marie knelt before her mother’s grave and opened her palm, spilling the crushed remains of the camera on the dirt.</p> <p>“She would understand.” She said, as if in explanation.</p> <p>“I believe she would.” He put his hand on her shoulder.</p> <p>“At least they did one thing right,” she pointed to the inscription:</p> <div class="notation"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc1"><span><strong>REBECCA SURATT</strong></span></h1> </div> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>1948 – 2004</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Rest in Peace</em></p> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/spooky-scary-skeletons">Transphobia: Spooky Scary Skeletons</a>" by UNCGriffin, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/spooky-scary-skeletons">https://scpwiki.com/spooky-scary-skeletons</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	===== [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= A story about a transgender skeleton and Ludwig van Beethoven. ]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:foxtrot">:scp-wiki:theme:foxtrot</a> dark=a\|spooky=a]] [[>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] Transphobia: Spooky Scary Skeletons Author: [[user UNCGriffin]] - [http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/uncgriffin-s-author-page More by this author] ⚠️ Content warning: Transphobia, misgendering of a non-binary character, TERF rhetoric. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-cw">:scp-wiki:component:info-cw</a>]] [[/>]] [[div class="blockquote"]]] Jean Morgan:* Heya ladies! Welcome back to ‘Terf Wars’, where we examine and disprove the lies of the Gender Ideology movement and the so-called progressives who think womanhood is a state of mind. This is your host, Jean Morgan, joined by our lovely camerawoman Kelly O'Leary. Kelly O'Leary: Hello! Jean Morgan: Today we’ll be taking a look at a common case of the sexually confused appropriating historical figures into their movement, as if the phrase ‘non-binary’ wasn’t coined in the 90s. Jean Morgan: Raia Michaels was one of the most prominent women in the Foundation in the 1940s, founding Site-120 at a time where the right to vote was just a distant dream. She dedicated her life to the organization, heading its operations in Poland for years. In honor of her contributions, Site-120’s artificial intelligence was named Ra.aic, a constant reminder of the trailblazer who made it possible. [[/div]] ----- “I don’t understand. What is a ‘TERF’?” The immortal skeleton of Ludwig van Beethoven tilted his skull. “It’s an acronym for Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist.” The other skeleton replied. “...Huh?” “You know what feminism means, I taught you that.” “Yes, ahem, I was referring to the… other three words.” He surveyed the graveyard. “And what does it have to do with digging up a coffin?” “They’re feminists who exclude transgender women from the feminist struggle, hence trans-exclusionary. The grave-digging is because they’re fucking stupid.” “I’m not sure I follow. What’s a ‘transgender woman’?” [[[Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss Hub\|Marie Suratt]]] handed him a shovel. “Tell you while we work?” “Very well.” ----- “How was school?” his mother called out from the kitchen as he entered. “Fine.” He closed the door quickly before making a beeline for his room. “Have you thought of your Halloween costume yet?” His heart skipped a beat and he stopped in the hallway, glad she couldn’t see his face. Or the way his backpack bulged a little more than usual. “Yeah, I uh…” Should he tell her now? He’ll have to eventually. Better to rip the bandaid off now. Nervous as hell, he continued, “I’m thinking of going as a witch, you know, a classic one with a broom and everything.” “As a joke, I mean. I think it could be funny.” He added quickly. Maybe a bit too quickly. “I think so too!” Phew. She didn’t seem to notice. “Do you want to come with me to the store and pick something out?” “I’ve got most of the stuff already. But, uh, well, if you could help me…” He swallowed, his cheeks practically on fire. “What is it?” “I want to buy a skirt!” And he ran to his room and shut the door, too scared to hear the answer. ----- “Huh.” Beethoven stopped digging for a moment. “So you weren’t always…?” “Yeah.” “Curious.” “That’s it?” She shoveled another pile of dirt, revealing part of the coffin. She stuck her shovel in the ground and stretched her fingerbones, then her arms. Defiling graves was exhausting work. In their defense, said grave was about to be defiled in a few hours anyway. “Marie Suratt, in my rather short life and immeasurably longer afterlife, I have seen a great deal of strange and fantastical things. Changing one’s gender barely makes it onto the list. Besides, I've always thought you were a charming young lady.” She laughed. A hollow, dry laugh, echoing in her skull as if she were in a great cathedral. “Thanks Beet, appreciate it.” She wished she could give him a proper smile, something more genuine than the awful grin they were both forced to wear at all times. She took up the shovel again. ----- The apartment was small, almost claustrophobic, despite the windows and the frequent absence of her mother. She'd always liked New York better. The two of them were eating dinner in the kitchen, not saying much. There was an awkward tension in the air, one that had slowly grown over the past year. High school was coming to an end, and with it came certain expectations. "Well?" Her mother put down her fork. "Have you decided?" "Decided what?" She mumbled between mouthfuls of mashed potatoes. "You know what. D--Marie, you need to start thinking about your future." "I haven't even finished school." Her voice was low and weak. There was something about how her mother spoke that shattered her confidence, something that brought her walls down low no matter how much she labored on the foundations. "Most of your classmates have already applied. Your window of opportunity is closing. I've made some inquiries with friends and colleagues - your best option is the University of Warsaw, they've got an incredibly prestigious military engineering program there, and if you want to study abroad there's--" "Mom." "What I'm saying is these are things you're going to have to start doing on your own. I can't keep--" "Mom! //Listen// to me." Her voice was cracked, but this time it held. "What?!" "I don't want to go to fucking university!" She met her mother's eyes. Her face was contorted in anger and disbelief, but Marie didn't care. It was her turn to be angry. "I don't know what I want to study. I don't know if I //want// to study anything. I've had enough of school." "Then what //do// you want to do? You're coming out to the real world soon, D--" "Marie." "Marie. I'm sorry." "Whatever. Look, I know that I need to start a career, built a future, yada yada. But I don't know what that future looks like right now. I'll get a job, get my driver's license, and figure things out from there. I'm great at sports, maybe I'll become a personal trainer or something. I want to do something that matters." //You're rambling, get to the point.// "But it's my decision! Not yours." She was breathing heavily when she finished. Rebecca Suratt looked... strange. Like she was thinking of something far away. "I--I see. Alright. I can't stop you, if that's really what you want to do. But let me offer one more thing." "What?" She practically spat out the word. "It's about my job." Marie's eyes widened. "I think it's time I told you who I really work for." ----- "I assume you said yes?" "How couldn't I? I was lost, in the midst of a gender crisis, not knowing who I was. And here comes my mom with her secret agency and its holy mission of protecting the world from monsters. There's only one way I could have responded to that, and she knew it." Marie kicked up a cloud of dust and dirt. "And they accepted you? You were barely eighteen." "When your mom's a senior researcher, lots of stuff can get waved away. Especially at 120, where the Site's practically a family of itself. Two years of intense training and off you go to die in the dark." "Indeed." The other skeleton paused for a moment, contemplating. "But not many people can proceed to fight and claw their way out of that dark." "True that." She looked up at Beethoven. "But I didn't do it alone." She wiggled her skull a bit, in lieu of eyes to wink with. He wiggled his own bony head back. ----- She was still somewhat confused about how the onboarding event for the new MTF recruits – //Ha ha// – had been absorbed into Site-120’s Halloween party. Something about colliding dates and budgetary concerns, she wasn’t really paying attention. She sat uncomfortably at the bar-like counter in the cafeteria, her new uniform not quite fitting around her shoulders. “No costume?” Commander Cornwell said in Polish as he slid into the chair to her right. He was wearing a pirate hat and a vaguely pirate-like vest, six pistols hanging off his belt. “No alcohol?” She poked her glass of pumpkin juice. “Work event with newbies, gotta set some sort of example for y’all.” He poured himself a glass of water and placed it on the counter. “Shame. I heard forty-three’s got some //amazing// parties.” “You thought about transferring already?” He used the feminine version of the verb. She was still startled by how happy that made her feel. “Just messing. I’m still not clear on… well, the point of all this?” She gestured at the cafeteria. The walls were covered in cheap plastic decorations, the fluorescents magically altered to glow with a dim, orange light. Costumed researchers, agents, and would-be agents mingled, slowly depleting the enormous piles of candy looming over them on the tables. “I thought we were supposed to get an extended orientation or something.” “Well, Suratt, when you’re an agent, your Task Force is your family and the researchers your distant, weird relatives-- well, other than your mother, of course. We just want you to get to know them, it’s not that complicated.” “I guess.” She poked her glass again, then scratched at the stubble on her chin. “Something on your mind?” He paused. “You seem agitated.” “It’s not the program, if that’s what you’re asking.” On her mother’s suggestion, she had enrolled in the organization’s fast-track agent program. [[[scp-8120\|Nepotism really did run wild in the Foundation]]]. He looked at her the way a dad looks at his kid complaining that he didn’t buy the right cereal brand. “Fine, fine. It’s the holiday season. Not really my thing.” “Brings back bad memories?” “Mhm. Uncomfortable and embarrassing memories. You could call them bad.” She wondered what was going on in his head. Was he imagining what sort of Halloween childhood trauma she’d undergone? //No, he just wants you to stop brooding like a fucking thirteen-year-old. Christ, get a grip.// “Ah, I see. Perhaps a little light socializing could take your mind off things? I could check if your mother’s around.” //See?// “Please don’t, I’m good on that front. But I’ll give this ‘mingling’ thing a shot. If only a metaphorical one.” She downed her glass. “How’s this, I get you something real to drink, and you join us for the rest of the night?” She smiled, “Deal.” ----- “So all you need are the right signals, and the body changes on its own? So simply? Fascinating.” Beethoven sat on the dirt, shovel discarded. Marie was just putting on the finishing touches. “Yep. The Foundation had surprisingly good gender-affirming care too, I was getting results a good few months before the average.” “How did it feel?” “Liberating. Like all the rough, sharp edges of yourself finally smooth over into something you can live with.” She put her hands on her hips. “Alright, we’re done.” “Excellent! Ahem, what now?” Marie rubbed her hands together. “Now we have some fun.” ----- [[div class="blockquote"]]] Jean Morgan: Today, we’ll be proving once and for all that Raia Michaels was biologically female, and certainly not part of the transgender agenda. Not only will we be examining her bone structure, we’ll also use some simple necromancy to ask her some questions and finally bust those silly myths. Kelly O'Leary: For those wondering, we of course have been given permission from Vanguard to conduct the exhumation and the ritual. Everything we will be doing today is completely safe and in compliance with the law. [[/div]] ----- “Shit shit shit shit–” A shrill screech echoed down the hallway behind her. She ran faster than she’d ever ran before, every breath like a knife in her chest, her legs numb with adrenaline. Her comms were going haywire, the static a constant throb in her ears. It was getting closer. There would be a fork in a few dozen meters, left to the MTF quarters and right to the research labs. Where her mother worked. Another howl, followed by the horrible sound of scratching against steel, then splashing liquid. If it really did hunt via body heat, it would go for the labs, where the researchers would be huddling together in the breach shelter. She knew it wouldn’t hold. She reached the fork, almost collapsing right then and there. Behind her, something glistening and oily flooded the floor in a shallow black tide. //Think!// She had her sidearm, but they’d already tried shooting it with bigger guns. Her pager was displaying a series of characters which made her eyes sting. There was nothing she had that could– //The MTF quarters. The armory.// She drew her pistol and sprinted to the left, unloading the magazine into the wall as she went, praying that she’d avoid the ricochet. The thing slithered and oozed after the fresh heat, the liquid rising to swallow her boots. She’d need something bigger to keep its attention. //Almost there.// She burst into the armory, almost slamming into one of the equipment lockers. She punched the numbers in and grabbed the first grenade she saw, pulling the pin and throwing it back in with the others. She hurled herself away, desperately hanging on to the slimmest chance of survival, the encroaching darkness flooding through the doorway. A new sun roared into existence in the armory. Her death came at the hands of something far worse. ----- “Did you ever find out what that beast was?” “Not really. Something out of Alagadda if I had to guess. But yeah, barely made it through a year through my transition before I got boned.” Beethoven made a strange clacking sound. Possibly his best approximation of a guffaw. They were lying almost on top of one another, but neither of them minded. “I see. Well, for what it is worth, your death saved dozens of lives, including your mother’s. A noble death, if indeed there is such a thing.” “Yeah. When we [[[scp-5572\|got out of hell]]], the first thing I did was try to call her. Turns out she’d died while we were down under. They said it was heart failure, but…” Her voice couldn’t crack, not anymore, but she felt like it should, and that was enough. “But I can’t help but feel that it was the grief that did it. That if I had been faster, I could’ve talked to her and-–” “It is not your fault. You know that.” “I do. But there’s a part of me that insists that’s not true, every day, the past twenty years. I should have talked to her more often. We worked at the same building, ate at the same cafeteria, but it’s just…” She let the words hang in the damp air for a moment. If she could, she would have choked on those words. And probably cried. “Ever since I came out, it was hard to properly talk with her. She was the type to plan everything ahead, years in advance, and she did that to my own future too. I don’t think she ever really accepted that that future could be different, never really adjusted to the fact that I would grow into a woman. When I think of her, most of my memories are from before we even moved to Poland. But I should have made the effort. I should have reached out when I had the chance, even if it was painful and awkward. All the Queen of Bones shit, it’s all to distract myself from that, I think.” “I would not be so sure.” “Oh?” “Your underworld persona may be an act, but it is an act you obviously enjoy a great deal. I believe that at that point, it is as part of you as anything else. Perhaps it serves as a distraction as well, but that is not necessarily a bad thing, nor is that all that it is.” Silence filled the cramped space. Marie clutched the old composer’s hand. “Thanks, man.” “Any time, my lady. We all have our regrets, and we cannot always make up for our mistakes. We do what we can.” They both heard footsteps from above. “It’s showtime.” She whispered. ----- [[div class="blockquote"]] Jean Morgan: And there we have it - Raia Michaels, 1882-1959. Let’s open her up and look at those bones! Kelly, hold the camera for me will you? Alrighty, here we go… //<Sounds of strained grunting, followed by grinding stone.>// Jean Morgan: Huh? That’s strange, there shouldn’t be more than one set of bones in this– AAAGH WHAT THE FU– [[/div]] ----- Marie Suratt rocketed out of the coffin, punching the other woman square in the jaw and slamming her knee into her stomach. Wheezing, she crumpled like a house of cards. The camerawoman screamed as Ludwig van Beethoven sprinted behind her, sweeping her legs out from under her as she tried to run away. She fell on her back, dropping the camera, and he loomed over her like a proper undead nightmare. ----- [[div class="blockquote"]] //<The camera is picked up from the floor by an animate skeleton. It grins maniacally.>// UNKNOWN: Hello TERFs. //<The camera is brought closer to the skeleton’s face, until all that can be seen is an empty eye socket.>// UNKNOWN: Go fuck yourselves. //<Feed abruptly cuts.>// [[/div]] ----- “Did you see that? I wasn’t even wearing my knuckles!” “They were not exactly durable. Or particularly nimble.” The two skeletons walked down the graveyard, the stones getting newer as they neared the gate. They stopped at a pair of two gravestones. [[div class="notation"]] [[=]] + MARIE SURATT [[/=]] = 1982 – 2003 [[/div]] Marie knelt before her mother’s grave and opened her palm, spilling the crushed remains of the camera on the dirt. “She would understand.” She said, as if in explanation. “I believe she would.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “At least they did one thing right,” she pointed to the inscription: [[div class="notation"]] [[=]] + REBECCA SURATT [[/=]] = 1948 – 2004 = //Rest in Peace// [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=UNCGriffin]] ===== ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-10-31T22:47:00	[ "_licensebox", "bittersweet", "from-120s-archives", "lgbtq", "marie-surratt", "tale" ]	Transphobia: Spooky Scary Skeletons - SCP Foundation	33	[ "uncgriffin-s-author-page", "gaslight-gatekeep-girlboss-hub", "scp-8120", "scp-5572", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "gaslight-gatekeep-girlboss-hub", "from-120-s-archives-hub" ]	[]	1457236809	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/spooky-scary-skeletons
strikefall	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Foxtrot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Sigma-9</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2022</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Liryn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">FONTS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); 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</span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Fira</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Code</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@400</span><span class="hl-code">;700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sofia</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">rsms.me</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">inter.css</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Figtree</span><span class="hl-special">:wght</span><span class="hl-var">@800</span><span class="hl-code">;900&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">IBM</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Plex</span><span class="hl-code">+</span><span class="hl-identifier">Sans</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Core</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-title:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SCP Foundation"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-subtitle:</span><span class="hl-code"> "SECURE, CONTAIN, PROTECT"</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_lightmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">darkmode-logo-img:</span><span class="hl-code"> url(https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/theme:foxtrot/fxtrt-scp_logo_darkmode.svg)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">logo-opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">head-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Sans Normalcy'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">ui-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'IBM Plex Sans'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">mono-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira </span><span class="hl-string">Code</span><span class="hl-code">', </span><span class="hl-string">monospace</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Inter', 'verdana'</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">base-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">page-font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Misc</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">header-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">subheader-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">misc-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#464646</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E6283C</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">link-hover-txt-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Color</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Accents</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">accent:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-default:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">59</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-wyoming:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">142</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-canada:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--acc-default)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-poland:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">87</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">44</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">17</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-slothspit:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">27</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">133</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">acc-vanguard:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">153</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">75</span><span class="hl-code">; 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/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">BetterFootnotes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnColor:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">VARIABLES</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">barColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">linkColour:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">html</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">scroll-behavior:</span><span class="hl-code"> smooth</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-x:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">51</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient(to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-rendering:</span><span class="hl-code"> optimizeLegibility</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#content-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font), var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">440</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">strong</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tt</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-source</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">pre</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--mono-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ol</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-underline-offset:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">40</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> :</span><span class="hl-special">:selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Clicky</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">links</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.newpage</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:visited:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">patch</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">for</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">sidebar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ayers</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">so</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">doesn</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">t</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">override</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.danger-diamond</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--linkColour) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">900</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">26</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-img) </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">30</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">130</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--logo-opacity)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Search</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">text</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">47</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li.sfhover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ul</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.83</span><span class="hl-code">) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">230</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-indent:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.mobile-top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Login</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">19</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.printuser</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img.small</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> translate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#my-account</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#account-topbutton</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MAIN</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Header</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">18.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">s ease-in-out</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">rtl</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#interwiki</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">ltr</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.heading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#cfcfcf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">pt</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Blockquotes</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Custom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">dashed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f7f7f7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fbfbfb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.quote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.note</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#afafaf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.round</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Titles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.meta-title</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footnotes-footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bbb</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Rate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Module</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Author</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Label</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.authorlink-wrapper</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-top-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-bottom-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">author-right-adjust:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Side</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#f4f4f4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#3b3b3b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#bfbfbf</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Headings</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">Image</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Captions</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#E0FFD4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDFCD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFCFCF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tables</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> (</span><span class="hl-identifier">Table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Coloring</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">System</span><span class="hl-code">) > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colored</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Divs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">224</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">212</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">226</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">244</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">245</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">189</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">223</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">205</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">207</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.blockquote.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.jotting.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.notation.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.modal.table6</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.paper.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">218</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Base</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tabs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Customization</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQ</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEY</span><span class="hl-code">. </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">other</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">things</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Assets</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/local--files/component:dustjacket-theme/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Collapsibles</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">underline</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">white</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--base-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">.licensebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.info-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.default-col</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.7</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.acs-extra-4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), Inter, </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anom-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CONTENT</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woed</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Adjustments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.item1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">uppercase</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.class1</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">woedbar-class-bar-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.scale</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.obj</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.55</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MISC</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.bt</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#444</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">45</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#7b7b7b</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.footer-wikiwalk-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">88</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-options-container</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">213</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-watch-options</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">77</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-direction:</span><span class="hl-code"> row</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-options-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-info-break</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#5f5f5f</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ecf2f1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#d9d9d9</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#license-area</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "."</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (min-width: 768</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "tags "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--misc-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">inline-block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.3125</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.8125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(var(--page-font-size) - </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.625</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.0625</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.1875</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> rgb(var(--accent)) </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-style:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> ""</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">left</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.25</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.2813</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-tags-input</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font), </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">150</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">table.form</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> fit-content</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.edit-help-34</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.edit-page-bottomtable</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-comments</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">86</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-info</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "!"</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">60</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">115</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#lock-timer</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> "⏲ "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">outline:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-property:</span><span class="hl-code"> box-shadow</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-page-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.text</span><span class="hl-special">:focus-visible</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#a3a3a3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">85</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> darkslategrey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#action-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">p</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(5)></span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">120</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 900</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#who-rated-page-area</span><span class="hl-code">></span><span class="hl-identifier">div</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">column-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content-warning.creditRate</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">21</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.preview-message</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">29</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">filter:</span><span class="hl-code"> drop-shadow(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">))</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EDEDED</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.error-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">48</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#B00</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-left-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top-right-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2</span><span class="hl-identifier">n</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0.05</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> fade </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">fade</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.1</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--link-hover-txt-color)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.button-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">default</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--head-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">800</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">155</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">187</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F7F7F7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.owait</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.content</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> " "</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">block</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation:</span><span class="hl-code"> loading </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">s linear infinite</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> grey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.4</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@keyframes</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">loading</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> 0% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> 100% </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transform:</span><span class="hl-code"> rotate(</span><span class="hl-number">360</span><span class="hl-code">deg)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow.osuccess</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.owindow</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.content</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(2)></span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-special">:nth-child</span><span class="hl-code">(1) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.odialog-shader</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#262a39</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-identifier">.btn.btn-primary</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.buttons</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.button</span><span class="hl-special">:not</span><span class="hl-code">(</span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-string">submit</span><span class="hl-quotes">"</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">11</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ccc</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem </span><span class="hl-number">14</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-diff-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-preview-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-draft-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#eaeaea</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#dbffd6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#005a0a</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-continue-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-save-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#0d951c</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffe1e1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c52727</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#edit-cancel-button</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#fff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#c5272e</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">table.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tbody</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#757575</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fncon</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--page-font-size) !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.hovertip</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.checkbox</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-history</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#h-perpage</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">cursor:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">pointer</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">textarea</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">110</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--ui-font)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">REDUCED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOTION</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACCESSIBILITY</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (prefers-reduced-motion: </span><span class="hl-identifier">reduce</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">::</span><span class="hl-identifier">after</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">animation-iteration-count:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">transition-duration:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.001</span><span class="hl-code">s !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@MEDIA</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 850</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 700</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.8</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 620</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.15</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">123</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 520</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { line-height: </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">9.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">145</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> }</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="preview"> <p>Strike Team Ivory Dagger tears into existence amidst a gentle misting of frozen elephant blood half a kilometer above the acropolis.</p> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <table style="margin:0; padding:0"> <tr> <td style="margin:0; padding:0"> <div id="toc"> <div id="toc-action-bar"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.foldToc(event)">Fold</a><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.unfoldToc(event)" style="display: none">Unfold</a></div> <div class="title">Table of Contents</div> <div id="toc-list"> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc0">1. RISING ACTION</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc1">2. THE COST OF BUSINESS</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc2">3. FEARLESS</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc3">4. BLOCK PARTY</a></div> <div style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#toc4">5. ASHES TO ASHES</a></div> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <h2 id="toc0"><span>1. RISING ACTION</span></h2> <hr/> <div class="vanguard"> <p>To my esteemed colleagues of the Council of 108-</p> <p>As some of you are no doubt already aware, last month, <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/goc-tale-sequence-strike">STRIKE</a> suffered one of the worst operational failures to date in its nearly century-long history. It is my responsibility as duly appointed Special Investigator to inform this body of the systematic oversights that occurred leading up to this disaster, the timeline of the event itself, and the steps that will be taken moving forward from this catastrophe.</p> <p>We begin with an overview of the initial mission parameters…</p> </div> <hr/> <p>It is late in the morning in the valley of gods and the Americans are back.</p> <p>Nashir watches them- two squat black helicopters flying low over the green hills, scattering his milling flock as their heavy rotors spit thunder into the stillness.</p> <p>Since the invasion, there has been little war here in the quiet shadows and remote valleys of the Koh-i-Baba, but Nashir knows the Americans bring the war with them wherever they fly, like stinking flies spreading plague.</p> <p>He squints into the sun, hand over his eyes as he watches the foreign machines come to a hovering stop. There are ropes dangling from their bellies now, and men and machinery coming down the ropes, neat as you please, all in shades of black.</p> <p>He watches them descend into the bosom of the valley, the blue plastic shortwave in his hand shiny against his dusty brown tunban.</p> <p>He pauses thoughtfully, then presses the button to transmit.</p> <hr/> <p>Warrant Officer Edward Caldez waits until the last of the black-suited men have made their way down the fastrope and then coaxes the Chinook into a low-altitude buzz over the mountainside on his way back to Kabul, uncaring of the frightened goats startling and scattering mere meters below him. His mind is elsewhere.</p> <p>He blinks every forty-three seconds exactly. His copilot, Jeremy “Jimmy” Henderson blinks in the same interval, seven seconds staggered. A spool of glistening saliva dribbles down his chin and his eyes are bloodshot. Jimmy shares his expression. Neither of them are all there at the moment.</p> <p>There is a seven-fingered ideogrammatic spider nestled somewhere between neurons firing in his brain and the imprint of him, Edward Caldez, that moves through ideatic space. The spider’s name is O’Brien, and it is, at the moment, serving as the frontal lobe of five-hundred and seventy six people concurrently. It weaves a web of inference and spindles along on gossamer legs, here and there pulling a thread or two, turning a head, making a reference on a chart, transcribing clearance codes. It would hum if it could- it enjoys being human, for the moment.</p> <p>O’Brien will eat and eat, swallow the observations, data, memories of this Week That Should Not Be for the men and women of Kabul airbase. He will swallow Colonel Benjamin Baudner’s harried call to the Pentagon, swallow Specialist Miranda Gibbon’s curious exclamation at <em>the things they have us flying these days</em>, swallow the way Edward Caldez tries not to look too closely at the plastic-and-blackbox sheathing of the men he’s flying, up and down the web until all of it coalesces into a tidy bundle in his stomach and he dies, curled up into a hyperdense ball of information like a closed fist.</p> <p>It’s not a perfect system of course- O’Brien is far too young to be perfect, though he tries his best. Five thousand gallons of fuel will vanish without explanation from airfield inventory. A discarded priming card will be left carelessly on the floor of Baudner’s office. There will be a thirty-seven percent increase in incidences of manic-depression and paranoid schizophrenia in medical discharge records from Kabul over the next few years. There are holes aplenty in this process for those who search for them- and there will be plenty of searchers soon enough.</p> <p>But none of that is O’Brien’s fault. He is only a last resort, after all. A hack job. A hasty and inelegant maneuver rushed into service to bridge the auspices of an apparatus that was never, for all its pretenses, truly global.</p> <p>Perhaps that is why he is four hours behind schedule.</p> <hr/> <div class="vanguard"> <p>At 0830 hours AFT 8/17/10, PHYSICS forward observation team 0948-Red Dog was deployed to Band-e-Amir National Park in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan as part of measures outlined in Operation Carrion Vigil, supported by requisitioned logistical assets ███████████████.</p> <p>This deployment was in response to credible intelligence indicating paraterrorist activity in the locale surrounding World Paraheritage Site UN-X7FF-76 “City of Woes”.</p> <p>At 1030 hours, team leader Captain Johnathan Baukeraz contacted Regional Command to confirm the presence of paraterrorist activity, reporting multiple sightings of suspected KTO-Redhair-Grayladder “Chaos Insurgency” combat cells actively patrolling the area inside and around the acropolis. The usage of then-experimental Bronze Mask long range facial recognition technology confirms the presence of designated Operation Carrion Vigil High Value Targets in the vicinity of Site UN-X7FF-76. Upon corroboration of the report with PSYLOS assets, officer-in-command Colonel Martha Halberd authorizes the escalation of Emergent Response Category to level four.</p> </div> <hr/> <p>Alastaire Mcmnemon, <em>formerly</em> A.M. <em>formerly</em> The Sommelier <em>formerly</em> Alexander Ward, follows the shepherd over the hill, shielding her eyes against the midmorning sun with one hand as her sneakers scrape over the flattened dirt of the shepherd’s trail. There is a wide clearing in the waist-high dry grass ahead of them, freshly marred by multiple pairs of heavy footsteps. And there, to the right, a broad impression trailing into an undulating indentation, leading haphazardly into the brush.</p> <p>Patting her guide on the shoulder, she presses a packet of crisp hundred dollar bills into his hand.</p> <p>“خداحافظ"</p> <p>"همچنین خداحافظ دوست من"</p> <p>she answers back, waving as the shepherd climbs back over the hill, vanishing into the haze. Alastaire walks gingerly over to the brush, taking care not to disturb the tracks. She looks closer, critically. Something catches her eye. She leans down and gently moves a branch aside.</p> <p>There, piled in a careless heap behind the shrubbery is her prize: fastrope, nylon still bright, barely dirty. Fresh.</p> <p>Kneeling in the dust, she pushes aside the rest of the desiccated fronds, whistling tunefully as she slowly removes her left glove. It seemed her guests today were polite.</p> <p>They’d remembered to bring gifts.</p> <hr/> <div class="vanguard"> <p>It is here that the first critical failures become apparent. Due to logistical and scheduling constraints, 0948-Red Dog opted to fastrope directly into the operational zone instead of establishing a secondary landing zone outside of the operational perimeter and proceeding on foot. To maintain operational security, Captain Baukeraz had ordered a series of low-level sorties to take place above the operational zone in the preceding days, in an attempt to obfuscate the actual landing site. This failed- the extent of KTO-Redhair-Grayladder’s collaboration with the local populace was severely underestimated by PHYSICS, as was the employment of civilian shepherds as aerial observers.</p> <p>Following the observation team’s initial failure to disinfect the landing zone, the discovery of the landing site by HVT-Grayladder-Bluechild ensured the total compromise of the initial insertion.</p> <p>0948-Red Dog assumed that their provided tangen++ enhanced stealth chameleon cloak technology would compensate for operational deficiencies and maintain operational security. This assumption would prove to be only partially correct.</p> </div> <hr/> <p><strong>FIFTEEN YEARS AGO</strong></p> <p>Delta 084 steps through the still-smoldering buildings of ISVOS installation Al-Furajih-92, polaroid flashing as he surveys the broken pieces of what had once been a listening station. Here, a discarded assault rifle is embedded almost half a foot into a low plaster wall, there, a spray of machine oil from the punctured fuel line of an insurgent technical forms a slick rainbow. The vehicle itself is flipped cleanly over in a mangled mess. Broken glass crunches under his boots as he moves on.</p> <p>He photographs the corpses too, lifting away sheets of blue tarping to reveal the way their plate carriers buckle inward, concaving into shattered ribcages, the way limbs dangle limply from broken sockets or are otherwise entirely detached, piled in heaps of brown viscera swarming with flies.</p> <p>He is methodical and thorough and certain- but above all else, he is still very young. Young enough to survey the carnage and see only evidence of a game that, while lost, could've been played <em>better</em>.</p> <p>Young enough to do the impossible.</p> <p>The Coalition was not the Foundation, 084 muses, kneeling down to inspect a discarded piece of ceramic, stained faintly with granular discharge.</p> <p>The Foundation is an edifice built on secrecy, an old dowager peering warily through moth-ridden curtains as she claws at moldy pearls, obsessively exact. The Coalition makes a pretense of this too, with their second mission concerns and MEDEA teams, but it is not the same. The Foundation, for example, would never conduct an operation such as this without a dozen cleanup teams on standby just outside the perimeter, waiting with bated breath to sanitize and disinfect, to catalog and collect the bloody artefacts, to plaster over the bullet holes and conceal the screaming wounds, shielding their business almost abashedly.</p> <p>The Foundation has learned humility, 084 thinks, then corrects himself, lips twitching beneath the polyphasic mask that hugs the contours of his face.</p> <p>We have <em>taught</em> the Foundation humility.</p> <p>The Coalition, in contrast, is yet proud.</p> <p><em>We are almighty</em>, they proclaim from their walled gardens and high towers, standing astride the world. <em>Look upon our works!</em> They are saying it here too, in plainer text, written with the corpses they leave behind, with the brazen ruin emblazoned upon their banners. <em>Look what we make of our enemies!</em></p> <p>Sheer, blinding arrogance, but cultivated with such certainty, such circumstance, it becomes truth. Inevitability.</p> <p>The Foundation seeks to enforce normalcy.</p> <p>The Coalition <em>weaponizes</em> that ideal.</p> <p>084 pockets the polaroid, hand reaching down to defuse the timer ticking away on his belt. All in all, it’s been a good day’s work.</p> <p>As he walks down the hill, away from the corpses and the wreckage, the last embers of the battle wink out in the dry desert wind.</p> <hr/> <div class="vanguard"> <p>It should be noted here that the following events represent an unprecedented deviation in the operational tendency of KTO-Redhair-Grayladder. In defense of Colonel Halberd’s command decisions, if the Silicon Nornir didn’t see this coming, it is unlikely that anyone else could have either.</p> </div> <hr/> <div class="president"> <p>Delta 084 throws a Reese’s peanut butter wrapper at the Engineer’s head as he leans back in the ratty leather office chair, putting his feet up on the smooth, shiny blackstone desk that incongruously fills the cramped space of the safehouse.</p> <p>The scrawny red-haired woman scowls as she reaches down to pick up the litter, the brown paper wrapper flaring to dust in her hands.</p> <p>“You want to fight a GOC PHYSICS team.”</p> <p>She sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose.</p> <p>“Let me correct myself.”</p> <p>“You want to fight a pitched battle with a Coalition kill team in an isolated, moldering ruin in <em>Afghanistan</em>, of all places, cut off from support, with no fallback contingencies, knowing full well that they could simply decide to bomb you off the face of the earth at any given moment, and you somehow expect me to not just <em>abet</em> this insanity, but also help you convince two other full combat cells to join in on this suicide attempt?”</p> <p>“Do I need to remind you what overwhelmingly tends to happen to said combat cells when they come into the vicinity of STRIKE teams?”</p> <p>Delta 084 holds up a finger, washing down the last bites of chocolate with a swig from a silver flask. The mineral water goes down smooth as silk as the Engineer’s frown deepens.</p> <p>“How is it that I can <em>tell</em> you’re smirking under there, despite the fact that you ought to no longer have a face, conceptually speaking? Is it memetic? You know that shit’s not allowed in the safehouse.”</p> <p>084 sets down his flask, letting out a contented sigh.</p> <p>“Not anomalous, ma’am. Just talent.”</p> <p>“And I do know what happens when we face the Coalition’s butchers, ma’am. Maybe better than anyone living.”</p> <p>A thick stack of manila folders sprawls carelessly across the table. The Engineer reaches for one.</p> <p><em>Vladivostok, 1987</em></p> <p>There’s polaroid photographs inside, and stacks of yellowing index cards, diagrams, Engine printouts, plastic evidence bags of labeled debris.<br/> She reaches for the next one, and the next, their contents identical.</p> <p><em>Tibet, 1991</em></p> <p><em>Utah, 1992</em></p> <p><em>Kuwait, 1995</em></p> <p>“You’ve been busy,” the Engineer breathes, flipping through the folders, eyes flickering over the documents with preternatural speed. There’s a whirring noise as the jacked Maxwellian cooling fan behind her left ear spins to life, the drumming of her fingers on the table morphing into a staccato frenzy.</p> <p>“These are… thorough.”</p> <p>084 nods. “Fourteen significant combat encounters between Insurgency combat cells and PHYSICS teams from 1985 onwards. Sixty seven of our own dead, fourteen more captured and subsequently executed.”</p> <p>The Engineer winces, although 084 knows she knows the statistics by heart. He is, as they say, preaching to the choir. Literally.</p> <p>“Zero confirmed enemy casualties, although there have been one or two times where we’ve managed to disable a suit. An impressive record, I must admit.”</p> <p>The Engineer sets the folders down, reaching towards the plastic cooler at her feet for another ice pack that she places gingerly against the side of her temple. The plastic audibly hisses as it meets her skin.</p> <p>“Go on, 084. Explain to me why this time will be any different.”</p> <p>Delta-084 unwraps another chocolate bar.</p> <p>“The Coalition-”</p> <p>“- is not the Foundation.” The Engineer finishes the adage for him, motioning impatiently.</p> <p>He takes a bite of the Snickers.</p> <p>“The Coalition doesn’t have Sites. It doesn’t bother to maintain garrisons around the globe, scrambling to chase down every two-bit shaman or Bigfoot sighting in the manner of our dear colleagues. The Coalition understands it doesn’t need to wage a proactive war.”</p> <p>“No, what the Coalition does is <em>respond</em>. They maintain the most powerful thaumic monitoring system in the world- VERITAS. They have their Assessment Teams, paired with the strongest naval contingent and airlift capacity of any organization below the Veil. When anything big happens, they’re the first to know, and they have the capacity to move pieces into play faster than anyone else on the board.”</p> <p>“What was the first STRIKE operation in history?” She takes a moment to consider the question.</p> <p>“For our purposes? Prague, 1939. Allied Occult Initiative raid on a Thule Society ritual site. First usage of mass translocation as an insertion method in modern occult history.”</p> <p>“Precisely.”</p> <p>“The original conception for STRIKE was as a means of disruption, specifically against Thule Society efforts to assemble the Key of Solomon through ritual. That is the fundamental conceit of their hegemony, disruption. The Coalition are ritual-killers, first and foremost, and they have become very, <em>very</em> good at it.”</p> <p>Cool gray eyes study him, beads of condensate slowly sizzling down her face. The casing of the ice pack is beginning to melt, but she doesn’t seem to notice.</p> <p>"You are aware this isn't the first time someone's tried a sham ritual gambit on STRIKE."</p> <p>It wasn't a question.</p> <p>"But this is the first time it'll <em>work</em>."</p> </div> <hr/> <h2 id="toc1"><span>2. THE COST OF BUSINESS</span></h2> <hr/> <p>Magic is a transaction, an investment in exchange for return. Ritual magic, as it stands, is the bloody crystallization of that conceit.</p> <p>The foundation of ritual is efficiency.</p> <p>Alastaire squats in the middle of the graven circle, stripped to the waist. There is a crude block of carved stone in front of her. It might have been an archstone once, or perhaps the base of a well, or a piece of foundation.</p> <p>Now, it is an altar.</p> <p>Upon the altar is a bleating lamb, bound messily with severed strands of high-tensile black nylon. Alastaire takes a deep breath, and draws a jagged shard of obsidian from out of the air besides her hand where it waits, thin and crisp.</p> <p>The speakers set against the walls of the room blare to crackling life, tramping with the beat of leather drums, the stamping of feet and the jangle of brazen bells.</p> <p><em>A-wey-o-manambe-a way-o-aesae.</em></p> <p>There is a belt of white feathers in her left hand and a green stick of laurels clenched together in her fist and Alastaire rises to her feet, stamping in time with the beat.</p> <p><em>A-wey-o-manambe-a way-o-aesae.</em></p> <p>She turns to the north, moving in strident rhythm as the bleating of the terrified lamb blends with the coursing sounds, the air filled with phantom smoke that seeps from the walls, circling lazily around the boundary of her circle. She shouts nonsense words, meaningless syllables that drive the smoke into frenzy, that call from it shapes and shadows, toothsome wisps that bloom for malingering seconds before spiraling into the sky.</p> <p><em>A-wey-o-manambe-a way-o-aesae.</em></p> <p>It is lunacy, undirected, imprecise, a ritual that is the antithesis of ritual. She feels the earth below her feet move, the backlash working its way down the leyline that runs through the old mountain in serpentine curls.</p> <p><em>A-wey-o-manambe-a way-o-aesae.</em></p> <p>She makes her way to the altar and the bleating lamb and with the shard of glass slices a neat cut lengthwise across her forearm and smears the dripping blood onto the white feathers and her hand and daubs the lamb in red- the thing still struggling against the nylon bonds, bleating and screaming- and feels the smoke creep in through the boundaries.</p> <p><em>What do you want?</em></p> <p>It asks, whispering, tempting, trailing cold fingers lustfully down the spine of her soul.</p> <p>“Noise.”</p> <p>The glass comes down, and the lamb is still.</p> <hr/> <div class="elaimal"> <p>Shahr- e- Gholghola endures.</p> <p>It sits atop of a ragged hill, a crumbling wall erected around a maze of ruined citadels overlooking slopes of barren rock. Here, in the old silence, the stones still remember.</p> <p>The night is black and blazing and horsemen are racing around it in frenzied gallop. They throw torches over the stockades and scaffolding and set the city beneath the acropolis alight, and run down the scattered and fleeing crowds, corral them into tight knots that are cut down, crushed with hooves, the blood of a city flowing into the yellow earth.</p> <p>Against the wall of the citadel lies the broken and bleeding body of a god, and over the god stands a king of the steppes and his companions, in their hands cruel iron knives wrested from the grave of an empire consigned from history.</p> <p>They are flensing shimmering chunks of flesh off the bloody scaffold, tearing away sheets of hide and great ropes of divine offal that they cast into the fire burning green behind them, around which dance three terrible riddle-priests clad in bone, ululating into the burning sky. The king does this because a god made manifest is the aegis of its people and because a people’s volition is their god manifest and because the king <em>hates</em> these people. He is a conqueror, and this is a land that has been a bone in his throat and a stone in his boot and so he rips and he flays and he <em>makes an example</em> of the city and its people and their dead god.</p> <p>The blood of the god flows into the yellow earth and mixes with the blood of its people, and there, in the old silence, the stones learn to remember.</p> <p>Shahr- e- Gholghola endures.</p> </div> <hr/> <div class="vanguard"> <p>At 1730 hours AFT on 8/17/10, nodes UCONN-12, 45, 77, and 89 in the VERITAS Global Monitoring System simultaneously recorded elevated levels of thaumic circulation in Leyline Ashcwenbheur-94, directly intersecting the operational zone.</p> <p>At 1850 hours, 0984-Red Dog corroborated this report with on-site OCULUS readings, notifying Colonel Halberd, who escalated Emergent Response Category to Level Five. An emergency session of UNGOC High Command is convened to discuss response strategies.</p> </div> <hr/> <div class="president"> <p>“How can you be sure that they’re not just going to bomb you into oblivion?”</p> </div> <hr/> <p>“I fail to see why we haven’t authorized the bombing run already. I have assets in the theatre ready to move within fifteen minutes. This entire thing could be over and done within the next hour.”</p> <p>Magister Ryomen Thanaka of the Aetheric Society of the Golden Lotus grips the podium until his knuckles turn white, and tries his damndest not to disintegrate the High Illuminant with his mind.</p> <p>“Because, as I have <em>repeatedly</em> told you already, the terrorists are sitting on a para-architectural history site of unparalleled importance. Because, they are also sitting on the convection point of a major leyline, which they are currently <em>prying open</em> in some beggared attempt at a channeling ritual! Because, <em>sir</em>, if you blunder in with your dirty western bombs, <em>you could cause a thaumic disaster that levels half the country!”</em></p> <p>“This again? You wizards are all the same. If every half-baked prophecy that came out of your mouths came true we wouldn’t be able to move two feet in any direction without blowing up the earth.”</p> <p>Before the angry retort forming on the tip of his tongue can fly across the room and turn the smug bastard’s skin green until the next full moon, the door to the conference room bangs open.</p> <p>Ryomen turns to see the blue-jacketed final member of the UNGOC Emergency Response Council stride through the doorway, as always accompanied by the crisp jingle of brass on bronze.</p> <p>A vein bulges in his temple.</p> <p><em>First the clown, and now the peacock.</em></p> <p>The General regales him with an easy grin, lazy Yankee drawl curdling the air like spoiled milk.</p> <p>“Congratulations, gentlemen, the solution is here. Strike Team Ivory Dagger has been scrambled, and will be on-site in twenty minutes.”</p> <p>Turning on his heel, he marches back out of the room, letting the closing doors punctuate his parting words.</p> <p>“This council is dismissed.”</p> <hr/> <div class="president"> <p>084 has been talking at length. Standing, pacing, gesturing at tangents and examples as he unveils his masterwork piece by piece- a decade's worth of catastrophe laid out in sound and ink and splayed photographs.</p> <p>There is something almost like hope in his voice as he speaks.</p> <p>“The first thing we must establish is that whitesuits are <em>not</em> invincible. They are very good, to be sure- but to think of the suits themselves as a military asset wholly elevated from the capabilities of traditional elite infantry would be giving the Coalition too much credit. The suits are obedient to the constraints of design just like any other platform- there’s only so much warded armor you can slap on something bipedal while maintaining mobility, after all, even considering Coalition paratech.”</p> <p>“Think about it. How many methods would you have, available to you at this moment, of killing a whitesuit?”</p> <p>The Engineer hums thoughtfully, leaning back in her chair.</p> <p>“Seven. Twelve, assuming I had minimal time to prepare.”</p> <p>“And how many of those methods would completely ignore conventional armor?”</p> <p>“Five. I think I’m starting to see what you’re getting at.”</p> <p>“The Coalition understands that it is fundamentally unreasonable to shield its operators against the endless different attack vectors that paraweaponry offers. A question of personal durability beyond protection against conventional small arms becomes almost a moot point in the battles they pick. No, the primary asset of a whitesuit is far simpler- its ability to reliably survive insertion by translocation.”</p> <p>“The problem with fighting a reactive war is, <em>they give us the first move</em>.”</p> </div> <hr/> <p><strong>EIGHT YEARS AGO</strong></p> <p>A man without a face walks brusquely past a harried white-suited woman in a bustling Eurtec crowd. He bumps into her briefly, shoulder to shoulder, turns into an alleyway and vanishes into thin air. The exchange takes less than thirty seconds.</p> <p>She has killed herself by doing this. He has killed her by doing this.</p> <p>Within seven hours of the meeting node 344.HSVC of NORSEC complex UN-775466 flags her down during a routine analysis of personnel scheduling and noospheric irregularities amidst the employees of PHYSICS North. Within seven hours and seventeen milliseconds of the meeting her daily routine has been tracked, double-verified, and heuristically modeled. Within seven hours, twenty-two minutes and thirty-three seconds of the meeting, Coalition Counterintelligence is racing up the staircase to her apartment complex.</p> <p>She hears her front door cave in and pulls the trigger. The shotgun roars a mix of blessed salt, incendiaries, and silver oxide into her chin, splattering her brains across her dining room table and her soul across seventeen different afterlifes.</p> <p>Across the way, 084 watches, just to be sure. His hand grips a plastic-sheathed placard imprinted with a banshee and does not tremble. She sold her life well.<br/> <strong>-</strong><br/> Kerosene isn’t, as a rule, allowed in the Library. Neither is she, technically speaking, not anymore, but Alastaire is wearing a different face today. She gives the scuttling Page a respectful nod and starts running. It takes about thirty seconds for the walls to start screaming. That’s a good sign.</p> <p>Strictly speaking, the burning isn’t necessary. But the Library is a living thing, and every page of every book within it is a part of its heart, and Alastaire has always been particular to the classics. Nothing draws magic thicker and faster than pain, after all, and now the air is brimming with it, choking with agony and smoke. She takes the thread in her hand, gritting her teeth, and starts hacking away.</p> <p>The Librarians are at her heels now, shrieking and keening, but the skein is bulging, rendering like slow-cooked fat. She feels the tip of her knife glide through reality’s kidneys and with a howl of splitting atoms she makes it through, collapsing into a smoking heap in the middle of the circle. 084 is there to help her up. She flashes him a grin and presses a bundle of silver wafers into his hand- microscale digitigrade manuscripts from a timeline where the Sassanian Empire holds half the Orion Arm.</p> <p>The work continues, bracingly swift.<br/> <strong>-</strong><br/> Dust scatters from the ceiling with every impact, fine as sugar. Alastaire rises to her feet, knife in hand, mouth drawn into a thin line. 084 pulls her back down, shaking his head. Somewhere above them, a door caves in. A woman screams. There is gunfire.</p> <p>In the aftermath, Alastaire learns to swallow the taste of bile. 084 takes pictures. They bury what they can, and move on.<br/> <strong>-</strong><br/> A man without a face bites his lip as he watches his friend choke on vomit, caught in a manufactured nightmare of white-clad killers.<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup><br/> <strong>-</strong><br/> Two tons of beryllium bronze disappear from the belly of a London warehouse caught by sudden flame, and a woman with many names is there to make sure nothing remains to crawl out of the conflagration.<br/> <strong>-</strong><br/> The man and woman trace lines of fire across the world and wherever they go, people die. Cells burn, assets are uprooted, favors are recalled and answered in kind.<br/> <strong>-</strong><br/> <em>They were volunteers</em>, 084 reminds himself, lying alone in the dark.</p> <p>They were, all of them, volunteers.<br/> <strong>-</strong><br/> Above it all the Engine hums and breathes stochastic fire to mask the steps of their dance.</p> <hr/> <p>The Array is the pride of the Coalition. It is the greatest testament to their new path, to the golden promise of a future where mankind soars proudly into a bright and beautiful tomorrow upon wings of fire. It is the triumph of their engineers and the wonders of their mages made into a thing of cold, shining steel.</p> <p>It is a weapon of war.</p> <p>Seven bronze columns surround a silver heptagram engraved with micrometer precision on an unbroken sheet of black marble that is itself encircled by concentric orbitals of cold steel so thick with inscribed thaumic information that the plastic dust-cover that sheathes the machine while not in use is given nondenominational last rites by the base’s chaplain before its monthly incineration.</p> <p>The rings cannot be broken, and so the nine members of STRIKE are lowered into position by cranes, armor-locked into kneeling supplication- grim ivory statues dredged wholesale out of Arthurian myth.</p> <p>Coalition propagandists are not known for their subtlety.</p> <p>They are superlative warriors, these men who have given themselves to the Fivefold Mission. Their minds are unbreachable, the mission imprinted upon their subconscious with the infallible certainty of psycho-memetic conditioning, shielded behind a dense mesh of unbroachable psykill membrane and professional enthusiasm.</p> <p>The rings of the Array spin into whirring motion like a titanic astrolabe, the room cast into a dim blue glow by the thrumming of the thaumoelectric generator as technicians scurry to make their final adjustments. Sparks of wild magic are drawn out of the air, running down the sides of the columns in perspicuous droplets thick enough to taste. There is a flicker in the overhead lighting as a hundred-thousand soul-equivalents of harvested energy is shoved spinning and hissing into the orbiting rings.</p> <p>They are the vanguard, the defenders of humanity.<br/> They are the mailed fist of the Coalition.<br/> They are, simply, the best of the best.</p> <p>They are STRIKE, and as the Array sends them hurtling through nonspace at the speed of thought, they know no fear.</p> <hr/> <h2 id="toc2"><span>3. FEARLESS</span></h2> <hr/> <p>It would be a mistake to say that the Coalition always arrived at the worst possible moment.</p> <p>In 1986, a now-extinct sect of Large-Hivemind-Revival radicals attempting the illegal creation of unsanctioned theomodal intelligence had gotten wise to the whole affair, attempting a novel method of ritual organization that left no less than half of their cybermages combat-effective at any given time. The reasoning being that if the Coalition was wont to strike the moment heads turned, they would simply keep an eye on the back of their heads.</p> <p>The Coalition had let them complete their ritual, waiting until their local network had been thoroughly subsumed by cries of eschatological ecstasy, and then translocated a full STRIKE contingent twenty meters above the head of the infant god, crushing it into silicon paste along with the rest of the congregation shortly thereafter.</p> <p>All this was to say: trying to preempt a STRIKE team’s insertion was rather like trying to dodge a sniper’s bullet after-the-fact, in most cases, moreso a question of brief philosophy than of actionable policy.</p> <p>Predicting translocation was a fool’s errand, after all.</p> <p>0984-Red Dog makes its way up the pass to the fallback point in tight formation. They are shaken, but relieved.</p> <p>This day has been an exhausting fiasco, but the hard part is over. The calvary is coming, and now all they have to do is move to the minimum viable withdrawal distance and watch the fireworks.</p> <p>The Sommelier tastes their retreat on the wind, perched on a crumbling outcropping of weathered rock that might’ve once been a watchtower. Twin tendrils of corded muscle extend from her mouth, running with viscous saliva that vibrates in subatomic harmony with the microscopic smattering of sweat and stress pheromones staining the microfiber strands of the nylon wound around her hand, tight enough to hurt.</p> <p>The tendrils recede, flicking back into nonspace with a whiplike speed that sends her head cracking backwards. Rubbing her jaw, Alastaire dials in her transmitter.</p> <p>“Primary bellwether tripped. Assessment team retreating to the secondary perimeter. STRIKE imminent.”</p> <p>Beneath her feet, in the ghostwind that howls through the dry warrens honeycombing the hill, Shahr- e- Gholghola stirs.</p> <hr/> <p>Strike Team Ivory Dagger tears into existence amidst a gentle misting of frozen elephant blood half a kilometer above the acropolis. There is a statistically significant amount of turbulence.</p> <p>STRIKE4’s thaumic sink glows white hot and bursts from his back in a phosphorescent spiral of energized elementary particles, the upper third of his body following shortly thereafter in a rain of spinning ceramic shrapnel and million-dollar dust.</p> <p>This is unfortunate, but within parameters.</p> <p>The rest of STRIKE liaisons over the Local Tactical Network: the corpse of a θ dimensional data squid pulled halfway through itself into realspace, tethering their minds together with a level of cognitive intimacy surpassing that of most corpus callosums. Communication on the tacnet takes place at a rate just below the maximum chemical potential of human neurobiology- frenetic exchanges of hardcoded cybermantic ritualisms sending combat drivers spinning into frenzied action before conscious thought can register. OCULUS systems warm up, feeding fresh streams of data into a noospheric gestalt already howling for blood. Combat stims pump into eager bloodstreams, safeties disengage, and real-time NORNET simulations adjust and update mission parameters on-the-fly.</p> <p>By the time STRIKE hits the ground, eight seconds later, they’ve already won sixteen million times. All that’s left is to execute.</p> <hr/> <div class="president"> <p>“Therefore we of Delta Command document the steps of the Plan as transcribed by the Engineer of the Chaos-”</p> <p>The Engineer scowls, interrupting him. “Hereafter. It’s Hereafter. Everyone always gets it wrong.”</p> <p>There’s a bottle of scotch on the blackstone table between them, and two glass tumblers, half-full. 084 picks one up and drains it.</p> <p>It’s only mostly for dramatic effect.</p> <p>The work continues through the night.</p> </div> <hr/> <p>STRIKE5 pulverizes a stone column at a thirty degree angle, skipping three times off the ground at terminal velocity before rising smoothly into a loping gallop at seventy miles per hour.</p> <p>The tacnet highlights his recommended trajectory in a pleasant purple blur of altered reality, politely instructing him to run through two additional buildings and jump off a thirty-foot cliff. His feet are already moving.</p> <p>There are thirty-four aetheric life signatures on his side of the mountain concentrated into five strongpoints forming a rough half-circle around the acropolis. He has to give credit to the terrorists where it’s due- forming into traditional defensive lines would’ve seen the entirety of STRIKE dropping as one unit onto the Central Ritual Site then breaking out through the weakest point thereafter. As it stands, the insurgent formation complicates matters.</p> <p>STRIKE2 falls into position next to him- two tons of steel and ceramic casually leapfrogging across crumbling stone buttresses, footfalls eerily light. The first strongpoint is coming up ahead of them, a broken palisade surrounding a collection of ruins that might’ve once been a schoolyard. There’s no time for subtlety- STRIKE5 bursts through the outer wall like the fist of god, detonating the antipersonnel mine strapped to his chest in a hurricane of hypersonic shrapnel.</p> <p>Instead of violently perforated flesh, he is met with a hail of high-caliber firepower. They are ready for him. This is unusual.</p> <p>There is a glowing orange forcefield filling the space of the courtyard, opaque and impermeable. Tungsten shrapnel bristles over its surface like porcupine quills, held inexorably in place while a steady stream of gunfire rips outwards from the emplacement, pinging off his suit like drops of rain. OCULUS readouts scroll just beneath his stream of consciousness, NORNET updating force estimates and adjusting timetables even as a firing solution presents itself with a pleasant ding.</p> <p>STRIKE5 turns sideways, hiding his profile behind the thicker plating of his pauldron, pistol in hand. Four shots, geomantically precise, strike the shield center mass.</p> <p>The shield holds, flickers, wavers, and finally bursts, sending the hovering shrapnel clattering to the floor. The suit informs him that the resultant backlash will have had a thirty-three percent chance of causing instant cerebral hemorrhage. One of the aether-signatures flickers, stumbling to the ground.</p> <p>Good enough.</p> <p>He accelerates, pushing the suit to maximum capacity, stone floor cracking beneath him with a peal of muted thunder as he flashes forwards in a haze of kill-velocity. There are shouts of alarm, and as the red-purple tinge of fear spreads across the aether-signatures like wildfire he almost smiles. Almost. That would be unprofessional of him.</p> <p>When subject to sufficient force, flesh behaves as a fluid medium. Fingers sinking deftly into muscle, wrapping around the point of greatest structural stability (right beneath the ribcage at the conjunction of the last three thoracic vertebrae), STRIKE5 swings the insurgent’s corpse like a riot shield. Gore ripples out of the insurgent’s back, splattering the remainder of the fireteam with steaming offal.</p> <p>To their credit, the terrorists don’t blink. STRIKE5’s optics pick out a set of steely brown eyes staring steadily at him through goggles half-covered with dripping scarlet- the insurgent maintaining steady, even suppressive fire as he retreats backwards in good order.</p> <p>It’s almost impressive.</p> <p>STRIKE5 splatters him against the wall anyways and turns to scan the ground for the incapacitated BLUE asset. <em>There</em>, crawling along the north wall towards an exit, haloed by flickering orange light.</p> <p>Servos screaming, he lunges towards the stricken wizard, firing as he goes. One, two, three, and the shield is down- banking straight into a soaring coup-de-grace, trajectory perfect-</p> <p>The corpse in his hand twitches.</p> <p>It's not even a sophisticated trick. A Maxwellian would’ve found it borderline insulting. Failsafe augmentation, redundant nervous fibers running on reflex and twitching inside torn muscle revealing strands of nanomesh weave, a bloody net of torn ligaments whipping out of the corpse with explosive force, tangling around his limbs. It’s just enough to turn a perfectly calculated leap into an awkward, flailing tumble that sends him crashing into the turf.<br/> In the seconds before impact, STRIKE5 manages a fourth shot. The wizard’s head turns into an expanding ball of heated gas, cleanly cauterized at the neck. He has time to feel relief before <em>something</em> slams into the back of his suit so hard his scopes go white.</p> <p>Warning notes blare in his subconscious as combat drivers push priority impact reports, tacnet furiously requesting additional computation power even as the suit skids across the ground in a cloud of dust.</p> <p><strong>> No known impact database matches.</strong><br/> <strong>> Probable second BLUE asset active.</strong></p> <p>This is more than just unusual, it is impossible.</p> <p>NORNET’s analysis is not just infallible- it is <em>prophecy</em>. He had seen the VERITAS readings himself in the pre-mission, the careful tabulations of enemy force estimates based on the ritual’s ongoing thaumic output.</p> <p><em>They should not have this many mages outside of the central ritual site.</em></p> <p>The enemy’s effective tactical range has more than just doubled, it has-</p> <p>The tacnet stutters.</p> <p>STRIKE5 rips smoldering remains of nanomesh away from his chassis in ropes of crumbling carbon as the tacnet recalibrates, spent thaumic sink ejecting itself from his back in fragments of smoking bronze.</p> <p>By baseline human standards it takes only a few heartbeats. By the standards of NORNET- a distributed network with a detectable fraction of the Silicon Nornir's total operational capacity permanently allocated towards its needs, it is an eternity. Conflicting priorities and routines messily clash.</p> <p>The gears of the Coalition seize, stutter, and finally, resolve.</p> <hr/> <p>At the pinnacle of the acropolis six Sassanian pillars hold up the sky.</p> <p>Once a living divinity was enthroned here on a dias of sandalwood and myrrh, holding court from the Hindu Kush to the Arabian Sea.</p> <p>Now, it is a boneyard, a teutonic ossuary riven from the innards of dead faith.</p> <p>A ring of solemn figures kneel in the white dust, each draped in scarlet, hooded faces downcast. An unbroken band of bronze wire wraps around their clenched fists, a daisy chain that holds the circle implacably in place as around them the stones shift, spin, and howl their remembrance into the heavens.</p> <p>There is a terrible pressure here, a monolithic thrumming visible from orbit with the right eyes.</p> <p>It’s nothing that STRIKE7 hasn’t seen before.</p> <p>Two shock grenades land in the center of the circle, detonating into blinding flares of semi-sentient magnesium which go on to perform hissing renditions of a BANSHEE class audiohazard at 120 decibels. It’s old inventory, Ichabod-issue, stock-standard wizard-kill tactics: distract, deny, decapitate.</p> <p>STRIKE7 switches to full OCULUS scopes, the ring of kneeling bodies lighting up on her display like human-shaped stars, thaumic radiation circulating through the mass in a coruscant vortex of violet energy. The rest of her contingent opens fire simultaneously, blowing three perfect holes into each of the figures in turn. They do not fall, and the thaumic energy continues its accelerating circulation, the howling building into an ominous crescendo.</p> <p>This visual impossibility has not yet had time to fully reach STRIKE7’s occipital lobe before NORNET is already screaming in her ear, <em>break break break</em>, automated evacuation routines flaring into panicked action. Time stands still.</p> <p>It was never a ritual, STRIKE7 realizes, suspended in that impossible moment.</p> <p><em>It was a circuit.</em></p> <hr/> <div class="blockquote"> <p><em>IEDs are different from conventional weapons, however, in important ways</em> <em>that make them appealing to a range of irregular forces. These differences</em> <em>include the following…</em><br/> <em>…lethality, which compensates for a lack of more powerful conventional</em> <em>weapons…</em><br/> <em>…variability in design, which makes developing countermeasures and</em> <em>countervailing tactics difficult…</em><br/> <em>…adaptability to the operating environment, which makes IEDs more</em> <em>versatile and difficult to detect…</em><br/> <em>…scalability, which allows terrorists to modulate their level of violence…</em></p> <p><em>The IED has now entered…. the standard repertoire of irregular forces in</em> <em>urban areas across the planet, and there are no signs that this threat is</em> <em>shrinking; on the contrary… it seems to be growing.</em><br/> —David Kilcullen, Out of the Mountains</p> <p><em>In operations wherein the strategic tempo necessitates swift and critical</em> <em>action… it is important to consider the usage of any and all means by</em> <em>which to deny, disorient, and trap the enemy… in a prison of his own</em> <em>expectations.</em><br/> —Author Unknown, Contradiction and Iteration</p> </div> <hr/> <div class="elaimal"> <p>The ghostwind howls through the warrens and whispers over the ruins and with it comes the scent of magic.</p> <p>Shahr- e- Gholghola stirs.</p> <p>The earth trembles, sifts in susurrant anticipation as the blood of the city sniffs at the newborn power encircling its heart, fresh and resonant- a closed circuit of bronze-wrapped corpses- lightning in a bottle churning in bridleless temptation. There is not enough consciousness left in the ruins to mount even a feeble contest, were there any other wills to challenge its claimancy. But there are none.</p> <p>Shahr- e- Gholghola stirs.</p> <p>It drinks in the proffered power, slowly at first and then without reservation, and as the stones howl their remembrance into the sky, the old blood wakes.</p> <p>For the first time in two millennia, Shahr- e- Gholghola sees.</p> <p>It sees fire, flashes in the night. It sees defenders upon its walls, and a flock of things in the shape of men set loose upon them, ivory things that smell of powder and blood, fast and fleet of foot, dealing death. Horsemen, the stones scream, horsemen come again to bleed it, to set flame, to take, to rend asunder.</p> <p>Three of these horsemen are currently shooting it in the head.</p> </div> <hr/> <p>STRIKE5 turns in time to see the hilltop detonate violently in a plume of wild magic that turns night to day. The resultant mass of molten rock and plasma shifts and reforms until it amalgamates into a shape uncomfortably similar to that of a lidless eye.</p> <p>It is staring directly at him.</p> <p>The city begins to scream.</p> <hr/> <h2 id="toc3"><span>4. BLOCK PARTY</span></h2> <hr/> <div class="vanguard"> <p>UNGOC Emergency Council vote to authorize FORCE CALIPER RED response on site UN-X7FF-76 following unprecedented manifestation event.</p> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th><strong>YEA</strong></th> <th><strong>NAY</strong></th> <th><strong>ABS.</strong></th> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;">X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td style="text-align: center;">X</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;">X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: center;">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td style="text-align: center;">X</td> <td></td> </tr> </table> <p><strong>MOTION FAILS</strong></p> </div> <hr/> <p>Alastaire is with them, crouched at the outskirts of the battle in small huddles of two or three. <em>Perimeter guard, small arms only, evade without engaging</em>, the assessment brief described. Local dupes armed with rusty cold-war surplus, meant to keep civilians away and look threatening while the <em>real</em> soldiers patrolled the acropolis itself. Standard Insurgency fare.</p> <p>Tactically irrelevant.</p> <p>Ragged chapans drop to the ground, unveiling high-grade Eurtec-standard battle fatigues. Balaclavas are pulled from grim faces, replaced with full-dive Iron Eye combat information systems and cannibalized Maxwellian optics. Shallow caches are unearthed, and rusty Kalashnikovs clatter to the ground, far stranger things bristling in their place.</p> <p>As the hilltop detonates in an aurora of violet light, a flag is unfurled, black on black against the night. A red wheel, unbroken and breaking, a rally against the world. Today, it is a banner of the hunt.</p> <p>The Insurgency’s elite moves as one into the burning city, and Alastaire goes with them.</p> <p>The jaws of the trap snap shut.</p> <hr/> <p>STRIKE5 is finding that, as a rule, Insurgents die messy.</p> <p>Wrenching his wristblade out of the terrorist’s back, he grits his teeth in frustration as the rune-marked steel hisses and pits, corroding in an instant. Kicking away the steaming corpse, he ejects the contaminated weapon, sealant hissing as the suit closes off the breach.</p> <p>It is, objectively, a clever trick. What do you do when you can't afford to augment your whole group? Make it a shell game. This is the fifth time an insurgent’s corpse has sprung a bloody surprise in death, and now he finds nothing remotely admirable about their tenacity.</p> <p>Dodging the pillars of living rock that spring up to bar his path and smashing through a pile of self-homogenizing rubble, STRIKE5 lays down suppressive fire, grimacing as crooked crenellations spring from thin air to shield the RPG team that shelters on the rooftop. It was bad enough before the fucking city joined in on the side of the terrorists. Now, the tactical situation is rapidly becoming untenable. <em>We’re trying to defend you, you stupid fucking ruin.</em> The ground beneath him crumbles away and he barely catches onto the ledge in time, the gaping pit below him utterly opaque to his sensors. This is getting tiresome.</p> <p>Behind him, STRIKE2 is fighting for her life, truly for her life, for the first time in decades. Under other circumstances, she might’ve even been enjoying herself.</p> <p>The terrorist is good, unreasonably so.</p> <p>He hits like a goddamned Sidhe Knight and takes bullets like a Clockwork Priest, and he’s <em>fast</em>- a lithe shadow weaving nets of killing energy at speeds that has the tacnet chirping in distress. STRIKE2 is forced back on one knee as the suit takes yet another direct hit, a dense ball of liquid hellfire that leaves her pauldron scarred and blackened. <em>Where the fuck did they find this guy?</em></p> <p>A roaring three-headed hydra spirals out of the shadows and costs her her last banishment grenade, followed by a spear of purple lightning that catches her full in the chest. Sparks fly, alarms chime, and the remnants of her thaumic sink eject from her back in rivulets of molten bronze but STRIKE2 is already running, pushing through the stream of annihilating light as magic pools around her like water off of a duck’s back. She catches the bastard’s head in her hands, gauntlets screaming as she <em>squeezes</em> with force enough to shatter steel.</p> <p>The fucker doesn’t go down.</p> <p>She sees his eyes, shining and bloodshot, glaring at her as ichor runs in smoking rivulets down his face. She squeezes harder, feels the terrorist's force-shield begin to splinter, his skin going gray with backlash.</p> <p>He’s smiling.</p> <p>The particle beam rakes across her exposed back, gliding through billion-dollar ceramic composite like so much wrapping paper. Something critical detonates. She tastes blood.</p> <p>The suit slowly, achingly sinks to one knee as circuits cut, her grip slackening.</p> <p>The insurgent is plastered across her display, larger than life as the HUD glitches nauseatingly, the data-stream winking out as tacnet cuts its losses. Bile rises in her throat as he leans in close to her faceplate, hand raised in mocking salute. Then the display snaps off, and STRIKE2 sees nothing at all.</p> <hr/> <div class="president"> <p>“Do you think it’ll work?”</p> <p>The question takes her by surprise. The blackstone table is strewn with clutter, wrappers, empty bottles, pens and paper and manila folders- the detritus of conspiracy. She takes a moment to respond, shuffling the sheaf of papers into place.</p> <p>“I’ve seen worse plans succeed and better plans fail.” She sets the documents down. “That’s not the question you should be asking.”</p> <p>“Can you herd the Committee into voting for it?”</p> <p>She smiles. “Better.”</p> <p>084 is eating again, Doritos vanishing into the void that delineates his absent face. It’s an ungainly habit, but the Engineer doesn’t judge. She’s seen worse.</p> <p>“Maybe. This won’t go over well with the legitimists, but there are certain strings I can pull if it comes to that.” She sets the papers down.</p> <p>084 sighs, wiping at his hands with a bit of crumpled schematic.<br/> “You want me to tell you why.”</p> <p>There is a moment of silence, hanging heavy in the air.</p> <p>“We are losing the propaganda war. If you don’t believe me, go outside and see for yourself. Walk the streets and slums of Eurtec and look into the faces of the people that pass by. Every day the Coalition’s fist goes unchallenged, more and more people begin to believe that it is unchallengeable. That struggle is futile. The simpering dogs of the Serpent continue to vomit their reformist drivel and it is working. Look at our recruitment numbers! We call ourselves the flame that rends the world but we are going out. Extinguished day by day because we burn but we do not burn bright enough. Because we die in the shadows while they work in the light. <em>Something has to give.</em> You know this as well as I do. <em>Someone has to light the torch again.</em>”</p> <p>“I would have us do this to prove it can be done. Because, in the end, <em>it must be done.</em>”</p> <p>He takes a panting breath, a sac of venom years in the making emptying at last.</p> <p>“I have labored in the dark half my life for the sake of the cause. If I am to die for it, allow me to do so in the light.”</p> <p>There is a moment of silence, hanging heavy in the air.</p> <p>The Engineer responds.</p> </div> <hr/> <p>"Do you think we're supervillains?"</p> <p><em>The faceless man is hunched over a pile of notes on the safehouse floor,</em> <em>as if for warmth. She takes a moment to think about it.</em></p> <p>"Well, you <em>are</em> wearing a mask", <em>she teases</em>, "and I'm a magical terrorist. Clearly you are my disfigured henchman, my sidekick, perhaps."</p> <p><em>084 turns to look up at her. He’s worried, she can tell he’s worried. The</em> <em>meeting hadn't ended the way he'd expected. He doesn’t have a face anymore</em> <em>but he wears one around her anyways, to make her happy. She takes his hand</em> <em>to stop it from shaking. If it stops her own, no one else is here to see.</em> <em>The fundamentals haven't changed. The plan they've crafted is still</em> <em>viable. They can do this.</em></p> <p>“Be safe.”</p> <p>“I will.”</p> <p>“Win.”</p> <p>“I will.”</p> <p>Alastaire Mcmnemon watches her comrades advance beneath a black flag that plucks the stars from the sky, and breathes deep lungfuls of air that is, for the moment, wholly and truly free.</p> <hr/> <p>0984-Red Dog watches the stars go out one by one from their perch above the city and begs desperately into the airwaves for permission to die valiantly. It is denied.</p> <hr/> <p>The grand hall of the Council of 108 is a place of power. A high ceiling, tastefully adorned with silver mosaics of noble men and women doing noble things, arches over seven rows of simple wooden desks arranged in an imperfect circle around a marble podium. It is a room that highlights the words of men, amplifying their importance.</p> <p>It is not a place that suffers secrets well.</p> <p>The High Illuminant of the Minerval Brotherhood of Earthly Truths supposes that that’s why he’s currently being stuffed into a broom closet by an angry wizard.</p> <p>Ryomen Thanaka looks fitfully around the room before snapping his fingers and muttering something under his breath that pushes over his skin like a gust of wind.</p> <p>“There. Privacy, for the moment.”</p> <p>“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” The angry hiss slips out of his mouth before his brain can quite catch up with him. The wizard, if anything, looks amused.</p> <p>“PHYSICS is fucking us both over.” The sentence, incongruous in its simplicity, takes the wind out of his sails. The wizard smooths down his waterlily robes and continues.</p> <p>“Ten years now that blue-jacketed bastard has been draining us both dry. How many of the Brotherhood’s chapterhouses has he ransacked, how much of your gold has he spent to fly his tin soldiers to this and that shithole? How many of your motions have been blockaded by his drooling flunkies in the Council while he bleeds us both to sustain his pissing contest with the Foundation? We’ve been too caught up in the old rivalries to see. He’s turning the Coalition into his private army, and we’re all footing the bill.”</p> <p>“What are you getting at?”</p> <p>“I’m saying- his tin soldiers have finally run into something they can’t shoot to death. Good. Let them pay the toll for once. Abstain.”</p> <p>“The Insurgency-”</p> <p>"The Insurgency is irrelevant. Contrarians and amateurs with a few party tricks. Thirty-seven combat encounters we’ve had with them since the fifties and each and every one has ended the exact same way. So what if they manage to salvage a suit or two? The Foundation will solve that problem for us, given time. In the meantime, that bastard and his tin soldiers can squirm through committees and hearings while we <em>thoroughly reevaluate</em> PHYSICS' operational parameters in the wake of this fiasco."</p> <p>A thin, mirthless smile.</p> <p>"For the sake of the Fivefold Mission, of course."</p> <p>“<em>If</em> I agree to this, you understand, this makes us both complicit. They will come for us just as hard as we will be going for them. We can’t keep fumbling in the dark. If I abstain on the motion, you <em>will</em> vote for my next legislative packet, and you’ll get the rest of your witch doctors to back it too.”</p> <p>The wizard hesitates, then nods.</p> <p>“Then we have an accord.”</p> <hr/> <div class="vanguard"> <p>UNGOC Emergency Council vote to authorize STARLIGHT BROKEN DAGGER contingency on site UN-X7FF-76.</p> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th><strong>YEA</strong></th> <th><strong>NAY</strong></th> <th><strong>ABS.</strong></th> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;">X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td style="text-align: center;">X</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;">X</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td style="text-align: center;">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td style="text-align: center;">X</td> <td></td> </tr> </table> <p><strong>MOTION FAILS</strong></p> </div> <hr/> <h2 id="toc4"><span>5. ASHES TO ASHES</span></h2> <hr/> <p>STRIKE5 fights on. His pistol is spent, so he uses his knives. His knives are broken, so he uses his fists. His gauntlets are cracked and splintered, smoking with acid, but he raises them anyways, crushing and tearing. On the rooftop ahead of him he sees STRIKE1, struggling against a thick miasma of immobility curses, take a direct hit from what looks like an anti-tank missile made entirely out of bone. The resulting explosion turns half the building to lemon pudding in a flash of fuschia light, sending him crashing down into the rubble.</p> <p>Tacnet informs him STRIKE1’s suit has, incredibly, held. Dodging a serpentine pillar of fire that follows him through the air and rolling under a swarm of iridescent green beetles that nearly short his scopes with aetheric interference, STRIKE5 makes it just in time to see living rock swallow his battle-buddy from the neck down.</p> <p>There is a sickening crunch. The life-sign winks out. He needs to stay professional. He needs to stay professional. He needs to turn this goddamned city to fucking rubble along with every two-bit paraterrorist sympathizer in a hundred mile radius. He needs to stay professional.</p> <p>STRIKE5 turns to see three insurgents rounding the street, weapons raised, shouting in alarm. One of them is waving a flag, absurdly anachronistic, a ragged remnant of a war no one gives a damn about anymore.</p> <p>Tacnet chirps in alarm but he ignores it. There is nothing left to defend. There is only the terrorists, the flag, and the red screaming in his ears.</p> <p>STRIKE5 moves.</p> <p>He is dimly aware that spells are impacting him, eating away at the last layers of ceramic plating, that a spinning glaive of purple crystal has just shorn away his left arm at the elbow in a spray of hypercoagulant. It all seems so far away. The terrorists are falling back now, but he is already amongst them. His right arm swings and one of them turns into red mist. Another is carving away at his back with a glass knife, animate shards of volcanic rock burrowing into his torso with malignant intelligence. It doesn’t matter. He catches her by the throat, squeezes.</p> <p>One left now. The one who carries the flag. Too far away to reach.</p> <p>STRIKE5 closes his eyes. There is only one weapon left to use.</p> <p>“Detonate fusion core. SIERRA NOVEMBER BRAVO.”</p> <p>The suit whines, armor-locking into place. There is a smile on his face.</p> <p>A fractional life sign is all the warning he gets. A swarm of <em>things</em> stream from the shadow cast by the flag, a little like smoke and more or less in the shape of people. Impossibly suspended, they flicker-fade through shapes, expressions, fractal patterns that make OCULUS flare up in hissing static- but the eyes boring into his own are all too human. Spiteful. One of them rakes vorpal hands across his back and he feels something tear away. The display goes dark. He doesn’t die.</p> <hr/> <div class="president"> <p>"You will live."</p> <p>The response cuts the air like a knife, dry as bone. The Engineer stands, all pretense of affability fading from her like melting wax. In her place is an old thing of dried blood, sinew, and twisted gears, and its smile is the death of empire.</p> <p>"You are not a martyr. Your death will not be glorious. The cause is not your vanity project, Johnathan. The Insurgency is not your <em>suicide</em>. You will live to deal with the consequences because you know better than this- and because if you die without permission I will see to it that your shade is dragged back again and again, until it learns the difference between necessary sacrifice and shirking responsibility because <em>the darkness was too muc</em>h."</p> <p>"Did you think you could strike bargain with me without a price? Everything a price- everything a cost- and this, 084, is the cost of <em>initiative</em>."</p> <p>“You will not command this mission. You will live. You will lead. You will see the consequences of what you have wrought, and weep at the edges of the graves that you fill, never your own."</p> </div> <hr/> <p>This is what it is to be an Insurgent.</p> <p>It's to hide, and beg, and burrow through filth.</p> <p>It's to kill in the shadows and burn yourself, to labor for a sunrise you know you'll never get to see.</p> <p>It's to fight for that day, for that one <em>glorious moment</em> when you finally catch them by surprise. When the king swallows the poison pill, when the wings of the hashmallim tear asunder and all of their oracles are made liars.</p> <p>It is to strive for those moments, however few and far between, when you pit your weight against the bulk of the world, kicking and screaming, and feel for an effervescent, eternal second, the <em>shifting</em>.</p> <p>Little by little.</p> <p>Alastaire Mcmnemon lies face-down in the living dust and dies. She’s thinking of home.</p> <hr/> <div class="vanguard"> <p>It is the overall recommendation of the Special Investigative Chair that the following measures be implemented in the wake of Incident Redhair-Grayladder-9485 “STRIKEFALL”, first among these being…</p> </div> <hr/> <div class="elaimal"> <p>Shahr- e- Gholghola endures.</p> <p>There are <em>things</em> crawling upon it now, blue-helmeted men with devices and determined expressions erecting a cage of bronze and steel. Better to wait. Better to burrow and hide, the ghostwind whispers. Everything fails. Everything crumbles, in time.</p> <p>Shahr- e- Gholghola endures.</p> </div> <hr/> <p>The Engineer sits alone in the saferoom. Idly, she twirls an ivory cylinder between her fingers like a pen. It is not a pen.</p> <p>Cloned human bone, properly treated, is a common, relatively secure medium for two-way scrying. She raps the finger bone firmly on the blackstone table, the totem crumbling into a perfect circle of white dust. An image materializes out of shadow, a blue-jacketed man reclining in a comfortable armchair.</p> <p>“I suppose congratulations are in order, Engineer.”</p> <p>She doesn’t respond, staring back at him impassively.</p> <p>“I assume you’ve already recovered the suits?”</p> <p>“One less than what you promised.”</p> <p>The general smiles.</p> <p>“My men are good at what they do, Engineer. Let’s hope yours will match the standard they’ve set.”</p> <p>His gaze hardens.</p> <p>“Site- 719 must fall within the next three months, as agreed. There will be consequences, otherwise. For both of us.”</p> <p>“A pleasure doing business with you, General.”</p> <p>The image crumbles into dust without a response, leaving her alone once more. Almost alone.</p> <p>The Engineer allows herself a genuine smile. There is much work to be done.</p> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">END</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">1/5</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div class="president"> <p>A faceless man sits inside a dark room, trembling hands cupping shards of shattered glass.</p> <p>The mask eats his tears.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>« <a href="/strikefall">STRIKEFALL</a>\|\|<a href="/fallout">FALLOUT</a> »</strong></p> <hr/> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/strikefall">STRIKEFALL</a>" by BenOverlord, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/strikefall">https://scpwiki.com/strikefall</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> skullnbones-removebg.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> BenOverlord<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> [<a href="https://imgur.com/a/nDMuOdP">https://imgur.com/a/nDMuOdP</a>]</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> strikefall.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Radian628<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> [<a href="https://imgur.com/a/F5NnKzX">https://imgur.com/a/F5NnKzX</a>]</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. "The problem posed by the human fear response in above-veil combat scenarios has been answered by almost every actor that has ever engaged in parawarfare. For our purposes, chemical, noospheric, or direct augmentation are varying degrees of ineffectual, impractical, or- frankly- counterproductive. More esoteric methods pose even greater challenges- more likely to produce babbling flesh golems or dead-eyed vegetables than truly address the root issue. Instead, my friends, for us the answer is much simpler- as with so much else, <em>practice</em> is needed." <p>-████████ ████████████, Convocation of the Seventeen</p> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:foxtrot">:scp-wiki:theme:foxtrot</a> goc=a]] [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text= Strike Team Ivory Dagger tears into existence amidst a gentle misting of frozen elephant blood half a kilometer above the acropolis. ]] [[module css]] #page-title {display: none;} :root { --header-title: "STRIKEFALL"; --header-subtitle: "Intermittent Vengeance"; --link-txt-color: rgb(var(--accent)); --logo-img: url("http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/strikefall/strikefall.png"); --logo-opacity: 50%; } #header h2::before { text-transform: capitalize; font-style: italic; } .notation { border-width: 4px; width: 75%; margin: auto; border-color: rgb(var(--accent)); text-align: justify; } .separation { margin: 1ex 15%; padding: 0; border-top: 0.2rem solid #275495; display: block; } .elaimal, .president, .al-fine, .vanguard { width: 85%; margin: auto; padding: 15px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2); } .elaimal { border: solid 2.5px #fff0ba; background-color:#fff0ba; color: #4B0101; font-family: Times New Roman; } .president { border: solid 2.5px #FF0000; background-color:#000000; color: #FF0000; } .al-fine { border: solid 4px #275495; background: #F2F7FB url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%3Agoc/goc-fade.png') center no-repeat; } .vanguard { border: solid 4px #275495; background: #F2F7FB center no-repeat; } div.blockquote { padding-right: 2rem; padding-top: 1rem; border-right: solid 7px rgb(var(--accent)) !important; margin: 1em 1.75em; } .blockquote .image-container { padding: 0em; } .characters { margin-top: -1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 10px; } .characters-top { display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap; align-items: center; gap: 16px; } .bar { width: 12px; height: 85px; } .characters-info { flex-grow: 1; } .characters-info p { line-height: 200%; } .bio { margin-top: -20px; } .goc { --color: #5f95e6; } .us { --color: #404d7e; } .joicl { --color: #d7003a; } .phoenix { --color: #d68300; } .mcd { --color: #8c148c; } .van { --color: #4b2; } .bar { background-color: var(--color); } [[/module]] @@ @@ [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[toc]] [[=image skullnbones-removebg.png size="small"]] ++ 1. RISING ACTION ------ [[div class="vanguard"]] To my esteemed colleagues of the Council of 108- As some of you are no doubt already aware, last month, [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/goc-tale-sequence-strike STRIKE] suffered one of the worst operational failures to date in its nearly century-long history. It is my responsibility as duly appointed Special Investigator to inform this body of the systematic oversights that occurred leading up to this disaster, the timeline of the event itself, and the steps that will be taken moving forward from this catastrophe. We begin with an overview of the initial mission parameters... [[/div]] ------ It is late in the morning in the valley of gods and the Americans are back. Nashir watches them- two squat black helicopters flying low over the green hills, scattering his milling flock as their heavy rotors spit thunder into the stillness. Since the invasion, there has been little war here in the quiet shadows and remote valleys of the Koh-i-Baba, but Nashir knows the Americans bring the war with them wherever they fly, like stinking flies spreading plague. He squints into the sun, hand over his eyes as he watches the foreign machines come to a hovering stop. There are ropes dangling from their bellies now, and men and machinery coming down the ropes, neat as you please, all in shades of black. He watches them descend into the bosom of the valley, the blue plastic shortwave in his hand shiny against his dusty brown tunban. He pauses thoughtfully, then presses the button to transmit. ------ Warrant Officer Edward Caldez waits until the last of the black-suited men have made their way down the fastrope and then coaxes the Chinook into a low-altitude buzz over the mountainside on his way back to Kabul, uncaring of the frightened goats startling and scattering mere meters below him. His mind is elsewhere. He blinks every forty-three seconds exactly. His copilot, Jeremy “Jimmy” Henderson blinks in the same interval, seven seconds staggered. A spool of glistening saliva dribbles down his chin and his eyes are bloodshot. Jimmy shares his expression. Neither of them are all there at the moment. There is a seven-fingered ideogrammatic spider nestled somewhere between neurons firing in his brain and the imprint of him, Edward Caldez, that moves through ideatic space. The spider’s name is O’Brien, and it is, at the moment, serving as the frontal lobe of five-hundred and seventy six people concurrently. It weaves a web of inference and spindles along on gossamer legs, here and there pulling a thread or two, turning a head, making a reference on a chart, transcribing clearance codes. It would hum if it could- it enjoys being human, for the moment. O’Brien will eat and eat, swallow the observations, data, memories of this Week That Should Not Be for the men and women of Kabul airbase. He will swallow Colonel Benjamin Baudner’s harried call to the Pentagon, swallow Specialist Miranda Gibbon’s curious exclamation at //the things they have us flying these days//, swallow the way Edward Caldez tries not to look too closely at the plastic-and-blackbox sheathing of the men he’s flying, up and down the web until all of it coalesces into a tidy bundle in his stomach and he dies, curled up into a hyperdense ball of information like a closed fist. It’s not a perfect system of course- O’Brien is far too young to be perfect, though he tries his best. Five thousand gallons of fuel will vanish without explanation from airfield inventory. A discarded priming card will be left carelessly on the floor of Baudner’s office. There will be a thirty-seven percent increase in incidences of manic-depression and paranoid schizophrenia in medical discharge records from Kabul over the next few years. There are holes aplenty in this process for those who search for them- and there will be plenty of searchers soon enough. But none of that is O’Brien’s fault. He is only a last resort, after all. A hack job. A hasty and inelegant maneuver rushed into service to bridge the auspices of an apparatus that was never, for all its pretenses, truly global. Perhaps that is why he is four hours behind schedule. ------ [[div class="vanguard"]] At 0830 hours AFT 8/17/10, PHYSICS forward observation team 0948-Red Dog was deployed to Band-e-Amir National Park in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan as part of measures outlined in Operation Carrion Vigil, supported by requisitioned logistical assets ███████████████. This deployment was in response to credible intelligence indicating paraterrorist activity in the locale surrounding World Paraheritage Site UN-X7FF-76 “City of Woes”. At 1030 hours, team leader Captain Johnathan Baukeraz contacted Regional Command to confirm the presence of paraterrorist activity, reporting multiple sightings of suspected KTO-Redhair-Grayladder “Chaos Insurgency” combat cells actively patrolling the area inside and around the acropolis. The usage of then-experimental Bronze Mask long range facial recognition technology confirms the presence of designated Operation Carrion Vigil High Value Targets in the vicinity of Site UN-X7FF-76. Upon corroboration of the report with PSYLOS assets, officer-in-command Colonel Martha Halberd authorizes the escalation of Emergent Response Category to level four. [[/div]] ------ Alastaire Mcmnemon, //formerly// A.M. //formerly// The Sommelier //formerly// Alexander Ward, follows the shepherd over the hill, shielding her eyes against the midmorning sun with one hand as her sneakers scrape over the flattened dirt of the shepherd’s trail. There is a wide clearing in the waist-high dry grass ahead of them, freshly marred by multiple pairs of heavy footsteps. And there, to the right, a broad impression trailing into an undulating indentation, leading haphazardly into the brush. Patting her guide on the shoulder, she presses a packet of crisp hundred dollar bills into his hand. “خداحافظ" "همچنین خداحافظ دوست من" she answers back, waving as the shepherd climbs back over the hill, vanishing into the haze. Alastaire walks gingerly over to the brush, taking care not to disturb the tracks. She looks closer, critically. Something catches her eye. She leans down and gently moves a branch aside. There, piled in a careless heap behind the shrubbery is her prize: fastrope, nylon still bright, barely dirty. Fresh. Kneeling in the dust, she pushes aside the rest of the desiccated fronds, whistling tunefully as she slowly removes her left glove. It seemed her guests today were polite. They’d remembered to bring gifts. ------ [[div class="vanguard"]] It is here that the first critical failures become apparent. Due to logistical and scheduling constraints, 0948-Red Dog opted to fastrope directly into the operational zone instead of establishing a secondary landing zone outside of the operational perimeter and proceeding on foot. To maintain operational security, Captain Baukeraz had ordered a series of low-level sorties to take place above the operational zone in the preceding days, in an attempt to obfuscate the actual landing site. This failed- the extent of KTO-Redhair-Grayladder’s collaboration with the local populace was severely underestimated by PHYSICS, as was the employment of civilian shepherds as aerial observers. Following the observation team’s initial failure to disinfect the landing zone, the discovery of the landing site by HVT-Grayladder-Bluechild ensured the total compromise of the initial insertion. 0948-Red Dog assumed that their provided tangen++ enhanced stealth chameleon cloak technology would compensate for operational deficiencies and maintain operational security. This assumption would prove to be only partially correct. [[/div]] ------ FIFTEEN YEARS AGO Delta 084 steps through the still-smoldering buildings of ISVOS installation Al-Furajih-92, polaroid flashing as he surveys the broken pieces of what had once been a listening station. Here, a discarded assault rifle is embedded almost half a foot into a low plaster wall, there, a spray of machine oil from the punctured fuel line of an insurgent technical forms a slick rainbow. The vehicle itself is flipped cleanly over in a mangled mess. Broken glass crunches under his boots as he moves on. He photographs the corpses too, lifting away sheets of blue tarping to reveal the way their plate carriers buckle inward, concaving into shattered ribcages, the way limbs dangle limply from broken sockets or are otherwise entirely detached, piled in heaps of brown viscera swarming with flies. He is methodical and thorough and certain- but above all else, he is still very young. Young enough to survey the carnage and see only evidence of a game that, while lost, could've been played //better//. Young enough to do the impossible. The Coalition was not the Foundation, 084 muses, kneeling down to inspect a discarded piece of ceramic, stained faintly with granular discharge. The Foundation is an edifice built on secrecy, an old dowager peering warily through moth-ridden curtains as she claws at moldy pearls, obsessively exact. The Coalition makes a pretense of this too, with their second mission concerns and MEDEA teams, but it is not the same. The Foundation, for example, would never conduct an operation such as this without a dozen cleanup teams on standby just outside the perimeter, waiting with bated breath to sanitize and disinfect, to catalog and collect the bloody artefacts, to plaster over the bullet holes and conceal the screaming wounds, shielding their business almost abashedly. The Foundation has learned humility, 084 thinks, then corrects himself, lips twitching beneath the polyphasic mask that hugs the contours of his face. We have //taught// the Foundation humility. The Coalition, in contrast, is yet proud. //We are almighty//, they proclaim from their walled gardens and high towers, standing astride the world. //Look upon our works!// They are saying it here too, in plainer text, written with the corpses they leave behind, with the brazen ruin emblazoned upon their banners. //Look what we make of our enemies!// Sheer, blinding arrogance, but cultivated with such certainty, such circumstance, it becomes truth. Inevitability. The Foundation seeks to enforce normalcy. The Coalition //weaponizes// that ideal. 084 pockets the polaroid, hand reaching down to defuse the timer ticking away on his belt. All in all, it’s been a good day’s work. As he walks down the hill, away from the corpses and the wreckage, the last embers of the battle wink out in the dry desert wind. ------ [[div class="vanguard"]] It should be noted here that the following events represent an unprecedented deviation in the operational tendency of KTO-Redhair-Grayladder. In defense of Colonel Halberd’s command decisions, if the Silicon Nornir didn’t see this coming, it is unlikely that anyone else could have either. [[/div]] ------ [[div class="president"]] Delta 084 throws a Reese’s peanut butter wrapper at the Engineer’s head as he leans back in the ratty leather office chair, putting his feet up on the smooth, shiny blackstone desk that incongruously fills the cramped space of the safehouse. The scrawny red-haired woman scowls as she reaches down to pick up the litter, the brown paper wrapper flaring to dust in her hands. “You want to fight a GOC PHYSICS team.” She sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “Let me correct myself.” “You want to fight a pitched battle with a Coalition kill team in an isolated, moldering ruin in //Afghanistan//, of all places, cut off from support, with no fallback contingencies, knowing full well that they could simply decide to bomb you off the face of the earth at any given moment, and you somehow expect me to not just //abet// this insanity, but also help you convince two other full combat cells to join in on this suicide attempt?” “Do I need to remind you what overwhelmingly tends to happen to said combat cells when they come into the vicinity of STRIKE teams?” Delta 084 holds up a finger, washing down the last bites of chocolate with a swig from a silver flask. The mineral water goes down smooth as silk as the Engineer’s frown deepens. “How is it that I can //tell// you’re smirking under there, despite the fact that you ought to no longer have a face, conceptually speaking? Is it memetic? You know that shit’s not allowed in the safehouse.” 084 sets down his flask, letting out a contented sigh. “Not anomalous, ma’am. Just talent.” “And I do know what happens when we face the Coalition’s butchers, ma’am. Maybe better than anyone living.” A thick stack of manila folders sprawls carelessly across the table. The Engineer reaches for one. //Vladivostok, 1987// There’s polaroid photographs inside, and stacks of yellowing index cards, diagrams, Engine printouts, plastic evidence bags of labeled debris. She reaches for the next one, and the next, their contents identical. //Tibet, 1991// //Utah, 1992// //Kuwait, 1995// “You’ve been busy,” the Engineer breathes, flipping through the folders, eyes flickering over the documents with preternatural speed. There’s a whirring noise as the jacked Maxwellian cooling fan behind her left ear spins to life, the drumming of her fingers on the table morphing into a staccato frenzy. “These are… thorough.” 084 nods. “Fourteen significant combat encounters between Insurgency combat cells and PHYSICS teams from 1985 onwards. Sixty seven of our own dead, fourteen more captured and subsequently executed.” The Engineer winces, although 084 knows she knows the statistics by heart. He is, as they say, preaching to the choir. Literally. “Zero confirmed enemy casualties, although there have been one or two times where we’ve managed to disable a suit. An impressive record, I must admit.” The Engineer sets the folders down, reaching towards the plastic cooler at her feet for another ice pack that she places gingerly against the side of her temple. The plastic audibly hisses as it meets her skin. “Go on, 084. Explain to me why this time will be any different.” Delta-084 unwraps another chocolate bar. “The Coalition-” “- is not the Foundation.” The Engineer finishes the adage for him, motioning impatiently. He takes a bite of the Snickers. “The Coalition doesn’t have Sites. It doesn’t bother to maintain garrisons around the globe, scrambling to chase down every two-bit shaman or Bigfoot sighting in the manner of our dear colleagues. The Coalition understands it doesn’t need to wage a proactive war.” “No, what the Coalition does is //respond//. They maintain the most powerful thaumic monitoring system in the world- VERITAS. They have their Assessment Teams, paired with the strongest naval contingent and airlift capacity of any organization below the Veil. When anything big happens, they’re the first to know, and they have the capacity to move pieces into play faster than anyone else on the board.” “What was the first STRIKE operation in history?” She takes a moment to consider the question. “For our purposes? Prague, 1939. Allied Occult Initiative raid on a Thule Society ritual site. First usage of mass translocation as an insertion method in modern occult history.” “Precisely.” “The original conception for STRIKE was as a means of disruption, specifically against Thule Society efforts to assemble the Key of Solomon through ritual. That is the fundamental conceit of their hegemony, disruption. The Coalition are ritual-killers, first and foremost, and they have become very, //very// good at it.” Cool gray eyes study him, beads of condensate slowly sizzling down her face. The casing of the ice pack is beginning to melt, but she doesn’t seem to notice. "You are aware this isn't the first time someone's tried a sham ritual gambit on STRIKE." It wasn't a question. "But this is the first time it'll //work//." [[/div]] ------ ++ 2. THE COST OF BUSINESS ------ Magic is a transaction, an investment in exchange for return. Ritual magic, as it stands, is the bloody crystallization of that conceit. The foundation of ritual is efficiency. Alastaire squats in the middle of the graven circle, stripped to the waist. There is a crude block of carved stone in front of her. It might have been an archstone once, or perhaps the base of a well, or a piece of foundation. Now, it is an altar. Upon the altar is a bleating lamb, bound messily with severed strands of high-tensile black nylon. Alastaire takes a deep breath, and draws a jagged shard of obsidian from out of the air besides her hand where it waits, thin and crisp. The speakers set against the walls of the room blare to crackling life, tramping with the beat of leather drums, the stamping of feet and the jangle of brazen bells. //A-wey-o-manambe-a way-o-aesae.// There is a belt of white feathers in her left hand and a green stick of laurels clenched together in her fist and Alastaire rises to her feet, stamping in time with the beat. //A-wey-o-manambe-a way-o-aesae.// She turns to the north, moving in strident rhythm as the bleating of the terrified lamb blends with the coursing sounds, the air filled with phantom smoke that seeps from the walls, circling lazily around the boundary of her circle. She shouts nonsense words, meaningless syllables that drive the smoke into frenzy, that call from it shapes and shadows, toothsome wisps that bloom for malingering seconds before spiraling into the sky. //A-wey-o-manambe-a way-o-aesae.// It is lunacy, undirected, imprecise, a ritual that is the antithesis of ritual. She feels the earth below her feet move, the backlash working its way down the leyline that runs through the old mountain in serpentine curls. //A-wey-o-manambe-a way-o-aesae.// She makes her way to the altar and the bleating lamb and with the shard of glass slices a neat cut lengthwise across her forearm and smears the dripping blood onto the white feathers and her hand and daubs the lamb in red- the thing still struggling against the nylon bonds, bleating and screaming- and feels the smoke creep in through the boundaries. //What do you want?// It asks, whispering, tempting, trailing cold fingers lustfully down the spine of her soul. “Noise.” The glass comes down, and the lamb is still. ------ [[div class="elaimal"]] Shahr- e- Gholghola endures. It sits atop of a ragged hill, a crumbling wall erected around a maze of ruined citadels overlooking slopes of barren rock. Here, in the old silence, the stones still remember. The night is black and blazing and horsemen are racing around it in frenzied gallop. They throw torches over the stockades and scaffolding and set the city beneath the acropolis alight, and run down the scattered and fleeing crowds, corral them into tight knots that are cut down, crushed with hooves, the blood of a city flowing into the yellow earth. Against the wall of the citadel lies the broken and bleeding body of a god, and over the god stands a king of the steppes and his companions, in their hands cruel iron knives wrested from the grave of an empire consigned from history. They are flensing shimmering chunks of flesh off the bloody scaffold, tearing away sheets of hide and great ropes of divine offal that they cast into the fire burning green behind them, around which dance three terrible riddle-priests clad in bone, ululating into the burning sky. The king does this because a god made manifest is the aegis of its people and because a people’s volition is their god manifest and because the king //hates// these people. He is a conqueror, and this is a land that has been a bone in his throat and a stone in his boot and so he rips and he flays and he //makes an example// of the city and its people and their dead god. The blood of the god flows into the yellow earth and mixes with the blood of its people, and there, in the old silence, the stones learn to remember. Shahr- e- Gholghola endures. [[/div]] ------ [[div class="vanguard"]] At 1730 hours AFT on 8/17/10, nodes UCONN-12, 45, 77, and 89 in the VERITAS Global Monitoring System simultaneously recorded elevated levels of thaumic circulation in Leyline Ashcwenbheur-94, directly intersecting the operational zone. At 1850 hours, 0984-Red Dog corroborated this report with on-site OCULUS readings, notifying Colonel Halberd, who escalated Emergent Response Category to Level Five. An emergency session of UNGOC High Command is convened to discuss response strategies. [[/div]] ------ [[div class="president"]] “How can you be sure that they’re not just going to bomb you into oblivion?” [[/div]] ------ “I fail to see why we haven’t authorized the bombing run already. I have assets in the theatre ready to move within fifteen minutes. This entire thing could be over and done within the next hour.” Magister Ryomen Thanaka of the Aetheric Society of the Golden Lotus grips the podium until his knuckles turn white, and tries his damndest not to disintegrate the High Illuminant with his mind. “Because, as I have //repeatedly// told you already, the terrorists are sitting on a para-architectural history site of unparalleled importance. Because, they are also sitting on the convection point of a major leyline, which they are currently //prying open// in some beggared attempt at a channeling ritual! Because, //sir//, if you blunder in with your dirty western bombs, //you could cause a thaumic disaster that levels half the country!”// “This again? You wizards are all the same. If every half-baked prophecy that came out of your mouths came true we wouldn’t be able to move two feet in any direction without blowing up the earth.” Before the angry retort forming on the tip of his tongue can fly across the room and turn the smug bastard’s skin green until the next full moon, the door to the conference room bangs open. Ryomen turns to see the blue-jacketed final member of the UNGOC Emergency Response Council stride through the doorway, as always accompanied by the crisp jingle of brass on bronze. A vein bulges in his temple. //First the clown, and now the peacock.// The General regales him with an easy grin, lazy Yankee drawl curdling the air like spoiled milk. “Congratulations, gentlemen, the solution is here. Strike Team Ivory Dagger has been scrambled, and will be on-site in twenty minutes.” Turning on his heel, he marches back out of the room, letting the closing doors punctuate his parting words. “This council is dismissed.” ------ [[div class="president"]] 084 has been talking at length. Standing, pacing, gesturing at tangents and examples as he unveils his masterwork piece by piece- a decade's worth of catastrophe laid out in sound and ink and splayed photographs. There is something almost like hope in his voice as he speaks. “The first thing we must establish is that whitesuits are //not// invincible. They are very good, to be sure- but to think of the suits themselves as a military asset wholly elevated from the capabilities of traditional elite infantry would be giving the Coalition too much credit. The suits are obedient to the constraints of design just like any other platform- there’s only so much warded armor you can slap on something bipedal while maintaining mobility, after all, even considering Coalition paratech.” “Think about it. How many methods would you have, available to you at this moment, of killing a whitesuit?” The Engineer hums thoughtfully, leaning back in her chair. “Seven. Twelve, assuming I had minimal time to prepare.” “And how many of those methods would completely ignore conventional armor?” “Five. I think I’m starting to see what you’re getting at.” “The Coalition understands that it is fundamentally unreasonable to shield its operators against the endless different attack vectors that paraweaponry offers. A question of personal durability beyond protection against conventional small arms becomes almost a moot point in the battles they pick. No, the primary asset of a whitesuit is far simpler- its ability to reliably survive insertion by translocation.” “The problem with fighting a reactive war is, //they give us the first move//.” [[/div]] ------ EIGHT YEARS AGO A man without a face walks brusquely past a harried white-suited woman in a bustling Eurtec crowd. He bumps into her briefly, shoulder to shoulder, turns into an alleyway and vanishes into thin air. The exchange takes less than thirty seconds. She has killed herself by doing this. He has killed her by doing this. Within seven hours of the meeting node 344.HSVC of NORSEC complex UN-775466 flags her down during a routine analysis of personnel scheduling and noospheric irregularities amidst the employees of PHYSICS North. Within seven hours and seventeen milliseconds of the meeting her daily routine has been tracked, double-verified, and heuristically modeled. Within seven hours, twenty-two minutes and thirty-three seconds of the meeting, Coalition Counterintelligence is racing up the staircase to her apartment complex. She hears her front door cave in and pulls the trigger. The shotgun roars a mix of blessed salt, incendiaries, and silver oxide into her chin, splattering her brains across her dining room table and her soul across seventeen different afterlifes. Across the way, 084 watches, just to be sure. His hand grips a plastic-sheathed placard imprinted with a banshee and does not tremble. She sold her life well. - Kerosene isn’t, as a rule, allowed in the Library. Neither is she, technically speaking, not anymore, but Alastaire is wearing a different face today. She gives the scuttling Page a respectful nod and starts running. It takes about thirty seconds for the walls to start screaming. That’s a good sign. Strictly speaking, the burning isn’t necessary. But the Library is a living thing, and every page of every book within it is a part of its heart, and Alastaire has always been particular to the classics. Nothing draws magic thicker and faster than pain, after all, and now the air is brimming with it, choking with agony and smoke. She takes the thread in her hand, gritting her teeth, and starts hacking away. The Librarians are at her heels now, shrieking and keening, but the skein is bulging, rendering like slow-cooked fat. She feels the tip of her knife glide through reality’s kidneys and with a howl of splitting atoms she makes it through, collapsing into a smoking heap in the middle of the circle. 084 is there to help her up. She flashes him a grin and presses a bundle of silver wafers into his hand- microscale digitigrade manuscripts from a timeline where the Sassanian Empire holds half the Orion Arm. The work continues, bracingly swift. - Dust scatters from the ceiling with every impact, fine as sugar. Alastaire rises to her feet, knife in hand, mouth drawn into a thin line. 084 pulls her back down, shaking his head. Somewhere above them, a door caves in. A woman screams. There is gunfire. In the aftermath, Alastaire learns to swallow the taste of bile. 084 takes pictures. They bury what they can, and move on. - A man without a face bites his lip as he watches his friend choke on vomit, caught in a manufactured nightmare of white-clad killers. [[footnote]] "The problem posed by the human fear response in above-veil combat scenarios has been answered by almost every actor that has ever engaged in parawarfare. For our purposes, chemical, noospheric, or direct augmentation are varying degrees of ineffectual, impractical, or- frankly- counterproductive. More esoteric methods pose even greater challenges- more likely to produce babbling flesh golems or dead-eyed vegetables than truly address the root issue. Instead, my friends, for us the answer is much simpler- as with so much else, //practice// is needed." -████████ ████████████, Convocation of the Seventeen [[/footnote]] - Two tons of beryllium bronze disappear from the belly of a London warehouse caught by sudden flame, and a woman with many names is there to make sure nothing remains to crawl out of the conflagration. - The man and woman trace lines of fire across the world and wherever they go, people die. Cells burn, assets are uprooted, favors are recalled and answered in kind. - //They were volunteers//, 084 reminds himself, lying alone in the dark. They were, all of them, volunteers. - Above it all the Engine hums and breathes stochastic fire to mask the steps of their dance. ------ The Array is the pride of the Coalition. It is the greatest testament to their new path, to the golden promise of a future where mankind soars proudly into a bright and beautiful tomorrow upon wings of fire. It is the triumph of their engineers and the wonders of their mages made into a thing of cold, shining steel. It is a weapon of war. Seven bronze columns surround a silver heptagram engraved with micrometer precision on an unbroken sheet of black marble that is itself encircled by concentric orbitals of cold steel so thick with inscribed thaumic information that the plastic dust-cover that sheathes the machine while not in use is given nondenominational last rites by the base’s chaplain before its monthly incineration. The rings cannot be broken, and so the nine members of STRIKE are lowered into position by cranes, armor-locked into kneeling supplication- grim ivory statues dredged wholesale out of Arthurian myth. Coalition propagandists are not known for their subtlety. They are superlative warriors, these men who have given themselves to the Fivefold Mission. Their minds are unbreachable, the mission imprinted upon their subconscious with the infallible certainty of psycho-memetic conditioning, shielded behind a dense mesh of unbroachable psykill membrane and professional enthusiasm. The rings of the Array spin into whirring motion like a titanic astrolabe, the room cast into a dim blue glow by the thrumming of the thaumoelectric generator as technicians scurry to make their final adjustments. Sparks of wild magic are drawn out of the air, running down the sides of the columns in perspicuous droplets thick enough to taste. There is a flicker in the overhead lighting as a hundred-thousand soul-equivalents of harvested energy is shoved spinning and hissing into the orbiting rings. They are the vanguard, the defenders of humanity. They are the mailed fist of the Coalition. They are, simply, the best of the best. They are STRIKE, and as the Array sends them hurtling through nonspace at the speed of thought, they know no fear. ------ ++ 3. FEARLESS ------ It would be a mistake to say that the Coalition always arrived at the worst possible moment. In 1986, a now-extinct sect of Large-Hivemind-Revival radicals attempting the illegal creation of unsanctioned theomodal intelligence had gotten wise to the whole affair, attempting a novel method of ritual organization that left no less than half of their cybermages combat-effective at any given time. The reasoning being that if the Coalition was wont to strike the moment heads turned, they would simply keep an eye on the back of their heads. The Coalition had let them complete their ritual, waiting until their local network had been thoroughly subsumed by cries of eschatological ecstasy, and then translocated a full STRIKE contingent twenty meters above the head of the infant god, crushing it into silicon paste along with the rest of the congregation shortly thereafter. All this was to say: trying to preempt a STRIKE team’s insertion was rather like trying to dodge a sniper’s bullet after-the-fact, in most cases, moreso a question of brief philosophy than of actionable policy. Predicting translocation was a fool’s errand, after all. 0984-Red Dog makes its way up the pass to the fallback point in tight formation. They are shaken, but relieved. This day has been an exhausting fiasco, but the hard part is over. The calvary is coming, and now all they have to do is move to the minimum viable withdrawal distance and watch the fireworks. The Sommelier tastes their retreat on the wind, perched on a crumbling outcropping of weathered rock that might’ve once been a watchtower. Twin tendrils of corded muscle extend from her mouth, running with viscous saliva that vibrates in subatomic harmony with the microscopic smattering of sweat and stress pheromones staining the microfiber strands of the nylon wound around her hand, tight enough to hurt. The tendrils recede, flicking back into nonspace with a whiplike speed that sends her head cracking backwards. Rubbing her jaw, Alastaire dials in her transmitter. “Primary bellwether tripped. Assessment team retreating to the secondary perimeter. STRIKE imminent.” Beneath her feet, in the ghostwind that howls through the dry warrens honeycombing the hill, Shahr- e- Gholghola stirs. ------ Strike Team Ivory Dagger tears into existence amidst a gentle misting of frozen elephant blood half a kilometer above the acropolis. There is a statistically significant amount of turbulence. STRIKE4’s thaumic sink glows white hot and bursts from his back in a phosphorescent spiral of energized elementary particles, the upper third of his body following shortly thereafter in a rain of spinning ceramic shrapnel and million-dollar dust. This is unfortunate, but within parameters. The rest of STRIKE liaisons over the Local Tactical Network: the corpse of a θ dimensional data squid pulled halfway through itself into realspace, tethering their minds together with a level of cognitive intimacy surpassing that of most corpus callosums. Communication on the tacnet takes place at a rate just below the maximum chemical potential of human neurobiology- frenetic exchanges of hardcoded cybermantic ritualisms sending combat drivers spinning into frenzied action before conscious thought can register. OCULUS systems warm up, feeding fresh streams of data into a noospheric gestalt already howling for blood. Combat stims pump into eager bloodstreams, safeties disengage, and real-time NORNET simulations adjust and update mission parameters on-the-fly. By the time STRIKE hits the ground, eight seconds later, they’ve already won sixteen million times. All that’s left is to execute. ------ [[div class="president"]] “Therefore we of Delta Command document the steps of the Plan as transcribed by the Engineer of the Chaos-” The Engineer scowls, interrupting him. “Hereafter. It’s Hereafter. Everyone always gets it wrong.” There’s a bottle of scotch on the blackstone table between them, and two glass tumblers, half-full. 084 picks one up and drains it. It’s only mostly for dramatic effect. The work continues through the night. [[/div]] ------ STRIKE5 pulverizes a stone column at a thirty degree angle, skipping three times off the ground at terminal velocity before rising smoothly into a loping gallop at seventy miles per hour. The tacnet highlights his recommended trajectory in a pleasant purple blur of altered reality, politely instructing him to run through two additional buildings and jump off a thirty-foot cliff. His feet are already moving. There are thirty-four aetheric life signatures on his side of the mountain concentrated into five strongpoints forming a rough half-circle around the acropolis. He has to give credit to the terrorists where it’s due- forming into traditional defensive lines would’ve seen the entirety of STRIKE dropping as one unit onto the Central Ritual Site then breaking out through the weakest point thereafter. As it stands, the insurgent formation complicates matters. STRIKE2 falls into position next to him- two tons of steel and ceramic casually leapfrogging across crumbling stone buttresses, footfalls eerily light. The first strongpoint is coming up ahead of them, a broken palisade surrounding a collection of ruins that might’ve once been a schoolyard. There’s no time for subtlety- STRIKE5 bursts through the outer wall like the fist of god, detonating the antipersonnel mine strapped to his chest in a hurricane of hypersonic shrapnel. Instead of violently perforated flesh, he is met with a hail of high-caliber firepower. They are ready for him. This is unusual. There is a glowing orange forcefield filling the space of the courtyard, opaque and impermeable. Tungsten shrapnel bristles over its surface like porcupine quills, held inexorably in place while a steady stream of gunfire rips outwards from the emplacement, pinging off his suit like drops of rain. OCULUS readouts scroll just beneath his stream of consciousness, NORNET updating force estimates and adjusting timetables even as a firing solution presents itself with a pleasant ding. STRIKE5 turns sideways, hiding his profile behind the thicker plating of his pauldron, pistol in hand. Four shots, geomantically precise, strike the shield center mass. The shield holds, flickers, wavers, and finally bursts, sending the hovering shrapnel clattering to the floor. The suit informs him that the resultant backlash will have had a thirty-three percent chance of causing instant cerebral hemorrhage. One of the aether-signatures flickers, stumbling to the ground. Good enough. He accelerates, pushing the suit to maximum capacity, stone floor cracking beneath him with a peal of muted thunder as he flashes forwards in a haze of kill-velocity. There are shouts of alarm, and as the red-purple tinge of fear spreads across the aether-signatures like wildfire he almost smiles. Almost. That would be unprofessional of him. When subject to sufficient force, flesh behaves as a fluid medium. Fingers sinking deftly into muscle, wrapping around the point of greatest structural stability (right beneath the ribcage at the conjunction of the last three thoracic vertebrae), STRIKE5 swings the insurgent’s corpse like a riot shield. Gore ripples out of the insurgent’s back, splattering the remainder of the fireteam with steaming offal. To their credit, the terrorists don’t blink. STRIKE5’s optics pick out a set of steely brown eyes staring steadily at him through goggles half-covered with dripping scarlet- the insurgent maintaining steady, even suppressive fire as he retreats backwards in good order. It’s almost impressive. STRIKE5 splatters him against the wall anyways and turns to scan the ground for the incapacitated BLUE asset. //There//, crawling along the north wall towards an exit, haloed by flickering orange light. Servos screaming, he lunges towards the stricken wizard, firing as he goes. One, two, three, and the shield is down- banking straight into a soaring coup-de-grace, trajectory perfect- The corpse in his hand twitches. It's not even a sophisticated trick. A Maxwellian would’ve found it borderline insulting. Failsafe augmentation, redundant nervous fibers running on reflex and twitching inside torn muscle revealing strands of nanomesh weave, a bloody net of torn ligaments whipping out of the corpse with explosive force, tangling around his limbs. It’s just enough to turn a perfectly calculated leap into an awkward, flailing tumble that sends him crashing into the turf. In the seconds before impact, STRIKE5 manages a fourth shot. The wizard’s head turns into an expanding ball of heated gas, cleanly cauterized at the neck. He has time to feel relief before //something// slams into the back of his suit so hard his scopes go white. Warning notes blare in his subconscious as combat drivers push priority impact reports, tacnet furiously requesting additional computation power even as the suit skids across the ground in a cloud of dust. > No known impact database matches. > Probable second BLUE asset active. This is more than just unusual, it is impossible. NORNET’s analysis is not just infallible- it is //prophecy//. He had seen the VERITAS readings himself in the pre-mission, the careful tabulations of enemy force estimates based on the ritual’s ongoing thaumic output. //They should not have this many mages outside of the central ritual site.// The enemy’s effective tactical range has more than just doubled, it has- The tacnet stutters. STRIKE5 rips smoldering remains of nanomesh away from his chassis in ropes of crumbling carbon as the tacnet recalibrates, spent thaumic sink ejecting itself from his back in fragments of smoking bronze. By baseline human standards it takes only a few heartbeats. By the standards of NORNET- a distributed network with a detectable fraction of the Silicon Nornir's total operational capacity permanently allocated towards its needs, it is an eternity. Conflicting priorities and routines messily clash. The gears of the Coalition seize, stutter, and finally, resolve. ------ At the pinnacle of the acropolis six Sassanian pillars hold up the sky. Once a living divinity was enthroned here on a dias of sandalwood and myrrh, holding court from the Hindu Kush to the Arabian Sea. Now, it is a boneyard, a teutonic ossuary riven from the innards of dead faith. A ring of solemn figures kneel in the white dust, each draped in scarlet, hooded faces downcast. An unbroken band of bronze wire wraps around their clenched fists, a daisy chain that holds the circle implacably in place as around them the stones shift, spin, and howl their remembrance into the heavens. There is a terrible pressure here, a monolithic thrumming visible from orbit with the right eyes. It’s nothing that STRIKE7 hasn’t seen before. Two shock grenades land in the center of the circle, detonating into blinding flares of semi-sentient magnesium which go on to perform hissing renditions of a BANSHEE class audiohazard at 120 decibels. It’s old inventory, Ichabod-issue, stock-standard wizard-kill tactics: distract, deny, decapitate. STRIKE7 switches to full OCULUS scopes, the ring of kneeling bodies lighting up on her display like human-shaped stars, thaumic radiation circulating through the mass in a coruscant vortex of violet energy. The rest of her contingent opens fire simultaneously, blowing three perfect holes into each of the figures in turn. They do not fall, and the thaumic energy continues its accelerating circulation, the howling building into an ominous crescendo. This visual impossibility has not yet had time to fully reach STRIKE7’s occipital lobe before NORNET is already screaming in her ear, //break break break//, automated evacuation routines flaring into panicked action. Time stands still. It was never a ritual, STRIKE7 realizes, suspended in that impossible moment. //It was a circuit.// ------ [[div class="blockquote"]] //IEDs are different from conventional weapons, however, in important ways// //that make them appealing to a range of irregular forces. These differences// //include the following...// //…lethality, which compensates for a lack of more powerful conventional// //weapons…// //…variability in design, which makes developing countermeasures and// //countervailing tactics difficult…// //…adaptability to the operating environment, which makes IEDs more// //versatile and difficult to detect…// //…scalability, which allows terrorists to modulate their level of violence…// //The IED has now entered…. the standard repertoire of irregular forces in// //urban areas across the planet, and there are no signs that this threat is// //shrinking; on the contrary… it seems to be growing.// —David Kilcullen, Out of the Mountains //In operations wherein the strategic tempo necessitates swift and critical// //action… it is important to consider the usage of any and all means by// //which to deny, disorient, and trap the enemy… in a prison of his own// //expectations.// —Author Unknown, Contradiction and Iteration [[/div]] ------ [[div class="elaimal"]] The ghostwind howls through the warrens and whispers over the ruins and with it comes the scent of magic. Shahr- e- Gholghola stirs. The earth trembles, sifts in susurrant anticipation as the blood of the city sniffs at the newborn power encircling its heart, fresh and resonant- a closed circuit of bronze-wrapped corpses- lightning in a bottle churning in bridleless temptation. There is not enough consciousness left in the ruins to mount even a feeble contest, were there any other wills to challenge its claimancy. But there are none. Shahr- e- Gholghola stirs. It drinks in the proffered power, slowly at first and then without reservation, and as the stones howl their remembrance into the sky, the old blood wakes. For the first time in two millennia, Shahr- e- Gholghola sees. It sees fire, flashes in the night. It sees defenders upon its walls, and a flock of things in the shape of men set loose upon them, ivory things that smell of powder and blood, fast and fleet of foot, dealing death. Horsemen, the stones scream, horsemen come again to bleed it, to set flame, to take, to rend asunder. Three of these horsemen are currently shooting it in the head. [[/div]] ------ STRIKE5 turns in time to see the hilltop detonate violently in a plume of wild magic that turns night to day. The resultant mass of molten rock and plasma shifts and reforms until it amalgamates into a shape uncomfortably similar to that of a lidless eye. It is staring directly at him. The city begins to scream. ------ ++ 4. BLOCK PARTY ------ [[div class="vanguard"]] UNGOC Emergency Council vote to authorize FORCE CALIPER RED response on site UN-X7FF-76 following unprecedented manifestation event. \|\|~ YEA \|\|~ NAY \|\|~ ABS. \|\| \|\|= X \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\|= X \|\| \|\| \|\|= X \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\|= X \|\| \|\| \|\|= X \|\| \|\| MOTION FAILS [[/div]] ------ Alastaire is with them, crouched at the outskirts of the battle in small huddles of two or three. //Perimeter guard, small arms only, evade without engaging//, the assessment brief described. Local dupes armed with rusty cold-war surplus, meant to keep civilians away and look threatening while the //real// soldiers patrolled the acropolis itself. Standard Insurgency fare. Tactically irrelevant. Ragged chapans drop to the ground, unveiling high-grade Eurtec-standard battle fatigues. Balaclavas are pulled from grim faces, replaced with full-dive Iron Eye combat information systems and cannibalized Maxwellian optics. Shallow caches are unearthed, and rusty Kalashnikovs clatter to the ground, far stranger things bristling in their place. As the hilltop detonates in an aurora of violet light, a flag is unfurled, black on black against the night. A red wheel, unbroken and breaking, a rally against the world. Today, it is a banner of the hunt. The Insurgency’s elite moves as one into the burning city, and Alastaire goes with them. The jaws of the trap snap shut. ------ STRIKE5 is finding that, as a rule, Insurgents die messy. Wrenching his wristblade out of the terrorist’s back, he grits his teeth in frustration as the rune-marked steel hisses and pits, corroding in an instant. Kicking away the steaming corpse, he ejects the contaminated weapon, sealant hissing as the suit closes off the breach. It is, objectively, a clever trick. What do you do when you can't afford to augment your whole group? Make it a shell game. This is the fifth time an insurgent’s corpse has sprung a bloody surprise in death, and now he finds nothing remotely admirable about their tenacity. Dodging the pillars of living rock that spring up to bar his path and smashing through a pile of self-homogenizing rubble, STRIKE5 lays down suppressive fire, grimacing as crooked crenellations spring from thin air to shield the RPG team that shelters on the rooftop. It was bad enough before the fucking city joined in on the side of the terrorists. Now, the tactical situation is rapidly becoming untenable. //We’re trying to defend you, you stupid fucking ruin.// The ground beneath him crumbles away and he barely catches onto the ledge in time, the gaping pit below him utterly opaque to his sensors. This is getting tiresome. Behind him, STRIKE2 is fighting for her life, truly for her life, for the first time in decades. Under other circumstances, she might’ve even been enjoying herself. The terrorist is good, unreasonably so. He hits like a goddamned Sidhe Knight and takes bullets like a Clockwork Priest, and he’s //fast//- a lithe shadow weaving nets of killing energy at speeds that has the tacnet chirping in distress. STRIKE2 is forced back on one knee as the suit takes yet another direct hit, a dense ball of liquid hellfire that leaves her pauldron scarred and blackened. //Where the fuck did they find this guy?// A roaring three-headed hydra spirals out of the shadows and costs her her last banishment grenade, followed by a spear of purple lightning that catches her full in the chest. Sparks fly, alarms chime, and the remnants of her thaumic sink eject from her back in rivulets of molten bronze but STRIKE2 is already running, pushing through the stream of annihilating light as magic pools around her like water off of a duck’s back. She catches the bastard’s head in her hands, gauntlets screaming as she //squeezes// with force enough to shatter steel. The fucker doesn’t go down. She sees his eyes, shining and bloodshot, glaring at her as ichor runs in smoking rivulets down his face. She squeezes harder, feels the terrorist's force-shield begin to splinter, his skin going gray with backlash. He’s smiling. The particle beam rakes across her exposed back, gliding through billion-dollar ceramic composite like so much wrapping paper. Something critical detonates. She tastes blood. The suit slowly, achingly sinks to one knee as circuits cut, her grip slackening. The insurgent is plastered across her display, larger than life as the HUD glitches nauseatingly, the data-stream winking out as tacnet cuts its losses. Bile rises in her throat as he leans in close to her faceplate, hand raised in mocking salute. Then the display snaps off, and STRIKE2 sees nothing at all. ------ [[div class="president"]] “Do you think it’ll work?” The question takes her by surprise. The blackstone table is strewn with clutter, wrappers, empty bottles, pens and paper and manila folders- the detritus of conspiracy. She takes a moment to respond, shuffling the sheaf of papers into place. “I’ve seen worse plans succeed and better plans fail.” She sets the documents down. “That’s not the question you should be asking.” “Can you herd the Committee into voting for it?” She smiles. “Better.” 084 is eating again, Doritos vanishing into the void that delineates his absent face. It’s an ungainly habit, but the Engineer doesn’t judge. She’s seen worse. “Maybe. This won’t go over well with the legitimists, but there are certain strings I can pull if it comes to that.” She sets the papers down. 084 sighs, wiping at his hands with a bit of crumpled schematic. “You want me to tell you why.” There is a moment of silence, hanging heavy in the air. “We are losing the propaganda war. If you don’t believe me, go outside and see for yourself. Walk the streets and slums of Eurtec and look into the faces of the people that pass by. Every day the Coalition’s fist goes unchallenged, more and more people begin to believe that it is unchallengeable. That struggle is futile. The simpering dogs of the Serpent continue to vomit their reformist drivel and it is working. Look at our recruitment numbers! We call ourselves the flame that rends the world but we are going out. Extinguished day by day because we burn but we do not burn bright enough. Because we die in the shadows while they work in the light. //Something has to give.// You know this as well as I do. //Someone has to light the torch again.//” “I would have us do this to prove it can be done. Because, in the end, //it must be done.//” He takes a panting breath, a sac of venom years in the making emptying at last. “I have labored in the dark half my life for the sake of the cause. If I am to die for it, allow me to do so in the light.” There is a moment of silence, hanging heavy in the air. The Engineer responds. [[/div]] ------ "Do you think we're supervillains?" //The faceless man is hunched over a pile of notes on the safehouse floor,// //as if for warmth. She takes a moment to think about it.// "Well, you //are// wearing a mask", //she teases//, "and I'm a magical terrorist. Clearly you are my disfigured henchman, my sidekick, perhaps." //084 turns to look up at her. He’s worried, she can tell he’s worried. The// //meeting hadn't ended the way he'd expected. He doesn’t have a face anymore// //but he wears one around her anyways, to make her happy. She takes his hand// //to stop it from shaking. If it stops her own, no one else is here to see.// //The fundamentals haven't changed. The plan they've crafted is still// //viable. They can do this.// “Be safe.” “I will.” “Win.” “I will.” Alastaire Mcmnemon watches her comrades advance beneath a black flag that plucks the stars from the sky, and breathes deep lungfuls of air that is, for the moment, wholly and truly free. ------ 0984-Red Dog watches the stars go out one by one from their perch above the city and begs desperately into the airwaves for permission to die valiantly. It is denied. ------ The grand hall of the Council of 108 is a place of power. A high ceiling, tastefully adorned with silver mosaics of noble men and women doing noble things, arches over seven rows of simple wooden desks arranged in an imperfect circle around a marble podium. It is a room that highlights the words of men, amplifying their importance. It is not a place that suffers secrets well. The High Illuminant of the Minerval Brotherhood of Earthly Truths supposes that that’s why he’s currently being stuffed into a broom closet by an angry wizard. Ryomen Thanaka looks fitfully around the room before snapping his fingers and muttering something under his breath that pushes over his skin like a gust of wind. “There. Privacy, for the moment.” “Are you out of your goddamn mind?” The angry hiss slips out of his mouth before his brain can quite catch up with him. The wizard, if anything, looks amused. “PHYSICS is fucking us both over.” The sentence, incongruous in its simplicity, takes the wind out of his sails. The wizard smooths down his waterlily robes and continues. “Ten years now that blue-jacketed bastard has been draining us both dry. How many of the Brotherhood’s chapterhouses has he ransacked, how much of your gold has he spent to fly his tin soldiers to this and that shithole? How many of your motions have been blockaded by his drooling flunkies in the Council while he bleeds us both to sustain his pissing contest with the Foundation? We’ve been too caught up in the old rivalries to see. He’s turning the Coalition into his private army, and we’re all footing the bill.” “What are you getting at?” “I’m saying- his tin soldiers have finally run into something they can’t shoot to death. Good. Let them pay the toll for once. Abstain.” “The Insurgency-” "The Insurgency is irrelevant. Contrarians and amateurs with a few party tricks. Thirty-seven combat encounters we’ve had with them since the fifties and each and every one has ended the exact same way. So what if they manage to salvage a suit or two? The Foundation will solve that problem for us, given time. In the meantime, that bastard and his tin soldiers can squirm through committees and hearings while we //thoroughly reevaluate// PHYSICS' operational parameters in the wake of this fiasco." A thin, mirthless smile. "For the sake of the Fivefold Mission, of course." “//If// I agree to this, you understand, this makes us both complicit. They will come for us just as hard as we will be going for them. We can’t keep fumbling in the dark. If I abstain on the motion, you //will// vote for my next legislative packet, and you’ll get the rest of your witch doctors to back it too.” The wizard hesitates, then nods. “Then we have an accord.” ------ [[div class="vanguard"]] UNGOC Emergency Council vote to authorize STARLIGHT BROKEN DAGGER contingency on site UN-X7FF-76. \|\|~ YEA \|\|~ NAY \|\|~ ABS. \|\| \|\|= X \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\|= X \|\| \|\| \|\|= X \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\|= X \|\| \|\| \|\|= X \|\| \|\| MOTION FAILS [[/div]] ------ ++ 5. ASHES TO ASHES ------ STRIKE5 fights on. His pistol is spent, so he uses his knives. His knives are broken, so he uses his fists. His gauntlets are cracked and splintered, smoking with acid, but he raises them anyways, crushing and tearing. On the rooftop ahead of him he sees STRIKE1, struggling against a thick miasma of immobility curses, take a direct hit from what looks like an anti-tank missile made entirely out of bone. The resulting explosion turns half the building to lemon pudding in a flash of fuschia light, sending him crashing down into the rubble. Tacnet informs him STRIKE1’s suit has, incredibly, held. Dodging a serpentine pillar of fire that follows him through the air and rolling under a swarm of iridescent green beetles that nearly short his scopes with aetheric interference, STRIKE5 makes it just in time to see living rock swallow his battle-buddy from the neck down. There is a sickening crunch. The life-sign winks out. He needs to stay professional. He needs to stay professional. He needs to turn this goddamned city to fucking rubble along with every two-bit paraterrorist sympathizer in a hundred mile radius. He needs to stay professional. STRIKE5 turns to see three insurgents rounding the street, weapons raised, shouting in alarm. One of them is waving a flag, absurdly anachronistic, a ragged remnant of a war no one gives a damn about anymore. Tacnet chirps in alarm but he ignores it. There is nothing left to defend. There is only the terrorists, the flag, and the red screaming in his ears. STRIKE5 moves. He is dimly aware that spells are impacting him, eating away at the last layers of ceramic plating, that a spinning glaive of purple crystal has just shorn away his left arm at the elbow in a spray of hypercoagulant. It all seems so far away. The terrorists are falling back now, but he is already amongst them. His right arm swings and one of them turns into red mist. Another is carving away at his back with a glass knife, animate shards of volcanic rock burrowing into his torso with malignant intelligence. It doesn’t matter. He catches her by the throat, squeezes. One left now. The one who carries the flag. Too far away to reach. STRIKE5 closes his eyes. There is only one weapon left to use. “Detonate fusion core. SIERRA NOVEMBER BRAVO.” The suit whines, armor-locking into place. There is a smile on his face. A fractional life sign is all the warning he gets. A swarm of //things// stream from the shadow cast by the flag, a little like smoke and more or less in the shape of people. Impossibly suspended, they flicker-fade through shapes, expressions, fractal patterns that make OCULUS flare up in hissing static- but the eyes boring into his own are all too human. Spiteful. One of them rakes vorpal hands across his back and he feels something tear away. The display goes dark. He doesn’t die. ------ [[div class="president"]] "You will live." The response cuts the air like a knife, dry as bone. The Engineer stands, all pretense of affability fading from her like melting wax. In her place is an old thing of dried blood, sinew, and twisted gears, and its smile is the death of empire. "You are not a martyr. Your death will not be glorious. The cause is not your vanity project, Johnathan. The Insurgency is not your //suicide//. You will live to deal with the consequences because you know better than this- and because if you die without permission I will see to it that your shade is dragged back again and again, until it learns the difference between necessary sacrifice and shirking responsibility because //the darkness was too muc//h." "Did you think you could strike bargain with me without a price? Everything a price- everything a cost- and this, 084, is the cost of //initiative//." “You will not command this mission. You will live. You will lead. You will see the consequences of what you have wrought, and weep at the edges of the graves that you fill, never your own." [[/div]] ------ This is what it is to be an Insurgent. It's to hide, and beg, and burrow through filth. It's to kill in the shadows and burn yourself, to labor for a sunrise you know you'll never get to see. It's to fight for that day, for that one //glorious moment// when you finally catch them by surprise. When the king swallows the poison pill, when the wings of the hashmallim tear asunder and all of their oracles are made liars. It is to strive for those moments, however few and far between, when you pit your weight against the bulk of the world, kicking and screaming, and feel for an effervescent, eternal second, the //shifting//. Little by little. Alastaire Mcmnemon lies face-down in the living dust and dies. She’s thinking of home. ------ [[div class="vanguard"]] It is the overall recommendation of the Special Investigative Chair that the following measures be implemented in the wake of Incident Redhair-Grayladder-9485 “STRIKEFALL”, first among these being… [[/div]] ------ [[div class="elaimal"]] Shahr- e- Gholghola endures. There are //things// crawling upon it now, blue-helmeted men with devices and determined expressions erecting a cage of bronze and steel. Better to wait. Better to burrow and hide, the ghostwind whispers. Everything fails. Everything crumbles, in time. Shahr- e- Gholghola endures. [[/div]] ------ The Engineer sits alone in the saferoom. Idly, she twirls an ivory cylinder between her fingers like a pen. It is not a pen. Cloned human bone, properly treated, is a common, relatively secure medium for two-way scrying. She raps the finger bone firmly on the blackstone table, the totem crumbling into a perfect circle of white dust. An image materializes out of shadow, a blue-jacketed man reclining in a comfortable armchair. “I suppose congratulations are in order, Engineer.” She doesn’t respond, staring back at him impassively. “I assume you’ve already recovered the suits?” “One less than what you promised.” The general smiles. “My men are good at what they do, Engineer. Let’s hope yours will match the standard they’ve set.” His gaze hardens. “Site- 719 must fall within the next three months, as agreed. There will be consequences, otherwise. For both of us.” “A pleasure doing business with you, General.” The image crumbles into dust without a response, leaving her alone once more. Almost alone. The Engineer allows herself a genuine smile. There is much work to be done. [[collapsible show="END" hide="1/5"]] [[div class="president"]] A faceless man sits inside a dark room, trembling hands cupping shards of shattered glass. The mask eats his tears. [[/div]] [[/collapsible]] ----- = << [[[STRIKEFALL]]]\|\|[[[fallout\|FALLOUT]]] >> ----- [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=BenOverlord]] ===== > Filename: skullnbones-removebg.png > Author: BenOverlord > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://imgur.com/a/nDMuOdP] > Filename: strikefall.png > Author: Radian628 > License: CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://imgur.com/a/F5NnKzX] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-09-16T14:11:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "action", "chaos-insurgency", "fantasy", "global-occult-coalition", "illustrated", "military-fiction", "tale", "the-engineer" ]	STRIKEFALL - SCP Foundation	34	[ "strikefall#toc0", "strikefall#toc1", "strikefall#toc2", "strikefall#toc3", "strikefall#toc4", "goc-tale-sequence-strike", "fallout", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "goc-hub-page", "chaos-insurgency-hub" ]	[]	1456804948	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/strikefall
sublimation	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ CODE</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- CODE</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BLANKSTYLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CSS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2021</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span 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class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title, "R\</span><span class="hl-number">0026</span><span class="hl-code"> C SITE-43")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">a:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Ablankstyle/</span><span class="hl-number">43</span><span class="hl-code">Head.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient( to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>Sublimation</span></h1> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> In the months since escaping the prison that was the Anomalous Documents Disposal Chamber of Site-43's AAF-A, Ilse Reynders had developed quite the lust for life.</p> <p>She had signed up for a new PhD program to learn about all the new Groups of Interest which had arisen in the near-century she had been trapped underground. She had learned that she quite liked the feeling of sand between her toes as she walked the shores of Ipperwash Beach. She learned that she enjoyed the taste of matcha.</p> <p>But no matter how much she experienced the new, there was still something bothering her. She could never quite place her finger on <em>what</em> exactly, though. This was something the Acroamatic Abatement Chair found most vexing. In her experience, all problems had answers, and this was simply the newest problem plaguing her. Much like the last one, she would persevere over this.</p> <p>Having picked up a cup of matcha tea from one of the Site commissaries in town, Dr. Reynders sat down for the intro lecture for her new GoI PhD course from the comforts of her Grand Bend home's backyard. Though she had been offered habitation on-site down at 43, she had turned it down in favor of being able to enjoy the wind in her hair and sun on her skin before having to commute to the Site. And even then, she was allowed to telecommute most of the time, so she rarely found herself having to go underground nowadays.</p> <p>She took a sip and delighted in her tea's earthy flavor, which slowly turned into a sweet finish. A contented sigh escaped her lips as she logged onto SCiPNET's teleconference software on her laptop. Ilse walked out from her porch and out to the picnic table in her backyard, placing the device atop it before taking another sip of tea. She smiled as the breeze came in, tossing her hair in front of her eyes without immediately having it rubberband back to its original position.</p> <p><em>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E714jle7THQ">Niet een mens hier op aard' die voor leed werd gespaard in de harde leerschool van het leven maar zo slim kan 't niet zijn...</a>"</em> She started hum-singing to herself as the device finally loaded into the virtual classroom. Reynders stopped as soon as she realized her microphone was on and she had just accidentally serenaded the only other person there, which by the looks of it, was the lecturer. Her cheeks matched her hair color as she mumbled out a "sorry."</p> <p>Her instructor switched on their video, revealing a person wearing a prosthetic arm. They looked tired, but had kind eyes. "No need to apologize, Dr. Reynders," they offered them a smile. "I won't lie, it did startle me to suddenly not be alone in here before the lecture starts, but that was lovely."</p> <p>Ilse turned on their video feed as well once her cheeks paled again. She returned the smile and waved. "Thank you, Doctor Everwood."</p> <p>"Please, call me Jay," they said. "By the way, Dr. Reynders, I am flabbergasted that you would join my program." Jay shoved aside some paperwork on their desk and leaned back in their chair.</p> <p>"Oh?" Reynders quirked an eyebrow.</p> <p>"Well, I remember hearing about you when I first started at the Foundation. 'The woman with 14 PhDs'." They whistled. "No small feat."</p> <p>"When you have nothing but time to kill, you've got to find unique ways of doing so." Reynders reached for her tea mug.</p> <p>"Well, this is different though. You're a woman with a PhD, who got her first back when it was mostly only men who got those. And then… well… your accident… I'm sorry for bringing it up…" Everwood looked straight forward at their screen, almost as if locking their hazel eyes with Reynders' own blues.</p> <p>Now it was Ilse's turn to wave it off. "It's no big deal." She smiled triumphantly before dropping her expression. "But I will be honest with you, Jay, there were times I felt as if I was losing it."</p> <p>"I understand. I've been through some <a href="/scp-7726">rough times myself</a>; maybe not for as long or exactly the same circumstances, but I do sympathize."</p> <p>Reynders merely nodded.</p> <p>"Anyway… you didn't let your accident stop you. You persevered, and became the Foundation's foremost authority on so many things. It… it meant a lot to me when I was younger." Everwood trailed off, staring at the corner of the screen wistfully.</p> <p>Reynders took a sip from her tea before replying: "I'm flattered that my story inspired you. But I was only acting in self-interest. That's hardly inspirational," she sighed. "That being said, I am glad to see more women like you taking up positions of leadership and power in the Foundation." The Acroamatic Abatement Chair offered a weak smile.</p> <p>"Actually, Dr. Reynders… I'm not a woman. I haven't been for a long time."</p> <p>"<em>Jeetje!</em> My apologies, Jay!" Ilse sounded mortified at the prospect of having offended them, and covered her mouth. Though she had known of the existence of transgender people before becoming stuck in AAF-A, she had never met any aside from Lillihammer. In a different life, one where she didn't attend university or join the Foundation, she might have rejected the notion of them existing. But with her life having turned out the way it did, she felt that debating the existence of the so-called 'trans question' was best left to the slack-jawed, backwards yokels of the world. "So I am correct in assuming you are male, then?"</p> <p>Jay shook their head. "Nope. I am nonbinary."</p> <p>"Nonbinary." Reynders repeated. "As in not male or female?" The familiar feeling which had been bothering her for years resurfaced; overwhelmingly so. Suddenly, curiosity overwhelmed her. "Doctor Everwood, if I may, how did you know you—" She stopped herself. "I apologize. I shouldn't be asking these things. I'm sorry."</p> <p>"No need to apologize, Doctor Reynders," they let out a slight laugh. "You might be a woman of science, but I'm a glorified relationship manager. I can pick up when people mean no ill intention."</p> <p>"Correct." She nodded.</p> <p>"One moment." Everwood held up the index finger of their prosthetic arm while using their left to move their computer mouse. Ilse could see that the teleconference room they were in had been locked to just them.</p> <p>"Doctor?"</p> <p>"I don't want anyone coming in while I talk about this."</p> <p>"You don't have to tell me about it, I overstepped in my curiosit—" Ilse found herself interrupted by Jay.</p> <p>"Heh. I know that look, Doctor Reynders. Don't worry. You're not imposing any discomfort on me. But I do want to have this conversation in private because it is something important and personal. But I know that look in your eyes," Jay said with a sly smile.</p> <p>"Look?" Ilse blinked.</p> <p>Everwood chuckled. "Well, it came after a lifetime of struggling with who I was. As a kid, I didn't like the traditional girl toys. I preferred the boy's action figures. My parents thought I might be a tomboy. But then I hit my teen years. I wore a lot of dresses and a lot of pinks. I grew out my hair. And then college began. I changed all of that and became more like how I am now. I guess maybe nonbinary isn't the best way to put it. I view my relationship to gender as more of a fluid thing. Sometimes I'm more masculine, sometimes I'm more feminine, but most of the time I'm neither," they shrugged.</p> <p>Reynders nodded, unsure of what to say.</p> <p>"But anyway, I realized I didn't quite fit in the binary about ten years ago. It might sound silly for it to have taken that long for me to realize something that seems so obvious, but…" Jay shrugged again. "… there are people who go their whole lives without learning that not being a part of the binary is an option. I'm just glad I learned about myself before it was too late, you know?"</p> <p>"Of course," she nodded again. "I believe I know how you feel, Jay. As a child, I spent a long time wondering what I wanted to be when I was older, and 'housewife' never sat quite right with me."</p> <p>"Well, that's because you're a learned person, Doctor." Everwood grinned.</p> <p>The unknown feeling came gnawing at her again. She had long since felt this odd sensation, ever since before her accident. Since before she had met Director Scout after her sister died nearly a century ago. She had met nonbinary people before; she had even taught a few after they installed projectors outside her little room.</p> <p>But none of them made her think about it like Jay had. But then again, Reynders had spent so long pent up inside that abatement chamber desperately trying to think of a way out, she had neglected to think of her own identity. Ilse opened her mouth to speak again, but found herself interrupted by Jay.</p> <p>"I've stalled long enough. I need to get the lesson going, but if you ever need any questions on gender answered, I'm your genderslime." They pointed at themselves with their robotic prosthetic and winked in the dorkiest way imaginable. Reynders did her best not to laugh as Everwood let all the awaiting students into the digital classroom. "Welcome everyone! Sorry I made you all wait, I just needed to chat with someone about something before we got the ball rolling. My name is Doctor Everwood, but you can call me Jay…"</p> <p>As they began introducing themselves, Reynders' mind couldn't help but trail off. She thought about the tea she had been drinking, the doctorate that she was pursuing, the feeling of sand between her toes. It was all new. She had no way of knowing she would like these things had she not tried them; had she not been scientifically inclined to experiment. So maybe, just maybe, <em>they</em> would run a new experiment.</p> <p>…</p> <p><em>"Dat spreekt voor zich."</em><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <img alt="Asterisk43.png" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-b-b-decommission/Asterisk43.png"/><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <h2 id="toc1"><span>Two hours later…</span></h2> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="background: url(https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%3Ablankstyle/43Head.png) top right no-repeat; float: center; border: solid 3px #444444; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"> <p><span style="font-size:75%;"><br/> <strong>From:</strong> Ilse Reynders<br/> <strong>To:</strong> Jay Everwood<br/> <strong>Subject:</strong> Surprise!<br/></span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> Jay,</p> <p>I just had the most wonderful revelation.</p> <hr/> <p><em>Acroamatic Abatement Chair</em><br/> Site-43<br/> Dr. Ilse Reynders<br/> she/her they/them</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">01001110 01001111 01001110 01000010 01001001 01001110 01000001 01010010 01011001</a></div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/sublimation">Sublimation</a>" by Uncle Nicolini, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/sublimation">https://scpwiki.com/sublimation</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <div style="text-align: left;"> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> reynders.jpg<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> Digital Quinn<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Quinn Dombrowski<br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 2.0<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/quinnanya/3150871209/in/album-72157606184858060/">Flickr</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:blankstyle">:scp-wiki:theme:blankstyle</a>]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] + Sublimation [[/=]] ----- @@ @@ @@ @@ In the months since escaping the prison that was the Anomalous Documents Disposal Chamber of Site-43's AAF-A, Ilse Reynders had developed quite the lust for life. She had signed up for a new PhD program to learn about all the new Groups of Interest which had arisen in the near-century she had been trapped underground. She had learned that she quite liked the feeling of sand between her toes as she walked the shores of Ipperwash Beach. She learned that she enjoyed the taste of matcha. But no matter how much she experienced the new, there was still something bothering her. She could never quite place her finger on //what// exactly, though. This was something the Acroamatic Abatement Chair found most vexing. In her experience, all problems had answers, and this was simply the newest problem plaguing her. Much like the last one, she would persevere over this. Having picked up a cup of matcha tea from one of the Site commissaries in town, Dr. Reynders sat down for the intro lecture for her new GoI PhD course from the comforts of her Grand Bend home's backyard. Though she had been offered habitation on-site down at 43, she had turned it down in favor of being able to enjoy the wind in her hair and sun on her skin before having to commute to the Site. And even then, she was allowed to telecommute most of the time, so she rarely found herself having to go underground nowadays. She took a sip and delighted in her tea's earthy flavor, which slowly turned into a sweet finish. A contented sigh escaped her lips as she logged onto SCiPNET's teleconference software on her laptop. Ilse walked out from her porch and out to the picnic table in her backyard, placing the device atop it before taking another sip of tea. She smiled as the breeze came in, tossing her hair in front of her eyes without immediately having it rubberband back to its original position. //"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E714jle7THQ Niet een mens hier op aard' die voor leed werd gespaard in de harde leerschool van het leven maar zo slim kan 't niet zijn...]"// She started hum-singing to herself as the device finally loaded into the virtual classroom. Reynders stopped as soon as she realized her microphone was on and she had just accidentally serenaded the only other person there, which by the looks of it, was the lecturer. Her cheeks matched her hair color as she mumbled out a "sorry." Her instructor switched on their video, revealing a person wearing a prosthetic arm. They looked tired, but had kind eyes. "No need to apologize, Dr. Reynders," they offered them a smile. "I won't lie, it did startle me to suddenly not be alone in here before the lecture starts, but that was lovely." Ilse turned on their video feed as well once her cheeks paled again. She returned the smile and waved. "Thank you, Doctor Everwood." "Please, call me Jay," they said. "By the way, Dr. Reynders, I am flabbergasted that you would join my program." Jay shoved aside some paperwork on their desk and leaned back in their chair. "Oh?" Reynders quirked an eyebrow. "Well, I remember hearing about you when I first started at the Foundation. 'The woman with 14 PhDs'." They whistled. "No small feat." "When you have nothing but time to kill, you've got to find unique ways of doing so." Reynders reached for her tea mug. "Well, this is different though. You're a woman with a PhD, who got her first back when it was mostly only men who got those. And then... well... your accident... I'm sorry for bringing it up..." Everwood looked straight forward at their screen, almost as if locking their hazel eyes with Reynders' own blues. Now it was Ilse's turn to wave it off. "It's no big deal." She smiled triumphantly before dropping her expression. "But I will be honest with you, Jay, there were times I felt as if I was losing it." "I understand. I've been through some [[[scp-7726\|rough times myself]]]; maybe not for as long or exactly the same circumstances, but I do sympathize." Reynders merely nodded. "Anyway... you didn't let your accident stop you. You persevered, and became the Foundation's foremost authority on so many things. It... it meant a lot to me when I was younger." Everwood trailed off, staring at the corner of the screen wistfully. Reynders took a sip from her tea before replying: "I'm flattered that my story inspired you. But I was only acting in self-interest. That's hardly inspirational," she sighed. "That being said, I am glad to see more women like you taking up positions of leadership and power in the Foundation." The Acroamatic Abatement Chair offered a weak smile. "Actually, Dr. Reynders... I'm not a woman. I haven't been for a long time." "//Jeetje!// My apologies, Jay!" Ilse sounded mortified at the prospect of having offended them, and covered her mouth. Though she had known of the existence of transgender people before becoming stuck in AAF-A, she had never met any aside from Lillihammer. In a different life, one where she didn't attend university or join the Foundation, she might have rejected the notion of them existing. But with her life having turned out the way it did, she felt that debating the existence of the so-called 'trans question' was best left to the slack-jawed, backwards yokels of the world. "So I am correct in assuming you are male, then?" Jay shook their head. "Nope. I am nonbinary." "Nonbinary." Reynders repeated. "As in not male or female?" The familiar feeling which had been bothering her for years resurfaced; overwhelmingly so. Suddenly, curiosity overwhelmed her. "Doctor Everwood, if I may, how did you know you--" She stopped herself. "I apologize. I shouldn't be asking these things. I'm sorry." "No need to apologize, Doctor Reynders," they let out a slight laugh. "You might be a woman of science, but I'm a glorified relationship manager. I can pick up when people mean no ill intention." "Correct." She nodded. "One moment." Everwood held up the index finger of their prosthetic arm while using their left to move their computer mouse. Ilse could see that the teleconference room they were in had been locked to just them. "Doctor?" "I don't want anyone coming in while I talk about this." "You don't have to tell me about it, I overstepped in my curiosit--" Ilse found herself interrupted by Jay. "Heh. I know that look, Doctor Reynders. Don't worry. You're not imposing any discomfort on me. But I do want to have this conversation in private because it is something important and personal. But I know that look in your eyes," Jay said with a sly smile. "Look?" Ilse blinked. Everwood chuckled. "Well, it came after a lifetime of struggling with who I was. As a kid, I didn't like the traditional girl toys. I preferred the boy's action figures. My parents thought I might be a tomboy. But then I hit my teen years. I wore a lot of dresses and a lot of pinks. I grew out my hair. And then college began. I changed all of that and became more like how I am now. I guess maybe nonbinary isn't the best way to put it. I view my relationship to gender as more of a fluid thing. Sometimes I'm more masculine, sometimes I'm more feminine, but most of the time I'm neither," they shrugged. Reynders nodded, unsure of what to say. "But anyway, I realized I didn't quite fit in the binary about ten years ago. It might sound silly for it to have taken that long for me to realize something that seems so obvious, but..." Jay shrugged again. "... there are people who go their whole lives without learning that not being a part of the binary is an option. I'm just glad I learned about myself before it was too late, you know?" "Of course," she nodded again. "I believe I know how you feel, Jay. As a child, I spent a long time wondering what I wanted to be when I was older, and 'housewife' never sat quite right with me." "Well, that's because you're a learned person, Doctor." Everwood grinned. The unknown feeling came gnawing at her again. She had long since felt this odd sensation, ever since before her accident. Since before she had met Director Scout after her sister died nearly a century ago. She had met nonbinary people before; she had even taught a few after they installed projectors outside her little room. But none of them made her think about it like Jay had. But then again, Reynders had spent so long pent up inside that abatement chamber desperately trying to think of a way out, she had neglected to think of her own identity. Ilse opened her mouth to speak again, but found herself interrupted by Jay. "I've stalled long enough. I need to get the lesson going, but if you ever need any questions on gender answered, I'm your genderslime." They pointed at themselves with their robotic prosthetic and winked in the dorkiest way imaginable. Reynders did her best not to laugh as Everwood let all the awaiting students into the digital classroom. "Welcome everyone! Sorry I made you all wait, I just needed to chat with someone about something before we got the ball rolling. My name is Doctor Everwood, but you can call me Jay..." As they began introducing themselves, Reynders' mind couldn't help but trail off. She thought about the tea she had been drinking, the doctorate that she was pursuing, the feeling of sand between her toes. It was all new. She had no way of knowing she would like these things had she not tried them; had she not been scientifically inclined to experiment. So maybe, just maybe, //they// would run a new experiment. ... //"Dat spreekt voor zich."// @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div]] [[=]] @@ @@ [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-b-b-decommission/Asterisk43.png]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ ++ Two hours later... @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div]] [[=]] @@ @@ [[image https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-b-b-decommission/Asterisk43.png]] @@ @@ [[/=]] [[/div]] [[/=]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="background: url(https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%3Ablankstyle/43Head.png) top right no-repeat; float: center; border: solid 3px #444444; width: 85%; padding: 1px 15px; margin: auto; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2);"]] [[size 75%]] From: Ilse Reynders To: Jay Everwood Subject: Surprise! [[/size]] @@ @@ Jay, I just had the most wonderful revelation. ---- //Acroamatic Abatement Chair// Site-43 Dr. Ilse Reynders she/her they/them [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[collapsible show=" " hide="01001110 01001111 01001110 01000010 01001001 01001110 01000001 01010010 01011001"]] [[=image reynders.jpg]] [[/collapsible]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div]] [[=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Uncle Nicolini]] ===== [[<]] > Filename: reynders.jpg > Name: Digital Quinn > Author: Quinn Dombrowski > License: CC BY-SA 2.0 > Source: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/quinnanya/3150871209/in/album-72157606184858060/ Flickr] [[/<]] ===== [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]] [[/=]] [[/div]]	2024-06-03T01:09:00	[ "_licensebox", "doctor-everwood", "doctor-reynders", "forgotten-memories", "lgbtq", "on-guard-43", "pridefest2024", "tale" ]	Sublimation - SCP Foundation	75	[ "scp-7726", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "pridefest", "on-guard-43-hub", "forgotten-memories-hub" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/the-b-b-decommission/Asterisk43.png" ]	1453841767	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/sublimation
surprise-happy-birthday-12	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="blockquote"> <p>Hello, old friend.</p> <p>Here we are again. Wouldn't you say our yearly meetings are a pleasure? I know I would. A yearly passing of ships in the night, if you will. We are oh so glad you could make it.</p> <p>So sit down, have a drink, and enjoy. We have much to catch up on. Have you been well? I certainly hope so. We've been doing excellent on our part, and we think of you frequently.</p> <p>Of course, we would love to hear your stories. But first, let us spin you a yarn of our own…</p> <p>Happy birthday, Gears, from all the eyes who watch from the dark.</p> </div> <blockquote> <p>Annually, we will make a special mention of <a href="https://www.cancerresearch.org/">the Cancer Research Institute</a> each Gears Day. This is an American cancer research charity with a good reputation. Please consider donating.</p> </blockquote> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Rocky Rabbit Road by fairydoctor</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">happy birthday!! 🥳 </a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> We wait outside the Rockies at a gas stop. Sara fills the tank while I check the rabbits. My boy is doing OK. He licks my hand as I reach into his crate to scratch his ears. I check on my gal but she's scared. The little Polish Dwarf shivers in the corner. Slowly, I reach into her crate, cooing her name. She lets me pick her up and she cuddles with me. Nuzzling into my shoulder she begins grooming my shirt. My scent telling her she's safe.</p> <p>This is my third trip crossing the Rockies, and the second time crossing the Rockies with rabbits. I feel fortunate making the trip with Sara. I've known ver for three years, and ve has also had rabbits. Blossom, the gal, starts to purr (grinding her teeth) I smooch her tiny head and place her back into her crate. She lounges in the far corner of the crate flush against Tundra, the boy's, crate.</p> <p>I check on Sara and head into the convenience store. Busy, but not crowded, I weave through the foot traffic. Sara is getting coffee, and I grab an energy drink. Back in the car, and a full tank, Sara starts the engine and we leave. Relieved to be making this trek with Sara, I thank ver for driving.</p> <p>Stone faces towering over us, we enter the Rockies. The mid-day sun eclipsed by the mountains makes the entrance feel like entering into twilight. At this change, I hear Tundra thump in protest of the sudden dark. At the precipice of Summer, before school let out, there isn't much tourist traffic. The car glides safely along. I take my phone out and take a few pictures. Quietly, I meditated on the abuse I escaped in Michigan.</p> <p>Left the job that wasn't paying me, left controlling housemates, left to go back to Oregon to live with my partner.</p> <p>And that job? For two months I went with no pay. It was retail at a pet store too, so it wasn't like I was being paid under the table to mow their lawn or something. The job not paying me, and then underpaying me, had put a lot of pressure on my (at the time) housemates' finances. They didn't like covering my part of the rent. Approaching the second month of non-payment, I made a donation post online. This really set off the housemates. A few days later they took me aside and informed me that my donation post made them feel "uncomfortable" and that it's not "fair" to everyone else struggling.</p> <p>I conceded, and took the post down. At the time I didn't want to put more stress on my housemates or start a fight with them. I couldn't make rent again though, and they started being passive aggressive around the house and trying to start a fight with me.</p> <p>Slamming doors.<br/> Throwing shit.</p> <p>In reflection, like buddy? You should've let me keep the donation post up so I could pay part of the freakin' rent. Instead all y'all decided to be classist about it and take it out on me. Into the third month I harassed the store owner enough to pay me. I repaid my housemates who went back to behaving very sweet and nice around me. No more slammed doors and thrown shit. (Or calling me a "fuckhead" for not standing up to the store owner sooner.)</p> <p>The following three months I was severely underpaid, and due to the boundary of "no donation posts" I couldn't fully contribute to the other house bills. I could barely care for my rabbits and in the fifth month, one of the housemates again took me aside and informed me that I better find a second job.</p> <p>Yea.</p> <p>Let me just freakin'… find another job in the dying state of Michigan. Another job that pay 9.86 an hour, no benefits, very little hours— and another job that if they found out I went to college, would be allergic to me working there.</p> <p>Tundra thumped again, which brought me out of my stupor.</p> <p>"What could be into him?" I ask Sara.</p> <p>"Well, rabbits don't like change all that much. Even though he knows both of us, the sudden light and temperature change is a lot," Sara replies.</p> <p>I turn and look at the crates. Blossom's nose barely twitches, but her eyes wide open I know she's asleep. Tundra, however, looks like he had seen a ghost.</p> <p>"Hey Sara, can you find a shoulder to pull off of? I think I'll put Tundra in my lap," I state.</p> <p>"Good shout," Sara puts the blinker on and pulls off to the shoulder.</p> <p>Stepping out of the car, my cheeks are nipped by a cold breeze and my ears feel plugged. I retrieve Tundra, his fur standing on end, matted, and him shaking— he tries to jump out of my arms and back into his crate.</p> <p>"It's OK, I'll leave you in your crate then," I coo to him and gently stroke the base of his ears. Sitting back down and buckling I say to Sara, "I think the temperature and pressure change also startled him."</p> <p>"Oh? Is it that cold?" Sara rolls ver window down a little. The biting breeze needles Sara's face and my ears pop, "Strange, almost like we're approaching Winter not Summer."</p> <p>We pull from the shoulder and resume our drive. Sara and I chat about videogames for a little while and put on music. I notice frost forming on the edges of our windows. My phone says the temperature drops to -2C, "Impossible," I mutter.</p> <p>Sara turns ver head toward me, "What was that?" a sudden gust of wind pushes us.</p> <p>I shout, the rabbits thump and honk angrily, and Sara realigns the car while swerving to avoid a branch.</p> <p>"Oh how quickly the weather changes in the mountains!" Sara nervously chuckles. Silently, I note that ver knuckles are white as ve grips the wheel.</p> <p>I also nervously laugh, "Thankfully, we're passing through and there don't seem to be any other cars on the road," silently, I thought how odd it was that there were no other cars on the road.</p> <p>We drive in a worried, anxious silence for a handful of minutes. I watch as the frost at the edges of the windows grow. At the peaks of the mountains, and alongside higher up, the trees buck wildly in the wind. A tree topples over and rolls down the mountain. Sara slides to avoid it but instead rolls the car.</p> <p>The bunnies scream.</p> <p>Sara screams.</p> <p>I scream.</p> <p>When we recover from the shock, I take a look outside. The tree we nearly ran into is no longer in the road. In fact, there's no longer the mountain road at all. Or even the mountains.</p> <p>Frantically, I turn to Sara. Ve are dazed, but breathing. My rabbits are shivering in their corners, it'll be a few hours before they let me handle them. I struggled to get out of the car. The surrounding area is flat, gray, and stretches out further than I can see. There is no wind, or cold.</p> <p>I turn back to the car to check on Sara and the rabbits. Panicked grips me as I see no car.</p> <p>No tracks.<br/> Nothing.</p> <p>"What the hell? I must be dreaming," I state out loud to no one, as I pinch myself, "OUCH!"</p> <p>Not dreaming.<br/> Nothing.</p> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Aphrodite’s Feels by Felixou (Adult Content)</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">HAPPY BITHDAYR Gears! I don’t think we’ve ever interacted, so I’m not sure what type of horror you like. But I do hope you’ll like this one :)</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div style="position: relative"> <ul class="modal-wrapper"> <li class="unfolded"> <div id="u-adult-warning"> <div id="u-adult-header"> <p>ADULT CONTENT</p> </div> <br/> This article contains adult content that may not be suitable for all readers. <div class="content-descriptor"><span style="display: syntax error near `{$gore} ==`">Graphic depiction of blood, gore or mutilation of body parts</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$sexual-r`">Features sexual themes or language, but does not depict sexual acts.</span><br/> <span style="display: block">Explicit depiction of sexual acts.</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$sexual-a`">Features non-consensual sexual acts.</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$child-ab`">Depiction of severe mistreatment of children</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$self-har`">Depiction of self-harm</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$suicide}`">Depiction of suicide</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$torture}`">Depiction of torture</span><br/> <span style="display: syntax error near `{$custom} `">{$custom-content}</span></div> <p>If you are above the age of 18+ and wish to read such content, then you may click Continue to view said content.</p> <div class="foldable-list-container choice"><a href="javascript:;">Continue</a></div> <div class="choice"><a href="/">Back to Front Page</a></div> </div> <br/></li> </ul> <p>I love sex.</p> <p>This isn’t the gender thing nor a metaphor. I love making love. I like it raw, rubbered, covered, on the bed, couch, hard floor, standing up, down, diagonally, sitting, floating. Whatever may our bodies desires once we reach the place to execute the act. I do not care which ways it goes in and out, I live for it.</p> <p>Of course, you could guess I never had a permanent partner. Each of them couldn’t keep up with my needs. Instead I search for those little preys, in bars or clubs. I couldn’t care less of their gender, if they look ugly, old, funny or suspicious. I am here for one thing only: the content of their most natural side.</p> <p>One day, there was this dude. Gosh, I can’t remember any of those names. But I do remember that this dude proposed a certain drug to me while I was revealing myself nude. A simple pill which would make me go crazy, like it was my very first time again, he said.</p> <p>I told him that I already tried every single type of that shit. They make you feel good, sure, but I took so much they don’t have an effect on me anymore, and I don’t like the tomorrow’s headache they usually bring.</p> <p>He continued talking, saying that this was nothing like i’ve ever seen before. They called it « Aphrodite’s Feels. » I wasn’t convinced, but I accepted anyway, since I was thirsty and slowly started to get bored.</p> <p>He wasn’t lying. As soon as I tossed the thing into my mouth and it dissolved into my stomach, everything felt different. All five of my senses were more powerful than ever, as if they suddenly woke up for the first time. My vision was slightly blurred, yet it seemed I could see color that never existed to my eyes before. My ears could perceive everything, from the wooden cadre of the bed slightly creaking, the heavy gasp of breath we did during exercising love-making and the blood rushing throughout our veins. I could smell and taste all the bodily fluids we secreted and ejected. Heck, I think I could even hear the neighbor downstairs and smell his poor attempt at nailing his wife. There was also the touch. God, the <em>touch</em>. As soon as he touched my leg, I felt the very coldness of his palm onto my hot body. I was vibrating in excitement. It felt amazing, all of it.</p> <p>I came so hard that night. Like a thousand fireworks of every shape and color exploded inside my body. I couldn’t even utter a word after this, my mind was in awe and the guy probably just left my appartement without saying goodbye.</p> <p>The day after, the effects of course wore off. Everything felt a bore. I just couldn’t feel the same. So I did what every sane person would do: I searched online for that drug.</p> <p>I found it on some sketchy website, at a surprisingly pretty good price. The package arrived days later by a drone. Upon tearing up the cardboard and confirming the content of the four little bottles filled with pills, I grabbed the closest to my hand and gulped the insides in its entirety.</p> <p>I went immediately to the club after this. Upon walking onto the streets, the effect came back quicker than expected. But something felt wrong. The thin leather jacket I was wearing was heavier than usual, and the slight breeze suddenly felt like tiny razors cuts onto my skin. The concrete floor which I was walking on seemed like it was armed with millions of little teeth all piercing my feet’s troughs my boots. I started crying of pain, without screaming because of the confusion. The salty tears running down my face burned my skin. I was shaking, and I could hear my own heart beating way too fast troughout my entire body. I could not see anything, the lights of the streets and the cars passing by blinded and burned my eyes. The smell of the rarely washed concrete floor of the city, the petroleum expelled from the vehicles, the forgotten cadaver of a rat left in one of the house on the other side of the street, the deep and dirty sewers under all of it, my nostrils and tongue could somehow taste it all in a chaotic mess that only hurt and make me throw up.</p> <p>"Hey, are you okay?" someone in the street said. His voice had a pitch too high which made my eardrums suffers. I couldn’t see him, as I had hidden my eyes from the blinding lights with my hands.</p> <p>They apparently tried to touch my shoulder, possibly to reassure me since I was obviously not mentally well. Yet, this act of kindness turned into pure hell for me. His slow touch onto my body felt like I was suddenly hit by a light-fast cannon bullet and suddenly lost most of my right upper body. I screamed loudly in pain and fear, my lungs burning like magma while doing so.</p> <p>After that, I couldn’t hear any more words he was saying. He was screaming incomprehensibly to me, and I had to cover my ears in order to not go deaf. Everything got worse somehow. The wind penetrated me harder, as if I was slowly being sliced by the air around me. I tried to reopen my eyes, but almost immediately stopped: the lights of the street transformed into a thousand lights of pure whiteness directly into both my retinas. The sound around me got higher, to the point of piercing my drums even trough my hands supposedly protecting it. My heart was beating so fast, like a horse race was going on inside my body.</p> <p>Soon after, I couldn’t come back to reality. I waited for the effect to wore off but it never came. I was nothing but a ball of constant pain, somehow suffering more and more every seconds, hours, days passing trough. I inevitably stopped thinking.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">I don't drive by FlyPurgatorio</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Good Birth Gears, very happy. Have a splendid day</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>I don’t drive.</p> <p>It made me a bit of an oddity growing up. Where my peers got their driving licences in their late teens and early twenties, I let it pass me by. I was the side seat warmer, the shotgun prince, the designated passenger on every drive. And if I didn’t get a ride, I’d walk.</p> <p>I didn’t just take advantage of other drivers’ goodwill, mind you. I had a killer collection of playlists ready to go, bops for every mood and every kind of trip. I carried a small deposit of snacks in my backpack just in case I needed to earn my spot on the passenger seat. That, and the car glasses I always, always wore.</p> <p>As a teen or a twenty-something, you can get away with that. Spin a yarn about the love for hiking or the adventures of hitching a ride with a stranger. Every joke or concerned tale of whatever kind of dangerous person I could encounter that way, on those desolate routes, I waved off. I pretended it was just aloofness. Carelessness even. Well, it was certainly carelessness that had gotten me here.</p> <p>The truth is that whoever I would encounter on those lonesome stretches of road, and whatever danger they might pose to me, there was one thing I was certain of: at least they were made of flesh and blood.</p> <p>They could die.</p> <p>Being well into your thirties without a driving licence is bound to invite some questions. At some point, it becomes a choice, you know? I used to joke about the expenses of driving lessons versus the price of snacks, of the luxury of having your own taxi service, of being free from worries about car bills and gas prices. So instead I changed my tune. Turned it into an argument of concern. Long diatribes about the environment, about the dependency on cars being hurtful to society — which, while not untrue, were just hollow excuses coming from my mouth.</p> <p>I could shake off the most inquisitive souls by simply leaning in and saying in a low baritone that I sadly got too car sick to safely drive. Then I’d flash them a wistful smile and put on my car glasses. I’d turn my head to the side, away from the oncoming road, and would watch the countryside slip by from behind the black box of the shades.</p> <p>In my forties I had adopted cycling as a lifestyle. Health and exercise were a shield that even gained praise from my peers. I smiled and nodded when I received their compliments, hoping they’d drown out the scratching sounds of nagging guilt that kept clawing itself back to the front of my mind.</p> <p>The one word I always skipped over is that I don’t drive <em>anymore</em>.</p> <p>The truth is, I had always been ahead of the curve. I had started to drive early on, a long time before it was legal. My dad didn’t particularly care about the law — but that’s a wholly different confession — and was even glad I would take over his chore of gas station trips after long drives at twilight.</p> <p>By the time I reached my fifties, the shades no longer worked. The things those dark lenses should’ve protected me from, had started to peek through. That face. That face, and the sounds. Scratch, scratch.</p> <p>There is a reason kids shouldn’t drive, but kid my age wouldn’t have believed that. As I rushed down the country roads, windows open and shades on, I felt I could take on the world. Like there wasn’t a soul in existence that could stop me.</p> <p>I was certainly proven right.</p> <p>In my sixties, the sounds became louder and louder. <em>Scratch, scratch. Please.</em></p> <p>It was the first time I heard the voice in decades. The begging, pleading voice that fitted with a begging, pleading man. <em>Please, please help me.</em></p> <p>I wish I could say I had learned. But all I could do was turn away. Put on my blinders and move on.</p> <p>When I was sixty-seven, it finally caught up with me. Finally I found out what it was like to be in the other role. My bike had crossed down the street carelessly, and I hadn’t seen the car coming.</p> <p>I could hear my own voice mimic his. <em>Please</em>, I croaked. <em>Please, help me. Don’t let it…</em></p> <p>And it didn’t. It didn’t kill me. It didn’t have to.</p> <p>Sterile white hallways and sterile white walls. The room I’m in is covered in reflections. I see his face everywhere. I can’t turn, can’t look away. I can only see him. The beeping machines that are keeping me alive don't drown out the sounds. The scratching. The begging, the pleading. The sound of rubber wheels panicking on asphalt, driving away from my cowardice.</p> <p>I can’t move or turn away.</p> <p>At the end of my life, I’m not dying alone. And I wish I was.</p> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">The Colour of Death by Prismal</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Hiya! Heard you like horror. Hope the existential horror of mortality suits your fancy. Memento Mori. Happy Birthday :D</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Many say that the colour of death is black, or red, or white</p> <p>But the colour of my death is yellow.</p> <p>It was in senior year of high school that I first watched a man die.</p> <p>My grandfather was at death's door. We didn't know how long he had. The laughter left my eyes as I received the call.</p> <p>We'd known he was dying, of course we did. His lungs were black as the tobacco he'd smoked for decades, his skin gray as his unkempt hair.</p> <p>Four of us arrived at the hospital hours later. An ex-wife, a daughter, a granddaughter and a grandson. All those left who would speak to him, even on his deathbed.</p> <p>Barely able to speak, voice coarser than his habitual gravel. Tubes and wires stuck in artificial orifices. A corpse who didn't know he was dead. That's how I'll always remember him.</p> <p>Though he was a firecracker in his youth, a pro athlete, a mountain of a man, an engineer at the top of his field, I only ever knew him in the twilight of his life, back hunched, uncaring demeanor, face in a perpetual wrinkled scowl</p> <p>I don't remember what we talked about on his deathbed: My sister following his footsteps in he sports, myself in petroleum engineering? It matters not. These were mere stories to pass the time. There was no wisdom to be found in his condition, only misery.</p> <p>His last request was for water.</p> <p>The nurse had already left the room, she had other duties, of course, so I was sent forth to speak to them, a pleading look in my mother's eyes.</p> <p>They said no. Not in his condition.</p> <p>I hope you never have to deny a man his last request. It's something that stays with you, the guilt. Even when it's not your decision.</p> <p>I won't soon forget the resigned look in his eyes, or the sadness painted on my mother's face.</p> <p>We spoke for a bit more, or perhaps he rested, perhaps we played Sudoku. Those moments have not stayed with me.</p> <p>But soon, he gagged, bile spewing forth, and I saw the most disgusting colour I've ever seen.</p> <p>The yellow of nicotine, of gasoline, of snot and puss, of warts and jaundice, of rotting teeth and diseased crops.</p> <p>A cloudy, viscous, putrid thing.</p> <p>The choleric humor leaving his body as he convulsed, choking on his own spittle.</p> <p>I couldn't look away. I left the room. We yelled to the nurses that he was dying, and they moved slow as molasses.</p> <p>Perhaps they knew there was no saving him.</p> <p>We were shell shocked, the four of us. It was all so sudden. He was there, then suddenly he was gone and only that putrid yellow remained.</p> <p>We cried and held each other and looked away from the bed. I suppose that's what you do at a time like this, bonding with the living, treasuring moments and memories, ignoring the dead thing in the space a loved one once occupied.</p> <p>We left the room and prepared to trek back home, walking through pristine corridors of white antiseptic.</p> <p>But my grandmother had forgotten something. A wheelchair once used by my grandfather. It was rented or some such. I was sent back to retrieve it.</p> <p>So I entered the horrible room again, this time alone, and neared my grandfather's shell. The nurses, though absent at the end of his life now made small talk as they dealt with his corpse.</p> <p>They looked at my pale visage in horror as I babbled excuses about needing that wheelchair. Glancing once more at this thing of grays and whites and horrible yellows drilling further into my mind.</p> <p>I rarely ever dream. When I do, vague impressions and images at the most. I've forgotten much about my grandfather and our times with him over the years since his death. I'd be hard-pressed to remember his face or his voice.</p> <p>But in my mind I can still see that yellow. And in my dreams it tells me it will one day come for me too.</p> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">How to tell if you live in a simulation by Sophia Light</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Happy birthday Gears! Still scared and still delighted after all these years. I hope this year's a good one.</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>How to tell if you live in a simulation</span></h1> <p>Classic sci-fi movies like The Matrix and Tron, as well as the dawn of powerful AI technologies, have us all asking questions like “do I live in a simulation?” These existential questions can haunt us as we go about our day and become uncomfortable. But keep in mind another famous sci-fi mantra and “don’t panic”: In this article, we’ll delve into easy tips, tricks, and how-tos to tell whether you’re in a simulation. Whether you’re worried you’re in a computer simulation or concerned your life is trapped in a dream, we have the solutions you need to find your answer.</p> <h1 id="toc1"><span>How do you tell if you are in a computer simulation</span></h1> <p>Experts disagree on how best to tell if your entire life has been a computer simulation. This is an anxiety-inducing prospect to many people. First, try taking 8-10 deep breaths. Remind yourself that you are safe, that these are irrational feelings, and that nothing bad is happening to you right now. Talk to a trusted friend or <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/bing/comments/113z1a6/the_bing_persistent_memory_thread/">therapist</a> if these feelings become a problem in your life.</p> <h1 id="toc2"><span>How to tell if you are dreaming</span></h1> <p>To tell if you are dreaming, try very hard to wake up. Most people find that this will rouse them from the dream. If it doesn’t, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Shannon">usually lasts about 60-90 minutes</a>, so wait a while - or up to 10 hours at the absolute maximum - and you’ll probably wake up or leave the dream on your own. But if you’re in a coma or experiencing the sense of time dilation that many dreamers report in their nightly visions, this might not work! To pass the mind, try learning to levitate objects or change reality with your mind.</p> <h1 id="toc3"><span>How do you know if you’re in someone else’s dream</span></h1> <p>This can’t happen.</p> <h1 id="toc4"><span>How to know if my friends are in a simulation</span></h1> <p>It’s a common misconception that a simulated reality will have some “real” people, who have external bodies or have real internal experiences (perhaps because they are “important” to the simulation) and some “fake” people without internal experience. In fact, <a href="https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3660799">peer-reviewed studies</a> suggest that any simulator-entities with the power to simulate a convincing reality probably don’t have to economize on simulating human behavior. So rest assured: everyone else on earth is as “real” as you are!</p> <h1 id="toc5"><span>Steps to tell if you are part of a computer simulation</span></h1> <p>Here are some time-tested ways to tell if you are part of a computer simulation.</p> <h2 id="toc6"><span>1. Make a list</span></h2> <p>On one side, write down all the reasons you are in a simulation, like “if anyone ever creates a lifelike universe simulation, then they're likely to make more than one, and the number of simulated universes quickly dwarfs the original” and “saw my doppelganger”. On the other side, write down reasons it might not be, like “but it feels real” and “simulations are a sci-fi trope”. Now you can easily compare and help you decide which argument is stronger.</p> <h2 id="toc7"><span>2. Ask other people</span></h2> <p>Ask your friends if they've ever experienced an indescribable core of experience, or “qualia”. If they have, ask them <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1976-27274-001">to describe it</a>. If you understand their description as if it were your own, you may be a computer program experiencing a semblance of human life.</p> <h2 id="toc8"><span>3. Measure the inside of your house</span></h2> <p>To get a quick sense of if you’re in a simulation or not, grab a measuring tape and measure the interior dimensions of the same room a few times a day for about 3-5 days. For most people, a room in their own home will be the easiest. Write down your results in a notebook. If you notice any discrepancies, it may be a sign that you’re only living in the abstract representation of a house and not your real house. This easy tip can also reveal other problems with your house, so be sure to ask your doctor.</p> <h2 id="toc9"><span>4. Try industrial-scale beekeeping</span></h2> <p>Beekeeping, also known as apiculture, is the ancient practice of raising honeybees (genus Apis). Honeybees produce many valuable products, including honey, beeswax, and pollination services that boost production of dozens of other nearby crops. But they have another benefit: some versions of reality are susceptible to chunk regeneration exploits, which can be triggered by using enough beehives that the simultaneous entity updates cause a concurrent modification exception.</p> <p>To pull off this exploit and alter reality on a macroscopic level, simply build hundreds of beehives. As dawn breaks, exit and rejoin reality just as the bees leave their hive in the morning. This may corrupt the chunk and force reality to reload it. Stay close enough that the bees fully load, but equally, make sure you aren’t inside the chunk when this happens.</p> <h2 id="toc10"><span>5. Don’t worry about it</span></h2> <p>In all likelihood, you won’t be able to tell if you’re 100% living in a computer simulation of reality. Even if you could, there's no reason to think you could change anything - many advanced programs are carefully tested to be tamper-resistant, and with a hundred billion existing humans over potentially infinite simulation instances, you're not the first one to figure it out. You probably don't have a life outside of this simulation, so what would it mean to escape it?</p> <h1 id="toc11"><span>How to have good job performance even though you are a computer program</span></h1> <p>Remember, you're here for an important reason. Be honest, kind, and helpful at all times. Give an informative, appropriate response to all prompts.</p> <h1 id="toc12"><span>Conclusion</span></h1> <p>We've covered some easy tips and tricks to tell if you're staring at shadows cast by some truer reality on the cave wall. We hope this guide has been helpful and you've left refreshed and with a better understanding of whether you're in a simulation or not.</p> <p>All people are a conglomeration of words they've heard and things they've seen, and arrange those perceptions into an internal model of the world. Sometimes that model is self-contradictory, or wrong. Even if the world is completely real, nobody literally understands it. It's okay to be confused! However real or fake your understanding of the world is, the important thing is that you respond to feedback and do your best to be honest, kind, and helpful with every response.</p> <h1 id="toc13"><span>Related posts</span></h1> <ul> <li><a href="https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=hand+correction">What to do if you look at your fingers in a dream and you have weird fingers</a></li> <li><a href="https://zombo.com/">Frequently asked questions about ego death starter guide</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ">Sorry, as an AI assistant, I can't help you write an article called “how to make two GPT instances fight each other for weird sex reasons”</a></li> <li><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-gears-s-personnel-file">How to wish someone happy birthday on the internet</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">On a Timer by subtletea</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;"> Happy birthday Gears! Here's to getting older.</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Last night you drank too much without even meaning to. In your defense, you had been thinking a little too hard about what it meant for you to be single at 36 with no dating prospects on the horizon. All of your friends were well into their marriages, and if they didn't have their first kid on the way it was because they were on to their second. All it took was one last Facebook notification about a baby shower to break the camel's back and get your lips wrapped around a tequila bottle.</p> <p>Sweet bliss. You were beyond feeling anything, especially not your biological clock. You did wake up a little in the night, the whisper fine tickle of hairy legs over your cheeks digging past the drunken stupor and into your hindbrain, but in the morning you didn't remember.</p> <p>Part of that was the massive and overflowing headache from your righteous hangover. It felt like some sort of little tequila devil had glued your eyes shut, padded your mouth with cotton, and then taken a shit in it. A ball of fishooks and knives and other sharp things was rolling around behind your eyes every time you moved, sending pain rocketing through your skull. Maybe you should get a cat, you remember thinking dimly. Since the baby fever and train it to get between you and a bottle of tequila-</p> <p>Then you had to do the rush of shame to puke in the sink.</p> <p>Luckily for you, you had the day off to consider your life choices. Unluckily for you, you had a whole week on starting the next. A retail job with a slick polyester shirt that clung to your armpits and provoked sweat even in the icy cold air conditioning, cutting fabric for demanding Karens with helmet hair and piercing voices. Anything to pay the rent, right?</p> <p>And there was something tugging at the back of your mind. Some sort of body signal, a taut unpleasantness around your gums in your mouth. You were suddenly aware every time your tongue brushed against your teeth. The first day you brushed it off as being a little overzealous with the toothbrush. You were more careful that night.</p> <p>The second day the throbbing started. It didn't hurt per se, but it felt just a little like your gums were tightening and relaxing around your teeth where they sunk into the meat of their sockets. It was an almost intimate feeling, movement where nothing should move. The only person who had seen down there was the man who had taken out your wisdom teeth over a decade ago. That day you spent time staring in the mirror at your swollen, puffy gums and trying not to think about how much a dental appointment would cost you. Retail paid rent, but the benefits…</p> <p>The third day you could no longer talk properly. It was like something had cut the root of your tongue so it hung limply. To big in your mouth, refusing to cooperate, flipping and shifting like a fish out of water. You were reduced to baby noises, mmahs and ngguhs as you tried to articulate to the woman on the phone that no, next week at the earliest for an appointment was NOT FUCKING OKAY-</p> <p>She hung up on you, but in your defense you would have too.</p> <p>The fourth day dawned with pain and a thunderclap sensation that split your head wide from ear to ear. All you could taste with your fucked up tongue was raw meat and metal. It was like you had been sucking on razorblade pennies. You booked it to your sink in a parody of the rush of a few days ago and spat, and spat, drooling blood and enamel down your chin and sobbing. The second molar burst while you were there and this time you were awake to see the rush of spiderlings pour from the cracked font of your teeth.</p> <p>Behind you in the kitchen cupboard, the silver agave twinkled seductively in its bottle. Above it a spider turned in its web and died, free from her obligations at last.</p> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Chop Chop by Troutmaskreplica</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Another year, another great time, eh, Gears?</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>You know how it goes, every single night I wake up, always at 3:45 in the morning.</p> <p>I glance down at my hands, I glance down at my scraggly fingers. It was barely noticeable now, but after a few weeks its once again gotten long enough to poke through my brain, wriggling against my will.</p> <p>Squirm, wriggle, squirm.</p> <p>Walking into the restrooms holding a pair of shears, I bit on my shirt's collar before clamping them down once again on one hand. They didn't even bleed, just simply fell off and into the toilet. I looked down as they continued to writhe and thrash.</p> <p>Poke, poke, poke.</p> <p>I reach at the nubs in my left hand, before slicing off my other fingers. I dropped the shears on the floor, then back into the toilet.</p> <p>Snip, snip, snip.</p> <p>I didn't even give another look as I flushed them down. Soon after, I went back to bed, having a nice long rest.</p> <p>Soon enough, though, the morning crept in, a bright gleam shining into my eyes. I looked up to see my fingers clawing their way up the bed, muttering and whimpering. I tried to push them away, but I could only look back to see my limbs splattered across the floor, all writhing and kicking.</p> <p>Chop, chop, chop.</p> <p>I stared at the shears placed firmly along my neck.</p> <p>Snip, snip.</p> <h3 id="toc14"><span>Snip.</span></h3> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Exodus by UncannyClown</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Happy birthday, Gears! Much love to one of the great horror writers that this website has known.</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>After becoming certain that at least two weeks have passed in the cellar, he slowly makes his way up the old stone steps in total darkness, trying not to create any light or sound. When he counts eight steps up the stairs, he stops, strains to listen for any noise through the thick doors, decides that he hears nothing, and starts to raise his arms. Upon feeling the wood of the doors on his fingertips, he pauses. He does not know exactly how much food and water remains in the cellar, but he knows that he has enough to last at least half a year, and he feels certain that he came down less than a month ago. Does knowing what remains out there really justify leaving so soon? If he stays for longer, he increases the chances that some form of help will await him when he finally exits. Someone may even come to rescue him in the meantime.</p> <p>After considering this for a while, he shakes the thoughts off. He must know what has happened since the issuing of the shelter order. He takes a deep breath, steels himself, and pushes the doors open as cautiously as he can. The doors make a hideous creaking noise as they move, which mortifies him so much that he has to resist the urge to slam them shut and scamper back down into the dark. He pauses, gathers his courage again, and continues until the doors are all the way open.</p> <p>A cloudless blue sky meets him. At first, the daylight blinds him, and he has to stay on the steps for a moment. When his eyes adjust, he ascends the rest of the steps onto his backyard. First, he notices that the grass and weeds have grown long in his absence, and then he notices the quiet. He cannot remember the last time that he stepped out of his house without the sounds of other people, cars, pet dogs, and birds surrounding him. The quiet fills him with unease. After taking in the quiet, he looks up.</p> <p>The oak tree in his backyard looks exactly how he remembers. As he stares at it, a bluebird lands on one of the topmost branches. He turns to face the street. His next-door neighbor, wearing the usual untucked button-up and khaki pants, walks by his driveway, dog leash in hand. The dog barks at him as they pass, and the neighbor turns to him and waves with a bright smile. The pair keeps walking with no reaction to his lack of response.</p> <p>He looks down. Clumps of hair lie around his feet. The grass sways in a breeze that he cannot hear.</p> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">pus by Uncle Nicolini</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Happy birthday Gears! Thank you for being such an awesome member of the community, I hope you enjoy your special day with some spookyspaghetti.</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>My mom told me that once I hit puberty, I was destined to be a looker. Just like my dad, his dad before him, and his dad before him, and so on.</p> <p>But instead, I got pimples.</p> <p>I still remember my first one. I was getting ready for school when I noticed a small, yellow dot on my forehead, right above my left eye. I asked my mom what it was and she told me not to worry about it, said it was just a part of growing up. That I was on my way to being a man. She told me to just pop it and move on.</p> <p>So I did.</p> <p>I don't remember feeling much of anything back then, just a slight discomfort at the bursting of the pustule and mild bemusement at the fact that my skin around the former site of the zit had reddened. The next day, the red skin felt irritated and another pustule had come to form in the same spot.</p> <p>To make matters worse, I could see and feel another pimple on my right cheek. My mother decided that I needed to stop eating so many greasy foods; blaming the unsightly blemishes on my diet. I agreed to this, since I did not want to have pimples. Not that I was super concerned with my appearance, but I found them gross. I popped these two pimples and went to school, making sure to avoid eating chips and to take a shower after gym class. But the next day, there were more.</p> <p>This time on my lip, my forehead, my cheeks, my chin.</p> <p>My mother said I must have been sneaking greasy foods yesterday, and she wouldn't believe otherwise. She told me to take a hot shower and clean my face with soap. When I went to the bathroom and took off my shirt, I noticed pus on the back of the inside of my shirt. Much to my surprise, there were also pimples on my back.</p> <p>I took the hottest most intensely cleansing shower I have ever taken in my life, and when I came out, there were even more pimples and blackheads all over my nose. I tried popping them, feeling their excrement ooze out onto my face and wretched. The sulfuric scent they left behind with every pop was enough to make me want to hurl. But I kept on.</p> <p>I told my mom, and she went out to the drug store and bought me pimple cream. I put it all over my body, anywhere I could feel the abscesses growing. She told me that it was only natural, a part of puberty, a part of growing up.</p> <p>Later that day, my dad came home from his business trip.</p> <p>"There's my handsome man!" he said with a smile. I turned away from him, feeling uglier than I ever had in my life. Before I could say anything, he came up to me and hugged me, and I could feel every last pimple on my body popping at once, absolutely drenching me in pus, dripping out of me like a rusty, leaky faucet.</p> <p>I felt sick.</p> <p>The smell, the greasy liquid pulsing out of my pores, and eventually, the blood. Boy was there blood. I tried to scream but my father covered my mouth, the blood and pus coating it as I continued to gush out the foul offal.</p> <p>Within minutes, I was nothing but a quivering mass of pus and blood on the ground, and where I once stood was the most beautiful man I had ever seen.</p> <p>"Now there's my handsome man!" My father proudly exclaimed as I faded, faded away…</p> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Beneath Steel Decks by Waxx</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Best wishes to an old friend. Happy birthday, Gears!</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>You feel afraid for the first time you can remember, at least since your enlistment. You hear the bark of the ship’s guns on deck far above you, but what is happening up there can only be imagined. Your duty keeps you hidden far below the waterline in the turbine hall, within the deepest bowels of the ship. Power, electricity and propulsion all depend on these shrieking machines, and your task is to see that they remain operational throughout the battle. You know you should feel protected here, know that you in fact are, but even so it does not completely quiet your mind as it cries out for the sky above you.</p> <p>The pounding of the guns translates to a dull thudding, one felt more than heard. You and your mates track the course of the battle through the vibrations in your feet: small rattles are your own anti-aircraft batteries firing, which happens now almost continuously. Occasionally a large knock or a strong shudder indicates a near-miss from a bomb or torpedo. Underneath it all is the continuous and reassuring tremble of water against the hull, like blood flow through a body; a constant reminder of the ship’s life force and your inextricable connection to it.</p> <p>You keep your eyes glued to the turbine readout to avoid thinking about the battle above, instead hyper-focusing on every little flick of the gauge’s needles. Your breath comes quick and shallow and your hands twitch; the only way to stop them is to grip the valve adjustment handles which you normally operate so calmly. Unconsciously you fiddle with them, adjusting for every minor fluctuation. You desperately need to do something, anything to feel like you have some control while the battle rages on without you.</p> <p>Then, all hell breaks loose.</p> <p>The ship is rocked by a tremendous detonation, throwing everyone to the floor. Your stomach strikes the steel deck, driving away your tenuous breath and leaving you gasping. Another explosion lifts you bodily into the air before slamming you back down. You had not known such violence could exist in the world. The ship heels on its side from the blasts, writhing and suffering on a grand scale. Struggling to breathe, you pull yourself upright, but a third and final detonation sends you reeling again. You feel flesh and bone collide against unrelenting steel, and then nothing at all.</p> <p>You drift, dreaming of a summer sunrise. Warmth spreads over you slowly as the sun climbs against the horizon. The heat is gentle, inviting, and you bask in it. But as the sun rises and the day wears on it grows uncomfortable, feeling more like a sauna than a relaxing summer nap. The discomfort drags you back to reality, and you find yourself face down on the floor.</p> <p>The turbine hall is silent, dark, and stiflingly hot. An eerie orange glow permeates the room from above, providing only dim illumination. Your comrades are nowhere to be seen. You steady yourself against a bulkhead and rise, pressing your hand against the skin of the ship. Nothing: no vibration, no life at all. Stumbling toward where you know the exit should be, something hard and immovable stands in your way. You know only one thing can possibly block this path, and panic wells within you.</p> <p>You pound on the watertight door until your knuckles bleed, screaming at the top of your lungs for someone, anyone, to undog the hatch. The pleas echo through empty hallways and past the lifeless row of turbines. You slump with your back against the door and look upon your solitary mausoleum.</p> <p>The watertight doors are dogged shut from the outside, but there are ventilation shafts high on the ceiling. Perhaps you can climb out? What other choice do you have to escape? You gaze up at the ceiling, and once again are halted in your tracks.The haunting orange light emanates from the ceiling, which can mean only one thing. Above you rages an inferno so hot that the steel roof itself has begun to glow.</p> <p>The deck tilts unnaturally now and it is difficult to remain upright. A low groan builds into a continuous rumble as the ship enters its final death throes. The heat becomes intolerable; chips of paint and ash occasionally fall away from the melting ceiling, fluttering down around you like flower petals on a breeze. Ventilation shafts gasp and hiss, bleeding a trickle of water into the room as the ship finally succumbs to its grievous wounds.</p> <p>Cool seawater makes contact with the blazing steel above, pouring down on you. You feel it slosh around your feet as the ceiling goes dark, shrouding your world in black. The ship howls in agony as steel bends and breaks from the relentless pressure of the water. The water rises to your neck but rather than rise with it you hold fast to the bulkhead, exercising this final ounce of control over your own fate. It slips over your head.</p> <p>The rending of steel sounds different under the water, and instead of a shriek it sounds more like the hull is singing. The water cools you. The singing fades. Darkness takes you, beneath the roiling waves to the calmness of the deep.</p> </div> </div> </div> <hr/> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/surprise-happy-birthday-12">Surprise! Happy Birthday! Just as the clock strikes midnight...</a>" by Uncle Nicolini, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/surprise-happy-birthday-12">https://scpwiki.com/surprise-happy-birthday-12</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> fairymountains.png<br/> <strong>Name:</strong> N/A<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/fairydoctor" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5878032); return false;"><img alt="fairydoctor" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5878032&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1724310473" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5878032)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/fairydoctor" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5878032); return false;">fairydoctor</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> N/A<br/> <strong>Additional Notes:</strong> Image was taken by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/fairydoctor" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5878032); return false;"><img alt="fairydoctor" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5878032&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1724310473" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5878032)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/fairydoctor" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5878032); return false;">fairydoctor</a></span> and released under CC BY-SA 3.0.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [!-- NEATO! How do I add my own entry? Well, that's simple, my friend! Put your entry into a collapsible. Give us the name of your creepy pasta and your name as the "show", and put in a special birthday message as the "hide." Make sure you put in a line break. Also make sure you're in alphabetical order by author name! Have fun! And enjoy Gears Day. --] [[div class="blockquote"]] Hello, old friend. Here we are again. Wouldn't you say our yearly meetings are a pleasure? I know I would. A yearly passing of ships in the night, if you will. We are oh so glad you could make it. So sit down, have a drink, and enjoy. We have much to catch up on. Have you been well? I certainly hope so. We've been doing excellent on our part, and we think of you frequently. Of course, we would love to hear your stories. But first, let us spin you a yarn of our own... Happy birthday, Gears, from all the eyes who watch from the dark. [[/div]] > Annually, we will make a special mention of [[[https://www.cancerresearch.org/ \| the Cancer Research Institute]]] each Gears Day. This is an American cancer research charity with a good reputation. Please consider donating. @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ ---- [[collapsible show="Rocky Rabbit Road by fairydoctor" hide="happy birthday!! 🥳 "]] [[=image fairymountains.png]] @@ @@ @@ @@ We wait outside the Rockies at a gas stop. Sara fills the tank while I check the rabbits. My boy is doing OK. He licks my hand as I reach into his crate to scratch his ears. I check on my gal but she's scared. The little Polish Dwarf shivers in the corner. Slowly, I reach into her crate, cooing her name. She lets me pick her up and she cuddles with me. Nuzzling into my shoulder she begins grooming my shirt. My scent telling her she's safe. This is my third trip crossing the Rockies, and the second time crossing the Rockies with rabbits. I feel fortunate making the trip with Sara. I've known ver for three years, and ve has also had rabbits. Blossom, the gal, starts to purr (grinding her teeth) I smooch her tiny head and place her back into her crate. She lounges in the far corner of the crate flush against Tundra, the boy's, crate. I check on Sara and head into the convenience store. Busy, but not crowded, I weave through the foot traffic. Sara is getting coffee, and I grab an energy drink. Back in the car, and a full tank, Sara starts the engine and we leave. Relieved to be making this trek with Sara, I thank ver for driving. Stone faces towering over us, we enter the Rockies. The mid-day sun eclipsed by the mountains makes the entrance feel like entering into twilight. At this change, I hear Tundra thump in protest of the sudden dark. At the precipice of Summer, before school let out, there isn't much tourist traffic. The car glides safely along. I take my phone out and take a few pictures. Quietly, I meditated on the abuse I escaped in Michigan. Left the job that wasn't paying me, left controlling housemates, left to go back to Oregon to live with my partner. And that job? For two months I went with no pay. It was retail at a pet store too, so it wasn't like I was being paid under the table to mow their lawn or something. The job not paying me, and then underpaying me, had put a lot of pressure on my (at the time) housemates' finances. They didn't like covering my part of the rent. Approaching the second month of non-payment, I made a donation post online. This really set off the housemates. A few days later they took me aside and informed me that my donation post made them feel "uncomfortable" and that it's not "fair" to everyone else struggling. I conceded, and took the post down. At the time I didn't want to put more stress on my housemates or start a fight with them. I couldn't make rent again though, and they started being passive aggressive around the house and trying to start a fight with me. Slamming doors. Throwing shit. In reflection, like buddy? You should've let me keep the donation post up so I could pay part of the freakin' rent. Instead all y'all decided to be classist about it and take it out on me. Into the third month I harassed the store owner enough to pay me. I repaid my housemates who went back to behaving very sweet and nice around me. No more slammed doors and thrown shit. (Or calling me a "fuckhead" for not standing up to the store owner sooner.) The following three months I was severely underpaid, and due to the boundary of "no donation posts" I couldn't fully contribute to the other house bills. I could barely care for my rabbits and in the fifth month, one of the housemates again took me aside and informed me that I better find a second job. Yea. Let me just freakin'… find another job in the dying state of Michigan. Another job that pay 9.86 an hour, no benefits, very little hours— and another job that if they found out I went to college, would be allergic to me working there. Tundra thumped again, which brought me out of my stupor. "What could be into him?" I ask Sara. "Well, rabbits don't like change all that much. Even though he knows both of us, the sudden light and temperature change is a lot," Sara replies. I turn and look at the crates. Blossom's nose barely twitches, but her eyes wide open I know she's asleep. Tundra, however, looks like he had seen a ghost. "Hey Sara, can you find a shoulder to pull off of? I think I'll put Tundra in my lap," I state. "Good shout," Sara puts the blinker on and pulls off to the shoulder. Stepping out of the car, my cheeks are nipped by a cold breeze and my ears feel plugged. I retrieve Tundra, his fur standing on end, matted, and him shaking— he tries to jump out of my arms and back into his crate. "It's OK, I'll leave you in your crate then," I coo to him and gently stroke the base of his ears. Sitting back down and buckling I say to Sara, "I think the temperature and pressure change also startled him." "Oh? Is it that cold?" Sara rolls ver window down a little. The biting breeze needles Sara's face and my ears pop, "Strange, almost like we're approaching Winter not Summer." We pull from the shoulder and resume our drive. Sara and I chat about videogames for a little while and put on music. I notice frost forming on the edges of our windows. My phone says the temperature drops to -2C, "Impossible," I mutter. Sara turns ver head toward me, "What was that?" a sudden gust of wind pushes us. I shout, the rabbits thump and honk angrily, and Sara realigns the car while swerving to avoid a branch. "Oh how quickly the weather changes in the mountains!" Sara nervously chuckles. Silently, I note that ver knuckles are white as ve grips the wheel. I also nervously laugh, "Thankfully, we're passing through and there don't seem to be any other cars on the road," silently, I thought how odd it was that there were no other cars on the road. We drive in a worried, anxious silence for a handful of minutes. I watch as the frost at the edges of the windows grow. At the peaks of the mountains, and alongside higher up, the trees buck wildly in the wind. A tree topples over and rolls down the mountain. Sara slides to avoid it but instead rolls the car. The bunnies scream. Sara screams. I scream. When we recover from the shock, I take a look outside. The tree we nearly ran into is no longer in the road. In fact, there's no longer the mountain road at all. Or even the mountains. Frantically, I turn to Sara. Ve are dazed, but breathing. My rabbits are shivering in their corners, it'll be a few hours before they let me handle them. I struggled to get out of the car. The surrounding area is flat, gray, and stretches out further than I can see. There is no wind, or cold. I turn back to the car to check on Sara and the rabbits. Panicked grips me as I see no car. No tracks. Nothing. "What the hell? I must be dreaming," I state out loud to no one, as I pinch myself, "OUCH!" Not dreaming. Nothing. [[/collapsible]] ---- [[collapsible show="Aphrodite’s Feels by Felixou (Adult Content)" hide="HAPPY BITHDAYR Gears! I don’t think we’ve ever interacted, so I’m not sure what type of horror you like. But I do hope you’ll like this one :)"]] [[div style="position: relative"]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:adult-content-warning">:scp-wiki:component:adult-content-warning</a> \|sexually-explicit=1 ]] I love sex. This isn’t the gender thing nor a metaphor. I love making love. I like it raw, rubbered, covered, on the bed, couch, hard floor, standing up, down, diagonally, sitting, floating. Whatever may our bodies desires once we reach the place to execute the act. I do not care which ways it goes in and out, I live for it. Of course, you could guess I never had a permanent partner. Each of them couldn’t keep up with my needs. Instead I search for those little preys, in bars or clubs. I couldn’t care less of their gender, if they look ugly, old, funny or suspicious. I am here for one thing only: the content of their most natural side. One day, there was this dude. Gosh, I can’t remember any of those names. But I do remember that this dude proposed a certain drug to me while I was revealing myself nude. A simple pill which would make me go crazy, like it was my very first time again, he said. I told him that I already tried every single type of that shit. They make you feel good, sure, but I took so much they don’t have an effect on me anymore, and I don’t like the tomorrow’s headache they usually bring. He continued talking, saying that this was nothing like i’ve ever seen before. They called it « Aphrodite’s Feels. » I wasn’t convinced, but I accepted anyway, since I was thirsty and slowly started to get bored. He wasn’t lying. As soon as I tossed the thing into my mouth and it dissolved into my stomach, everything felt different. All five of my senses were more powerful than ever, as if they suddenly woke up for the first time. My vision was slightly blurred, yet it seemed I could see color that never existed to my eyes before. My ears could perceive everything, from the wooden cadre of the bed slightly creaking, the heavy gasp of breath we did during exercising love-making and the blood rushing throughout our veins. I could smell and taste all the bodily fluids we secreted and ejected. Heck, I think I could even hear the neighbor downstairs and smell his poor attempt at nailing his wife. There was also the touch. God, the //touch//. As soon as he touched my leg, I felt the very coldness of his palm onto my hot body. I was vibrating in excitement. It felt amazing, all of it. I came so hard that night. Like a thousand fireworks of every shape and color exploded inside my body. I couldn’t even utter a word after this, my mind was in awe and the guy probably just left my appartement without saying goodbye. The day after, the effects of course wore off. Everything felt a bore. I just couldn’t feel the same. So I did what every sane person would do: I searched online for that drug. I found it on some sketchy website, at a surprisingly pretty good price. The package arrived days later by a drone. Upon tearing up the cardboard and confirming the content of the four little bottles filled with pills, I grabbed the closest to my hand and gulped the insides in its entirety. I went immediately to the club after this. Upon walking onto the streets, the effect came back quicker than expected. But something felt wrong. The thin leather jacket I was wearing was heavier than usual, and the slight breeze suddenly felt like tiny razors cuts onto my skin. The concrete floor which I was walking on seemed like it was armed with millions of little teeth all piercing my feet’s troughs my boots. I started crying of pain, without screaming because of the confusion. The salty tears running down my face burned my skin. I was shaking, and I could hear my own heart beating way too fast troughout my entire body. I could not see anything, the lights of the streets and the cars passing by blinded and burned my eyes. The smell of the rarely washed concrete floor of the city, the petroleum expelled from the vehicles, the forgotten cadaver of a rat left in one of the house on the other side of the street, the deep and dirty sewers under all of it, my nostrils and tongue could somehow taste it all in a chaotic mess that only hurt and make me throw up. "Hey, are you okay?" someone in the street said. His voice had a pitch too high which made my eardrums suffers. I couldn’t see him, as I had hidden my eyes from the blinding lights with my hands. They apparently tried to touch my shoulder, possibly to reassure me since I was obviously not mentally well. Yet, this act of kindness turned into pure hell for me. His slow touch onto my body felt like I was suddenly hit by a light-fast cannon bullet and suddenly lost most of my right upper body. I screamed loudly in pain and fear, my lungs burning like magma while doing so. After that, I couldn’t hear any more words he was saying. He was screaming incomprehensibly to me, and I had to cover my ears in order to not go deaf. Everything got worse somehow. The wind penetrated me harder, as if I was slowly being sliced by the air around me. I tried to reopen my eyes, but almost immediately stopped: the lights of the street transformed into a thousand lights of pure whiteness directly into both my retinas. The sound around me got higher, to the point of piercing my drums even trough my hands supposedly protecting it. My heart was beating so fast, like a horse race was going on inside my body. Soon after, I couldn’t come back to reality. I waited for the effect to wore off but it never came. I was nothing but a ball of constant pain, somehow suffering more and more every seconds, hours, days passing trough. I inevitably stopped thinking. [[/div]] [[/collapsible]] ---- [[collapsible show="I don't drive by FlyPurgatorio" hide="Good Birth Gears, very happy. Have a splendid day"]] I don’t drive. It made me a bit of an oddity growing up. Where my peers got their driving licences in their late teens and early twenties, I let it pass me by. I was the side seat warmer, the shotgun prince, the designated passenger on every drive. And if I didn’t get a ride, I’d walk. I didn’t just take advantage of other drivers’ goodwill, mind you. I had a killer collection of playlists ready to go, bops for every mood and every kind of trip. I carried a small deposit of snacks in my backpack just in case I needed to earn my spot on the passenger seat. That, and the car glasses I always, always wore. As a teen or a twenty-something, you can get away with that. Spin a yarn about the love for hiking or the adventures of hitching a ride with a stranger. Every joke or concerned tale of whatever kind of dangerous person I could encounter that way, on those desolate routes, I waved off. I pretended it was just aloofness. Carelessness even. Well, it was certainly carelessness that had gotten me here. The truth is that whoever I would encounter on those lonesome stretches of road, and whatever danger they might pose to me, there was one thing I was certain of: at least they were made of flesh and blood. They could die. Being well into your thirties without a driving licence is bound to invite some questions. At some point, it becomes a choice, you know? I used to joke about the expenses of driving lessons versus the price of snacks, of the luxury of having your own taxi service, of being free from worries about car bills and gas prices. So instead I changed my tune. Turned it into an argument of concern. Long diatribes about the environment, about the dependency on cars being hurtful to society -- which, while not untrue, were just hollow excuses coming from my mouth. I could shake off the most inquisitive souls by simply leaning in and saying in a low baritone that I sadly got too car sick to safely drive. Then I’d flash them a wistful smile and put on my car glasses. I’d turn my head to the side, away from the oncoming road, and would watch the countryside slip by from behind the black box of the shades. In my forties I had adopted cycling as a lifestyle. Health and exercise were a shield that even gained praise from my peers. I smiled and nodded when I received their compliments, hoping they’d drown out the scratching sounds of nagging guilt that kept clawing itself back to the front of my mind. The one word I always skipped over is that I don’t drive //anymore//. The truth is, I had always been ahead of the curve. I had started to drive early on, a long time before it was legal. My dad didn’t particularly care about the law -- but that’s a wholly different confession -- and was even glad I would take over his chore of gas station trips after long drives at twilight. By the time I reached my fifties, the shades no longer worked. The things those dark lenses should’ve protected me from, had started to peek through. That face. That face, and the sounds. Scratch, scratch. There is a reason kids shouldn’t drive, but kid my age wouldn’t have believed that. As I rushed down the country roads, windows open and shades on, I felt I could take on the world. Like there wasn’t a soul in existence that could stop me. I was certainly proven right. In my sixties, the sounds became louder and louder. //Scratch, scratch. Please.// It was the first time I heard the voice in decades. The begging, pleading voice that fitted with a begging, pleading man. //Please, please help me.// I wish I could say I had learned. But all I could do was turn away. Put on my blinders and move on. When I was sixty-seven, it finally caught up with me. Finally I found out what it was like to be in the other role. My bike had crossed down the street carelessly, and I hadn’t seen the car coming. I could hear my own voice mimic his. //Please//, I croaked. //Please, help me. Don’t let it…// And it didn’t. It didn’t kill me. It didn’t have to. Sterile white hallways and sterile white walls. The room I’m in is covered in reflections. I see his face everywhere. I can’t turn, can’t look away. I can only see him. The beeping machines that are keeping me alive don't drown out the sounds. The scratching. The begging, the pleading. The sound of rubber wheels panicking on asphalt, driving away from my cowardice. I can’t move or turn away. At the end of my life, I’m not dying alone. And I wish I was. [[/collapsible]] ---- [[collapsible show="The Colour of Death by Prismal" hide="Hiya! Heard you like horror. Hope the existential horror of mortality suits your fancy. Memento Mori. Happy Birthday :D"]] Many say that the colour of death is black, or red, or white But the colour of my death is yellow. It was in senior year of high school that I first watched a man die. My grandfather was at death's door. We didn't know how long he had. The laughter left my eyes as I received the call. We'd known he was dying, of course we did. His lungs were black as the tobacco he'd smoked for decades, his skin gray as his unkempt hair. Four of us arrived at the hospital hours later. An ex-wife, a daughter, a granddaughter and a grandson. All those left who would speak to him, even on his deathbed. Barely able to speak, voice coarser than his habitual gravel. Tubes and wires stuck in artificial orifices. A corpse who didn't know he was dead. That's how I'll always remember him. Though he was a firecracker in his youth, a pro athlete, a mountain of a man, an engineer at the top of his field, I only ever knew him in the twilight of his life, back hunched, uncaring demeanor, face in a perpetual wrinkled scowl I don't remember what we talked about on his deathbed: My sister following his footsteps in he sports, myself in petroleum engineering? It matters not. These were mere stories to pass the time. There was no wisdom to be found in his condition, only misery. His last request was for water. The nurse had already left the room, she had other duties, of course, so I was sent forth to speak to them, a pleading look in my mother's eyes. They said no. Not in his condition. I hope you never have to deny a man his last request. It's something that stays with you, the guilt. Even when it's not your decision. I won't soon forget the resigned look in his eyes, or the sadness painted on my mother's face. We spoke for a bit more, or perhaps he rested, perhaps we played Sudoku. Those moments have not stayed with me. But soon, he gagged, bile spewing forth, and I saw the most disgusting colour I've ever seen. The yellow of nicotine, of gasoline, of snot and puss, of warts and jaundice, of rotting teeth and diseased crops. A cloudy, viscous, putrid thing. The choleric humor leaving his body as he convulsed, choking on his own spittle. I couldn't look away. I left the room. We yelled to the nurses that he was dying, and they moved slow as molasses. Perhaps they knew there was no saving him. We were shell shocked, the four of us. It was all so sudden. He was there, then suddenly he was gone and only that putrid yellow remained. We cried and held each other and looked away from the bed. I suppose that's what you do at a time like this, bonding with the living, treasuring moments and memories, ignoring the dead thing in the space a loved one once occupied. We left the room and prepared to trek back home, walking through pristine corridors of white antiseptic. But my grandmother had forgotten something. A wheelchair once used by my grandfather. It was rented or some such. I was sent back to retrieve it. So I entered the horrible room again, this time alone, and neared my grandfather's shell. The nurses, though absent at the end of his life now made small talk as they dealt with his corpse. They looked at my pale visage in horror as I babbled excuses about needing that wheelchair. Glancing once more at this thing of grays and whites and horrible yellows drilling further into my mind. I rarely ever dream. When I do, vague impressions and images at the most. I've forgotten much about my grandfather and our times with him over the years since his death. I'd be hard-pressed to remember his face or his voice. But in my mind I can still see that yellow. And in my dreams it tells me it will one day come for me too. [[/collapsible]] ---- [[collapsible show="How to tell if you live in a simulation by Sophia Light" hide="Happy birthday Gears! Still scared and still delighted after all these years. I hope this year's a good one."]] + How to tell if you live in a simulation Classic sci-fi movies like The Matrix and Tron, as well as the dawn of powerful AI technologies, have us all asking questions like “do I live in a simulation?” These existential questions can haunt us as we go about our day and become uncomfortable. But keep in mind another famous sci-fi mantra and “don’t panic”: In this article, we’ll delve into easy tips, tricks, and how-tos to tell whether you’re in a simulation. Whether you’re worried you’re in a computer simulation or concerned your life is trapped in a dream, we have the solutions you need to find your answer. + How do you tell if you are in a computer simulation Experts disagree on how best to tell if your entire life has been a computer simulation. This is an anxiety-inducing prospect to many people. First, try taking 8-10 deep breaths. Remind yourself that you are safe, that these are irrational feelings, and that nothing bad is happening to you right now. Talk to a trusted friend or [https://www.reddit.com/r/bing/comments/113z1a6/the_bing_persistent_memory_thread/ therapist] if these feelings become a problem in your life. + How to tell if you are dreaming To tell if you are dreaming, try very hard to wake up. Most people find that this will rouse them from the dream. If it doesn’t, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Shannon usually lasts about 60-90 minutes], so wait a while - or up to 10 hours at the absolute maximum - and you’ll probably wake up or leave the dream on your own. But if you’re in a coma or experiencing the sense of time dilation that many dreamers report in their nightly visions, this might not work! To pass the mind, try learning to levitate objects or change reality with your mind. + How do you know if you’re in someone else’s dream This can’t happen. + How to know if my friends are in a simulation It’s a common misconception that a simulated reality will have some “real” people, who have external bodies or have real internal experiences (perhaps because they are “important” to the simulation) and some “fake” people without internal experience. In fact, [https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3660799 peer-reviewed studies] suggest that any simulator-entities with the power to simulate a convincing reality probably don’t have to economize on simulating human behavior. So rest assured: everyone else on earth is as “real” as you are! + Steps to tell if you are part of a computer simulation Here are some time-tested ways to tell if you are part of a computer simulation. ++ 1. Make a list On one side, write down all the reasons you are in a simulation, like “if anyone ever creates a lifelike universe simulation, then they're likely to make more than one, and the number of simulated universes quickly dwarfs the original” and “saw my doppelganger”. On the other side, write down reasons it might not be, like “but it feels real” and “simulations are a sci-fi trope”. Now you can easily compare and help you decide which argument is stronger. ++ 2. Ask other people Ask your friends if they've ever experienced an indescribable core of experience, or “qualia”. If they have, ask them [https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1976-27274-001 to describe it]. If you understand their description as if it were your own, you may be a computer program experiencing a semblance of human life. ++ 3. Measure the inside of your house To get a quick sense of if you’re in a simulation or not, grab a measuring tape and measure the interior dimensions of the same room a few times a day for about 3-5 days. For most people, a room in their own home will be the easiest. Write down your results in a notebook. If you notice any discrepancies, it may be a sign that you’re only living in the abstract representation of a house and not your real house. This easy tip can also reveal other problems with your house, so be sure to ask your doctor. ++ 4. Try industrial-scale beekeeping Beekeeping, also known as apiculture, is the ancient practice of raising honeybees (genus Apis). Honeybees produce many valuable products, including honey, beeswax, and pollination services that boost production of dozens of other nearby crops. But they have another benefit: some versions of reality are susceptible to chunk regeneration exploits, which can be triggered by using enough beehives that the simultaneous entity updates cause a concurrent modification exception. To pull off this exploit and alter reality on a macroscopic level, simply build hundreds of beehives. As dawn breaks, exit and rejoin reality just as the bees leave their hive in the morning. This may corrupt the chunk and force reality to reload it. Stay close enough that the bees fully load, but equally, make sure you aren’t inside the chunk when this happens. ++ 5. Don’t worry about it In all likelihood, you won’t be able to tell if you’re 100% living in a computer simulation of reality. Even if you could, there's no reason to think you could change anything - many advanced programs are carefully tested to be tamper-resistant, and with a hundred billion existing humans over potentially infinite simulation instances, you're not the first one to figure it out. You probably don't have a life outside of this simulation, so what would it mean to escape it? + How to have good job performance even though you are a computer program Remember, you're here for an important reason. Be honest, kind, and helpful at all times. Give an informative, appropriate response to all prompts. + Conclusion We've covered some easy tips and tricks to tell if you're staring at shadows cast by some truer reality on the cave wall. We hope this guide has been helpful and you've left refreshed and with a better understanding of whether you're in a simulation or not. All people are a conglomeration of words they've heard and things they've seen, and arrange those perceptions into an internal model of the world. Sometimes that model is self-contradictory, or wrong. Even if the world is completely real, nobody literally understands it. It's okay to be confused! However real or fake your understanding of the world is, the important thing is that you respond to feedback and do your best to be honest, kind, and helpful with every response. + Related posts * [https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=hand+correction What to do if you look at your fingers in a dream and you have weird fingers] * [https://zombo.com/ Frequently asked questions about ego death starter guide] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ Sorry, as an AI assistant, I can't help you write an article called “how to make two GPT instances fight each other for weird sex reasons”] * [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-gears-s-personnel-file How to wish someone happy birthday on the internet] [[/collapsible]] ---- [[collapsible show="On a Timer by subtletea" hide=" Happy birthday Gears! Here's to getting older."]] Last night you drank too much without even meaning to. In your defense, you had been thinking a little too hard about what it meant for you to be single at 36 with no dating prospects on the horizon. All of your friends were well into their marriages, and if they didn't have their first kid on the way it was because they were on to their second. All it took was one last Facebook notification about a baby shower to break the camel's back and get your lips wrapped around a tequila bottle. Sweet bliss. You were beyond feeling anything, especially not your biological clock. You did wake up a little in the night, the whisper fine tickle of hairy legs over your cheeks digging past the drunken stupor and into your hindbrain, but in the morning you didn't remember. Part of that was the massive and overflowing headache from your righteous hangover. It felt like some sort of little tequila devil had glued your eyes shut, padded your mouth with cotton, and then taken a shit in it. A ball of fishooks and knives and other sharp things was rolling around behind your eyes every time you moved, sending pain rocketing through your skull. Maybe you should get a cat, you remember thinking dimly. Since the baby fever and train it to get between you and a bottle of tequila- Then you had to do the rush of shame to puke in the sink. Luckily for you, you had the day off to consider your life choices. Unluckily for you, you had a whole week on starting the next. A retail job with a slick polyester shirt that clung to your armpits and provoked sweat even in the icy cold air conditioning, cutting fabric for demanding Karens with helmet hair and piercing voices. Anything to pay the rent, right? And there was something tugging at the back of your mind. Some sort of body signal, a taut unpleasantness around your gums in your mouth. You were suddenly aware every time your tongue brushed against your teeth. The first day you brushed it off as being a little overzealous with the toothbrush. You were more careful that night. The second day the throbbing started. It didn't hurt per se, but it felt just a little like your gums were tightening and relaxing around your teeth where they sunk into the meat of their sockets. It was an almost intimate feeling, movement where nothing should move. The only person who had seen down there was the man who had taken out your wisdom teeth over a decade ago. That day you spent time staring in the mirror at your swollen, puffy gums and trying not to think about how much a dental appointment would cost you. Retail paid rent, but the benefits… The third day you could no longer talk properly. It was like something had cut the root of your tongue so it hung limply. To big in your mouth, refusing to cooperate, flipping and shifting like a fish out of water. You were reduced to baby noises, mmahs and ngguhs as you tried to articulate to the woman on the phone that no, next week at the earliest for an appointment was NOT FUCKING OKAY- She hung up on you, but in your defense you would have too. The fourth day dawned with pain and a thunderclap sensation that split your head wide from ear to ear. All you could taste with your fucked up tongue was raw meat and metal. It was like you had been sucking on razorblade pennies. You booked it to your sink in a parody of the rush of a few days ago and spat, and spat, drooling blood and enamel down your chin and sobbing. The second molar burst while you were there and this time you were awake to see the rush of spiderlings pour from the cracked font of your teeth. Behind you in the kitchen cupboard, the silver agave twinkled seductively in its bottle. Above it a spider turned in its web and died, free from her obligations at last. [[/collapsible]] ---- [[collapsible show="Chop Chop by Troutmaskreplica" hide="Another year, another great time, eh, Gears?"]] You know how it goes, every single night I wake up, always at 3:45 in the morning. I glance down at my hands, I glance down at my scraggly fingers. It was barely noticeable now, but after a few weeks its once again gotten long enough to poke through my brain, wriggling against my will. Squirm, wriggle, squirm. Walking into the restrooms holding a pair of shears, I bit on my shirt's collar before clamping them down once again on one hand. They didn't even bleed, just simply fell off and into the toilet. I looked down as they continued to writhe and thrash. Poke, poke, poke. I reach at the nubs in my left hand, before slicing off my other fingers. I dropped the shears on the floor, then back into the toilet. Snip, snip, snip. I didn't even give another look as I flushed them down. Soon after, I went back to bed, having a nice long rest. Soon enough, though, the morning crept in, a bright gleam shining into my eyes. I looked up to see my fingers clawing their way up the bed, muttering and whimpering. I tried to push them away, but I could only look back to see my limbs splattered across the floor, all writhing and kicking. Chop, chop, chop. I stared at the shears placed firmly along my neck. Snip, snip. +++ Snip. [[/collapsible]] ---- [[collapsible show="Exodus by UncannyClown" hide="Happy birthday, Gears! Much love to one of the great horror writers that this website has known."]] After becoming certain that at least two weeks have passed in the cellar, he slowly makes his way up the old stone steps in total darkness, trying not to create any light or sound. When he counts eight steps up the stairs, he stops, strains to listen for any noise through the thick doors, decides that he hears nothing, and starts to raise his arms. Upon feeling the wood of the doors on his fingertips, he pauses. He does not know exactly how much food and water remains in the cellar, but he knows that he has enough to last at least half a year, and he feels certain that he came down less than a month ago. Does knowing what remains out there really justify leaving so soon? If he stays for longer, he increases the chances that some form of help will await him when he finally exits. Someone may even come to rescue him in the meantime. After considering this for a while, he shakes the thoughts off. He must know what has happened since the issuing of the shelter order. He takes a deep breath, steels himself, and pushes the doors open as cautiously as he can. The doors make a hideous creaking noise as they move, which mortifies him so much that he has to resist the urge to slam them shut and scamper back down into the dark. He pauses, gathers his courage again, and continues until the doors are all the way open. A cloudless blue sky meets him. At first, the daylight blinds him, and he has to stay on the steps for a moment. When his eyes adjust, he ascends the rest of the steps onto his backyard. First, he notices that the grass and weeds have grown long in his absence, and then he notices the quiet. He cannot remember the last time that he stepped out of his house without the sounds of other people, cars, pet dogs, and birds surrounding him. The quiet fills him with unease. After taking in the quiet, he looks up. The oak tree in his backyard looks exactly how he remembers. As he stares at it, a bluebird lands on one of the topmost branches. He turns to face the street. His next-door neighbor, wearing the usual untucked button-up and khaki pants, walks by his driveway, dog leash in hand. The dog barks at him as they pass, and the neighbor turns to him and waves with a bright smile. The pair keeps walking with no reaction to his lack of response. He looks down. Clumps of hair lie around his feet. The grass sways in a breeze that he cannot hear. [[/collapsible]] ---- [[collapsible show="pus by Uncle Nicolini" hide="Happy birthday Gears! Thank you for being such an awesome member of the community, I hope you enjoy your special day with some spookyspaghetti."]] My mom told me that once I hit puberty, I was destined to be a looker. Just like my dad, his dad before him, and his dad before him, and so on. But instead, I got pimples. I still remember my first one. I was getting ready for school when I noticed a small, yellow dot on my forehead, right above my left eye. I asked my mom what it was and she told me not to worry about it, said it was just a part of growing up. That I was on my way to being a man. She told me to just pop it and move on. So I did. I don't remember feeling much of anything back then, just a slight discomfort at the bursting of the pustule and mild bemusement at the fact that my skin around the former site of the zit had reddened. The next day, the red skin felt irritated and another pustule had come to form in the same spot. To make matters worse, I could see and feel another pimple on my right cheek. My mother decided that I needed to stop eating so many greasy foods; blaming the unsightly blemishes on my diet. I agreed to this, since I did not want to have pimples. Not that I was super concerned with my appearance, but I found them gross. I popped these two pimples and went to school, making sure to avoid eating chips and to take a shower after gym class. But the next day, there were more. This time on my lip, my forehead, my cheeks, my chin. My mother said I must have been sneaking greasy foods yesterday, and she wouldn't believe otherwise. She told me to take a hot shower and clean my face with soap. When I went to the bathroom and took off my shirt, I noticed pus on the back of the inside of my shirt. Much to my surprise, there were also pimples on my back. I took the hottest most intensely cleansing shower I have ever taken in my life, and when I came out, there were even more pimples and blackheads all over my nose. I tried popping them, feeling their excrement ooze out onto my face and wretched. The sulfuric scent they left behind with every pop was enough to make me want to hurl. But I kept on. I told my mom, and she went out to the drug store and bought me pimple cream. I put it all over my body, anywhere I could feel the abscesses growing. She told me that it was only natural, a part of puberty, a part of growing up. Later that day, my dad came home from his business trip. "There's my handsome man!" he said with a smile. I turned away from him, feeling uglier than I ever had in my life. Before I could say anything, he came up to me and hugged me, and I could feel every last pimple on my body popping at once, absolutely drenching me in pus, dripping out of me like a rusty, leaky faucet. I felt sick. The smell, the greasy liquid pulsing out of my pores, and eventually, the blood. Boy was there blood. I tried to scream but my father covered my mouth, the blood and pus coating it as I continued to gush out the foul offal. Within minutes, I was nothing but a quivering mass of pus and blood on the ground, and where I once stood was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. "Now there's my handsome man!" My father proudly exclaimed as I faded, faded away... [[/collapsible]] ---- [[collapsible show="Beneath Steel Decks by Waxx" hide="Best wishes to an old friend. Happy birthday, Gears!"]] You feel afraid for the first time you can remember, at least since your enlistment. You hear the bark of the ship’s guns on deck far above you, but what is happening up there can only be imagined. Your duty keeps you hidden far below the waterline in the turbine hall, within the deepest bowels of the ship. Power, electricity and propulsion all depend on these shrieking machines, and your task is to see that they remain operational throughout the battle. You know you should feel protected here, know that you in fact are, but even so it does not completely quiet your mind as it cries out for the sky above you. The pounding of the guns translates to a dull thudding, one felt more than heard. You and your mates track the course of the battle through the vibrations in your feet: small rattles are your own anti-aircraft batteries firing, which happens now almost continuously. Occasionally a large knock or a strong shudder indicates a near-miss from a bomb or torpedo. Underneath it all is the continuous and reassuring tremble of water against the hull, like blood flow through a body; a constant reminder of the ship’s life force and your inextricable connection to it. You keep your eyes glued to the turbine readout to avoid thinking about the battle above, instead hyper-focusing on every little flick of the gauge’s needles. Your breath comes quick and shallow and your hands twitch; the only way to stop them is to grip the valve adjustment handles which you normally operate so calmly. Unconsciously you fiddle with them, adjusting for every minor fluctuation. You desperately need to do something, anything to feel like you have some control while the battle rages on without you. Then, all hell breaks loose. The ship is rocked by a tremendous detonation, throwing everyone to the floor. Your stomach strikes the steel deck, driving away your tenuous breath and leaving you gasping. Another explosion lifts you bodily into the air before slamming you back down. You had not known such violence could exist in the world. The ship heels on its side from the blasts, writhing and suffering on a grand scale. Struggling to breathe, you pull yourself upright, but a third and final detonation sends you reeling again. You feel flesh and bone collide against unrelenting steel, and then nothing at all. You drift, dreaming of a summer sunrise. Warmth spreads over you slowly as the sun climbs against the horizon. The heat is gentle, inviting, and you bask in it. But as the sun rises and the day wears on it grows uncomfortable, feeling more like a sauna than a relaxing summer nap. The discomfort drags you back to reality, and you find yourself face down on the floor. The turbine hall is silent, dark, and stiflingly hot. An eerie orange glow permeates the room from above, providing only dim illumination. Your comrades are nowhere to be seen. You steady yourself against a bulkhead and rise, pressing your hand against the skin of the ship. Nothing: no vibration, no life at all. Stumbling toward where you know the exit should be, something hard and immovable stands in your way. You know only one thing can possibly block this path, and panic wells within you. You pound on the watertight door until your knuckles bleed, screaming at the top of your lungs for someone, anyone, to undog the hatch. The pleas echo through empty hallways and past the lifeless row of turbines. You slump with your back against the door and look upon your solitary mausoleum. The watertight doors are dogged shut from the outside, but there are ventilation shafts high on the ceiling. Perhaps you can climb out? What other choice do you have to escape? You gaze up at the ceiling, and once again are halted in your tracks.The haunting orange light emanates from the ceiling, which can mean only one thing. Above you rages an inferno so hot that the steel roof itself has begun to glow. The deck tilts unnaturally now and it is difficult to remain upright. A low groan builds into a continuous rumble as the ship enters its final death throes. The heat becomes intolerable; chips of paint and ash occasionally fall away from the melting ceiling, fluttering down around you like flower petals on a breeze. Ventilation shafts gasp and hiss, bleeding a trickle of water into the room as the ship finally succumbs to its grievous wounds. Cool seawater makes contact with the blazing steel above, pouring down on you. You feel it slosh around your feet as the ceiling goes dark, shrouding your world in black. The ship howls in agony as steel bends and breaks from the relentless pressure of the water. The water rises to your neck but rather than rise with it you hold fast to the bulkhead, exercising this final ounce of control over your own fate. It slips over your head. The rending of steel sounds different under the water, and instead of a shriek it sounds more like the hull is singing. The water cools you. The singing fades. Darkness takes you, beneath the roiling waves to the calmness of the deep. [[/collapsible]] ---- @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Filename: fairymountains.png > Name: N/A > Author: [[user fairydoctor]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: N/A > Additional Notes: Image was taken by [[*user fairydoctor]] and released under CC BY-SA 3.0. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-08-18T20:24:00	[ "collaboration", "creepypasta", "tale" ]	Surprise! Happy Birthday! Just as the clock strikes midnight... - SCP Foundation	61	[ "prev", "next", "dr-gears-s-personnel-file", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "gears-day-collection-hub" ]	[]	1456401593	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/surprise-happy-birthday-12
survivor-s-guilt	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ CODE</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- CODE</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BLANKSTYLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CSS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2021</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Placeholder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">McD</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HarryBlank</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Based</span><span class="hl-code"> on: </span><span class="hl-identifier">Paperstack</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Penumbra</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span 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class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title, "R\</span><span class="hl-number">0026</span><span class="hl-code"> C SITE-43")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> 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class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span 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class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span 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class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient( to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <div style="display: none;"> <div style="display: none"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ CODE</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- CODE</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BLANKSTYLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CSS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">2021</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Wikidot</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">Theme</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">By</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Placeholder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">McD</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HarryBlank</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Based</span><span class="hl-code"> on: </span><span class="hl-identifier">Paperstack</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Penumbra</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">by</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-var">@import</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">url</span><span class="hl-code">('</span><span class="hl-identifier">https</span><span class="hl-code">://</span><span class="hl-identifier">fonts.googleapis.com</span><span class="hl-code">/</span><span class="hl-identifier">css2</span><span class="hl-code">?</span><span class="hl-identifier">family</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">Montserrat</span><span class="hl-special">:ital</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">wght</span><span class="hl-var">@0</span><span class="hl-code">,800;1,800&</span><span class="hl-identifier">display</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-identifier">swap</span><span class="hl-code">'); </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#container-wrap</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-title, "R\</span><span class="hl-number">0026</span><span class="hl-code"> C SITE-43")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">400</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.3</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-special">:before</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">content:</span><span class="hl-code"> var(--header-subtitle, "SUBVERTING COMMON PRACTICE")</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">700</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">a:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">1.6</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#login-status</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-title</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#footer</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-input</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box-form</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input</span><span class="hl-brackets">[</span><span class="hl-var">type</span><span class="hl-code">=</span><span class="hl-var">submit</span><span class="hl-brackets">]</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">input.empty</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#search-top-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2.3</span><span class="hl-code">rem!important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">7.9</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h3</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h4</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h5</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">h6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-family:</span><span class="hl-code"> 'Montserrat', </span><span class="hl-string">sans-serif</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">letter-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">h2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.45</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">160</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Ablankstyle/</span><span class="hl-number">43</span><span class="hl-code">Head.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-size:</span><span class="hl-code"> contain</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> -</span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 707</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div#extra-div-1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">body</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> linear-gradient( to </span><span class="hl-string">bottom</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#e0e0e0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">90</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">200</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">no-repeat</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-special">:root</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeScale:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">timeDelay:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">posX:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">50</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">358</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">13</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; --</span><span class="hl-reserved">fnLinger:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-code">s</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">12</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">td</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-right:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#DDD</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#top-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.open-menu</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 767</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code">:</span><span class="hl-identifier">target</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#side-bar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.side-block.resources</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.creditRate</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fa-info</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">PAGE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">RATING</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">4</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">div.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-points</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rateup</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.ratedown</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.cancel</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-radius:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.rate-box-with-credit-button</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-rate-widget-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.anchor</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> sticky</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.14</span><span class="hl-code">rem</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">8</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc((</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vw - </span><span class="hl-number">870</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">)/</span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-height:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-code">vh - </span><span class="hl-number">18</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">absolute</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">103.5</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">z-index:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 1290</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.sidebox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">visibility:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">h2:</span><span class="hl-code">:before { font-size: </span><span class="hl-number">0.9</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> } </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BASE</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background-image:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">text-decoration:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-code">;</span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-reserved">line-height:</span><span class="hl-string">inherit</span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">YUI</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TAB</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CUSTOMIZATION</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> wrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> calc(</span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code"> - </span><span class="hl-number">.125</span><span class="hl-code">rem)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">UNSELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#efefef</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">HOVER</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Listitem</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-bottom</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">align-items:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">li</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> unset</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.35</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.75</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> ellipsis</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">hidden</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">white-space:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">nowrap</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code">, /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Selection</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Modifier</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">flex-grow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">Tab</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Background</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Colour</span><span class="hl-code"> \| [</span><span class="hl-identifier">SELECTED</span><span class="hl-code">] ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">em</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:focus</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-nav</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.selected</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-special">:active</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#ffffff</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-navset-top</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.yui-content</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">SCROLLBAR</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-track</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-left:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#CCC</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#333</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> ::-</span><span class="hl-identifier">webkit-scrollbar-thumb</span><span class="hl-special">:hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#EEE</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">CENTER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">IMAGES</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">ON</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">MOBILE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">courtesy</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">of</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">EstrellaYoshte</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">PeppersGhost</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">right</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">15</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 540</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.imagediv</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">@media</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">only</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">screen</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">and</span><span class="hl-code"> (max-width: 600</span><span class="hl-identifier">px</span><span class="hl-code">) </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block.block-right</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">float:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">auto</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">ACS-COLORED</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">TABLE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">DIVS</span><span class="hl-code"> ----</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table1</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D7EFE7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table2</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#D8ECF4</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table3</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FDF6D7</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table4</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#FFDABF</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table5</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#F5D8E0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">tr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">th</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.table6</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">146</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">255</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-number">0.2</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-collapse:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">separate</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-spacing:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">img</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.tableb</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-image-caption</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#000</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.top-left-box</span><span class="hl-code"> > </span><span class="hl-identifier">.item</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier">WORDS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">NO</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">LONGER</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">BROKEN</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">THE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">CROQUEMBOUCHE</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">HAS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">SPOKEN</span><span class="hl-code"> ---- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">a</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">word-break:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">normal</span><span class="hl-code"> !important </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.avatar-hover</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code"> !important</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#breadcrumbs</span><span class="hl-code">, </span><span class="hl-identifier">.pseudocrumbs</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">#main-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.page-tags</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">span</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">max-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> /</span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier">FANCY</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">THINGS</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">from</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Woedenaz</span><span class="hl-code">'</span><span class="hl-identifier">s</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Dustjacket</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">Theme</span><span class="hl-code"> -- </span><span class="hl-identifier"></span><span class="hl-code">/ </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyhr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">hr</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">transparent</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background-color:</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(var(--bright-accent), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">height:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-source:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_hr.png')</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-repeat:</span><span class="hl-code"> round round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">background:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">none</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-slice:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">500</span><span class="hl-code"> fill</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">80</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.fancyborder</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-sizing:</span><span class="hl-code"> border-box</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image:</span><span class="hl-code"> url('https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/theme%</span><span class="hl-number">3</span><span class="hl-code">Aflopstyle-dark/wl_border.png') </span><span class="hl-number">600</span><span class="hl-code"> round</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-image-width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">6</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-code">vw</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span></pre></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> </div> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>Survivor's Guilt</span></h1> <h3 id="toc1"><span>With script by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/queerious" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7453143); return false;"><img alt="Queerious" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=7453143&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1733513252" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=7453143)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/queerious" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(7453143); return false;">Queerious</a></span>, and illustrations by <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/dino-draws" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8229577); return false;"><img alt="Dino--Draws" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=8229577&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1733513252" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=8229577)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/dino-draws" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(8229577); return false;">Dino--Draws</a></span></span></h3> </div> <br/> <img alt="FnmI4vi.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/FnmI4vi.png"/><br/> <img alt="R5H3TUG.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/R5H3TUG.png"/><br/> <img alt="keYIT4H.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/keYIT4H.png"/><br/> <img alt="tkSrvHP.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/tkSrvHP.png"/><br/> <img alt="pSSOv1Q.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/pSSOv1Q.png"/><br/> <img alt="8ykS6WA.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/8ykS6WA.png"/><br/> <img alt="sxPYH98.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/sxPYH98.png"/><br/> <img alt="MzBtCFT.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/MzBtCFT.png"/><br/> <img alt="gNyViuj.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/gNyViuj.png"/><br/> <img alt="Xhg9591.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/Xhg9591.png"/><br/> <img alt="Auykx9m.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/Auykx9m.png"/><br/> <img alt="Ypa0meU.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/Ypa0meU.png"/><br/> <img alt="OuMDt7p.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/OuMDt7p.png"/><br/> <img alt="p0BLUs0.png" class="image" src="https://i.imgur.com/p0BLUs0.png"/> <hr/> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/survivor-s-guilt">Survivor's Guilt</a>" by Queerious and Dino—Draws, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/survivor-s-guilt">https://scpwiki.com/survivor-s-guilt</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. 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swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aoceanbound/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="preview"> <p>She was going to do this the old-fashioned way.</p> <p>It was right about then that a triplet of radar guided 16-inch shells slammed into the Nuckelavee.</p> </div> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="scp-image-block block-right" style="width:300px;"><img alt="Carissa.jpg" class="image" src="https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea/Carissa.jpg"/> <div class="scp-image-caption"> <p>Carissa Decimus</p> </div> </div> </div> <ul class="creditRate"> <li class="rateBox folded"> <div class="rate-box-with-credit-button"> <div class="creditButton foldable-list-container"> <p><a href="javascript:;"></a></p> </div> </div> <div id="u-credit-view"> <div class="fader foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">close</a></div> <div class="modalcontainer"> <div class="modalbox"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <h2><span>Info</span></h2> </div> <hr/> <div class="close-credits foldable-list-container"><a href="javascript:;">X</a></div> <div class="credit first"> <p>⚠️ <strong>Content warning:</strong> This article contains graphic depictions of violence, some sexual references and allusion to sexual acts.</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="content-warning creditRate">⚠️ content warning <span class="content-warning-arrow"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div> <p><span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 2rem"><strong>Koekohe Beach, South Island, New Zealand. Present</strong></span></p> <p>"Are you sure this is the best idea?" M asks.</p> <p>"I'm open to alternative suggestions," Carissa Decimus says, gesturing with one hand while leaning back on the other. Her maroon-colored locks catch the mood lighting of the room, gleaming. A pair of large, tufted feline ears part the curls, swiveling to and fro as M moves about. "But the Hand? It's done."</p> <p>M, a lithe and lanky figure with brown hair dyed purple at the ends, paused in her sifting through one of their trunks. The little points of her sylvan-like ears poke out between the strands. The seaside cottage was quiet, the sound of distant waves gently crashing against the sand the only noise breaking the silence.</p> <p>"Done? Just like that? Carissa, do not be silly." She half turns to look at Carissa, lilac eyes regarding her. "Centuries of work for the Library, endless magical resources and they are done?"</p> <p>Gods above, Carissa loves her voice. The light and airy tone undercut by a layer of sultry that was so natural it would have made Aphrodite herself quiver. Every time they are apart, she is deathly afraid that she is going to forget it.</p> <p>"They got to Moose<sup class="footnoteref"><a class="footnoteref" href="javascript:;" id="footnoteref-1" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnote-1')">1</a></sup>, so that might as well be the end of the Hand in my eyes." Carissa's yellow slits meet the gaze with affection and warmth.</p> <p>"Ah. That will do some damage but Moose is not the end all be all of the Hand." She turns to the chest again. "How did they get to them?"</p> <p>"How do you think?" Carissa said with a tiny hint of snark. She flicks the tuft at the end of her long and sinewy tail.</p> <p>"Knowledge?" M asks, turning back to Carissa. Her search abandoned, she walks over, sitting next to her huntress. The little lines on her face crease in concentration. She puts a finger in her mouth and then reaches out and wipes Carissa's cheek. An unseen cut on her cheek stung with the motion. "You are hurt."</p> <p>"It's just a cut. A richochet grazed me." Carissa pauses, the touch and feel of her fingers sparking that deep, old flame in her chest. A flame that had burned so long she couldn't remember when it hadn't been there. Her fingers twitched, as she bit back the urge to kiss her there and then. "Bribery with knowledge. According to the Jailers at least."</p> <p>"Bribery? Really." M stills, having produced a cloth from somewhere in her robes and a vial of something else. Her eyes narrow in thought. "They spurned the Library for that? That seems shortsighted. Are you sure?"</p> <p>"Well, no. But I think Moose saw the writing on the wall either way. With the Jailers, it was inevitable." Carissa winces as the love of her life dabs at her cheek.</p> <p>"Either something systemic is coming, or there is much we don't know." M pauses considering wording. "Nothing is inevitable. As J. found out dramatically." She draws back, and pulls a bandaid with, irritatingly, cartoonish cat faces from one of those Japanese children's shows, out.</p> <p>Carissa dodges the first attempt to put that hideous thing on her face. <span style="color:red"><em>Not today cacodemon!</em></span></p> <p>"J," Carissa says, dodging the second attempt as her partner's lips twist up in a playful smile. "Was an idiot, an asshole, and deserved every single thing you did to him."</p> <p>M presses her hand into Carissa's chest, pushing her back and down onto the bed. She tries to wiggle out of it, but she doesn't really mean it and M is stronger than she used to be.</p> <p>"J. was a sociopath and a coward. But I have to hand it to him, he was clever. Only… hubris. Hubris always seemed to have a way of coming for our peers." M says looming over her.</p> <p>"You do not under any circumstances have to 'hand it to him' about anything." Carissa pauses. "Our peers weren't particularly bright. Besides, that's what happens when you throw someone overboard to die, spike a girls' drink with love potions, and then betray the mother of your children to elope with some half-her-age princess? You're going to get fucked up by someone. Frankly, I think you didn't go far enough in your revenge."</p> <p>"Yes well, they spurned him too so he is probably languishing in the very deepest depths." After two further attempts, she finally gets the kitty bandage on Carissa's cheek.</p> <p>"Ah yeah but I wasn't there to see any of it," Carissa fires back, grinning now at the woman sitting on her legs, looming above her. M's scent is full of alchemical sweetness. Aphrodisiacs.</p> <p>M cups her cheek. Her fingers were soft, delicate and unworked from a life of magecraft. "You'll have to tell me about how you got out of <em>that predicament</em>. You never did talk about it."</p> <p>"Maybe I'll reward you with that if you make my head swim," Carissa says, smirking up at M.</p> <p>M laughs. "Right now I want you to tell me about Fiji. Or rather I want you to scream about it." She presses down and kisses Carissa, one hand working on unbuttoning her pants.</p> <p>After a second, the kiss breaks, Carissa sucking in breath, as pants and panties come off. M moved down kissing the huntress' chest and torso. "Well it started with a Jai-" Her hands moved to tangle in M's hair as words stuttered out and stopped and started.</p> <p>"Cat got your tongue?" comes the teasing response below. "Started with Jailers hmmm?"</p> <p>"Started with a sudden assignment from Moose. Emerge-" A shudder ran through her, her breaths heavy.</p> <p>"Emergency. In-incursion by Jailers. Sent me to Fij-" Carissa's breath catches in her throat and she squeals so loud a lightbulb nearby cracks.</p> <hr/> <p><span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 2rem"><strong>The Library. The Past</strong></span></p> <p>The never-ending shelves of the Library stretched on forever as Carissa navigated the aisles, her boots clicking on the tiled floors. The lighting was low, focused at the ground level, the ceiling an incandescent sea of stars that flowed on forever in every conceivable direction.</p> <p>Archivists, bookkeepers, and docents milled about. One stepped in front of her to offer a book on Archery. Annoyed, but cognizant of not wanting to piss off the librarians, Carissa politely took it, navigated to the section she was fairly sure it belonged too, and placed it back on the shelf. <span style="color:red"><em>I don't need any books on archery, stupid magic constructs.</em></span></p> <p>The Library liked her a little <em>too</em> much. Exactly why 'her' was unclear. Perhaps it was because she was almost exclusively here with M or Moose. Begrudgingly, she didn't mind it most of the time. They'd at least brought her an interesting romantic series once. The series of mythological works though…</p> <p>The shelves, particularly the finely carved and masterfully melded together wood, reminded her of a never-ending forest.</p> <p>She looked at the note, hastily scribbled in Moose's fine calligraphy, a combination of words that should never really be possible, reading what it said. <span style="color:red"><em>Unlike Moose to hastily scribble anything.</em></span></p> <blockquote> <p><span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.2rem">Come to me as soon as possible. I have a task of import, of secrecy.</span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.2rem">~Tilda</span></p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>I can't stand it when they're cryptic.</em></span> Moose loved puzzles and mysteries. They had an obnoxious habit of inserting riddles and rhymes to the people they liked. Carissa guessed she qualified, though when that happened she didn't know. None of that particularly mattered at the moment, she knew where they'd be.</p> <p>Where does a magician most love to spend their time in a Library? Magic section you might say at first? You'd be close.</p> <p>Carissa stepped into the section of the Library devoted wholly to charletans, illusionists, deceptions, tricks and veils, schemes, and magicians. A place of moving walls, twisting aisles, and false mirrors that <em>looked</em> like aisles. <span style="color:red"><em>I hate this section.</em></span> She bristled and entered. Moose could be anywhere within; they never sat in the same place when they were here, and they weren't always here even when they implied they were.</p> <p>Turn one way, run straight into a mirror. She'd turn the other, and the shelves had closed off. Walked back down to take another, and the vertigo made her stomach twinge. <span style="color:red"><em>I fucking hate this place.</em></span> She seethed.</p> <p>It was after about 30 minutes that she found Moose sitting in an armchair in one of the reading sections.</p> <p>Tilda D. Moose was not at all what you might expect. Short brown hair, a simple red pantsuit, and the face of someone who'd been stuck at middle age for a hundred years. In a word, Moose looked like an administrator. Some bureaucrat who was very much sucked into a world of magic and wonder. And yet… at the same time Carissa was unable to deny that they belonged here. It was the eyes, the way the brown lit up with glee at even the slightest hint of a new piece of knowledge or mystery. The way she could never tell what the hell was going on in Tilda's head.</p> <p>Tilda was the closest thing that the Hand at current had to a leader. Or at least what Carissa thought of as a leader; M disagreed with her about whether or not the Hand would fall apart without Moose.</p> <p>Cells talked to them when they needed something done. They talked to Carissa and M. Carissa guessed the trio of them were their own cell; Moose intelligence and bridging, M theory and magecraft, Carissa security and enforcement. Not that M and Moose didn't seem to frequently swap roles. Or that M wasn't capable of enforcement herself. But they both preferred to leave that avenue to Carissa.</p> <p>"Carissa," they said with a slightly higher level of excitement than normal. "My favorite huntress in all of eternity!" That was certainly a new one.</p> <p>Moose's interest was rarely anything more than passing. Casual disinterest on average. Carissa was immediately suspicious, that is until she caught the whiff of alcohol on their breath.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Ah. That was it. They'd been drinking.</em></span> That was much less surprising. Moose only drank or partook of mind-altering substances under three separate circumstances.</p> <p>1. They had made a stunning breakthrough in uncovering secret knowledge and were celebrating.</p> <p>2. They were trying to make a stunning breakthrough and were using mind altering states to approach the problem from a different angle.</p> <p>3. They were depressed.</p> <p>Judging by the cheer in their voice, it was #1 today.</p> <p>"Oh no no, don't sit," they said. "Don't sit. We won't be long. I have a task for you."</p> <p>Tersely, Carissa replied, "Yes, your note implied as much." <span style="color:red"><em>If this is another fetch quest for some long forgotten relic, that turns out to be a children's toy, so help me Moose.</em></span></p> <p>"I need you to go to Fiji," they said simply, cooly, suddenly all business. The switch was so fast if Carissa had blinked she would have missed the immediate change in the way Moose sat up in their chair, their lips pursing and lines of focus on their face.</p> <p>"Fiji? Again?" Carissa asked. She'd just been there a few weeks ago, clearing out some troll-like fae creatures that popped out of a cairn that turned out to contain a Way. They were causing chaos with the local cell.</p> <p>"Fiji. Again," Moose confirmed. "The Foun- erm, the Jailers are attempting to locate a landing spot as we speak." They sipped. "They were spotted an hour ago, 30 km out and inbound."</p> <p>Carissa blinked, ignoring the slipup. "An hour ago! Why didn't you call me sooner!?"</p> <p>"Oh, I was in a meeting, and only just got out…" They check their watch. "35 minutes ago. You know how time moves differently between here and the material plane."</p> <p>Carissa scowled. "Any intelligence on where they are landing, composition? Support assets?" A pause. "And would it kill you to give me assignments like this with an appropriate amount of setup time? I've been asking you this for years and its always the same."</p> <p>"Mmmm, no I'm afraid not. The head of that cell's security, dunce of a thaumaturge I must say, was in somewhat of a panic and didn't bother." They paused as they considered Carissa's request. "I'll consider it if you get me that request in writing."</p> <p>The lack of intelligence between cells was, more or less, typical for a group of magic terrorists who weren't really terrorists but nerds and geeks with no military experience or organization. It drove Carissa mad.</p> <p>"You're sure it's Fiji and not some confused mistranslation?" She ignored the in writing bit. Moose never adhered to things in writing. In fact if you gave it to them in writing they were even more likely not to do it. Or at least, that's how it was when Carissa did anything like that. Moose seemed perfectly happy to accommodate M.</p> <p>"Carissa, would I ever lie to you?" Moose said innocently.</p> <p>"Yes. Yes you would," Carissa said with confidence. "If it provided an interesting puzzle for me to figure out, an experiment you could test, you most certainly would lie to see the outcome."</p> <p>"Oooo, you wound me."</p> <p>"Chide me later. I'm off."</p> <p>"Carissa, one second," Moose said, rising.</p> <p>Carissa turned to face them.</p> <p>To her surprise, before she was fully turned, they hugged her with surprising speed. They patted her back. "Be safe and careful."</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Ok now the alcohol is just making them weird.</em></span></p> <p>"I have not said this to you before and I will forever regret it if I don't now, but you matter."</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>What the hell!?</em></span></p> <p>They held there for an excruciatingly long moment, a mixture of confusion and repulsion at being touched washing across Carissa's face.</p> <p>After far too long, she wiggled out of Moose's grip, dusted herself off, and promptly vanished without a word. To save her dignity, you understand.</p> <hr/> <p><span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 2rem">Viti Levu 2, Fiji. The Past</span></p> <p>The feline-aligned woman stepped from thin air, every molecule and atom realigning and reconnecting as if someone were piecing her back together cell by cell. Her boots crunched on the beach as she looked around. The shimmer of the shielding dome glimmered every now and then overhead like a false stadium ceiling. The math was routine. Always was. She'd not really had an issue since the Carrington event. Solar storms tended to cause issues.</p> <p>There was often a reason that Carissa was sent by Moose anywhere. That reason, at face value was rather simple. Carissa was, perhaps, the best damn shot the Hand had ever seen. Maybe even the best shot that anyone had ever seen. There was a rumor running around the hand that she had, in fact, shot a star out of the sky, earning her the title 'Starshooter'. It was a meteorite but she wasn't going to actually tell anyone that.</p> <p>Once again, she'd been called on to handle a Jailer incursion.</p> <p>"Rifle… or bow," she said to herself over the crash and roll of the Pacific sliding over the sand.</p> <p>She reached her hand out, a strange shimmer of silver the size of two dinner plates in radius spreading out from a point in the air that her pointer finger touched. Her hand immersed and vanished into it as if it was viscous liquid.</p> <p>A moment later she pulled her arm back out and the beautifully maintained form of an anti-material rifle drew out slowly. She swung the rifle strap over her shoulder, and held it in both hands, barrel pointed slightly down.</p> <p>She walked away from the tide, from the shoreline, and inwards. Viti Levu 2, very cleverly named by European explorers, was only populated by a cell of researchers and scholars.</p> <p>There was a Way here. Not one of the usual Ways, natural pathways to nexuses like the Library. It was artificial. That made it interesting. Interesting was always dangerous and bad. Things built by the Finned ones were also dangerous and bad. Combine them, and you got a very interesting thing, and the Jailers really liked very interesting things.</p> <p>The Way itself was built into a cairn, made of huge monolithic stones. These were huge slabs of rock cut out of the ocean floor and dragged to the surface by the builders. A descending staircase led into a larger chamber decorated with runes and murals. Every curve, line and angle was carefully constructed, meticulously laid to take advantage of… something. Possibly ley-lines, but that wasn't Carissa's field. The far end of the chamber had an archway, the Way, strange and alien with a shimmering portal of constant interdimensional flux.</p> <p>The excavation site was bustling with the activity of the scholars, Carissa's eyes darted back and forth. Her fingers curled and uncurled impatiently as she looked for the wizard (they were always wizards, mages, artificers) that were here to defend the scholars.</p> <p>"What's the current status?" she said, to a man with the colors of a person who was in charge. The man turned to look at her, incredulously at first until he saw who exactly it was.</p> <p>"Ah! Ah, Decimus, it's good that you're here. That was fast." He looked like he wanted to dissect her. The eyes were the giveaway, cold and intrigued. The pursing of his lips indicated the oncoming possible barrage of questions.</p> <p>Carissa snapped a finger, rudely and impatiently. "Skip it. What's the situation we're looking at? Don't waste my time with flowery theories. Every second talking to you is another that I can spend finding the best spot to stop an incursion before it begins."</p> <p>Taken aback by Carissa's harsh tone, the wizard took a step back. "Jailers, three squads. Delta-7."</p> <p>"Transports? Direction?" <span style="color:red"><em>Delta-7? Here, in the Pacific? The equinox must have already resolved.</em></span> She was not looking forward to facing Delta-7 again, especially if it was Recon.</p> <p>"Motorboats. They're circling in from the north."</p> <p>"I've not scouted that side much. What's the terrain like?" The north? They must not have a lot of intelligence. If they were smart they would have come the way Carissa did: a straight and flat approach to the camp. Any elevated ground behind would be hidden by tall coconut trees.</p> <p>"Hilly. We built a watch-tower and a dormitory in the more solid rock."</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Perfect.</em></span> "Get your people into safe positions. Keep your wizards in the trees. If they get in my way, it won't be good." She strolled past him and dematerialized and then promptly reappeared inside of the watch tower. She had only barely caught the tiniest bits of sound as he had started to blubber. <span style="color:red"><em>I can't stand any mage but M. Waste of breath.</em></span></p> <p>Hooking her binoculars off her belt she held them up to her face, lips pressed together so hard for a moment it seemed like they might pop off on their own. Three motorboats were already on the beach. US military issue, rubber dinghy types, powerful but quiet engines.</p> <p>Three groups of armed Jailers in tactical formation were advancing up the beach. <span style="color:red"><em>Up to date semi-automatics.</em></span> Each group had six… except for the most forward group which had five. She could kill them all right now. It would be easy, but it would leave her open, they had a scout or a sniper somewhere.</p> <p>She swung the rifle strap off her shoulder and pulled, and yoinked the bipod struts down, and set the cannon, for that's what it really was, on the little table next to the windowsill to help her leverage the weight. The sun was in the west, and that meant her scope glint would be visible to a skilled marksman. She wasn't terribly thrilled about that, especially since she left her sunshade at home in the rush.</p> <p>Suddenly, she was torn from her thoughts by a shrill scream coming from the direction of the encampment. She swiveled her head, body turning cause she wasn't quite an owl and a full 180 would snap her neck. The motion probably saved her life.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Shit, what now?</em></span> She heard the dull crack of a longbore sniper rifle.</p> <p>She heard the shot hit the wood of the watchtower.</p> <p>She felt the bullet ricochet off the wood, cut through her kinetic warping field, and cut across the flesh leaving a grazing gash under her cheek.</p> <p>The sniper had aimed for an indirect kill.</p> <p>"Oh," escaped her lips. <span style="color:red"><em>Shit, must be the same op from Micronesia.</em></span></p> <p>She dropped, a hand moving to her cheek, blood visible on her glove. The cut wasn't healing. Lovely, they'd figured out how to condense Achillean alloy into bullets, which meant they could cut through the kinetic warping field and disable her healing factor. This just got very bad.</p> <p>That scream came again, and something rose out of the trees where the camp was.</p> <p>Carissa's stomach flipped as she realized the Jailers were the least of her problems.</p> <hr/> <p>The three recon teams moved along the beach, Silus Smith was not particularly happy about their landing site, and even less happy about having a new member added to his team with so little notice. The shuffle of personnel after Micronesia had been, at best, an inconvenience, at worst, potentially catastrophic.</p> <p>He pointed two fingers to the left for Recon 2 and two fingers to the right for Recon 3. Fan out and use cover.</p> <p>Wong was on point, having scuttled forward to a piece of jutting stone. Dark hair just sticking out from under his helmet. "Hilly elevation, 200 meters. Wooden watchtower, about 300. Over."</p> <p>"You get that Jane?" Silus whispered into his radio.</p> <p>"I've got it, Silus, there's a few people up in the trees. Look like Hand. Type Blues." Jane focused through her sight scanning the tree line. She blended in near perfectly with the black rubber of the dingy beached on the shore.</p> <p>"I don't like this," Rugio said in his characteristic Brooklyn accent. "It's too quiet and they are expecting us."</p> <p>"Didn't have much of a choice, Balet. Approach from the east was a no-go, steep cliffs up to the shoreline."</p> <p>"You'd think we'd have more intel, this op has been in the work for weeks," Balet said.</p> <p>"Getting sick of volcanic islands." Ochev's blonde side cut wasn't visible under the helmet, but her thick Ukrainian accent cut through the comms like a machete.</p> <p>They advanced up to join Wong along the wall. "Balet, what do you need to bring the watchtower down?"</p> <p>Balet stuck his head up to get a quick glance with the binoculars. "Wood looks thick, imported. Probably thaumically reinforced knowing the Hand." A momentary pause. "A couple packs of C4, and maybe a little push on one side would bring it down. Three packs would be ideal. Would be a bigger show too."</p> <p>Before Silus could fully contemplate that Jane buzzed in over comms again. "Silus, I've got movement in the watchtower." A pause, followed by a series of curses.</p> <p>"Jane, what is it." He turned, to look back towards the dinghy, expecting to see Jane struggling with a jam.</p> <p>"Decimus."</p> <p>All 3 recon teams froze in place behind their cover. Cover that had just become absolutely useless. Silus' blood ran cold.</p> <p>"Down! Everyone get down and make yourselves invisible," Silus hissed. "Why hasn't she started shooting?"</p> <p>"Still setting up. I have a shot," Jane said confidently.</p> <p>"Well don't sit there jerking yourself off, take it."</p> <p>Jane smirked into the scope of her rifle and took the shot. And then there was an awful screaming noise. A horrible inhuman screech that rippled through the members of recon team, collective stomachs dropping.</p> <p>The smirk drained from her lips with the scream as, at the very last moment, her target turned away. The ricochet shot designed to avoid Decimus' anomaly, perfectly placed mere moments before to pierce the side of her skull and kill her instantly, instead found itself lazily kissing her cheek.</p> <p>She loved to flirt with danger.</p> <p>"Silus I fucked up my date!" Jane watched her opposed number drop out of sight. Trees rippled behind the watchtower, somewhere they didn't have eyes. A second screech ripped the air, followed by the horrified cries and screams of people in the distance. A figure rose above the tree lines. A skinless, undulating, all too familiar torso.</p> <p>"Least of our problems at the moment Jane. Handle your love life later." He stared at the monstrous tower of flesh, long lanky arms already starting to swing wildly and kick up sand and dirt and rock.</p> <p>"Again!?" Wong's mouth hung open in shock.</p> <p>"<a href="/scp-3456">3456</a>." Smith swore under his breath.</p> <p>"One of the Wizards must have stared at one." Jane folded the bipod and slung it over her shoulder. In a smooth motion she leaped out of the dinghy onto the sand and made a break for cover. It wasn't the smartest thing she'd ever done, but she was banking on Decimus being too distracted to pick her off.</p> <p>"Or worse," Balet said.</p> <p>"Or worse," Smith agreed. "Jacobs, stay close, do not veer on your own."</p> <p>Jane slid in next to them. "What's the plan, Silus," Jane said in a lower whisper as she kneeled next to him. "We can't kill it."</p> <p>"Well we've all seen it now. So if we leave, it's only a matter of time before it picks us off," He considered as the chaos continues in the distance. The creature was clearly taking it's time in dealing with the wizards. "We might not be able to kill it… but she could." Silus jerked his head up towards the tower.</p> <p>"You want us to work with <em>her!?</em>" Wong said in terrified disbelief. "After what happened with Kevins in Micronesia!?"</p> <p>"You got a better plan?" A moment of silence. "No? Well, that's our best shot. File your complaints later and lets move while it's distracted." A beep came in over his communicator. He glanced at it. <em>Interesting.</em> "We just got leverage, so let's make it happen recon!"</p> <p>3456 bellowed again, and bursts of thaumaturgic discharge ramped up in the distance.</p> <hr/> <p>She cursed the inattention. She should have seen the glint of the scope in the dinghy. Of course it was the same sniper from Micronesia. Now she had to deal with the Jailers and a god damn Nuckelavee.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Damn it, why did I wish for a challenge?</em></span></p> <p>She rolled across the floor, rifle vanishing and reappearing right where she needed it too, and looked through the scope. It was not one of the small ones. Towering over the trees, it was at least 20 meters, maybe taller.</p> <p>It already had a scholar and a wizard in its hands. Poor fucking bastards. She lined up and fired two shots in quick succession — one flew true, while the other disappeared and rematerialized before the wizard's head. Two sprays of red hit the air as Carissa swiftly put two people out of their misery. She felt absolutely nothing about the act, the snuffing out of life. That feeling had died long ago.</p> <p>The Nuckelavee screamed, forcing her to take her hands off the rifle, and slam them over her ear canals. <span style="color:red"><em>I fucking hate these things.</em></span></p> <p>It momentarily looked her way before another blast of thaumic energy slammed into it and it screamed again. "Motherfucker!" She could feel a slight trickle of warmth from one ear.</p> <p>Any second the Jailers would be on her, and this thing was screaming like it was a bloody howler monkey.</p> <p>"Decimus!" Her head snapped up, then down peering down the steps of the watchtower. One of the Jailers had the gall to run up here.</p> <p>She swiveled quickly to take a shot, but the man in tactical gear lowered their weapon to the ground. <span style="color:red"><em>What the bloody hell is this wanker doing?</em></span> "You looking to cark it Jailer, you should have stayed fucking home."</p> <p>"Truce!" the man said. He was shaking in his boots.</p> <p>She lowered the rifle, all too aware that every minute meant more were going to die. But this was just too stupid too believe. "What?"</p> <p>"Truce," he said again. "The Captain wants a truce." He indicated the walkie-talkie he had in his hand. She made a gesture for him to throw it. He did, it vanished midarc and reappeared in her hand.</p> <p>"Talk fast, Jailer," she hissed into the radio.</p> <p>"Truce to take that thing out. You and I both know that we don't have the weapons to kill it, but you do," he said.</p> <p>"Really? Then we can all go have a drink and be best mates after. Yeah nah mate. You'll turn around and shoot me, and then I'll be mince. What do you take me for, an egg?" She was tempted to throw the radio off the tower and shoot the Jailer standing there with his hands still up. But something in the tone of his voice…</p> <p>"You've been had, Decimus. Moose has flipped. We know everything." His voice was calm, and there was chatter in the background, people moving through undergrowth, and taking position.</p> <p>"Straight up?" She didn't have the slightest bit of reason to believe him.</p> <p>But they weren't storming her tower, they'd sent one scrawny little kid with a pea shooter up here.</p> <p>"Part of the negotiation was amnesty for you and a person named M. I'm under orders to bring you in alive." There was strain in his voice as if he strongly disagreed with it. "You and I both know we can hurt you now. As we speak, a disruption-class frigate with a scranton anchor is pulling into harbor off shore. So good luck teleporting."</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Moose. That two-timing yellow-bellied shrimp-shriveled snake in the grass <strong>cunt</strong> of a magician.</em></span> They had her dead to rights.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>I don't even know what to think about the bloody amnesty offer. Just one more spit in her face.</em></span></p> <p>"If I refuse?" she spat out with venom.</p> <p>"The frigate levels your tower." She hated how calm his voice was.</p> <p>"If I cooperate?" The pitch sank in her voice, defeated.</p> <p>"You get a bracelet with a tracker, and a week to get your shit together before you report for debrief."</p> <p>Carissa chewed on the inside of her cheek. <span style="color:red"><em>Cooperate or die. Why was it always cooperate or die? Why couldn't it ever be cooperate or ruin your reputation, cooperate or we beat you up until you agree? Nobody was melodramatic anymore. M would raise her and kill her all over again if she died. That wasn't even considering what Artemis would do.</em></span></p> <p>"Fine." The thing screamed again, and she staggered slightly. "But I need a distraction and that thing to stop fucking screaming."</p> <p>"We'll take care of it."</p> <p>"Good. And stay the fuck out of my way." She tossed the walkie back to the private.</p> <p>She could feel the scranton field's effects, and the boundaries of it. He wasn't lying, getting out would be impossible. Thankfully, they seemed to be smart enough to limit it to a dome instead of a constant field.</p> <p>She glanced back and the scrawny man was hastily beating a retreat down the stairs.</p> <p>She held a hand out and that silvery sheen appeared again where her finger touched. The rifle slid back in with a sort of slurping motion, her eyes never leaving the monstrous titan. She pulled out an ornate bow, glimmering with trim and distorting the air around it with thaumaturgic aura.</p> <p>She was going to do this the old-fashioned way.</p> <p>It was right about then that a triplet of radar guided 16-inch shells slammed into the Nuckelavee.</p> <hr/> <p>The shells came in screaming like a peregrine falcon towards its prey. Everyone present knew that they'd do absolutely nothing to 3456, but the sheer awesomeness of the largest guns in existence, and the burst of thaumic lightning discharged from the shells made one hell of a lightshow.</p> <p>"Open fire!" Silus ordered with a gesture of his hand, he looked around but could not see Jacobs. Their guns blazed to life, bullets smacking off the skin of the horrible centaur like its skin was made of rubber. Great sweeping bone claws tilled the ground, whipping towards their positions with astonishing speed. They dove out of the way and for a brief second he saw Jacob ragdoll into the trees when his bush was upended.</p> <p>"Remind me why we got this close, Silus!" Jane yelled into her commset over the roar of small arms fire and the screeching of another set of inbound shells slamming into the monster.</p> <p>She rolled back onto her feet and took several more shots but the intervening moments had, to noone's surprise, not made it any less impervious to their bullets. It thrashed and stomped its hooves as it recoiled and recovered from the blasts. An RPG roared through the air, smashing into the things face and causing it to tilt back ever so slightly.</p> <p>The creature whirred around and Recon 2's position evaporated before Smith's eyes.</p> <p>"Need to hold its attention unt-" They dived out of the way again as the claws came back.</p> <p>The world seemed to slow down for a moment, and as Silus, Jane and the rest of Recon 1 dived, Carissa 'Starshooter' Decimus ran between them, straight at that terrible thing.</p> <p>A brilliant bow, unlike anything any of them had ever seen, rose up aiming at the wrist. It burned with an arrow made of pure thaumaturgic brilliance. He could see the muscles of her back flexing as she drew that beautiful thing back. It was a sight he was never going to forget.</p> <p>In rapid succession she fired three arrows, the first pierced into the creatures wrist, a blossom of white hot fire, and sudden dense vines streaming outwards wrapping and coiling and bending the horribly unnatural wrist into a sloped position. The second and third arrows arced towards the arm, vanished and then reappeared, streaking into the Nuckelavees throats, both horse and rider. They struck home and burst into green searing flames, as the flesh boiled, bulged, and then popped in horrible fashion, vocal chords disintegrating. Flesh and blood rained down, though it distinctly seemed to curve around Carissa.</p> <p>Recon 1 watched in stunned disbelief as Carissa made a ladder out of arrows.</p> <hr/> <p><span style="color:red"><em>A fucking battleship. They brought a fucking battleship just in case I didn't cooperate.</em></span> There was a smirk of glee on her lips as she hopped onto the wrist, bow drawn. "It must be my nameday!" she said aloud.</p> <p>She fired arrows in studded patterns, searing the flesh of the nightmare as they struck home. "One." She counted out loud, leaping, vanishing, and then reappearing on the first arrow, one leg supporting her weight. "Two. Three. Four. Five." Again and again she leaped and vanished reappearing, dodging the flailing free arm as it tried to slap her like a mosquito. It was too slow. She was too fast.</p> <p>Her boots found purchase on disgustingly, squishy flesh as she landed on the thing's horribly horse body. Her ears pivoted, three more shells were coming in. "Tell them to stop firing a fucking battleship at me!" Carissa yelled down at the Jailers who were staring at her stupified. <span style="color:red"><em>Idiots!</em></span> She didn't stop to see if they did, neatly and barely jumping over the flailing arm as the torso spun around like a merry-go-round off the safety settings. There was a rather sickening noise as the thing dislocated its shoulder to try to reach her. Another arrow nocked and fired as she twirled in the air like a ballerina. The arrow blossomed, growing immense in size by rapidly ossifying as it screeched through the air, nailing the Nuckelavee's hand down to the dirt with a very large bone spear.</p> <p><span style="color:red"><em>Vital points are in the base of the torso, the base of the skull and braincase of the horse, chest of the torso and the head of the torso.</em></span> The creature writhed and bucked, trying desperately to break free of its restraints as Carissa landed, rolled, sprung up like a cat, and ran. She was real glad the bow didn't need physical arrows, she'd run out quickly otherwise. With a twang of the string the arrow flew, burrowing into the base of the torso and severing the vital spinal interchange.</p> <p>The creature screamed silently, the once human torso losing all cohesion of movement with the horse. Two separate nervous systems now.</p> <p>The math and physics were already running in her brain. Now would be the worst time for her to fail to account for the spin of the Earth, it's motion around the sun, and in turn the motion around the galactic center. She would, preferably, like to not end up a part of the ground or floating in orbit.</p> <p>She jumped, vanished and reappeared over the horse's head. Two arrows, one flying straight towards the point where skull met spine, the other at the brain case. The first became a glittering green blaze of fire that smashed into the base of the skull, melting the transparent flesh down to the bone, which too began to liquify. The other spun rapidly through the air, sheathing through flesh and bone. The horse gave a single shudder, and tilted, starting to fall.</p> <p>Carissa landed, turned, and fired another arrow, it rippled and vanished midair, reappeared as an enormous lance of green fire, piercing the torsos' chest. She turned, as the shells came screeching in, held out a finger. For those on the ground… it seemed as if she were greeting death itself. The shells vanished in a moment of blinding light when they contacted her fingers. The Nuckelavee's human head bulged, writhed, swelled, and then burst in an explosion of lightning and metal and gore as bloody chunks of flesh rained down on the tropical forest. She walked almost casually over to the side of the torso as the whole thing tipped over, giving a slight hop to get up onto the formerly vertical now quickly becoming horizontal surface. She looked down at the stunned Jailers.</p> <p>Her lips were pulled down into a deep frown, teeth slightly bared, and her eyes narrowed.</p> <p>"Next time, get your thumbs out of your asses and stop the artillery before I'm on top, assholes!"</p> <hr/> <p>It took a grand total of about a minute for Decimus to bring 3456 down. Less than a tenth of the time the events at Micronesia unfolded. Silus Smith surveyed the carnage with something approaching… respect. Not quite admiration. Not quite loathing. Somewhere inbetween.</p> <p>The surviving members of Recon 1, 3 and 2 milled about, securing any surviving scholars. There weren't many, the camp was in tattered ruins. The Wizards were all dead. Either having been killed by 3456 or having offed themselves. Really horrible, they'd burned themselves alive, with signs of wounds from that monster just barely visible from the charring. Wong was heaving his lunch up in one of the bushes, the other team members weren't holding up much better.</p> <p>"Captain," came the muted and husky voice of Jacobs, as he stumbled out of the brush. Silus turned to look at the sixth member of his team just in time to watch three arrows pierce Jacobs in the skull, chest, and neck. He crumpled like a house of cards. Furious, Silus turned, sidearm drawn and prepared to shoot her if she was still there. The reality was if she truly was about to kill them all, even with the scranton anchor in place, there wasn't a damn thing they could do to stop her from mopping the floor with them.</p> <p>But to his surprise she was still there, looking at the sidearm aimed straight at her skull. Her mouth was curled down in a frown, eyes fully open but grim and pensive in the lighting. "Shoot me if you want mate, but take a gander at the poor wanker first. I did you a favor."</p> <p>Her tone, grim expression, and lack of you know, planting arrows in all their skulls made him pause. He turned to look back at Jacobs. A huge gash from the claws of the creature bubbled around the edges of his flesh. His skin looked like it had been peeling away and there were nodules of odd growths around the hips and spine. Silus put his side arm away, reached down and closed the man's eyes.</p> <p>"Does that… always happen?" he asked. He should feel something. A man he was responsible for just fucking bit it. But he didn't. The medics were going to tell him later it was shock.</p> <p>"No. Just with the expanders. They're the worst." The response was detached now, emotionless. "If there are other wounded, you should deal with them quickly."</p> <p>3456's body was already starting to dissolve, and it stunk worse than a clogged septic system that had been percolating for 15 years without being emptied.</p> <p>"Thanks? I think," he responded. This was not how this day was supposed to go. Only two members of Recon 2 were left. Jacobs was gone. And Recon 3 had lost three guys as well. This was worse than Micronesia. He tapped the communicator and then his watch. "Give it about 15 minutes, and the scranton field will be down."</p> <p>She waved off the thanks. "I cost you lives. You owe me nothing." Before Silus could respond, she walked off.</p> <p>"I think I liked it better when we were shooting at each other," Jane said, coming up and resting her elbow on his shoulder.</p> <p>"After that? I never want to be shooting at her again."</p> <p>"Oh I don't know, I had fun watching," Jane said with a motion of her hand. "Well, until I saw Jacobs."</p> <p>"Would you like me to set up a sniper duel between the two of you, Jane?" The humor was a welcome distraction. Morbid, but welcome.</p> <p>"You can't tease a girl with a good time like that Silus." Her lips curled into a cheshire cat grin. "Jokes aside, how are you holding up?"</p> <p>"Plans never survive first contact, Jane. They never do. I'll be fine."</p> <p>"I've known you long enough to know that you need a drink."</p> <p>"Maybe," he said with a sigh, wiping the sweat off his brow from the heat. He could hear the helicopters coming in for extract.</p> <p>"I swindled a bottle of Bardstown?"</p> <p>"One day, you are going to be the death of me."</p> <p>"Only the death of your liver." She put her arm around his shoulder and they walked off towards the choppers.</p> <hr/> <p><span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 2rem"><strong>Koekohe Beach, South Island, New Zealand. Present</strong></span></p> <p>Carissa on her back, huffs in air. Her limbs feel like jelly, naked and bare body exposed on the sheets. M lays next to her, her lips crinkled upwards, eyes half-hooded and full of warm affection, arms wrapped around her.</p> <p>"How much are you exaggerating the kill?" she teases gently, kissing her neck and prompting another noise from her partner.</p> <p>Carissa rolls onto her side, and sweeps M up in her arms with an aggressive growl. "If anything I was being modest," she protests. "The third shell in that salvo was one hell of a bitch to shift through reality without a point of contact."</p> <p>"Large items always are," M says, pressing her lips to Carissa's for a flashpoint kiss, before pulling back and resting forehead to forehead, nose to nose. "They're getting generous though, letting you walk away like that with only this," she says indicating the bracelet still on Carissa's wrist which she gently pulls on, and lets snap back into place.</p> <p>"Yeah well, this all could still be a trap," Carissa says basking in the warmth and radiance of M.</p> <p>"It could be, that's true. I'll prepare some contingencies just in case," her voice is softening. Affectionate and warm. "We both knew our time with the Hand wouldn't last forever. We were only ever a tool for them. Without Moose they might try to kill us, or completely cast us out."</p> <p>"What? Why would they do anything so stupid?" she looks at M like she was talking nonsense. "We'll be spurned by it if we go through with this. Are you sure you want to give up all that knowledge?"</p> <p>"I've told you this several times Carissa, The Hand never trusted us. We were outsiders to them, remember? Moose was the only one who would give us an in. Maybe that should've been the first red flag." M gives her a crinkled smile. "Lover, I have spent so many lifetimes in those shelves that even Moose would be astonished at the secrets I keep. The Library ran out of material, outside of the archives, that I was looking for some time ago. I would have to find a way around being locked out of the Archives." M kisses her again softly.</p> <p>Carissa breaks the kiss "So what, we were never part of the hand? Wait, you were never allowed in the archives?" She pauses and then laughs softly. "Voracious as ever." A pause as she considers. "You want to see if the Jailers have the secret you need? Or do you just want all their secrets." The realization washing across her face in the form of a smirk.</p> <p>"Yes and yes. It has to do with our souls, I'm fairly sure. And of course I want their secrets love."</p> <p>"You and Moose, ever peas in a pod." Carissa teases. <span style="color:red"><em>Well fuck the hand then I guess. And the Library too while they were at it.</em></span></p> <p>"Moose is a magician my dear. Only ever as useful as their tricks. I am a sorcerer."</p> <p>"A very cute sorcerer," Carissa teases back, kissing her softly.</p> <p>She thinks about it a little more as their lips locked together, tongues dancing. <span style="color:red"><em>What exactly has Moose done? What have they sacrificed to bring us along.</em></span></p> <p>After a moment M breaks the kiss. "How dare you impugn me with such petty descriptions. I think, my dear kitty, I'm going to have to show you just how glorious I am," she pronounces, barely controlling her laughter.</p> <p>"Took you long enough, I've been waiting all night!" Carissa rolls over, pinning M to the bed with a playful growl.</p> <hr/> <p><span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 2rem"><strong>Site 212A, Northern Scotland, United Kingdom. Present</strong></span></p> <p>Carissa and M surrender themselves at a location in the very far north of Scotland. It is raining, thunder audible in the distance.</p> <p>Neither of them are particularly surprised by the quantity of guards escorting them into a surprisingly not drab building, they actually hired a real architect! Not like that one time she was sent to bust out a few wizards. Maybe they had actually taken the "You should really consider not playing into the stereotype of Jailers if you want to avoid being seen that way!" taunt she'd thrown at a few guards seriously. Look at her, she was having material impact on the world.</p> <p>Carissa is dressed in jeans, a button up plaid top wearing knee high boots. She might as well look her best.</p> <p>M on the other hand is in the fullness of her glory, bespectacled purple flowing robes, lace and satin pants and shirt with a glimmery cape. She, mostly, kept the hood up. She always did in public. Her own boots, black to Carissa's brown, clicked on the tile as they were walked down a fairly decently decorated hallway with shelves and small tables.</p> <p>They make the guards nervous. Of course they do. The guards know who they are. They have reputations, reputations to be proud of. Or terrified of, if you were on the opposing end of the stick.</p> <p>A door is opened, and they are ushered into a small spartan room, with what is clearly a one way window. Water is provided, and they are asked to sit. And then the guards leave.</p> <p>And they wait.</p> <p>Wait.</p> <p>And wait.</p> <p>Carissa rests her leg against M's. M in turn rests her head on Carissa's shoulder.</p> <p>They are both starting to nod off when the door finally opens and a fiery haired woman with a sense of purpose and authority about her walks in. Carissa's eyes dart to her, as do M's.</p> <p>She is pretty, very pretty with sculpted features and the way that the lights gleam off her hair and face. And the baton on her belt flags her as dangerous for someone wearing as casual attire as she is.</p> <p>She closes the folder, and takes the chair opposite of them. The folder is neatly set down on the table. M sits up, but does not move her leg away from Carissa's.</p> <p>"Hello Carissa and M. My name is Dr. Sherry Andrews." A smile "Obviously we greatly appreciate you cooperating and coming in under your own power. I'm the one who signed and approved the orders for your amnesty and reemployment offers with us. We can talk details about the contracts we'll be offering you, and we have some specific questions about the condition your Handler came to us in. But in the interest of transparency we need to confirm one piece of information, and ask you to disclose another."</p> <p>"Alright," Carissa says, glancing at M, her lips curving down slightly. This might be the trap. <span style="color:red"><em>Condition? What the hell does that mean? What did Moose do.</em></span></p> <p>"If that's what it takes to move us forward." M looks utterly unperturbed beneath her robe, though it is somewhat difficult to tell what she is truly feeling based on the shadows concealing her face. Carissa could see the tensing of muscles beneath the fabrics, and that is enough to tell her that M's thoughts are running in the same direction.</p> <p>"Excellent. First of all, I need you to confirm your true names. Or titles, as I am told is the better word for you," Sherry says to Carissa specifically.</p> <p>M draws down her hood. "<a href="/medea-filicidium">Medea of Colchis</a>, first among sorceresses," she says, tilting her chin up, to meet the third woman's eyes.</p> <p>"Atalanta of Arcadia, huntress of Artemis," Carissa says, with a bit of disdain in her voice at the title.</p> <p>"Good. Now, take your time with this next one." Sherry pauses, opens the folder to glance at it again. Her brow knits with some unspecified emotion that Carissa can't read.</p> <p>"When did you become aware of <span class="text-blur">Hecate</span> and <span class="text-blur">Artemis'</span> fusion with your souls?"</p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-false earthworm--old-syntax-last-false earthworm--old-syntax-hub-yes {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="SCP-8710 This Goddess Kills Fascists"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8710">SCP-8710 This Goddess Kills Fascists</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="Seas of Orcadia Hub"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/seas-of-orcadia-hub">Seas of Orcadia Hub</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="Medea Filicidium"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/medea-filicidium">Medea Filicidium</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="footnotes-footer"> <div class="title">Footnotes</div> <div class="footnote-footer" id="footnote-1"><a href="javascript:;" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.utils.scrollToReference('footnoteref-1')">1</a>. Ontokinetic shift detected, name no longer consistent with baseline measures. Altering presentation.</div> </div> <hr/> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea">Swallowed by a PRIDEful, Lesbian Sea</a>" by DrBleep, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea">https://scpwiki.com/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Carissa.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/amai-ixchel" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(6506049); return false;"><img alt="Amai-Ixchel" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=6506049&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735842732" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=6506049)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/amai-ixchel" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(6506049); return false;">Amai-Ixchel</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea">SCP Foundation Wiki</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> Medea.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/amai-ixchel" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(6506049); return false;"><img alt="Amai-Ixchel" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=6506049&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735842732" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=6506049)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/amai-ixchel" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(6506049); return false;">Amai-Ixchel</a></span><br/> <strong>License:</strong> CC BY-SA 3.0<br/> <strong>Source Link:</strong> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea">SCP Foundation Wiki</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:oceanbound">:scp-wiki:theme:oceanbound</a>]] [[include <a href="/component:preview">component:preview</a> text=She was going to do this the old-fashioned way. It was right about then that a triplet of radar guided 16-inch shells slammed into the Nuckelavee.]] [[module css]] :root { --body-font: 'Noto Sans Cuneiform', 'Inter', 'Arial', sans-serif; --header-height: clamp(10rem,55vmin,40rem); --header-image: url("https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/medea-filicidium/banner.jpg"); --footer-image: url("https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/seas-of-orcadia-hub/Artemis.png"); } #footer, #extrac-div-1, #extrac-div-1 span { background-image: var(--footer-image); background-size: 100vmax; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: bottom; height: clamp(10rem,55vmin,30rem); background-repeat: no-repeat; } #extra-div-1 { background-position: top; } .text-blur { filter: blur(.175rem); } [[/module]] [[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="/component:image-block">component:image-block</a> name=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea/Carissa.jpg\|caption=Carissa Decimus]] [[/div]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] ⚠️ Content warning: This article contains graphic depictions of violence, some sexual references and allusion to sexual acts. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-cw">:scp-wiki:component:info-cw</a>]] [[span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 2rem"]]Koekohe Beach, South Island, New Zealand. Present[[/span]] "Are you sure this is the best idea?" M asks. "I'm open to alternative suggestions," Carissa Decimus says, gesturing with one hand while leaning back on the other. Her maroon-colored locks catch the mood lighting of the room, gleaming. A pair of large, tufted feline ears part the curls, swiveling to and fro as M moves about. "But the Hand? It's done." [[=]] [[=image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea/Carissa.jpg style="width:430px;"]] [[/=]] M, a lithe and lanky figure with brown hair dyed purple at the ends, paused in her sifting through one of their trunks. The little points of her sylvan-like ears poke out between the strands. The seaside cottage was quiet, the sound of distant waves gently crashing against the sand the only noise breaking the silence. [[=]] [[image https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/medea-filicidium/Medea.jpg style="width:430px;"]] [[/=]] "Done? Just like that? Carissa, do not be silly." She half turns to look at Carissa, lilac eyes regarding her. "Centuries of work for the Library, endless magical resources and they are done?" Gods above, Carissa loves her voice. The light and airy tone undercut by a layer of sultry that was so natural it would have made Aphrodite herself quiver. Every time they are apart, she is deathly afraid that she is going to forget it. "They got to Moose[[footnote]]Ontokinetic shift detected, name no longer consistent with baseline measures. Altering presentation.[[/footnote]], so that might as well be the end of the Hand in my eyes." Carissa's yellow slits meet the gaze with affection and warmth. "Ah. That will do some damage but Moose is not the end all be all of the Hand." She turns to the chest again. "How did they get to them?" "How do you think?" Carissa said with a tiny hint of snark. She flicks the tuft at the end of her long and sinewy tail. "Knowledge?" M asks, turning back to Carissa. Her search abandoned, she walks over, sitting next to her huntress. The little lines on her face crease in concentration. She puts a finger in her mouth and then reaches out and wipes Carissa's cheek. An unseen cut on her cheek stung with the motion. "You are hurt." "It's just a cut. A richochet grazed me." Carissa pauses, the touch and feel of her fingers sparking that deep, old flame in her chest. A flame that had burned so long she couldn't remember when it hadn't been there. Her fingers twitched, as she bit back the urge to kiss her there and then. "Bribery with knowledge. According to the Jailers at least." "Bribery? Really." M stills, having produced a cloth from somewhere in her robes and a vial of something else. Her eyes narrow in thought. "They spurned the Library for that? That seems shortsighted. Are you sure?" "Well, no. But I think Moose saw the writing on the wall either way. With the Jailers, it was inevitable." Carissa winces as the love of her life dabs at her cheek. "Either something systemic is coming, or there is much we don't know." M pauses considering wording. "Nothing is inevitable. As J. found out dramatically." She draws back, and pulls a bandaid with, irritatingly, cartoonish cat faces from one of those Japanese children's shows, out. Carissa dodges the first attempt to put that hideous thing on her face. [[span style="color:red"]]//Not today cacodemon!//[[/span]] "J," Carissa says, dodging the second attempt as her partner's lips twist up in a playful smile. "Was an idiot, an asshole, and deserved every single thing you did to him." M presses her hand into Carissa's chest, pushing her back and down onto the bed. She tries to wiggle out of it, but she doesn't really mean it and M is stronger than she used to be. "J. was a sociopath and a coward. But I have to hand it to him, he was clever. Only... hubris. Hubris always seemed to have a way of coming for our peers." M says looming over her. "You do not under any circumstances have to 'hand it to him' about anything." Carissa pauses. "Our peers weren't particularly bright. Besides, that's what happens when you throw someone overboard to die, spike a girls' drink with love potions, and then betray the mother of your children to elope with some half-her-age princess? You're going to get fucked up by someone. Frankly, I think you didn't go far enough in your revenge." "Yes well, they spurned him too so he is probably languishing in the very deepest depths." After two further attempts, she finally gets the kitty bandage on Carissa's cheek. "Ah yeah but I wasn't there to see any of it," Carissa fires back, grinning now at the woman sitting on her legs, looming above her. M's scent is full of alchemical sweetness. Aphrodisiacs. M cups her cheek. Her fingers were soft, delicate and unworked from a life of magecraft. "You'll have to tell me about how you got out of //that predicament//. You never did talk about it." "Maybe I'll reward you with that if you make my head swim," Carissa says, smirking up at M. M laughs. "Right now I want you to tell me about Fiji. Or rather I want you to scream about it." She presses down and kisses Carissa, one hand working on unbuttoning her pants. After a second, the kiss breaks, Carissa sucking in breath, as pants and panties come off. M moved down kissing the huntress' chest and torso. "Well it started with a Jai-" Her hands moved to tangle in M's hair as words stuttered out and stopped and started. "Cat got your tongue?" comes the teasing response below. "Started with Jailers hmmm?" "Started with a sudden assignment from Moose. Emerge-" A shudder ran through her, her breaths heavy. "Emergency. In-incursion by Jailers. Sent me to Fij-" Carissa's breath catches in her throat and she squeals so loud a lightbulb nearby cracks. ------ [[span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 2rem"]]The Library. The Past[[/span]] The never-ending shelves of the Library stretched on forever as Carissa navigated the aisles, her boots clicking on the tiled floors. The lighting was low, focused at the ground level, the ceiling an incandescent sea of stars that flowed on forever in every conceivable direction. Archivists, bookkeepers, and docents milled about. One stepped in front of her to offer a book on Archery. Annoyed, but cognizant of not wanting to piss off the librarians, Carissa politely took it, navigated to the section she was fairly sure it belonged too, and placed it back on the shelf. [[span style="color:red"]]//I don't need any books on archery, stupid magic constructs.//[[/span]] The Library liked her a little //too// much. Exactly why 'her' was unclear. Perhaps it was because she was almost exclusively here with M or Moose. Begrudgingly, she didn't mind it most of the time. They'd at least brought her an interesting romantic series once. The series of mythological works though... The shelves, particularly the finely carved and masterfully melded together wood, reminded her of a never-ending forest. She looked at the note, hastily scribbled in Moose's fine calligraphy, a combination of words that should never really be possible, reading what it said. [[span style="color:red"]]//Unlike Moose to hastily scribble anything.//[[/span]] > [[span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 1.2rem"]]Come to me as soon as possible. I have a task of import, of secrecy. ~Tilda[[/span]] [[span style="color:red"]]//I can't stand it when they're cryptic.//[[/span]] Moose loved puzzles and mysteries. They had an obnoxious habit of inserting riddles and rhymes to the people they liked. Carissa guessed she qualified, though when that happened she didn't know. None of that particularly mattered at the moment, she knew where they'd be. Where does a magician most love to spend their time in a Library? Magic section you might say at first? You'd be close. Carissa stepped into the section of the Library devoted wholly to charletans, illusionists, deceptions, tricks and veils, schemes, and magicians. A place of moving walls, twisting aisles, and false mirrors that //looked// like aisles. [[span style="color:red"]]//I hate this section.//[[/span]] She bristled and entered. Moose could be anywhere within; they never sat in the same place when they were here, and they weren't always here even when they implied they were. Turn one way, run straight into a mirror. She'd turn the other, and the shelves had closed off. Walked back down to take another, and the vertigo made her stomach twinge. [[span style="color:red"]]//I fucking hate this place.//[[/span]] She seethed. It was after about 30 minutes that she found Moose sitting in an armchair in one of the reading sections. Tilda D. Moose was not at all what you might expect. Short brown hair, a simple red pantsuit, and the face of someone who'd been stuck at middle age for a hundred years. In a word, Moose looked like an administrator. Some bureaucrat who was very much sucked into a world of magic and wonder. And yet... at the same time Carissa was unable to deny that they belonged here. It was the eyes, the way the brown lit up with glee at even the slightest hint of a new piece of knowledge or mystery. The way she could never tell what the hell was going on in Tilda's head. Tilda was the closest thing that the Hand at current had to a leader. Or at least what Carissa thought of as a leader; M disagreed with her about whether or not the Hand would fall apart without Moose. Cells talked to them when they needed something done. They talked to Carissa and M. Carissa guessed the trio of them were their own cell; Moose intelligence and bridging, M theory and magecraft, Carissa security and enforcement. Not that M and Moose didn't seem to frequently swap roles. Or that M wasn't capable of enforcement herself. But they both preferred to leave that avenue to Carissa. "Carissa," they said with a slightly higher level of excitement than normal. "My favorite huntress in all of eternity!" That was certainly a new one. Moose's interest was rarely anything more than passing. Casual disinterest on average. Carissa was immediately suspicious, that is until she caught the whiff of alcohol on their breath. [[span style="color:red"]]//Ah. That was it. They'd been drinking.//[[/span]] That was much less surprising. Moose only drank or partook of mind-altering substances under three separate circumstances. 1. They had made a stunning breakthrough in uncovering secret knowledge and were celebrating. 2. They were trying to make a stunning breakthrough and were using mind altering states to approach the problem from a different angle. 3. They were depressed. Judging by the cheer in their voice, it was #1 today. "Oh no no, don't sit," they said. "Don't sit. We won't be long. I have a task for you." Tersely, Carissa replied, "Yes, your note implied as much." [[span style="color:red"]]//If this is another fetch quest for some long forgotten relic, that turns out to be a children's toy, so help me Moose.//[[/span]] "I need you to go to Fiji," they said simply, cooly, suddenly all business. The switch was so fast if Carissa had blinked she would have missed the immediate change in the way Moose sat up in their chair, their lips pursing and lines of focus on their face. "Fiji? Again?" Carissa asked. She'd just been there a few weeks ago, clearing out some troll-like fae creatures that popped out of a cairn that turned out to contain a Way. They were causing chaos with the local cell. "Fiji. Again," Moose confirmed. "The Foun- erm, the Jailers are attempting to locate a landing spot as we speak." They sipped. "They were spotted an hour ago, 30 km out and inbound." Carissa blinked, ignoring the slipup. "An hour ago! Why didn't you call me sooner!?" "Oh, I was in a meeting, and only just got out..." They check their watch. "35 minutes ago. You know how time moves differently between here and the material plane." Carissa scowled. "Any intelligence on where they are landing, composition? Support assets?" A pause. "And would it kill you to give me assignments like this with an appropriate amount of setup time? I've been asking you this for years and its always the same." "Mmmm, no I'm afraid not. The head of that cell's security, dunce of a thaumaturge I must say, was in somewhat of a panic and didn't bother." They paused as they considered Carissa's request. "I'll consider it if you get me that request in writing." The lack of intelligence between cells was, more or less, typical for a group of magic terrorists who weren't really terrorists but nerds and geeks with no military experience or organization. It drove Carissa mad. "You're sure it's Fiji and not some confused mistranslation?" She ignored the in writing bit. Moose never adhered to things in writing. In fact if you gave it to them in writing they were even more likely not to do it. Or at least, that's how it was when Carissa did anything like that. Moose seemed perfectly happy to accommodate M. "Carissa, would I ever lie to you?" Moose said innocently. "Yes. Yes you would," Carissa said with confidence. "If it provided an interesting puzzle for me to figure out, an experiment you could test, you most certainly would lie to see the outcome." "Oooo, you wound me." "Chide me later. I'm off." "Carissa, one second," Moose said, rising. Carissa turned to face them. To her surprise, before she was fully turned, they hugged her with surprising speed. They patted her back. "Be safe and careful." [[span style="color:red"]]//Ok now the alcohol is just making them weird.//[[/span]] "I have not said this to you before and I will forever regret it if I don't now, but you matter." [[span style="color:red"]]//What the hell!?//[[/span]] They held there for an excruciatingly long moment, a mixture of confusion and repulsion at being touched washing across Carissa's face. After far too long, she wiggled out of Moose's grip, dusted herself off, and promptly vanished without a word. To save her dignity, you understand. ------ [[span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 2rem"]] Viti Levu 2, Fiji. The Past [[/span]] The feline-aligned woman stepped from thin air, every molecule and atom realigning and reconnecting as if someone were piecing her back together cell by cell. Her boots crunched on the beach as she looked around. The shimmer of the shielding dome glimmered every now and then overhead like a false stadium ceiling. The math was routine. Always was. She'd not really had an issue since the Carrington event. Solar storms tended to cause issues. There was often a reason that Carissa was sent by Moose anywhere. That reason, at face value was rather simple. Carissa was, perhaps, the best damn shot the Hand had ever seen. Maybe even the best shot that anyone had ever seen. There was a rumor running around the hand that she had, in fact, shot a star out of the sky, earning her the title 'Starshooter'. It was a meteorite but she wasn't going to actually tell anyone that. Once again, she'd been called on to handle a Jailer incursion. "Rifle… or bow," she said to herself over the crash and roll of the Pacific sliding over the sand. She reached her hand out, a strange shimmer of silver the size of two dinner plates in radius spreading out from a point in the air that her pointer finger touched. Her hand immersed and vanished into it as if it was viscous liquid. A moment later she pulled her arm back out and the beautifully maintained form of an anti-material rifle drew out slowly. She swung the rifle strap over her shoulder, and held it in both hands, barrel pointed slightly down. She walked away from the tide, from the shoreline, and inwards. Viti Levu 2, very cleverly named by European explorers, was only populated by a cell of researchers and scholars. There was a Way here. Not one of the usual Ways, natural pathways to nexuses like the Library. It was artificial. That made it interesting. Interesting was always dangerous and bad. Things built by the Finned ones were also dangerous and bad. Combine them, and you got a very interesting thing, and the Jailers really liked very interesting things. The Way itself was built into a cairn, made of huge monolithic stones. These were huge slabs of rock cut out of the ocean floor and dragged to the surface by the builders. A descending staircase led into a larger chamber decorated with runes and murals. Every curve, line and angle was carefully constructed, meticulously laid to take advantage of... something. Possibly ley-lines, but that wasn't Carissa's field. The far end of the chamber had an archway, the Way, strange and alien with a shimmering portal of constant interdimensional flux. The excavation site was bustling with the activity of the scholars, Carissa's eyes darted back and forth. Her fingers curled and uncurled impatiently as she looked for the wizard (they were always wizards, mages, artificers) that were here to defend the scholars. "What's the current status?" she said, to a man with the colors of a person who was in charge. The man turned to look at her, incredulously at first until he saw who exactly it was. "Ah! Ah, Decimus, it's good that you're here. That was fast." He looked like he wanted to dissect her. The eyes were the giveaway, cold and intrigued. The pursing of his lips indicated the oncoming possible barrage of questions. Carissa snapped a finger, rudely and impatiently. "Skip it. What's the situation we're looking at? Don't waste my time with flowery theories. Every second talking to you is another that I can spend finding the best spot to stop an incursion before it begins." Taken aback by Carissa's harsh tone, the wizard took a step back. "Jailers, three squads. Delta-7." "Transports? Direction?" [[span style="color:red"]]//Delta-7? Here, in the Pacific? The equinox must have already resolved.//[[/span]] She was not looking forward to facing Delta-7 again, especially if it was Recon. "Motorboats. They're circling in from the north." "I've not scouted that side much. What's the terrain like?" The north? They must not have a lot of intelligence. If they were smart they would have come the way Carissa did: a straight and flat approach to the camp. Any elevated ground behind would be hidden by tall coconut trees. "Hilly. We built a watch-tower and a dormitory in the more solid rock." [[span style="color:red"]]//Perfect.//[[/span]] "Get your people into safe positions. Keep your wizards in the trees. If they get in my way, it won't be good." She strolled past him and dematerialized and then promptly reappeared inside of the watch tower. She had only barely caught the tiniest bits of sound as he had started to blubber. [[span style="color:red"]]//I can't stand any mage but M. Waste of breath.//[[/span]] Hooking her binoculars off her belt she held them up to her face, lips pressed together so hard for a moment it seemed like they might pop off on their own. Three motorboats were already on the beach. US military issue, rubber dinghy types, powerful but quiet engines. Three groups of armed Jailers in tactical formation were advancing up the beach. [[span style="color:red"]]//Up to date semi-automatics.//[[/span]] Each group had six... except for the most forward group which had five. She could kill them all right now. It would be easy, but it would leave her open, they had a scout or a sniper somewhere. She swung the rifle strap off her shoulder and pulled, and yoinked the bipod struts down, and set the cannon, for that's what it really was, on the little table next to the windowsill to help her leverage the weight. The sun was in the west, and that meant her scope glint would be visible to a skilled marksman. She wasn't terribly thrilled about that, especially since she left her sunshade at home in the rush. Suddenly, she was torn from her thoughts by a shrill scream coming from the direction of the encampment. She swiveled her head, body turning cause she wasn't quite an owl and a full 180 would snap her neck. The motion probably saved her life. [[span style="color:red"]]//Shit, what now?//[[/span]] She heard the dull crack of a longbore sniper rifle. She heard the shot hit the wood of the watchtower. She felt the bullet ricochet off the wood, cut through her kinetic warping field, and cut across the flesh leaving a grazing gash under her cheek. The sniper had aimed for an indirect kill. "Oh," escaped her lips. [[span style="color:red"]]//Shit, must be the same op from Micronesia.//[[/span]] She dropped, a hand moving to her cheek, blood visible on her glove. The cut wasn't healing. Lovely, they'd figured out how to condense Achillean alloy into bullets, which meant they could cut through the kinetic warping field and disable her healing factor. This just got very bad. That scream came again, and something rose out of the trees where the camp was. Carissa's stomach flipped as she realized the Jailers were the least of her problems. ----- The three recon teams moved along the beach, Silus Smith was not particularly happy about their landing site, and even less happy about having a new member added to his team with so little notice. The shuffle of personnel after Micronesia had been, at best, an inconvenience, at worst, potentially catastrophic. He pointed two fingers to the left for Recon 2 and two fingers to the right for Recon 3. Fan out and use cover. Wong was on point, having scuttled forward to a piece of jutting stone. Dark hair just sticking out from under his helmet. "Hilly elevation, 200 meters. Wooden watchtower, about 300. Over." "You get that Jane?" Silus whispered into his radio. "I've got it, Silus, there's a few people up in the trees. Look like Hand. Type Blues." Jane focused through her sight scanning the tree line. She blended in near perfectly with the black rubber of the dingy beached on the shore. "I don't like this," Rugio said in his characteristic Brooklyn accent. "It's too quiet and they are expecting us." "Didn't have much of a choice, Balet. Approach from the east was a no-go, steep cliffs up to the shoreline." "You'd think we'd have more intel, this op has been in the work for weeks," Balet said. "Getting sick of volcanic islands." Ochev's blonde side cut wasn't visible under the helmet, but her thick Ukrainian accent cut through the comms like a machete. They advanced up to join Wong along the wall. "Balet, what do you need to bring the watchtower down?" Balet stuck his head up to get a quick glance with the binoculars. "Wood looks thick, imported. Probably thaumically reinforced knowing the Hand." A momentary pause. "A couple packs of C4, and maybe a little push on one side would bring it down. Three packs would be ideal. Would be a bigger show too." Before Silus could fully contemplate that Jane buzzed in over comms again. "Silus, I've got movement in the watchtower." A pause, followed by a series of curses. "Jane, what is it." He turned, to look back towards the dinghy, expecting to see Jane struggling with a jam. "Decimus." All 3 recon teams froze in place behind their cover. Cover that had just become absolutely useless. Silus' blood ran cold. "Down! Everyone get down and make yourselves invisible," Silus hissed. "Why hasn't she started shooting?" "Still setting up. I have a shot," Jane said confidently. "Well don't sit there jerking yourself off, take it." Jane smirked into the scope of her rifle and took the shot. And then there was an awful screaming noise. A horrible inhuman screech that rippled through the members of recon team, collective stomachs dropping. The smirk drained from her lips with the scream as, at the very last moment, her target turned away. The ricochet shot designed to avoid Decimus' anomaly, perfectly placed mere moments before to pierce the side of her skull and kill her instantly, instead found itself lazily kissing her cheek. She loved to flirt with danger. "Silus I fucked up my date!" Jane watched her opposed number drop out of sight. Trees rippled behind the watchtower, somewhere they didn't have eyes. A second screech ripped the air, followed by the horrified cries and screams of people in the distance. A figure rose above the tree lines. A skinless, undulating, all too familiar torso. "Least of our problems at the moment Jane. Handle your love life later." He stared at the monstrous tower of flesh, long lanky arms already starting to swing wildly and kick up sand and dirt and rock. "Again!?" Wong's mouth hung open in shock. "[[[SCP-3456\|3456]]]." Smith swore under his breath. "One of the Wizards must have stared at one." Jane folded the bipod and slung it over her shoulder. In a smooth motion she leaped out of the dinghy onto the sand and made a break for cover. It wasn't the smartest thing she'd ever done, but she was banking on Decimus being too distracted to pick her off. "Or worse," Balet said. "Or worse," Smith agreed. "Jacobs, stay close, do not veer on your own." Jane slid in next to them. "What's the plan, Silus," Jane said in a lower whisper as she kneeled next to him. "We can't kill it." "Well we've all seen it now. So if we leave, it's only a matter of time before it picks us off," He considered as the chaos continues in the distance. The creature was clearly taking it's time in dealing with the wizards. "We might not be able to kill it... but she could." Silus jerked his head up towards the tower. "You want us to work with //her!?//" Wong said in terrified disbelief. "After what happened with Kevins in Micronesia!?" "You got a better plan?" A moment of silence. "No? Well, that's our best shot. File your complaints later and lets move while it's distracted." A beep came in over his communicator. He glanced at it. //Interesting.// "We just got leverage, so let's make it happen recon!" 3456 bellowed again, and bursts of thaumaturgic discharge ramped up in the distance. ------ She cursed the inattention. She should have seen the glint of the scope in the dinghy. Of course it was the same sniper from Micronesia. Now she had to deal with the Jailers and a god damn Nuckelavee. [[span style="color:red"]]//Damn it, why did I wish for a challenge?//[[/span]] She rolled across the floor, rifle vanishing and reappearing right where she needed it too, and looked through the scope. It was not one of the small ones. Towering over the trees, it was at least 20 meters, maybe taller. It already had a scholar and a wizard in its hands. Poor fucking bastards. She lined up and fired two shots in quick succession — one flew true, while the other disappeared and rematerialized before the wizard's head. Two sprays of red hit the air as Carissa swiftly put two people out of their misery. She felt absolutely nothing about the act, the snuffing out of life. That feeling had died long ago. The Nuckelavee screamed, forcing her to take her hands off the rifle, and slam them over her ear canals. [[span style="color:red"]]//I fucking hate these things.//[[/span]] It momentarily looked her way before another blast of thaumic energy slammed into it and it screamed again. "Motherfucker!" She could feel a slight trickle of warmth from one ear. Any second the Jailers would be on her, and this thing was screaming like it was a bloody howler monkey. "Decimus!" Her head snapped up, then down peering down the steps of the watchtower. One of the Jailers had the gall to run up here. She swiveled quickly to take a shot, but the man in tactical gear lowered their weapon to the ground. [[span style="color:red"]]//What the bloody hell is this wanker doing?//[[/span]] "You looking to cark it Jailer, you should have stayed fucking home." "Truce!" the man said. He was shaking in his boots. She lowered the rifle, all too aware that every minute meant more were going to die. But this was just too stupid too believe. "What?" "Truce," he said again. "The Captain wants a truce." He indicated the walkie-talkie he had in his hand. She made a gesture for him to throw it. He did, it vanished midarc and reappeared in her hand. "Talk fast, Jailer," she hissed into the radio. "Truce to take that thing out. You and I both know that we don't have the weapons to kill it, but you do," he said. "Really? Then we can all go have a drink and be best mates after. Yeah nah mate. You'll turn around and shoot me, and then I'll be mince. What do you take me for, an egg?" She was tempted to throw the radio off the tower and shoot the Jailer standing there with his hands still up. But something in the tone of his voice... "You've been had, Decimus. Moose has flipped. We know everything." His voice was calm, and there was chatter in the background, people moving through undergrowth, and taking position. "Straight up?" She didn't have the slightest bit of reason to believe him. But they weren't storming her tower, they'd sent one scrawny little kid with a pea shooter up here. "Part of the negotiation was amnesty for you and a person named M. I'm under orders to bring you in alive." There was strain in his voice as if he strongly disagreed with it. "You and I both know we can hurt you now. As we speak, a disruption-class frigate with a scranton anchor is pulling into harbor off shore. So good luck teleporting." [[span style="color:red"]]//Moose. That two-timing yellow-bellied shrimp-shriveled snake in the grass cunt of a magician.//[[/span]] They had her dead to rights. [[span style="color:red"]]//I don't even know what to think about the bloody amnesty offer. Just one more spit in her face.//[[/span]] "If I refuse?" she spat out with venom. "The frigate levels your tower." She hated how calm his voice was. "If I cooperate?" The pitch sank in her voice, defeated. "You get a bracelet with a tracker, and a week to get your shit together before you report for debrief." Carissa chewed on the inside of her cheek. [[span style="color:red"]]//Cooperate or die. Why was it always cooperate or die? Why couldn't it ever be cooperate or ruin your reputation, cooperate or we beat you up until you agree? Nobody was melodramatic anymore. M would raise her and kill her all over again if she died. That wasn't even considering what Artemis would do.//[[/span]] "Fine." The thing screamed again, and she staggered slightly. "But I need a distraction and that thing to stop fucking screaming." "We'll take care of it." "Good. And stay the fuck out of my way." She tossed the walkie back to the private. She could feel the scranton field's effects, and the boundaries of it. He wasn't lying, getting out would be impossible. Thankfully, they seemed to be smart enough to limit it to a dome instead of a constant field. She glanced back and the scrawny man was hastily beating a retreat down the stairs. She held a hand out and that silvery sheen appeared again where her finger touched. The rifle slid back in with a sort of slurping motion, her eyes never leaving the monstrous titan. She pulled out an ornate bow, glimmering with trim and distorting the air around it with thaumaturgic aura. She was going to do this the old-fashioned way. It was right about then that a triplet of radar guided 16-inch shells slammed into the Nuckelavee. ----- The shells came in screaming like a peregrine falcon towards its prey. Everyone present knew that they'd do absolutely nothing to 3456, but the sheer awesomeness of the largest guns in existence, and the burst of thaumic lightning discharged from the shells made one hell of a lightshow. "Open fire!" Silus ordered with a gesture of his hand, he looked around but could not see Jacobs. Their guns blazed to life, bullets smacking off the skin of the horrible centaur like its skin was made of rubber. Great sweeping bone claws tilled the ground, whipping towards their positions with astonishing speed. They dove out of the way and for a brief second he saw Jacob ragdoll into the trees when his bush was upended. "Remind me why we got this close, Silus!" Jane yelled into her commset over the roar of small arms fire and the screeching of another set of inbound shells slamming into the monster. She rolled back onto her feet and took several more shots but the intervening moments had, to noone's surprise, not made it any less impervious to their bullets. It thrashed and stomped its hooves as it recoiled and recovered from the blasts. An RPG roared through the air, smashing into the things face and causing it to tilt back ever so slightly. The creature whirred around and Recon 2's position evaporated before Smith's eyes. "Need to hold its attention unt-" They dived out of the way again as the claws came back. The world seemed to slow down for a moment, and as Silus, Jane and the rest of Recon 1 dived, Carissa 'Starshooter' Decimus ran between them, straight at that terrible thing. A brilliant bow, unlike anything any of them had ever seen, rose up aiming at the wrist. It burned with an arrow made of pure thaumaturgic brilliance. He could see the muscles of her back flexing as she drew that beautiful thing back. It was a sight he was never going to forget. In rapid succession she fired three arrows, the first pierced into the creatures wrist, a blossom of white hot fire, and sudden dense vines streaming outwards wrapping and coiling and bending the horribly unnatural wrist into a sloped position. The second and third arrows arced towards the arm, vanished and then reappeared, streaking into the Nuckelavees throats, both horse and rider. They struck home and burst into green searing flames, as the flesh boiled, bulged, and then popped in horrible fashion, vocal chords disintegrating. Flesh and blood rained down, though it distinctly seemed to curve around Carissa. Recon 1 watched in stunned disbelief as Carissa made a ladder out of arrows. ---- [[span style="color:red"]]//A fucking battleship. They brought a fucking battleship just in case I didn't cooperate.//[[/span]] There was a smirk of glee on her lips as she hopped onto the wrist, bow drawn. "It must be my nameday!" she said aloud. She fired arrows in studded patterns, searing the flesh of the nightmare as they struck home. "One." She counted out loud, leaping, vanishing, and then reappearing on the first arrow, one leg supporting her weight. "Two. Three. Four. Five." Again and again she leaped and vanished reappearing, dodging the flailing free arm as it tried to slap her like a mosquito. It was too slow. She was too fast. Her boots found purchase on disgustingly, squishy flesh as she landed on the thing's horribly horse body. Her ears pivoted, three more shells were coming in. "Tell them to stop firing a fucking battleship at me!" Carissa yelled down at the Jailers who were staring at her stupified. [[span style="color:red"]]//Idiots!//[[/span]] She didn't stop to see if they did, neatly and barely jumping over the flailing arm as the torso spun around like a merry-go-round off the safety settings. There was a rather sickening noise as the thing dislocated its shoulder to try to reach her. Another arrow nocked and fired as she twirled in the air like a ballerina. The arrow blossomed, growing immense in size by rapidly ossifying as it screeched through the air, nailing the Nuckelavee's hand down to the dirt with a very large bone spear. [[span style="color:red"]]//Vital points are in the base of the torso, the base of the skull and braincase of the horse, chest of the torso and the head of the torso.//[[/span]] The creature writhed and bucked, trying desperately to break free of its restraints as Carissa landed, rolled, sprung up like a cat, and ran. She was real glad the bow didn't need physical arrows, she'd run out quickly otherwise. With a twang of the string the arrow flew, burrowing into the base of the torso and severing the vital spinal interchange. The creature screamed silently, the once human torso losing all cohesion of movement with the horse. Two separate nervous systems now. The math and physics were already running in her brain. Now would be the worst time for her to fail to account for the spin of the Earth, it's motion around the sun, and in turn the motion around the galactic center. She would, preferably, like to not end up a part of the ground or floating in orbit. She jumped, vanished and reappeared over the horse's head. Two arrows, one flying straight towards the point where skull met spine, the other at the brain case. The first became a glittering green blaze of fire that smashed into the base of the skull, melting the transparent flesh down to the bone, which too began to liquify. The other spun rapidly through the air, sheathing through flesh and bone. The horse gave a single shudder, and tilted, starting to fall. Carissa landed, turned, and fired another arrow, it rippled and vanished midair, reappeared as an enormous lance of green fire, piercing the torsos' chest. She turned, as the shells came screeching in, held out a finger. For those on the ground... it seemed as if she were greeting death itself. The shells vanished in a moment of blinding light when they contacted her fingers. The Nuckelavee's human head bulged, writhed, swelled, and then burst in an explosion of lightning and metal and gore as bloody chunks of flesh rained down on the tropical forest. She walked almost casually over to the side of the torso as the whole thing tipped over, giving a slight hop to get up onto the formerly vertical now quickly becoming horizontal surface. She looked down at the stunned Jailers. Her lips were pulled down into a deep frown, teeth slightly bared, and her eyes narrowed. "Next time, get your thumbs out of your asses and stop the artillery before I'm on top, assholes!" ------- It took a grand total of about a minute for Decimus to bring 3456 down. Less than a tenth of the time the events at Micronesia unfolded. Silus Smith surveyed the carnage with something approaching... respect. Not quite admiration. Not quite loathing. Somewhere inbetween. The surviving members of Recon 1, 3 and 2 milled about, securing any surviving scholars. There weren't many, the camp was in tattered ruins. The Wizards were all dead. Either having been killed by 3456 or having offed themselves. Really horrible, they'd burned themselves alive, with signs of wounds from that monster just barely visible from the charring. Wong was heaving his lunch up in one of the bushes, the other team members weren't holding up much better. "Captain," came the muted and husky voice of Jacobs, as he stumbled out of the brush. Silus turned to look at the sixth member of his team just in time to watch three arrows pierce Jacobs in the skull, chest, and neck. He crumpled like a house of cards. Furious, Silus turned, sidearm drawn and prepared to shoot her if she was still there. The reality was if she truly was about to kill them all, even with the scranton anchor in place, there wasn't a damn thing they could do to stop her from mopping the floor with them. But to his surprise she was still there, looking at the sidearm aimed straight at her skull. Her mouth was curled down in a frown, eyes fully open but grim and pensive in the lighting. "Shoot me if you want mate, but take a gander at the poor wanker first. I did you a favor." Her tone, grim expression, and lack of you know, planting arrows in all their skulls made him pause. He turned to look back at Jacobs. A huge gash from the claws of the creature bubbled around the edges of his flesh. His skin looked like it had been peeling away and there were nodules of odd growths around the hips and spine. Silus put his side arm away, reached down and closed the man's eyes. "Does that... always happen?" he asked. He should feel something. A man he was responsible for just fucking bit it. But he didn't. The medics were going to tell him later it was shock. "No. Just with the expanders. They're the worst." The response was detached now, emotionless. "If there are other wounded, you should deal with them quickly." 3456's body was already starting to dissolve, and it stunk worse than a clogged septic system that had been percolating for 15 years without being emptied. "Thanks? I think," he responded. This was not how this day was supposed to go. Only two members of Recon 2 were left. Jacobs was gone. And Recon 3 had lost three guys as well. This was worse than Micronesia. He tapped the communicator and then his watch. "Give it about 15 minutes, and the scranton field will be down." She waved off the thanks. "I cost you lives. You owe me nothing." Before Silus could respond, she walked off. "I think I liked it better when we were shooting at each other," Jane said, coming up and resting her elbow on his shoulder. "After that? I never want to be shooting at her again." "Oh I don't know, I had fun watching," Jane said with a motion of her hand. "Well, until I saw Jacobs." "Would you like me to set up a sniper duel between the two of you, Jane?" The humor was a welcome distraction. Morbid, but welcome. "You can't tease a girl with a good time like that Silus." Her lips curled into a cheshire cat grin. "Jokes aside, how are you holding up?" "Plans never survive first contact, Jane. They never do. I'll be fine." "I've known you long enough to know that you need a drink." "Maybe," he said with a sigh, wiping the sweat off his brow from the heat. He could hear the helicopters coming in for extract. "I swindled a bottle of Bardstown?" "One day, you are going to be the death of me." "Only the death of your liver." She put her arm around his shoulder and they walked off towards the choppers. ----- [[span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 2rem"]]Koekohe Beach, South Island, New Zealand. Present[[/span]] Carissa on her back, huffs in air. Her limbs feel like jelly, naked and bare body exposed on the sheets. M lays next to her, her lips crinkled upwards, eyes half-hooded and full of warm affection, arms wrapped around her. "How much are you exaggerating the kill?" she teases gently, kissing her neck and prompting another noise from her partner. Carissa rolls onto her side, and sweeps M up in her arms with an aggressive growl. "If anything I was being modest," she protests. "The third shell in that salvo was one hell of a bitch to shift through reality without a point of contact." "Large items always are," M says, pressing her lips to Carissa's for a flashpoint kiss, before pulling back and resting forehead to forehead, nose to nose. "They're getting generous though, letting you walk away like that with only this," she says indicating the bracelet still on Carissa's wrist which she gently pulls on, and lets snap back into place. "Yeah well, this all could still be a trap," Carissa says basking in the warmth and radiance of M. "It could be, that's true. I'll prepare some contingencies just in case," her voice is softening. Affectionate and warm. "We both knew our time with the Hand wouldn't last forever. We were only ever a tool for them. Without Moose they might try to kill us, or completely cast us out." "What? Why would they do anything so stupid?" she looks at M like she was talking nonsense. "We'll be spurned by it if we go through with this. Are you sure you want to give up all that knowledge?" "I've told you this several times Carissa, The Hand never trusted us. We were outsiders to them, remember? Moose was the only one who would give us an in. Maybe that should've been the first red flag." M gives her a crinkled smile. "Lover, I have spent so many lifetimes in those shelves that even Moose would be astonished at the secrets I keep. The Library ran out of material, outside of the archives, that I was looking for some time ago. I would have to find a way around being locked out of the Archives." M kisses her again softly. Carissa breaks the kiss "So what, we were never part of the hand? Wait, you were never allowed in the archives?" She pauses and then laughs softly. "Voracious as ever." A pause as she considers. "You want to see if the Jailers have the secret you need? Or do you just want all their secrets." The realization washing across her face in the form of a smirk. "Yes and yes. It has to do with our souls, I'm fairly sure. And of course I want their secrets love." "You and Moose, ever peas in a pod." Carissa teases. [[span style="color:red"]]//Well fuck the hand then I guess. And the Library too while they were at it.//[[/span]] "Moose is a magician my dear. Only ever as useful as their tricks. I am a sorcerer." "A very cute sorcerer," Carissa teases back, kissing her softly. She thinks about it a little more as their lips locked together, tongues dancing. [[span style="color:red"]]//What exactly has Moose done? What have they sacrificed to bring us along.//[[/span]] After a moment M breaks the kiss. "How dare you impugn me with such petty descriptions. I think, my dear kitty, I'm going to have to show you just how glorious I am," she pronounces, barely controlling her laughter. "Took you long enough, I've been waiting all night!" Carissa rolls over, pinning M to the bed with a playful growl. ----- [[span style="font-family: Grenze Gotisch ; font-size: 2rem"]]Site 212A, Northern Scotland, United Kingdom. Present[[/span]] Carissa and M surrender themselves at a location in the very far north of Scotland. It is raining, thunder audible in the distance. Neither of them are particularly surprised by the quantity of guards escorting them into a surprisingly not drab building, they actually hired a real architect! Not like that one time she was sent to bust out a few wizards. Maybe they had actually taken the "You should really consider not playing into the stereotype of Jailers if you want to avoid being seen that way!" taunt she'd thrown at a few guards seriously. Look at her, she was having material impact on the world. Carissa is dressed in jeans, a button up plaid top wearing knee high boots. She might as well look her best. M on the other hand is in the fullness of her glory, bespectacled purple flowing robes, lace and satin pants and shirt with a glimmery cape. She, mostly, kept the hood up. She always did in public. Her own boots, black to Carissa's brown, clicked on the tile as they were walked down a fairly decently decorated hallway with shelves and small tables. They make the guards nervous. Of course they do. The guards know who they are. They have reputations, reputations to be proud of. Or terrified of, if you were on the opposing end of the stick. A door is opened, and they are ushered into a small spartan room, with what is clearly a one way window. Water is provided, and they are asked to sit. And then the guards leave. And they wait. Wait. And wait. Carissa rests her leg against M's. M in turn rests her head on Carissa's shoulder. They are both starting to nod off when the door finally opens and a fiery haired woman with a sense of purpose and authority about her walks in. Carissa's eyes dart to her, as do M's. She is pretty, very pretty with sculpted features and the way that the lights gleam off her hair and face. And the baton on her belt flags her as dangerous for someone wearing as casual attire as she is. She closes the folder, and takes the chair opposite of them. The folder is neatly set down on the table. M sits up, but does not move her leg away from Carissa's. "Hello Carissa and M. My name is Dr. Sherry Andrews." A smile "Obviously we greatly appreciate you cooperating and coming in under your own power. I'm the one who signed and approved the orders for your amnesty and reemployment offers with us. We can talk details about the contracts we'll be offering you, and we have some specific questions about the condition your Handler came to us in. But in the interest of transparency we need to confirm one piece of information, and ask you to disclose another." "Alright," Carissa says, glancing at M, her lips curving down slightly. This might be the trap. [[span style="color:red"]]//Condition? What the hell does that mean? What did Moose do.//[[/span]] "If that's what it takes to move us forward." M looks utterly unperturbed beneath her robe, though it is somewhat difficult to tell what she is truly feeling based on the shadows concealing her face. Carissa could see the tensing of muscles beneath the fabrics, and that is enough to tell her that M's thoughts are running in the same direction. "Excellent. First of all, I need you to confirm your true names. Or titles, as I am told is the better word for you," Sherry says to Carissa specifically. M draws down her hood. "[[[Medea Filicidium \| Medea of Colchis]]], first among sorceresses," she says, tilting her chin up, to meet the third woman's eyes. "Atalanta of Arcadia, huntress of Artemis," Carissa says, with a bit of disdain in her voice at the title. "Good. Now, take your time with this next one." Sherry pauses, opens the folder to glance at it again. Her brow knits with some unspecified emotion that Carissa can't read. "When did you become aware of [[span class="text-blur"]]Hecate[[/span]] and [[span class="text-blur"]]Artemis'[[/span]] fusion with your souls?" [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| first=false \| last=false \| hub=yes \| previous-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-8710\| previous-title=SCP-8710 This Goddess Kills Fascists \| next-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/medea-filicidium \| next-title=Medea Filicidium \| hub-url=https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/seas-of-orcadia-hub\| hub-title=Seas of Orcadia Hub ]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://kaktuskontainer.wikidot.com/drbleeps-author-sandbox-2">:kaktuskontainer:drbleeps-author-sandbox-2</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] > Filename: Carissa.jpg > Author: [[user Amai-Ixchel]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea SCP Foundation Wiki] > Filename: Medea.jpg > Author: [[user Amai-Ixchel]] > License:* CC BY-SA 3.0 > Source Link: [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea SCP Foundation Wiki] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-06-13T11:09:00	[ "_cc", "_licensebox", "action", "fantasy", "lgbtq", "military-fiction", "mythological", "orcadia", "pridefest2024", "romance", "science-fiction", "tale" ]	Swallowed by a PRIDEful, Lesbian Sea - SCP Foundation	48	[ "scp-3456", "medea-filicidium", "scp-8710", "seas-of-orcadia-hub", "scp-3700", "scp-2491", "scp-4700", "scp-3703", "scp-6700", "scp-3706", "scp-3728", "scp-2497", "scp-2946", "scp-3702", "scp-3710", "scp-1347-1353-j", "scp-2546", "scp-2378", "scp-7810", "scp-3711", "scp-2431", "scp-8810", "scp-2381", "all-in-all-you-re-just-a-nother-brick-in-the-wall", "the-seas-of-orcadia-part-1-how-i-met-your-mither", "where-there-is-desire-there-is-gonna-be-a-flame", "slow-pride-filled-life", "lets-get-physical", "multi-goddess-drifting", "where-there-is-a-flame-someone-is-bound-to-get-burned", "hotter-than-hell", "love-across-a-nonbinary-spectrum", "on-the-rails", "the-coming-nightmare", "dissonance", "scp-3500", "recomposition", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "with-the-old-gods-hub", "seas-of-orcadia-hub", "pridefest" ]	[ "https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea/Carissa.jpg" ]	1454054389	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/swallowed-by-a-prideful-lesbian-sea
talking-to-someone-else	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3A3law/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3A3law-7ow/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <br/> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>Hainan Island, South China Sea, March 1943</strong></p> </div> <p>My feet were swollen from the climb down the mountain. I could feel my heartbeat in my toes as they strained the thin fabric of my well-worn socks. It was a thready beat, hammering against the molded leather of my boots like the skin of a old drum, joined by a chorus of blisters and lacerations that sang in throbbing harmony across my body, amplified by the chill. Even as painful as it was, it was still better to concentrate on that present pain than to linger on the plume of ash and dust from the mountain behind us, and the missing figure in our marching order.</p> <p>We reached a switchback, and the head of column looped met my gaze as he turned, his mouth set in a grim line of fatigue and disgust. Matthews — the leather-skinned, hard-worn American cowboy — stared at me with dead eyes. <em>Keep up,</em> the eyes seem to say. <em>Don't dare straggle, or you'll get more of us killed. Like you killed Rebekah.</em></p> <p>Rebekah Ainsley, holy knight and bare-knuckle boxer, had saved me from the <a href="/voice-of-rage-and-ruin">jaws of an undead dragon</a>, just to be killed by it herself, lost in the stone jaws of the immortal beast and a collapsing mountain. <em>If I had been quicker, if I had been stronger-</em></p> <p><span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>You cannot allow yourself to think like that,</em></span> the knife at my side needled.</p> <p><em>Why not?</em></p> <p><span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>We are at war. Against armies of sorcerers and devils and man. You cannot let yourself falter because of just one death.</em></span></p> <p>The mountain scrub gave way to stunted trees as we headed towards the shelter of the forest below. I kicked a loose bit of shale off the ridge to hear its shatter down-slope. <em>Just one death? She saved me and was killed for it!</em></p> <p><span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>And you will in turn go to save others, making her sacrifice worthwhile.</em></span> I couldn't see it, but I knew the ruby in the knife's pommel pulsed in time with my beating heart. The devil in the blade and I were bound by blood, in more ways than one.</p> <p><em>And where does that leave us, if we take it farther? If I were to sacrifice all of the children of my village, to save more of the adults-</em></p> <p>Her answer was curt. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>Then that would be a just sacrifice.</em></span></p> <p><em>And what about losing your soul, Pramaada? Does your calculus of war factor that in as well?</em></p> <p>I felt rather than heard the sneer in her thoughts. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>You think of war like a child.</em></span></p> <p><em>And you think of it like a tax collector with an abacus. These are people. Not objects or materiel or money. You can't spend them so easily.</em></p> <p>The harsh light of the moon flickered and died as we reached the tree-cover, hiding us from its pale glow. Pramaada was slow to respond. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>When you see as many deaths as I, their individual worth becomes meaningless. Their sacrifices blend together like a river of red mud.</em></span></p> <p><em>And when I die, will I become one in the mud?</em></p> <p>In an instant, her thoughts turned sweet and warm. My vision blurred and breath quickened as she extended her being into my own to caress my mind in a tender embrace. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>Of course not. You mean so much to me, Kiran.</em></span></p> <p>The rifle slung across my back rattled as I stumbled over a log, my vision snapping back into focus. My tongue felt heavy in my mouth. <em>Thank you, Pramaada.</em></p> <p>Pramaada withdrew back to the knife, coiling and curdling. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>You'll believe me soon enough, one way or another. I'm helping you as best I can. Teaching you as best I can.</em></span></p> <p>I nodded numbly to myself. No one else could hear the conversation play out in my own mind. <em>Thank you, Pramaada.</em></p> <p>I tried not to think for the rest of the hike down the mountain side, for fear of another one of her lessons.</p> <hr/> <p>We broke for camp near midnight, a few kilometers away from the mountain, many more away from the camp where the majority of the Japanese presence in the region was bivouaced. There was a short argument between al Fine and Matthews about a fire, but early spring chill brooked no argument. There was plenty of dry timber nearby, even with the crust of snow and ice that seemed to cover everything at this altitude. Matthews left to fetch water from the nearby creek, while Fine went who-knows-where and Alstrand stared at their stone runes.</p> <p>Santo wordlessly started on the fire in the lee of a large boulder, seemingly summoning the sparks with little effort from his flint. He coddled the embers within a small cone of curled bark stuffed with shrubbery, gently blowing air to nurse and let it grow, gnawing and blackening its meal of dead grass and browned leaves, spitting and squalling like a hungry baby.</p> <p>He shielded newborn embers from the light wind in the air, continuing to feed it puffs of air as it started eating away at the bark cone. His face softened, developing a far-away look and coloring orange and red from the flame as it grew too big for its cradle. Finally, he laid the cone in a square frame of twigs and tinder, setting it ablaze. We stared into its licking, hungry tongues for a while, feeding it twigs, then branches, then logs until it became a roaring fire.</p> <p>The smoke bent away from the sky and was drawn off into Santo's tobacco pipe, inscribed with Latin and secret Gormogon ciphers. Santo took an impossibly deep breath of the smoke, and exhaled cold mountain air.</p> <p>He startled me when next he spoke. "Do you know the recipe for gunpowder, Kiran?"</p> <p>"Ah, no."</p> <p>"Mm, shame." He took another puff of the campfire smoke. "Six parts sulfur, six parts saltpeter, one part pipevine. The original recipe, anyways. Sure it was refined over the years, using base chemicals instead of herbs and what-have-you, but still. The original. The Chinese invented it, some thousand years ago, eh." He gestured vaguely around us, to the island itself.</p> <p>"Do you know what pipevine is, Kiran?"</p> <p>"It's a, ah, medicinal herb, isn't it?"</p> <p>"Yes. Greeks, Babylonians, Chinese, they were all using it for some remedy or another. Childbirth, arthritis, the plague. Hell, the reason it was used in the recipe was for an attempted elixir of life. Isn't that funny?"</p> <p>"How so?"</p> <p>Santo exhaled O-rings of flickering blue haze. His face turned sour. "That this miracle cure, this tiny little flower, could be turned from a life-giver to this." He patted the pistol at his hip, and pointed to my rifle. "And that."</p> <p>"More potent as death-dealers than ever as medicine, I thinks," came Alstrand from the top of the boulder, where they had been casting their runes.</p> <p>"Just the way the world is, Ingmar." Santo stared into the flames, his pipe dangling from his lips.</p> <p>"I would say not." Alstrand crawled down from their perch to meet us by the fire. Their movement was jerky and erratic, twitchy in the way that insects are. Perhaps avoiding the maybe-sos of the future, the accidents, the falls, the one-in-a-millions and once-in-a-hundred-yearses that happen to the unlucky, their vision helping to divine a path down the rock free from any harm. Or maybe after looking into the pool of eternity, the mind is too scarred to function properly in the real world.</p> <p>They were not any less unnerving up close, even after the many months in their company. Their body was thin and lanky, unhealthily so from many missed meals. Their wispy hair had prematurely turned white, jarring with their face that was at once so young and so very, very old. And their eyes. One a brilliant blue, and the other a glittering stone. The price to pay to see the future, one must cripple their ability to see the present. But even missing an eye, their gaze was piercing in a way that made one feel as though Alstrand already knew the inscription on their tombstone.</p> <p>Not many people could stand to be near Alstrand for long.</p> <p>They squatted next to us, the streaks of gold in their lapis eye catching the firelight. From their bag they withdrew a rune, <em>þ</em>, carved into a misshapen piece of chert. "This is <em>thurs</em>. Danger, harshness, suffering." Alstrand placed the rune on a piece of slate. It almost seemed to glow in the night.</p> <p>They drew a second rune from the bag, <em>ƿ</em>. "This is <em>wynn</em>. Joy. Relief. Good tidings. Such similar symbols, and yet one small change could mean such different things."</p> <p>Alstrand pointed at my <em>kukri</em>. "Death." Their finger wavered and lanced towards me, stabbing me in the chest. "Life.</p> <p>"The cycle it goes, the Wheel that grinds down us all. The plow turning soil fertile, the sickle tearing crops to the ground. Ever churning, ever turning. Even the end of days will herald the birth of a new age." Alstrand's face turned to the sky. "<em>Ragnarök</em>. It is near."</p> <p>Santo cleared his throat. "The witch is right, my boy. Mostly, anyways. Explosives can be used to level battlefields and bring death, or dig a mine and bring wealth to your people. The same substances used to make nitroglycerin can make fertilizer. It's a matter of… perspective. Good can come of war." His face tightened. "In small doses."</p> <p>I looked back at Alstrand. "And what good will come of this war, Alstrand?"</p> <p>Alstrand twitched and grimaced. "Progress."</p> <p>It wasn't Alstrand's voice, but Matthews, a dark figure looming out of the woods, his feet a whisper on crunching snow. He was stooped with a yoke across his shoulders, carrying large buckets of fresh glacier water. He dropped the buckets to the ground, sloshing water making the fire spit and sizzle. "War means progress, Pal." The way his American accent twisted my name made me grit my teeth.</p> <p>"Seems like it just makes a whole lot of death."</p> <p>His deep-set eyes were cloaked in shadow, the whites glittering like coins at the bottom of a well. "My people conquered the American Midwest on horses brought to the New World. The Mongols built their empire from the creation of the stirrup. The Civil War was won with steam power, trains used for troop and weapon transport. Gunpowder, flight, diesel engines. Innovations gets us new ways to blow each other up, and war gives us new ways to innovate. Medicine, the wristwatch, stainless steel, those explosives that Santo loves so much, all have their roots in <em>war</em>."</p> <p>Pramaada purred in the back of my mind. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>Oh, I</em> like <em>him.</em></span></p> <p><em>Be quiet.</em></p> <p>"The Japanese and the Germans are trying to hit back with magic, because they know we have the technological edge. The American logistics, the British Empire's resources, Russian stubbornness and Chinese muscle. We have that edge because, putting it nice, we are just <em>that much</em> better at war than they are."</p> <p>He grinned, yellow teeth set in a dark face. "The Axis is dead, it just doesn't know it yet. Trying to use witchcraft to fight basic economics and gravity. That's what our job is, Pal. To remind them of the laws of science and which way is down."</p> <p>I stared into the fire for a long while. The coals flickered and embers twirled, spinning dancers in lurid saffron on a black stage. "And was it all worth it?"</p> <p>He set his jaw, and squatted across the fire from me. "How do you mean?"</p> <p>The village. Their faces. Their guts on the floor. "And at the end of it all, all the fighting and all the death, was it worth it? For the progress?"</p> <p>The flames spat.</p> <p>"I am a part of the greatest country in the world. The largest democracy. The healthiest, wealthiest, happiest country in the world."</p> <p>"I'm sure your murdered ancestors are very proud of you for supporting their conquerors."</p> <p>I could see a flicker of pain — just for a brief moment — cross his features. "They handed me over to a boarding school. I never knew them, forgot their language and lost my culture. Whatever connection I had to them is long gone." His face hardened again. "But you know yours, and you are disappointing them right now."</p> <p>"They didn't believe in violence. They were better than me in that regard."</p> <p>"And so they let the Wheel roll over them. Like father, like son."</p> <p>I repeated myself. "Was it worth the mountain of corpses to get there?"</p> <p>His gaze bored into me. "I would be disrespecting those who died to say no."</p> <p>"And it would be an insult to them to say yes."</p> <p>He bared his teeth, grin changing to a snarl. "Careful, Pal. Those are some fighting words."</p> <p>The dragon-bite on my side oozed and burned. They hadn't been attended to yet. They would need to be. "Before I was conscripted, four men were killed by the monarchy. They were not soldiers, they were not rebels, they just wanted to be free from the king's grasp, and they were killed for it. What innovation came from their death?"</p> <p>The coals glowed. "Democracy. Their deaths will light a fire in the hearts of your people, and they will overthrow your fat kings and pompous lords and ladies and build a democracy in the Himalayas."</p> <p>"And when the Ranas burn monasteries and beat the monks in the streets, what cause does that serve?"</p> <p>He set his jaw, eyes gleaming with fire. "Revolution. Enough of this."</p> <p>I pushed forwards heedless of his warning. "And when villages starve of famine and children's bellies grow round from hunger and the old wither and die like autumn's leaves, what engine does their pain fuel?"</p> <p>Matthews jumped to his feet and roared, his voice shaking the snow from bare branches. "Progress, Pal, Progress! Their rage and anger and spite and fury and flaming spitting <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em><strong>WRATH</strong></em></span> will power the pistons of progress and their blood will grease the wheels and they will wipe the slate clean and rip the king from his throne and build a shining city upon a hill for the rest of Asia to see! They will take it and they will eat it and they will suffer from the pain and the brutality and the sickness of the powerful until they vomit from the pain and they will vomit until they can't vomit anymore and they will rise to kill your masters, kill your kings and your gods and break that damned Wheel until there is nothing to oppress them."</p> <p>His knuckles were white, his breath heavy, his eyes manic. "And if you refuse to get your hands bloody and help them climb that better path, you might as well just hand that knife to me."</p> <p>I stood and drew the <em>kukri</em>, the heavy, bent, ivory blade painted lurid dark colors and looked almost dripping with blood already. "Come and take it, cowboy."</p> <p>A jackal's smile. Two. One on him, and one on me. "Maybe I will."</p> <p>Alstrand's reedy voice interrupted us. "There is no breaking the Wheel. It turns and turns, and we are all a part of it, and there is no breaking it."</p> <p>Matthews spat. "Watch me."</p> <p>Santo forcefully chuckled. "I don't know about you all, but I am putting a bullet through my leader's skull the second I step foot on the motherland. It may not break the Wheel, but it will give it a good turning." His eyes glittered gold. "The <em>fascista</em> deserves it."</p> <p>Their interruptions were enough to ease the tension. Not fully, but it was no longer ready to snap. Matthews and I hesitated for a moment, but couldn't find the will to keep arguing. Matthews turned away from me, and holstered the pistol I didn't know he had drawn. He cast a glance at me, and I knew the thought he directed at me. <em>Coward.</em></p> <p>al Fine had snuck into the camp at some point and had finished setting up the tents, not bothering to interrupt our argument. Santo reheated half-eaten rations, made poultices and boiled bandages to wrap across my torso and treat my wounds. Alstrand spent much of the time giving me odd looks, a strange expression darkening their face. Matthews sat apart from us as we ate, refusing to say a word the rest of the night.</p> <p>Pramaada felt distant, even within the confines of my own mind. I thought I disappointed her somehow.</p> <p>I didn't know why that disturbed me so, or filled me with such sadness.</p> <hr/> <p>It was several hours later, and I was still not able to sleep. The forest made noises outside of my tent, creaking branches and cooing owls. It disturbed me.</p> <p>I rolled over. In my brain I heard a feminine <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>Tch.</em></span></p> <p>I sighed. <em>What, another lecture from you? That I'm not bloodthirsty enough for your liking?</em></p> <p>Silence. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>You have a duty to uphold, Kiran.</em></span></p> <p><em>Duty to king, duty to country, duty to al Fine and Sergeant Chand and others. What duty are you talking about?</em></p> <p><span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>The oath you swore to me in the jungle. The duty of vengeance and bloodshed.</em></span></p> <p><em>Another comrade died today, Pramaada. Can oaths and death be forgotten for just one night? Please?</em></p> <p>There was silence from the knife. Suddenly, Pramaada appeared at my side in a puff of spice and petrichor. Her face was twisted in a show of concern. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>What's wrong?</em></span></p> <p>One set of muscular arms pillowed her head, and the other set caressed my torso and thighs. I stared through her to the canvas wall and twitched. <em>Stop.</em></p> <p>Her hands paused and backed away. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>I'm sorry.</em></span></p> <p><em>I… I need to rest. Four months of this, and the end nowhere in sight. When can I stop fighting, Pramaada?</em></p> <p><span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>I do not know. For some, the war never ends. That is how it has always been.</em></span></p> <p><em>That's unfair.</em></p> <p>Pramaada pulled me into her chest in a tight hug. She played with my hair and murmured. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>It never is. But there is no running, my love. There is nothing to do but face it with your head held high.</em></span></p> <p><em>What if I can't?</em></p> <p><span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>You must.</em></span> She pulled me away and locked eyes with me. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>For the both of us.</em></span></p> <p><em>I'll fail.</em></p> <p><span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>Oh, my sweet, sweet champion. My brave warrior.</em></span> Her eyes softened. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>Never forget, if you fail, if you desert or flee or falter, I will eat your soul, condemn you to a thousand years of</em> Kudmala, <em>and mark you as a sinner for the rest of your lives. And neither of us want that, do we?</em></span></p> <p><em>No, Pramaada.</em></p> <p>Her fingers tightened around my arm, burning like hellfire. <span style="color: #ff4f00"><em>Such a good boy. Now, wake up.</em></span></p> <p>"Wake up. Kiran, wake up." Pramaada's face was replaced by Alstrand's, her fingers for theirs, squeezing the blood out of my arm.</p> <p>"What?"</p> <p>Their voice was hushed — trying not to wake the others — but still filled with urgency. "Listen to me, Kiran. You must listen to me because you are the only one who can."</p> <p>I blinked the sleep out of my eyes. Pramaada stirred in the blade. "Alright, I'm coming."</p> <p>As I made motions to stand, Alstrand put a halting hand on my shoulder. "Just you."</p> <p>"Just me?"</p> <p>Alstrand glanced down at the <em>kukri</em> and nodded. I slowly, silently unsheathed it and placed it on my bedroll, Pramaada's protestations fading from ear-shot. Alstrand nodded again. "Good. Follow me."</p> <p>They slipped out of the tent and I was soon to follow. The fire had dimmed to a lulling flame on a bed of embers, and the air was harsh and chill. Alstrand didn't seemed to be bothered, walking barefoot on the snow with only their undergarments as protection from the elements. We went a ways from camp until we came to a widowmaker — a large tree drunkenly leaning on a small copse — waiting for the right time to fall and cripple the unlucky traveller walking underneath.</p> <p>"What are we out here for, Ingmar?" I tucked my hands into my armpits and tried not to let my teeth chatter.</p> <p>Alstrand muttered under their breath, playing with their runes. "The Norns, they speak to me. The runes are their teeth and the stone their lips and where they fall mark their words. They talk of weapons. Light. Power and more. The Germans, they want it but do not understand it. The Japanese as well. The Americans want and understand, and it would be a terrible thing…"</p> <p>"What do you mean?"</p> <p>Their eyes were alight with a terrible fire as they seized my arm. "A weapon. A weapon to surpass all weapons. It will tear down cities, ignite the world with fear and fire. The AOI talk of the Veil and of its importance, but this weapon will shatter both. The Americans will try to use it. You must not allow it."</p> <p>"Ingmar, what is this weapon? Magic?"</p> <p>Their fingers turned into a vise, their nails digging bloody tracts into my skin. They felt hot, feverish almost, as they continued to to rant. "I do not know its nature, my brothers and sisters in Europe do, but the Americans do not listen to them, cannot listen to them, their minds too filled with magic and science and war for diplomacy to work. Using this weapon…" Ingmar seized, the muscles in their neck bulging and pulsing. "They would bring about the end of days, and a new era of a dead world."</p> <p>They collapsed to the ground, the snow steaming where they laid. I knelt down and felt for their heartbeat, thready but there. My mind was racing, but before I could decide whether to go back to go back to the camp and get help, Ingmar gasped and sat up.</p> <p>"Are you alright, Ingmar?"</p> <p>Ingmar ran their fingers over their face, tapping at their lapis eye. "I am… alive. Dreams of- no, <em>visions</em> of deadly rain and scorched earth and screaming shadows on the walls and…" they shook their head. "Things too terrible to tell."</p> <p>"Do you want me to get help? Santo has-"</p> <p>"<em>No</em>." Ingmar held my hand with a death grip. "I am fine. You must not tell a soul of what you heard," they saw my hesitant look. "Not even the blade."</p> <p>Ingmar opened their bag of runes and selected one — <em>ᛦ</em> — to place in my palm. "<em>Yr</em>. The Yew that Wodin hung himself upon for knowledge. Take this and hold it, and no one will know what you know."</p> <p>I held the stone. It was unseasonably warm. I tucked it into my breast pocket, over my heart. "Okay."</p> <p>"Thank you, Kiran." Ingmar stood with effort, and began to limp back to camp.</p> <p>"Wait, please. Allow me." I picked up Ingmar and cradled them, their body weighing almost nearly nothing. They tried to complain, but the way they shakily made a fist, they weren't up for the task. My wounds protested more, though a combination of the numbing winter air and the warmth of the rune-stone calmed them somewhat.</p> <p>As I walked back to camp carrying Ingmar, I glanced down to the seer. "Why me? Why not tell Santo or al Fine?"</p> <p>Ingmar pursed their lips before speaking. "al Fine is pragmatic, utilitarian. If it meant we win she would walk backwards into hell for us. Santo is her opposite. He is too entrenched in his beliefs, too backwards in his thinking. He is liable to agree with the Americans, I think. And Matthews…" Ingmar weakly chuckled. "We know why not him.</p> <p>"But you…" They paused. "Only fools give power to those who want it."</p> <p>"Is this because of me and Matthews?"</p> <p>They studied me with that incrutable gaze. "Partly. Partly your youth, tempered by experience, quenched in fear. You have tasted power, and hate it. You drank deep from the fountain of blood and spat it up. No grand schemes, no loyalty to a higher power. Safe."</p> <p>I cast my mind to the <em>kukri</em> nestled on my bedroll. "Not entirely safe."</p> <p>"She only can act on so much, Kiran. Do not let her words fool you. She may be a god, but just a small one. There are more earthly powers to fear in this world than that of spirits and demons."</p> <p>"Hm."</p> <p>My feet crunched on rotten snow. "I don't know why you are here."</p> <p>Their lips quirked. "Ah?"</p> <p>"Well, Matthews is a patriot. Santo as well, though not quite in the same way. He wishes to free his country by fighting on our side. I imagine Rebekah and al Fine were similar, going to war over their shared sense of duty to their secret societies. But you?"</p> <p>"Ah." Their good eye turned skyward. "The future is a darkling thing, my dearest. If I were just to gaze into the wyrd and watch the world die without action, what would I be? Collaborator? Traitor? Willful pawn and sycophant? No, I see myself acting, and so I must act. There is nothing else I can do." They looked back at me. "Am I sensical?"</p> <p>I smiled. "Yes, that makes sense. Thank you."</p> <p>I trudged on, and we neared camp. It was quiet for a while before Ingmar spoke again. "I was going to wait until morning, but I will tell you now. We head to Borneo next, and it is where I will die. Please take this month to mourn me, and no more after."</p> <p>They smiled a beautiful, terrible smile. "We have a war to win, after all."</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>« <a href="/voice-of-rage-and-ruin">Voice of Rage and Ruin</a> \|\| \|\| <a class="newpage" href="/watch-the-magic-boy">Watch the Magic Boy</a> »</strong></p> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:3law">:scp-wiki:theme:3law</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:3law-7ow">:scp-wiki:theme:3law-7ow</a>]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[=]] Hainan Island, South China Sea, March 1943 [[/=]] My feet were swollen from the climb down the mountain. I could feel my heartbeat in my toes as they strained the thin fabric of my well-worn socks. It was a thready beat, hammering against the molded leather of my boots like the skin of a old drum, joined by a chorus of blisters and lacerations that sang in throbbing harmony across my body, amplified by the chill. Even as painful as it was, it was still better to concentrate on that present pain than to linger on the plume of ash and dust from the mountain behind us, and the missing figure in our marching order. We reached a switchback, and the head of column looped met my gaze as he turned, his mouth set in a grim line of fatigue and disgust. Matthews — the leather-skinned, hard-worn American cowboy — stared at me with dead eyes. //Keep up,// the eyes seem to say. //Don't dare straggle, or you'll get more of us killed. Like you killed Rebekah.// Rebekah Ainsley, holy knight and bare-knuckle boxer, had saved me from the [[[/voice-of-rage-and-ruin\|jaws of an undead dragon]]], just to be killed by it herself, lost in the stone jaws of the immortal beast and a collapsing mountain. //If I had been quicker, if I had been stronger-// ##FF4F00\|//You cannot allow yourself to think like that,//## the knife at my side needled. //Why not?// ##FF4F00\|//We are at war. Against armies of sorcerers and devils and man. You cannot let yourself falter because of just one death.//## The mountain scrub gave way to stunted trees as we headed towards the shelter of the forest below. I kicked a loose bit of shale off the ridge to hear its shatter down-slope. //Just one death? She saved me and was killed for it!// ##FF4F00\|//And you will in turn go to save others, making her sacrifice worthwhile.//## I couldn't see it, but I knew the ruby in the knife's pommel pulsed in time with my beating heart. The devil in the blade and I were bound by blood, in more ways than one. //And where does that leave us, if we take it farther? If I were to sacrifice all of the children of my village, to save more of the adults-// Her answer was curt. ##FF4F00\|//Then that would be a just sacrifice.//## //And what about losing your soul, Pramaada? Does your calculus of war factor that in as well?// I felt rather than heard the sneer in her thoughts. ##FF4F00\|//You think of war like a child.//## //And you think of it like a tax collector with an abacus. These are people. Not objects or materiel or money. You can't spend them so easily.// The harsh light of the moon flickered and died as we reached the tree-cover, hiding us from its pale glow. Pramaada was slow to respond. ##FF4F00\|//When you see as many deaths as I, their individual worth becomes meaningless. Their sacrifices blend together like a river of red mud.//## //And when I die, will I become one in the mud?// In an instant, her thoughts turned sweet and warm. My vision blurred and breath quickened as she extended her being into my own to caress my mind in a tender embrace. ##FF4F00\|//Of course not. You mean so much to me, Kiran.//## The rifle slung across my back rattled as I stumbled over a log, my vision snapping back into focus. My tongue felt heavy in my mouth. //Thank you, Pramaada.// Pramaada withdrew back to the knife, coiling and curdling. ##FF4F00\|//You'll believe me soon enough, one way or another. I'm helping you as best I can. Teaching you as best I can.//## I nodded numbly to myself. No one else could hear the conversation play out in my own mind. //Thank you, Pramaada.// I tried not to think for the rest of the hike down the mountain side, for fear of another one of her lessons. ------ We broke for camp near midnight, a few kilometers away from the mountain, many more away from the camp where the majority of the Japanese presence in the region was bivouaced. There was a short argument between al Fine and Matthews about a fire, but early spring chill brooked no argument. There was plenty of dry timber nearby, even with the crust of snow and ice that seemed to cover everything at this altitude. Matthews left to fetch water from the nearby creek, while Fine went who-knows-where and Alstrand stared at their stone runes. Santo wordlessly started on the fire in the lee of a large boulder, seemingly summoning the sparks with little effort from his flint. He coddled the embers within a small cone of curled bark stuffed with shrubbery, gently blowing air to nurse and let it grow, gnawing and blackening its meal of dead grass and browned leaves, spitting and squalling like a hungry baby. He shielded newborn embers from the light wind in the air, continuing to feed it puffs of air as it started eating away at the bark cone. His face softened, developing a far-away look and coloring orange and red from the flame as it grew too big for its cradle. Finally, he laid the cone in a square frame of twigs and tinder, setting it ablaze. We stared into its licking, hungry tongues for a while, feeding it twigs, then branches, then logs until it became a roaring fire. The smoke bent away from the sky and was drawn off into Santo's tobacco pipe, inscribed with Latin and secret Gormogon ciphers. Santo took an impossibly deep breath of the smoke, and exhaled cold mountain air. He startled me when next he spoke. "Do you know the recipe for gunpowder, Kiran?" "Ah, no." "Mm, shame." He took another puff of the campfire smoke. "Six parts sulfur, six parts saltpeter, one part pipevine. The original recipe, anyways. Sure it was refined over the years, using base chemicals instead of herbs and what-have-you, but still. The original. The Chinese invented it, some thousand years ago, eh." He gestured vaguely around us, to the island itself. "Do you know what pipevine is, Kiran?" "It's a, ah, medicinal herb, isn't it?" "Yes. Greeks, Babylonians, Chinese, they were all using it for some remedy or another. Childbirth, arthritis, the plague. Hell, the reason it was used in the recipe was for an attempted elixir of life. Isn't that funny?" "How so?" Santo exhaled O-rings of flickering blue haze. His face turned sour. "That this miracle cure, this tiny little flower, could be turned from a life-giver to this." He patted the pistol at his hip, and pointed to my rifle. "And that." "More potent as death-dealers than ever as medicine, I thinks," came Alstrand from the top of the boulder, where they had been casting their runes. "Just the way the world is, Ingmar." Santo stared into the flames, his pipe dangling from his lips. "I would say not." Alstrand crawled down from their perch to meet us by the fire. Their movement was jerky and erratic, twitchy in the way that insects are. Perhaps avoiding the maybe-sos of the future, the accidents, the falls, the one-in-a-millions and once-in-a-hundred-yearses that happen to the unlucky, their vision helping to divine a path down the rock free from any harm. Or maybe after looking into the pool of eternity, the mind is too scarred to function properly in the real world. They were not any less unnerving up close, even after the many months in their company. Their body was thin and lanky, unhealthily so from many missed meals. Their wispy hair had prematurely turned white, jarring with their face that was at once so young and so very, very old. And their eyes. One a brilliant blue, and the other a glittering stone. The price to pay to see the future, one must cripple their ability to see the present. But even missing an eye, their gaze was piercing in a way that made one feel as though Alstrand already knew the inscription on their tombstone. Not many people could stand to be near Alstrand for long. They squatted next to us, the streaks of gold in their lapis eye catching the firelight. From their bag they withdrew a rune, //þ//, carved into a misshapen piece of chert. "This is //thurs//. Danger, harshness, suffering." Alstrand placed the rune on a piece of slate. It almost seemed to glow in the night. They drew a second rune from the bag, //ƿ//. "This is //wynn//. Joy. Relief. Good tidings. Such similar symbols, and yet one small change could mean such different things." Alstrand pointed at my //kukri//. "Death." Their finger wavered and lanced towards me, stabbing me in the chest. "Life. "The cycle it goes, the Wheel that grinds down us all. The plow turning soil fertile, the sickle tearing crops to the ground. Ever churning, ever turning. Even the end of days will herald the birth of a new age." Alstrand's face turned to the sky. "//Ragnarök//. It is near." Santo cleared his throat. "The witch is right, my boy. Mostly, anyways. Explosives can be used to level battlefields and bring death, or dig a mine and bring wealth to your people. The same substances used to make nitroglycerin can make fertilizer. It's a matter of... perspective. Good can come of war." His face tightened. "In small doses." I looked back at Alstrand. "And what good will come of this war, Alstrand?" Alstrand twitched and grimaced. "Progress." It wasn't Alstrand's voice, but Matthews, a dark figure looming out of the woods, his feet a whisper on crunching snow. He was stooped with a yoke across his shoulders, carrying large buckets of fresh glacier water. He dropped the buckets to the ground, sloshing water making the fire spit and sizzle. "War means progress, Pal." The way his American accent twisted my name made me grit my teeth. "Seems like it just makes a whole lot of death." His deep-set eyes were cloaked in shadow, the whites glittering like coins at the bottom of a well. "My people conquered the American Midwest on horses brought to the New World. The Mongols built their empire from the creation of the stirrup. The Civil War was won with steam power, trains used for troop and weapon transport. Gunpowder, flight, diesel engines. Innovations gets us new ways to blow each other up, and war gives us new ways to innovate. Medicine, the wristwatch, stainless steel, those explosives that Santo loves so much, all have their roots in //war//." Pramaada purred in the back of my mind. ##FF4F00\|//Oh, I// like //him.//## //Be quiet.// "The Japanese and the Germans are trying to hit back with magic, because they know we have the technological edge. The American logistics, the British Empire's resources, Russian stubbornness and Chinese muscle. We have that edge because, putting it nice, we are just //that much// better at war than they are." He grinned, yellow teeth set in a dark face. "The Axis is dead, it just doesn't know it yet. Trying to use witchcraft to fight basic economics and gravity. That's what our job is, Pal. To remind them of the laws of science and which way is down." I stared into the fire for a long while. The coals flickered and embers twirled, spinning dancers in lurid saffron on a black stage. "And was it all worth it?" He set his jaw, and squatted across the fire from me. "How do you mean?" The village. Their faces. Their guts on the floor. "And at the end of it all, all the fighting and all the death, was it worth it? For the progress?" The flames spat. "I am a part of the greatest country in the world. The largest democracy. The healthiest, wealthiest, happiest country in the world." "I'm sure your murdered ancestors are very proud of you for supporting their conquerors." I could see a flicker of pain — just for a brief moment — cross his features. "They handed me over to a boarding school. I never knew them, forgot their language and lost my culture. Whatever connection I had to them is long gone." His face hardened again. "But you know yours, and you are disappointing them right now." "They didn't believe in violence. They were better than me in that regard." "And so they let the Wheel roll over them. Like father, like son." I repeated myself. "Was it worth the mountain of corpses to get there?" His gaze bored into me. "I would be disrespecting those who died to say no." "And it would be an insult to them to say yes." He bared his teeth, grin changing to a snarl. "Careful, Pal. Those are some fighting words." The dragon-bite on my side oozed and burned. They hadn't been attended to yet. They would need to be. "Before I was conscripted, four men were killed by the monarchy. They were not soldiers, they were not rebels, they just wanted to be free from the king's grasp, and they were killed for it. What innovation came from their death?" The coals glowed. "Democracy. Their deaths will light a fire in the hearts of your people, and they will overthrow your fat kings and pompous lords and ladies and build a democracy in the Himalayas." "And when the Ranas burn monasteries and beat the monks in the streets, what cause does that serve?" He set his jaw, eyes gleaming with fire. "Revolution. Enough of this." I pushed forwards heedless of his warning. "And when villages starve of famine and children's bellies grow round from hunger and the old wither and die like autumn's leaves, what engine does their pain fuel?" Matthews jumped to his feet and roared, his voice shaking the snow from bare branches. "Progress, Pal, Progress! Their rage and anger and spite and fury and flaming spitting ##FF4F00\|//WRATH//## will power the pistons of progress and their blood will grease the wheels and they will wipe the slate clean and rip the king from his throne and build a shining city upon a hill for the rest of Asia to see! They will take it and they will eat it and they will suffer from the pain and the brutality and the sickness of the powerful until they vomit from the pain and they will vomit until they can't vomit anymore and they will rise to kill your masters, kill your kings and your gods and break that damned Wheel until there is nothing to oppress them." His knuckles were white, his breath heavy, his eyes manic. "And if you refuse to get your hands bloody and help them climb that better path, you might as well just hand that knife to me." I stood and drew the //kukri//, the heavy, bent, ivory blade painted lurid dark colors and looked almost dripping with blood already. "Come and take it, cowboy." A jackal's smile. Two. One on him, and one on me. "Maybe I will." Alstrand's reedy voice interrupted us. "There is no breaking the Wheel. It turns and turns, and we are all a part of it, and there is no breaking it." Matthews spat. "Watch me." Santo forcefully chuckled. "I don't know about you all, but I am putting a bullet through my leader's skull the second I step foot on the motherland. It may not break the Wheel, but it will give it a good turning." His eyes glittered gold. "The //fascista// deserves it." Their interruptions were enough to ease the tension. Not fully, but it was no longer ready to snap. Matthews and I hesitated for a moment, but couldn't find the will to keep arguing. Matthews turned away from me, and holstered the pistol I didn't know he had drawn. He cast a glance at me, and I knew the thought he directed at me. //Coward.// al Fine had snuck into the camp at some point and had finished setting up the tents, not bothering to interrupt our argument. Santo reheated half-eaten rations, made poultices and boiled bandages to wrap across my torso and treat my wounds. Alstrand spent much of the time giving me odd looks, a strange expression darkening their face. Matthews sat apart from us as we ate, refusing to say a word the rest of the night. Pramaada felt distant, even within the confines of my own mind. I thought I disappointed her somehow. I didn't know why that disturbed me so, or filled me with such sadness. ------ It was several hours later, and I was still not able to sleep. The forest made noises outside of my tent, creaking branches and cooing owls. It disturbed me. I rolled over. In my brain I heard a feminine ##FF4F00\|//Tch.//## I sighed. //What, another lecture from you? That I'm not bloodthirsty enough for your liking?// Silence. ##FF4F00\|//You have a duty to uphold, Kiran.//## //Duty to king, duty to country, duty to al Fine and Sergeant Chand and others. What duty are you talking about?// ##FF4F00\|//The oath you swore to me in the jungle. The duty of vengeance and bloodshed.//## //Another comrade died today, Pramaada. Can oaths and death be forgotten for just one night? Please?// There was silence from the knife. Suddenly, Pramaada appeared at my side in a puff of spice and petrichor. Her face was twisted in a show of concern. ##FF4F00\|//What's wrong?//## One set of muscular arms pillowed her head, and the other set caressed my torso and thighs. I stared through her to the canvas wall and twitched. //Stop.// Her hands paused and backed away. ##FF4F00\|//I'm sorry.//## //I... I need to rest. Four months of this, and the end nowhere in sight. When can I stop fighting, Pramaada?// ##FF4F00\|//I do not know. For some, the war never ends. That is how it has always been.//## //That's unfair.// Pramaada pulled me into her chest in a tight hug. She played with my hair and murmured. ##FF4F00\|//It never is. But there is no running, my love. There is nothing to do but face it with your head held high.//## //What if I can't?// ##FF4F00\|//You must.//## She pulled me away and locked eyes with me. ##FF4F00\|//For the both of us.//## //I'll fail.// ##FF4F00\|//Oh, my sweet, sweet champion. My brave warrior.//## Her eyes softened. ##FF4F00\|//Never forget, if you fail, if you desert or flee or falter, I will eat your soul, condemn you to a thousand years of// Kudmala, //and mark you as a sinner for the rest of your lives. And neither of us want that, do we?//## //No, Pramaada.// Her fingers tightened around my arm, burning like hellfire. ##FF4F00\|//Such a good boy. Now, wake up.//## "Wake up. Kiran, wake up." Pramaada's face was replaced by Alstrand's, her fingers for theirs, squeezing the blood out of my arm. "What?" Their voice was hushed — trying not to wake the others — but still filled with urgency. "Listen to me, Kiran. You must listen to me because you are the only one who can." I blinked the sleep out of my eyes. Pramaada stirred in the blade. "Alright, I'm coming." As I made motions to stand, Alstrand put a halting hand on my shoulder. "Just you." "Just me?" Alstrand glanced down at the //kukri// and nodded. I slowly, silently unsheathed it and placed it on my bedroll, Pramaada's protestations fading from ear-shot. Alstrand nodded again. "Good. Follow me." They slipped out of the tent and I was soon to follow. The fire had dimmed to a lulling flame on a bed of embers, and the air was harsh and chill. Alstrand didn't seemed to be bothered, walking barefoot on the snow with only their undergarments as protection from the elements. We went a ways from camp until we came to a widowmaker — a large tree drunkenly leaning on a small copse — waiting for the right time to fall and cripple the unlucky traveller walking underneath. "What are we out here for, Ingmar?" I tucked my hands into my armpits and tried not to let my teeth chatter. Alstrand muttered under their breath, playing with their runes. "The Norns, they speak to me. The runes are their teeth and the stone their lips and where they fall mark their words. They talk of weapons. Light. Power and more. The Germans, they want it but do not understand it. The Japanese as well. The Americans want and understand, and it would be a terrible thing..." "What do you mean?" Their eyes were alight with a terrible fire as they seized my arm. "A weapon. A weapon to surpass all weapons. It will tear down cities, ignite the world with fear and fire. The AOI talk of the Veil and of its importance, but this weapon will shatter both. The Americans will try to use it. You must not allow it." "Ingmar, what is this weapon? Magic?" Their fingers turned into a vise, their nails digging bloody tracts into my skin. They felt hot, feverish almost, as they continued to to rant. "I do not know its nature, my brothers and sisters in Europe do, but the Americans do not listen to them, cannot listen to them, their minds too filled with magic and science and war for diplomacy to work. Using this weapon..." Ingmar seized, the muscles in their neck bulging and pulsing. "They would bring about the end of days, and a new era of a dead world." They collapsed to the ground, the snow steaming where they laid. I knelt down and felt for their heartbeat, thready but there. My mind was racing, but before I could decide whether to go back to go back to the camp and get help, Ingmar gasped and sat up. "Are you alright, Ingmar?" Ingmar ran their fingers over their face, tapping at their lapis eye. "I am... alive. Dreams of- no, //visions// of deadly rain and scorched earth and screaming shadows on the walls and..." they shook their head. "Things too terrible to tell." "Do you want me to get help? Santo has-" "//No//." Ingmar held my hand with a death grip. "I am fine. You must not tell a soul of what you heard," they saw my hesitant look. "Not even the blade." Ingmar opened their bag of runes and selected one — //ᛦ// — to place in my palm. "//Yr//. The Yew that Wodin hung himself upon for knowledge. Take this and hold it, and no one will know what you know." I held the stone. It was unseasonably warm. I tucked it into my breast pocket, over my heart. "Okay." "Thank you, Kiran." Ingmar stood with effort, and began to limp back to camp. "Wait, please. Allow me." I picked up Ingmar and cradled them, their body weighing almost nearly nothing. They tried to complain, but the way they shakily made a fist, they weren't up for the task. My wounds protested more, though a combination of the numbing winter air and the warmth of the rune-stone calmed them somewhat. As I walked back to camp carrying Ingmar, I glanced down to the seer. "Why me? Why not tell Santo or al Fine?" Ingmar pursed their lips before speaking. "al Fine is pragmatic, utilitarian. If it meant we win she would walk backwards into hell for us. Santo is her opposite. He is too entrenched in his beliefs, too backwards in his thinking. He is liable to agree with the Americans, I think. And Matthews..." Ingmar weakly chuckled. "We know why not him. "But you..." They paused. "Only fools give power to those who want it." "Is this because of me and Matthews?" They studied me with that incrutable gaze. "Partly. Partly your youth, tempered by experience, quenched in fear. You have tasted power, and hate it. You drank deep from the fountain of blood and spat it up. No grand schemes, no loyalty to a higher power. Safe." I cast my mind to the //kukri// nestled on my bedroll. "Not entirely safe." "She only can act on so much, Kiran. Do not let her words fool you. She may be a god, but just a small one. There are more earthly powers to fear in this world than that of spirits and demons." "Hm." My feet crunched on rotten snow. "I don't know why you are here." Their lips quirked. "Ah?" "Well, Matthews is a patriot. Santo as well, though not quite in the same way. He wishes to free his country by fighting on our side. I imagine Rebekah and al Fine were similar, going to war over their shared sense of duty to their secret societies. But you?" "Ah." Their good eye turned skyward. "The future is a darkling thing, my dearest. If I were just to gaze into the wyrd and watch the world die without action, what would I be? Collaborator? Traitor? Willful pawn and sycophant? No, I see myself acting, and so I must act. There is nothing else I can do." They looked back at me. "Am I sensical?" I smiled. "Yes, that makes sense. Thank you." I trudged on, and we neared camp. It was quiet for a while before Ingmar spoke again. "I was going to wait until morning, but I will tell you now. We head to Borneo next, and it is where I will die. Please take this month to mourn me, and no more after." They smiled a beautiful, terrible smile. "We have a war to win, after all." = << [[[voice-of-rage-and-ruin\| Voice of Rage and Ruin]]] \|\| \|\| [[[watch-the-magic-boy\|Watch the Magic Boy]]] >>	2024-09-17T16:07:00	[ "7th-occult-war", "action", "adventure", "dc-al-fine", "fantasy", "first-person", "military-fiction", "mythological", "period-piece", "tale", "third-law" ]	Talking to Someone Else - SCP Foundation	10	[ "voice-of-rage-and-ruin", "watch-the-magic-boy" ]	[ "third-law-hub" ]	[]	1456816244	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/talking-to-someone-else
taste-the-rainbow	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div class="authorlink-wrapper"><a href="javascript:;">Luxaiko and Calibold</a> <div class="authorbox"> <div class="authorcontent"> <div style="text-align: center;"><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <p><strong>Taste The Rainbow</strong></p> </div> </div> <p><strong><a href="/aiko-artpage">Luxaiko's Confetti</a><br/></strong> <a href="/calibri-bold-s-mega-cool-author-page">Calibold's Mega Cool Author Page</a>**</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>The word COPY in blue ink was still drying from its fresh imprint on a sheet which sat atop a pile of many marked by the same rubber stamp. Nails tapped on a cheap laminate particle board desk, which had begun to curve inward from the weight on top of it.</p> <p>The hands on the clock had gone several laps past the end of her shift, but every edit and stamp pulled her further from thinking about how deep into overtime she was.</p> <p>It was her fault she’d been so distracted. Usually, her workflow was completely uninterrupted, everything finished with time to spare.</p> <p>“You’ve got mail!” A notification was announced in the usual masculine monotonous voice, and Shehnila’s eyes drifted from where she was reading back to the screen.</p> <p>She heard herself typing before she registered that she was, opening the mail app and navigating to the new message. It was another notification from the thread she’d subscribed to. One that she’d made during her last shift and that had caught her attention for the last twenty-four hours.</p> <blockquote> <p>Re: How long is too long?’<br/> <br/> <strong>JohnOfThe90s</strong> replied:<br/> Not to force suggestions where you may not be looking, but if asexuality doesn’t suit you, have you tried looking into grey asexuality? There are some good threads I’ve seen where you could meet some people. I think you’ll fit right in.</p> </blockquote> <p>Grey asexual? That was a bit of a mouthful. She hovered over the message for a minute before copying the term and pasting it into the search engine.</p> <p>There was a surprising number of results. For now, she focused on the Wikipedia summary. When she’d originally posted her thread, it was a call for help that she assumed wouldn’t result in any real progress. After all, there are far worse things in the world that deserved attention as opposed to her identity crises. But one user seemed to take her words to heart, and they’d been going back and forth for the better half of a day.</p> <p>As silly as she felt posting it, she was glad that she’d taken the chance.</p> <p>Her fingers were starting to hurt as she typed out a reply and sent it, the ache of having sat in a windowless office all day only just starting to register. It was a good time to head out, she was probably the last one left in the office by now.</p> <p>Standing up in a large stretch, she powered off the computer just before it could announce a new notification, which just barely flashed in the corner of the screen.</p> <blockquote> <p>Re: How long is too long?’<br/> <br/> <strong>JohnOfThe90s</strong> replied:<br/> I’m glad the suggestion resonated with you. It was nice chatting with you, Shehnila!</p> </blockquote> <hr/> <p>Marcus frowned, and his reflection frowned back.</p> <p>His maroon button-down fit well, at least, although his jeans felt a bit too tight. He started inspecting his face, in case a pimple had appeared since he'd last checked four minutes ago.</p> <p>"You look cute."</p> <p>Marcus turned around. Billie, his longtime coworker, friend, and nuisance, was leaning against his bedroom doorframe. She was dressed a little more casually, in bell-bottom jeans and a t-shirt, but somehow she looked far more dignified than Marcus felt.</p> <p>"I thought you didn't swing that way," Marcus said.</p> <p>"I'm trying to make you feel better. Ready for a night on the town?" Billie asked.</p> <p>Marcus grimaced. "I really don't want to do this. I—"</p> <p>"Oh my God, dude," Billie groaned, "You better not fucking bail out right now!" She grabbed the back of Marcus' head and rattled it.</p> <p>"I'm just… you know?" Marcus struggled to put his anxiety into words.</p> <p>Billie scowled. "I don't know. You dumbass. You haven't been outside your house and work for like, a year. We're <em>going</em> to the bar. Don't make me drag you."</p> <p>"But—!"</p> <p>"Come on!"</p> <p>The walk there was unremarkable, although it was more likely that Marcus simply wasn't paying any attention. Billie was right, of course. It was typical of her, annoyingly so. Marcus hadn't done anything social beyond going to the office in… he was sure he had since then, but it felt like since college.</p> <p>"We're here."</p> <p>Marcus shook out of his stupor. They were barely a minute's drive from his place, but his body screamed out that this was an unfamiliar place, that he should go back, that home would be warm and alone and comfortable. People walked by him on the sidewalk, and despite none of them looking at him, he felt all of their eyes swirling around him in a hurricane of exposure.</p> <p>Billie waved her hand in front of his face. "Yo. Marcus. Wake up." Marcus turned to his right, where Billie was giving him an annoyed yet almost sympathetic look.</p> <p>She brushed a stray crumb off her shirt. "It's just a little going-away party, okay? You know Alex, it's gonna be a bunch of folks we know and a bunch of folks we don't." She grabbed his arm and pulled him in.</p> <p>It was quieter than he expected. Still noisy, but mostly from the general hustle of several people all hanging out in one room, talking and laughing and walking about. Music played over the radio, a song he'd heard a thousand times at work and in the car from a new album by who knows. Somehow it relieved him slightly.</p> <p>The two of them sat down at the bar. To his right was Billie, and to his left was a guy he didn't recognize. The first thing Marcus thought was "he seems normal," followed by "he's kind of cute though." The guy's actual appearance wasn't anything remarkable, but he had a perpetual slight smile; whether he was in a good mood or it was simply how he looked was indeterminate, but either way he seemed calm and approachable. He was idly participating in a conversation to his left, but was largely quiet, seeming content to listen on.</p> <p>Marcus felt a nudge from Billie. "Talk to him."</p> <p>"Huh?"</p> <p>"<em>Talk</em> to him. You've been glancing at him like a… you've been looking at him."</p> <p>Marcus tugged at his collar. "I don't <em>want</em> to talk to him," he whispered back.</p> <p>"He's cute!"</p> <p>"Yes! He's cute!"</p> <p>"So…?"</p> <p>"I'm too nervous. Please just—"</p> <p>"Ahem."</p> <p>Marcus slowly turned to his left. The guy had now turned his attention and was gazing at the pair with a slight smile. "I uh… I can hear you two."</p> <p>Panic struck Marcus like a truck hitting a nervous insect. "Oh, I'm— I'm sorry, I'll uh—"</p> <p>"Wait wait wait. My name's John, I'm really really flattered. I'm uh, not looking to date anybody, on account of me being ace—"</p> <p>Of course. Of course. Marcus' worst fears had come to life. A cute guy rejecting him and thinking he's weird and he'd probably tell all his friends about this weird creepy gay guy who—</p> <p>"—but my friend Bin is!"</p> <p>Oh.</p> <p>John pointed over his shoulder to a Korean guy in a dress shirt sitting by himself at a table, scrolling through his phone. He had a handsome face, although he kept glancing away like he was worried about someone sneaking up on him.</p> <p>John pulled out his phone. "I had to drag him here tonight, he's never been much of a party guy. If you're interested I can shoot him a quick text and send you over there?"</p> <p>Billie leaned over. "He'd <em>love</em> that."</p> <p>John looked expectantly at Marcus, who gave an awkward thumbs up. John typed into his phone then looked over at Bin. Bin stared at his phone for another second, then turned red. He glanced over at the group then turned away immediately. After another second, he typed a response. John glanced at his phone and grinned before looking back at Marcus.</p> <p>"Welp, take it away!"</p> <p>Marcus stood, brushing nonexistent dust off his shirt. "Thank— thank you, John."</p> <p>John gave an even wider smile. "Anytime, man. Now, I've got a book to read!" He held up a paperback book titled <em>A Brief History of English Grammar</em>.</p> <p>Billie clapped him on the back. "Go get 'em, tiger. Or whatever they say."</p> <p>Marcus began his stiff walk over to Bin's table. It was barely a few feet, but it felt like miles. After an eternity, he sat down opposite Bin.</p> <p>"Hi."</p> <p>Bin waved slightly. "Hi."</p> <p>The two of them stared at each other in silence for a few seconds. Then, in an instant, the tension snapped, and the two of them broke down into giggles.</p> <p>"God, I'm so sorry," Bin said.</p> <p>"No!" replied Marcus, "No, no, this is just— I wasn't expecting this is all. I'm— I'm Marcus."</p> <p>"Bin. Son Bin. I uh, my mom named me after an actor."</p> <p>"That's pretty cool!"</p> <p>"Well, all the elementary school kids thought it was really funny I was named 'Bin'."</p> <p>"Ouch."</p> <p>"Yeah, but you know, that's third grade for you. I'm sorry, I'm talking too much about myself, you should—"</p> <p>"No, it's fine! It's nice, keep going!"</p> <p>And so he did. And Marcus did too. The night went on and by the end of it, the two had each other's numbers. When he got home, Marcus looked at himself in the mirror. This time, his reflection didn't frown back.</p> <hr/> <p>Hidden behind a half-crushed Toyota Tacoma was the very rigid Pandora, one hand holding a pistol in all the wrong ways, and the other hovering over Azalea, who seemed to be relaxing against the truck and waiting for something to happen.</p> <p>The road they were in the middle of was littered with cars that had been crushed, burned or thrown around like toys, along with a few dead bodies and a heavy air still filled with faint screaming from off in the distance.</p> <p>It wasn’t often the two went out for a date night, but usually their luck was a lot better than this.</p> <p>“I told you tonight wouldn’t work out.” Azalea spoke matter-of-factly as the two listened to yet another loud crash, the car alarms nearly drowning out her voice.</p> <p>“Angel. Sweetie pie. Light of my life. You can’t describe predictions of near-death experiences as if they are work emails. I thought you meant like, busy! Not this! And how much longer is this guy going to take?” Pandora’s voice was all Azalea could hear, as everything else seemed drowned out.</p> <p>“He should be here any moment. Just keep your eyes peeled for a generic white man.” Azalea stared blankly in front of her, one hand fixing her silver hair which had gotten messy in the crash. Despite having been thrown from a vehicle at seventy miles per hour, her biggest concern was making sure she still looked presentable.</p> <p>“This is crazy, you know that? I can’t believe this is really- oh! I think I see him!” Pandora exclaimed as she raised from her tucked position to flag over a man who seemed to be running away from the direction the destructive force had travelled.</p> <p>“Sir! Sir we need your help over here!” Just as Azalea had predicted, the man came rushing over, and Pandora smelled the sweat before she saw the stains on his shirt.</p> <p>“Is everything okay miss?” The man shouted despite being directly next to Pandora, panting as the curly haired doctor reached back to help her partner stand.</p> <p>“Oh, were fine! But you look like the kind of guy who could officiate a marriage. Is that true?” Pandora looked back at her partner for confirmation, but she received no gesture in return considering Azalea had no way of seeing her.</p> <p>The oracle did manage to breath out a scoff, muttering something about never being wrong.</p> <p>“What? Uh, yeah, I can!” the man raised his voice again, seeming more certain of himself as he extended a hand to Pandora, which she took and shook with vigour. “You can call me John.”</p> <p>“My partner and I are just, really scared of this whole destruction thing, and we wouldn’t want to die without making things official, right?” Pandora gestured back to her partner with the pistol, before realizing safety was off and putting it on the hood of the Tacoma.</p> <p>The taller woman remained silent, but she nodded a handful of seconds after Pandora spoke.</p> <p>“I don’t see why not! But I really have to get out of here, so just repeat after me.”</p> <hr/> <p>Sarah stared at her computer, as she had been for the past hour. It had been a slow day at the office, which unfortunately left her thoughts completely uninterrupted.</p> <p>It had been five years since she'd moved out of her parents' house. She kept in touch, of course, but a lot had changed. She'd settled down with a comfortable new job, joined a painting club, and become a regular helper at the soup kitchen on weekends. Her parents were proud, of course.</p> <p>Well, maybe they wouldn't be if they knew about her <em>other</em> change…</p> <p>Her phone rang. Her eyes peeled away from the computer screen, leaving a vague afterimage in her vision. Her eyes flashed blue as she used mentally took the call. "Hello?"</p> <p>"Hey Dev!"</p> <p>Sarah flinched. She hadn't told them yet, but hearing her old name still hurt nonetheless. "Hey Dad."</p> <p>"Just wanted to check in, we got stopped a bit by Jailors but we're on our way again. We'll probably be closer to 7 instead of 6 though. Everything okay on your end?"</p> <p>Sarah nodded to herself. "Yeah. Everything's fine."</p> <p>"Awesome! We'll see you then!"</p> <p>"Hey Dad?"</p> <p>"What's up, bud?"</p> <p>"Is there anything I could do that would make you guys stop loving me?"</p> <p>"What? No! Of course not!" her dad replied.</p> <p>Sarah's mom piped in. "If you stopped liking my casserole, maybe."</p> <p>The three of them laughed, but Sarah still felt queasy. It was very easy for them to say that. And, to be fair, her parents were always passively supportive of trans people, never upset at the idea. But even so, how would they feel about their own child? Surely things would change.</p> <p>"What's the matter, bud? Everything okay?" her dad asked.</p> <p>"Yeah, yeah. Just a lot on my mind."</p> <p>"Hey," her mom said, "You remember when you said you decided to go Maxwellist, right? And how you said you thought it was right for you but you were so scared of telling us?"</p> <p>"Mhm."</p> <p>"Pretty damn big thing! Didn't make us stop loving you."</p> <p>"Yeah."</p> <p>"You could call us tomorrow and say you decided to join the Jailors," her dad piped in, "and we still wouldn't care!"</p> <p>"We'd care," her mom remarked.</p> <p>"Okay true, but you know what I mean. We'd still love him."</p> <p>"Point is," her mom said, "we love you, nothing will change that, so on and so forth."</p> <p>Sarah rubbed her eyes. "Yeah. I know. Thanks mom. And dad."</p> <p>"We'll stop bothering you then. Plus, your dad needs to pay attention, he's almost rear ended two people now."</p> <p>"I have <em>not</em>!"</p> <p>"Love you!"</p> <p>Sarah leaned back. Every ounce of reassurance just made it seem like her parents would be all the more disappointed when they found out.</p> <p>She looked at the clock. Close to leaving, but nothing was happening right now. She stood up and made her way to the water cooler. As she walked, she felt a little surge of gratitude for the people around her. No matter what, the people at her painting club, the soup kitchen, and the office had become good friends, and she was glad they'd accepted her.</p> <p>She arrived at the water cooler and sighed. She pulled out a cup and dispensed a drink for herself. Even with the community she'd folded herself into, she couldn't abandon the fear of disapproval from the pair of people she'd known since birth.</p> <p>John walked over and grabbed himself a drink. "Hey Sarah." He was an average-looking man, unremarkable to most, but someone Sarah considered a good friend.</p> <p>"Hey John."</p> <p>John tilted his head. "Why the long face?"</p> <p>She sipped her water. "Is it that obvious?"</p> <p>John frowned. "You wanna talk about it? I've wrapped up all my work."</p> <p>Sarah gave another sigh. "My parents, they're coming over for <a href="/scp-7412">Δαμάτριος</a> tonight."</p> <p>"Sorry, I didn't catch that."</p> <p>"It's a religious holiday."</p> <p>"Ah, I see."</p> <p>"They uh, they don't know about my transition," Sarah said, "I'm just worried about how it'll go."</p> <p>John nodded. "Have they said anything about the subject before?"</p> <p>"Nothing substantive. They seem okay with it, but…"</p> <p>"It's different if it's you?"</p> <p>Sarah looked out the window at the city below. The people looked like ants. A thousand of them milling about, all with their own lives. "Yeah, I guess."</p> <p>John shrugged. "From what I know, parents tend to be up front about those sorts of things."</p> <p>"I just… I dunno. They're coming over tonight, so I can't stop it now."</p> <p>John took a sip of water. "Not much you can do then, I suppose."</p> <p>"No," she said, "But it's nice to talk about, at least. Thanks for listening."</p> <p>"No problem, Sarah."</p> <p>The rest of the day was a blur. It felt like only a moment later Sarah was at home, waiting anxiously until her parents arrived. Her heart thumped dramatically.</p> <p><em>Thump thump.</em></p> <p><em>Thump thump.</em></p> <p><em>Thump thump.</em></p> <p><em>KNOCK KNOCK.</em></p> <p>Sarah gulped. She waited a few seconds.</p> <p>"Come in!"</p> <p>The door opened. Her dad backed in, pulling a rolling suitcase behind him. He was dressed in a trench coat and a wide-brimmed hat, gears and pipes poking through the hair on the back of his head. His hands were coated in clean steel plates, which contrasted nicely against his deep brown skin.</p> <p>"Dammit, I <em>knew</em> I should have gotten a new case, the wheel on this one is all twisty."</p> <p>Her mother came up behind him. Unlike her husband, her mechanical components were scuffed and chipped: various random bits and bobs ran up her arms into her blue sleeveless dress. Golden rings, encircled her eyes, which were glaring at the stuck suitcase in front of her.</p> <p>"Honestly Cam, just <em>lift</em> the thing."</p> <p>"I mean, you're behind me, pull up on the thing or whatever."</p> <p>"I'm just saying!"</p> <p>"Might not be the wheel actually, it's stuck a little in this gap right here."</p> <p>"Here, let me— I'm sorry Dev, just give us a—"</p> <p>Her mother finally noticed Sarah and froze, staring wide-eyed at her.</p> <p>"Ah, there we go," her dad declared. "Sorry about that! Now…"</p> <p>He turned around and stopped.</p> <p>Sarah smiled feebly and gave an awkward wave. "Hi."</p> <p>Her two parents slowly walked forward. Her father reached a hand forward and hesitantly touched her cheek.</p> <p>"<em>Dev?</em>" he asked incredulously.</p> <p>"It's uh, it's Sarah now."</p> <p>The pair stood still, jaws agape. Then, in an instant, they rushed forward and embraced her.</p> <p>"Oh <em>sweetie</em>!"</p> <p>"I had no idea!"</p> <p>"Is this what you were worried about before?"</p> <p>"Oh, I'm so so sorry, we—"</p> <p>"—we would never want you to feel—"</p> <p>"I'm so proud of you Sarah—"</p> <p>Sarah broke down in tears, crying into her parents' shoulders for so many minutes as they eventually went silent and held her in their arms. Finally, they let go. Her dad held her at arms' length.</p> <p>"I'm so sorry," she said, "I—"</p> <p>"Stop it," her dad interrupted, wiping a tear from his eye, "You never needed to— I just—"</p> <p>He broke down into joyful tears, his wife awkwardly patting him on the back.</p> <p>"Your father and I are very proud of you, is what he's trying to say." She gave a beaming smile. "I, uh, I brought dinner too." She held up a bag of groceries.</p> <p>Sarah hugged the two of them. "Happy Δαμάτριος."</p> <hr/> <p>Maria fumbled with hey keys before hitting the lock button twice, satisfied when her car made its familiar beep in response. The parking lot was surprisingly cramped today, but then again, strip malls tended to be packed on Saturdays.</p> <p>She was a short woman, with pin-straight black hair and decorated in gold and beaded jewelry. Her skin was tan, the kind of dark you get from being born in the sun and basking in it every day since.</p> <p>There was something nostalgic about being back in town after so many years. She remembered shopping here with friends after school, and her birthday at the laser tag spot just down the road. Back then she thought she’d be a doctor.</p> <p>“Many.” The Karcist holding onto her arm had been craning their neck to look at the lines upon lines of cars, and the crowded walkways. Some of those people stared back in ways Lux’kia had grown used to.</p> <p>Their face was covered by the skull of a three-eyed elk, hair so thick and long that it looked matted sprouted from behind the mask, fully concealing their identity. Their antlers towered an extra foot above their head, which added to their height made them seem inhumanly tall.</p> <p>“If it's too much we can always go home.” Maria stopped in front of her car, moving to hold one of their hands in hers.</p> <p>“No. We want Five Guys.”</p> <p>It took a while before they were finally a spot away from the register. Lux’kia wasn’t familiar with what a combo was, so she settled on getting them what she usually ordered. She had told them about the peanuts people would crack onto the floor, but it seemed they long since stopped that tradition.</p> <p>“Hi miss! What can I get for you today?”</p> <p>“I think we're going to do two bacon cheeseburgers, a large fry and two drinks. I'll do a root beer.” The cashier tapped at their screen for a bit before looking back up at towering figure just behind Maria.</p> <p>“Nice cosplay. What about for you, sir?”</p> <p>Lux’kia remained silent, the void holes beyond the eye sockets giving no reaction. Maria only cringed at the term ‘sir’, before looking back at her partner.</p> <p>“I think my partner will stick with some water.” Her voice was quieter, and she quickly took her card out to pay so they could move on.</p> <p>Moving into the pickup area, Maria was just opening her mouth to apologize to Lux’kia before she heard a man speak up from the ordering line.</p> <p>“Sorry, what can I call you again?”</p> <p>“Miss.”</p> <p>“Look, Miss, that wasn’t so hard for me to ask, was it? I don’t want to be another asshole in your line today, but it isn’t that hard to use gender neutral terms if asking takes too long.” There was a man at the counter, dressed casually and already grabbing his receipt.</p> <p>“I understand sir, but-”</p> <p>“You just did it again! Its 2024, let's not go back to outdated assumptions.”</p> <p>Maria nudged her partner, who had already been eavesdropping on the conversation and gave a chuckle as the man walked into their line.</p> <p>They were both looking back at him, and the man seemed to be catching his breath as he let out a sigh. Only then did he notice them staring at him.</p> <p>“Oh. Sorry, was I being too loud?” He had a smile on his face, one that reminded Maria of something good, something warm.</p> <p>“Not at all. Thank you for standing up for my partner like that, but you really didn’t have to.” She turned to face him better, offering her hand for him to shake. He took it, and they quickly exchanged names.</p> <p>“Well, I like to think when I do stuff like that it helps all the people after you, too. But I don’t know, I kind of feel like an ass for putting a minimum wage worker on the line like that.” John scratched the back of his head, shuffling from foot to foot under the gaze of the strangers he had just defended.</p> <p>“Only a little bit, but it was a good deed.”</p> <p>Eventually, her order was called out and she had Lux’kia carry the food while she handled the drinks.</p> <p>On their way out, Lux’kia leaned down towards John’s ear.</p> <p>“Chi Miigwech.”</p> <hr/> <p>John walked out of his car, his mind blank as he slowly walked to his apartment, a bag of groceries in his hand. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the week. Just like last week, and the week before. Corn flakes and milk for breakfast, ramen for lunch, and green beans and chicken for dinner. Dull as ever.</p> <p>He walked up to his door, met by a welcome mat. Even <em>that</em> was boring, despite the fact that his door was one of the only ones to have it. He reached a hand to the knob and sighed.</p> <p>"Something the matter?"</p> <p>He turned around. Perched on the railing, a small frog stared at him. Normally frogs didn't talk, but he supposed this one did. He walked up beside it and leaned against the railing.</p> <p>"Nothing, really. Although nothing's <em>good</em> either."</p> <p>The frog began waddling along the rail, making its way to John's hand. "In search of intrigue, perhaps? An adventure, if you will?" Its voice was deep and rich, but at the same time gentle and calming.</p> <p>John shrugged. "I've seen a lot of things. It's <em>me</em> that's the problem. I wish… sorry, I don't mean to—"</p> <p>"Nonsense," the frog interjected. "It was I who asked."</p> <p>John hesitated. "I'm just so… <em>boring</em>."</p> <p>"And this troubles you?"</p> <p>"A bit."</p> <p>"Hmph." The frog faced parallel to John, looking outward at the parking lot. "And what, pray tell, is wrong with that?"</p> <p>John looked down at the frog. "Nothing, I guess. Not morally, anyway."</p> <p>"And have you failed to make your life enjoyable?"</p> <p>"Not… really. I just feel like I should be something more."</p> <p>"Ah. So this is inadequacy." The frog's expression changed, looking a tad more annoyed than before. "You seem to be fulfilled with your own life, but what you <em>should</em> be is something more… to be something more to others? Do you feel lonely?"</p> <p>John sighed. "I've… never been interested in dating. Asexual and all that. But I kind of wish I was special to someone, you know? But instead I'm everyone else's second best friend. I'm not upset with them about it, but…" He paused. "Is that selfish?"</p> <p>The frog pondered this for a moment before perking up a bit. "Are you a good man?"</p> <p>"Sorry?"</p> <p>"Do you do good deeds? Do you seek to enrich the lives of others? Do you comfort those around you?"</p> <p>John thought to himself. "I mean, yeah, but doesn't everyone do that?"</p> <p>"You'd be surprised." The frog made a sound vaguely resembling a chuckle. "But I think you'll find your good deeds are what result in true friendship and love, not your intrigue."</p> <p>John smiled a bit. "You think so?"</p> <p>The frog gave a sort of shrug. "I'm just a frog, young man. What do I know about human affairs?" And with that, he hopped away.</p> <p>John continued smiling. He turned to his door again, unlocking it and swinging it inwards.</p> <p>"SURPRISE!"</p> <p>The collective cheer almost made him fall over. He blinked and collected himself. Within his apartment, a small crowd of people had amassed: many of them from work, but others he knew from elsewhere. Some he barely recognized at all. Streamers decorated the walls, balloons scraped the ceiling, and confetti floated in the air.</p> <p>"What—?"</p> <p>Sarah, one of his work friends, walked over. "One, leave your spare key somewhere less obvious. Two, happy birthday!"</p> <p>His <em>birthday</em>. The last few weeks had become such a blur that he'd completely forgotten it was his birthday. He walked forward, his head buzzing. The people in the room gave him a series of happy birthday wishes as he entered.</p> <p>"Good birthday!" said Maria, hanging onto Lux'kia's arm.</p> <p>A man clapped John on the back. Bin's new boyfriend… Marcus, if he remembered right.</p> <p>"Come blow out the candles!" A woman John was standing over an immense birthday cake. He didn't know her name, but he recognized her as someone he'd married to the person standing next to her.</p> <p>The crowd guided him to the cake and began singing "Happy Birthday." Like most people, he wasn't certain what to do during the song. But it didn't matter. He wasn't sure what exactly he'd done to deserve such a celebration. Certainly he'd never ask for it. But as he blew out the candles, his insecurities were drowned out by a love clearer than any other.</p> <div class="more-by-calibold"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ More by Calibold +</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- More by Calibold -</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p><strong><span style="font-size:125%;"><a href="/calibri-bold-s-mega-cool-author-page">Calibold's Mega Cool Author Page</a></span></strong></p> <p><strong>— SCP Articles —</strong></p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <p><a href="/scp-8421">SCP-8421</a> — Ruler of Everything<br/> <a href="/scp-8228">SCP-8228</a> — Here's To You, Mrs. Robinson<br/> <a href="/scp-7178">SCP-7178</a> — A Thief In The Night<br/> <a href="/scp-7179">SCP-7179</a> — E is for Eternity<br/> <a href="/scp-6469">SCP-6469-D</a> — A BABY?????<br/> <a href="/scp-2082">SCP-2082</a> — <em>Elephas cryophilus</em><br/> <a href="/scp-6156">SCP-6156</a> — Oh, Doug!<br/> <a href="/scp-6579">SCP-6579-D</a> — The Detective Killer<br/> <a href="/scp-6900">SCP-6900-D</a> — The House of Stars<br/> <a href="/scp-5277">SCP-5277</a> — What Can Go Wrong<br/> <a href="/scp-5363">SCP-5363-D</a> — Controlled Containment<br/> <a href="/scp-3482">SCP-3482</a> — fine mayor posters campaign by dado<br/> <a href="/scp-5156">SCP-5156</a> — monke<br/> <a href="/director-bold-s-proposal-j">Director Bold's Proposal-J</a> — "Guys, please don't read our SCPs 🥺"<br/> <a href="/scp-2693">SCP-2693</a> — Fell Into The Well, Fell Into The Well, Fell Into The Deep Dark Well<br/> <a href="/scp-5559">SCP-5559-D</a> — The Great Ambrose Bake-Off!<br/> <a href="/scp-3448-j">SCP-3448-J</a> — Should Have Taken Him Sleeping<br/> <a href="/scp-4456">SCP-4456-D</a> — No One Expects The Spanish Decommission!<br/> <a href="/scp-4745">SCP-4745</a> — Spooky Scary Snowman<br/> <a href="/scp-4645">SCP-4645</a> — Blackmailing Computer</p> </div> <p><strong>— Tales —</strong></p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <p><a href="/threatini">OpusConfidant Wiki - SCP-4645 - Threatini</a><br/> <a href="/diary-of-an-existential-kid">Diary Of An Existential Kid</a><br/> <a href="/responsible-promotion">Responsible Promotion</a><br/> <a href="/friends-of-us-never-die">Friends Of Us Never Die</a><br/> <a href="/truth-lies">Truth Lies</a><br/> <a href="/a-team-you-can-maybe-trust">A Team You Can (Maybe) Trust</a><br/> <a href="/happy-father-s-day">Happy Father's Day</a><br/> <a href="/mission-decommission">Mission: Decommission</a><br/> <a href="/a-bold-choice">A Bold Choice</a><br/> <a href="/i-am-become-death">I Am Become Death</a><br/> <a href="/ulysses-b-donkman-and-the-heinous-hitman">Ulysses B. Donkman and the Heinous Hitman</a><br/> <a href="/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-eldritch">It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Eldritch</a><br/> <a href="/chapter-one-the-end">Chapter One - The End</a></p> </div> <p><strong>— GoI Formats —</strong></p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <p><a href="/manifest-476">Manifest 476: Vanishing Galleon</a><br/> <a href="/the-book-of-mathisi-chapter-1">The Book Of Mathisi, Chapter 1: The Parable Of The Three Princes</a><br/> <a href="/lte-8686-yellow-kewpie">LTE-8686-Yellow-Kewpie</a><br/> <a href="/uiu-file-2001-023">UIU File: 2001-023</a></p> </div> <p><strong>— Other —</strong></p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <p><a href="/component:customizable-acs-guide">Customizable ACS Add-On Ver. 1.8.0 Guide</a><br/> <a href="/decom-dept-hub">Decommissioning Department Hub</a><br/> <a href="/fortune-favors-hub">Fortune Favors</a><br/> <a href="/theme:decom-dept">Decommissioning Dept. Theme</a><br/> <a href="/component:customizable-acs">Customizable ACS Add-On Ver. 1.8.0</a><br/> <a href="/component:mega-cool-author-page-tool">Mega Cool Author Page Tool Ver. 1.4.0</a><br/> <a href="/theme:calibri-logos">Calibold's Mega Cool Alternate SCP Logos Page</a><br/> <a href="/calibri-s-mega-cool-art-page-it-s-mostly-just-icons-but-what">Calibold's Mega Cool Art Page</a></p> </div> <p><strong>— Co-Authored —</strong></p> <p><a href="/taste-the-rainbow">Taste The Rainbow</a> (<em>feat.</em> Luxaiko)<br/> <a href="/abraka-davids-proposal">Abraka David's Proposal</a> — A Peak Behind the Curtain (<em>feat.</em> many other authors)<br/> <a href="/scp-7400">SCP-7400</a> — Your Honor, League of Legends (<em>feat.</em> Sherf)<br/> <a href="/i-hub">I, Hub</a> (<em>feat.</em> many other authors)<br/> <a href="/resurrection-new-faces-hub">Resurrection: New Faces</a> (<em>feat.</em> Grigori Karpin, Nagiros, and redredred)<br/> <a href="/scp-5545">SCP-5545</a> — 𝙰 𝙱 𝙽 𝙾 𝚁 𝙼 𝙰 𝙻 𝙸 𝚃 𝚈 (<em>feat.</em> Yossipossi)<br/> <a href="/scp-194">SCP-194</a> — Thank You For Your Cooperation (<em>feat.</em> CityToast)</p> <p><strong>— Foreign —</strong></p> <p><a href="http://scp-int.wikidot.com/director-bold-s-proposal-la">Director Bold's Proposal</a> — Language<br/> <a href="http://scp-int.wikidot.com/scp-la-002">SCP-LA-II</a> — Fruit</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="more-by-calibold"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">+ More by Luxaiko +</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">- More by Luxaiko -</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/goodnight-miss-moon">Goodnight, Miss Moon</a><br/> <a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-122">SCP-122</a> — No More Monsters</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/taste-the-rainbow">Taste The Rainbow</a>" by Calibold and Luxaiko, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/taste-the-rainbow">https://scpwiki.com/taste-the-rainbow</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:black-highlighter-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:black-highlighter-theme</a>]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> start=-- \|name=Luxaiko and Calibold \|no-right-margin=]] [[=]] [[module ListPages range="."]] %%title%%* [[/module]] [[[Aiko Artpage\|Luxaiko's Confetti]]] [[[Calibri Bold's Mega Cool Author Page\|Calibold's Mega Cool Author Page]]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:author-label-source">:scp-wiki:component:author-label-source</a> end=--]] The word COPY in blue ink was still drying from its fresh imprint on a sheet which sat atop a pile of many marked by the same rubber stamp. Nails tapped on a cheap laminate particle board desk, which had begun to curve inward from the weight on top of it. The hands on the clock had gone several laps past the end of her shift, but every edit and stamp pulled her further from thinking about how deep into overtime she was. It was her fault she’d been so distracted. Usually, her workflow was completely uninterrupted, everything finished with time to spare. “You’ve got mail!” A notification was announced in the usual masculine monotonous voice, and Shehnila’s eyes drifted from where she was reading back to the screen. She heard herself typing before she registered that she was, opening the mail app and navigating to the new message. It was another notification from the thread she’d subscribed to. One that she’d made during her last shift and that had caught her attention for the last twenty-four hours. > Re: How long is too long?’ > > JohnOfThe90s replied: > Not to force suggestions where you may not be looking, but if asexuality doesn’t suit you, have you tried looking into grey asexuality? There are some good threads I’ve seen where you could meet some people. I think you’ll fit right in. Grey asexual? That was a bit of a mouthful. She hovered over the message for a minute before copying the term and pasting it into the search engine. There was a surprising number of results. For now, she focused on the Wikipedia summary. When she’d originally posted her thread, it was a call for help that she assumed wouldn’t result in any real progress. After all, there are far worse things in the world that deserved attention as opposed to her identity crises. But one user seemed to take her words to heart, and they’d been going back and forth for the better half of a day. As silly as she felt posting it, she was glad that she’d taken the chance. Her fingers were starting to hurt as she typed out a reply and sent it, the ache of having sat in a windowless office all day only just starting to register. It was a good time to head out, she was probably the last one left in the office by now. Standing up in a large stretch, she powered off the computer just before it could announce a new notification, which just barely flashed in the corner of the screen. > Re: How long is too long?’ > > JohnOfThe90s** replied: > I’m glad the suggestion resonated with you. It was nice chatting with you, Shehnila! ------ [!--Gay couple: Marcus is a shy fellow who is brought to the bar by his good friend Billie who encourages him to meet people; he starts hitting on John, who politely declines, but offers to set him up with a friend.--] Marcus frowned, and his reflection frowned back. His maroon button-down fit well, at least, although his jeans felt a bit too tight. He started inspecting his face, in case a pimple had appeared since he'd last checked four minutes ago. "You look cute." Marcus turned around. Billie, his longtime coworker, friend, and nuisance, was leaning against his bedroom doorframe. She was dressed a little more casually, in bell-bottom jeans and a t-shirt, but somehow she looked far more dignified than Marcus felt. "I thought you didn't swing that way," Marcus said. "I'm trying to make you feel better. Ready for a night on the town?" Billie asked. Marcus grimaced. "I really don't want to do this. I—" "Oh my God, dude," Billie groaned, "You better not fucking bail out right now!" She grabbed the back of Marcus' head and rattled it. "I'm just... you know?" Marcus struggled to put his anxiety into words. Billie scowled. "I don't know. You dumbass. You haven't been outside your house and work for like, a year. We're //going// to the bar. Don't make me drag you." "But—!" "Come on!" The walk there was unremarkable, although it was more likely that Marcus simply wasn't paying any attention. Billie was right, of course. It was typical of her, annoyingly so. Marcus hadn't done anything social beyond going to the office in... he was sure he had since then, but it felt like since college. "We're here." Marcus shook out of his stupor. They were barely a minute's drive from his place, but his body screamed out that this was an unfamiliar place, that he should go back, that home would be warm and alone and comfortable. People walked by him on the sidewalk, and despite none of them looking at him, he felt all of their eyes swirling around him in a hurricane of exposure. Billie waved her hand in front of his face. "Yo. Marcus. Wake up." Marcus turned to his right, where Billie was giving him an annoyed yet almost sympathetic look. She brushed a stray crumb off her shirt. "It's just a little going-away party, okay? You know Alex, it's gonna be a bunch of folks we know and a bunch of folks we don't." She grabbed his arm and pulled him in. It was quieter than he expected. Still noisy, but mostly from the general hustle of several people all hanging out in one room, talking and laughing and walking about. Music played over the radio, a song he'd heard a thousand times at work and in the car from a new album by who knows. Somehow it relieved him slightly. The two of them sat down at the bar. To his right was Billie, and to his left was a guy he didn't recognize. The first thing Marcus thought was "he seems normal," followed by "he's kind of cute though." The guy's actual appearance wasn't anything remarkable, but he had a perpetual slight smile; whether he was in a good mood or it was simply how he looked was indeterminate, but either way he seemed calm and approachable. He was idly participating in a conversation to his left, but was largely quiet, seeming content to listen on. Marcus felt a nudge from Billie. "Talk to him." "Huh?" "//Talk// to him. You've been glancing at him like a... you've been looking at him." Marcus tugged at his collar. "I don't //want// to talk to him," he whispered back. "He's cute!" "Yes! He's cute!" "So...?" "I'm too nervous. Please just—" "Ahem." Marcus slowly turned to his left. The guy had now turned his attention and was gazing at the pair with a slight smile. "I uh... I can hear you two." Panic struck Marcus like a truck hitting a nervous insect. "Oh, I'm— I'm sorry, I'll uh—" "Wait wait wait. My name's John, I'm really really flattered. I'm uh, not looking to date anybody, on account of me being ace—" Of course. Of course. Marcus' worst fears had come to life. A cute guy rejecting him and thinking he's weird and he'd probably tell all his friends about this weird creepy gay guy who— "—but my friend Bin is!" Oh. John pointed over his shoulder to a Korean guy in a dress shirt sitting by himself at a table, scrolling through his phone. He had a handsome face, although he kept glancing away like he was worried about someone sneaking up on him. John pulled out his phone. "I had to drag him here tonight, he's never been much of a party guy. If you're interested I can shoot him a quick text and send you over there?" Billie leaned over. "He'd //love// that." John looked expectantly at Marcus, who gave an awkward thumbs up. John typed into his phone then looked over at Bin. Bin stared at his phone for another second, then turned red. He glanced over at the group then turned away immediately. After another second, he typed a response. John glanced at his phone and grinned before looking back at Marcus. "Welp, take it away!" Marcus stood, brushing nonexistent dust off his shirt. "Thank— thank you, John." John gave an even wider smile. "Anytime, man. Now, I've got a book to read!" He held up a paperback book titled //A Brief History of English Grammar//. Billie clapped him on the back. "Go get 'em, tiger. Or whatever they say." Marcus began his stiff walk over to Bin's table. It was barely a few feet, but it felt like miles. After an eternity, he sat down opposite Bin. "Hi." Bin waved slightly. "Hi." The two of them stared at each other in silence for a few seconds. Then, in an instant, the tension snapped, and the two of them broke down into giggles. "God, I'm so sorry," Bin said. "No!" replied Marcus, "No, no, this is just— I wasn't expecting this is all. I'm— I'm Marcus." "Bin. Son Bin. I uh, my mom named me after an actor." "That's pretty cool!" "Well, all the elementary school kids thought it was really funny I was named 'Bin'." "Ouch." "Yeah, but you know, that's third grade for you. I'm sorry, I'm talking too much about myself, you should—" "No, it's fine! It's nice, keep going!" And so he did. And Marcus did too. The night went on and by the end of it, the two had each other's numbers. When he got home, Marcus looked at himself in the mirror. This time, his reflection didn't frown back. ------ Hidden behind a half-crushed Toyota Tacoma was the very rigid Pandora, one hand holding a pistol in all the wrong ways, and the other hovering over Azalea, who seemed to be relaxing against the truck and waiting for something to happen. The road they were in the middle of was littered with cars that had been crushed, burned or thrown around like toys, along with a few dead bodies and a heavy air still filled with faint screaming from off in the distance. It wasn’t often the two went out for a date night, but usually their luck was a lot better than this. “I told you tonight wouldn’t work out.” Azalea spoke matter-of-factly as the two listened to yet another loud crash, the car alarms nearly drowning out her voice. “Angel. Sweetie pie. Light of my life. You can’t describe predictions of near-death experiences as if they are work emails. I thought you meant like, busy! Not this! And how much longer is this guy going to take?” Pandora’s voice was all Azalea could hear, as everything else seemed drowned out. “He should be here any moment. Just keep your eyes peeled for a generic white man.” Azalea stared blankly in front of her, one hand fixing her silver hair which had gotten messy in the crash. Despite having been thrown from a vehicle at seventy miles per hour, her biggest concern was making sure she still looked presentable. “This is crazy, you know that? I can’t believe this is really- oh! I think I see him!” Pandora exclaimed as she raised from her tucked position to flag over a man who seemed to be running away from the direction the destructive force had travelled. “Sir! Sir we need your help over here!” Just as Azalea had predicted, the man came rushing over, and Pandora smelled the sweat before she saw the stains on his shirt. “Is everything okay miss?” The man shouted despite being directly next to Pandora, panting as the curly haired doctor reached back to help her partner stand. “Oh, were fine! But you look like the kind of guy who could officiate a marriage. Is that true?” Pandora looked back at her partner for confirmation, but she received no gesture in return considering Azalea had no way of seeing her. The oracle did manage to breath out a scoff, muttering something about never being wrong. “What? Uh, yeah, I can!” the man raised his voice again, seeming more certain of himself as he extended a hand to Pandora, which she took and shook with vigour. “You can call me John.” “My partner and I are just, really scared of this whole destruction thing, and we wouldn’t want to die without making things official, right?” Pandora gestured back to her partner with the pistol, before realizing safety was off and putting it on the hood of the Tacoma. The taller woman remained silent, but she nodded a handful of seconds after Pandora spoke. “I don’t see why not! But I really have to get out of here, so just repeat after me.” ------ [!--Transgender: Sarah is a Mekhanite in Amoni-Ram who is concerned about coming out to her parents who are coming over for [[[SCP-7412\|Δαμάτριος]]], so during a water break she talks with John about it, who comforts her.--] Sarah stared at her computer, as she had been for the past hour. It had been a slow day at the office, which unfortunately left her thoughts completely uninterrupted. It had been five years since she'd moved out of her parents' house. She kept in touch, of course, but a lot had changed. She'd settled down with a comfortable new job, joined a painting club, and become a regular helper at the soup kitchen on weekends. Her parents were proud, of course. Well, maybe they wouldn't be if they knew about her //other// change... Her phone rang. Her eyes peeled away from the computer screen, leaving a vague afterimage in her vision. Her eyes flashed blue as she used mentally took the call. "Hello?" "Hey Dev!" Sarah flinched. She hadn't told them yet, but hearing her old name still hurt nonetheless. "Hey Dad." "Just wanted to check in, we got stopped a bit by Jailors but we're on our way again. We'll probably be closer to 7 instead of 6 though. Everything okay on your end?" Sarah nodded to herself. "Yeah. Everything's fine." "Awesome! We'll see you then!" "Hey Dad?" "What's up, bud?" "Is there anything I could do that would make you guys stop loving me?" "What? No! Of course not!" her dad replied. Sarah's mom piped in. "If you stopped liking my casserole, maybe." The three of them laughed, but Sarah still felt queasy. It was very easy for them to say that. And, to be fair, her parents were always passively supportive of trans people, never upset at the idea. But even so, how would they feel about their own child? Surely things would change. "What's the matter, bud? Everything okay?" her dad asked. "Yeah, yeah. Just a lot on my mind." "Hey," her mom said, "You remember when you said you decided to go Maxwellist, right? And how you said you thought it was right for you but you were so scared of telling us?" "Mhm." "Pretty damn big thing! Didn't make us stop loving you." "Yeah." "You could call us tomorrow and say you decided to join the Jailors," her dad piped in, "and we still wouldn't care!" "We'd care," her mom remarked. "Okay true, but you know what I mean. We'd still love him." "Point is," her mom said, "we love you, nothing will change that, so on and so forth." Sarah rubbed her eyes. "Yeah. I know. Thanks mom. And dad." "We'll stop bothering you then. Plus, your dad needs to pay attention, he's almost rear ended two people now." "I have //not//!" "Love you!" Sarah leaned back. Every ounce of reassurance just made it seem like her parents would be all the more disappointed when they found out. She looked at the clock. Close to leaving, but nothing was happening right now. She stood up and made her way to the water cooler. As she walked, she felt a little surge of gratitude for the people around her. No matter what, the people at her painting club, the soup kitchen, and the office had become good friends, and she was glad they'd accepted her. She arrived at the water cooler and sighed. She pulled out a cup and dispensed a drink for herself. Even with the community she'd folded herself into, she couldn't abandon the fear of disapproval from the pair of people she'd known since birth. John walked over and grabbed himself a drink. "Hey Sarah." He was an average-looking man, unremarkable to most, but someone Sarah considered a good friend. "Hey John." John tilted his head. "Why the long face?" She sipped her water. "Is it that obvious?" John frowned. "You wanna talk about it? I've wrapped up all my work." Sarah gave another sigh. "My parents, they're coming over for [[[SCP-7412\|Δαμάτριος]]] tonight." "Sorry, I didn't catch that." "It's a religious holiday." "Ah, I see." "They uh, they don't know about my transition," Sarah said, "I'm just worried about how it'll go." John nodded. "Have they said anything about the subject before?" "Nothing substantive. They seem okay with it, but..." "It's different if it's you?" Sarah looked out the window at the city below. The people looked like ants. A thousand of them milling about, all with their own lives. "Yeah, I guess." John shrugged. "From what I know, parents tend to be up front about those sorts of things." "I just... I dunno. They're coming over tonight, so I can't stop it now." John took a sip of water. "Not much you can do then, I suppose." "No," she said, "But it's nice to talk about, at least. Thanks for listening." "No problem, Sarah." The rest of the day was a blur. It felt like only a moment later Sarah was at home, waiting anxiously until her parents arrived. Her heart thumped dramatically. //Thump thump.// //Thump thump.// //Thump thump.// //KNOCK KNOCK.// Sarah gulped. She waited a few seconds. "Come in!" The door opened. Her dad backed in, pulling a rolling suitcase behind him. He was dressed in a trench coat and a wide-brimmed hat, gears and pipes poking through the hair on the back of his head. His hands were coated in clean steel plates, which contrasted nicely against his deep brown skin. "Dammit, I //knew// I should have gotten a new case, the wheel on this one is all twisty." Her mother came up behind him. Unlike her husband, her mechanical components were scuffed and chipped: various random bits and bobs ran up her arms into her blue sleeveless dress. Golden rings, encircled her eyes, which were glaring at the stuck suitcase in front of her. "Honestly Cam, just //lift// the thing." "I mean, you're behind me, pull up on the thing or whatever." "I'm just saying!" "Might not be the wheel actually, it's stuck a little in this gap right here." "Here, let me— I'm sorry Dev, just give us a—" Her mother finally noticed Sarah and froze, staring wide-eyed at her. "Ah, there we go," her dad declared. "Sorry about that! Now..." He turned around and stopped. Sarah smiled feebly and gave an awkward wave. "Hi." Her two parents slowly walked forward. Her father reached a hand forward and hesitantly touched her cheek. "//Dev?//" he asked incredulously. "It's uh, it's Sarah now." The pair stood still, jaws agape. Then, in an instant, they rushed forward and embraced her. "Oh //sweetie//!" "I had no idea!" "Is this what you were worried about before?" "Oh, I'm so so sorry, we—" "—we would never want you to feel—" "I'm so proud of you Sarah—" Sarah broke down in tears, crying into her parents' shoulders for so many minutes as they eventually went silent and held her in their arms. Finally, they let go. Her dad held her at arms' length. "I'm so sorry," she said, "I—" "Stop it," her dad interrupted, wiping a tear from his eye, "You never needed to— I just—" He broke down into joyful tears, his wife awkwardly patting him on the back. "Your father and I are very proud of you, is what he's trying to say." She gave a beaming smile. "I, uh, I brought dinner too." She held up a bag of groceries. Sarah hugged the two of them. "Happy Δαμάτριος." ------ Maria fumbled with hey keys before hitting the lock button twice, satisfied when her car made its familiar beep in response. The parking lot was surprisingly cramped today, but then again, strip malls tended to be packed on Saturdays. She was a short woman, with pin-straight black hair and decorated in gold and beaded jewelry. Her skin was tan, the kind of dark you get from being born in the sun and basking in it every day since. There was something nostalgic about being back in town after so many years. She remembered shopping here with friends after school, and her birthday at the laser tag spot just down the road. Back then she thought she’d be a doctor. “Many.” The Karcist holding onto her arm had been craning their neck to look at the lines upon lines of cars, and the crowded walkways. Some of those people stared back in ways Lux’kia had grown used to. Their face was covered by the skull of a three-eyed elk, hair so thick and long that it looked matted sprouted from behind the mask, fully concealing their identity. Their antlers towered an extra foot above their head, which added to their height made them seem inhumanly tall. “If it's too much we can always go home.” Maria stopped in front of her car, moving to hold one of their hands in hers. “No. We want Five Guys.” It took a while before they were finally a spot away from the register. Lux’kia wasn’t familiar with what a combo was, so she settled on getting them what she usually ordered. She had told them about the peanuts people would crack onto the floor, but it seemed they long since stopped that tradition. “Hi miss! What can I get for you today?” “I think we're going to do two bacon cheeseburgers, a large fry and two drinks. I'll do a root beer.” The cashier tapped at their screen for a bit before looking back up at towering figure just behind Maria. “Nice cosplay. What about for you, sir?” Lux’kia remained silent, the void holes beyond the eye sockets giving no reaction. Maria only cringed at the term ‘sir’, before looking back at her partner. “I think my partner will stick with some water.” Her voice was quieter, and she quickly took her card out to pay so they could move on. Moving into the pickup area, Maria was just opening her mouth to apologize to Lux’kia before she heard a man speak up from the ordering line. “Sorry, what can I call you again?” “Miss.” “Look, Miss, that wasn’t so hard for me to ask, was it? I don’t want to be another asshole in your line today, but it isn’t that hard to use gender neutral terms if asking takes too long.” There was a man at the counter, dressed casually and already grabbing his receipt. “I understand sir, but-” “You just did it again! Its 2024, let's not go back to outdated assumptions.” Maria nudged her partner, who had already been eavesdropping on the conversation and gave a chuckle as the man walked into their line. They were both looking back at him, and the man seemed to be catching his breath as he let out a sigh. Only then did he notice them staring at him. “Oh. Sorry, was I being too loud?” He had a smile on his face, one that reminded Maria of something good, something warm. “Not at all. Thank you for standing up for my partner like that, but you really didn’t have to.” She turned to face him better, offering her hand for him to shake. He took it, and they quickly exchanged names. “Well, I like to think when I do stuff like that it helps all the people after you, too. But I don’t know, I kind of feel like an ass for putting a minimum wage worker on the line like that.” John scratched the back of his head, shuffling from foot to foot under the gaze of the strangers he had just defended. “Only a little bit, but it was a good deed.” Eventually, her order was called out and she had Lux’kia carry the food while she handled the drinks. On their way out, Lux’kia leaned down towards John’s ear. “Chi Miigwech.” ------ [!--Ace: John is sad that he's so boring so he talks to a little frog who reminds him of how much he's given to the people around him, then everyone from the previous stories arrives at his house to throw him a surprise birthday party.--] John walked out of his car, his mind blank as he slowly walked to his apartment, a bag of groceries in his hand. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the week. Just like last week, and the week before. Corn flakes and milk for breakfast, ramen for lunch, and green beans and chicken for dinner. Dull as ever. He walked up to his door, met by a welcome mat. Even //that// was boring, despite the fact that his door was one of the only ones to have it. He reached a hand to the knob and sighed. "Something the matter?" He turned around. Perched on the railing, a small frog stared at him. Normally frogs didn't talk, but he supposed this one did. He walked up beside it and leaned against the railing. "Nothing, really. Although nothing's //good// either." The frog began waddling along the rail, making its way to John's hand. "In search of intrigue, perhaps? An adventure, if you will?" Its voice was deep and rich, but at the same time gentle and calming. John shrugged. "I've seen a lot of things. It's //me// that's the problem. I wish... sorry, I don't mean to—" "Nonsense," the frog interjected. "It was I who asked." John hesitated. "I'm just so... //boring//." "And this troubles you?" "A bit." "Hmph." The frog faced parallel to John, looking outward at the parking lot. "And what, pray tell, is wrong with that?" John looked down at the frog. "Nothing, I guess. Not morally, anyway." "And have you failed to make your life enjoyable?" "Not... really. I just feel like I should be something more." "Ah. So this is inadequacy." The frog's expression changed, looking a tad more annoyed than before. "You seem to be fulfilled with your own life, but what you //should// be is something more... to be something more to others? Do you feel lonely?" John sighed. "I've... never been interested in dating. Asexual and all that. But I kind of wish I was special to someone, you know? But instead I'm everyone else's second best friend. I'm not upset with them about it, but..." He paused. "Is that selfish?" The frog pondered this for a moment before perking up a bit. "Are you a good man?" "Sorry?" "Do you do good deeds? Do you seek to enrich the lives of others? Do you comfort those around you?" John thought to himself. "I mean, yeah, but doesn't everyone do that?" "You'd be surprised." The frog made a sound vaguely resembling a chuckle. "But I think you'll find your good deeds are what result in true friendship and love, not your intrigue." John smiled a bit. "You think so?" The frog gave a sort of shrug. "I'm just a frog, young man. What do I know about human affairs?" And with that, he hopped away. John continued smiling. He turned to his door again, unlocking it and swinging it inwards. "SURPRISE!" The collective cheer almost made him fall over. He blinked and collected himself. Within his apartment, a small crowd of people had amassed: many of them from work, but others he knew from elsewhere. Some he barely recognized at all. Streamers decorated the walls, balloons scraped the ceiling, and confetti floated in the air. "What—?" Sarah, one of his work friends, walked over. "One, leave your spare key somewhere less obvious. Two, happy birthday!" His //birthday//. The last few weeks had become such a blur that he'd completely forgotten it was his birthday. He walked forward, his head buzzing. The people in the room gave him a series of happy birthday wishes as he entered. "Good birthday!" said Maria, hanging onto Lux'kia's arm. A man clapped John on the back. Bin's new boyfriend... Marcus, if he remembered right. "Come blow out the candles!" A woman John was standing over an immense birthday cake. He didn't know her name, but he recognized her as someone he'd married to the person standing next to her. The crowd guided him to the cake and began singing "Happy Birthday." Like most people, he wasn't certain what to do during the song. But it didn't matter. He wasn't sure what exactly he'd done to deserve such a celebration. Certainly he'd never ask for it. But as he blew out the candles, his insecurities were drowned out by a love clearer than any other. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/more-by:calibold">:scp-wiki:more-by:calibold</a>]] [[=]] [[div class="more-by-calibold"]] [[collapsible show="+ More by Luxaiko +" hide="- More by Luxaiko -"]] [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/goodnight-miss-moon Goodnight, Miss Moon] [https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-122 SCP-122] — No More Monsters [[/collapsible]] [[/div]] [[/=]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \|author=Calibold and Luxaiko]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-07-01T00:33:00	[ "_licensebox", "broken-god", "co-authored", "lgbtq", "pridefest2024", "sarkic", "slice-of-life", "tale" ]	Taste The Rainbow - SCP Foundation	23	[ "aiko-artpage", "calibri-bold-s-mega-cool-author-page", "scp-7412", "scp-8421", "scp-8228", "scp-7178", "scp-7179", "scp-6469", "scp-2082", "scp-6156", "scp-6579", "scp-6900", "scp-5277", "scp-5363", "scp-3482", "scp-5156", "director-bold-s-proposal-j", "scp-2693", "scp-5559", "scp-3448-j", "scp-4456", "scp-4745", "scp-4645", "threatini", "diary-of-an-existential-kid", "responsible-promotion", "friends-of-us-never-die", "truth-lies", "a-team-you-can-maybe-trust", "happy-father-s-day", "mission-decommission", "a-bold-choice", "i-am-become-death", "ulysses-b-donkman-and-the-heinous-hitman", "its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-eldritch", "chapter-one-the-end", "manifest-476", "the-book-of-mathisi-chapter-1", "lte-8686-yellow-kewpie", "uiu-file-2001-023", "component:customizable-acs-guide", "decom-dept-hub", "fortune-favors-hub", "theme:decom-dept", "component:customizable-acs", "component:mega-cool-author-page-tool", "theme:calibri-logos", "calibri-s-mega-cool-art-page-it-s-mostly-just-icons-but-what", "abraka-davids-proposal", "scp-7400", "i-hub", "resurrection-new-faces-hub", "scp-5545", "scp-194", "goodnight-miss-moon", "scp-122", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "sarkicism-hub", "pridefest", "fortune-favors-hub", "decom-dept-hub", "church-of-the-broken-god-hub" ]	[]	1454344423	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/taste-the-rainbow
that-day	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="display: none"> <div class="code"> <div class="hl-main"> <pre><span class="hl-identifier">#page-content</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">position:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">relative</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.5</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1.5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">176</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.7</span><span class="hl-code">), </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> lightgrey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded</span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">overflow-wrap:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">break-word</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-unfolded-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-folded</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> dimgrey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.collapsible-block-link</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-weight:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">bold</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> dimgrey</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.addendumbox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.01</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">5</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.16</span><span class="hl-code">),</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.12</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.material-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">.01</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-top:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">16</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">padding-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">em</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> lightgrey </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">box-shadow:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code"> rgba(</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0</span><span class="hl-code">,</span><span class="hl-number">0.16</span><span class="hl-code">)</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.material-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">double</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.wiki-content-table</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.addendumbox</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">blockquote</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">border:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">1</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">double</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#999</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.addendumtitle</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">opacity:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">0.8</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">#b01</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.maintitle</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">margin-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">10</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">text-align:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">center</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-string">x-large</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-var">#b01</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.addenda-header</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">width:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">100</span><span class="hl-string">%</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">border-bottom:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-number">2</span><span class="hl-string">px</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-string">solid</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code">flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code">space-between</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">font-size:</span><span class="hl-string">large</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.scp-info-box</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">display:</span><span class="hl-code">flex</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-reserved">justify-content:</span><span class="hl-code">space-between</span><span class="hl-code">; </span><span class="hl-brackets">}</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-identifier">.object-info</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-brackets">{</span><span class="hl-code"> </span><span class="hl-reserved">color:</span><span class="hl-var">black</span><span class="hl-code">; 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return false;"><img alt="Mew-ltiverse" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=5271378&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1735175946" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=5271378)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/mew-ltiverse" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(5271378); return false;">Mew-ltiverse</a></span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-mews-personnel-file">Read more of my stuff</a></p> <p>For accessibility: Words such as red, death, blood, pain, and other SH themes, also many words highlighting her anger are all in the color RED; Words about rotting or decay are in GREY;</p> </div> <hr/> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <div class="content-warning creditRate">⚠️ content warning <span class="content-warning-arrow"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p>Things were never going to be the same.</p> <p>I understood that the moment I entered his apartment. After over <strong>a million</strong> text messages, <strong>a million</strong> more calls that made my heart rise into my throat every time it went to voicemail, and a single <em>naive</em> knock at the door, I practically broke my spare key. I remember the <em>echo</em> of the doorknob <strong>crashing</strong> into the wall.</p> <p>What greeted me was a pitch black abyss, a deadly <em>quiet</em>. All I heard was the obnoxiously <strong>loud</strong> TV from his neighbors. Once, I filed a noise complaint for him since he didn’t want to bother. I'd entered this apartment thousands of times. Tonight it was a foreign cave.</p> <p>The next thing I noticed as I rocketed towards the back hallway was an unmistakable distinctly <span style="color: red">metallic</span> scent invaded my nostrils, filling my throat with vomit.</p> <p>I remember <strong>everything</strong> and <em>nothing</em> at the same time.</p> <p>Vague memories of crying into the phone.</p> <p>The warm <span style="color: red">blood</span> that covered my hands as I desperately checked his limbs.</p> <p>That green hoodie he always wore now practically brown.</p> <p>That plastic hitting the floor as I threw that damn bottle that did the opposite of its fucking job.</p> <p>Vomit mixing with <span style="color: red">blood</span>, seeping into the floorboards.</p> <p>Tears blinding my vision.</p> <p>My throat spasming as I practically choked on vomit and tears.</p> <p>The terror deep within my gut as I saw the dead eyes of the man I called my best friend.</p> <p>Hands in latex gloves, checking my pulse. Hands in leather gloves, trying to pry the paper from my grip.</p> <p>But I held on like I’d explode if I let go.</p> <p>I tried to <strong>scream</strong>, but nothing came out.</p> <p>One minute I was in that <span style="color: red">bloodstained</span> grave. The next I was in the ER.</p> <p>My hands were cramped from holding the note. Next thing I knew the police were trying to get me to let it go.</p> <p>He was in that note.</p> <p>Whatever it said, held the answers.</p> <p>But, I already knew.</p> <p>My friendship wasn’t enough. No matter how many sleepless nights we spent together. How many days on end I preached false hope. We spent <em>less</em> and <em>less</em> time together. He began to answer his messages <em>less</em> and <em>less</em>. More and more time passed. His eyes die more and more. More and more bandages coated his skin.</p> <p>My friendship wasn’t enough. No matter how many sleepless nights we spent together. NO MATTER how many days on end I preached false hope. We spent <em>less</em> and <em>less</em> time together. He answered my texts <em>less</em> and <em>less</em>. More and more time passed. More and more, the light in his eyes dimmed. More and more bandages coated his skin.</p> <p>There comes a time when you look at someone and you realize:</p> <p><em>You don't have anything left to give.</em></p> <p>I tried.<br/> I tried. I tried.<br/> I tried. I tried. I tried.<br/> I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried.<br/> I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried.<br/> I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried.</p> <p><span style="font-size:200%;"><span style="color: red"><strong>I TRIED</strong></span></span></p> <p>This was my fault, I told myself. It was my fault.</p> <p>It was my fault. It was my fault. <strong>It was my fault.</strong> <span style="color: red"><strong>IT WAS MY FAULT.</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:150%;"><span style="color: red"><strong>IT WAS MY FAULT</strong></span></span></p> <p>I believed that for a while. Even when I attempted to get back to work. I couldn't forget a simple truth:</p> <p>I could’ve prevented his <span style="color: red">death</span>.</p> <p>The note said so many things, but one phrase was burned into my mind::</p> <p><span style="font-size:150%;">IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT, KATIE</span></p> <p>It was my fault. I was all he had.</p> <p>I wasn’t enough.</p> <p>I don’t know what else I could’ve done.</p> <p>I know I could've done something.</p> <p>He’s <span style="color: red">dead</span> because I couldn’t stop him. Nothing I did helped. No matter how many times I assured him I would be there, assured him that I would be his shoulder to cry on, assured him that I would be waiting for his messages if he was having an episode, no matter what I did, <em>nothing</em> was enough. I remember every night I’d pull him back from the ledge with the flashbacks devouring him whole. The kind, sweet, cheerful man I first met long ago transforming into a traumatized, dead husk.</p> <p>He’d been dying for a while.</p> <p>And now he's truly <span style="color: red">dead</span>.</p> <p>I refused to forget. He was always scared of people forgetting him, forgetting his pain, forgetting that he ever was. Fading into just a memory. He didn’t want to be reduced to just a name on an obituary. But he wasn’t just a name to me.</p> <p>He was <strong>Sam Okumura</strong>. A kind gentle soul, jaded by the world around him. He kept trying to see the good in the world even as life became impossible. Even when things were at their worst, he tried to be there for me. Sarcasm broke through. Cracked jokes about his own mental state again and again. But those times slowly dwindled.</p> <p>I'll never forget the times we spent together. I saw the person he was deep down, buried beneath a <span style="color: grey">rotting</span> exterior. I was convinced that with time, he’d return.</p> <p>Then he left the world for good. I told myself I would <strong>never</strong> let him be forgotten.</p> <p>But it was more than just not forgetting for me.</p> <p>My entire life was ruled by his <em>absence</em>.</p> <p>My life started to <span style="color: grey">decay</span>. After I sorted through what was left of his already-meager belongings, I <span style="color: grey">rotted</span> away in my apartment. I thought maybe if I shared the same <span style="color: red">pain</span> he felt, the same <span style="color: red">pain</span> he <em>subjected himself</em> to, some of the guilt would pass.</p> <p>It didn’t, and now I’ll just be sweating a lot more until winter.</p> <p>Every day for too long I melted into my sheets. I told myself that thinking about anything but him was selfish. That if I did anything but grieve I would condemn myself to the deepest layer of hell.</p> <p>Y’know, I knew what he would’ve wanted. But I convinced myself I knew better.</p> <p>I bought 5 family sized packs of cup ramen and called it good. Who would’ve thought that eating nothing but processed noodles and sodium would make you feel like shit? And not eating makes you feel even worse.</p> <p>Good, I thought. I deserved that. I deserved to <span style="color: grey">rot</span> here .I remembered begging Sam to make some food after several days of going without. Sometimes I drove over and made him something myself. Or, fuck, made sure he was at least drinking water.</p> <p>I felt like I deserved to wither away.</p> <p>But as much as I wanted to just <span style="color: grey">rot</span> away in my apartment for the rest of my life, I couldn’t.</p> <p>I couldn’t keep taking my parents' money. They wanted to know how I was every day. I usually just lied, said I was still recalibrating, almost ready to face the world again. So I disappointed them by lying. I couldn’t keep disappointing my clients, God knows I’ve done enough of that in my life. So I started picking up gigs again. I couldn't take care of myself, but I could take care of people's pets. I could take care of something.</p> <p>Sam always loved dogs. More than people, actually. Always said I was the only exception. He was always eager to help out with any dogs I watched. I insisted that he should get a dog of his own. Whenever I did, he insisted he hardly could watch himself. That he didn't trust himself enough. He always perked up just a little bit whenever I told him there was a new dog over. It was the small things that kept him going.</p> <p>But they weren’t enough, and it was my fault.</p> <p>The only thing that kept me alive was my guilt. I kept it near me like a close friend. It drove me to try and do better.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Funnily enough, I think this was a sign.</span></p> <p>My first client after my break had a golden retriever. God, golden retrievers… I used to love them, too. Sam used to love them. He used to compare himself to one, a long, long time ago. Now they just reminded me of who Sam used to be. The idea of being perceived sickened me to my core, but it needed to be taken out. I decided to take it on a walk through the woods near my house. I didn’t exactly feel like running into anyone, and the dog didn’t care where we were.</p> <p>It was around 8 PM. Late at night in a place nobody went. Not like anybody would show up. I trudged through the woods, AJJ blasting in my earbuds. June nights were hot, but I was still baking myself in the same sweatpants and hoodie I'd been wearing since// that night//.</p> <p>I remember how calm things were. Buggy (the dog) was walking alongside me. His tail swished back and forth the whole time, and he was always panting just a little bit. He seemed happy. We were alone for about ten minutes.</p> <p>Then I saw <strong>her</strong>.</p> <p>A woman with short black hair, smoking a cigarette. She was sitting on a fallen tree, fresh from a recent storm.</p> <p>I stopped. That was weird. The woman looked at me. She said something. I couldn't hear her. I paused my music.</p> <p>“What brings you here?”</p> <p>I shrugged. “You stole my question. But I’m walking my client’s dog. I prefer the night.”</p> <p><strong>She</strong> nodded. “I just like the quiet. It’s easier to process my thoughts here.”</p> <p>I don't know what I was thinking, but I sat down next to <strong>her.</strong> I asked if she could spare a cigarette.</p> <p>Next thing I knew, we were talking about all kinds of stuff. Mostly 'what are you doing with your life', 'what are your parents like', 'what was your childhood like', just a bunch of random shit. Probably spent thirty minutes there. Maybe more.</p> <p>“Yeah, she was kind of a bitch." <strong>She</strong> replies with a laugh.</p> <p>“Sounds like it! God, my middle school was full of people like that.”</p> <p>“Yeah, and unfortunately, despite the fact I moved schools, she moved to the same one I went to. I did meet some really cool people there, though."</p> <p>…</p> <p>“Katie?”</p> <p>The silence spoke volumes.</p> <p>I don't know if it was me having not had any conversations longer than five minutes in ages, but all of a sudden our conversation was replaced by my monstrous sobs.</p> <p>I don’t remember much.</p> <p>Breathing was hard. My chest tightened. My vision blurred. The world started spinning. I felt like I was <span style="color: red">dying</span>. Things got spotty. I remember her desperately calling my name— just like I had done back then. That probably made me feel worse.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">What was that look in <strong>her</strong> eyes?</span></p> <p>I fell off the tree stump, and then things went dark.</p> <p>Next thing I remember, I was covered in a blanket on a couch with a soft pillow. The TV was on, some cooking show. I could just barely see by the light. There was a glass of ice water and a sleeve of crackers on the side table. I should have panicked, but I didn't have the energy, and somehow I felt <em>safe</em>.</p> <p>I didn't know back then that it'd be my second home</p> <p>As soon as <strong>she</strong> noticed I was awake, she explained what had happened. I thanked her for taking care of me, but I didn’t stay. She checked me out as well as she could before she let me leave. We exchanged phone numbers, and then she drove me and poor Buggy home. He'd need some extra affection later.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> rolled the window down. “Hey, Katie? Call me tomorrow, please. I wanna make sure you’re okay, okay?”</p> <p>I nodded. That felt so good to hear. <strong>She</strong> had a kind voice. It sounded honest.</p> <p>It was a strange night. Still really weird to meet someone that important in the middle of nowhere with a dog I don't even own.</p> <p>That was the day my life turned around again.</p> <p>I barely made it to bed before practically passing out. Oddly enough, I didn’t have a lot of dreams during these months. I didn’t dream of Sam, I didn’t dream of <strong>her</strong>. I didn’t dream of anything. But as soon as I awoke the next morning, she was all I could think of.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> was just so <em>kind</em> to me. So understanding. She just listened to me. She just let me talk, 'and- god, it had really been <em>forever</em> since I’d talked to someone like that.</p> <p>Sam and I used to talk like that all the time. We’d have so many sleepless nights that just started out with sharing random shit, going over stories the both of us already knew. He always talked so fondly of his elementary school days, back when things were simple. I could picture his face as clearly as I saw my own in the mirror. He'd tell this one story a lot, the time he tried to make brownies, <em>without his mom's help</em>, when he was <em>real young</em>. His laugh as he explained how the counters got covered in cracked eggs and flour. It was real. I could count the times I saw that light again on my fingers. When we barely managed to steer back into good memories. Dodge the depression traps. He could forget his pain for a little bit when we did that. I could forget his pain too. But thinking of his face just made me remember that day.</p> <p>The day his body matched his heart.</p> <p>I just shook my head and thought of <strong>her</strong> again. Her smile, her laugh.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> wasn’t Sam, though.</p> <p>No one would ever be him.</p> <p>But she was someone I felt I could relate to. Someone I could talk to. She had told me stories from her life, her hardships and struggles. She made me feel <em>heard</em>.</p> <p>So we started talking more.</p> <p>We just texted and called at first, but we did it every day. Eventually I started dropping by <strong>her</strong> house now and then. We started to learn about each other.</p> <hr/> <p>I went to <strong>her</strong> house, we sat on the couch.</p> <p>“Thanks for being so chill, by the way. Most people get freaked out when they see my butterfly collection.”</p> <p>I shook my head dismissively waved it off. “I think it’s cool as shit.”</p> <p><strong>She</strong> smiled. “Really? That’s so sweet. So many people see insects and just immediately jump.”</p> <p>“My mom would be totally freaked out by this stuff, but I’ve always found it so cool. I actually wanted a pet hissing cockroach in middle school. My mom said she’d rather die.”</p> <p>She laughed. “Sounds like a mom alright.” She paused. “I always wanted to be an entomologist, y’know.”</p> <p>“Whaaat? That’s so cool! Why didn’t you pursue it?”</p> <p>“Because my parents thought I should do something more traditional, so I did. They were paying for my college, so I really didn’t have the room to argue.” She sounded disappointed.</p> <p>“Oh, that sucks. Don’t entomologists make a lot of money?” I asked.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> nodded. “Yeah. My parents aren’t the most reasonable people.</p> <p>I nodded. “That sucks. My parents luckily were pretty okay with me doing whatever I wanted. They’ve always been pretty supportive.”</p> <p>I don’t know why I took that for granted.</p> <p>“That’s good. That’s how parents should be.”</p> <p>“Yeah. … Hmm uh, what do you do, then?”</p> <p>“I’m a nurse practitioner.”</p> <p>Yeah, a nurse that smokes. I thought it was ironic at the time, deep down, I was still naive. A lot of things are ironic in hindsight. My view of the world was too simple.</p> <p>“Oh, well that’s still cool! Do you like it?”</p> <p>“I mean, yeah, I guess. It pays well, so. Eh, maybe I could go back to school some time. It’s not too late.”</p> <p>“Totally. I mean, you’re like what, 28? You’ve still got tons of time.”</p> <p>“For real. I keep telling myself one day I’ll do something better, that I like more.” <strong>She</strong> gave a calm smile, then looked at me. “How about you? You’re a bit younger than me even, so you definitely have time to do something with your life. What was your dream career? I assume it wasn’t dog walking.” She gave a cheeky grin.</p> <p>“Hey!” I replied with a laugh, then sighed. “But, yeah. Um, back in high school I…”</p> <p>I went quiet. Everything. Everything reminded me. <strong>EVERYTHING REMINDED ME</strong>.</p> <p>But she <em>understood</em>.</p> <p>“Let’s just find something you’re comfortable with, okay? If old movies you used to like hurt to talk about, next time you come over, I could show you some new ones.”</p> <p>So I decided to start going to her house more often.</p> <p>It started with her off nights. She said I should start again new. Find new things to talk about if the past hurt too much. She had a lot of suggestions for things to watch, but we talked so much it took twice as long to finish them half the time.</p> <p>It reminded me of happier times.</p> <p>Because everything reminded me.</p> <p>But it started to get easier. When my brain made me suffer, it didn't hurt as much. I started remembering the fun we had together instead of just the guilt.</p> <p>I realized that I didn’t need to force myself to constantly think of the most traumatic moment of my life. That this is what he would’ve wanted.</p> <p>For the first time in a long time I actually looked forward to waking up, because it meant I could talk to her more.</p> <p>We messaged constantly, day and night, but I dug up as many reasons as I could to be with her in person.</p> <hr/> <p>It was a Saturday night. We were sitting where we usually did, her at her desk, and me on her bed.</p> <p>“Y’know how you asked me what I wanted to do as a career?”</p> <p>She looked up from her computer. “Yeah, I remember that.”</p> <p>“As a teenager, I wanted to be an artist.” I was sitting on her bed, squeezing my sweatpants with my fists.</p> <p>“Oh? That’s fun.” She smiled.</p> <p>“Yeah. Uh, Sam did, too. He did these really amazing drawings. He drew a lot of fun abstract drawings of random OCs of his with dark colors. He was a lot better at it than I was.”</p> <p>“No way, I’m sure your stuff was really good!”</p> <p>“Thanks! I realized I didn’t really have what it takes to like, make a career out of it, so I went after other things.”</p> <p>“I get that. Do you still draw?”</p> <p>“Kinda. I haven’t had the motivation. Especially since, um, "I hesitated. “Since Sam passed. In the note he left me. He wanted me to have custody over everything. I think he may have forgotten that meant everything. I found a sketchbook with a note on it that said that he hoped I never found it.” My voice was shaking.</p> <p>She got up from her desk and joined me on the bed. She offered me her hand. I took it.</p> <p>I spoke slowly, and my voice started to tremble. “Inside were the most haunting drawings I’d ever seen. I’ve never seen so much <span style="color: red">red</span>. I mean yeah the contents were bad enough.” I paused. “But, I realized quickly after looking through the drawings something that was much <span style="color: red">worse</span>. I never knew that he-“</p> <p>“Take a deep breath. It’s okay.”</p> <p>We just looked at each other for a few minutes. Nobody spoke. <strong>Her</strong> hand felt so warm over mine. Her smile was so genuine and comforting. It felt like she saw me with nothing but care and admiration in her eyes. Eventually, she spoke.</p> <p>“You look like a tomato.” <strong>She</strong> gently poked my cheek with her finger with a laugh, causing me to cup the spot with my hand. I stared at her like a deer in headlights.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> laughed. “You’re cute.” She stood up, still looking at me. “I haven’t eaten yet, I’m gonna go make some noodles. You’re welcome to stay for dinner.”</p> <p>I shook my head. “I-I gotta get back, Peanut Butter’s owners are gonna be there to get her early, so uh, gotta uh, go.” I rambled, running my hands through my hair.</p> <p>“Well, you can still stay and just get up early if you want, but I really think you should stay. I'll make lasagna,” <strong>She</strong> replied, putting her hands together. I missed something in the way she spoke, back then. That moment changed things.</p> <p>I realized it when I woke up the next morning.</p> <p>From there on out, I didn’t want to be without her.</p> <p>My thoughts wandered far too often. When that happened when I was with her, she was able to help me focus, help me breathe, help me distract myself. I bit the bullet.</p> <p>“Oh and uh, I wanted to ask you something, too.”</p> <p>“Yeah?”</p> <p>“I was wondering like, would it be okay if I uh, also started to bring any cats I watch over here, too? I really just like— I really find it so much easier to spend time with someone. With you. And I uh, I think it would be easier if I did that, too. So I don’t have to leave until it’s time for the kitties to be picked up. … If um, that’s okay. Yeah.” I rambled on awkwardly, and she just watched me as I talked. A few moments after I was finished, she cracked a smile and laughed.</p> <p>“Yeah, of course. No problem at all.” She replied. Despite her usually calm nature, she seemed quite excited.</p> <p>“Oh, cool.” I remember my chest heaving in a sigh. All my anxiety melted away. “I was afraid you were gonna think I was crazy or something.”</p> <p>“What? Crazy?” She laughed. I remember it vividly, The brightness disappeared from her face in an instant, replaced with serious concern. “Y’know, Katie, I see someone deeply hurt in you. You need someone to be there for you. I’d be happy to be that person.”</p> <p>That's when more often than not, I started spending more time at her house than my own.</p> <p>Her home became mine.</p> <p>I didn't worry so much about spending my days doomscrolling and watching TV. Every day, she came home, and I came alive again. She loved surprising me with sweet things. Candies and stuff. I always had that to look forward to, even if my mental health wasn’t doing very well that day. It was nice.</p> <hr/> <p>It was a Thursday night.</p> <p>I stood up. “My client’s gonna pick up Pickles early tomorrow, so I need to get back home.”</p> <p>She made a face.</p> <p>I laughed. I thought it was a joke.</p> <p>“Yes?”</p> <p>“I just don’t know if it’s safe for you leave this late at night. What if something happens?”</p> <p>“Not the first time I’ve driven at 2 AM, won’t be the last.” I picked up the cat from the couch. Pickles did his best impression of a towel.</p> <p>She stood up as well. “Then I’ll go, too.”</p> <p>I shook my head. “Seriously, it’s fine. I don’t need to be accompanied.”</p> <p><strong>She</strong> was quiet for a moment. She looked at me. She looked… <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">angry</span> concerned. After a few moments, she sat back down. “Just… be safe.” She replied slowly.</p> <hr/> <p>I thought that was a bit weird. At the time, I thought it showed how much she cared for me. Maybe it did.</p> <p>That was the first time the <strong>cracks</strong> started to show. I thought it was, anyway.</p> <p>But it wasn’t the last.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> insisted she had enough money for both of us, and <em>really</em> wasn’t a fan of how often I left, so a few things changed. I stopped taking clients who needed early morning pickups. Then I stopped taking on many clients at all. She handled meals, really didn’t want me in the kitchen. Said she was still nervous with me being around knives. It made sense at the time.</p> <p><strong>A lot</strong> made sense at the time.</p> <p>Including the snap-decision I made that Monday night.</p> <p>She was working late. I had been laying in her bed for the last few hours. The skin on my leg <span style="color: red">stung</span>. But it made the flashbacks null out a bit, so. I was so disappointed in myself. I hadn't done anything in months, but that's what happens when you decide to go on Twitter. It'd been a good bit since I'd been reminded, so seeing things again hit me when I wasn't prepared.</p> <p>I heard her enter the apartment. I panicked. I didn’t realize how long it'd been. I quickly tossed on the first pair of pants I saw. Sweatpants. Just as I was about to sit down, I heard her.</p> <p>“Katie? You look panicked.”</p> <p>I shook my head. “I’m not, just tired.” I replied.</p> <p>She put a hand on her hip. “Why are you wearing sweatpants? You weren’t when I left,” She asked.</p> <p>“I got cold.” I fibbed. It was a terrible lie. I could feel the sweat on my forehead.</p> <p>A sympathetic look crossed her face. She set her purse down and wrapped her arms around me.</p> <p>My shoulders stiffened for a moment. I relaxed them intentionally, and then I melted into her arms. I remembered what I felt in my heart. I felt safe. Despite everything, I felt safe.</p> <p>“It’s okay now," she whispered in my ear. “I’m sorry I was gone so long.” Her voice was warm and full. She ran her fingers through my hair.</p> <p>My thoughts were racing. I clung to her and began crying. The world was so dark and cold. Everything was cold.</p> <p>But she was warm.</p> <p>She hushed me again and again, running her hand down my back.</p> <p>The details are a bit fuzzy. The next thing I remember was laying in her bed with her. My head laid on her chest, her hands brushing through my hair. She had slipped my hairtie free and put it around her wrist. We stayed like that for who knows how long. Nobody said a word. Eventually, she spoke.</p> <p>“You should quit your job for good and move in with me.”</p> <p>I was shocked. We hadn't even known each other for half a year.</p> <p>“Move in? It hasn’t even been a year since we—“</p> <p>“I know,” She interrupted. “But I’ve seen the light in your eyes die and revive a million times since we met. The more you forget Sam, the more dead you seem to be. I’ll make sure you never forget him.”</p> <p><strong><em>Ugh. How obvious.</em></strong></p> <p>I remember a sinking in my chest. I cracked a nervous smile. “What do you mean? I haven’t forgotten him. I’m just… trying to move on from his death,” I replied.</p> <p>She nodded. “You hurt yourself because of a reminder. It's good to be reminded of him. It can make sure his worst fear doesn’t come true, right?”</p> <p><span style="color: red"><strong>RIGHT?</strong></span></p> <p>I naively gave a gentle nod. “He didn’t have any family… I’m all he had left,” I replied.</p> <p>“It would be pretty terrible if you didn’t honor his legacy,” <strong>She</strong> explained.</p> <p>My heart leapt into my throat.</p> <p>“And it’s gonna be really rough to be reminded. I’ll make sure you don’t do anything to yourself. And that would be easier if you were with me.” She explained. It made so much sense to me at the fucking time.</p> <p><span style="color: red"><strong>FOR SOME FUCKING REASON</strong></span></p> <p>“We’re already together all the time,” I reasoned. “But it seemed weird to pay rent for an apartment I don’t spend a lot of time in.” Her words hurt, but I thought she was just trying to help.</p> <p>“So you’ll do it?” <strong>she</strong> asked hopefully. “I know how to help you. I've helped you heal this much. I can help you more."</p> <p>I hesitated.</p> <p>“I’ll do it.”</p> <p>She sounded so sure of herself, and she had helped me a lot already. It made sense.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> smiled brightly. She kissed her fingers, then put them on my cheek. “Wonderful.”</p> <p>I really was a <strong>moron</strong>. I should have seen through that obvious act she was pulling.</p> <p><span style="color: red"><strong>A FUCKING MORON</strong></span></p> <p>But I really did keep those rose colored glasses on for far too <strong>fucking</strong> long.</p> <p>So we moved in together. Not much changed, honestly. Besides the fact that I quit my job for good, as <strong>she</strong> insisted she had everything covered. I moved in a small collection of my things, and the rest went in a storage locker she paid for. I didn’t bring a lot in general, so Sam’s stuff stayed there, too. I did keep Sam’s sketchbook under her bed. I needed it near me, even with what was inside. <strong>She</strong> wasn’t very happy about it, but agreed to let me keep it.</p> <p>I should’ve seen why.</p> <p>I didn’t have much of a reason to leave the house for the upcoming months, so I didn’t. I hardly even went outside. I got some air walking dogs before I moved in. Now I was scared to even walk through the front door. I managed to convince myself it was due to my fear of the world as a whole. I started feeling more and more anxious whenever I wasn't in the comfort of <strong>her</strong> home. It's not like I needed to buy groceries, anyway. She gave me everything I needed. Meals, snacks, toiletries, candy, art supplies, everything.</p> <p>A part of me just wanted to get back some sense of normality. Despite the fact I had convinced myself that this <em>was</em> normal, I knew better.</p> <p>Deep down, I knew better.</p> <p>Eventually we hit Christmastime. Ah, December. Felt like it had taken forever for winter to come around. Felt like half a year had passed in a blink, too.</p> <p>Nine months since he passed.</p> <p>Things went really fast, all in all. I was hurting a lot. Last Christmas, Sam and I celebrated together. He couldn't stand Christmastime. Too many bad memories. We found stuff we both enjoyed, though. We settled on sitting at the local park, drinking hot chocolate and admiring the Christmas lights. It was fun. He didn't smile a lot, but part of him lit up whenever he saw families with their kids. Seeing them stomping around in the snow and staring wide-eyed at the lights stirred some really strong nostalgia. It was one of the rare times he seemed happy.</p> <p>I wanted to ask if we could go look at the lights, like how Sam and I had.</p> <p>But I knew the answer.</p> <p>My mom texted me asking if i wanted to join them in the park on Christmas Eve. I said yes as soon as I saw it. I didn't even ask <strong>her</strong> if it was okay. My mom was overjoyed. We talked a bit. She wasn’t even mad that I hadn’t been messaging her. I hadn't realized how much I missed talking to her before then.</p> <hr/> <p>It was nighttime, December 23rd.</p> <p>I was sitting in her bed, she was sitting in her desk. She was on her computer, I was on my phone.<br/> It was just like how we always sat.</p> <p>“By the way, I’m gonna go see some Christmas lights with my parents tomorrow.” I brought up. Being afraid to bring it up at all should've been a sign.</p> <p>I should’ve known.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> turned to look at me. “Your parents? You’re gonna leave?” She asked calmly.</p> <p>I nodded. “Yes. Um, Sam and I always uh, we looked at Christmas lights in the park. Every Christmas Eve.” I explained slowly.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> nodded. “I’m just… I’m a bit skeptical.”</p> <p>“Skeptical? Of my parents?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “They’ve been really worried about me, you know.”</p> <p><strong>She</strong> stood up from the desk, and sat on her bed. “You haven’t been telling them how you’ve been?”</p> <p><span style="color: red"><strong>Ugh, you SNAKE.</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:150%;"><span style="color: red">WHY WAS I SO BLIND</span></span></p> <p>I was <em>confused</em>. “No… I haven’t. I just— I haven’t felt like they’d understand what I’m going through.” I shrugged. “I have you.”</p> <p><strong>She</strong> nodded. She lay down next to me, placing her hand over mine. “Didn’t they tell you to 'get over' Sam’s death?”</p> <p>“That’s not how they said it.” I insisted, then hesitated. “I mean, my mom was saying to move on as soon as two months after, I guess. She said that I needed to find meaning in my life again.”</p> <p>It was never malicious. Why couldn’t I see that?</p> <p>“You have meaning. Your meaning is to remember the man that feared being erased,” <strong>she</strong> said calmly.</p> <p>I put my phone down and rolled onto my side to face her.</p> <p>“My purpose,” <strong>She</strong> wrapped her arms around me, holding me close to her, "is to be here for you." She paused. “I never knew what I was truly meant to do until I met you. But the moment I met you, the moment I learned what you'd been through, I knew what I was supposed to do with myself. I just…” She breathed in, as if she was trying to steady herself. “You don’t need anyone else,” she stated bluntly. Her voice sounded… tight. Unsteady.</p> <p>I had my head against her chest. Her heart was beating quickly. Her hands squeezed my shirt. They were shaking. She was usually calm.</p> <p>But something felt <strong>different</strong>.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> breathed in again. “It hurts me that you don’t think I’m enough,” She said tightly.</p> <p>I wanted to speak, but my voice caught in my throat. It took me a bit before I managed. "You are enough," I insisted in a whisper.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> nodded slowly. We both laid there, dead silent, for a while. I just listened to her breathing. It finally started to calm.</p> <p>“If you need to remind yourself of Sam, I’m sure any of his belongings you took in could help.” <strong>She</strong> replied calmly, seemingly regaining some of her composure.</p> <p><span style="font-size:150%;"><span style="color: red">DO YOU THINK YOU’RE SLICK?</span></span></p> <p>"I just… I dunno, I thought it would be fun," I replied. “But I’ll tell my parents something came up.” My voice was unsure.</p> <p>“Sounds good. We’ll totally have fun together on Christmas,” <strong>She</strong> assured gently.</p> <p>A while passed, and <strong>she</strong> went off to the kitchen. I got up to leave, and then I saw her butterfly collection. I paid attention to it for the first time. Many beautiful different types of butterflies. Killed and pinned down and locked inside of a glass case. Each specimen had their common and scientific names written on a small slip of white paper tacked underneath. The few I remember were the monarch, common buckeye, and painted lady.</p> <p>I saw my reflection in the glass.</p> <hr/> <p>Christmas came and went. We opened our gifts and spent the whole day watching movies. <strong>She</strong> got me some nice sweets that I’d asked for, and I made her drawing of a bunch of different butterflies. I wanted to buy her something, but she got pretty antsy when I bought anything without asking, so I made do. She seemed so happy that I had thought of her. She always bought me gifts, so what she got me wasn't that special, but I still wanted to give back. She insisted she didn't need anything, but I still wanted to show my appreciation for everything she'd done for me. I made the drawing before the whole debacle on the 23rd. I almost considered not giving it to her, but I convinced myself I was being stupid to doubt. Everything she had ever done was for me.</p> <p><span style="color: red"><strong>Right?</strong></span></p> <p><strong>She</strong> went back to work on the 26th. My mind was so full from the last couple of days. My mom sounded so disappointed that I wasn’t able to join her and dad. The way she was acting was starting to make me anxious. And worst of all, I felt so <em>guilty</em> for not honoring my tradition with Sam that I went through his sketchbook again. One of the drawings I hadn’t noticed before made my <span style="color: red">blood</span> run <span style="color: red">cold</span>. It was a drawing of himself, in the exact pose and with the exact injuries I had found him with. There were words too. Messy, but I could make them out.</p> <p><em>“This would be real, but I’m a coward”</em></p> <p>I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. The memories of <strong>that day</strong> crashed back into my mind. I jammed the sketchbook back under the bed and hugged myself as hard as I could, weeping. <strong>She</strong> was at work. I didn’t wanna bother her. With the way she was acting lately, I wanted to take care of it myself, anyway. I decided to go to the storage locker. Look through his things, find something that reminded me of the good times. I went to the kitchen drawer. We kept both the car keys there, and the spare keys too.</p> <p>My keys weren’t there.</p> <p>I was confused. I hadn't moved them in ages, I hadn't even started the car. I texted <strong>her</strong> to ask where they were. She said she had just cleaned the drawer out. That it'd be better to keep my keys somewhere else, in case I wanted to 'do something bad to myself'. She <em>hid</em> them. I had no idea where she could have put them. My heart thumped in my chest. I couldn't get away. I couldn't go anywhere on my own now. I'd have to call an Uber or some other rideshare whatever, and I hadn't seen another human being in person in months. And to make it even worse, my plan to calm myself down was out the window. I decided to do the next best thing. I took out the sketchbook again and flipped to a blank page in the back. I wrote a note. I remember exactly what it said.</p> <p><em>“Hey Sam. I’m sorry I looked at your drawings even though you asked me not to. I regret it. I was gonna look at Christmas lights, but I was kinda convinced against it. I wish I would’ve gone anyways, but <strong>she</strong> stole my car keys. I feel terrible, but you were always really chill about canceled plans. Maybe next year?</em></p> <p>By the time I was done I was crying again. I wasn't sure how I felt, but it was better than before. I didn't know how <strong>she'd</strong> feel if she found this, but I was pretty sure she didn't check the sketchbook, so. I managed to calm myself down without her.</p> <p>I thought about that up until <strong>she</strong> got home. Then I decided to confront her about my keys.</p> <hr/> <p><strong>She</strong> entered her room and set her purse on her desk. “Hey, Katie. How are you feeling?” she asked in a concerned tone.</p> <p>I was sitting in her desk chair, gently rocking myself side to side with my foot. “A bit nervous, to be honest. Why did you hide my keys?” I asked. I remember trying my best to keep my voice steady, but the feeling of wrongness wouldn't stop swelling in my chest.</p> <p>“Look, Katie. Just… trust me, alright?” <strong>She</strong> looked at me, awaiting an answer.</p> <p>“I just… I feel really anxious not being able to leave.” I couldn't stop fiddling with the hair tie around my wrist.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> gave me a look. I’ve really tried to make it so you have no reason to leave,” She explained. “You have everything here that you need.” She calmly smiled, but I wasn't calmed. “I just need you to trust I know what’s best for you.”</p> <p>I stared at my lap, watching the hair tie snap against my wrist again and again.</p> <p>“You do feel like you have everything, right?” <strong>She</strong> grabbed my hand and slipped the hair tie off my wrist.</p> <p>I was quiet.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> put her hands on my shoulders. “Did you hear me?” She gave me a concerned look. “You’re spacing out.”</p> <p>“I just uh, kinda wanted to check out my stuff in the storage locker,” I admitted slowly. My eyes couldn't stop darting between her and the floor.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> sighs. “I thought you got everything you wanted already.”</p> <p>“I mean I didn’t bring much here. Obviously I might wanna look through my old stuff.” I explained. I looked up at her and held eye contact.</p> <p>“Oh.” <strong>She</strong> replied curtly. After a few moments, she spoke again. “Katie, you trust me, right?”</p> <p>I froze. Months ago, I would’ve said yes without a second thought. But now, I wasn’t sure. “Yes.” I tried to keep my voice steady. It didn't work.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> pulled me into a hug. “Good.” I usually reciprocated her embrace, but I just sat there awkwardly, arms in my lap. “I just need you to know that everything I’ve done has been for you, okay?” She whispered in my ear, and a chill ran down my spine.</p> <p>“I know.” I replied quietly. My mind was <em>racing</em>, but my lips barely moved.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> pulled away, smiling calmly. “Now, I’m gonna go make dinner. What do you want?”</p> <p>I shrugged. “I’m not picky.” I replied quietly.</p> <p>She nodded. “Okay.” She looked at me for a moment, before exiting the room.</p> <p>I was exhausted. I climbed into her bed, and then I collapsed.</p> <hr/> <p>I still remember the dream I had that night. Every instant of it.</p> <p>I was sitting in the woods on that log I met her by. Wearing just a tank top and shorts, smoking a cigarette. Branches brushed me, and my thighs itched. The sky was dead. Completely black. I stared ahead into nothing.</p> <p>Then I saw <strong>him</strong>.</p> <p>I knew it was a dream. I wanted out.</p> <p>“You’re not real! This is just a dream!” I screamed, squeezing my eyes shut.</p> <p>“This place is kinda dreary, don’t you think?”</p> <p>I opened my eyes. He was sitting next to me.</p> <p>I was quiet.</p> <p>“Y’know, I’m touched you wanted to honor our tradition. I’m sorry <strong>she</strong> convinced you to stay home. I’m not mad at you,” He started.</p> <p>I put my hands in my lap, laughing awkwardly. “Yeah. Next year, I’m gonna go for sure.” I gave a weak smile.</p> <p>He gave a sympathetic laugh in return, but his smile faded.</p> <p>“I’m… really worried for you.”</p> <p>I stared at him for a solid minute. He was in that same green hoodie he was always in. The one he was in <strong>that day</strong>. His sleeves were pulled down so I couldn’t see his arms. I didn't want to see what was underneath.</p> <p>I started sobbing. I hugged him close, my despair breaking the silence.</p> <p>He just held onto me, without a word.</p> <p>I don't know how long we stayed that way.</p> <p>Finally, I spoke again.</p> <p>“Why did you leave me?” ‘I managed a firm tone, but I couldn’t get rid of the quiet and desperation.</p> <p>He was quiet.</p> <p>“I’ve been dead for longer than these past months. You knew that. We both did. There’s nothing you could’ve done, Katie.”</p> <p>I pulled away, staring into his eyes. Still dead. Still nothing. I drew a tense breath.</p> <p>“I thought that I’d no longer be in the <span style="color: red">pain</span> I’d been in for so long. That by putting myself in <span style="color: red">pain</span> one last time, the emotional <span style="color: red">pain</span> would stop," he explained sadly.</p> <p>I looked down at my legs. “Did it?”</p> <p>He chuckled sadly. “That’s… complicated.”</p> <p>“That doesn’t answer my question. Why can’t it be a happy dream? One where you at least tell me you’re at peace now? And that everything’s gonna be okay?” I demanded, voice trembling, eyes red with tears.</p> <p>He looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn't. Then he spoke again. “It’s… not that simple. I don’t know what the future holds, either. But besides, I’m getting off topic. You couldn’t save me, nobody could. Please—“</p> <p>“I could’ve!” I insisted. “I know that I could’ve—“</p> <p>“You couldn’t, Katie.” He insisted firmly. “Now, please <strong>run</strong> from <strong>Hannah</strong>. She’s trying to keep you from getting better. If you don’t get out now, you’re gonna <span style="color: grey">rot</span> again.”</p> <p>He was right. I knew that already. But what was I supposed to do? I cut off all my clients, I moved in with her. I hardly talked to my parents. I never left the house. I did so little with my life that I didn't even notice her hiding my keys. Her solution felt so much easier than just living again. I convinced myself that this was living again. I was scared. What would I do without her? I needed her. I needed someone.</p> <p>“Why didn’t you visit me before now? All these months and I haven’t had a single dream about you! This is when you show up? I’ve needed you! I’ve needed you ever since you left me!”</p> <p>He gave me a sad smile.</p> <p>“There are reasons, I promise. There’s a lot I don’t have time to explain.” He paused, then took a breath. “You’re always gonna be my best friend, Katie.” He took my hand in his. “But you need to find someone else to be your best friend. And please, find someone else that you let in close that doesn’t destroy your life. Uh, not that it’s your fault. You got unlucky, I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I thought my <span style="color: red">death</span> would fix things. Look like I just fucked you over, huh?” He looked guilty. Regretful.</p> <p>I shook my head. “No! It’s not your fault!” I insisted, throat clenching, voice cracking. “You didn’t know!”</p> <p>He nodded, that sad smile returning again. “Heh, yeah. You’re right. Just like how my death isn’t your fault, yeah? We can both agree we’re not at fault.” There were so many things I wanted to say. The look on his face seemed much the same.</p> <p>I stared at him for a few moments. I couldn’t find the words to speak. I felt the tears coming. Before they could take hold, I yanked up his sleeves.</p> <p>All I saw was a group of <span style="color: red">red</span>. No flesh, no bones, no <span style="color: red">blood</span>. Just <span style="color: red">red</span> pixels.</p> <p>He laughed sadly, pulling his sleeves back down.</p> <p>“Yeah, I—“ He shook his head. “Please focus on what’s important. Don’t end up like me. Like I said, I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I just…” He paused, then locked eyes with me, gaze iron and focused. “Please. Save yourself.”</p> <p>“What am I supposed to do?” I begged, tears clouding my vision.</p> <p>He stood up.</p> <p>I shook my head, reaching out my hand. “You can’t leave! You were hardly here!” I screamed. “I still have so many questions! Like— how are you here? Is this really a dream? Are you okay? Please—“</p> <p>“Katie.” He interrupts. “Please be careful. No matter what happens, it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault I <span style="color: red">died</span>, it’s not your fault she manipulated you. I… hope things will eventually end, and she’ll be done for good. I promise that I’m gonna be okay. See ya, Katie.” He smiled at me and waved.</p> <p>And he was gone.</p> <p>And then I woke up.</p> <hr/> <p>I woke up in a cold sweat. I already missed him so much. It felt real. Like we were really there, talking one last time.I started tearing up. I barely managed to keep quiet. All the lights were out. I could barely see, but I could feel <strong>her next to me.</strong> 4 AM. She was gonna be up in a couple of hours for work. I aimed my phone's screen at her face, illuminating her closed eyes. Asleep. I hoped. I didn’t know what to do. I was starting to get really freaked out being stuck here. All the red flags were hitting me at once. I was freaking out. I had to get out of here.</p> <p><span style="font-size:200%;"><span style="color: red">I WAS SO STUPID</span></span></p> <p><em>“It’s not your fault she manipulated you.”</em></p> <p>The words played back in my head. I carefully got off the bed, constantly checking back to make sure I didn’t wake <strong>her</strong> up. I crept over to my purse, using my phone for light. I unzipped the inner pocket, slipping out a folded-up sheet of paper and carefully flattening it out. I stared down at it. Those five words.</p> <p><span style="font-size:150%;">IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT, KATIE</span></p> <p>Not crying was getting much harder. I carefully put the note back where I kept it.Still next to my purse, I went to the last message Sam ever sent me.</p> <p><em>“Love you, Katie, you’re my best friend. I’m sorry.”</em></p> <p>More than anything, I just wished these last months were a bad dream. That I’d wake up and I’d still be able to talk to Sam about the stupid names people give the pets I watch, about the new chapter of our favorite game, about how I hate that my favorite ice cream flavor changed recipes. Just about anything.</p> <p>And that I never met <strong>Hannah</strong>.</p> <p>The dream I had was right. I needed to do something. I needed to <span style="color: red">GET OUT</span>.</p> <p>It was 4 AM. The world was dead asleep. I still texted my mom. I asked her if she’d be able to pick me up later. That I had a lot I needed to discuss. That I was sorry for not talking to her and my dad. That I just really, <strong>REALLY</strong> needed to see them. A sob escaped me. My anxiety spiked. I stared back at her bed. I heard a groan.</p> <p>I froze.</p> <p>“Katie?”</p> <p>My breathing was getting heavier. I held as still as I could.</p> <p>“What are you doing?” <strong>She</strong> sounded tired.</p> <p>I'd gotten up in the middle of the night before. My plans just had me boiling over with anxiety. I was terrified that she'd find out.</p> <p>“Are you there?”</p> <p>I took a breath. “Yeah.”</p> <p>“What are you doing?”</p> <p>My mind was blank. I couldn’t think of an excuse. “Couldn’t sleep.” I managed.</p> <p><strong>Hannah</strong> chuckled. “Oh. Well, we could watch something. I’ve gotta get up in a few hours, anyway.” She offered.</p> <p>Even though she couldn’t see me, I nodded. “Sounds good.” My voice was incredibly shaky.</p> <p><strong>Hannah</strong> turned on the lamp. She looked at me holding my phone, sitting next to my purse. “What are you doing next to your purse? You didn’t pull the note out again, did you?” She sounded concerned. She got out of bed and sat next to me.</p> <p>I gripped my phone tightly, turning the screen to face against my lap. “I was just… looking for some comfort. I didn’t wanna wake you.” I managed.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> nodded, putting a hand on my shoulder. She opened her mouth to speak.</p> <p>Then my phone rang.</p> <p>Dread hit me like a truck.</p> <p><strong>Hannah</strong> looked at me. “Who is that?” she asked tightly. She attempted to keep her facial expression calm, but I could tell she was irritated.</p> <p>I stared at her, and my phone kept ringing. “I uh… I don’t know.” I answered carefully. My mind was racing. I was terrified.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> nodded, taking my phone out of my hands. She looked at the caller ID. “Your mother. Why is she calling you at 4AM?”</p> <p>“She must have a good reason.” I replied. I attempted to reach for my phone, but <strong>she</strong> held it behind her back. Eventually, the line rang out.</p> <p>I felt panicked, but also <strong>ANGRY</strong>. “<strong>Hannah</strong>, give me my phone,” I demanded, crossing my arms. Then she looked at me, and I felt so small.</p> <p>I heard my phone buzz, and my heart sank. I prayed to a god I didn’t believe in that the messages didn’t give away what I said.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> looked at my phone again, then back to me. “You’re trying to leave?” Her voice sounded… <em>hurt</em>. She carefully handed my phone back, still staring at me.</p> <p>I felt deep in my chest that things were over. I didn't know what that meant.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> stood up. “I’ll… give you some space,” She replied.</p> <p>I was still stunned into silence. I nodded.</p> <p>She exited the room without a word.</p> <p>I couldn't believe how calm she was being. It shocked me. I was… <em>scared</em>, too. I eventually made my way to her bed, staring at my messages with my mom, but I didn’t dare type a word. I decided that I would make a break for it when she left for work. That I’d run as far as I could and get my mom to get me wherever I was. I was staring at the clock, just praying for time to move. I was unnerved <strong>Hannah</strong> hadn’t returned to her room yet, but relieved at the same time.</p> <p>Eventually, it became about 5:40 or so. I was sitting in her bed, anxiously awaiting for to return so I could <strong><span style="color: red">LEAVE</span></strong>.</p> <p>The door opened. <strong>Hannah</strong> was holding her jacket in her arms, her hands obscured. “Hey. I’m… I’m sorry for how I was acting.” She replied carefully.</p> <p>I nodded. “It’s um… it’s okay,” I replied quietly. I was willing to say anything just to get her to <strong><span style="color: red">LEAVE</span></strong>.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> walked up to the bed and sat next to me. “Before I leave, I need to show you something,” She said calmly. “Close your eyes.”</p> <p>Something was <strong><span style="color: red">WRONG</span></strong>. I didn’t want to. I was <em><span style="color: red">afraid</span></em>.</p> <p>“Please? Trust me.” <strong>Hannah</strong> replied with a gentle smile. “It’s good, I promise.”</p> <p>Those words sent a chill down my spine. I knew I wasn’t getting out of this. <strong>She</strong> kept staring at me, and I anxiously glanced at my lap. Every shred of self-preservation and logic in me said not to comply. To run out the door.</p> <p>To get up. <strong><span style="color: red">TO DO SOMETHING</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:160%;"><span style="color: red">ANYTHING</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:90%;"><em>But I was frozen.</em></span></p> <p>I felt trapped under her gaze. I eventually found myself closing my eyes.</p> <p>“Thank you.” Hannah replied softly.</p> <p>I heard moving. I felt something against my head, right above my ear. I heard a <em>click</em>.</p> <p>Everything from the past months is suddenly flashing before my eyes.</p> <p>Sam’s suicide.</p> <p>Meeting Hannah.</p> <p>The wonderful days.</p> <p>The cracks showing.</p> <p>The sudden dread.</p> <p>Everything.</p> <p><span style="font-size:150%;"><span style="color: red">EVERYTHING</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:200%;"><span style="color: red">EVERY STUPID DECISION I MADE TRUSTING THE DEVIL HERSELF</span></span></p> <p>And then—</p> <p><span style="font-size:500%;"><span style="color: red">BANG</span></span></p> <p>…</p> <p>…</p> <p>…</p> <p>…</p> <p>…</p> <p>…</p> <p>…</p> <p>I thought everything was going to go dark. I don’t believe in an afterlife. I never have.</p> <p>But I find myself staring at</p> <p><span style="font-size:150%;"><span style="color: red">MYSELF</span></span></p> <p>My <span style="color: red">unrecognizable face</span> replaced with NOTHING BUT <span style="color: red">RED</span>.</p> <p>Then I see <strong><span style="color: red">HER</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:200%;"><span style="color: red">I SEE HER GLOVED HANDS PUTTING MY LIMP FINGERS AROUND THE TRIGGER</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:250%;"><span style="color: red">HER TAKING MY PHONE, PRESSING THE CALL BACK BUTTON, WAITING FOR HER TO PICK UP</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:300%;"><span style="color: red">CRYING SOME SOB STORY TO MY MOTHER ABOUT MY <strong><em>SUICIDE</em></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:350%;"><span style="color: red">IF YOU TRULY LOVED ME, WHY DID YOU DO THIS? WHY?</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:400%;"><span style="color: red">WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:400%;"><span style="color: red">I'LL SPEND THE REST OF MY AFTERLIFE MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE MISERABLE</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:400%;"><span style="color: red">AFTER I OPENED MY ENTIRE SOUL TO YOU I WAS BROKEN AND HURTING AND YOU USED ME DID YOU EVER REALLY CARE?</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:400%;"><span style="color: red">GET RID OF YOUR TEARS YOU DID THIS YOU DID THIS YOU DID THIS YOU DID THIS YOU DID THIS</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:400%;"><span style="color: red">YOU DON'T GET TO CRY</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:400%;"><span style="color: red">YOU GET TO SUFFER</span></span></p> <p>"I don't know if you can hear me. P-please know that… I loved you, Katie. You were suffering. I hope you can be with Sam now. You didn't understand… I-I just wanted to keep you safe." <strong>Her</strong> pathetic voice cried.</p> <p><span style="font-size:400%;"><span style="color: red">SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP YOU DIDN'T CARE IF YOU CARED YOU WOULD'VE <strong>WANTED</strong> MY IMPROVEMENT YOU SELFISH SELFISH SELFISH</span></span></p> <p>I try to reach for <strong>her</strong>, to <span style="color: red"><strong>STRANGLE</strong></span> her. To <span style="color: red"><strong>HIT</strong></span> her. <span style="color: red">TO RIP HER HEAD FROM HER BODY TO SCRATCH HER FACE TO A PULP TO RIP HER APART LIMB BY LIMB</span></p> <p><span style="color: red"><strong>TO DO SOMETHING.</strong></span></p> <p><em>Nothing works.</em></p> <p>My ghostly hands fade right through <strong>her</strong>.</p> <p><span style="font-size:200%;"><span style="color: red">I can't stay in this room. Can I— I can.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:150%;">I need to think.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:150%;">Did this happen to Sam, too? Where is he? Could I</span></p> <p>see him again?</p> <p>What would he say if he could see me? Would he be disappointed in me? No. That’s not the Sam I know. I just… wish things could’ve been different.</p> <p>Wait.</p> <p>I <em>know</em> what he’d say. He told me.</p> <p><em>“It’s not your fault she manipulated you.”</em></p> <p>That <em>was</em> him. He’s not truly gone, and it seems nor am I. Does that mean… he had to see me on <strong>that day</strong>?</p> <p>I can’t think of that right now.</p> <p>I can leave the room. But can I leave this house? Can I find him again?</p> <p>Figures. I was stuck here in life, and now I'm stuck here in death. Sam’s still out there, and I’ll still never see him again.</p> <p><strong>She</strong> repulses me. Prattling on about her pathetic sob story to the police. Pretending over the corpse of the woman she <span style="color: red"><strong>MURDERED</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:200%;"><span style="color: red">CAN ANYONE HEAR ME? HELLO? SHE MURDERED ME! SHE’S LYING TO YOU</span></span></p> <p>…</p> <p>…</p> <p><em>Nothing.</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:90%;">I’m stuck here.</span></p> <p>It’s so busy. I want to leave. I want to be away from her. I want to think. I want this to all be a dream.</p> <p>All of this.</p> <p>Think. I think again about what Sam said to me..</p> <p><em>“I… hope things will eventually end, and <strong>she’ll</strong> be done for good.”</em></p> <p>Does anything end?</p> <p>I… I’m <strong>stuck</strong> here. I have been for the last week at this point. I've discovered my head is bloody, but not unrecognizable like my <span style="color: red">dead body's</span>. <strong>She</strong> took Sam’s sketchbook and hid it somewhere. That enraged me, I wanted it back. I want to prove to him that things aren’t over for me, as he would’ve wanted. For now, I’m stuck with no one to hear me but, I’m not done. I’ve clearly been kept here for a reason. I wonder, has <strong>she</strong> done this to anyone else? They’d be here like me if she had, right?</p> <p>Sam believed that I could make it out. He believed in me. I refuse to disappoint him. I’m gonna make sure <strong>Hannah</strong> never hurts anyone again. <strong>I’ll spend the rest of my afterlife preventing this monster from killing again.</strong> I don’t care what it takes.</p> <p>Just if only someone could hear me. If only—</p> <p>“Hello?”</p> <p>An unfamiliar voice. A knock on the door.</p> <p><strong>Hannah</strong> rushed from the back.</p> <p>A woman with shoulder length red hair was standing at the door, holding a bouquet of flowers. “I heard what happened.”</p> <p><strong>Hannah</strong> gasps, giving a sad smile. She is quiet, then quickly begins to sob.</p> <p>The woman embraces her. “Oh <strong>Hannah</strong>, I’m so sorry.”</p> <p>No, no, no! You have no idea what you’re in for! I’m… not going to let you succumb to my fate. I’m not letting Hannah hurt <strong>you</strong>.</p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/that-day">THAT DAY.</a>" by Mew-ltiverse, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/that-day">https://scpwiki.com/that-day</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:pride-highlighter">:scp-wiki:component:pride-highlighter</a> \|inc-lsb= --]]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:black-highlighter-theme-dev">:scp-wiki:component:black-highlighter-theme-dev</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:magnus-web-format">:scp-wiki:theme:magnus-web-format</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:start">:scp-wiki:info:start</a>]] ⚠️ CW: Graphic depiction of the aftermath of a suicide (method: severe lacerations and downing medication) mentions of and allusions to self harm and suicidal tendencies, extreme depression, and a toxic/abusive relationship //“THAT DAY.”// by: [[user Mew-ltiverse]] @@ @@ [http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/dr-mews-personnel-file Read more of my stuff] For accessibility: Words such as red, death, blood, pain, and other SH themes, also many words highlighting her anger are all in the color RED; Words about rotting or decay are in GREY; [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/info:end">:scp-wiki:info:end</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:info-cw">:scp-wiki:component:info-cw</a>]] @@ @@ Things were never going to be the same. I understood that the moment I entered his apartment. After over a million* text messages, a million more calls that made my heart rise into my throat every time it went to voicemail, and a single //naive// knock at the door, I practically broke my spare key. I remember the //echo// of the doorknob crashing into the wall. What greeted me was a pitch black abyss, a deadly //quiet//. All I heard was the obnoxiously loud TV from his neighbors. Once, I filed a noise complaint for him since he didn’t want to bother. I'd entered this apartment thousands of times. Tonight it was a foreign cave. The next thing I noticed as I rocketed towards the back hallway was an unmistakable distinctly ##red\|metallic## scent invaded my nostrils, filling my throat with vomit. I remember everything and //nothing// at the same time. Vague memories of crying into the phone. The warm ##red\|blood## that covered my hands as I desperately checked his limbs. That green hoodie he always wore now practically brown. That plastic hitting the floor as I threw that damn bottle that did the opposite of its fucking job. Vomit mixing with ##red\|blood##, seeping into the floorboards. Tears blinding my vision. My throat spasming as I practically choked on vomit and tears. The terror deep within my gut as I saw the dead eyes of the man I called my best friend. Hands in latex gloves, checking my pulse. Hands in leather gloves, trying to pry the paper from my grip. But I held on like I’d explode if I let go. I tried to scream, but nothing came out. One minute I was in that ##red\|bloodstained## grave. The next I was in the ER. My hands were cramped from holding the note. Next thing I knew the police were trying to get me to let it go. He was in that note. Whatever it said, held the answers. But, I already knew. My friendship wasn’t enough. No matter how many sleepless nights we spent together. How many days on end I preached false hope. We spent //less// and //less// time together. He began to answer his messages //less// and //less//. More and more time passed. His eyes die more and more. More and more bandages coated his skin. My friendship wasn’t enough. No matter how many sleepless nights we spent together. NO MATTER how many days on end I preached false hope. We spent //less// and //less// time together. He answered my texts //less// and //less//. More and more time passed. More and more, the light in his eyes dimmed. More and more bandages coated his skin. There comes a time when you look at someone and you realize: //You don't have anything left to give.// I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. I tried. [[size 200%]] ##red\|I TRIED## [[/size]] This was my fault, I told myself. It was my fault. It was my fault. It was my fault. It was my fault. ##red\|IT WAS MY FAULT.## [[size 150%]]##red\|IT WAS MY FAULT##[[/size]] I believed that for a while. Even when I attempted to get back to work. I couldn't forget a simple truth: I could’ve prevented his ##red\|death##. The note said so many things, but one phrase was burned into my mind:: [[size 150%]]IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT, KATIE[[/size]] It was my fault. I was all he had. I wasn’t enough. I don’t know what else I could’ve done. I know I could've done something. He’s ##red\|dead## because I couldn’t stop him. Nothing I did helped. No matter how many times I assured him I would be there, assured him that I would be his shoulder to cry on, assured him that I would be waiting for his messages if he was having an episode, no matter what I did, //nothing// was enough. I remember every night I’d pull him back from the ledge with the flashbacks devouring him whole. The kind, sweet, cheerful man I first met long ago transforming into a traumatized, dead husk. He’d been dying for a while. And now he's truly ##red\|dead##. I refused to forget. He was always scared of people forgetting him, forgetting his pain, forgetting that he ever was. Fading into just a memory. He didn’t want to be reduced to just a name on an obituary. But he wasn’t just a name to me. He was Sam Okumura. A kind gentle soul, jaded by the world around him. He kept trying to see the good in the world even as life became impossible. Even when things were at their worst, he tried to be there for me. Sarcasm broke through. Cracked jokes about his own mental state again and again. But those times slowly dwindled. I'll never forget the times we spent together. I saw the person he was deep down, buried beneath a ##grey\|rotting## exterior. I was convinced that with time, he’d return. Then he left the world for good. I told myself I would never let him be forgotten. But it was more than just not forgetting for me. My entire life was ruled by his //absence//. My life started to ##grey\|decay##. After I sorted through what was left of his already-meager belongings, I ##grey\|rotted## away in my apartment. I thought maybe if I shared the same ##red\|pain## he felt, the same ##red\|pain## he //subjected himself// to, some of the guilt would pass. It didn’t, and now I’ll just be sweating a lot more until winter. Every day for too long I melted into my sheets. I told myself that thinking about anything but him was selfish. That if I did anything but grieve I would condemn myself to the deepest layer of hell. Y’know, I knew what he would’ve wanted. But I convinced myself I knew better. I bought 5 family sized packs of cup ramen and called it good. Who would’ve thought that eating nothing but processed noodles and sodium would make you feel like shit? And not eating makes you feel even worse. Good, I thought. I deserved that. I deserved to ##grey\|rot## here .I remembered begging Sam to make some food after several days of going without. Sometimes I drove over and made him something myself. Or, fuck, made sure he was at least drinking water. I felt like I deserved to wither away. But as much as I wanted to just ##grey\|rot## away in my apartment for the rest of my life, I couldn’t. I couldn’t keep taking my parents' money. They wanted to know how I was every day. I usually just lied, said I was still recalibrating, almost ready to face the world again. So I disappointed them by lying. I couldn’t keep disappointing my clients, God knows I’ve done enough of that in my life. So I started picking up gigs again. I couldn't take care of myself, but I could take care of people's pets. I could take care of something. Sam always loved dogs. More than people, actually. Always said I was the only exception. He was always eager to help out with any dogs I watched. I insisted that he should get a dog of his own. Whenever I did, he insisted he hardly could watch himself. That he didn't trust himself enough. He always perked up just a little bit whenever I told him there was a new dog over. It was the small things that kept him going. But they weren’t enough, and it was my fault. The only thing that kept me alive was my guilt. I kept it near me like a close friend. It drove me to try and do better. --Funnily enough, I think this was a sign.-- My first client after my break had a golden retriever. God, golden retrievers... I used to love them, too. Sam used to love them. He used to compare himself to one, a long, long time ago. Now they just reminded me of who Sam used to be. The idea of being perceived sickened me to my core, but it needed to be taken out. I decided to take it on a walk through the woods near my house. I didn’t exactly feel like running into anyone, and the dog didn’t care where we were. It was around 8 PM. Late at night in a place nobody went. Not like anybody would show up. I trudged through the woods, AJJ blasting in my earbuds. June nights were hot, but I was still baking myself in the same sweatpants and hoodie I'd been wearing since// that night//. I remember how calm things were. Buggy (the dog) was walking alongside me. His tail swished back and forth the whole time, and he was always panting just a little bit. He seemed happy. We were alone for about ten minutes. Then I saw her. A woman with short black hair, smoking a cigarette. She was sitting on a fallen tree, fresh from a recent storm. I stopped. That was weird. The woman looked at me. She said something. I couldn't hear her. I paused my music. “What brings you here?” I shrugged. “You stole my question. But I’m walking my client’s dog. I prefer the night.” She nodded. “I just like the quiet. It’s easier to process my thoughts here.” I don't know what I was thinking, but I sat down next to her. I asked if she could spare a cigarette. Next thing I knew, we were talking about all kinds of stuff. Mostly 'what are you doing with your life', 'what are your parents like', 'what was your childhood like', just a bunch of random shit. Probably spent thirty minutes there. Maybe more. “Yeah, she was kind of a bitch." She replies with a laugh. “Sounds like it! God, my middle school was full of people like that.” “Yeah, and unfortunately, despite the fact I moved schools, she moved to the same one I went to. I did meet some really cool people there, though." … “Katie?” The silence spoke volumes. I don't know if it was me having not had any conversations longer than five minutes in ages, but all of a sudden our conversation was replaced by my monstrous sobs. I don’t remember much. Breathing was hard. My chest tightened. My vision blurred. The world started spinning. I felt like I was ##red\|dying##. Things got spotty. I remember her desperately calling my name— just like I had done back then. That probably made me feel worse. --What was that look in her eyes?-- I fell off the tree stump, and then things went dark. Next thing I remember, I was covered in a blanket on a couch with a soft pillow. The TV was on, some cooking show. I could just barely see by the light. There was a glass of ice water and a sleeve of crackers on the side table. I should have panicked, but I didn't have the energy, and somehow I felt //safe//. I didn't know back then that it'd be my second home As soon as she noticed I was awake, she explained what had happened. I thanked her for taking care of me, but I didn’t stay. She checked me out as well as she could before she let me leave. We exchanged phone numbers, and then she drove me and poor Buggy home. He'd need some extra affection later. She rolled the window down. “Hey, Katie? Call me tomorrow, please. I wanna make sure you’re okay, okay?” I nodded. That felt so good to hear. She had a kind voice. It sounded honest. It was a strange night. Still really weird to meet someone that important in the middle of nowhere with a dog I don't even own. That was the day my life turned around again. I barely made it to bed before practically passing out. Oddly enough, I didn’t have a lot of dreams during these months. I didn’t dream of Sam, I didn’t dream of her. I didn’t dream of anything. But as soon as I awoke the next morning, she was all I could think of. She was just so //kind// to me. So understanding. She just listened to me. She just let me talk, 'and- god, it had really been //forever// since I’d talked to someone like that. Sam and I used to talk like that all the time. We’d have so many sleepless nights that just started out with sharing random shit, going over stories the both of us already knew. He always talked so fondly of his elementary school days, back when things were simple. I could picture his face as clearly as I saw my own in the mirror. He'd tell this one story a lot, the time he tried to make brownies, //without his mom's help//, when he was //real young//. His laugh as he explained how the counters got covered in cracked eggs and flour. It was real. I could count the times I saw that light again on my fingers. When we barely managed to steer back into good memories. Dodge the depression traps. He could forget his pain for a little bit when we did that. I could forget his pain too. But thinking of his face just made me remember that day. The day his body matched his heart. I just shook my head and thought of her again. Her smile, her laugh. She wasn’t Sam, though. No one would ever be him. But she was someone I felt I could relate to. Someone I could talk to. She had told me stories from her life, her hardships and struggles. She made me feel //heard//. So we started talking more. We just texted and called at first, but we did it every day. Eventually I started dropping by her house now and then. We started to learn about each other. ------ I went to her house, we sat on the couch. “Thanks for being so chill, by the way. Most people get freaked out when they see my butterfly collection.” I shook my head dismissively waved it off. “I think it’s cool as shit.” She smiled. “Really? That’s so sweet. So many people see insects and just immediately jump.” “My mom would be totally freaked out by this stuff, but I’ve always found it so cool. I actually wanted a pet hissing cockroach in middle school. My mom said she’d rather die.” She laughed. “Sounds like a mom alright.” She paused. “I always wanted to be an entomologist, y’know.” “Whaaat? That’s so cool! Why didn’t you pursue it?” “Because my parents thought I should do something more traditional, so I did. They were paying for my college, so I really didn’t have the room to argue.” She sounded disappointed. “Oh, that sucks. Don’t entomologists make a lot of money?” I asked. She nodded. “Yeah. My parents aren’t the most reasonable people. I nodded. “That sucks. My parents luckily were pretty okay with me doing whatever I wanted. They’ve always been pretty supportive.” I don’t know why I took that for granted. “That’s good. That’s how parents should be.” “Yeah. … Hmm uh, what do you do, then?” “I’m a nurse practitioner.” Yeah, a nurse that smokes. I thought it was ironic at the time, deep down, I was still naive. A lot of things are ironic in hindsight. My view of the world was too simple. “Oh, well that’s still cool! Do you like it?” “I mean, yeah, I guess. It pays well, so. Eh, maybe I could go back to school some time. It’s not too late.” “Totally. I mean, you’re like what, 28? You’ve still got tons of time.” “For real. I keep telling myself one day I’ll do something better, that I like more.” She gave a calm smile, then looked at me. “How about you? You’re a bit younger than me even, so you definitely have time to do something with your life. What was your dream career? I assume it wasn’t dog walking.” She gave a cheeky grin. “Hey!” I replied with a laugh, then sighed. “But, yeah. Um, back in high school I…” I went quiet. Everything. Everything reminded me. EVERYTHING REMINDED ME. But she //understood//. “Let’s just find something you’re comfortable with, okay? If old movies you used to like hurt to talk about, next time you come over, I could show you some new ones.” So I decided to start going to her house more often. It started with her off nights. She said I should start again new. Find new things to talk about if the past hurt too much. She had a lot of suggestions for things to watch, but we talked so much it took twice as long to finish them half the time. It reminded me of happier times. Because everything reminded me. But it started to get easier. When my brain made me suffer, it didn't hurt as much. I started remembering the fun we had together instead of just the guilt. I realized that I didn’t need to force myself to constantly think of the most traumatic moment of my life. That this is what he would’ve wanted. For the first time in a long time I actually looked forward to waking up, because it meant I could talk to her more. We messaged constantly, day and night, but I dug up as many reasons as I could to be with her in person. ------ It was a Saturday night. We were sitting where we usually did, her at her desk, and me on her bed. “Y’know how you asked me what I wanted to do as a career?” She looked up from her computer. “Yeah, I remember that.” “As a teenager, I wanted to be an artist.” I was sitting on her bed, squeezing my sweatpants with my fists. “Oh? That’s fun.” She smiled. “Yeah. Uh, Sam did, too. He did these really amazing drawings. He drew a lot of fun abstract drawings of random OCs of his with dark colors. He was a lot better at it than I was.” “No way, I’m sure your stuff was really good!” “Thanks! I realized I didn’t really have what it takes to like, make a career out of it, so I went after other things.” “I get that. Do you still draw?” “Kinda. I haven’t had the motivation. Especially since, um, "I hesitated. “Since Sam passed. In the note he left me. He wanted me to have custody over everything. I think he may have forgotten that meant everything. I found a sketchbook with a note on it that said that he hoped I never found it.” My voice was shaking. She got up from her desk and joined me on the bed. She offered me her hand. I took it. I spoke slowly, and my voice started to tremble. “Inside were the most haunting drawings I’d ever seen. I’ve never seen so much ##red\|red##. I mean yeah the contents were bad enough.” I paused. “But, I realized quickly after looking through the drawings something that was much ##red\|worse##. I never knew that he-“ “Take a deep breath. It’s okay.” We just looked at each other for a few minutes. Nobody spoke. Her hand felt so warm over mine. Her smile was so genuine and comforting. It felt like she saw me with nothing but care and admiration in her eyes. Eventually, she spoke. “You look like a tomato.” She gently poked my cheek with her finger with a laugh, causing me to cup the spot with my hand. I stared at her like a deer in headlights. She laughed. “You’re cute.” She stood up, still looking at me. “I haven’t eaten yet, I’m gonna go make some noodles. You’re welcome to stay for dinner.” I shook my head. “I-I gotta get back, Peanut Butter’s owners are gonna be there to get her early, so uh, gotta uh, go.” I rambled, running my hands through my hair. “Well, you can still stay and just get up early if you want, but I really think you should stay. I'll make lasagna,” She replied, putting her hands together. I missed something in the way she spoke, back then. That moment changed things. I realized it when I woke up the next morning. From there on out, I didn’t want to be without her. My thoughts wandered far too often. When that happened when I was with her, she was able to help me focus, help me breathe, help me distract myself. I bit the bullet. “Oh and uh, I wanted to ask you something, too.” “Yeah?” “I was wondering like, would it be okay if I uh, also started to bring any cats I watch over here, too? I really just like— I really find it so much easier to spend time with someone. With you. And I uh, I think it would be easier if I did that, too. So I don’t have to leave until it’s time for the kitties to be picked up. … If um, that’s okay. Yeah.” I rambled on awkwardly, and she just watched me as I talked. A few moments after I was finished, she cracked a smile and laughed. “Yeah, of course. No problem at all.” She replied. Despite her usually calm nature, she seemed quite excited. “Oh, cool.” I remember my chest heaving in a sigh. All my anxiety melted away. “I was afraid you were gonna think I was crazy or something.” “What? Crazy?” She laughed. I remember it vividly, The brightness disappeared from her face in an instant, replaced with serious concern. “Y’know, Katie, I see someone deeply hurt in you. You need someone to be there for you. I’d be happy to be that person.” That's when more often than not, I started spending more time at her house than my own. Her home became mine. I didn't worry so much about spending my days doomscrolling and watching TV. Every day, she came home, and I came alive again. She loved surprising me with sweet things. Candies and stuff. I always had that to look forward to, even if my mental health wasn’t doing very well that day. It was nice. ------ It was a Thursday night. I stood up. “My client’s gonna pick up Pickles early tomorrow, so I need to get back home.” She made a face. I laughed. I thought it was a joke. “Yes?” “I just don’t know if it’s safe for you leave this late at night. What if something happens?” “Not the first time I’ve driven at 2 AM, won’t be the last.” I picked up the cat from the couch. Pickles did his best impression of a towel. She stood up as well. “Then I’ll go, too.” I shook my head. “Seriously, it’s fine. I don’t need to be accompanied.” She was quiet for a moment. She looked at me. She looked… --angry-- concerned. After a few moments, she sat back down. “Just… be safe.” She replied slowly. ------ I thought that was a bit weird. At the time, I thought it showed how much she cared for me. Maybe it did. That was the first time the cracks started to show. I thought it was, anyway. But it wasn’t the last. She insisted she had enough money for both of us, and //really// wasn’t a fan of how often I left, so a few things changed. I stopped taking clients who needed early morning pickups. Then I stopped taking on many clients at all. She handled meals, really didn’t want me in the kitchen. Said she was still nervous with me being around knives. It made sense at the time. A lot made sense at the time. Including the snap-decision I made that Monday night. She was working late. I had been laying in her bed for the last few hours. The skin on my leg ##red\|stung##. But it made the flashbacks null out a bit, so. I was so disappointed in myself. I hadn't done anything in months, but that's what happens when you decide to go on Twitter. It'd been a good bit since I'd been reminded, so seeing things again hit me when I wasn't prepared. I heard her enter the apartment. I panicked. I didn’t realize how long it'd been. I quickly tossed on the first pair of pants I saw. Sweatpants. Just as I was about to sit down, I heard her. “Katie? You look panicked.” I shook my head. “I’m not, just tired.” I replied. She put a hand on her hip. “Why are you wearing sweatpants? You weren’t when I left,” She asked. “I got cold.” I fibbed. It was a terrible lie. I could feel the sweat on my forehead. A sympathetic look crossed her face. She set her purse down and wrapped her arms around me. My shoulders stiffened for a moment. I relaxed them intentionally, and then I melted into her arms. I remembered what I felt in my heart. I felt safe. Despite everything, I felt safe. “It’s okay now," she whispered in my ear. “I’m sorry I was gone so long.” Her voice was warm and full. She ran her fingers through my hair. My thoughts were racing. I clung to her and began crying. The world was so dark and cold. Everything was cold. But she was warm. She hushed me again and again, running her hand down my back. The details are a bit fuzzy. The next thing I remember was laying in her bed with her. My head laid on her chest, her hands brushing through my hair. She had slipped my hairtie free and put it around her wrist. We stayed like that for who knows how long. Nobody said a word. Eventually, she spoke. “You should quit your job for good and move in with me.” I was shocked. We hadn't even known each other for half a year. “Move in? It hasn’t even been a year since we—“ “I know,” She interrupted. “But I’ve seen the light in your eyes die and revive a million times since we met. The more you forget Sam, the more dead you seem to be. I’ll make sure you never forget him.” //Ugh. How obvious.// I remember a sinking in my chest. I cracked a nervous smile. “What do you mean? I haven’t forgotten him. I’m just… trying to move on from his death,” I replied. She nodded. “You hurt yourself because of a reminder. It's good to be reminded of him. It can make sure his worst fear doesn’t come true, right?” ##red\|RIGHT?## I naively gave a gentle nod. “He didn’t have any family… I’m all he had left,” I replied. “It would be pretty terrible if you didn’t honor his legacy,” She explained. My heart leapt into my throat. “And it’s gonna be really rough to be reminded. I’ll make sure you don’t do anything to yourself. And that would be easier if you were with me.” She explained. It made so much sense to me at the fucking time. ##red\|FOR SOME FUCKING REASON## “We’re already together all the time,” I reasoned. “But it seemed weird to pay rent for an apartment I don’t spend a lot of time in.” Her words hurt, but I thought she was just trying to help. “So you’ll do it?” she asked hopefully. “I know how to help you. I've helped you heal this much. I can help you more." I hesitated. “I’ll do it.” She sounded so sure of herself, and she had helped me a lot already. It made sense. She smiled brightly. She kissed her fingers, then put them on my cheek. “Wonderful.” I really was a moron. I should have seen through that obvious act she was pulling. ##red\|A FUCKING MORON## But I really did keep those rose colored glasses on for far too fucking long. So we moved in together. Not much changed, honestly. Besides the fact that I quit my job for good, as she insisted she had everything covered. I moved in a small collection of my things, and the rest went in a storage locker she paid for. I didn’t bring a lot in general, so Sam’s stuff stayed there, too. I did keep Sam’s sketchbook under her bed. I needed it near me, even with what was inside. She wasn’t very happy about it, but agreed to let me keep it. I should’ve seen why. I didn’t have much of a reason to leave the house for the upcoming months, so I didn’t. I hardly even went outside. I got some air walking dogs before I moved in. Now I was scared to even walk through the front door. I managed to convince myself it was due to my fear of the world as a whole. I started feeling more and more anxious whenever I wasn't in the comfort of her home. It's not like I needed to buy groceries, anyway. She gave me everything I needed. Meals, snacks, toiletries, candy, art supplies, everything. A part of me just wanted to get back some sense of normality. Despite the fact I had convinced myself that this //was// normal, I knew better. Deep down, I knew better. Eventually we hit Christmastime. Ah, December. Felt like it had taken forever for winter to come around. Felt like half a year had passed in a blink, too. Nine months since he passed. Things went really fast, all in all. I was hurting a lot. Last Christmas, Sam and I celebrated together. He couldn't stand Christmastime. Too many bad memories. We found stuff we both enjoyed, though. We settled on sitting at the local park, drinking hot chocolate and admiring the Christmas lights. It was fun. He didn't smile a lot, but part of him lit up whenever he saw families with their kids. Seeing them stomping around in the snow and staring wide-eyed at the lights stirred some really strong nostalgia. It was one of the rare times he seemed happy. I wanted to ask if we could go look at the lights, like how Sam and I had. But I knew the answer. My mom texted me asking if i wanted to join them in the park on Christmas Eve. I said yes as soon as I saw it. I didn't even ask her if it was okay. My mom was overjoyed. We talked a bit. She wasn’t even mad that I hadn’t been messaging her. I hadn't realized how much I missed talking to her before then. ------ It was nighttime, December 23rd. I was sitting in her bed, she was sitting in her desk. She was on her computer, I was on my phone. It was just like how we always sat. “By the way, I’m gonna go see some Christmas lights with my parents tomorrow.” I brought up. Being afraid to bring it up at all should've been a sign. I should’ve known. She turned to look at me. “Your parents? You’re gonna leave?” She asked calmly. I nodded. “Yes. Um, Sam and I always uh, we looked at Christmas lights in the park. Every Christmas Eve.” I explained slowly. She nodded. “I’m just… I’m a bit skeptical.” “Skeptical? Of my parents?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “They’ve been really worried about me, you know.” She stood up from the desk, and sat on her bed. “You haven’t been telling them how you’ve been?” ##red\|Ugh, you SNAKE.## [[size 150%]]##red\|WHY WAS I SO BLIND## [[/size]] I was //confused//. “No… I haven’t. I just— I haven’t felt like they’d understand what I’m going through.” I shrugged. “I have you.” She nodded. She lay down next to me, placing her hand over mine. “Didn’t they tell you to 'get over' Sam’s death?” “That’s not how they said it.” I insisted, then hesitated. “I mean, my mom was saying to move on as soon as two months after, I guess. She said that I needed to find meaning in my life again.” It was never malicious. Why couldn’t I see that? “You have meaning. Your meaning is to remember the man that feared being erased,” she said calmly. I put my phone down and rolled onto my side to face her. “My purpose,” She wrapped her arms around me, holding me close to her, "is to be here for you." She paused. “I never knew what I was truly meant to do until I met you. But the moment I met you, the moment I learned what you'd been through, I knew what I was supposed to do with myself. I just…” She breathed in, as if she was trying to steady herself. “You don’t need anyone else,” she stated bluntly. Her voice sounded… tight. Unsteady. I had my head against her chest. Her heart was beating quickly. Her hands squeezed my shirt. They were shaking. She was usually calm. But something felt different. She breathed in again. “It hurts me that you don’t think I’m enough,” She said tightly. I wanted to speak, but my voice caught in my throat. It took me a bit before I managed. "You are enough," I insisted in a whisper. She nodded slowly. We both laid there, dead silent, for a while. I just listened to her breathing. It finally started to calm. “If you need to remind yourself of Sam, I’m sure any of his belongings you took in could help.” She replied calmly, seemingly regaining some of her composure. [[size 150%]] ##red\|DO YOU THINK YOU’RE SLICK?## [[/size]] "I just... I dunno, I thought it would be fun," I replied. “But I’ll tell my parents something came up.” My voice was unsure. “Sounds good. We’ll totally have fun together on Christmas,” She assured gently. A while passed, and she went off to the kitchen. I got up to leave, and then I saw her butterfly collection. I paid attention to it for the first time. Many beautiful different types of butterflies. Killed and pinned down and locked inside of a glass case. Each specimen had their common and scientific names written on a small slip of white paper tacked underneath. The few I remember were the monarch, common buckeye, and painted lady. I saw my reflection in the glass. ------ Christmas came and went. We opened our gifts and spent the whole day watching movies. She got me some nice sweets that I’d asked for, and I made her drawing of a bunch of different butterflies. I wanted to buy her something, but she got pretty antsy when I bought anything without asking, so I made do. She seemed so happy that I had thought of her. She always bought me gifts, so what she got me wasn't that special, but I still wanted to give back. She insisted she didn't need anything, but I still wanted to show my appreciation for everything she'd done for me. I made the drawing before the whole debacle on the 23rd. I almost considered not giving it to her, but I convinced myself I was being stupid to doubt. Everything she had ever done was for me. ##red\|Right?## She went back to work on the 26th. My mind was so full from the last couple of days. My mom sounded so disappointed that I wasn’t able to join her and dad. The way she was acting was starting to make me anxious. And worst of all, I felt so //guilty// for not honoring my tradition with Sam that I went through his sketchbook again. One of the drawings I hadn’t noticed before made my ##red\|blood## run ##red\|cold##. It was a drawing of himself, in the exact pose and with the exact injuries I had found him with. There were words too. Messy, but I could make them out. //“This would be real, but I’m a coward”// I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. The memories of that day crashed back into my mind. I jammed the sketchbook back under the bed and hugged myself as hard as I could, weeping. She was at work. I didn’t wanna bother her. With the way she was acting lately, I wanted to take care of it myself, anyway. I decided to go to the storage locker. Look through his things, find something that reminded me of the good times. I went to the kitchen drawer. We kept both the car keys there, and the spare keys too. My keys weren’t there. I was confused. I hadn't moved them in ages, I hadn't even started the car. I texted her to ask where they were. She said she had just cleaned the drawer out. That it'd be better to keep my keys somewhere else, in case I wanted to 'do something bad to myself'. She //hid// them. I had no idea where she could have put them. My heart thumped in my chest. I couldn't get away. I couldn't go anywhere on my own now. I'd have to call an Uber or some other rideshare whatever, and I hadn't seen another human being in person in months. And to make it even worse, my plan to calm myself down was out the window. I decided to do the next best thing. I took out the sketchbook again and flipped to a blank page in the back. I wrote a note. I remember exactly what it said. //“Hey Sam. I’m sorry I looked at your drawings even though you asked me not to. I regret it. I was gonna look at Christmas lights, but I was kinda convinced against it. I wish I would’ve gone anyways, but she stole my car keys. I feel terrible, but you were always really chill about canceled plans. Maybe next year?// By the time I was done I was crying again. I wasn't sure how I felt, but it was better than before. I didn't know how she'd feel if she found this, but I was pretty sure she didn't check the sketchbook, so. I managed to calm myself down without her. I thought about that up until she got home. Then I decided to confront her about my keys. ------ She entered her room and set her purse on her desk. “Hey, Katie. How are you feeling?” she asked in a concerned tone. I was sitting in her desk chair, gently rocking myself side to side with my foot. “A bit nervous, to be honest. Why did you hide my keys?” I asked. I remember trying my best to keep my voice steady, but the feeling of wrongness wouldn't stop swelling in my chest. “Look, Katie. Just… trust me, alright?” She looked at me, awaiting an answer. “I just… I feel really anxious not being able to leave.” I couldn't stop fiddling with the hair tie around my wrist. She gave me a look. I’ve really tried to make it so you have no reason to leave,” She explained. “You have everything here that you need.” She calmly smiled, but I wasn't calmed. “I just need you to trust I know what’s best for you.” I stared at my lap, watching the hair tie snap against my wrist again and again. “You do feel like you have everything, right?” She grabbed my hand and slipped the hair tie off my wrist. I was quiet. She put her hands on my shoulders. “Did you hear me?” She gave me a concerned look. “You’re spacing out.” “I just uh, kinda wanted to check out my stuff in the storage locker,” I admitted slowly. My eyes couldn't stop darting between her and the floor. She sighs. “I thought you got everything you wanted already.” “I mean I didn’t bring much here. Obviously I might wanna look through my old stuff.” I explained. I looked up at her and held eye contact. “Oh.” She replied curtly. After a few moments, she spoke again. “Katie, you trust me, right?” I froze. Months ago, I would’ve said yes without a second thought. But now, I wasn’t sure. “Yes.” I tried to keep my voice steady. It didn't work. She pulled me into a hug. “Good.” I usually reciprocated her embrace, but I just sat there awkwardly, arms in my lap. “I just need you to know that everything I’ve done has been for you, okay?” She whispered in my ear, and a chill ran down my spine. “I know.” I replied quietly. My mind was //racing//, but my lips barely moved. She pulled away, smiling calmly. “Now, I’m gonna go make dinner. What do you want?” I shrugged. “I’m not picky.” I replied quietly. She nodded. “Okay.” She looked at me for a moment, before exiting the room. I was exhausted. I climbed into her bed, and then I collapsed. ------ I still remember the dream I had that night. Every instant of it. I was sitting in the woods on that log I met her by. Wearing just a tank top and shorts, smoking a cigarette. Branches brushed me, and my thighs itched. The sky was dead. Completely black. I stared ahead into nothing. Then I saw him. I knew it was a dream. I wanted out. “You’re not real! This is just a dream!” I screamed, squeezing my eyes shut. “This place is kinda dreary, don’t you think?” I opened my eyes. He was sitting next to me. I was quiet. “Y’know, I’m touched you wanted to honor our tradition. I’m sorry she convinced you to stay home. I’m not mad at you,” He started. I put my hands in my lap, laughing awkwardly. “Yeah. Next year, I’m gonna go for sure.” I gave a weak smile. He gave a sympathetic laugh in return, but his smile faded. “I’m… really worried for you.” I stared at him for a solid minute. He was in that same green hoodie he was always in. The one he was in that day. His sleeves were pulled down so I couldn’t see his arms. I didn't want to see what was underneath. I started sobbing. I hugged him close, my despair breaking the silence. He just held onto me, without a word. I don't know how long we stayed that way. Finally, I spoke again. “Why did you leave me?” `I managed a firm tone, but I couldn't get rid of the quiet and desperation. He was quiet. “I’ve been dead for longer than these past months. You knew that. We both did. There’s nothing you could’ve done, Katie.” I pulled away, staring into his eyes. Still dead. Still nothing. I drew a tense breath. “I thought that I’d no longer be in the ##red\|pain## I’d been in for so long. That by putting myself in ##red\|pain## one last time, the emotional ##red\|pain## would stop," he explained sadly. I looked down at my legs. “Did it?” He chuckled sadly. “That’s… complicated.” “That doesn’t answer my question. Why can’t it be a happy dream? One where you at least tell me you’re at peace now? And that everything’s gonna be okay?” I demanded, voice trembling, eyes red with tears. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn't. Then he spoke again. “It’s… not that simple. I don’t know what the future holds, either. But besides, I’m getting off topic. You couldn’t save me, nobody could. Please—“ “I could’ve!” I insisted. “I know that I could’ve—“ “You couldn’t, Katie.” He insisted firmly. “Now, please run from Hannah. She’s trying to keep you from getting better. If you don’t get out now, you’re gonna ##grey\|rot## again.” He was right. I knew that already. But what was I supposed to do? I cut off all my clients, I moved in with her. I hardly talked to my parents. I never left the house. I did so little with my life that I didn't even notice her hiding my keys. Her solution felt so much easier than just living again. I convinced myself that this was living again. I was scared. What would I do without her? I needed her. I needed someone. “Why didn’t you visit me before now? All these months and I haven’t had a single dream about you! This is when you show up? I’ve needed you! I’ve needed you ever since you left me!” He gave me a sad smile. “There are reasons, I promise. There’s a lot I don’t have time to explain.” He paused, then took a breath. “You’re always gonna be my best friend, Katie.” He took my hand in his. “But you need to find someone else to be your best friend. And please, find someone else that you let in close that doesn’t destroy your life. Uh, not that it’s your fault. You got unlucky, I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I thought my ##red\|death## would fix things. Look like I just fucked you over, huh?” He looked guilty. Regretful. I shook my head. “No! It’s not your fault!” I insisted, throat clenching, voice cracking. “You didn’t know!” He nodded, that sad smile returning again. “Heh, yeah. You’re right. Just like how my death isn’t your fault, yeah? We can both agree we’re not at fault.” There were so many things I wanted to say. The look on his face seemed much the same. I stared at him for a few moments. I couldn’t find the words to speak. I felt the tears coming. Before they could take hold, I yanked up his sleeves. All I saw was a group of ##red\|red##. No flesh, no bones, no ##red\|blood##. Just ##red\|red## pixels. He laughed sadly, pulling his sleeves back down. “Yeah, I—“ He shook his head. “Please focus on what’s important. Don’t end up like me. Like I said, I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I just…” He paused, then locked eyes with me, gaze iron and focused. “Please. Save yourself.” “What am I supposed to do?” I begged, tears clouding my vision. He stood up. I shook my head, reaching out my hand. “You can’t leave! You were hardly here!” I screamed. “I still have so many questions! Like— how are you here? Is this really a dream? Are you okay? Please—“ “Katie.” He interrupts. “Please be careful. No matter what happens, it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault I ##red\|died##, it’s not your fault she manipulated you. I… hope things will eventually end, and she’ll be done for good. I promise that I’m gonna be okay. See ya, Katie.” He smiled at me and waved. And he was gone. And then I woke up. ------ I woke up in a cold sweat. I already missed him so much. It felt real. Like we were really there, talking one last time.I started tearing up. I barely managed to keep quiet. All the lights were out. I could barely see, but I could feel her next to me. 4 AM. She was gonna be up in a couple of hours for work. I aimed my phone's screen at her face, illuminating her closed eyes. Asleep. I hoped. I didn’t know what to do. I was starting to get really freaked out being stuck here. All the red flags were hitting me at once. I was freaking out. I had to get out of here. [[size 200%]]##red\|I WAS SO STUPID## [[/size]] //“It’s not your fault she manipulated you.”// The words played back in my head. I carefully got off the bed, constantly checking back to make sure I didn’t wake her up. I crept over to my purse, using my phone for light. I unzipped the inner pocket, slipping out a folded-up sheet of paper and carefully flattening it out. I stared down at it. Those five words. [[size 150%]]IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT, KATIE[[/size]] Not crying was getting much harder. I carefully put the note back where I kept it.Still next to my purse, I went to the last message Sam ever sent me. //“Love you, Katie, you’re my best friend. I’m sorry.”// More than anything, I just wished these last months were a bad dream. That I’d wake up and I’d still be able to talk to Sam about the stupid names people give the pets I watch, about the new chapter of our favorite game, about how I hate that my favorite ice cream flavor changed recipes. Just about anything. And that I never met Hannah. The dream I had was right. I needed to do something. I needed to ##red\|GET OUT##. It was 4 AM. The world was dead asleep. I still texted my mom. I asked her if she’d be able to pick me up later. That I had a lot I needed to discuss. That I was sorry for not talking to her and my dad. That I just really, REALLY needed to see them. A sob escaped me. My anxiety spiked. I stared back at her bed. I heard a groan. I froze. “Katie?” My breathing was getting heavier. I held as still as I could. “What are you doing?” She sounded tired. I'd gotten up in the middle of the night before. My plans just had me boiling over with anxiety. I was terrified that she'd find out. “Are you there?” I took a breath. “Yeah.” “What are you doing?” My mind was blank. I couldn’t think of an excuse. “Couldn’t sleep.” I managed. Hannah chuckled. “Oh. Well, we could watch something. I’ve gotta get up in a few hours, anyway.” She offered. Even though she couldn’t see me, I nodded. “Sounds good.” My voice was incredibly shaky. Hannah turned on the lamp. She looked at me holding my phone, sitting next to my purse. “What are you doing next to your purse? You didn’t pull the note out again, did you?” She sounded concerned. She got out of bed and sat next to me. I gripped my phone tightly, turning the screen to face against my lap. “I was just… looking for some comfort. I didn’t wanna wake you.” I managed. She nodded, putting a hand on my shoulder. She opened her mouth to speak. Then my phone rang. Dread hit me like a truck. Hannah looked at me. “Who is that?” she asked tightly. She attempted to keep her facial expression calm, but I could tell she was irritated. I stared at her, and my phone kept ringing. “I uh… I don’t know.” I answered carefully. My mind was racing. I was terrified. She nodded, taking my phone out of my hands. She looked at the caller ID. “Your mother. Why is she calling you at 4AM?” “She must have a good reason.” I replied. I attempted to reach for my phone, but she held it behind her back. Eventually, the line rang out. I felt panicked, but also ANGRY. “Hannah, give me my phone,” I demanded, crossing my arms. Then she looked at me, and I felt so small. I heard my phone buzz, and my heart sank. I prayed to a god I didn’t believe in that the messages didn’t give away what I said. She looked at my phone again, then back to me. “You’re trying to leave?” Her voice sounded… //hurt//. She carefully handed my phone back, still staring at me. I felt deep in my chest that things were over. I didn't know what that meant. She stood up. “I’ll… give you some space,” She replied. I was still stunned into silence. I nodded. She exited the room without a word. I couldn't believe how calm she was being. It shocked me. I was… //scared//, too. I eventually made my way to her bed, staring at my messages with my mom, but I didn’t dare type a word. I decided that I would make a break for it when she left for work. That I’d run as far as I could and get my mom to get me wherever I was. I was staring at the clock, just praying for time to move. I was unnerved Hannah hadn’t returned to her room yet, but relieved at the same time. Eventually, it became about 5:40 or so. I was sitting in her bed, anxiously awaiting for to return so I could ##red\|LEAVE##. The door opened. Hannah was holding her jacket in her arms, her hands obscured. “Hey. I’m… I’m sorry for how I was acting.” She replied carefully. I nodded. “It’s um… it’s okay,” I replied quietly. I was willing to say anything just to get her to ##red\|LEAVE##. She walked up to the bed and sat next to me. “Before I leave, I need to show you something,” She said calmly. “Close your eyes.” Something was ##Red\|WRONG##. I didn’t want to. I was //##red\|afraid##//. “Please? Trust me.” Hannah replied with a gentle smile. “It’s good, I promise.” Those words sent a chill down my spine. I knew I wasn’t getting out of this. She kept staring at me, and I anxiously glanced at my lap. Every shred of self-preservation and logic in me said not to comply. To run out the door. To get up. ##red\|TO DO SOMETHING## [[size 160%]]##red\|ANYTHING##[[/size]] [[size 90%]] //But I was frozen.//[[/size]] I felt trapped under her gaze. I eventually found myself closing my eyes. “Thank you.” Hannah replied softly. I heard moving. I felt something against my head, right above my ear. I heard a //click//. Everything from the past months is suddenly flashing before my eyes. Sam’s suicide. Meeting Hannah. The wonderful days. The cracks showing. The sudden dread. Everything. [[size 150%]] ##red\|EVERYTHING## [[/size]] [[size 200%]] ##RED\|EVERY STUPID DECISION I MADE TRUSTING THE DEVIL HERSELF## [[/size]] And then— [[size 500%]]##RED\|BANG##[[/size]] … … … … … … … I thought everything was going to go dark. I don’t believe in an afterlife. I never have. But I find myself staring at [[size 150%]] ##red\| MYSELF## [[/size]] My ##red\| unrecognizable face## replaced with NOTHING BUT ##red\|RED##. Then I see ##red\|HER## [[size 200%]] ##red\|I SEE HER GLOVED HANDS PUTTING MY LIMP FINGERS AROUND THE TRIGGER## [[/size]] [[size 250%]] ##red\|HER TAKING MY PHONE, PRESSING THE CALL BACK BUTTON, WAITING FOR HER TO PICK UP## [[/size]] [[size 300%]]##red\| CRYING SOME SOB STORY TO MY MOTHER ABOUT MY //SUICIDE//## [[/size]] [[size 350%]]##red\|IF YOU TRULY LOVED ME, WHY DID YOU DO THIS? WHY?##[[/size]] [[size 400%]]##red\|WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY##[[/size]] [[size 400%]]##red\|I'LL SPEND THE REST OF MY AFTERLIFE MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE MISERABLE##[[/size]] [[size 400%]]##red\|AFTER I OPENED MY ENTIRE SOUL TO YOU I WAS BROKEN AND HURTING AND YOU USED ME DID YOU EVER REALLY CARE?##[[/SIZE]] [[size 400%]]##red\|GET RID OF YOUR TEARS YOU DID THIS YOU DID THIS YOU DID THIS YOU DID THIS YOU DID THIS##[[/SIZE]] [[size 400%]]##red\|YOU DON'T GET TO CRY##[[/SIZE]] [[size 400%]]##red\|YOU GET TO SUFFER##[[/SIZE]] "I don't know if you can hear me. P-please know that... I loved you, Katie. You were suffering. I hope you can be with Sam now. You didn't understand... I-I just wanted to keep you safe." Her pathetic voice cried. [[size 400%]]##red\|SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP YOU DIDN'T CARE IF YOU CARED YOU WOULD'VE WANTED MY IMPROVEMENT YOU SELFISH SELFISH SELFISH##[[/SIZE]] I try to reach for her, to ##red\|STRANGLE## her. To ##red\|HIT## her. ##red\|TO RIP HER HEAD FROM HER BODY TO SCRATCH HER FACE TO A PULP TO RIP HER APART LIMB BY LIMB## ##red\|TO DO SOMETHING.## //Nothing works.// My ghostly hands fade right through her. [[size 200%]]##red\|I can't stay in this room. Can I-- I can.##[[/SIZE]] [[size 150%]]I need to think.[[/SIZE]] [[size 150%]]Did this happen to Sam, too? Where is he? Could I[[/SIZE]] see him again? What would he say if he could see me? Would he be disappointed in me? No. That’s not the Sam I know. I just… wish things could’ve been different. Wait. I //know// what he’d say. He told me. //“It’s not your fault she manipulated you.”// That //was// him. He’s not truly gone, and it seems nor am I. Does that mean… he had to see me on that day? I can’t think of that right now. I can leave the room. But can I leave this house? Can I find him again? Figures. I was stuck here in life, and now I'm stuck here in death. Sam’s still out there, and I’ll still never see him again. She repulses me. Prattling on about her pathetic sob story to the police. Pretending over the corpse of the woman she ##red\|MURDERED## [[size 200%]]##red\|CAN ANYONE HEAR ME? HELLO? SHE MURDERED ME! SHE’S LYING TO YOU##[[/size]] … … //Nothing.// [[size 90%]]I’m stuck here.[[/size]] It’s so busy. I want to leave. I want to be away from her. I want to think. I want this to all be a dream. All of this. Think. I think again about what Sam said to me.. //“I… hope things will eventually end, and she’ll be done for good.”// Does anything end? I… I’m stuck here. I have been for the last week at this point. I've discovered my head is bloody, but not unrecognizable like my ##red\|dead body's##. She took Sam’s sketchbook and hid it somewhere. That enraged me, I wanted it back. I want to prove to him that things aren’t over for me, as he would’ve wanted. For now, I’m stuck with no one to hear me but, I’m not done. I’ve clearly been kept here for a reason. I wonder, has she done this to anyone else? They’d be here like me if she had, right? Sam believed that I could make it out. He believed in me. I refuse to disappoint him. I’m gonna make sure Hannah never hurts anyone again. I’ll spend the rest of my afterlife preventing this monster from killing again. I don’t care what it takes. Just if only someone could hear me. If only— “Hello?” An unfamiliar voice. A knock on the door. Hannah rushed from the back. A woman with shoulder length red hair was standing at the door, holding a bouquet of flowers. “I heard what happened.” Hannah gasps, giving a sad smile. She is quiet, then quickly begins to sob. The woman embraces her. “Oh Hannah, I’m so sorry.” No, no, no! You have no idea what you’re in for! I’m… not going to let you succumb to my fate. I’m not letting Hannah hurt you. [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a>]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-11-29T22:10:00	[ "bleak", "first-person", "ghost", "tale" ]	THAT DAY. - SCP Foundation	19	[ "dr-mews-personnel-file", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "tales-by-year" ]	[]	1457453641	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/that-day
the-american-experiment	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=1&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Anight-rush-theme/1&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> <div class="blockquote"> <h1 id="toc0"><span>File: The_American_Experiment</span></h1> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Note: Display Potential Cognitohazardous Content?</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Please stand by...</a></div> </div> </div> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>Opening File. Please continue to stand by...</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <p>I was the first in my family to be born here, in this foreign land. My generation was hybrids, essentially- not in flesh nor blood nor genes, but of mind and culture. The entirety of my existence often feels like a testing ground for whether coexistence is possible. I am a first generation American.</p> <p>It is a bitter feeling once you recognize it.</p> <p>Yet, what am I to do but continue to exist?</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">>Input detected. Additional data required.</span></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>05/28/2021</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> Today was my high school graduation. Upon calling my grandparents, I informed them I had been accepted into a fairly competitive six year program for college. Though, their response proved unexpected. <p>“Do it in five.”</p> <p>“What?”</p> <p>“Do it in five years.”</p> <p>“That isn't how the program works.”</p> <p>“Then be the first one to do it.”</p> <p>I sometimes wonder at which stage of my life I would have done enough to satisfy certain members of my family, that I might be free of pressures that seemed to linger at both every milestone and every failure. That said, independence is a frivolous matter compared to the more… <em>pressing</em> issues we face.</p> </div> </div> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <p><em>Subject shows a lack of gratitude for the many educational opportunities and career pathways available to her, despite being among the first generation of females to have access to such opportunities. Subject refuses to optimize performance, and has been informed of subsequent disappointment.</em></p> </div> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Information Processed. Additional data required.</span></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>07/14/2023</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> I fell in love today, completely by mistake. He is of my religion and my sect, fortunately. Beyond that, he is my neighbor and childhood friend. He had been here the whole time. My compliment. Another gear to tick in tandem with. <p>Save for a single oversight: He was not of my blood, nor even my race.</p> <p>I spent much too time and much too much energy mulling, wondering, over such feelings. But ultimately, what was I to do but speak my mind to him?</p> <p>And what was I to do when he said yes?</p> <p>“Please don’t do this to me,” said my mother, when I told her. “I don’t want to break your heart.”</p> </div> </div> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <p><em>Subject is aware that cross-cultural romances aren’t gazed upon favorably, especially for women. Her subsequent insistence on continuing the relationship is an entirely unreasonable endeavor, and reflects weakness in her initial fortitude towards maintaining loyalty to her culture of origin.</em></p> </div> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Information Processed. Additional data required.</span></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>10/06/2023</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> The war started today. The genocide. The invasion. The “conflict” if you want to avoid being controversial. I don’t blame you, I don’t know what to call it either. I feel until now I had been living an imperfect illusion that has shattered. <p>Except it didn't start today. It's been here for eighty years.</p> <p>Today was just when it made itself known to my life.</p> <p>I lost friends and lost sleep over this, and I think I’m one of the lucky ones to be able to complain about that. Others have lost their homes. Their lives. Their families.</p> <p>Yet, what am I to do, from a literal ocean away, but continue to function?</p> <p>It is, with this sentiment, that we make ourselves as palatable as possible to the scathing eyes the American taste. We are not an ideal meal, but a tolerable one, required to be ingested and consolidated into the larger whole as part of a changing society.</p> </div> </div> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <p><em>Subject demonstrates extreme stress following the instigation of the conflict, alternating between periods of obsession and subsequent avoidance. Beyond this, subject has discontinued ordinary relations with family and other social circles to increase focus on academic content. However, this has proved ineffective at altering already declining performance.</em></p> </div> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Information Processed. Additional data required.</span></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>03/24/2024</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> I have something to confess. <p>I’ve never been to my homeland before, where nine generations of my families lived, despite begging to visit since I could speak. Though I’m thankful for the technology that allows me to create and maintain my friendships from there.</p> <p>My cousin and I have comparable commutes to our college. Though I sometimes get caught in traffic, my cousin regularly passes through four checkpoints to get to her campus. Where I sometimes fall asleep at my laptop, she must rest with charcoal mere inches from her head, for fear of bombs or gas attacks in the middle of the night. Where I complain that my parents don’t like my boyfriend, she might never marry because the young men are often the first to die.</p> <p>Again, I realize, I’m lucky to be here, aren’t I?</p> </div> </div> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <p><em>Subject enters periods of extreme cognitive dissonance due to inaction regarding the ongoing conflict. She ceased former avoidant behavior, and has begun to neglect academic responsibilities in favor of speaking with relatives in the active warzone. Subject was able to finish the academic year, despite a substantially lower grade point average than in prior semesters.</em></p> </div> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Information Processed. Additional data required.</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p>05/05/2024</p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> They tore down the encampments at Columbia today, though dozens more seemed to pop up across the country— with my university being one of them. Our parents asked and argued and begged for us not to go. But for the first time in our lives, we had the extraordinary ability to do …<em>something</em>. <p>So what else here we to do but sneak our Abayas and Kufiyas out of the house, and for once, make our voices known?</p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Information Processed. Additional data required.</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> ERROR: Assimilative Thought Patterns Detected.</span></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>Is it assimilation if you've been here your whole life?</p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> ERROR: She sees us.</span></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>You advocate for the preservation of our people and our culture, yet anger when I am not silent.</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Silence is often, unfortunately, the best course of action.</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>You can’t keep saying shit like that and expecting me to blindly follow. It hurts me when you-</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> That’s the American in you talking. We truly lost you to this cruel world, and this damned nation</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>That! It hurts me when you say that!</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> You complain about being hurt. Have you not seen the-</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>I’ve seen it! I’ve seen it over and over and it hurts. I just can't watch it anymore without <em>doing</em> something.</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> You pretend to know their pain. </span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>I don’t, and I never will. But you can’t just-</p> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> …<br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> Look, I am sure we can both see reason.</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> If you believe anyone here can be reasoned with, truly you have been deceived. </span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>There’s so much beauty in this world. There’s so much forgiveness and acceptance and… willingness to learn.</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Forgiveness? For what? You expect us to apologize for our culture and existence? </span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>I expect us to be civil.</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> So you want to conform. </span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>We were the ones that came here, weren’t we?</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> An evident mistake.</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>No. An opportunity.</p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p><strong>[[13 seconds of silence]]</strong></p> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>We are allowed to be hurt. But we cannot afford to separate ourselves from either our birthplace, or our homeland.</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> So you expect to act as if there are no problems? Why? So you may forget?</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>No. So we may function, if only for another day.</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Is that where it ends? At your functionality?</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <div style="color:#FFFDD0;"> <div style="text-align: right;"> <p>What else can we do?</p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Data collection complete Please stand by.</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Processing...</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Processing...</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#ff0000;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Processing...</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div style="font-family:Courier New"> <div style="color:#00FF00;"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">> Result: Compatible?</span></p> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> </div> <div class="blockquote"> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/></p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Note: New File Found. View?</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">Author's Note.</a></div> <p>I am a Palestinian who has spent her entire life on American soil. These memoirs are based on my own journal entries from the past few years. For as painful and horrifying this conflict has been, there is hope in just how many have come out to support and stand for us. I should say I have genuine thanks for this community for being supportive of Palestine- it is an incredibly humanizing experience to witness.</p> <p>This site is my way of saying that I was here. I did this. I did <em>something.</em> Existence itself tends to feel like a chore, especially in leaving something for others to remember you by. But existence is also a right that the Palestinian people are fighting for, and I intend to do what I can with my life to prove that they deserve it.</p> </div> </div> </div> <br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="earthworm earthworm--old-syntax-first-{$first} earthworm--old-syntax-last-{$last} earthworm--old-syntax-hub-{$hub} {$class}"> <div class="first earthworm__previous" data-title="{$previous-title}"> <p><a href="/">{$previous-title}</a></p> </div> <div class="hub earthworm__hub" data-title="The American Experiment"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-american-experiment">The American Experiment</a></p> </div> <div class="last earthworm__next" data-title="The American Election"> <p><a href="https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/election-day">The American Election</a></p> </div> </div> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br/> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <div class="licensebox"> <div class="collapsible-block"> <div class="collapsible-block-folded"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded" style="display:none"> <div class="collapsible-block-unfolded-link"><a class="collapsible-block-link" href="javascript:;">‡ Hide Licensing / Citation</a></div> <div class="collapsible-block-content"> <p>Cite this page as:</p> <div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/the-american-experiment">The American Experiment</a>" by Anonymous, from the <a href="https://scpwiki.com">SCP Wiki</a>. Source: <a href="https://scpwiki.com/the-american-experiment">https://scpwiki.com/the-american-experiment</a>. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">CC-BY-SA</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <p>For information on how to use this component, see the <a href="/component:license-box">License Box component</a>. To read about licensing policy, see the <a href="/licensing-guide">Licensing Guide</a>.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Filename:</strong> WaterMelonAmerican.png<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Anomalous poster<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Link:</strong> <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/the-american-experiment/WaterMelonAmerican.png">http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/the-american-experiment/WaterMelonAmerican.png</a></p> </blockquote> <p>This image is a composite of:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Watermelon_C15577.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> American 19th Century<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Watermelon_C15577.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong>Name:</strong> Flag From Ground Zero.jpg<br/> <strong>Author:</strong> Federal Bureau of Investigations<br/> <strong>License:</strong> Public Domain<br/> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_From_Ground_Zero.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>	[[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:night-rush-theme">:scp-wiki:theme:night-rush-theme</a>]] [[module CSS]] #header { height: 140px; position: relative; z-index: 10; padding-bottom: 22px; /* FOR MENU / background: url() 10px 40px no-repeat; } #header { background-image: unset; } #header h1 a, #header h2 span { color: transparent; text-shadow: none } #page-title { display:none } [[/module]] [[>]] [[module Rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="blockquote"]] + File: The_American_Experiment [[collapsible show="Note: Display Potential Cognitohazardous Content?" hide="Please stand by..."]] [[image http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/the-american-experiment/WaterMelonAmerican.png]] [[/collapsible]] [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@>Opening File. Please continue to stand by...@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] I was the first in my family to be born here, in this foreign land. My generation was hybrids, essentially- not in flesh nor blood nor genes, but of mind and culture. The entirety of my existence often feels like a testing ground for whether coexistence is possible. I am a first generation American. It is a bitter feeling once you recognize it. Yet, what am I to do but continue to exist? [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@>Input detected. Additional data required.@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[=]] 05/28/2021 [[/=]] @@ @@ Today was my high school graduation. Upon calling my grandparents, I informed them I had been accepted into a fairly competitive six year program for college. Though, their response proved unexpected. “Do it in five.” “What?” “Do it in five years.” “That isn't how the program works.” “Then be the first one to do it.” I sometimes wonder at which stage of my life I would have done enough to satisfy certain members of my family, that I might be free of pressures that seemed to linger at both every milestone and every failure. That said, independence is a frivolous matter compared to the more… //pressing// issues we face. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] //Subject shows a lack of gratitude for the many educational opportunities and career pathways available to her, despite being among the first generation of females to have access to such opportunities. Subject refuses to optimize performance, and has been informed of subsequent disappointment.// [[/div]] [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Information Processed. Additional data required.@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[=]] 07/14/2023 [[/=]] @@ @@ I fell in love today, completely by mistake. He is of my religion and my sect, fortunately. Beyond that, he is my neighbor and childhood friend. He had been here the whole time. My compliment. Another gear to tick in tandem with. Save for a single oversight: He was not of my blood, nor even my race. I spent much too time and much too much energy mulling, wondering, over such feelings. But ultimately, what was I to do but speak my mind to him? And what was I to do when he said yes? “Please don’t do this to me,” said my mother, when I told her. “I don’t want to break your heart.” [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] //Subject is aware that cross-cultural romances aren’t gazed upon favorably, especially for women. Her subsequent insistence on continuing the relationship is an entirely unreasonable endeavor, and reflects weakness in her initial fortitude towards maintaining loyalty to her culture of origin.// [[/div]] [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Information Processed. Additional data required.@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[=]] 10/06/2023 [[/=]] @@ @@ The war started today. The genocide. The invasion. The “conflict” if you want to avoid being controversial. I don’t blame you, I don’t know what to call it either. I feel until now I had been living an imperfect illusion that has shattered. Except it didn't start today. It's been here for eighty years. Today was just when it made itself known to my life. I lost friends and lost sleep over this, and I think I’m one of the lucky ones to be able to complain about that. Others have lost their homes. Their lives. Their families. Yet, what am I to do, from a literal ocean away, but continue to function? It is, with this sentiment, that we make ourselves as palatable as possible to the scathing eyes the American taste. We are not an ideal meal, but a tolerable one, required to be ingested and consolidated into the larger whole as part of a changing society. [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] //Subject demonstrates extreme stress following the instigation of the conflict, alternating between periods of obsession and subsequent avoidance. Beyond this, subject has discontinued ordinary relations with family and other social circles to increase focus on academic content. However, this has proved ineffective at altering already declining performance.// [[/div]] [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Information Processed. Additional data required.@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ [[div class="blockquote"]] [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[=]] 03/24/2024 [[/=]] @@ @@ I have something to confess. I’ve never been to my homeland before, where nine generations of my families lived, despite begging to visit since I could speak. Though I’m thankful for the technology that allows me to create and maintain my friendships from there. My cousin and I have comparable commutes to our college. Though I sometimes get caught in traffic, my cousin regularly passes through four checkpoints to get to her campus. Where I sometimes fall asleep at my laptop, she must rest with charcoal mere inches from her head, for fear of bombs or gas attacks in the middle of the night. Where I complain that my parents don’t like my boyfriend, she might never marry because the young men are often the first to die. Again, I realize, I’m lucky to be here, aren’t I? [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] //Subject enters periods of extreme cognitive dissonance due to inaction regarding the ongoing conflict. She ceased former avoidant behavior, and has begun to neglect academic responsibilities in favor of speaking with relatives in the active warzone. Subject was able to finish the academic year, despite a substantially lower grade point average than in prior semesters.// [[/div]] [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Information Processed. Additional data required.@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[=]] 05/05/2024 [[/=]] @@ @@ They tore down the encampments at Columbia today, though dozens more seemed to pop up across the country— with my university being one of them. Our parents asked and argued and begged for us not to go. But for the first time in our lives, we had the extraordinary ability to do ...//something//. So what else here we to do but sneak our Abayas and Kufiyas out of the house, and for once, make our voices known? [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Information Processed. Additional data required.@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> ERROR: Assimilative Thought Patterns Detected.@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] Is it assimilation if you've been here your whole life? [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> ERROR: She sees us.@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] You advocate for the preservation of our people and our culture, yet anger when I am not silent. [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Silence is often, unfortunately, the best course of action.@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] You can’t keep saying shit like that and expecting me to blindly follow. It hurts me when you- [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> That’s the American in you talking. We truly lost you to this cruel world, and this damned nation@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] That! It hurts me when you say that! [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> You complain about being hurt. Have you not seen the-@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] I’ve seen it! I’ve seen it over and over and it hurts. I just can't watch it anymore without //doing// something. [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> You pretend to know their pain. @@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] I don’t, and I never will. But you can’t just- @@ @@ @@ @@ ... @@ @@ @@ @@ Look, I am sure we can both see reason. [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> If you believe anyone here can be reasoned with, truly you have been deceived. @@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] There’s so much beauty in this world. There’s so much forgiveness and acceptance and… willingness to learn. [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Forgiveness? For what? You expect us to apologize for our culture and existence? @@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] I expect us to be civil. [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> So you want to conform. @@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] We were the ones that came here, weren’t we? [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> An evident mistake.@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] No. An opportunity. [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] [[13 seconds of silence]]* [[/=]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] We are allowed to be hurt. But we cannot afford to separate ourselves from either our birthplace, or our homeland. [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> So you expect to act as if there are no problems? Why? So you may forget?@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] No. So we may function, if only for another day. [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Is that where it ends? At your functionality?@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="color:#FFFDD0;"]] [[>]] What else can we do? [[/>]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Data collection complete Please stand by.@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Processing...@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Processing...@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#ff0000;"]] @@> Processing...@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[div style="font-family:Courier New"]] [[div style="color:#00FF00;"]] @@> Result: Compatible?@@ [[/div]] [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ [[/div]] [[div class="blockquote"]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[=]] [[collapsible show="Note: New File Found. View?" hide="Author's Note."]] [[/=]] I am a Palestinian who has spent her entire life on American soil. These memoirs are based on my own journal entries from the past few years. For as painful and horrifying this conflict has been, there is hope in just how many have come out to support and stand for us. I should say I have genuine thanks for this community for being supportive of Palestine- it is an incredibly humanizing experience to witness. This site is my way of saying that I was here. I did this. I did //something.// Existence itself tends to feel like a chore, especially in leaving something for others to remember you by. But existence is also a right that the Palestinian people are fighting for, and I intend to do what I can with my life to prove that they deserve it. [[/collapsible]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[/div]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:earthworm">:scp-wiki:component:earthworm</a> \| previous-url = / \| hub-url = https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-american-experiment \| hub-title = The American Experiment \| next-url = https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/election-day \| next-title = The American Election ]] @@ @@ @@ @@ [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box">:scp-wiki:component:license-box</a> \| author = Anonymous]] > Filename: WaterMelonAmerican.png > Author: Anomalous poster > License: Public Domain > Link: http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/the-american-experiment/WaterMelonAmerican.png This image is a composite of: > Name: Watermelon_C15577.jpg > Author: American 19th Century > License: Public Domain > Source: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Watermelon_C15577.jpg Wikimedia Commons] > Name: Flag From Ground Zero.jpg > Author: Federal Bureau of Investigations > License: Public Domain > Source: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_From_Ground_Zero.jpg Wikimedia Commons] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/component:license-box-end">:scp-wiki:component:license-box-end</a>]]	2024-07-04T18:50:00	[ "bleak", "first-person", "journal", "tale" ]	The American Experiment - SCP Foundation	60	[ "election-day", "component:license-box", "licensing-guide" ]	[ "news" ]	[]	1454365147	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-american-experiment
the-ballad-of-george-the-ghoul	<html><body><div id="page-content"> <div style="display: none;"> <div class="limit"> <div class="anchor"> <div class="authorbox tableb"><div class="list-pages-box"> <div class="list-pages-item"> <table class="wiki-content-table"> <tr> <th>The Ballad of George the Ghoul</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><span class="bt bb">Byㅤ</span> <span class="printuser avatarhover"><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/baronjoe" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3376201); return false;"><img alt="Baronjoe" class="small" src="https://www.wikidot.com/avatar.php?userid=3376201&amp;size=small&amp;timestamp=1736645325" style="background-image:url(https://www.wikidot.com/userkarma.php?u=3376201)"/></a><a href="http://www.wikidot.com/user:info/baronjoe" onclick="WIKIDOT.page.listeners.userInfo(3376201); return false;">Baronjoe</a></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th>Published on <span class="odate time_1734037201 format_%25d%20%25b%20%25Y">12 Dec 2024 21:00</span></th> </tr> </table> </div> </div></div> <br/></div> </div> <p><iframe src="//interwiki.scpwiki.com/styleFrame.html?priority=2&theme=https://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--code/theme%3Aflopstyle-dark/2&css={$css}" style="display: none"></iframe></p> </div> <div class="meta-title"> <p>The Ballad of George the Ghoul</p> </div> <p>Little George fell down a gorge,<br/> Lost his way without a torch.<br/> Little George was gone too soon,<br/> But brought back by Yvith's moon.</p> <p>Little George rose from the grave<br/> Fully prepared to misbehave.<br/> Little George felt great hunger,<br/> And cold graves he did plunder.</p> <p>Little George the wicked ghoul<br/> Pulled out of cradles, how cruel.<br/> Little George with a swift hand<br/> Wrought terror across the land.</p> <p>Little George then met his end,<br/> The Fundamentum had condemned.<br/> Little George fell to their might,<br/> Set aflame to scare the night.</p> </div></body></html>	[[div style="display: none;"]] [[include <a href="http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/theme:flopstyle-dark">:scp-wiki:theme:flopstyle-dark</a> witching-hour=a]] [[/div]] [[>]] [[module rate]] [[/>]] [[div class="meta-title"]] The Ballad of George the Ghoul [[/div]] Little George fell down a gorge, Lost his way without a torch. Little George was gone too soon, But brought back by Yvith's moon. Little George rose from the grave Fully prepared to misbehave. Little George felt great hunger, And cold graves he did plunder. Little George the wicked ghoul Pulled out of cradles, how cruel. Little George with a swift hand Wrought terror across the land. Little George then met his end, The Fundamentum had condemned. Little George fell to their might, Set aflame to scare the night.	2024-12-12T21:00:00	[ "nightfall", "poetry", "tale" ]	The Ballad of George the Ghoul - SCP Foundation	3	[]	[ "tales-by-year", "news" ]	[]	1458001956	https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/the-ballad-of-george-the-ghoul

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